Bulletin Board

PLEASE NOTE:- There will be NO Printed Version

of the Bulletin in Church until further notice.

First Sunday of Advent

Year A

Sunday 29^th November 2020

Services

COVID-19 Pandemic

As from 8^th November 2020, there will be

No Sunday Mass until further notice.

However, the church will be open for

Individual Private Prayer on

Sundays between 9.30am and 10.30am

The wearing of Face Masks is compulsory

The Holy Water stoops, confessionals will not be used

and all piety goods will be removed.

Unfortunately, toilet facilities are unavailable. 

Alleluia, alleluia!

Let us see, O Lord, your mercy
and give us your saving help.

Alleluia!

GOSPEL

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark        13:33-37

     Jesus said to his disciples:

‘Be on your guard, stay awake, because you never know when the time will come.

It is like a man travelling abroad: he has gone from home, and left his servants in charge,

each with his own task; and he has told the doorkeeper to stay awake.

So stay awake, because you do not know when the master of the house is coming,

evening, midnight, cockcrow, dawn;if he comes unexpectedly, he must not find you asleep.

 And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake!’

The Gospel of the Lord.

Act of Spiritual Communion by St Alphonsus Liguori

My Jesus, I believe that You are truly present in the Most Holy Sacrament.

 I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul.

 Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally,

come at least spiritually into my heart.

 I embrace You as being already there and unite myself wholly to You.

 Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.

Weekday

Fr Stephen will continue to celebrate Mass every day, in Private,

for the Health and Wellbeing of all parishioners.

You have Father Stephen’s assurance that all mass intentions received

will be honoured on the dates they have been allocated.

And for all those whose anniversaries

occur around this time

“Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord

and let perpetual light shine upon them,

May They Rest in Peace. Amen”

St Paul’s Alnwick, All Saints, Thropton, St Aidan’s, Seahouses

No weekday Word & Communion or Mass until Further Notice

Live streams

Upper Coquetdale Churches Together Ecumenical Advent Service

Sunday 29th November at

via their YouTube channel

The following parishes have set up a live stream of Mass.

St. Mary's Cathedral, Newcastle

The live stream of Mass can be found on

the Cathedral's YouTube Channel.

There will also be a live streaming of a time of quiet prayer

before the Blessed Sacrament and devotions from 5.00pm until 5.45pm.

Our Lady of Mercy Parish, Sunderland

via their YouTube channel.

You can also find details and information on their Facebook page.

Chester le Street, St. Cuthbert and Sacriston, St. Bede

a recording of daily Mass is viewable via their Facebook Page.

St. Mary's, Hexham

via their parish website www.stmaryshexham.org.uk and their YouTube channel.

St. Paul's, Cramlington

via their Facebook Page.

Stockton Family Parish

via their Facebook Page. 

Mass by Phone Service

During these times when our churches are closed and Masses are being

streamed online, the Diocese of Middlesbrough have set up a system to allow

people who don't have internet access to listen to Mass over the telephone.

If you would like to access this service, the telephone number to call is 01642 130120.

Calls are charged at local rate and free if in your included minutes.

CATHOLIC BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE OF ENGLAND AND WALES

Statement from the President and the Vice-President of

the Conference on the National Lockdown

Wednesday 4th November 2020

Today, Parliament passed into law the Regulations governing many aspects of activity

in the whole of England until 2nd December. These Regulations prohibit the gathering of

people for communal worship in churches and other religious buildings.

Churches remain open and in use for activities other than communal worship, including

personal prayer and support for those in need. Funeral Masses and funeral services may

be held. Please refer to the Regulations (for places of worship see paragraph 18) and

associated Guidance.

Despite profound misgivings it is important that we, as responsible citizens, observe

these Regulations, which have the force of law: ‘Remind them to be obedient to the officials

in authority; to be ready to do good at every opportunity’ (Titus 3:1). We do this in solidarity

with so many others on whom are being imposed restrictions which impact severely on

their lives and livelihoods.

It is also important to recognise that these Regulations are not an attack on religious

belief. However, they do demonstrate a fundamental lack of understanding of the

essential contribution made by faith communities to the well-being, resilience and health

of our society.

At this difficult moment, we ask that, as a Catholic community, we make full use of our

churches as places of individual prayer and sources of solace and help. We must sustain

each other in our patterns of prayer, joining a national shared moment of prayer each

day at 6pm, and observing the Vigil of Christ the King (21st November) as a day of prayer

for the ending of this pandemic. And we encourage you all in your practical service and

support of each other and those around you in need.

This pathway of prayer and service is the royal road we are to take as a gracious witness

in our society today.

Cardinal Vincent Nichols- President

Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP- Vice-President

 Please remember

St Paul’s Church, Alnwick in your will.

Thank You.

Father Oliver

Is feeling better and thanks everyone for their best wishes.

His new contact details are:-

St. Joseph, Ragworth Road, Norton,
Stockton-on-Tees, TS20 1EN.

01642 360471

E mail:-oliverkeyes1@gmail.com

Statement regarding the publication of the IICSA report

The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), has published its investigation report

into the Catholic Church in England and Wales today. This is based on the main public hearings

held in October and November 2019.

Bishop Byrne CO and the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle fully

supports the response from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales:

Bishops’ Conference Statement on the Publication of the IICSA Report

The Catholic Church in England and Wales welcomes the Report from the Independent Inquiry

into Child Sexual Abuse relating to the institutional response of the Church in its duty of

care to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation.

 We thank the IICSA Panel for their work. The Report will now inform the

ongoing reform and improvement of safeguarding in all aspects of the Church’s life.

 An important aspect of the Inquiry’s work was the voice given to victims and survivors of abuse,

including the accounts which they gave of their subsequent engagement with the Church.

Listening attentively to their witness testimony has brought into sharp relief the extent of the

damage this sexual abuse has had on their lives.

 We apologise to all victims and survivors who have not been properly listened to,

or properly supported by us. By listening with humility to those who have suffered, we can

contribute to the healing of the wounds of abuse, as well as learn from those most directly affected

how we must improve the Church’s safeguarding standards, policies and procedures.

 This is an ongoing task and one to which we are wholly committed. Child sexual abuse is a crime.

It is a crime that requires committed vigilance and strict procedures to ensure reporting to the

statutory authorities. This is the Church’s policy. It is also why our safeguarding work needs to be

continually reviewed and improved. Where there have been failings and inconsistency

in the application of our safeguarding procedures, we acknowledge these and commit

to actions which will bring about improvement.

 Abuse is an evil act against the most vulnerable; it must never be excused or covered up.

Abuse committed against children and the consequent damage to people’s lives cannot be undone.

For this, we apologise without reservation, and we are committed to listen attentively to the voices

of those who have been abused.

 This report is an important moment in our safeguarding journey in the Catholic Church in our countries.

It will now be considered in detail by us, the Bishops, at our Plenary Assembly beginning next week

so we can explore how to integrate the findings of this important Inquiry into the life and work of

the Church in order to consistently safeguard children and the vulnerable.

Vincent Cardinal Nichols—President Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP—-Vice-President

If you have been affected by this report further support is also available:

You can contact the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle Safeguarding Team on 0191 243 3305 or find

further contact details at: http://www.rcdhn.org.uk/safeguardingdio/safeguardingcontacts.php

‘Safe Spaces’ is an independent service supporting survivors of church-related abuse.

This independent service is run by the charity Victim Support and is free to access

via telephone – 0300 303 1056 (answerphone available outside of opening times),

email – safespaces@victimsupport.org, or

web-chat via www.safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk.

Other organisations offering support can also be found via the

Catholic Safeguarding Advisory Service at https://www.csas.uk.net/

Volunteer Cleaners

 Volunteers wanted to help with cleaning St Paul's church.

All COVID Guidelines will be adhered to.

THE VICARIATE FOR FAITH AND MISSION

Advent is when the Church re-sets the calendar of our remembering and celebrating the

saving work of Christ. This Advent is more challenging due to the pandemic.

A set of resources have been created by Clergy and Laity from across the diocese and

are offered as a life-buoy, remedy and prayer book for the days ahead. It is hoped that as

Parishes and Partnerships you may be able to print these resources out for those who

do not have access to the internet.

 Included in the resources are:

 ·        Daily video prayer reflections compiled by the Youth Ministry Team and entitled

‘Wait a minute it’s Advent’. This resource is aimed at young people but I am

sure will also appeal to a wider audience.

·        Weekly Advent packs designed for those with and without the internet.

With the hope that those with emails and internet might print them out and deliver

them to their neighbours in paper form. These weekly packs include daily reflections on

the readings alongside themed quotes from the Bible and Saints and an element of creativity

for people stuck indoors. They will run through Advent and the Christmas Octave.

·        Weekly Advent videos entitled “Advent in a Pandemic!”

These four short Advent reflections are written with this year of disruption and fatigue in mind.

They are aimed at parish volunteers, catechists and people looking for light in a darkened sky

(Available from Sunday, 29^th November.)

·        Additional Advent resources: A document that signposts people to the many rich

resources that are available online for Advent this year.

 These resources are available: http://www.rcdhn.org.uk/faithandmission/prayeradventresources.php

Are you thinking about running a prayer group during Advent?

This is a sharing site that includes a folder of resources available online.

It consists of poetry, prayers and liturgies that have been shared by experienced members

of our Diocesan community. It also contains some training documents and safe-guarding

documents for leading prayer groups via zoom. (A Microsoft Account is required and can be created at: https://signup.live.com/signup.)

To register for access to these resources: https://mailchi.mp/31eaefdd5842/gaqf83ko8o.

(Complete the registration form and include your Microsoft Account).

Also coming soon is an offering from the Diocesan Church Music Association.

SVP

The SVP are holding ZOOM Meetings on Tuesday 24th November 6pm,

Wednesday 25th November 3PM, Fri 27th November 4pm, Sat 28th November 4pm

about the Saint Vincent De Paul Society.

To take part please email : membership@svp.org.uk 

St Paul’s Roof

We have had a few enquiries about when the roof work will be starting.

We are still waiting to hear back from the Diocese and will update as soon as we know.

Gift Aid

The Diocese is not sending out Gift Aid Donation Statements for 2019/20.

However, due to the churches not being fully opened because of COVID19, it was decided that

this year they would only supply this information if specifically requested.

If like this information, please contact Roisin on 01665 798945.

Gift Aid and Donations

During the current COVID-19 pandemic, if anyone would like to pay

their Gift Aid, sign up to Gift Aid or make a Donation through

their bank, please contact Roisin on 01665 798945

Very many thanks to all those who have supported the

Gift Aid Donations Scheme. The scheme continues to make

a significant contribution to parish funds.

If you are not already signed up, please consider joining.

The only requirement is that you should be a UK taxpayer.

Thank You.

The Alnwick District Food Bank

now has a new website.  

alnwickdistrictfoodbank.co.uk

Please take a few minutes to have a look.

RCIA

 Registration remains open for new enquirers wishing to join the

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) programme 2020-21.

 To register or for more information,

please email adminfaith.mission@diocesehn.org.uk.

The Certificate in Pastoral Ministry:

Are you involved with ministry in your parish or Partnership, or would like

to be involved with moving the mission of the Church forward? If so,

the Certificate in Pastoral Ministry might be just what you need.

The Certificate in Pastoral Ministry, offered by Loyola University Chicago,

consists of ten modules delivered in an online format, allowing participants

the freedom and flexibility of study in their own home and allowing

you to get to know the people you are studying with.

Modules include, ‘What is Pastoral Ministry’, ‘Building a Fairer World:

Catholic Social Teaching’ and ‘Building Parish Communities’.

We are accepting applications for the certificate now, so to receive further

information and an application form, please contact by email.

The course begins in January 2021.

If you would like to receive updates and resources from the

Vicariate for Faith & Mission, please sign up to our mailing list using this link: https://forms.gle/sfzYNucPobYpUq8s7.

Sea Sunday (20th December)
The Bishops Conference of England and Wales have

decided to postpone Sea Sunday this year.

This is because, due to the coronavirus pandemic, most parish churches

were not able to open in July when the annual collection normally happens.

Parishioners might have already kindly remembered us with a donation at that time –

in which case you will shortly receive a grateful acknowledgment from us for your support.

If your parish has not yet been able to celebrate Sea Sunday 2020, we hope that

you will be able to do so, with other Catholic churches

across the country, on 20th December 2020.

 We would really appreciate it if your parish could kindly

join us in prayers, support and gratitude on Sea Sunday 2020.

As the official Catholic charity supporting seafarers, fishers and their families worldwide,

Stella Maris (Apostleship of the Sea) is most grateful for your parish’s support.  

Statements from Pope Francis, Bishop Robert Byrne and the

Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales

condemn the death of George Floyd

To read the statement in full

please go to the Diocesan website:- www.rcdhn.org.uk

The Prayer Group

pray in their homes at 7 o’clock every Tuesday

we would like to share with you one of the prayers we use

Bring me now into the deep silence of your presence.
I give you my body and ask that it may become your dwelling place
This moment may every part of my being be at peace
Let my heartbeat
Be in harmony with your heartbeat
Let every part of my body be filled with your Spirit
Take each blood vessel
Take every part of my nervous system
Take each muscle ,each organ ,each cell
Fill me now
With your stillness
With the reality of you living presence

This is part of the Shalom Prayer from the Maranatha Community
I hope it helps, Barbara Dawson, SHALOM

Alnwick District Food Bank

 Dear Friends of Alnwick District Food Bank,

Lindisfarne remains open each morning and food donations can be

dropped off each weekday, between 9 and 10;30am,

with the exception of Wednesday.

Our usual donation points remain open in town

(Tinned meat, fruit and vegetables are always needed)

and at the supermarkets and our website,

Facebook and Twitter pages give details should anyone

wish to make a financial donation.

A sincere thank you to all, individuals and others, who contribute in whatever way

. We do not foresee demand diminishing and very much rely on you

to help us through, serving our community.

Kind regards

From us all at ADFB

Diocese Information

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

The Vicariate for Faith & Mission

Pope Francis – Prayer to Mary for Protection

during the COVID–19 Pandemic.

O Mary, you shine continuously on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope.
We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick.
At the foot of the Cross you participated in Jesus’ pain,
with steadfast faith.
You, Salvation of the Roman People, know what we need.
We are certain that you will provide, so that,
as you did at Cana of Galilee,
joy and feasting might return after this moment of trial.
Help us, Mother of Divine Love,
to conform ourselves to the Father’s will
and to do what Jesus tells us:
He who took our sufferings upon Himself, and bore our sorrows to bring us,
through the Cross, to the joy of the Resurrection. Amen.
We seek refuge under your protection, O Holy Mother of God.
Do not despise our pleas – we who are put to the test –
and deliver us from every danger,
O glorious and blessed Virgin.

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.

First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion 2019-20

Has been cancelled until further Notice.

Nights of Light

Friday 27^th November---Sally Thompson---Anniversary

Saturday 28^th November---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.

Fatima Mass

Yvonne Douglas has been to Fatima and is having a Mass said for all our

parishioners every month for a year and also every Friday included in the Rosary.

Partnership Day of Reflection

for Ministers of the Word has been moved to November.

Feasts of the Week

Wednesday 11^th—St Martin of Tours Bp

Thursday 12^th ---St Josaphat Bp, M

Saturday 21^st---Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Tuesday 24^th---St Andrew Dung-Lac & Companions, MM

Monday 30^th---St Andrew, Apostle, Patron of Scotland

Thursday 3^rd December---St Francis Xavier P

USED POSTAGE STAMPS

Please continue to save your used stamps until the church re-opens.

Thank You

The Peoples Kitchen

My thanks as always to all who give so generously throughout the year.

The kitchen are constantly feeding and clothing the many needy people on a

daily basis, the numbers are ever increasing.

Well done to you very kind hearted people.

DRIVEWAY

When driving within the church grounds PLEASE keep to the 15mph speed limit.

Expensive gravel is being displaced by overzealous drivers.

Thank You.

PLEASE let us know

if a relative or neighbour has been taken to any of our hospitals,

otherwise we will not be able to visit them.

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.

Bereavement Support

If you, or someone you know, has recently been bereaved Hospice Care

now provide support either in your own home or in a mutually convenient place.

For more information see the leaflets in the back of church

or phone the hospice on 01665 606512.

Space for Quiet Prayer

Our Quiet Space before the Tabernacle is working well.

Thank you all. Please use it, if you would like to, before and after Mass,

for silent prayer, in front of the Blessed Sacrament.

ST. PAUL’S SCHOOL

The website is http://www.stpaulsalnwick.co.uk/

containing lots of information about our schools and a

chance to keep up to date with what is happening.

Please visit our website.

Memoriam Book

The Memoriam Book placed in Our Lady’s Chapel

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!

In the absence of the priest, whom can we contact?

It is always good to be able to contact the priest of the

parish when you need information or in emergency.

But the parish house is not always manned.

In the absence of the priest, the number of a contact person

will be on the answering machine.

Hospital Referral Cards

It is becoming increasingly difficult to know when any

of our parishioners have been admitted to hospital.

If you or any of your family are being admitted to any of our

hospitals please let the priest know as soon as possible.

At the back of the church there are some hospital referral cards.

We would ask you to have one of these cards at home and if for any reason you have to stay

in hospital please hand it to the ward sister who will inform the hospital chaplain.

Please supply the patient’s name, ward and hospital.

Alternatively, a hospital referral card can be completed and given to Fr. Oliver.

Due to the unavailability of information regarding religious denomination of patients

in the RVI, Freeman and Walkergate Hospitals, patients and relatives

must take responsibility to inform the hospital chaplain.

Tel 0191 232 1892.

The same situation applies to all our local hospitals and maybe care homes.

If you or a relative are going into hospital or one of our

care homes please let the local priest know.

It will make our work much easier

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Minutes of the meeting of St Paul’s Parish Council

held on Tuesday 15^th Sept 2020 at 7 pm via Zoom.

Present – Mary Donaghey (Chair /Minutes) June Etterley, Fr Oliver Keyes.

Co-Opt Member Michelle Burgess attended for financial update and administration matters.

Opening Prayer – The opening prayer was given by Fr Oliver.

Apologies for absence

Apologies received from Giles Dhabalia, Edith Humphries Co-opt members Mary Frater and Martin O’Hanlon.

Review of the Agenda.

The Agenda as it stood was accepted.

Minutes of previous meeting and Matters Arising:

Due to the length of time since the last meeting of the Parish Council on 3^rd March the minutes of the previous meeting were agreed without further review.

Parish Administrator’s Report:

Michelle Burgess gave an account of the church’s current financial position:

Current Account: £37,306

Deposit Account: £162,636

Roof Fund: £7,011

Michelle reported that the loose plate collection as expected has been lower but steady at between £200 to £300. There has been an increase in Gift Aid giving via direct debit to £947. The church has also received several additional donations bringing the total to between £1,000 and £1,200 each month.

A side effect of the lockdown has been a massive reduction in utilities bills and running costs for the Church. As a result, the Church finances are in the black. All maintenance checks required are currently up to date.

Building repair and maintenance

Safety work to be carried out on the Church trees. Once every 5 years safety and maintenance work are required in relation to the numerous trees within the Church ground. St Paul’s is responsible and could be held liable for any mishaps for falling trees or obstructions caused. There are some 38 separate items of work needed and a quote has been given of £8,000 for the said work. Michelle stated that Martin has made enquiries as to whether St Paul’s is entitled to some form of grant with a negative result.

As the Church is within a conservation area Council permission is required for such work to be conducted. Michelle will make enquires as to who is responsible for approaching the Council (St Paul’s or the Diocese). Clearly this work needs to be done sooner rather than later and certainly before Winter.

Replacement Cleaner. The contract for the previous Church cleaner has ended and a replacement is needed. Michelle believes it may be the Diocese who are responsible for finding a replacement and she offered to approach the HR department to discuss. It was then suggested that in line with other churches we might ask for volunteers who are willing to clean the Church on a regular basis

A request for volunteers is to be put into the Church Bulletin to ask for volunteers.

Christians Together in Alnwick. Sadly, due to lockdown and the inability to plan there will be no Christmas lights in Alnwick this year. At a recent CTiA meeting it has been suggested that last year’s successful Cribs at Christmas be repeated asking local businesses to display cribs in their windows. Another suggest is for knitted angels. Apparently, this happens in Berwick where knitted angels with a small prayer tucked inside are then left around the town on railings and fences with permission from the Council. People are encouraged to collect them. Knitters are needed to help. June and Mary are both knitters and will start. Michelle has offered to scribe the prayers.

St Paul’s were due to host the Remembrance Service this year. Fr Oliver confirmed that in line with Diocesan guidance there will be no Remembrance Service this year. Fr has also spoken to St Paul’s School regards the Christmas Concert which is also very unlikely to go ahead. Michelle confirmed she is aware of the strict Diocesan guidance. At this time, the Church can only be opened for Mass on Sunday or funerals and weddings.

Next meeting. The next Parish council meeting will also take place vis Zoom Tues 1^st December at 7pm

This being the last meeting for Fr Oliver the Chair then on behalf of the Parish Council thanked Fr Oliver for his service to St Paul’s and wished him well at his new parish.

Fr Oliver then led the closing prayer.

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