Bulletin Board

 

THE DEDICATION OF THE

LATERAN BASILICA

Sunday 9th November 2025

 

 

 Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia, alleluia!

I have chosen and consecrated this house, says the Lord,

 for my name to be there for ever.

Alleluia!

 

GOSPEL

The Lord be with you.

And with your spirit


A reading from the Gospel according to John  2:13-22

 

Glory to you, O Lord

Just before the Jewish Passover Jesus went up to Jerusalem,

 and in the Temple he found people selling cattle and sheep and pigeons,

 and the money changers sitting at their counters there.

 Making a whip out of some cord, he drove them all out of the Temple,

 cattle and sheep as well, scattered the money changers’ coins,

 knocked their tables over and said to the pigeon-sellers,
‘Take all this out of here and stop turning my Father’s house into a market.’
Then his disciples remembered the words of scripture:

 ‘Zeal for your house will devour me.’
The Jews intervened and said,

 ‘What sign can you show us to justify what you have done?‘
Jesus answered, ‘Destroy this sanctuary, and in three days I will raise it up’.
The Jews replied, ‘It has taken forty-six years to build this sanctuary:
are you going to raise it up in three days?’
But he was speaking of the sanctuary that was his body,

 and when Jesus rose from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this,

 and they believed the scripture and the words he had said.

 

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

Tues 11th Nov        6:00 pm Mass                      

Thurs 13th Nov     12 noon Funeral Mass Duncan Davidson               

Fri 14th Nov          10:00 am Mass

Sun 16th Nov         10:00 am Mass

                                2.30 pm Remembrance Service

 Mass Intentions

Sun 9th Nov           James Hannon

Sun 16th Nov             Catherine & Selby Naples

PLEASE NOTE Because of the cold weather, Mass and Adoration

during the week will take place in the Lindisfarne Room.

 

Mass at Sacred Heart & St Cuthbert 

Tues 11th Nov        10.30 am Service of Word & Holy Communion

Weds 12th Nov      10.30 Mass                     

Sat 15th Nov          5:pm Vigil Mass

Mass Intentions

Wed 12th Nov        Joshua & Elizabeth Green

Sat 15th Nov          Elizabeth & Ralph Riddell

 

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 16th Nov (33rd Sunday)

  Michael James; David Williams; Sally Williams

 

  Ministers of the Eucharist for Sunday 16th Nov

  Mary Donaghey; Sandra Armstrong; John Knight


Counters

       10th Nov            Team 2   Mary Frater and Frances Sinclair

     17th Nov            Team 3   John and Edith Humphries

 

                                                         Tea & Coffee Helpers : Sunday 16th Nov                                              Jo, James and Mary Frate

 

                                                                     Flower Arranger : Sunday 16th Nov                                                    Chris McElhone                                                                       

 

 

 

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

Everyone is welcome

 

To Him no high, no low, no great, no small;

He fills, He bounds, connects and equals all!

Alexander Pope

 

 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.

 

Fundraising Festive Sunday Lunch

Jo Steve and Jess Taylor are hosting a fundraising social event at their

 home in Swarland on Sunday 7th December at 2pm.

 This is a four course festive Sunday roast with all the trimmings and an opportunity

 to have an enjoyable afternoon socialising together, raising much

 needed funds for St Paul’s church at the same time.

Pre booking is essential as spaces are limited. 

 Suggested donation is £40 per adult. See Jo after Mass

 or contact her by text or WhatsApp on 07525 495694. 

 

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

 

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

 

MacMillan Soup Lunch Friday 21st November

 This is being held at 4 Clive Terrace from 11am until the soup runs out!

A donation towards MacMillan Cancer Support would be gratefully received.

All welcome

 

Piety Stall Christmas Goods

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

 

 Carbon Literacy Training – North East Churches Acting Together

 Three online sessions will examine the science of climate change, our own

personal carbon footprints, and what we can do together as churches.

  The course can lead to Carbon Literacy Certification (cost £15) for those who choose this option,

 it will be free for those who do not wish to obtain certification. 

 The course will run 7 – 9pm on Weds 19th, 26th Nov and 14th Jan.

        To express an interest, please email minnie.fraser@diocesehn.org.uk

 

 Little Sisters of the Poor – Christmas Fayre

 The Little Sisters of the Poor will be holding their Christmas Fayre on

Saturday 8th November from 12-3pm at St Joseph’s Home, Westmorland Road, Newcastle

There will be lots of stalls, raffle, home baking and refreshments.

 Please support it if you can.

All welcome.

 

Re-Imaging Pastorial Councils

 Our Parish Council hasn’t met for some time because

 many of the Diocesan groups are being restricted.

 There are a series of Zoom meetings open to all about the future of Parish Councils

 taking place, beginning Tue 14th October.

  ALL WELCOME. Please book via the Diocesan Website.

Look for whats-on/event/reimagining-pastoral-councils

 

Christmas Fair - Amble

 Saturday 8 November 2025 starting at 1 pm.

 

 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

 

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?

 

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.

 

 Newsletter Team

 A huge thank you to Tim Sewell who for many years

has produced our Newsletter mainly alone.

We are setting up an editorial team to join Tim in order to spread the workload. 

Anyone interested in volunteering to join the team please leave

 your contact details with Mary Donaghey or Fr Stephen 

 

100 plus September winners

1st prize  no.23   Mary Frater

2nd prize  no.15  Louis Dassen

3rd prize  no.54  Tony Wynn

 

SAVE THE DATE

 Our Partnership is organising an Advent event to celebrate and look

at our spiritual and pastoral needs... with all of the parishes coming together:

Venue: Our Lady & St Cuthbert Church, Berwick-upon-Tweed.

Date: Saturday 29th November

Time: 10-2

Details to follow

God bless 

 

New Eucharistic Ministers List

 Starting 7th September, are at the back of the church.

  

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 20th November, 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.

 


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.

 

Feasts of the Week—November

 Mon 10  St Leo the Great

 Tue 11  St Martin of Tours

 Wed 12  St Josaphat 

  

      Nights of Light –November

Sat 9th 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.

 

   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!

 

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