Eleventh Sunday of the Year
16th June 2013
Parish Mass Book 96
Mass Times and Intentions
6.30 pm Vigil People of Parish
Sunday 16 June 10.00 am First Holy Communicants
Monday 10.00 am Eucharistic Service
Tuesday 10.00 am Doris Atherton
Wednesday 10.00 am Margaret Faulder
Thursday 10.00 am Requiem Mass Nancy Riley
Friday 10.00am James & Alice Devlin
6.30 pm Vigil Paul Hughes
Sunday 23June 10.00 am People of Parish
Sacrament of Reconciliation
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
· Martin Wheaton, St Wilfrid’s, Blyth who was ordained a deacon on Friday.
· all who are sick,
· Brigid Doherty, Nancy Riley, Fr Edward Wilkinson and all who have died recently,
· James Devlin and all whose anniversaries occur at this time.
Parish Meeting 9th June
I would like to express my thanks to the thirty or so parishioners who came to the open meeting of the parish last Sunday. I thought it was a useful meeting. The meeting had two purposes, the first was to look at the permutations what neighbouring parishes could be linked with in any restructuring. The second purpose was to explore what the parish needs to do if it is to continue and flourish when there is not a full-time priest. In regards to the first purpose I sense there was no clear choice regarding the parish or parishes we could be in partnership with, though it was made clear that any such partnership would be with the parishes in the northern part of the deanery, such as Ashington and Morpeth. I also came away from the meeting clear that the main priority is not which parish/parishes we will be possibly working with in the future but that second purpose of the meeting, of ensuring that the parish can operate without a full time priest is our most important priority and one which we should, as a parish, be giving our attention. Therefore, we as a parish need to reflect on what the laity can take responsibility for in the life of the parish and ensure that this takes place. If you have not already done so I do invite you to look at the notice board at the back of church that lists the parish activities and responsibilities and see if there is anything in that list that you could participate in. In the weeks and months ahead I will be highlighting parish activities and responsibilities that need increased involvement.
First Holy Communions
This Sunday we have one of the most joyous days of the year with our First Holy Communion day. We pray for all those boys and girls who are about to receive their First Holy Communion. We pray that this special day in their life will be a start of a lifelong love of the Eucharist. I would like to express my thanks to all who helped to prepare our children for their First Holy Communion day, especially Mrs Therese Worrall and Alison Johnston.
Parish Finances
My thanks to Tony Hart for outlining the state of the parish finances for us last weekend. If you were not present last weekend there are copies of the summary of the parish finances, with notes, to explain the current financial situation.
Ministers of Eucharist
Just a final reminder to Eucharistic ministers that there is a form to fill in to let me know of your willingness to take communion to the sick and housebound and lead Eucharistic services.
Fr Chris’ hinterland
Since there is some space in the bulletin I thought I would share some activities that I have recently been involved in and future months that arise out of a number of pastoral, spiritual and academic interests.
· The first arises out of my membership of Church Action Poverty and being a part time prison chaplain I was at a 24 hour meeting last week exploring how faith based communities could have more involvement with the re-settlement of offenders.
· Next month I am giving a paper at a conference of Practical and Pastoral Theologians. I am interested in the relationship of theology and the arts, with particular reference to folk music . I am going to give a dry run of the paper with some friends as guinea pigs on the evening of Sunday 30th June. If you would be interested please get in touch.
· You will have heard me talk about the interest with L’Arche and the writings of it’s founder Jean Vanier. I am pleased to say that I have been given the opportunity to attend to two ten day conferences where Jean will give his thoughts and insights into the Gospel of St John. The first set of ten days will be in September, with the second session in February 2014. These will be my two retreats for this and next year
If you have any queries, or comments, about my various interests please get in touch.
Flower festival
St Paul’s RC Church Cramlington holding a Flower Festival to celebrate the Year of Faith, 28th to 30th June. See poster in Narthex for timings, including a closing concert (tickets only) £2 ring 07751802799
Catechists Pilgrimage of Catechists - 28/29 September
Among the international events for the Year of Faith, Pope Francis 1 will conclude the weekend with Mass in St Peter’s Square. Prior to the Pilgrimage there will be an International Conference of Catechists (26/28th September). If you wish to take part, or want more details please contact Fr Michael McCoy, St Anne’s, Sunderland or via Diocesan Office.
