St. Bede's Catholic Church

Newcastle upon Tyne

November 2004

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Sunday 28th November 2004 - 1st Sunday of Advent
Sunday 21st November 2004 - Christ The King
Sunday 14th November 2004 - 33rd Sunday / Gift Aid Scheme / Roof Repairs
Sunday 7th November 2004 - 32nd Sunday
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Sunday 28th November 2004 - 1st Sunday of Advent

Fr Peter Stott: Now totally ‘inducted’ as a co-pastor (what a bit of a strange title) in North Shields. Many thanks to those who organised the bus to Chirton, and lets keep Peter in our prayers as he continues to settle into his new ministry. We look forward to welcoming him back to St Bede’s on the evening of Friday 10n December at 7.00 p.m.

Saints this week:

Cuthbert Mayne: - bit of a hero of mine. Studied at Douai College in France—Ushaw is the successor of that College, (actually it was still in Spain at that time, until 1660), came back to England in 1576 and died a martyr a year later in 1577. I do wonder how we would cope nowadays?
Andrew: had been a disciple of John the Baptiser, seems to have introduced Peter to Jesus—a good move. He and Philip seem to have introduced a number of Gentiles to Jesus –i.e. folk like us. Don’t want to get into the Scottish Saltier (Andrew’s Cross), wouldn’t want to offend any locals.
Ralph Sherwin, Edmund Campion: Ralph—another one of the priest who studied at Douai, ministered in this country for about one year before dying for the faith in 1577.
Edmund Campion—a really good guy, a Jesuit, also studied in Douai. If you ever get the chance read Campion’s Brag, his statement before he died in Tyburn in 1581.
Alexander Briant—also executed in 1581 (bit of a bad year for Jesuits). Reckoned he didn’t feel any pain under torture—not too sure about that myself, but, lets get real, who would want to change places with him?
John of Damascus—much more to be said at 2.00pm next Saturday ..

The Diocesan Youth Sunday: Many thanks to Daniel and Matthew for representing St Cuthbert’s High School and the parish at the Diocesan Youth Assembly in Hebburn last Sunday. We had a good chat with Bishop Kevin who was delighted that his neighbouring parish was there. I wonder if St Cuthbert’s could host the event next the parish at the Diocesan Youth Celebration last Sunday at Hebburn. Bishop Kevin was impressed that there were some young folk there from his neighbouring parish.

Reminder: Friends of St Bede’s School: Social Evening on Friday 3rd December to raise funds for the School. There will be a live band and raffle. Elton John is probably not able to join us, but it will be a good night none the less. Bring your own food and beverages, and see Sue Savage for tickets—£2.50.

Saturday 4 December 2.00pm. We will celebrate Mass with all senior parishioners and those who need assistance to get to Church. There is a list at the door for those who can offer to help to bring people, and a list for those who they are able to bring. Everyone is welcome.

Wednesday 15 December 7.00pm at St Joseph’s, we will be celebrating God’s love for us in a Service of Reconciliation. Everyone is welcome, and there will be tea and biscuits and things in the Club below the Church afterwards.

St Cuthbert’s Care have made envelopes available for their Advent Collection. The Trustees of the Diocese have agreed that for this appeal, the gift aid benefit will go to St Cuthbert’s Care in their work for excluded and marginalized people in the diocese. Please try and be generous in the midst of this rather hectic run up to Christmas.

Diocesan Child Protection Officer: The Diocese is re-advertising this particular post. It is extremely important, not least because it will help to keep a good friend of mine, Fr Dennis Tindall sane. He works too hard! - Like a few others around the place. Hopefully the post will be filled in February/March next year. The closing date is 17th December. The poster at the back of the Church might give you all the information you need, if you’re interested. If not, I suspect I could fill in some of the background.

THE FAYRE: What can anyone say...Many thanks to all those who have sorted and carried and organized and helped in so many ways. It seems to me that there are all sorts of goodies. I mean it about the books, you’d get a half decent library out of what has been made available. I’ve even had lessons on how to turn the heating on. I’ve also decided that Seminaries should pack in teaching theology and begin a course on ‘Heating Engineering’. It might also help if a course on how to read an A-Z in the dark, in the mist and in sub zero temperatures was introduced….but I digress.

Advent: Advent in a parish is rather new to me, symbolized by the way we seem to have ‘misplaced’ the Advent Wreath Stand...I know Woolworths and other shops have Christmas cards on sale shortly after Easter, but somehow, in the middle of it all we need to find a wee bit of space for some peace and quiet and reflection. For me, it is a time of waiting and hope. There may be the odd reference to these things in homilies over the weeks.

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Sunday 21st November 2004 - Christ The King

While we’re on about money there, I noticed during the week that unfair trade rules rob poor countries of £1.3 billion a day—14 times more what they get in aid.

Fr Peter Stott: There is a bus arranged for 6.00pm on Monday evening to take those who have signed up to North Shields for Peter’s Induction. The cost is £5.00 per person, and there are still some places available for others to join in—should be a good night. The bus will leave at 9.00pm prompt.

Feasts this week:

Christ the King—inaugurated by Pope Pius XI in 1925—he could see that nasty things were going to happen in Europe and wanted people to know who was actually in charge.
St Cecelia—Early Christian martyr, patron saint of musicians (wonder what she would have made of the Feed The World remake?). Also patron saint of Television—interesting...
St Clement 1– Bit of a row about whether he was the 1st Bishop of Rome after St Peter, mentioned in the First Eucharistic Prayer—was undoubtedly martyred, like all of them until around 313AD.
Columban– Not the Iona one (his feast day is unforgettable—9th June, Blaydon Race and All That). This one born in Ireland, died in Italy (640), amazing preacher, part of the ‘green martyrdom’ - come and hear more...
Andrew Dung-Lac and companions– a number of Vietnamese martyrs of the 18th/19 centuries.
Catherine of Alexandria– another early Virgin Martyr (died 310—just missed the ‘safety’ of 313). To be honest, not much known about her at all, Catherine wheels etc might be all made up—but they make a good story. A learned woman (that seems to be true) and so is patron of teachers, libraries and lawyers (well, someone has to look after the last group).

May they rest in peace: Please remember to pray for Bridie McEvoy and Josie Taylor who were buried this week, along with Meg Burnett and George Douglas whose funerals are this week.

The Diocesan Youth Sunday: This takes place Sunday afternoon at St. James’ in Hebburn 4-6pm. Might see you there?

The Mighty Fayre– Newcastle airport is laying on extra flights for people who want to come to the Fayre next Sunday. Donations of cakes to be left in the hall on the day itself, and there’s a list for those who want to ‘do a Delia’. We’re a bit short of bottles for the bottle stall, so please have a think about making an offering. There are tons of books, some half learned from Peter and myself and others. Not unheard of for bottles and theology to go together. Many thanks to those who have donated and those doing all the organizing, should be a lively gathering. More helpers are welcome. If you’ve never done anything like this before—why not give it a go. New talent welcome, no complicated interviews….

Quote from Cardinal Hume—mentioned by Anthony Howard in his lecture on the Cardinal in the Cathedra last Tuesday:

Tell the Clergy when I am dead

That they need have no fears.

That I will be no deader then

Than they have been for years.

CAFOD—Ann Maughan has volunteered to be our CAFOD representative, so watch various spaces. It would be good to look at the CAFOD website (www.cafod.org.uk) for more details about their campaign to stop exploitation of electronics workers abroad. You can join the campaign by e-mailing IBM, Dell and Hewllett-Packard. It only takes a few minutes and is proving to be very effective. Their World Gifts catalogue is also available on line, and you can do your shopping on line too. Sounds pretty good to me. These links are now available via our parish website CAFOD page at www.stbedesnewcastle.co.uk/Cafod.htm

Could be good: Radio 4: In Our Time—The Venerable Bede; 09.00 this Thursday 25 November. Its repeated at 9.30pm. There’s usually a chance to pick up additional information from the BBC Website (www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/history/inourtime/), as well as the chance to hear it again. Really worth doing, I picked up a brilliant reflection by Mark Tully (Something Understood, 5.30 am Sunday Mornings,) later in the day when I’d more or less woken up. Have a go at it…

Friends of St Bede’s School: Social Evening on Friday 3rd December to raise funds for the School. There will be a live band and raffle. Elton John is probably not able to join us, but it will be a good night none the less. Bring your own food and beverages, and contact Fr O'Keefe for tickets—£2.50.

Ecumenism Matters:

Sunday 28 November (next Sunday) Advent Service at 6.30 in St Margaret’s Scotswood.
Tuesday 25th January 12.00 noon—Prayer Service and Lunch, again at St Margarets.
Whit Sunday, 15 May, 6.30 pm here at St Bede’s a service for Pentecost.
September—(date not yet fixed) Pilgrimage to Holy Island.
December 4th (2005), ‘Mid Advent’ service in Denton Burn Methodist Church. So, get all these dates in your brand new ‘Gardeners’ World’ diary once you’ve been given it….

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Sunday 14th November 2004 - 33rd Sunday

Fr Peter Stott: A reminder: Peter is being inducted as Co-Pastor in the North Shields Cluster on Monday 22 November at 7.00pm at St Joseph’s, Wallsend Road, Chirton in North Shields. You will all be made most welcome if you would like to go. It might be worth giving him a ring or dropping a line if you intend to go—he would ‘hate it if there was a shortage of nibbles at the bun fight afterwards. We’ve discovered that if you want to go by private bus from St Bede’s on the Monday night it will cost £6.00 for the return journey. Would you mind telling me (preferably in writing, because I know what I’m like) by the end of Mass on Sunday so that we can work out the size of the bus! Obviously anyone is free to make their own way there, but if you want a lift, please do let me know (contact Fr O'Keefe). Just in case you mislaid it, Peter’s number is 0191 257 5801

Feasts this week: Last week was pretty impressive (though pretty male—if that makes sense), this week is also impressive and a better balance.

Albert: 13th century, Dominican, really bright (naturally), a good bishop and one of the dedicated peacemakers of the Middle Ages.
Edmund of Abingdon: Another bright lad. Born in France, became Archbishop of Canterbury, had a bit of bother with the King, another peacemaker and reformer.
Margaret of Scotland: Born in Hungary, married Malcolm 111 of Scotland, mother of 8 children died 1093.
Ninian: born c360 in Cumbria, brilliant missionary around South West Scotland—another good guy.
Hilda of Whitby: One of the best! She comes out well in Melvyn Braggs’ book ‘Credo’.. Born around 614 died 680. Abbess of Hartlepool, but known as the woman in charge of the ‘dual’ - men and women—monastery in Whitby. Really important woman in the Church in these parts. Come along and hear more.
Hugh of Lincoln: Born in France (1140) died in London (1200). Once ran the biggest diocese in the country in East Anglia. Known for his sense of justice, care of the sick and oppressed. Helped to build his own cathedral with his own hands. Another good one.
Gertrude: Born in Thuringia (where—see below), a Cistercian nun, Profoundly aware of God’s love for all people.
Elizabeth of Hungary: Born 1207, in Thuringia, would you believe. Interesting that she is in the Calendar of Saints as a Religious, even though she had 3 children. I suspect being a mother helped her to discover sanctity...Died at the age of 24. Overall, quite a powerful bunch of people. Someone asked me recently: ‘Where has all this Church History come from’. I guess the quick answer is: ‘From the past’. But these folk are an amazing inspiration and vital part of the story of our Christian family.—just wait till you meet the gang next week…

Autumn Fayre: There’s a steady stream of items arriving—and there’s still room for more. It occurs to me to suggest that if you know anyone interested in Theology/Spirituality, there’ll be a right load of books available, partly from Peter Stott, partly from me, and partly from others who have gratefully donated various things. If I manage to empty the 50+ boxes upstairs there could be quite a selection available.

CAFOD: No volunteer yet to be the CAFOD Contact…? I can’t even begin to think of Christmas yet, though I know folk who did their shopping in the sales last January. If you’re short of ideas, look at (even take) one of the World Gifts catalogue from the back of Church. My favourite is around page 7—you can buy a Latrine for someone for £15.00—makes more sense than a lot of the stuff you see in shops and don’t need…Interesting how more and more people are spending less on gifts and more on projects in the Developing World.

Parish Website: We’re gradually getting sorted with our Website — i.e. Someone who knows about it is taking it over...We’d like to look at the page about the history of the Parish, so if anyone has any pictures from times past, would you mind passing them on to me? They’ll be scanned by someone who knows what they’re doing (obviously not me), and you’ll get them back unscathed. Any other suggestions about the Website will be gratefully, though maybe not technically, received. Just in case you’re curious, look it up on www.stbedesnewcastle.co.uk

Mass with the sick and senior parishioners: We will be making arrangements for those who would like to attend this Celebration to be held on Saturday 4 December at 2.00pm.—Here at St Bede’s—tea afterwards

Advent Penance Service: We will also be making arrangements for an Advent Penance Service to be held at 7.00pm on Wednesday 15th December at St Joseph’s—’nibbles’ afterwards in the Club.

Remembrance Sunday 14th – Service of Peace and Reconciliation here at 3.00pm.

Friends of St Bede’s: On Friday 3rd December, the Friends of St Bede’s are holding a social evening to raise funds for St Bede’s School. There will be a live band and raffle. Bring your own drink and food. Tickets are £2.50 (contact Fr O'Keefe).

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2004)

Go to Gift Aid page

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ROOF REPAIRS

I am aware that Fr Stott mentioned to you before he left that the Diocese had settled the cost of the repairs to the roof on behalf of the Parish.

The final cost was £43,014.77 and this has been financed on the strength of a loan from the Diocese for this amount with an anticipated repayment period of 10 years.

Thanks to your support, though a number of fund raising events and through your private donations, almost £8,000 has been raised so far this year and these monies have been forwarded to the Diocese as a repayment to the Loan. I have just received a letter from the Diocese to say that the balance due to them is £35,019.36. So a great deal has been done to begin to address the debt. This really is an excellent start to the repayment.

Your generosity has been tremendous and we must now try to set out proposals for a repayment programme for the remainder of the debt.

I know that it was anticipated that the monies reclaimed annually from the Inland Revenue under the Gift Aid Scheme would be used but clearly these funds alone will not be sufficient to repay the Loan within 10 years. The additional note about Gift Aid might help to explain that a little further.

I have suggested to the The Parish in Council that we discuss ways of raising funds so that we can have some annual targets and a strategy to look at how we repay the debt. Once again this is all new to me (well, sort of), so if anyone has any suggestions please have a word with me. You can be assured that Private Donations will always be most welcome..

Again, many thanks for whatever you can do to help us with this.

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Sunday 7th November 2004 - 32nd Sunday

Priests Training Fund: It is still possible to make individual donations to the fund.

Fr Peter Stott: Peter is being inducted as Co-Pastor in the North Shields Cluster on Monday 22 November at 7.00pm at St Joseph’s, Wallsend Road, Chirton in North Shields. You will all be made most welcome if you would like to go. It might be worth giving him a ring or dropping a line if you intend to go—he would ‘hate it if there was a shortage of nibbles at the bun fight afterwards—Tel: 0191 257 5801

Feasts this week: Duns Scotus—a local (well, southern Scottish) medieval theologian, one of the good guys, come along on Monday and hear a (wee) bit about him.

Dedication of the Lateran Basilica: sound weird really, but a fascinating story of a Church (ie community of people) being able to celebrate without fear of persecution from 313 AD. They happened to meet in an early version of this particular building.

Leo the Great: 5th century, coped with Visigoths and things, as well as being an excellent teacher and bishop of Rome.

Martin of Tours: 4th century, this time, in what we now call France. A monk, then bishop, great preacher.

St Josaphat: Began life in the Ukraine in an Orthodox family, joined the Roman part of the Catholic Church and became a bishop, martyred in early 17th century.

Overall, a bit male, but a remarkable group of people.

Youth Group: The Youth Group meets one Friday each month and anyone in Year 7 or above can become a member. Next Friday, 12 November, the group are going to Cowgate Leisure Centre to use their trampolines. Leaving St Bede’s at 6.45pm, return around 8.20. You’ll be welcome. I’ve not been on a trampoline since 1982, so that might be interesting…

Celebrating the Vision Thing: National Youth Sunday Diocesan Celebration, 21 November, at St James’ Church Hebburn. Poster and further details at the back of the Church. I do intend going myself, and still space in the car.

Parish in Council: We met on Wednesday night after Mass. As a casual observer of the human race I noticed that there were only 2 of us men present. At the very least I could say it was rather different from a meeting at Ushaw...We looked a many things including:
Baptism Preparation: Anyone prepared to do a bit of thinking about how to prepare couples for the baptism of their children? There have been many requests over the last 6 weeks, and it seems to me that the parish is the one responsible for the preparation of the parents interested—not just the priest. So, anyone willing to have a go? I am sure that some training can be arranged. Please let me know if you’re interested. Thanks.

Church Cleaning: Again, a plea for folk to give a couple of hours a fortnight to help clean the Church, usually, tho’ not necessarily, on a Friday. Please see Veronica Longstaff. You can always nominate your husband or wife or anyone else for that matter…..?

200 Club: The year begins in October (a novel idea), so, a further call to pay your dues. I’m reliably informed that there are a number of numbers available, so don’t be shy in joining. As I say, about 13 million more chances of winning it than the Lottery...

Autumn Fayre: There’s to be a meeting of Stall holders at 7.30 on Tuesday 9th November—and, there’s to a further stall added: Videos, DVDs and CDs, - so check out all cupboards, boxes, lofts, car glove compartments…(did anyone ever keep gloves in them..?).

CAFOD: For some time now CAFOD has been campaigning on behalf of the rights of workers in developing countries who make our computers. Huge companies like DELL, HEWLETT-PACKARD and IBM are now looking to contractual arrangements with their employees. Perhaps you would like to add your voice to the campaign? Please take a card and send it to the appropriate company. You don’t even have to know how a computer works, or have ever used one, simply attach a stamp to the cards already prepared.

Advent Penance Service: We will also be making arrangements for an Advent Penance Service to be held at 7.00pm on Wednesday 15th December at St Joseph’s—’nibbles’ afterwards in the Club.

Quiz night: many thanks to those who make the Quiz night such a success.

Activities Group meeting Tuesday 9 November at 7.30.

Remembrance Sunday– Service of Peace and Reconciliation here at 3.00pm.

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Last Updated: 02/02/2007