Bulletin Board

 

 

AssUMPTION OF THE

BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

 

 

All Pandemic Restrictions in Church are now lifted.

Masks are optional, except for those distributing Holy Communion.

Eucharistic Ministers must also sanitise their

 hands before distributing Holy Communion.

 We must remain cautious and do all we can to prevent the spread

 of the virus which remains within our communities.

 

 

Services

 

Mass Intentions

Sunday 14th August—The People of the Parish

 

Gospel  Acclamation

 
Alleluia, alleluia!.’

Mary has been taken up into heaven;
all the choirs of angels are rejoicing.
Alleluia!

 

 

GOSPEL

 

A reading from the Gospel according to Luke 1:39-56 

 Glory to you, O Lord 

 

In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country,

 where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.

When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leapt in her womb.

And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry,

'Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.

 And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me?

 For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leapt for joy.

 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.'

And Mary said,
'My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.'

And Mary remained with her for about three months and then returned to her home.

 

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

 

From 4th July, the Mass times are changing at Ashington and Longhorsley.

 I know from time to time some people may attend the Sunday evening Mass in Ashington.

The new Mass times are as follows:

Ashington    

 Sunday 9.00am     5.00pm

Longhorsley

  Sunday 11.15am

 

PLEASE NOTE. 

Due to annual leave of both Canon Stephen and the parish secretary, the parish house and office

 will close on Sun 14th August (after Mass) and will not reopen until Wednesday 31st August.

 

For the next two Sundays we welcome

Fr Steven Forster to celebrate our

Sunday Masses.

 

Mass on  the Feast of St Aidan

12noon 31st August at St Aidan's Church on

Holy Island, TD15 2SQ.  ALL WELCOME

 

St Paul's church is open daily for Adoration of

The Blessed Sacrament each day from 5pm-6pm.

Please join us, even if it is only for a short time. 

 

 Mass times next week are as follows:

 Mass times next week are as follows:TBA

 

If any Eucharistic Minister

would like to help to expose or repose the

 Blessed Sacrament please contact Fr Stephen.

 

As part of the reorganisation of the Lindisfarne Partnership

 I propose to change the Sunday Mass time at St Paul's Alnwick from 9.30am to 10.00,

 in order to make it easier for visitors and people

travelling into Alnwick to attend Sunday Mass.

 I would welcome any feedback from the community.

 

A huge thanks

 to all who were involved in any way at the recent Flower Festival, donating fantastic refreshments,

 creating arrangements and giving time to help on the Wednesday evening, Thursday and Saturday,

 there was good communication between participants and parishioners who had not met before.

 £1881.00 was raised, we will receive £940.00 which will be paid into the Church's account shortly.

  Our next cake day will be Saturday 17th September for the Heritage Open Day.

Thank you for helping me to make this a great show of unity from St.Paul's. Mary.

 

Please Note

 that there is an error on the document distributed recently. 

 Tony Wynn's correct email address for comments/reflections regarding the

Lindisfarne Partnership is thewynns831@btinternet.com

 

The New Rota for Eucharistic Ministers

is at the back of church.

 

Volunteers needed

 to restart the the flower rota

Please let Jean O'Hanlon on 01665 602736 know if you wish your name to be included

Thanking you all in anticipation 

 

Holy Island Pilgrimage  Saturday 3rd September

10:30am – Meet at Purdy Lodge café, A1 and travel in convoy to Holy Island

causeway (if on a coach or getting dropped off to participate in the walk)

11am - Meet at Holy Island causeway (2 drop off bays) to walk & reflect on the Fix the Food System | CAFOD.

This is approx 2-3hr walk, with members of the Diocesan Environmental Group joining us

 as we launch the Season of Creation . Please note non-walkers are welcome

 to join others for private prayer in the Catholic Chapel.

Lunch – you can either to choose one of the lovely cafes on the island or bring your own

 packed lunch and weather permitting join us outside on the green.

3pm – Mass at St Mary’s Church. Fr Chris Hughes will celebrate Mass with us all.

4pm – Depart Holy Island

Some people have expressed interest in driving straight to

Seahouses for a Fish and Chips supper, which I think is a great idea and of course all welcome to join us.

*Please see the details below of the tide times for Holy Island:

Saturday 3rd September – safe to cross between 10:55 until 18:35.

For more details. please do get in touch with Mary Frater or Kim Brown.

 

CHLDREN’S LITURGY GROUP

In September we are hoping to re-start the children’s liturgy group during Sunday Mass.

However to do this we need some adult

volunteers,  as we need 2 adults per session.

If anyone is interested please contact Pam Slater

on 01665 510728.

This role requires a DBS check.   Many thanks

 

Retrouvaille:

A Programme for Couples Struggling in their Marriages

Help Your Marriage – Do you feel alone? Are you frustrated or angry with each other?

 Do you argue … or have you just stopped talking to each other?

Does talking about it only make it worse?

Retrouvaille is a programme to support couples who have difficulties in their marriage.

 It brings a positive focus, new hope and helps nourish and grow your marriage.

Tens of thousands of couples headed for divorce have successfully saved their

 marriages by attending and using the tools provided.

 The programme helps spouses uncover or re-awaken the love, trust and commitment that originally brought them together.

 It helps them through difficult times whether they are disillusioned or in deep misery.

There is no group therapy or group work. For confidential information about ‘Retrouvaille’

 or to register for the next programme commencing with a Virtual weekend on 13 - 16

 October 2022 or a Face to Face weekend in Welwyn Garden City on 24 - 26 February 2023,

 call or text 07887 296983 or 07973 380443 or email retrouvailleukinfo@gmail.com - or visit www.retrouvaille.org.uk

 

 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.

 

Opportunities for Volunteers to help those in Prison.

A number of people from Alnwick churches have actively

supported those in HMP Northumberland and elsewhere. Like many voluntary organisations Prison Fellowship

 has lost a number of volunteers over the pandemic, but the need is still very much there

. If you would like to find out more, please tune into the National Recruitment Event for Prison

Fellowship - July 22nd at 8pm on Zoom.
In the North East our prison fellowship volunteers support

prisoners through prayer, running Sycamore Tree (an

accredited restorative justice course), organising Christmas presents for prisoners' children,

 letter writing, Prayerline, writing Bible studies and running Signpost (a website to help prisoners on their release).

 Sue Allen (St Michael's) has more details - phone 07724 079885.

 

 

Holy Island Children’s Vinnies Camp 2022

There are still some places at this year's Holy Island Children’s Camp,

 particularly in the last week of the School Summer Holiday.

  If you have a child/children in school years 5-7 who would like a week’s

residential holiday on Holy Island or you know of any children who would benefit

 from going to Camp this year please email christinej@svp.org.uk for further information. 

 

 100 club Winners from 10th July Draw

1st prize—No.68—Noreen Embleton

2nd prize—No.149—Lawrence & Bretta Bland

3rd prize—No.18—Elma Clark

 

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.

 

Alnwick Homes for Ukraine Community Support Group

 has been set up to help refugee families and their hosts with such matters, and to help guests settle in and feel welcome.

A number of households in Alnwick are already hosting or planning to host refugee families from Ukraine.

Not everyone is able to accommodate a family, but there lots of other ways to help.

The support group will help hosts and their refugee guests with access to advice and

 information about local services, facilities and supplies of necessities.

We are now enlisting volunteers to help with a range of practical tasks, organise activities for hosts and guests,

 and basically anything else that would help people to settle in for however long is necessary.

A volunteer sign up form is at the back of church.

More information is available on a temporary web page hosted by

 Alnwick churches: https://www.christianstogetherinalnwick.co.uk/ukraine-support

 

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/

 

The Lindisfarne Partnership's Response to Synod 2022/23

can be found on the Parish Website:-www.stpaulschurchalnwick.co.uk then select †Lindisfarne Partnership

 

Notes from the Lindisfarne Partnership Open Meeting

on Tuesday 22nd March 2022

can be found on the Parish Website:-www.stpaulschurchalnwick.co.uk then select  †Lindisfarne Partnership

 

The Universe Catholic Weekly

 is thrilled to announce that we have launched our new online newspaper with the full support

 of our first subscriber none other than His Eminence Cardinal Vincent Nichols.

Order your Digital 4 weeks FREE trial supply by calling Michelle on 0743 661 7650 or email:

michelle.jones@universecatholicweekly.co.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

 

 Alnwick Food Bank.

   This has been a tremendous Community effort and over 95% of those parcels went to households in Alnwick.

 Demand remains high and has actually increased by 25% since November 21. 

We do not see it slowing down any time soon.

Thank you once again for your unstinting support which has allowed us to reach

 out to those in need during these very difficult times.

Clive Gibson, Chair of Trustees.

 

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.

 

Northumberland Hospitals

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.

 

 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.

 

Diocese Information

Please use the RCDHN link on the top right of the page.

 

Peoples Kitchen and Alnwick Food Bank

 -please could all food donations for People's Kitchen and

Alnwick Food Bank have lids on where necessary.

 Thank You.

 

Nights of Light-May

Sat 13th—Arthur Carroll—In Thanksgiving

Wed 17th—Giles Chisholm—Birthday, R.I.P.

 Sat 20th—Arthur Carroll—In Thanksgiving

        If you would like the Church to be lit up for a special occasion or

 remembrance of a loved one, download the form on the

 Nights of Light page on the parish website.

 Minimum donation £1 per date!     

Thank You.

 

Feasts of the Week

Sat 20th—St Bernard Ab, D

 

  USED POSTAGE STAMPS

Please continue to save your used stamps.

 Thank You

 

DRIVEWAY

 When driving within the church grounds PLEASE keep to the 5mph speed limit. 

Expensive gravel is being displaced by overzealous drivers.

  Thank You.

 

   Offertory Collection

Did you know you can pay your weekly offertory donation

 via standing order or direct debit.

 In these days of internet banking it is so easy to make

 a regular payment to St Paul’s RC Church, Alnwick.

 You can still gift aid your donation by filling in the form at the back of church.

 

Memoriam Book

The Memoriam Book placed on the Sanctuary and

contains the names of family and friends of parishioners,

 each written under the date of their death.

 If you would like the names of your loved ones included,

 please fill in the form at the back of Church

and place it in the box provided.

 Fill in a separate form for each name, please.

 

Security

Please be vigilant when you are in and about the Church.

Do not leave your valuables unattended in the church.

 

Nights of Light

Our Church looks particularly attractive at present with the flood lighting.

We depend on the Nights of Lights scheme to fund the lighting of the church.

If you would like to celebrate a important occasion,

please consider lighting up our church

If you would like the Church to be lit up for a special occasion,

please obtain a form from the back of the Church and hand it with your donation

to Tim Sewell, any of the Parish Council,

drop it through the letterbox at the Parish House

or download the form on the Nights of Light page

Minimum donation £1 per date!

 

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.

 

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Minutes of AGM of St Paul’s Parish Council Sunday 3rd July 2022 held in the Church after 9.30 Mass

 

Present – Fr Stephen Watson (Chair), Mary Donaghey (/Minutes) June Etterley, Edith Humphries,

Sally Williams, Eileen Turnbull, Mary Frater (Events) and Martin O’Hanlon (Building and maintenance).

 

Opening Prayer led by Fr Stephen.

 

 Apologies for absence

Apologies for absence received from Michelle Burgess (Parish Administrator), Polly Bassi Mark Phillips and Ed Sweeney.

 

Minutes of previous AGM. The last AGM was held on 7th November 2021. The Minutes were previously circulated and agreed so there was no need for further consideration. A copy of the Minutes is available at the back of Church.

 

Introducing members of the existing Parish Council. The AGM was open to all members of the congregation and there were a handful present. Those members of the Parish Council present introduced themselves.

 

Financial Report from Parish administrator. Financial report provided by Michelle Burgress and presented by the Chair on her behalf.

The current account stands at £83,519.

The deposit account stands at minus-£37,999.

We have recently had a grant payment into the current account of £30,116, which will be transferred into the deposit account next week.

 This will still leave the deposit account in deficit, but this is not a concern. We have paid for all the [roof] work upfront but the

 grant money comes in intermittently and we will be back in the black once all grants have been received.

A question regards the deficit was raised by a member of the congregation. The Chair explained that the

 total grants obtained are £133,937 against a cost for the repair work of £147,470. Upfront payments have left us in deficit

 but once all grant payments are received this will reduce. We have this year received three

 generous legacies and this means the Church is financially sound.

Fr Stephen expressed his thanks to Michelle Burgress, and Mary Frater for their help

along with Mini from the Diocese for their work in securing the grants.

Fr Stephen proposed reintroducing the basket collection on a Sunday as it has been

noted that the collection total has dropped. The proposal was agreed by the meeting.

ACTION POINT to reintroduce the basket collection for a two-week trial period. Item to be placed in the bulletin.

Mary Donaghey to email Tim Sewell.

 

Building repair and maintenance report.

Updated provided by Martin O’Hanlon. The east end of the Church roof has now been completely related but there are some areas which need to be rectified. The contractors are aware. The east end internal ceiling and walls have been repainted and it would be nice if the rest of the Church could be repainted. The belfry roof has also been related and a new trap door installed. Due to wood worm the second level of the belfry floor has been replaced. The lightning conductor on the east end roof has also been replaced but needs to be rectified. All the Church gutters were resealed but also need some further attention. The problem with the toilet in the porch has been sorted. Need to be mindful of not putting blue paper towels down the toilet as this causes a blockage.

Future maintenance.

Before the winter arrives, some of the Church driveway requires three tonnes of chippings spread. It would be very much appreciated if some Church parishioners would sponsor and look after some of the flower boxes that surround the Church grounds.

 

Church Porch.

Fr Stephen invited suggestions as to ways to improve the look of the porch which is the main entrance to the Church and currently appears cluttered. The free-standing notice boards take up a lot of room and can perhaps be removed.  Martin pointed out that the fixed notice board on the left-hand side on entering the porch contains several mandatory health and safety notices and certificates. The porch floor needs relaying.

Review of the year 2021-2022 and future plans. Following the success of daily adoration during June this will be extended to each day in the week between 5pm and 6pm. The First Communion programme is developing well both with the school and with the adults. Now that covid restrictions are lifted several activities have been recommenced. These include music ministry with the choir, tea and coffee after mass and the flower festival which will take place in August. There are plans to reintroduce Children’s liturgy in September.

The recent census forms helped to gather useful information. However, a comment was made that the forms appeared to be intrusive asking for too much personal information. The questions asked are optional and no one is under any obligation to complete the forms.

Tony Wynn commented that the response to the Synod from the Parish had been good. He asked if it would be possible to get some feedback from the Diocese. Fr Stephen thanked Tony for his help in coordinating the Parish response.

Christians Together in Alnwick update provided by Mary Frater. There is a meeting of Christians Together in Alnwick coming up so a full update will be available then. The books given out to parishioners for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee were well received. A coffee morning to raise funds to helps with costs for the Flower festival will take place on Wednesday.

Parishioners’ concerns, queries and/or questions. Open to the floor.

David Williams asked for more volunteers to help with writing bidding prayers. Guidance and help are available for anyone interested.

A comment was made that the bulletin needs refreshing. Also, now it also includes the order of service it has limited space.

Is there anyone with IT skills who could help Tim Sewell with the Bulletin.

Any other Business. Recently Louis, Joanna and Mary Frater have been doing a tour of kitchen facilities at

 other Churches to look for ideas as to what may be possible for St Paul’s. This is something that has been under consideration for some time.

 

Closing Prayer led by Fr Stephen.

 

Next Meeting the Parish Council will meet again Tues 6th Sept.

 

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