Ash Wednesday

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, 14th February. A holy day of fasting and abstinence. Our Parish Masses will be: 10.00am at St. Joseph’s and 6.00pm at St. Godric’s.

Thought from Fr. Colm - 11th February 2024

There are still a few places left for our Parish Retreat in Keswick. Our parish meeting next Saturday takes on more importance as we get nearer the time. I’ll mention it in more detail at each Mass this weekend. The Mass for the families of this year’s first communicants was well attended. Thanks to all who came, and to our schools especially.

‘Ash Wednesday Unshowered’

by Anya Krugovoy Silver

My hair’s pulled back to disguise the grime,

though maybe it’s well that I’m unclean,

since from dust you came, to dust you will return,

the priest recites, smearing my forehead.-

Once, twice, and I’m marked,

a lintel in plague years.

I’m invited to kneel and read the fifty-first Psalm,

recalling how David watched Bathsheba bathe.

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;

wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

Merciful one, save me from slight repentance.

I pierced the center of the white orchid, Lord,

and it was mud, blood’s cry, my body’s blighted tender.

Parish Walks 2024

The Parish Walking group would like to share their planned walks for 2024. All are welcome.

Durham Martyrs Walking Group 2024

Date                                                          Proposed Walk

27th January 2024                                   Lanchester Railway Path 4-5 miles TBC

24th  February 2024                                    Saints of Durham Churches 2.5 or 5 miles

(revised from originally published 17th due to Parish meeting)

16th March                                                 TBC

20th April                                                    Bluebell Walk 3 or 6 miles

18th  May                                                   Seaham Coast Flexible 8 mile maxTBC

15th  June                                                  Durham to Lanchester TBC

20 July                                                      Fishburn / Bishop Middleham 7.3 miles

17th August                                                South Shields Coast TBC (short)

21st September                                            Castle Eden Dene TBC

19th October                                              TBC

16th November                                            TBC

14th December                                            Christmas Lunch

Walks suggested can be changed and new ideas are always welcome.