20th July 2025 - Thought from Fr. Colm

Holidays await our tired teachers.

One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings. The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child.  Carl Jung  

A special good luck and big thank you to Matthew Grehan-Bradley on his retirement ( Matt, let’s hope St Leonard’s loss will be this parish’s gain- tickets now available for the parish choir concert in September). Our best wishes to Sharon Daley as she leaves St Joseph’s for new pastures. Thanks to both Matthew and Sharon for their many years of service to the education of our children.

How disappointing to hear that Climate Change and Renewable Energy is not going to be a priority  with our new Durham  Council especially as the prediction is that the unusually dry weather we are experiencing of late will be a more common feature in the future.

“One can see from space how the human race has changed the Earth. Nearly all of the available land has been cleared of forest and is now used for agriculture or urban development. The polar icecaps are shrinking and the desert areas are increasing. At night, the Earth is no longer dark, but large areas are lit up. All of this is evidence that human exploitation of the planet is reaching a critical limit. But human demands and expectations are ever-increasing. We cannot continue to pollute the atmosphere, poison the ocean and exhaust the land. There isn’t any more available.”  Stephen Hawking, Physicist & Author

“We need to strengthen the conviction that we are one single human family.”

Pope Francis.

ENCYCLICAL LETTER LAUDATO SI' ON CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME 

The Summer break means most church activities will take a breather. Our marvellous groups of helpers also need a breather. Thanks to everyone for their continued support and we look forward to a return to action in September with our Parish Pilgrimage to Holy Island.

“Leave me alone with God

As much as may be. 

As the tide draws the waters

Close in upon the shore, 

Make me an island, set apart. 

Alone with you, Oh God, 

Holy to You. 

Then, with the turning of the tide, 

Prepare me to carry your presence

To the busy world beyond. 

The world that rushes in on me. 

Til the waters come again, 

And take me back to You. 

St. Aidan of Lindisfarne.   

A Chorus, by Elizabeth Jennings

Over the surging tides and the mountain kingdoms,

Over the pastoral valleys and the meadows,

Over the cities with their factory darkness,

Over the lands where peace is still a power,

Over all these and all this planet carries

A power broods, invisible monarch, a stranger

To some, but by many trusted. Man's a believer

Until corrupted. This huge trusted power

Is spirit. He moves in the muscle of the world,

In continual creation. He burns the tides, he shines

From the matchless skies. He is the day's surrender.

Recognize him in the eye of the angry tiger,

In the sign of a child stepping at last into sleep,

In whatever touches, graces and confesses,

In hopes fulfilled or forgotten, in promises

Kept, in the resignation of old men -

This spirit, this power, this holder together of space

Is about, is aware, is working in your breathing.

But most he is the need that shows in hunger

And in the tears shed in the lonely fastness.

And in sorrow after anger. 

13th July 2025 - Thought from Fr. Colm

A really lovely time was had by all who attended last Sunday’s Parish Picnic, despite many being scared away by the weather forecast, which almost to the hour the skys opened. Wonderful Irish dancing by such talented young parishioners. There was even a fusion of Irish and rock briefly to the sound of ‘Beat It’, which we all duly did beat it to the school hall, where we enjoyed a competitive game of bingo followed by a group of Mexican dancers who travelled all the way from Manchester to be with us. Thanks to all for organising.

“Life is always about striking the right balance…”.

A regular mantra of a very wise parishioner to me this week regarding Baptisms, teas and coffees. It seems that right balance wasn’t struck in my recent bulletin piece regarding baptisms during teas and coffees after Masses on Sunday. Mea Culpa. We will strike that right balance. Teas and coffees are  very important in both churches.

While on the subject of Sunday baptism, it’s an opportunity to thank Audrey and Stephen for ensuring that Sunday baptisms are prepared at St Joseph’s, with Kathleen and Philip doing likewise at St. Godric’s. Not forgetting Christine and Team for the important catechesis before baptisms. Team efforts all round.

The other issue I mentioned recently regarding Baptism was Baptism during Mass. While it’s a joy  welcoming a baptised child into the our midst, especially if it’s the child of parents who worship at one of our churches. However, other challenges arose recently indirectly related to baptism but as base as parking.

As you may know, the local council have imposed parking restrictions on Sunday mornings in the city centre and the traffic wardens implement these restrictions at times with draconian zeal. I have had many failed attempts trying to negotiate some kind of concession from them, but to no avail. This adds pressure on me for making a swift exit from St Godric’s to get back to St Joseph’s . More people now use the church car park on Sunday making it more difficulty for the parish priest to return to St Joseph’s. My driving skills are sorely tested trying to exit. Unfortunately, these skills have not avoided the scrapes from the narrow church gates.

So please, spare a thought. Please do not congest the St. Godric’s car park on Sunday mornings. Thanks!

I hope you like the new sound system at St. Joseph’s. More Security cameras have been added at St Joseph’s as a consequence of a recent meeting concerning the increased number loitering and syringes being left, particularly near the school entrance.

Our new windows will be installed soon at St. Josephs. This will cause major disruption to our church services. Watch this space. Donations towards the new windows gratefully received.

The car park at St Bede’s is now moving into a new and positive stage of development.

Our ongoing problems with the Lichgate near Red Hills cemetery nearly ended when a tree was blown down very close to it last week. An ominous sign?

Exciting challenges ahead. Thanks again to so many of you for keeping it all ticking over.

Can I ask your prayers for Kanute (Ken) Lewis, who was accepted by Bishop Stephen to begin his formation for the Diaconate in the parish of The Durham Martyrs.

6th July 2025 - Thought from Fr. Colm

A few changes regarding Baptisms:

It is no longer practical to have Baptisms during Mass.

Nor is it sensible to have teas and coffees during the Baptism itself. The partitions are not soundproof. And so, as soon as Baptisms begin can we begin ending teas and coffee.

Whenever I’m doing the Baptism,  I will lock up after the Baptism party have left the premises. Thanks again for all your support. 

Our Journey in Faith begins again in the Autumn, so if you are interested, or know someone who might be interested, can you please give encouragement.

The weather forecast this Sunday is uncertain but as I write we hope it is good weather for the parish Picnic.

A number of you commented on how lovely the singing was at Michael Stoker’s funeral