Next week, the young people of our parish, and some of the surrounding parishes, will make their Confirmation. It is an important event that allows them to make a more responsible decision confirming their acknowledgment of the Holy Spirit within. Katie and team have engaged and enlightened the young people as best they could on the qualities and great strengths of such an outward expression of Faith. Sponsors will be invited to commit to supporting the confirmed. Like Baptism, these moments allow both relatives and friends to publicly commit to ‘being there’ for those receiving the Sacrament. Young people have such great qualities. The words written some years ago by novelist Kurt Vonnegut “What should young people do with their lives today? Many things obviously. But the most daring thing to do is to create stable communities in which the terrible disease of loneliness can be cured.” One of the big challenges we face, and have had to face for some time now, is the absence of long term Faith support for young people by their parents. Perhaps we, as parish, are equally at fault in that we haven’t maintained a continuous contact with children and families after the reception of Baptism, First Holy Communion and Confirmation. Our schools have usually been relied upon to do that, and they do do that to a commendable degree. So much so that Catholic schools now afford the only link between young people and Church. However, the Community dimension that Church provides at a local level will always be pivotal. The care and outreach of the parish is always the benchmark of its success. In these uncertain times its marvellous to be able to say ‘well done’ to the many who give of themselves in our parish. Young people notice. “The parish is the presence of the Church in any given territory, an environment for hearing God’s Word, for growth in Christian life, for dialogue, proclamation, charitable outreach, worship and celebration.” Pope Francis. We pray especially for all the young people receiving the Sacraments that they will continue to find our Church Communities places of refuge, especially in these volatile times of political uncertainty both nationally and internationally.
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- Oct 14, 2022
We gather to bid farewell to Katie Flood next Tuesday evening. A social evening in St. Joseph’s School follows 7.00pm Mass in St. Joseph’s Church. We have been very fortunate to have Katie with us for the past four years. Though her role as Youth Ministry Co-ordinator was interrupted by Covid, she excelled during lockdown getting the Parish Packs to the housebound. However, much more can, and will be said about Katie’s role later. Do join us on Tuesday. Trees overlooking St. Joseph’s car park are needing immediate attention. There may be some inconvenience. More on this soon. I would like to take this opportunity to wish Dr. Viga McAllister a happy 100th birthday. There is a special note inside the bulletin.
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- Oct 7, 2022
The minutes of the last parish meeting are now available ` . As you will read, Katie Flood bid farewell as it was her last Parish Council Meeting. We hope to bid farewell to Katie formally as a parish and you will also see in this bulletin a note of farewell and thanks from our Social Committee from the parish, Other important issues which arose at our meeting with a gathering pace are the obvious concerns about imminent price rises in energy to many. Some will be very badly hit. Tyne and Wear Citizens, of whom we have been long-standing supporters, are hoping to address this with us and St. Michael’s, Houghton-le-Spring, in a joint effort. We are also opening discussion locally with Gilesgate Warm Spaces in the event of a cold winter. Our Parish Support Fund continues to provide invaluable assistance, so overall, the parish is hoping to rise to the challenges which lie ahead, which will be great. Thanks again to all of you for your continued generosity. Renewal courses are being offered to Eucharistic Ministers from the Diocese. Please give them some consideration. If not with the Diocese, then I think we might need to run one in the parish. Suggestions welcome. The role of Leaders of Word and Communion is going to be vital and shouldn’t be diminished because extra priests are available at the moment to say Mass.
Our buildings are requiring attention and I want to thank our Buildings Committee. The immediate issues are the overgrown trees in St. Joseph’s car park, the green area at St. Bede’s Presbytery, the lighting in St. Godric’s Church, and the damaged car park at St. Joseph’s Presbytery. And all this before we tackle how Redhills Cemetery is to be maintained into the future. All need maintenance. Maintenance needs funding. The five Vatican guidelines for parishes are given an overview on our parish website this week. Finally, music. Covid dealt a deadly blow to choir numbers around the country. Some are rebuilding with gusto. We need more singers, please, especially at St. Godric’s for the 9.00am Sunday Mass. With a choir master of great respect throughout the North-East, let alone the Diocese, we can do much more. Quote from a great musician: “What I try to get beyond is playing music at people and, instead, to play music with people because audience members are constantly part of the experience. What they say in their body language, what they say in their eyes, what they sing with me … it’s an ‘us’, and there is a communication that’s like … it’s like church, man.” Al Jarreau
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