St. Bede's Catholic Church

Newcastle upon Tyne

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Saints and Feasts this Week 

• St Mark...was the cousin of Saint Barnabas.  He accompanied Saint Paul the Apostle on his first missionary journey and later followed him to Rome.  He was a disciple of Saint Peter and reproduced his teaching in his Gospel.  He is said to have founded the Church of Alexandria.

• St Peter Chanel...Born in the town of Cuet in France in the year 1803.  He entered the ranks of the clergy and for a few years did pastoral work.  He then entered the Marist Society and went to Oceania to preach the Gospel.  In spite of many difficulties he did manage to convert a number to the true faith.  In hatred of the faith he was clubbed to death on the island of Futuna in the year 1841.

• St Catherine of Siena...Born at Siena in the year 1347.  Wishing to follow the way of perfection she entered the Third Order of Saint Dominic while still an adolescent.  She was on fire with love of God and her neighbour; she brought peace and harmony between her fellow citizens, strenuously fought got the rights and liberty of the papacy, and did much for the renewal of religious life. ( sounds like she would be useful to us right now! )She dictated a number of writings which are renowned for their spirituality and sound doctrine. She died in the year 1380.

• St Pius V...Born near Alessandria in Italy in the year 1504.  He entered the Dominican Order and taught theology.  After being made a bishop and a cardinal, he became pope in 1566.  He vigorously carried out the reform of the Church which was begun by the Council of Trent, actively promoted the spreading of the faith, and restored the sacred liturgy.  He died on 1 May, 1572.

POPE BENEDICT XVI

There is no doubt... we need to pray for our new Pope, Benedict XVI. He is an enormously intelligent person. He is courteous and welcoming. He has a reputation for being ‘conservative’ – which has resulted from his experience of European politics in the 1960’s. Before that he was a very powerful and influential ‘liberal’ voice at the second Vatican Council (1962-65).

I know that something has been made of his involvement with the Hitler Youth Movement. We need to remember that every secondary school student in Germany had to be a member of the movement. Our new Pope comes from Bavaria. Once he left Secondary school and joined the Seminary, he had no further contact with the organisation.

Cardinal Josef Ratzinger was one of the two men (of the 115 at the Conclave) who was not made a Cardinal by Pope John Paul II. Pope Paul VI made him a Cardinal in June 1977.

He was born in April 1927 (so is 78, 21 years older than Pope John Paul II was when he became Pope in 1978), and has held some of the most important positions in the Church in recent years. It is more than likely that you will have seen him presiding at the Funeral of Pope John Paul II and saying Mass just before the Cardinals went into their ‘conclave’ just a few days ago. His father was a police officer, though the rest of his family were farmers. He was ordained in 1951 and both taught and studied philosophy and theology in the University in Munich. In later years he taught theology in Freising, Bonn, Munster, Tubingen and Regensburg. Honestly, he really is a very bright man! In 1962, at the age of 35, he became an advisor at the Vatican Council. He was made Archbishop of Munich in 1977, and then in 1981 became the man in charge of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith’ – the organisation in the Church which keeps and eye on everyone who preaches and writes to ensure that they are in line with the teachings of the Church. At the same time hebecame the person in charge of the Pope’s advisory groups in relation toTheology and the Study of the Scriptures. Since then he has held all sorts of other offices in the Church. He has had experience with Churches from the Far East, the preparation of Liturgy and Worship, Catholic Education, Christian Unity and relationships with South America. It is interesting that the new Pope has taken the name Benedict XVI. The previous Benedict died in 1922, having steered the Church throughout the First World War–he was appointed in 1914. Benedict XV had a tough time from pretty well everyone, because he condemned no one everyone complained about him. He did try very hard to broker peace in Europe in1917– but was too early. He also encouraged bishops throughout the ‘Third World’ to build their own Seminaries and form clergy for their own countries. In this he was very
successful. Some people wonder if the name ‘Benedict’ means that the present Pope will only be interested in European affairs (he’s not too keen, at the moment, on Turkey joining the EU, for example) and they are anxious that he might not be so interested in issues around the world. To be honest, I can’t believe that myself – he is just too intelligent and aware of big issues around the world. Anyway, most of us change a wee bit when we get a new job!

Let us pray for our new Pope, that he will indeed be blessed with wisdom and compassion for the flock throughout the world.
 

St Joseph's School Centenary:  Very many thanks to Miss Matthews and her colleagues for arranging such a brilliant celebration last Thursday.  The youngsters were in great form, reading, singing and celebrating with real enthusiasm.  Bishop Kevin Dunn was joined by Frs Ned Wilkinson, Ted Featherstone and Mark Carroll, at concelebrated Mass.  The Bishop was so relaxed with the youngsters, and told them about being in St Peter's Square on Tuesday afternoon  when the announcement was made that Cardinal Ratzinger had been elected as Pope Benedict XVI.  I am sure that all the children, indeed the whole congregation, will remember that Mass for the rest of their lives.  Afterwards, nostalgia ruled OK as former pupils looked at pictures, school reports and Log books from years ago.  Overall, a great day. Thanks again to all those who contributed to making it so.

Next Weekend - 30 April- 1 May we will have a visiting Missionary preacher from the Comboni Fathers at all our masses.  The founder of the Order was only 50 when he died in 1881.  He came from Northern Italy and was totally fired up to respond to the needs of what he called 'the poorest and most abandoned of the earth'.  I have had the privilege of staying with some of the  Comboni priests in Northern Kenya - and believe me, they do have a tough life...

Sr Lucina is totally delighted with the sale of goods after masses last weekend.  There is no doubt that your generosity - which is amazing, to be honest - will benefit very poor people in the world.  Just in case you didn't know, you can continue to be in contact via Email at info@sharingfair.co.uk or phone 0191 274 2894.  There is also a retail outlet (shop, to you and me) at 4, Brignall Gardens every Wednesday from 2.30 - 5.30 pm.

OK - I know I'm only talking to a specific section of the Congregation at this point - but - Have you ever thought of being a priest?  Actually, that's not really fair, there may well be many women who have wondered about being a priest - so, sorry.  At the moment, things are rather restricted, but if you have wondered, there is what is known as a Discernment Weekend at Ushaw over the weekend of 27-29 May.  There's a poster and some leaflets about it at the back of the Church, and if you are interested, let me know, I suspect I might know just a little bit about it all.

St Cuthbert's Care have written to say 'grateful thanks to our Friends at St Bede's for their generous gift of £187.50 from Lenten Arms. Your continued support is very much appreciated'.  Thank you, once again, for your generosity.

Part Time Courses at Newcastle College - most people are eligible to study free....There is a poster at the back of the Church offering courses which begin this month - for further information ring 0800 328 0942, or look at http://www.newcastlecollege.co.uk

Living Theology at Ushaw...(to be honest, I always find this a strange name for a course, what is the alternative?  Can you imagine anyone advertising 'Dead Theology'?) Anyway, if you're interested in a pretty serious and very good Jesuit lead Summer School in July (23-29), let me know, and I'll give you the information.  It is an excellent week - so long as you're into that kind of thing.......

If that looks a bit too heavy, but you want to have a go at something...also at Ushaw 11-12 June 'Local Ecumenism' - Learning from other Traditions.  Leaflets at the back of the Church.  Again, if you do want to look into it, it seems to me that this is something the parish would finance...Queue up at the Sacristy door after Mass...

Day of Reflection for Sacristans....I must say I'm delighted that I don't have to worry about preparing the Church for mass, our sacristans do a great job. Would you like to join them? - the more the merrier and that. There is a day of reflection at Ushaw on 11th May 10.30am-4.00pm. If you would like to go, please tell me and we can get it sorted—poster at the back of Church.

Apostleship of the Sea..I find it amazing that the diocese in the country that gives most to the Apostleship of the Sea (AOS), is Birmingham...and it is one of the very few dioceses without a coastline!  There will be a day of prayer and pilgrimage led by Mgr Ronnie Brown (I'll tell you about him in private if you dare ask) on Saturday 2 July on Lindisfarne.  Again, poster at the back of the Church.  Presumably everyone from St Bede's will be going up to Edinburgh to demonstrate for the relief of world debt that day, the beginning of the G8 Conference chaired by whoever is the Prime Minister at the time

A Note of Thanks from the Association of the Propagation of the Faith (red boxes to you and me) for the donation received from the Diocese last year including St Bede's contributed  - once again, many thanks.

Saints and Feasts this Week 

• St Anselm...born in the year 1033 in Aosta in Piedmont.  He entered the Benedictine Order in the monastery of Le Bec in France where he taught theology to the students while he himself quickly progressed in the spiritual life.  He went to England where he was chosen to be Archbishop of Canterbury, and did a brilliant job there. He fought strenuously for the freedom of the Church and was twice condemned to exile—bishops had it tough in those days. He is renowned for his writings, particularly in mystical theology.  He died in the year 1109.

• St George...was martyred at Lydda in Israel around 303AD, in the persecution of Diocletian. His cult, which predates the legend of his slaying the dragon, spread quickly through East and West. During the crusades, George was seen to personify the ideals of Christian chivalry and he was adopted as patron saint of  several city-states and countries including England. King Richard I of England placed his crusading army under his protection and in 1222 his feast was proclaimed a holiday.  The English aren’t that good about George!  There is a brilliant stained glass window of him in the Entrance of the Palace of Westminster (Parliament for the rest of us). I once upset a (Tory) MP by asking how he enjoyed the fact that a 2nd century Palestinian Arab Saint was depicted in the Great Tower of the Houses of Parliament along with Patrick, Andrew, and David.  No answer, was the reply!

Policy on Diversity and Equality.  I have placed a poster at the back of the Church outlining the Catholic Church’s policy on Diversity and Equality.   If you want further information, I have the full document in the Presbytery.  You can pick up the full document via the Catholic Bishop’s Conference Website available at www.catholicchurch.org.uk/equality, or by calling 020 7901 4838.—Poster at the back of the Church (the poster is available as PDF and Word documents at the same site).

This Weekend is Vocations Sunday….Please pick up a leaflet about Vocations—or, as Pope John Paul II used to call it, ‘pathways of discipleship’.  Many people think that it is all about ‘vocations to the priesthood and religious life’.  There is no doubt that this does matter.  However, I truly believe that men and women will come forward to consider priesthood and religious life when we really take seriously the business of being ‘baptised’ Christians in the world.  I did wonder on Friday night whether I was living a bit of a sad life when I was reading a book about St Bede on the train back from London.  Then I found him saying this:

By shepherds we must understand here not only bishops, priests and deacons or even monastic superiors, but all the faithful however small their house may be are rightly called shepherds insofar as they rule over that house with watchful care.

I reckon he was around 1300 years before the Second Vatican Council in saying that—good old Bede…

Visit Vocations in Hexham and Newcastle

View Leaflet: Ways to be Free

1. Cover
2. Why Vocation?
3. Reflection on Vocation
4. Information to assist Parish Councils

Welcome to Sr Lucina this weekend, as she invites us to think about SharingFair.  I know we’re in the middle of a build up to a General Election—and my prayers go out to my friends and others who spent last Friday night in Vigil outside the Houses of Parliament to encourage our politicians to remember a commitment to Trade Justice and the MakePovertyHistory Campaign.  I left London as they were gathering to spend the night in prayer and witness—and it was really cold! (For more info visit CAFOD news ). There is an interesting quotation from the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales in their Document ‘The Common Good’ from 1986. In it they said: (and please excuse me for delving into some of my past documentation) - but the Bishops really did say:

We should regard the discharge of our responsibilities (in relation to the welfare of society) as –no less important than fulfilling our religious duties and indeed as part of them…

You may be totally  bored by the current General Election debate—and to be honest, I wouldn’t blame you—at least Gordon Brown went to the US to continue his involvement with the bit issues– but we must take seriously our commitment to the general ‘Common Good’ whether it is in relation to our sisters and brothers in the Developing World, or the needs of our ‘neighbours’ in our local area.  Do give it some seriously thought.  Sorry this is so brief—not long back from the ‘big smoke’.   JOK

Local Services for The Pope...as mentioned last week, The Bishop will celebrate a Diocesan Requiem Mass in honour of His Holiness Pope John Paul II at St Mary's Cathedral at 11.30am on Sunday 10th April. 

There will also be a celebration of Ecumenical Vespers at St Mary's Cathedral at 4.00pm on Sunday 10th April and Bishop Kevin is keen that  people try to attend. The leaders of the other Christian Churches in the Diocese are attending, as well as the leaders of all the Other Faiths. The Lord Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear and his wife, the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Newcastle and the Leader of Newcastle City Council will also be in attendance at this special service. 

Saints and Feasts this Week 

• St Stanislaus was born in the town of Szczepanow in Poland about the year 1030.  He studied at Paris and became a priest and in 1071. He then succeeded Lambert as the Bishop of Cracow.  ( Funny I think I have heard that place name mentioned recently. ) He ruled his diocese as a good shepherd, helping the poor and making a visitation to his clergy every year.  He fearlessly rebuked the king Boleslav and was murdered by him in the year 1097.

• St Martin Born at Todi in Umbria.  He joined the diocese of Rome and in the year 649 was elected Pope. ( Just a little before Pope John Paul 11. ) That same year he presided over the Council that condemned the heresy of the Monothelites.  In 653 he was seized by the Emperor Constans and taken to Constantinople where he was treated harshly; then he was moved to Kherson in the Crimea where he died in the year 656.

We continue our Collection for the Sick and Retired Priests in the Diocese and the Northern Brethren’s Fund… To be honest, now that the Bishop has asked me to be a member of his council, I have a clearer picture regarding our sick and retired priests, I would ask you to look seriously at this collection. In about 20 years time I might well be hugely grateful for your contribution!  There are leaflets and gift aid envelopes available at the back of  the Church. Thank you for your contribution.

Next Sunday– 17th April– is the World Day of Prayer for Vocations… There is an enormous amount of information about this Day from our Vocations Team-and I am most grateful for it. To be honest, there’s probably too much for new priests like me…   I’ve read it all , and it took a good bit of time! Having spent many years at Ushaw (1977-1986 as a teacher and 1996-2003 as the Boss ) I do have some understanding of the need for future priests in the Northern Dioceses. I would also want to say that we need to look really seriously at how we encouraged all Baptised people in their responsibility as Christians in our world today. Pope John Paul II was brilliant at that-or else he wouldn’t have written his first letter on “Christian Discipleship” for Lay men and women in 1987. Having said that, there is need for more priests and religious. Please make the most of the literature available at the back of the Church today...

St. Anne’s Court Newcastle... which is on Summerhill Grove NE4 6EE have asked me to inform people that they have a vacancy in sheltered accommodation for the over 55’s. For details please ring 0191 2301993. 

Youth Ministry Co-ordinator… South Gateshead Family of Parishes requires one of these for September 2005. The job spec. is on the notice board at the back of church for anyone who is interested.

Vote for Trade Justice… If you are lucky your newsletter will have enclosed a bright red card which will enable you to vote for Trade Justice. ( we were note sent enough for every newsletter.) If  you have one please use it. If you have not got one find someone who is not using theirs and use it for them.

Vote on-line:    

Allen Hall Summer Hostel...is the seminary of the Diocese of Westminster, it is superbly located just off the King’s road in Chelsea and during the summer vacation offers cheap accommodation in a safe, clean and hospitable environment. There are brochures and booking forms at the back of Church for anyone who is interested.

Montagu View Pit Disaster Memorial Service…pinned at the back of Church is a lovely letter received from the secretary of Scotswood Village Residents Association thanking everyone who attended this service. May I also extend my thanks to those who attended from this parish. There was a great feeling of camaraderie and community  togetherness during the evening.

Grand Spring Draw...another notice you can find pinned at the back of the church is from the Youth Ministry Team giving details of winners and thanking everyone for their support of this draw. Just in case anyone did not know the prizes of tickets to Ant & Dec’s  Saturday Night Takeaway were provided by Dermott Donnelly who is Director of Youth Services and Dec’s Brother. ( not a bad connection to have! )

Adult Religious Education...I know you only received details about this last week ( It was on the orange sheet inside your news letter. ) but I can not emphasize enough how helpful this service could be to us in this parish. For example, later this year we have confirmations taking place in the parish and I know that there are people out there who will become involved in the preparation of the candidates for this sacrament. This service will help those people prepare themselves for this task. Sharon O’Donnell, who I mentioned last week, is willing to put together tailor made courses which can take place wherever we like.

Sharon has asked me to particularly mention the COME FOLLOW ME course. This is a parish based course for Lay Ministry adults, including those who have no experience of working in parish groups, who wish to share the Gospel message, through prayer, scripture and church practices. This will enable them to;

• DEEPEN THEIR OWN FAITH AND GROW IN UNDERSTANDING OF THEMSELVES

• RECOGNISE THEIR GIFTS AND THE GIFTS OF OTHERS

• DEVELOP SKILLS AND CONFIDENCE

Please do look further into what Adult  Religious Education could provide for you and the Parish.

For more information on courses go to :

A Ceilidh...with “The Bon Accords” is to be held on Sunday 24th April at 8.00pm at The Newcastle Tyneside Irish Centre. The proceeds are to go to The Little Sisters of the Poor. Entrance is £2.00 and there are    tickets for sale at the back of Church.

The Activity Group...will meet in the Meeting Room on Tuesday 12th April at 7.30

Sharing Fair...Sister Lucina Wogan from the Convent in Brignall Gardens, will speak to us at Masses next week about Sharing Fair, a  fair trade initiative of her Congregation on behalf of destitute and exploited women and children in some of the poorest countries of the world.  The sale of the crafts they produce does much to enable thousands to live lives of dignity and hope.    You make a real difference in their lives when you purchase their top-quality crafts which will be on sale in the (Parish Centre) after all the Masses.  Don't miss out on this wonderfully practical way of doing Gospel Justice ! The Fairs themselves will take place in the Hall after Masses on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th April after the Masses.

Pope John Paul II

As I prepare this Newsletter (11.30 am Friday) I have half an ear on BBC News 24, wondering how frail the Pope is. There are thousands of people in St Peter’s Square praying quietly and fervently for him.  There is no doubt that he is extremely ill and near death. I will offer some reflections on a separate page, and print it as late as possible before Mass on Saturday night (refer to Pope John Paul II).  There is no doubt that Pope John Paul is one of the towering figures of the 20/21st Centuries, let us pray that he may die in serenity and peace.

For further details please refer to Pope John Paul II

For more recent updates please go to the  Vatican and/or the Diocesan sites.

Saints and Feasts this Week 

• The Annunciation:  This is transferred from Good Friday—25th March—that was a very rare combination of two great feasts of the Church, the acceptance of Mary to be the Mother of God and the acceptance of Jesus to die for us.  I have a feeling that the Annunciation wasn’t just a brief conversation between Mary and an Angel, but the results of months of prayer and reflection….

• John Baptist de la Salle lived in France from 1651—1719 and did a remarkable job setting up teacher training colleges to train teachers (naturally!) for very poor children. He insisted that children should be taught in their own language, rather than Latin!  I’m rather glad that idea caught on.  I wonder what he’d make of the present row about food in schools.  John Baptist de la Salle and Jamie Oliver could be a formidable combination.

Giving Envelopes and Gift Aid—just a further reminder about what Paul Henderson said a couple of weeks ago  weekly Giving Envelopes and Gift Aid.  Thank you to all who contribute in any way at all, and, once again, if you pay tax, you can painlessly and effortlessly help the parish even more.

Bingo: will happen in the Hall at 8.00 pm on Tuesday 5th April.  Raffles and other events likely to accompany the quiet swish of pencils through numbers…

Thanks also to those who were able to join the community last Wednesday at 7.00 pm in St Margaret’s, Scotswood to mark the 80th Anniversary of the Montagu Pit Disaster.  It was clearly an important evening for many people.

And a thank you for the donation given for Parish Funds from those who meet after Tuesday morning mass for coffee and chat.  Everyone is welcome to join in, and it does seem that the conversations range from the plight of NUFC to whether the Resurrection and Ascension took place at the same moment—I really got into some bother about that one...

Forthcoming Events:  From Sunday 10th April there is to be a Global Week of Action for Trade Justice.  This is part of the MakePovertyHistory Campaign.  It begins with a Rally at 3.00 pm next Sunday at the Angel of the North—more information at the back of the Church.

The Good City: A day to explore what makes a City a good place to live in.  Saturday 23 April , 10.0 am—4.30 pm.  It will take place in the Curtis Auditorium, opposite the Haymarket Metro Station and will be chaired by Rt Rev Martin Wharton, the Bishop of Newcastle.

The Universe—the cost of it, the paper, that is, will be increased to £1.00 from Sunday 3rd April.  The cost has been held at 90p since February 2002.

Bible Alive for May on sale at the back of the Church—price £1.95

Various freebies!  Just a reminder to take copies of various article and magazines that come through the Presbytery.  I’m inclined to look at the them all, but would never keep them, please take and peruse and pass them on to others if you find them helpful.

Adult Christian Education:  Please visit the  Courses and Programmes from the Religious Education Department, web page.  I really want to encourage you to look at what is on offer and wonder about whether you would like to explore some of the courses on offer.  As I’ve said in the past, finance should not be a problem if further learning benefits the community.  Please give it some thought.

Sick and Retired Priests:  There is a special collection today for Sick and Retired priests.  While we pray for Pope John Paul II we need to remember our own priests who have served the diocese for many years.  There are over 60 of them, and I’m chuffed to say that the men in the brochure at the back of the Church are friends of mine, - including Fr Ned Wilkinson who served in Benwell in the 1950s and English Martyrs more recently.  Please give what you can.