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Archives - Parish News

December 2004

Select from list or scroll down:

• Sunday 26th December 2004 - The Holy Family

• Sunday 19th December 2004 - 4th Sunday of Advent

• Sunday 12th December 2004 - 3rd Sunday of Advent

• Sunday 5th December 2004 - 2nd Sunday of Advent

• Archives

Sunday 26th December 2004 - The Holy Family

Well—here we are!  I am thoroughly enjoying my first Christmas as a parish priest!  As I write this (Christmas Eve Morning), the Church is looking lovely.  The Crib and the Tree are terrific.  The youngsters from School obviously enjoyed being there on Wednesday morning.  The holly, flowers and, later today, the candles, will help to create a very special atmosphere for us to celebrate the birth of Jesus.  A huge thank you to everyone who has helped us prepare for this moment.  And, here we are, on the 26th—I’m wondering what happened to St Stephen, a bit of a pioneer in the early Church!  I’m looking forward to Mass tonight and tomorrow.  To be honest, the Church is really us— the building looks great, but it’s the community gathered in worship that really matters, I hope you all have a really peaceful and happy Christmas.  You may have heard Cardinal Cormac on Radio 4 this morning—he was excellent (just dropped him a line to tell him).  He was yearning for us to look with fresh eyes, hear new things and speak differently—and ‘Make Poverty History’.  We do right to celebrate the birth of Jesus, we also need to get our act together on behalf of the poor in our area and throughout the world.  I really do hope all is going well with you all. Thanks again to all of you who have served, prepared our chapel, helped us with our music, ministered in any way at all. 

MASS TIMES:    Just note that Mass on Monday is at 10.00am.  No harm in having an extra half hour in bed! 

Mission Boxes:  I know there is great support for the ‘red boxes’ in the parish.  Thank you.  I think I’ve mentioned before that the priest who is in charge of the whole outfit in this country is a pal of mine, John Dale.  He was a great colleague at Ushaw.  Anne Maughan would really appreciate it if you could bring your box to Church on Sunday 2 January.  She’ll then be able to collect all the money together and can then send it off to John in London.  Thanks for your help with this.

Local Charity: Many thanks to those who have provided non-perishable food for local people.  I do know that it is really appreciated.

Housing Justice: I discovered during the week that there are over 100,000 homeless children in the UK.  Some of them sleep rough in the centre of our cities. I thought I knew about this kind of thing, but that figure really shocked me. It doesn’t even begin to compare with the number of children in Sub Saharan Africa who are orphaned because of HIV/AIDS, but it is still shocking.  I wonder if we should send part of our Christmas Candle collection to Housing Justice for their work with homeless people in this country?

Saints this week: 

• May have to wait till next year to go on about Stephen—usually on 26 December. 

• The Holy Family: One of the things I’ve discovered is the huge variety in the shape of families in our parishes.  I would simply want to affirm the search in peoples’ lives for love, security, stability, faithfulness and peace.  Sunday is a day to pray for all of these things. 

• St John the Apostle—known as ‘the beloved disciple’, author (maybe?) of the 4th Gospel.  I’d love to meet him!  A mystic, I suspect, poet, courageous writer and someone who loved the Lord.

• The Holy Innocents:  It’s only Matthew who tells us this story, he was really big into Jewish traditions and is really re-telling the story written up in the book of Exodus chapter 1.  If the weather’s bad, why not dig out the Bible and have a read of it.  Even if it didn’t happen in real life, Herod was certainly capable of slaughtering children, he was not a friendly person.

• Thomas a Becket: a friend of King Henry 11 in the 12th century.  Became archbishop of Canterbury in 1162 and, in his own words changed from being ‘a patron of play-actors and a follower of hounds, to being a shepherd of souls’.  A really good man (no comment from me about the current crazy hassle around chasing and killing foxes, though I suspect I know what Thomas would have said…).  He was killed on 29th December 1170 by 4 knights under the orders of the same king.

Some dates for us to be aware of next year:

• Sunday 16th January:  Peace Sunday—’Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good’.  There can be no doubt that we need to both pray and work for peace in our world today.

• Thursday 27th January:  Holocaust Memorial Day– When he was a student in Cracow University, Pope John Paul 11 joined a drama group that performed for Jewish people who were under threat at that time.  We must never forget the unspeakable violence against Jewish people, and others, early last century. 

Very many thanks for your cards and good wishes—have a good week!  JOK

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Sunday 19th December 2004 - 4th Sunday of Advent

Local Charity: In the midst of all this hassle, can I ask you to drop a few tins into the bin at the back of the Church for the benefit of those in great need. I have visited the houses of those who benefit from your gifts, and, believe me, it is a life-saver in some cases. Thanks for your help with this.

Tuesday 21st December - 07:30 pm Denton Burn Methodist Church - Carols by Candle Light.

Please feel free to enjoy their Service. I met Hendry, our local Methodist Minister and Chris Knight last week for our monthly prayer, coffee and discussion. There is a Card from all the parishioners of St Margaret's, and Hendry told us that in Malaysia the word 'Christmas' is banned, only the word 'Xmas' is allowed. His children are delighted to see the word Christmas in shops and on cards. It does make us think of what it all means. Thanks to the parishioners of St Margaret's who have sent us a card signed by all their parishioners. To be honest, the division among Christians is a bit of a scandal, let's work together to minimise the difference.

Christmas 2004: This is my first Christmas in full time parish life since 1976. It is a bit hectic! I've been delighted by the school Nativity performances at St Bede's and St Joseph's. I've witnessed the celebration of success at the Sacred Heart School, and survived 180 year-11 pupils at St Cuthbert's during this week. It seems to me that the Christmas message and the real meaning of Christmas is alive and well. A friend of mine at CAFOD in London told me about children in Canada who go to a shopping mall to sing carols and were forcibly evicted from the place after three hymns - because of their message - good for them, at least they made their point! I've not bought a card yet, nor any prezzies! I hope to do something about that this week! But I want to say how delighted I am to be involved in parish celebrations in St Bede's and St Joseph's. It is a very different world from Ushaw, but certainly no less important for us as Catholic communities. I really do hope that you all have a happy and peaceful Christmas, and that over the next 12 months we can work together to find out how best we can be a Catholic/Christian presence in the West End of Newcastle.

Thanks for your welcome, and a very happy Christmas to you all...  Jim O'K

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Sunday 12th December 2004 - 3rd Sunday of Advent

Feasts this week:

• St Lucy:  Greetings to all Lucys in the parish.  They key date in the history of the world is not 1066 and all that (what an excellent book that was), it is actually 313.  That was the date persecution stopped in the Roman Empire (ok, some of you are experts about this, it did go on a bit, but by and large it stopped then).  Lucy just missed the cut.  She died in 304ish in Syracuse, Sicily.  Don’t believe all that stuff about her being denounced as a Christian by her rejected suitor (can you imagine that these days??) though it is likely that she was martyred for the faith.  Lucy is mentioned in the First Eucharistic Prayer—so we will use it in her honour. 

• St John of the Cross—now this is really fascinating.  I’ve said mass in the chapel where his body is—well, a good bit of it.  He died in the south of Spain and is buried in the middle of the country in Segovia.  The south wanted a bit of him, so they took off his legs—so his coffin is really pretty short!  An amazing mystic, writer, holy man.  I think John should be the patron saint of Bishops! He lived in the 16th century, (1542—1591) and tried (pretty successfully) to reform the Carmelite Order.  He was a good mate of Theresa of Avila (another brilliant person), but was seriously up against it.  He was imprisoned by his own Carmelite brothers for about nine months—’how these religious love one another’- after which he got heavy into writing poetry (wouldn’t you just) and still managed to encourage reform and change in the Carmelite Order.  I think he’s great, though I must say, I don’t really understand everything he’s written.

Resourcing the Lenten Journey:  Just a reminder about this on 15th January.  If you want to go, see me.

Fr Peter Stott:  Many thanks to all those who celebrated Peter’s return to St Bede’s on Friday night.  You have been incredibly generous. Very many thanks for that.  I didn't dare ask him if wanted to come back in case he said he did. Thanks for all of you who helped to make it all possible. Peter was really chuffed!  I must also say that Peter has been hugely helpful to me over the last few weeks, I wish I had his computer skills—give me about 5 years and I might get there!

Question:  When do you need a passport for breakfast? 

Answer:- when it’s with the Prime Minister!  To be honest, I do need a bit of a break from Politicians.  I know this is horrendous and name dropping, but  I did ask Gordon Brown about what would happen if the G8 fell apart next year and he didn’t get his own way.  I know it’s a bit weird, but I was able to ask Tony Blair the same question at a breakfast meeting on Friday. (The breakfast was rubbish)- To be honest, I was impressed by both, and I’m not generally impressed by politicians.  Basically they both said the same thing. There is no alternative to The Chancellor’s alternative Finance Facility, targets for Governments in relationship to give 0.7% of Gross National Product (GNP) to the developing world, and the 100% reduction in Debt. The important thing is to keep lobbying and put pressure on our Government to deliver.   To be honest, I was impressed by their commitment to the Developing World and Africa in particular.  I look forward to a week without Politicians and global issues. Believe me.  

The Auction:

Christmas Candles:  I am hugely grateful to those who have taken over the organisation and administration of the Christmas Candle Project.  Thank you.  You will find small posters and envelopes at the back of the Church.  The proceeds will be split between our own Parish Funds and a project (as yet to be decided) which will help those in need in another part of the world. 

Auction:  It was really good to come back from London and mega international stuff and get back to ‘real life’ and local parish events.  Many thanks to those who organised and ran the Auction on Thursday night.  I know have a proper suitcase—makes a change from decades of carrying a rucksack—maybe I’m just getting old?  Now I’ve got wheels.  If you weren't there, you don’t know what you missed. Gordon Brown seems to deal with more money than we do, but I’m delighted with what happened on Thursday. 

Christmas Candles:  Thanks again to those who are organising and managing our Candle collection and display.  And thanks to those who have already offered their donation. 

Amnesty Cards: A reminder to those who have taken cards to write them and send them off.  It’s a long time since I wrote to Cuba!  My last letter was to a judge in 1987 who later ‘disappeared’ because of his commitment to human rights. 

Stop Press:  Reconciliation at St Joseph’s on Wednesday evening at 7.00pm.—Might see you then?

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Sunday 5th December 2004 - 2nd Sunday of Advent

Feasts this week:  At one level, it looks a little thin.  However, we can concentrate on the Season of Advent, a time of waiting, light/darkness and hope.  We also remember St Nicholas—ask any of the youngsters in St Bede’s School they’re all experts, especially Year 3. A 4th century Bishop who has morphed into something very different.  8 December—The Immaculate Conception of Mary.  In 1854 (150 years ago), Pope Pius IX proclaimed what the Church throughout the world had believed for centuries, that Mary was full of grace from the moment of her conception.  This is a great feast, celebrated by both the East and Western Churches (if you’ve been to Greece you will have come across Mary as Panagia, the All Holy).

To celebrate this Feast there is a Celebration Mass with Bishop Kevin on Wednesday night in the Cathedral at 7.30pm.  You will be made most welcome (poster at the back of the Church with more information).

Resourcing the Lenten Journey:  No, I’ve not made a mistake here, and I know you haven’t bought your Christmas cards yet...but there is a one day course at Ushaw about preparing for Lent (very early next year).  Its 9.30—4.00pm on Saturday 15 January at Ushaw, and it’ll be good.  Honestly, I’d go myself, but I suspect I might be returning from a spot of geriatric skiing.  Let me know if you’re interested.

Citizens Advice Bureau are looking for Volunteers—if you’re interested, have a look at the poster in the porch.

Fr Peter Stott:  We look forward to welcoming Peter back to St Bede’s at 7.00pm on Friday 10 December.  We will celebrate Mass and have a reception in the Hall afterwards.  You’ll be most welcome.  I’m sure he’d like to meet everyone, and when we’re finished he can give me another lesson on the computer…

The Fayre:  Very many thanks to all those who put in so much time to make the Fayre a success.  I was amazed at how quickly things disappeared!  What didn’t disappear was donated to various charities around the City—thanks to those who arranged that also. 

St Cuthbert’s Care:  advertising their Christmas Cards, Annual Catholic Charity Ball  on Friday 28th January 2005 at the Federation Brewery and some Vacancies for staff, volunteers and residential care places—all on posters in the porch.

Christmas Candles:  I am hugely grateful to those who have taken over the organisation and administration of the Christmas Candle Project.  Thank you.  You will find small posters and envelopes at the back of the Church.  The proceeds will be split between our own Parish Funds and a project (as yet to be decided) which will help those in need in another part of the world.

Auction:  This will make all those TV programmes about works of art in the loft look cheap and nasty.  Who can afford to miss this event?  The Grand Sorting of the Priceless items will take place on the morning of Wednesday 8th December.  On Thursday 9th, there will be Viewing at 6.00pm, and the Auction itself at 7.30pm.  Might see you there?

First Tuesday—7th December, there will be Bingo in the Hall—just think of it, all you win on Tuesday could be spent on priceless items on Thursday at the Auction.

Amnesty Cards:  Sr Joan will distribute addresses to those who want to send cards to Prisoners of Conscience and their supporters in different parts of the world.  These cards can be a lifeline for people in prison who feel forgotten and abandoned by any reasonable justice system.  Please give a thought to sending a couple.

The Advent Candle: Glad there’s room for this thought.  A South Korean poet, Kim chi Ha, spent years in prison, many in solitary confinement.  Once he was released he simply said:   

  When I light a Candle at midnight

  I say to the darkness,

  I beg to differ…

So, when we light candles in Church, or at home, or look at them in the windows of other folks’ houses, we have a moment to realise that we are committed to creating a better world, a different world, a world where lions and lambs might lie down together, a world of justice, love and peace.

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Last Updated: 02/02/2007