Fifth Sunday of Easter

Fifth Sunday of Easter

3 May 2015

 

Parish Mass Book  -  page  264

Preface: Easter I

 Eucharistic Prayer III

 

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

 

Friday 9.20 - 9.50 am

 

Sacrament of Reconciliation

 

Saturday 5.30 pm

 

Please pray for:

 

 

· all who are sick,

 

· Brenda Crackett, Fr Lawrence Jones (Morpeth) and all who have died recently,

 

all whose anniversaries occur at this time

 

 

 

Father Lawrence Jones 1962  -  2015

 

It was with great sadness to hear of the death of Fr Lawrence Jones, Parish Priest at Morpeth.  Since being diagnosed with terminal cancer in February his death is not a shock but still a cause of great sadness.  We remember him, his family, the parish, and the school, and all the other communities that he served in his 29 years as a priest.

 

I would like to acknowledge his support to me and to the parish.  Most of you will have come across him when he helped at Masses and services of penance.  I will remember his big heart and deep faith.  Fr Jones’ body will be received into St Robert’s 4th May at 7.00 pm.  His Requiem Mass will be at St Mary’s Cathedral at Newcastle on 12 noon on Tuesday 5th May.  All are welcome to either of these Masses.

 

Baptisms

 

Today we welcome Amber Jade Nicholls and Louis Edward and Oscar James Burke into God’s family in baptism.  We are asked to pray for Amber Jade, Louis Edward and Oscar James, their families, and all preparing for baptism.

 

Sick and Retired Priests

 

There will be a second collection today for sick and retired priests.  The fund will remain open until 17th May.

 

Mass on Sunday 26h April

 

My thanks to staff and pupils who contributed to the Mass last Sunday.  It was a lovely and beautiful Mass and was much appreciated by many of the parishioners.  We hope that these Masses will take at least once a term.   My special thanks to Mr Groark for his commitment to strengthening the relationship between the school and the parish. 

 

St Bede’s Day

 

St Bede’s day is 25th May.  This year the day falls on the bank holiday at the end of May, therefore, Mass will be at 11.00 am to celebrate our Patron and then there will be an “open Presbytery and garden” for people to bring food and drink so that we can have an informal celebration for St Bede, and our parish community, during the day.  Weather permitting we will have a barbecue in the garden so people can bring food for the barbecue if they so wish.  Please do all you can to ensure this is a joyful celebration for our parish.

Journey of Faith

 

As was the case last year we shall have a small number of meetings with those who were received into the church for them to reflect on their experience of being a member of our parish community.  The next meeting will be on Tuesday at 6.30 pm.

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.

 

Extra Responsibilities

 

As mentioned last week I am having to take on extra responsibilities although I hope at least some of these will be temporary. I have been asked to take on the role of the Chair of the Diocesan Justice & Peace coordinating council, also with the tragic death of Fr Lawrence there are occasional requests to help in the parish while they wait for a new appointment.  I have also been asked to cover at HMP Northumberland while they search for a replacement to Fr Tony Rattigan who is moving to Durham.

 

Pastoral Care for the Sick and Elderly

 

In the light of the above paragraph I am aware that more lay people will be needed in visiting the sick and housebound in the parish.  If there are special ministers who have time to take communion to the sick and housebound please let me know.

 

General Election

 

Please keep the election in our prayers.  Let us pray that whoever is elected will seek to build a society in accordance with the values of the Gospel.  A member of Churches Together has established an on-line hustings for you to ask questions on line to candidates, copies of the questions will be in the Narthex.  If you wish to ask a question email: bedlington.election 2015@gmail.com.  Candidates questions can be found on:  www.trinitychurchbedlington@org.uk  Please note that the hall is being used as a Polling Station, teas and coffees will not be available after Mass on Thursday.

Confirmations

 

The next session will be Thursday.  Candidates please note we will meet in the former Tesco car park for 7.30 pm to go to the food bank at Bedlington Christian Fellowship for 7.45 pm.