Thought from Fr. Colm - 24th May 2026

Our appeal for new members of the SVP was very successful. Thank you to those who signed up to add strength to our membership.  We also need to strengthen our numbers of both attendees and drivers for our Wednesday Lunch Club.

Our congratulations to our vital St. Leonard’s link, Rachel Thornton. We wish Rachel and Damien a wonderful life together as husband and wife, as they tie the knot this Saturday. Thanks to both of you, especially Rachel, for your support to our schools and parishes. I met with Rachel recently to prepare our Summer Mass in the newly built St Leonard’s and Rachel is really looking forward to the Parish Sunday Mass on the 12th July.

The breakfast in aid of our newly formed Youth Group was a great success in both St. Godric’s and St. Joseph’s last Sunday. The wafting smell of cooking bacon permeated the churches well before the Masses ended Well done to our BOP group. They raised almost £500.

Exam time is always a time of anxiety. Our prayers are with all our schools and university students sitting exams at this time.

“I remember listening to Miles Davis in the car with my dad. I had just done my Grade 5 piano exam, and I was quite cocky. I said, 'It sounds like he's played the wrong note there.' I remember the look of horror on my dad's face, and thinking, 'Wow, I have to figure out why that is not acceptable.'

Laura Mvula

Thought from Fr. Colm - 17th May 2026

We had a very lively and productive meeting about schools at our recent Parish Council meeting. Emma Bridon, head of St. Godric’s and Tom Hunt, head of St. Thomas More’s joined us.  Apologies from St. Leonard’s. We worked through better ways of communicating with each other at schools and parish levels. The possibility of more regular gatherings together for worship and other possible activities.

Our recent success with the Confirmation Groups and the development of our Parish Youth Group were highlighted as real positive signs for the future. Our parish Mass in St. Leonard’s on 12th July will also be a milestone in our commitment to supporting our young people. I expect a full house for that. In fact, I would ask you who struggle with school Masses to put aside whatever objections you have, just park them for that Sunday. 

John Hayton’s talk on benefits was first class and extremely informative, but poorly attended. The net needs to be cast now to those who would benefit most, especially the elderly and dependent. And a big thank you to John.

Thanks to all of you for responding so positively to my invitation to be Ministers and Leaders of the Eucharist. Don’t forget that date: 25 July at 10.00 am

Thought from Fr. Colm - 10th May 2026

On Wednesday evening I attended a gathering of clergy and laity as Bishop Stephen outlined his vision for the future of the Diocese. The meeting was a follow up to the Bishop Stephen’s recent Pastoral Letter and questionnaire, to which we responded to in great numbers. Thank you.

There were brief presentations from heads of various departments in the Diocese. I came away with the sense that we are all now experiencing a reality check, especially on the number of properties in the parishes, and diocese that are a financial drain. No surprise.  There will be follow-up meetings, especially at a local parish, and Partnership level, and you will be regularly updated.

Eucharistic Ministers:  Thank you all who responded to my appeal for Eucharistic Ministers. Fr Adrian Dixon has kindly agreed to come to the parish of the Durham Martyrs on Saturday 25^th July to give an in-house training day. The day will begin at 10.00am concluding at 3.00pm. There will be more information nearer the time.

Can names and contact details of all attendees please be given to Marjorie as soon as possible. I do realise some of you will be on holiday, but do give her your contact details anyway. Thank you. Don’t forget dates for your diaries re Holy Island Day Pilgrimage.