Bulletin

Bulletin Board

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Sunday 7^th December 2025

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia, alleluia!

Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight

and all mankind shall see the salvation of God.

Alleluia!

GOSPEL

The Lord be with you.

And with your spirit

A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew3:1-12

Glory to you, O Lord

In due course John the Baptist appeared;

he preached in the wilderness of Judaea and

this was his message:John the B

‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand’.

This was the man the prophet Isaiah spoke of when he said:

‘A voice cries in the wilderness:

Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight.’

This man John wore a garment made of camel-hair

with a leather belt round his waist, and his

food was locusts and wild honey.

Then Jerusalem and all Judaea and the whole

Jordan district made their way to him, and as they

were baptised by him in the river Jordan they confessed their sins.

But when he saw a number of Pharisees and

Sadducees coming for baptism he said to them,

‘Brood of vipers, who warned you to fly

from the retribution that is coming?

But if you are repentant, produce the appropriate fruit,

and do not presume to tell yourselves,

“We have Abraham for our father”,

because, I tell you, God can raise children

for Abraham from these stones.

Even now the axe is laid to the roots of the trees,

so that any tree which fails to produce good fruit

will be cut down and thrown on the fire.

I baptise you in water for repentance, but the one

who follows me is more powerful than I am,

and I am not fit to carry his sandals; he will

baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

His winnowing-fan is in his hand; he will clear

his threshing-floor and gather his wheat into the barn;

but the chaff he will burn in a fire that will never go out.

The Gospel of the Lord Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

All Saints, Thropton,

No weekday Word & Communion or Mass until Further Notice

Live Streaming of Masses

A number of parishes have set up a live stream of their Masses.

For more details of frequency and timings please go to the Diocesan website www.rcdhn.org.uk

Children’s Liturgy at Sunday Mass.

Children are welcome in the Parish room to listen to a child friendly Gospel, with theme related activities.

Two adults will instruct the children both will have a current DBS

Mass Times

Mass at St Paul’s, Alnwick

Mon 8th Dec 10:00 am Mass

Tues 9th Dec 1:00 pm Memorial Service for Guy Brown

6:00 pm Mass

Wed 10th Dec 11:00 am Exposition

12 Noon Mass. Centenary of First Saturday Devotions

Followed by Rosary and Refreshments

Fri 12th Dec 10:00 am Mass

Sun 14th Dec 10:00 am Mass

Mass Intentions

7th December Jim and Agnes Storey

14th .Dec Andy Dunn, RIP

Mass at Sacred Heart & St Cuthbert

Wed 10th Dec 10.30 am Service of Word & Holy Communion

Thurs 11th Dec 10.30 Mass preceded at 10am by Adoration,

Advent Hymns and Readings

Sat 13th Dec 5:pm Vigil Mass

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available before

the Saturday evening Vigil Mass or on request.

Mass Intentions

6th December Anne Patterson

St Paul's Church is open daily for Exposition of The Blessed Sacrament

from 5pm-6pm. Please join us, even if it is only for a short time.

Ministers of the Word for Sunday 14^th Dec (Third Sunday of Advent)

Agatha Ade-Lawal; Ian Atkinson; John Knight

Ministers of the Eucharist for Sunday 14^th Dec

Sandra Armstrong; John Knight; Mary Donaghey
Counters

8th Dec Team 6 Liz Harrison and Judith Francis

15th Dec Team 1 Vincent and Roisin Cowley

Tea & Coffee Helpers : 14th December Jean and Monique

Flower Arranger : 14th December Roisin Cowley

Every Sunday we serve refreshments after Mass at the back of church

Everyone is welcome

Changes to the Weekly Parish Bulletin & the Parish Website

A small team are currently working on the development of an updated and

improved version of the Weekly Parish Bulletin which should be available early in the New Year.

We are also working on a significant upgrade to the Parish
Website which will provide an invaluable on-line resource for both existing

parishioners and visitors and for those seeking to learn more about our faith.

There will only be a single newsletter covering the festive fortnight commencing 21^st Dec,

jointly published with Amble Parish. Please could any items for inclusion

be submitted by 9pm Friday 12th December to the usual e-mail.

Help Needed

With the lead up to Christmas volunteers are needed to help shine the church brass.

Anyone needing any more details please contact Jaqui Bettell or Fr Stephen

New Readers Rota

Copies of the new Readers' Rota for Year A are now available.

If you haven't received a copy please see Tony Wynn at the Choir Stalls after Mass

2026 Diaries

I can order A5 2026 diaries with beautiful works of art

and spiritual insights from Fr Denis McBride, which cost £10.95.

I have more details about this on the wall near the piety stall.

If you would like a copy, please add your name to the list or email me on pam@alnwick-eb.co.uk

Last ordering date will be the 7^th December, many thanks Pam Slater

Church Heating

Unfortunately, the boiler system for the Church has completely failed.

After many meetings with the diocese and contractors, we have been told that we will

most likely not have any heating in the Church until next year.

Please remember to wrap up well for Mass and feel free to bring blankets.

Thank you for bearing with us through this.

Winter Fayre Sat 13th December

There will be a sale of books and bric-a-brac in the church from 2-4pm.

Any donations for suitable for resale can be left at the back of Church.

Tea and coffee will be available

Gift Aid Thank You

A huge thankyou to all who support the parish via gift aid .

We have eceived £5631.15 from the government for the tax year 24/25.

Your continued support is much appreciated.

Donor acknowledgement letters are available from the diocese .

Should you require a copy could you please let me know via the

parish office or my number is 07821698937.

Many thanks Chris Mcelhone

Youth Ministry

On Sunday 30th November, we welcome members of the Youth Ministry

Team. It would be wonderful to offer the young people some light refreshments after Mass.

Can we please have some volunteers to make some sandwiches?

St Paul’s Primary School Christmas Fair

This is on Friday 12^th December 3:15-5pm. Admission Adults £1.50, children free,

it includes tea/coffee and a mince pie.

Hot food is also available.

Santa will be there.

Christian Together in Alnwick Christmas Appeal

This year we are asking for knitted angels and bells to distribute around the town.

Patterns are available at the back of Church.

Please return any finished items at the end of November to June Etterley.

Advent Friendship Event

The Parishioners of the Sacred Heart & St Cuthbert cordially invite their friends from St Paul's Alnwick

to a joint Advent Friendship Event on Thursday 11th December at 10.00 am.

There will be Adoration, Advent hymns and readings with Holy Mass celebrated at 10.30 am

followed by tea/coffee and mince pies in the hall afterwards.

Please come and join us if you can

Piety Stall Christmas Goods

Christmas goods and diaries for 2026 are now available on the Piety Stall.

Gift Aid Donations

Gift Aid Donations. If you give regularly to St Paul's and are a current taxpayer

we can claim 25p for every £1 from the Government.

All you need to do is fill in a gift aid declaration form .

Any questions please let me know via email to St Paul's parish office .

Chris Mcelhone. stpauls.alnwick@diocesehn,org,uk

Thropton and Rothbury

Following a meeting with St Paul’s parishioners on 16th Sept it was agreed that in the event of

All Saints, Thropton and St Agnes’ Rothbury not reopening an amalgamation of these parishes

with Alnwick would be the most appropriate way forward.

100 plus September winners

1st prize no.23 Mary Frater

2nd prize no.15 Louis Dassen

3rd prize no.54 Tony Wynn

Stop assisted suicide - action needed!

As the assisted suicide Bill progresses through the Lords, Peers have made it clear that receiving

physical letters will have the most influence at this stage of the process.

Right To Life UK has launched a new EasyAction tool that creates a personalised letter

to be sent in the post to a Peer highlighting a key concern with the Bill,

selects a Peer to receive it, and customises the letter so that it is addressed from you

. Please visit www.righttolife.org.uk/aspeersletter to send a

letter to Peers asking them to oppose assisted suicide.

CAFOD Gaza Crisis Appeal

Your support can make a real difference.

Every donation helps local aid workers give urgent, practical help to families in Gaza.

This is a critical time, thousands of families are facing unimaginable hardship.

With your help, we can bring hope, relief and practical assistance directly to those who need it most.

To Donate go to CAFOD.org.uk then select Gaza Crisis Appeal donate box.

Year of Jubilee 2025 — ‘Pilgrims of Hope’

The Year of Jubilee invites and encourages us to:

· Rediscover the value of silence, hope and simplicity of life.

· Be pilgrims on a quest to deepen our relationship with God and members of our One Diocesan Family.

· Accompany each other through prayer, welcome and witness.

This special Jubilee year has been granted the motto ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ and

invites us to undertake a spiritual journey as people of Hope in search

for an ever-deeper connection with God. Pilgrimages have long been a Spiritual

practice undertaken by those with faith and those without.

It is an opportunity to reflect on life’s journey and to share reflections with one another.

We can embark on pilgrimages which take us to sacred sites, historical landmarks,

or even local places of importance, allowing us to connect deeply with our faith, heritage, and community.

As we travel, we can engage in practices of meditation, prayer, and communal sharing,

enriching our understanding of the Jubilee’s themes of justice, mercy, and forgiveness.

Let us embrace these pilgrimages as a way to rejuvenate our spirits,

strengthen our bonds with others, and draw inspiration for the path ahead.

Lectio Devina.

Each Wednesday after the 10am mass we meet for .a prayerful

reading of the following Sunday’s Gospel. Lectio Devina.

CAFOD’s Myanmar Earthquake Appeal

Please give to CAFOD’s Myanmar Earthquake Appeal to provide water, food, solar lights,

mosquito nets and water purification tablets to those devastated by this disaster.

Your generosity will bring comfort and relief to families who are in urgent need.

Donate at https://cafod.org.uk/give/donate-to-emergencies/myanmar-earthquake-appeal

Coffee after Sunday Mass

It’s wonderful how many people are staying for coffee,

chat and catch up, along with Liz’s fantastic shortbread.

Tables are spread right across the back, and the wonderful helpers

struggle to get cleared up etc., so if anyone would like to join the teams please give it some thought.

Mary Frater has been in charge of this for some years now and will shortly be

handing over to Judith Frances, please give her the same support

that has been given to Mary over the years. Thank You.

Tap and Go Display

We now have a tap and go display at the back of the church.

The options to give are easy and straight forward with the ability to Gift Aid.

Gift Aid asks for your Name House number & Post Code and email address to send you confirmation.

It’s also possible to do the same from any web browser via https://donate.mydona.com/st-pauls-alnwick

So if you wish to fund raise please take this link to your event and spread the news that St Paul loves you!

Safeguarding.

The Parish operates in accordance with Statutory Safeguarding Guidance and

Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency( CSSA)

and the Diocese’s policies and procedures at all times.

Our Parish Safeguarding Representative is Pam Slater 07976851470

and the Diocesan Safeguarding Team can be contacted on 0191 2433305

or at safeguarding@diocesehn.org.uk.

The diocesan policy can be found on the noticeboard in the porch or online at

https://diocesehn.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Safeguarding-Policy-Dec-2023.pdf

Prayers of the Faithful (Bidding Prayers)

We need more people to write the Bidding Prayers for Sunday Mass.

At present, only four members of the congregation write the prayers.

Do you attend Sunday Mass regularly?

Do you possess a Sunday Missal?

Do you have an email address, a computer and a printer?

Would you be willing to help out from time to time?

Please speak to or email David Williams at davidlwilliams75@gmail.com.

Instructions and a template for the prayers will be provided.

Eucharistic Ministers' Rota

A copy of the new rota is displayed on the Notice Board in the Church Porch

Alnwick District Food Bank

At the moment we are very short of the following items :-

Cereals, coffee, boxes of washing powder, washing up liquid,

tinned fruit, pasta sauce, biscuits and dried dog food.

If you would like to donate there is a box in the porch at the back of church

or any donation points in the supermarkets.

Many thanks.

Eucharistic Ministers Needed

We are desperately low on volunteers to be Eucharistic ministers.

This involves distributing Eucharist and The Precious Blood during mass.

Optional is taking Eucharist to the housebound and this is also desperately needed.

Please contact Fr Stephen if you are willing for one or both.

OPENING DOORS

Pope Francis opened a Jubilee Holy Door in St Peters Basilica last month.

This doorway represents the passage to salvation which Jesus opened to us all.

We have no special Holy Door in Alnwick but we are hoping to create a

purpose-built Kitchen area at the back of Church where we can all meet after mass

as well as at other important times in the Parish’s year.

You may know that our Church is a ‘grade 2* listed building’ which means that all

alterations have to be approved, licenced and controlled.

As you can imagine, that can be costly and complicated.

We therefore ask you all to pray for the success of our kitchen project and to help

as much as you can with the fundraising in the coming months.

New Kitchen Area

The faculties for the kitchen are expected to begin in January 2025. Fundraising has started for this with the option of Gift Aid.

This is the link to the Kitchen application

https://www.catholic-historic-churches.org.uk/applications/hexham-newcastle-1029

The toilets faculties are undergoing the due process of regulations and comments.

https://www.catholic-historic-churches.org.uk/applications/hexham-newcastle-1030

This is the link to the Toilets application

Jubilee Year 2025

Pope Francis proclaimed 2025 to be a Jubilee or Holy Year

The theme is “Pilgrims of Hope”, and it will be a year of hope for a world

suffering the impacts of war, the ongoing effects of COVID-19 pandemic, and a climate crisis.

St Paul’s Facebook Page

We now have a facebook page for our parish.

Contact Jo on 07525 495694 or at oldmissionhall@icloud.com with any content or queries.

Flower Festival Photographs

Photographs of the recent flower festival are now on the parish website.

Go to www.stpaulschurchalnwick.co.uk then select Photo Gallery.

Northern Cross

The Northern Cross is now on sale at the back of church

Changes to the online DBS update service

This only involves those who hold a current DBS.

The Update Service is a free online subscription service that

allows you to keep your enhanced DBS certificates up to date.

Your Update Service Subscription requires an annual renewal.

When this is due you will receive an email from DBS which will help you to do this.

If you do not renew your subscription it will lapse and subsequently,

when your DBS is due for checking, a full application will need

to be completed including identity verification.

Please see Pam Slater after mass who has more information about

this and a guide sheet with the details you follow when

your annual subscription is due renewal.

Many Thanks.

PLEASE NOTE

All items for inclusion in the Parish newsletter to be sent by 9pm on Wednesday.

Items to be sent to Tim Sewell. 07484611265 or newsletter.stpaul.alnwick@diocesehn.org.uk

Thank You

Used Postage Stamps

Please continue to save your used stamps and leave them at the back of church.

Thank You.

missio:

We need a new Missio (Red Boxes) representative to take over responsibility.

Please contact Louis 07765 432392.

PLEASE NOTE THE NEW PARISH E-MAIL ADDRESSES.

For the Parish Priest/Enquiries :- stpaul.alnwick@diocesehn.org.uk

Parish Newsletter Team :-newsletter.stpaul.alnwick@diocesehn.org.uk

The Lindisfarne Room.

Until future notice, weekday Mass,

Adoration, & meetings will take place in The Lindisfarne Room.

Please use the side sacristy door for access.

Being Admitted to Hospital

If you, a friend or relative are admitted to hospital, a visit/Holy Communion/the

Sacraments can be arranged by the chaplaincy team.

You can contact the chaplaincy via the hospital switchboard on 03448118111 and ask to be put

through to the chaplaincy department.

If the call is urgent, please ask the nurse to contact the Roman Catholic Priest on call.

Rainbows Bereavement Support Great Britain (GB)

is a well-respected National Charity which supports Children and Young People who have experienced a significant

loss through death, relationship break[1]down or any other Adverse Childhood Experience.

Volunteers are needed to join the North East Team.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer please contact Ruth Higginbottom,

Rainbows North East Secretary, on 01670 518546 or rainbows.northeast@btconnect.com

Safeguarding Changes

There are some changes to safeguarding, which as a Parish we need to implement.

Those working with children and vulnerable adults will continue to need a DBS, renewed every 3 years.

DBS paperwork has changed slightly.

Every leader of a group will need a DBS and if possible a deputy with a DBS should be appointed.

Parishioners may take Holy communion to their immediate family if they are unable to attend church.

But other than this a Eucharistic Minister will require a DBS to undertake this ministry.

Every volunteer for every position in the Parish will need to fill in a volunteer registration form and

will require 2 #references before they start volunteering.

This does not affect existing volunteers. But takes immediate effect for any new volunteers.

Many thanks Pam Slater

Knit and Natter Group

Next meeting, Thurs 11^th December, Lindisfarne room in church All Welcome

Donations

Donations, to parishes or featured projects, can now be made by clicking the ‘Donate’ tab

at the top of the Diocesan website homepage www.diocesehn.org.uk. From this Donations page, donors can

choose to donate to one of the featured Projects, or can scroll down to find the parish they’d like to donate to.

They can also search for their parish using the ‘Search for a location’ field at the top of the list of parishes.

When they find their chosen parish, they just need to click on the ‘Donate’ button and then choose

one of the suggested amounts or enter the amount they would like to donate. They can choose to make a single donation,

but can also set up a weekly or monthly donation if they’d like to, and can Gift Aid their donations simply

by turning on the ‘I would like to Gift Aid this donation’ button.

If you need any further information, please contact Michelle Alsop at

michelle.alsop@diocesehn.org.uk who will be able to help.

DIOCESAN PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS

Heavenly Father,

in Baptism you called us by name and made us members of your family, the Church.

Help all your people to know their vocation in life, and to respond by living a life of holiness.

For your greater glory and for the service of your people, raise up dedicated and generous men

who will serve as priests for the Church of Hexham and Newcastle.

Send your Spirit to guide and strengthen our communities, our seminarians

and all who are discerning their vocation.

Amen.

Please remember

St Paul’s Church, Alnwick in your will.

Thank You.

Coping with Cancer North East.

We are a charity that offers support to those affected by cancer, this includes counselling, coaching and complementary therapies.

Our services are free to anyone who is or has been affected by a cancer diagnosis, including family, friends, and carers.

We offer our services across the whole of the North East.

Please find our website below for further information on the help that we provide:

https://copingwithcancer.org.uk/

Alnwick District Food Bank

SHORT OF FOOD ?? HOW ??

Email: alnwickdistrictfoodbank@gmail.com or

www: alnwickdistrictfoodbank.co.uk

or tel: 07498 488797 (Tue or Thur only; 9.00—11.00)

· Confidentially, tell them your circumstances

· They will then arrange a delivery for you, if you qualify

That's all there is to it !!

WE ARE HERE TO HELP

Gift Aid Appeal

The Gift Aid Donation Scheme is a government sponsored device whereby registered charities can receive

a ‘cashback’ of 25% of all the donations made by UK taxpayers. The diocese of Hexham and Newcastle

is registered to take advantage of this scheme and we benefit greatly from it.

If you are a UK taxpayer and are not already a member of the Gift Aid Donation Scheme we would be most grateful

if you would consider joining it. If you are interested, please speak to Roisin at the back of church

or give her a ring on 01665 798945.

BAPTISM

Enfant Baptism is the door to the other Sacraments of the Roman Catholic Church.

Baptism at St Paul's Alnwick is open to all babies who have at least one parent who is Roman Catholic themselves.

Please telephone Father Stephen at the Parish House for further information.