First Sunday of Lent

First Sunday of Lent

17th February  2013 

Parish Mass Book page  153

 

Mass Times and Intentions

 

                                        6.30 pm  Vigil Tom, Elizabeth & John Coates

SUNDAY 17th Feb         10.00 am  People of Parish                                                                                  

Monday                           10.00 am  Eucharistic Service

Tuesday                          10.00 am  Katie, Martin Doherty

Wednesday                   10.00 am Mary Beckham

                                        6.00 pm  Reconciliation

Thursday                        10.00 am  NBF

Friday                               10.00 am  Thomas McGurk

 

                                         6.30 pm  Vigil Molly Ruddy

SUNDAY 24th Feb         10.00 am  In Thanksgiving     

 

Sacrament of Reconciliation

 

Every Wednesday during Lent 6,00 to 7.00 pm.

Saturday 5.45 pm - 6.15 pm

and at any time upon request

 

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

 

Friday 9.30 –10.00 am

 

 Please pray for 

· all who are sick,

 

· Lily Bradley, Joyce Tyler , Luke Rutherford and all who have died recently,  

 

· Millie Gordon, Molly Ruddy and all whose anniversaries occur at this time. 

 

Resignation of Pope Benedict XVI
 

I am sure we were all shocked on Monday to hear of the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI.  As church historians have informed us this is the first time ever a Pope has voluntarily offered his resignation  although Canon Law does provide for this possibility.  As stated he will leave his post on 28th February and we will have a Mass of Thanksgiving on that day for his papacy. We give thanks for his  wise and diligent ministry.  We pray for the Church at this time of transition and uncertainty.  We must not let this news forget that we overshadowed with the fact that we have just started Lent.  As we seek to deepen our relationship with God we remember the Church together as a Body of Christ.  We will seek to be faithful to Christ when the new papacy begins.

 

 

Restructuring of Parishes in

Northumberland 

 

I just want to put into writing what I said at the end of the Masses on the weekend of  9/10th February. 

 

On Wednesday 6th February there was a meeting of most of the priests in Northumberland with the Bishop.  The aim of the meeting was to see how parishes can be restructured to accommodate the decrease in the number of priests serving in the county. 

 

What was evident from the discussion was that at some point there will be just the one Mass at the weekend here in this parish, and that the parish will be sharing clergy with one or other parishes in the deanery.  The following questions still need to be answered:

 

· Which parish or parishes shall St Bede’s be partnered with?

 

· Will the partnership that we have with other parishes be a pastoral area where the identity and autonomy of the parishes are left intact, or do we have a full amalgamation with that parish or parishes?

 

· The timing of the Mass at the weekend will need to be negotiated with whichever parish or parishes we are in partnership with.

 

· The timescale for these changes is not known at the present moment.

 

I am sorry that there are so many unanswered questions but what I am clear about is that the increased involvement of lay people in the parish and an increasing sense of cohesion and purpose within the parish is something that must continue.  We must be aware of the bigger picture that is we are called to be the Body of Christ seeking to be a living sign of His presence among us.  Whatever happens, that must be our main priority. 

 

In terms of process for the future I will be meeting with deanery clergy and the parish council and there will be some process of consultation to enable us a parish to look at the questions I have identified.

 

Let us pray for our own parish and all the parishes and clergy in the deanery at this time of transition.

 Lent

 

During Lent the following activities will be taking place in the parish:

 

 

· Mass at 10.00 am Tuesday to Friday

 

· Reconciliation (throughout the deanery) each Wednesday 6.00 to 7.00 pm 

 

· Lenten lunches Thursday, 12 to 1.00 pm at St Cuthbert’s Parish church

 

· Service of Reconciliation, Sunday 17th March at 4.00 pm

 

Journey in Faith  continues on Thursday at  6.00 pm.

 

Carmelites meeting today at 2.00 pm.  All are welcome.

 

 

 

Adult Formation in the Diocese

 

· A lecture on the theology of Blessed John Henry Newman by Professor Lewis Ayers here at St Bede’s, Wednesday 20th February at 7.30 pm. 

 

· Women at the Well:  a day reflecting on women’s spirituality Saturday 2nd March at Holy Name Parish Centre, Jesmond, Newcastle 10.00 am to 4.00 pm.

 

· Death and Dying in Catholic perspective:  hosted by Centre for Catholic Studies on Saturday 9th March, 9.15 am to 5.15 pm. St Cuthbert’s Catholic Chaplaincy, Old Elvet, Durham. Cost £50

 

For further details see posters in Narthex.

 

Teas/coffees after Sunday Mass 
 

We need volunteers who are willing to be on a rota to serve tea and coffee after the Sunday morning Mass.  If you would like to help please sign the list in the Narthex with your name and contact number

 

CAFOD Family Fast Day 
 

This Friday (22nd) is CAFOD Family Fast Day.  We are asked to give up some form of food and drink and donate the money saved.  Jacqui and Tino Menai have kindly offered to put on a Coffee Morning for CAFOD at Tino’s Deli on Front Street, on Saturday 23rd February from 10.30 am to 12 noon.

 

Beginning Experience

 

There is a special heartache for those who find themselves single again.  A weekend away for a lifetime of change  -  a time to heal by expiring God’s love through others at Minsteracres Retreat Centre 19th/21st April.  Further details from poster in Narthex.

Pilgrimage to Ladyewell on Saturday, 25 May 2013.  Feast of St Bede. Cost £15.  In this Year of Faith a plenary indulgence is granted at the shrine of Our Lady and the Martyrs at Ladyewell.Bus will pick up at Peterlee, Heworth Metro, St Mary's Cathedral, St Mark's Westerhope, St Mary's Hexham. Contact Jose Blay Tel. 0191 2678693.  

SVP  The annual report for St Bede’s SVP is posted in the Narthex.