Thought from Fr. Colm - 27th September 2026

The Parish Core Group met on Tuesday. Leanne Taylor addressed the Baby Bank project, and Gillian McArthur addressed Safeguarding. The amount of time and effort put in by both Leanne and Gillian, has been monumental. Gillian’s task, in particular, is an onerous one, and I’m asking a number of volunteers in both parish churches to assist her at all three parish weekend Masses, especially. Collections and Appeals: I realise you have been subjected to a number of appeals of late. I’m sorry about that, but the reality is that the needs are greater.

Bishop Stephen will be visiting St. Leonard’s next Friday to bless the new building. We are very proud of St. Leonard’s, so our prayers are with staff and pupils at this time. Bro Paul be presenting a film show on Wednesday night at 7.30pm on our responsibility for the environment.

And on Tuesday evening, Prof Stanley Bethapudi who is visiting from India, will give a talk on meditation at 6.30pm. The title of the talk is :

A BREATHING MODEL OF MEDITATION TO VISUALISE THE CHRIST IMAGE: AN  EASTERN PERSPECTIVE.

Both presentations will be in the Jubilee Room.

The Youth Group retreat at Moor House last weekend was a great success. I was fortunate to celebrate an open air Mass on Sunday with the group. Though somewhat chilly, the surroundings were stunning. Our group was very representative of the parish, and schools - very international! Thank you all.

Thought from Fr. Colm - 20th September 2026

And so a new term begins in schools. We welcome Leanne Dixon to St Joseph’s, as the new Head Teacher. The various catechetical programmes begin again. Baptismal programmes continue, as usual. The First Communion programmes also begin. Changes this coming term mean only children who are baptised Catholic will receive Holy Communion in June. This stands to reason. If a child is a Catholic, then that’s child receives Holy Communion for the first time in June. The First Communion Mass for all three schools of St. Josephs, St. Thomas Mores and St. Godric’s will take place in St. Joseph’s. Again, being practical  is essential when numbers coming forward for First Communions have dwindled so much over the years. We will have a review of catechesis for all three Sacraments with those involved in preparing the children-and parents-for these important stages.

Sacrament TypeGeneral Trend in the UK

Infant Baptism🛑 Steep Decline — Down roughly 30% to 50% compared to 2019 pre-pandemic baselines. Church Marriage🛑 Historic Lows — Making up roughly 10% or less of overall British marriages. First Holy Communion🛑 Steady Decline — Impacted directly by fewer children being raised in active parishes. Adult Baptism / Confirmation📈 Significant Growth — Reaching 10-to-15-year highs across both main Christian Churches. What the statistics don’t mention is that less children are being born and that both schools and parishes are being bolstered by people from outside and now resident in the UK.

My thanks to Margaret Wallace, who steps down after 18 years chairing the Bereavement Group.

Mentioning Catechists and others again reminds us of the great contribution of volunteers in our parish, for whom I cannot say enough by way of appreciation Thank you all.

Breda Gallagher is 90 this Friday the 18^th. Congratulations dear Breda. I was privileged to be a part of the prayer group hosted in Breda’s home, but it was listening to the long list of people visited by Breda during our weekly SVP meetings that was so powerful. Bless Breda on this day.

We had an excellent Finance Meeting this week and it’s reassuring to know the parish finances are healthy and in good hands.  Thanks everyone for your generosity last weekend towards Bro Johns chosen charity of the Nepal Disaster.

The First away day of our Youth Group is this weekend. I look forward to celebrating Mass with you on Sunday. Let’s keep them in our prayers.

Can I also mention the Baby Bank. Such is the initiative of our parishioners that this new venture for those in need - and there are many-will begin in October. Please support.

Young Kris Bethapudi will be making a brief appeal on behalf of Cafod at both Sunday Masses this weekend. Well done Kris.

Thought from Fr. Colm - 13th September 2026

Last Saturday was a clear September morning. An autumnal deep blue sky with a smattering of white cloud. Northumberland looked magnificent, as the parish pilgrimage departed from Gilesgate to Holy Island the day after the Feast of St. Cuthbert. For some it was their first time. We had a packed coach with a one or two seats free.

After a pleasant journey of prayer, laughter and a very relevant quiz presented by Barbara and Maria, we arrived soon after the tide had departed. Ahead of the brave lay the slippery trek across the causeway, followed by the ritual, almost religious, feet drying. This prepared us for a short coffee break, or picnic for the hungry. We were all ages from a baby a few months old carried by Brazilian mother, Larissa, to the evergreen Dorothy Wilson…all bare-footing through the surprisingly warm  Lindesfarne water.

The sky was stunningly clear. In the background we heard the familiar welcome sound of the seal colony. That haunting sound echoing the plaintiff chants of the ancient monks and their lonely but distinct calls Gods glory in this sacred space-an estimated 6000 seals make their home here.

Our pilgrims Mass in  St. Aiden’s Chapel was prepared for us by Sister Tessa, who has served many celebrations. Our Eucharistic celebration was followed an hour later by the parish of St Cuthbert, North Shields, led by Fr. Chris Hughes. Always a pleasure to catch up with Chris. 

Angela Boyle, former head of St Joseph’s, was one of Fr Chris’s pilgrims and always speaks glowingly of her connection with our parish and school.

It is hard to fathom how Durham City sprang from the removal of the earthly remains of St. Cuthbert from this small insular location. It took over 100 years to do journeying from this small island to settle on the peninsula that is now Durham Cathedral.

We  left Holy Island with sadness but well fortified physically, and spiritually, and anticipating our traditional Fish’n Chips at Seahouses.

Sadly, our chief organiser, Barbara Reilly-O’Donnell fell victim of the slippery slopes of the wet Causeway and now nurses a very bruised ankle. Thanks again Barbara  for your organising a great day-despite your mishap. And thank you all for journeying by coach and by car. These are very important events of coming together at both parish, and partnership levels.