St. Bede's Catholic Church

Newcastle upon Tyne

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• Message from Pope Benedict XVI for Lent 2006

• Parish Visitation 12th February 2006

• Agenda Parish Visitation Meeting - 3/11/2005

• Daniel Jopling in India

• Live 8 St Mary's Cathedral -  (Reflection prepared by Fr Jim O'Keefe)

• Pope Benedict XVI

• Pope John Paul II

• Election of Popes

• Lent 2005

• The Passion Story

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• Sunday 25th June 2006 - 12th Sunday of the Year

• Sunday 18th June 2006 - 11th Sunday of the Year

• Sunday 11th June 2006 - Trinity Sunday

• Sunday 4th June 2006 - Feast of Pentecost

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Rosary Rally-Minsteracres Monastery-Saturday 12th August

There will be an outdoor Mass at 12 noon, followed by picnic lunch and Rosary Procession in the grounds. Finishes at 4pm. If you are travelling with a group please contact 01434 673248 to let them know how many are to be expected. Minsteracres Monastery is situated on the A68, half way between Corbridge and Consett

Debt Freedom Day-Saturday 1st July Central Newcastle

There will be a Service of Thanksgiving, 11.00-11.30am at Brunswick Methodist Church and at 12 noon there is to be a Celebration at Grey’s Monument.

On this very day, a year since the great national gathering in Edinburgh, there has been significant developments. Debts to the World Bank ,of 18 of the poorest countries in the world have been cancelled. There is a need for more debts to be cancelled, and so, we are continuing to put on the pressure to the UK Government, the EU and the other rich countries of the world.Bishop Kevin has asked me to represent him at this event—so if you’re around, I look forward to seeing you there.

Bishop Kevin will be on Holy Island with the Apostleship of the Sea on that Day. If you want to join him, you will have to make your own way there. It is a beautiful place, and well worth a visit.

Why don’t we have our own pilgrimage to Holy Island– a fascinating place of peace, culture, history and tradition. Is anyone prepared to sort it out for us????

Future Warning….Next Next Sunday—there will be a note about a Special Collection for the Apostleship of the Sea on 9th July—just so you know…

Patronal Feast of St Margaret’s in Scotswood. There is a poster at the back of the Church informing us of the Parish Eucharist on 20th July at 7.00p.m. The preacher is the Assistant Bishop of the Diocese of Newcastle—Rt Rev Stephen Pedley. Please feel free to join our local Church of England Community.

Future Events….

FINAL REQUEST FOR FOLK INTERESTED IN A WEEKEND ABOUT PARISH COUNCILS AND PARISH DEVELOPMENT….St Robert’s parish is hosting a weekend in early September (Friday 1st—Sunday 3rd) on Parish Councils. The leaders of the weekend are Frs Johnny Doherty, Oliver Crilley and Paddy Curren. They have immense experience around Parish and Pastoral Development. If you do want to join in this rather special event, please sign the accompanying list. Many thanks.

SO—look at the ‘Sign Up’ pages for:

Ecumenical Pilgrimage to Heavenfield, Minsteracres and Hexham on 23 September 2007.. Cost £8.50 (Fish and Chips excluded—….)

If you are interested in this weekend—please sign the form at the back of the Church.

Profound Thoughts….

Do not mistake activity for achievement ….a good hint for parishes

Swallow your pride occasionally - It is non fattening


And even more thoughts from young people…

‘When you get a bad result in school—show it to your mam when she is on the phone - Alyesha, age 13—a very wise young woman… JOK

‘Never try to baptise a cat…’ Eileen, aged 8.

May he support us all the day long.
Till the shades lengthen,
And the evening comes,
And the busy world is hushed,
And the fever of life is over,
And our work is done.

Then in his mercy
May he give us a safe lodging,
And a holy rest,
And peace at the last.

John Henry Newman…..Wisdom and Innocence

 

However, turning to the present and the future...

Old Boys’ St Cuthbert’s High School

As a Celebration of the 125th Anniversary of St Cuthbert’s School a print, drawn by Sean McLeod, one of the VIth Formers, of the School is on sale, available from the School prices from £2.00—details of the prints are on display at the back of the Church. If you want further information, simply ring the school on 0191 274 4510. Eventually you’ll get through to a normal person who will talk to you. You might like to mention it to friends and relations in other parts of the country. If (unlike Sting—who’s biography I read a couple of weeks ago) - you have half decent memories of St Cuthbert’s—you might want to follow this up.

Parish in Council

Many thanks to those who were able to join us for our meeting. There aren’t too many of us gathering for this meeting, and I’m, just wondering why that is. It is really helpful to me, hearing the views and ideas of others. Things actually get done as a result of it, and it is so important for us all to work together to be a witness in this part of the City. This is not a complaint, honestly, it is simply and observation. I wonder how we find ways to work together to be Church in this part of the world. Many thanks to Paul Henderson for the Finance Statement. This is certainly not the only thing under discussion, but it is important that we all know where we are.

Financial Commitments…

We are having to make some changes to the flats next to the Presbytery...you will have noticed that work is in progress…

Electricity/Gas Safety inspection. We have received the bill, but not the report.

You will also have noticed that we had a leak in the central heating system recently. The work has been done, - no bill yet—and we need to replace the carpet in the East Aisle. No bill for that either.

Thanks once again for your generosity and financial commitment.

The draft minutes of the meeting will be available soon.

St Margaret’s Scotswood...Fun Social Event..Friday 30th June, 7.00p.m. Admission £2.00—let’s be honest, what can you possibly do for £2.00 other than enjoy yourself at our local Church of England gathering. You can learn to line dance and generally enjoy yourself. Poster at the back of the Church.

Next Sunday—25th June...there is a Special Collection requested by the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales on a Day for Life.

What is it for? This Day is to celebrate the life and presence of people with disabilities in the Church and society in General.

• It is to remind us to support and defend the lives of the disabled which can be threatened before birth by genetic screening and procured abortion, or by being denied necessary medical treatment when we are ill or old.

• It is to promote a more just an humane society in which all can reach their full potential.

To be honest (I know I keep using that phrase, but I mean it), I once saw Steve Cram training on the running track in Jarrow. This was in the early 1990s. It was like watching moving poetry. I didn’t even bother getting changed to do my bit around the track. He was totally brilliant. I learned a lot from that half hour. I decided then that ‘disability’ is a weird word. In comparison to Steve Cram—I was nowhere. So, let’s get real and support the Church’s attitude that it is people that matter, not what they can do, whether they can walk or run or not. We’re all made in the image of God—and God has many images. Please look at the leaflet with your newsletter. If you want more information you might like to look at www.dayforlife.org

This is a difficult one...but I think I need to say it…and it was raised at our Parish in Council meeting last week….

I’m not at all sure how we get a balance in Church between being hospitable and welcoming on the one hand, and respecting our Church building as a place for silence, prayer and reflection. Just speaking personally for a moment, I try to spend the thick end of an hour before every Mass celebrated in St Bede’s. Doesn’t always work, but that’s the aim. It’s lovely. I enjoy (as I’ve said before) the sound of children’s voices as they go to school in the morning—but they’re not in the Church building. On the other hand, I know that there are a fair number of people who come to Church early—just to sit and be quiet. Silence is more than golden in our lives, it is really precious. Sometimes there is just too much chatter and loud conversation in Church before Mass. I know it is really important for people to meet and greet each other in Church. I also know that we don’t have space in the Porch for this to happen (maybe –when we’ve paid off the debt, we might look at that?) and I don’t want to put anyone off coming to meet friends, family or acquaintances….But we do have a problem.

Some Churches have big notices saying SILENCE...on all the pillars. I don’t think that is the answer. I just ask you to be careful, keep the noise down, and respect the folk who really do value the peace and quiet. God love us, there isn’t that much in the world today!

And now for something completely different….

• ‘Never trust a dog to watch your food’ - Patrick, age 10

• ‘When your dad is mad and asks you, ‘Do I look stupid?’ - Don’t answer—Hannah, age 9

• ‘Never tell your mum her diet’s not working’ - Michael age 14

• ‘When your mam is mad with your dad, don’t let her brush your hair’ - Taylia age 11

• ‘Never let your three year old brother in the same room as your school work’ - Tracy age 14

• ‘You can’t hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk’ Amir age 9 (but I like the fact that he tried….JOK)

• ‘If you want a kitten, start out by asking for a horse’ Naom age 15

• ‘Felt tip markers are not good to use as lipstick’ - Lauren age 9

I’m sure we’d all like to thank Lauren for that piece of advice….JOK

Lay Training Fund

There are still some leaflets at the back of Church which explain the purpose of this Fund. The collection is open until Sunday 2 July. There are some special envelopes available for those who would like to take advantage of the Gift Aid scheme. If you already have a Gift Aid Declaration, please write your normal envelope number on the back of the envelope.

Parish In Council Meeting—Tuesday 13 June, 7.00pm

This could well be a very important meeting. I’ve just noticed that 2007 is the 70th anniversary of St Bede’s. How might we celebrate this? I know that Bede The Venerable are thinking ahead and would like to celebrate their 70th next year. Is there room for doing something together?

Other items raised last time include:

• The need for ‘Finance Development’

• The Development of a Questionnaire for the whole parish to fill in
  A ‘Home Grown’ Journey in Faith for Inquirers

• How we develop ‘Adult Formation’

If you have any other issues you want to raise, please let me know.
 

Many thanks.

GLIMPSES OF GLORY….There is rather brilliant Collection of modern expressions of the life and death of Christ on display at Ushaw from 19 June to 9 July (OK—I am aware of the world cup and that…). There are 42 pictures including works by Graham Sutherland and Elizabeth Frink. This is an initiative from the Wesley Study Centre in Durham—a Methodist training programme that works very closely with Ushaw. It may well be very well worth seeing.

Admission Free…

Opening Times: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 11.00—5.00pm
Wednesday 3.00—9.00pm
Sunday 2.00—5.00pm (including worship at 4.00pm).

A good contact would be Roger Walton 0191 334 3899 or, if you prefer, R.L.Walton@durham.ac.uk or the website www.dur.ac.uk/wsc.online.

I suspect that even in you don’t consider yourself ‘arty’ - it would be a good visit, offering a new way to look at the life and death of Jesus.

Would anyone be willing to organise a bit of a trip to it???
 

CHILD PROTECTION PROCEDURES….Thanks to all who have taken their envelopes from the back of the Church. Can I now ask you to return them! It is simply so important that we keep on top of the whole process and don’t fall behind. This is true of us as a parish and as a Diocese. Please pass them on to either Deidre Grezbalski or myself. Many thanks.

ACTIVITY GROUP….There will be no Activity Group on Tuesday 13 June—that is the evening for the Finance Committee and the Parish in Council Meeting. So—you can come and be active in the Parish Meeting?
 

NIGHTSTOP….provides emergency overnight accommodation of your homeless people in the homes of volunteers. It needs a strong network of volunteers across Tyne and Wear, and recruitment is underway for more volunteers. There are some leaflets about the service at the back of the Church. You can also find out more about Nightstop from Kathryn Price, 2nd Floor Union Chambers, 41 Grainger Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 5JE. 0191 261 8881 or webmaster@northeastnightstop.co.uk

FORGIVE US AS WE FORGIVE….There is to be a Service of Healing entitled ‘Relationships’ to be held at St Robert’s Fenham on Sunday 11th June at 4.00 p.m. The whole deanery has been invited and you will be most welcome if you would like to attend.

Many thanks for the collection for the Church’s Ministry in Communications. Having now see the fairly weird Da Vinci Code, I can see why folk who don’t have too much understanding of the Gospels and the history of the Church could be very confused….No wonder the Communications Centre was rather overwhelmed with requests for information and comment. (To be honest, not much of a film, in fact. If you’re into chasing folk in a car backwards along Parisian pavements, then this film is for you…)

Pilgrimage to Holy Island...next Saturday. The sun will most certainly shine, the weather will be fabulous, the water will be warm and the Prayer will be inspiring—it must be, because it has been prepared by Ann Maughan. The walk begins at 11.30 across the Causeway and we will celebrate mass at 2.30. Please register you car by calling the CAFOD office on 0191 373 5001. You also need to be off the Island by 6.00 p.m.—unless, of course, you want to stay until 11.00—which could be absolutely lovely.

LATE NEWS...I’ve just discovered that the parishioners of Winlaton are kindly offering to pick up any from St Bede’s who would like to go to Holy Island. There are 19 of them in a rather large bus—so if you would like to go, please let me know as soon as possible. I will ring them on Monday to give numbers.

Mission Today—FREE copies available at the back of the Church..all those who are involved in the Mission Box appeal—’Red Boxes’ - are invited to take a copy. There’s an interesting article about Nigeria (Fr Michael’s home country), visited by Fr Paul Smith, a priest from Salford diocese who was once a Spiritual Director at Ushaw. There’s also a list of how generous the various dioceses around the country have been in relation to the Mission Appeal.

Profound Thoughts…

• Military justice is to justice what military music is to music (Groucho Marx)

• The male is a domestic animal which, if treated with firmness, can be trained to do most things.

And while we’re on about Pilgrimage….our Ecumenical Pilgrimage from this part of the City will be on Saturday 23rd September. It is to go to Heavenfield, Minsteracres and Hexham.

• Start: Around 11.20 from Denton Burn Methodist Church
  Visit to Heavenfield—short service and talk on history of the Church

• 2.00 p.m Visit Minsteracres—again a tour, tea and biscuits

• 4.00 p/m Leave for Hexham—Fish and Chips optional….

• 5.30 p.m. Leave for Newcastle.

Names and a £5.00 deposit by 20th July to Eileen Bell of Denton Burn Methodist Church. Book early to avoid disappointment….

20th July—Patronal Feast of St Margaret’s in Scotswood. Service 7.00 p.m.—all welcome

15th -17th  July Denton Burn Methodist Church Flower Festival. Theme: Stained Glass Windows. Part of their 75th anniversary.

LAY TRAINING FUND….Today the Diocese is launching a Lay Training Fund which will help Catholic lay people to grow in maturity and in the faith, and make an informed contribution both in the Church and in the world. It is hoped that in the years to come more lay leaders will emerge in the Church to help us all live out the call given to each of us in Baptism. There is a retiring Collection today to help establish this fund. There are some special envelopes available for those who want to take advantage of the Gift Aid possibility. If you already have a Gift Aid Declaration, please write your normal envelope number on the back of the envelope. This Collection will be open for the next 4 weeks. There are some leaflets available explaining the purpose of the Fund at the back of the Church.

Thanks to Rachel Jopling for her reflections on FairTrade last Sunday. Some people have asked for a copy of the prayer she used at the end of her thoughts.

Dear God,
We thank you for all the crops you send so that people can make Fairtrade products.
Help us to always think carefully when we shop and to think about other
people who have worked hard to make what we’re buying.
We ask that the money that is raised helps them to have a better life.
Every time we eat and drink help us to remember those who are hungry or thirsty and not as lucky as us. Amen

Bible Alive...is available for June. £1.95. This is the 10th anniversary of the publication. There is a good deal about the Scriptures in this particular edition.

Many Congratulations to Christina and Mark who celebrate their wedding at St Bede’s this weekend.
 

Ever thought of writing to the Chancellor of Germany? You may remember the copy of the Bishops’ Statement on ‘People Trafficking’ in the Newsletter a couple of weeks ago. I mentioned that the coming World Cup is providing an increase in trafficking of women from Eastern Europe—estimates vary from 40,000—100,000 more women being brought to Germany. The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU states that ‘trafficking in Human Beings in prohibited’. Members of the European Parliament have urged Germany to take action against trafficking—and you might want to add a little pressure of you own. You can simply drop a line to:

Chancellor Angela Merkel

Willy-Brandt Str 1

P.0. 10557 BERLIN

And now for something more profound:

A professor stood before his students with some items in front of him. Without a word he picked up a very large empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He asked the students if the jar was full - and they all agreed it was.

Then, the professor picked up a box of small pebbles and poured them into the jar, shaking it gently. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. Again, the professor asked his students if the jar was full and they all agreed it was.

Now the professor picked up a box of sand and poured this into the jar, shaking it gently once more. Of course the sand filled the gaps between the golf balls and the pebbles. “Is the jar full now ?” he asked his students and they all said, resoundingly, that it was.

So then, the professor produced two cups of coffee and poured these into the jar, effectively filling the spaces between the sand. The students laughed.

“Now” said the professor, “I want you to recognise that this jar represents your lives.”

“The golf balls are the important things - your children, your family, your health, your friends and your passion. Things that, if all else was lost and only they remained, would make your lives full.”

“The pebbles are the other things which matter-your job, your house, your car, holidays and the like. The sand is everything else-the small stuff.”

“If you put the sand into the jar first” he continued, “there would be no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all of your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to you.”

“Play with your children. Take time to get regular medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. There will always be time to clean the house or tidy the shed. Take care of the golf balls first, the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.”

One of the students raised her hand and enquired what the two cups of coffee represented.
“I’m glad you asked that “ smiled the professor. “They show that, no matter how full your life may seem there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.”