Eighteenth Sunday of the Year
2nd August 2015
Parish Mass Book - page 114
Preface for Sunday VIII & Eucharistic Prayer II
Mass Times and Intentions
6.30 pm Vigil People of Parish
Sunday 2 Aug 10.00 am John Beckwith
Monday 10.00 am Eucharistic Service
Tuesday 10.00 am “ “
Wednesday 10.00 am NBF
Thursday 10.00 am Peggy Nicholson
Friday 10.00 am Eucharistic Service
6.30 pm Vigil John & Sarah Sutherland
Sunday 9 Aug 10.00 am People of Parish
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
Friday 9.20 - 9.50 am
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Saturday 5.45 pm
Please pray for:
· all who are sick,
· all who have died recently,
· all whose anniversaries occur at this time.
Changes in the Parish
My thanks to Fr Stephen Watson and Fr Ian Hoskins and to those parishioners who came to the open meeting on Thursday. The fact that so many of you were willing to attend is much appreciated and gave a great witness. For those of you who were not at the meeting, Fr Stephen and Fr Ian informed the parish that there would be only one Mass at week-ends and that will be on a Saturday evening at a time yet to be decided. You will be able to express their preference over the next couple of week-ends
Reasons were giving by Fr Ian and Fr Stephen as to why this was necessary. I appreciate that not having a Mass on a Sunday morning will be difficult for many of you and we will have to give some thought as to how the elderly can be taken to Mass especially in the winter months and also provision for children’s liturgy.
There are two further points I would like to make. The Moving Forward Together in Hope process is still important and worth giving our attention. The process is about enabling us to be a stronger parish which is important opportunity for you as a parish. The questionnaire also gives you the opportunity to express what we think should be the way forward. We have been told that the process will be open and transparent so although no one can guarantee that there will be changes from what is announced at least in this case the parish can put forward its views and suggestions regarding working in collaboration with other parts of the deanery. Secondly, I can see how this is another challenge to the parish but the changes announced must not prevent us from seeing the great number of gifts, talents , blessings and strengths this community has and how working together through prayer and reflection we can be strong community bearing witness to Christ within and beyond our community
Prayer Vigil - Moving Forward Together in Hope - MFTH
The 24 Hour prayer vigil will take place on 2nd/3rd October. Please see sheet with list of roles that will be needed and possible content for the 24 hours. Please support members of the Prayer and Worship group as they prepare to lead you in this event. At a recent meeting with members of the spirituality group, some of the parish council and Kathryn Turner, who is the head of the diocesan spirituality department, there was a very fruitful discussion which pencilled in different types of prayer and worship for the whole 24 hours. We will look a the story of salvation from Creation to Pentecost, starting at 3.00 pm on 2nd October finishing, we hope, with Mass at 2.00 pm on 3rd October. The primary school and the young people will also be involved The next meeting will be on Wednesday 16th September at 7.00pm
World Youth Day
Four people have said they wish to take part in World Youth Day. I need to know any more names by the end of this month. My thanks to Paddie Denton, and the Leeds diocese for willing to take 16 to 18 year olds.
Parish Accounts
My thanks to Tony Hart for addressing the parish about the parish accounts for 2014/2015. As he stated we are in a more healthy position than we were last years. My thanks to the parish for their generosity. Copies of the accounts are in the Narthex. If you have any queries please contact me or a member of the finance committee.
Farewell Social for Fr Chris
This is taking place after vigil Mass on Saturday 15th August. If you would like to contribute food for this occasion please sign the list in the Narthex. Obviously all are welcome. There are forms in the Narthex about this event please fill them in as soon as possible.
Asylum Seekers
There will be a collection today for tins of food (not pork) for refugee and asylum seekers. Please leave in Narthex.
Sick and Housebound
I am trying to ensure that all our sick and housebound will have a special minister to visit them once I have moved on. My thanks to Eucharistic ministers willing to take on extra responsibility. If you are aware of anyone who is not able to get to Mass and would like to receive holy communion please let me know as soon as possible.
Trip to York
St Paul’s & Holy Family Church social group, Choppington are having a coach trip to York on Friday the 28th August. Cost is £13. Further details on poster in Narthex.
At Minsteracres Rosary Rally: Saturday 15th August, noon to 4.00 pm.
Inside and Outside
A local group for Churches Together are meeting on 12th August at 7.30 pm at Bedlington Christian Fellowship (Coffin Chapel) to discuss as to how our Churches Together can respond to the needs of people who have come out of prison. At this meeting Paul Hobbs a former Anglican chaplain at HMP Northumberland and now director of the Shirley Trust which seeks to help people when they come out of prison will address the meeting.
