Homelessness Support – Appeal for Volunteers

Homelessness Support – Appeal for Volunteers

Our dedicated team of Parish volunteers provide support to Sanctuary 21 (Salvation Army) at their premises in Saddler Street, Durham by offering basic food and hospitality to rough sleepers and vulnerable people in our city.

Teams of three people volunteer each day (Monday,Wednesday and Thursday ) for three hours each week. We also have a back-up team who provide cover on a casual basis when regular volunteers are unable to attend and we are supported by teams of students during term time.

Due to holidays and sickness and the student vacation, we are currently struggling to maintain the service and are looking for new volunteers to join our back up team .An empathy with homelessness issues and the ability to work harmoniously within a small team is essential.  If you think you may be able to help please catch me after the Vigil Mass or speak to Kathleen Murray at St Godric’s or Bridget Wilson at St Joseph’s and they will let me know you are interested.

Thank You.

Peter Thompson

Parish of the Durham Martyrs’ Community Summer Club information

Parish of the Durham Martyrs’ Community Summer Club    

The weekly Summer Community Club will meet in the Jubilee Room at St. Joseph’s at 12.00 on Wednesday each week as follows:-

22^nd July, 29^th July

5^th  August, 19^th August, 26^th August

This will be an opportunity to socialise and enjoy a light lunch at a cost of £3.50.

On Wednesday 12^th August there will be a trip to Roker if there is enough interest – the cost will be £5 per person. If interested, please let either Cynthia or Peter know.

A weekly booking sheet will be available at the back of each church every weekend to enable people to sign up so that we can plan catering.  Forms will be collected after Sunday Masses.

Everyone is welcome to join us so please sign up if you are able to attend.  We look forward to seeing you.

Thought from Fr. Colm - 19th July 2026

Last Sunday’s Mass at St Leonard’s was enjoyed by all. The new school looks wonderful. Thank you to all the staff and students who made us so welcome. The weather added to our enjoyment of the occasion.  As a first after Covid, the school Mass allows us the opportunity to come together as one parish. This is an ever growing expression of need on the part of the part of so many of you, which I appreciate. Thank you.

The summer holidays are upon us now and it’s a time of much needed, and much deserved rest for our the staff of all four schools in our parish. You have all been a credit to your profession.

We had a Core Group meeting on Wednesday, and the minutes will be forthcoming.

As announced last weekend, the Wednesday Community Summer Club begins soon ( see bulletin). This will fill in the void usually left by school summer closures. It is hoped to pitch this to include and beyond, the regular attendance of our ever depleting numbers at the weekly Wednesday lunches. It’s time to throw the net wider.