ST BEDE’S BEDLINGTON
Catholic Row, Bedlington, NE 22 6 HS Tel: 01670 823258
Email: bede57@googlemail.com
Parish Website: www.saintbede.org.uk
Diocesan Website: www.rcdhn.org.uk
Parish Priest: Fr Chris Hughes
The Epiphany of the Lord
4th January 2015
Parish Mass Book - page 115
Preface of Epiphany age 53
Eucharistic Prayer III
Mass Times and Intentions
6.30 pm Vigil People of Parish
EPIPHANY 4 Jan 10.00 am David Robertson
Monday 9.00 am John & Sarah Sutherland
Tuesday 10.00 am Eucharistic Service
Wednesday 10.00 am Craik & Freel families
Thursday 10.00 am Alice & James Devlin
Friday 10.00 am Eucharistic Service
6.30 pm Vigil Christopher Wilkes
Sunday 11 Jan 10.00 am People of Parish
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
Friday 9.20 - 9.50 am
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Saturday 5.45 pm - 6.15 pm
Please pray for:
· James Chadwick, John Bradley and all who are sick,
· Peter Maley and all who have died recently,
· Alice Devlin, Daniel Sykes and all whose anniversaries occur at this time.
Finance …
Holy Family: £298.92
Christmas Day: £1024.27
Many thanks
Feast of the Epiphany
Today we move into the second part of Christmas. Having reflected on God becoming human, the mystery of the Incarnation, we now for eight days reflect on the theme of Epiphany, of God who reveals himself in love , splendour and vulnerability to the world. It is an opportunity for us all to reflect on how God has revealed himself in the past year. It is still Christmas for another week so keep on celebrating! With the Christmas season finishing next week-end with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord we will keep the decorations up for till next Sunday. Help after the 10.00am Mass next Sunday to take down the decorations will be much appreciated
2015!
At the start of a New Year, I would like to wish you and all those you love every blessing and peace for the New Year. Thanks for making the Christmas liturgical celebrations so wonderful and for generosity received
Schools Return
As the schools return this week, I would like to wish all staff and pupils of both schools every blessing and success and for what is an important year for both schools. The training day for St Bede’s will start with an optional Mass here in the Church at 9.00am on Monday. Parishioners are also very welcome to this mass.
Baptisms in the Parish
Last year we started a baptismal catechesis programme in the parish. I have written to all families who had children baptised last year asking them to come the Mass next week-end where we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord for their babies to blessed at the end of Mass. I am also aware that a number of adults were also baptised here in St Bede’s last year and they are also welcome to this Mass. Information for the Baptismal programme for 2015-16 is available in the narthex
Parish Confirmations
This year we will have parish confirmations by Bishop Seamus Cunningham on Friday June 5th. I will be writing in the next two weeks to all Catholic pupils in our parish who are in years 9 & 10 of St Benet’s inviting them to take part in the Confirmation preparation programme. If there are any parishioners who are not at St Benet’s but are in years 9 or 10 school or older who would like to take part, please contact me as soon as possible. The programme will start on Thursday February 5th at 7.45 pm in the Church Hall. I would like to have as many of those confirmed in 2013
to be present as well at the first session to share about their experience of the programme and of being confirmed. I believe they will be a great source of encouragement for our new candidates
Musicians
I have had one parishioner who has expressed a willingness to play. Anymore musicians would be very welcome. Please contact me or Helen Denton
The Parish Council
The postponed meeting for December 8th will now take place on Monday 12 January at 7.00pm
The Feast of Antony of Egypt– Patron Saint of Animals
I discovered last year that the patron Saint of Animals is St Antony of Egypt, the founder of the Monastic movement. As he lived out in the wilderness in the desert in Egypt , he found companionship with animals that greeted him in his solitude. In Europe there is a tradition of animals being presented for a blessing on his feast day. Animals are a major part of many people’s lives be it as pets, working in agriculture or just being inspired by their grace, beauty and power in the countryside. They are also a significant part of the environment and of God’s creation; this is an area that will be the subject of the next encyclical to be published by Pope Francis in March. In the light of all of the above I have decided we will have a blessing of animals in the hall at 10.00am on the feast of St Anthony on Saturday January 17th. All animals including humans are welcome!
Christ in the World
The next meeting will be on Friday 23rd of January. We will watch the French film ‘Untouchable’ which explores on the experience of those who are ,and those who care for, people with disabilities. This will be followed by a discussion on the issues explored in the film
Journey of Faith will resume this Wednesday at 6.30pm. We will explore the Risen Christ
Refugee/Asylum Seekers
There will be a collection this weekend for tins of food (not pork) for refugee and asylum seekers. Please leave in Narthex. Next collection first Sunday of the month