12th October 2025 - Thought from Fr. Colm

We continue our Partnership journey next Thursday evening in St. Leonard’s (see the note in the bulletin). The Finchale Partnership includes Durham City and the outlying parishes. Do join us.

I hope you like the windows. They are timely, as we reflect more on the glory of God’s creation. I’m expecting that our energy bills will be reduced.

“Always try to keep a patch of sky above your life.”

Marcel Proust, Swann’s Way (In Search of Lost Time, #1

Thanks to our Parish SVP conference for a lovely lunch on Tuesday. The spirit was great. Fish and chips, with mushy peas for the purists, and for those brave souls with a taste for all things sweet and with a total disregard for the waistline, there was the triple layered multicoloured ice cream consumed with unapologetic delight by the few, as the majority looked on with envy.

It was all great fun and enjoyed by all .

5th October 2025 - Thought from Fr. Colm

Because of unexpected weakness found in the old concrete window frames, it is taking more time than expected to install the new windows at St Joseph’s. The scaffolding will remain in the central nave of the church this weekend reminiscent to a West Side Story stage set, and probably next weekend as well.

Sorry for any inconvenience. The alternative was to close the church until the work was completed or alternatively seek permission to use St. Joseph’s school hall. I’m hoping the work will be completed by 15^th October.

Sadly, Frida March’s death is the third in a list of recent losses to the parish after the passing of Margaret Graham and Ken Haswell. All were involved in the numerous groups and ministries over the years.

We give thanks for their service to the Church community in Durham. Bless their souls.

28th September 2025 - Thought from Fr. Colm

Restructuring the Parish Council was discussed at a recent Parish Council meeting, with a suggestion on how long one should be on the Council and how large the Council should be . We have soldiered on for many years without change, very often out of a sense of duty, for which I am indeed very grateful.

New members, smaller numbers perhaps?

I’d like to use this opportunity then to thank each member of the Parish Council for their time and energies, especially those who have  served for many years on the Parish Council.

Mary Mc Hugh, Barbara Reilly O’Donnell, Dennis Bradley, John Hayton and Alexander Dominguez now bring their own of experience from their own backgrounds with Age Concern , Education ( schools and universities), buildings, safeguarding, and our growing international community. I thank them for their support into the immediate future.

And speaking of our International Community, what a great spirit of fellowship there was at last Sunday’s International Meal. Food representing such rich diversity of culture and backgrounds that our parish community represents. Beatrice’s French pancakes, a speciality of her native Brittany, were mouthwatering.

But observing Norbert and Hugo in deep mathematical conversations, I could tell they’re unravelling of some mathematical puzzle was being made easier by the delightful cuisine they shared. Anne Kelly looks as if she’s is in line for honorary Polish citizenship.

Chinese, Mexican, Polish, Malaysian, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Dutch, Indian, African, Philippino, and those I’ve not mentioned, all together with local English and Irish cultures.

Erica, Cynthia and friends busily keeping the supply chain of teas, coffee plates and cutlery available to all. Well done to everyone and a big Thank You. In times of untruths whipped up worldwide by media and politicians, our meal sharing can be a wonderful sign of care.

“The parish gives character to its surroundings. It curates art and beauty. It is a temple for a community. And, some believe, is a place where Christ’s presence is felt. In short, the parish church is a lifeboat in a sea of madness: remove it and we might very well drown.” Tim Stanley, writer and broadcaster

A great sigh of relief was breathed with the reopening of access from Mill Lane to the Sherburn Road.

I do like the design of the new student accommodation.

“Every great architect is - necessarily - a great poet. He must be a great original interpreter of his time, his day, his age. “

Frank Lloyd Wright