Safeguarding Deadline for Altar Servers Parental Consent forms

Safeguarding

Thank you to all parents who have returned the consent forms for their child to undertake the role of alter server.

This is a gentle reminder that it is a requirement of the Diocese that any child who undertakes this role must have parental consent. Can all parents please ensure that you have returned any forms by Tuesday 6th October. Unfortunately any child who does not have written consent after that date will be unable to carry out the role until written parental consent is received.

If you need any further information please contact Gillian MacArthur, the parish safeguarding representative.

Thank you from Brother John

Dear Parishioners - By the time you see this, I'll be  ensconced in my new Franciscan community in the roman City of Chester.  I never expected this to happen so soon, though I had thought earlier on that I could well finish up here in my home town.

I wanted to share with you something of my pure pleasure and amazement surrounding my time of 'farewells'. I was gobsmacked by your most kind and loving words of appreciation which hopefully I'll remember for many a long time.

So many, many thanks and may God Bless you with many blessings in the days ahead and  keep you safe in his hands.

Donation to the Nepal Flood Disaster on behalf of Br. John - Thank you to everyone who contributed to both the collections for one of Br. John’s charities and the two farewell events over the past two weekends.  The magnificent sum of £1173.97 was received from both St. Godric’s and St. Joseph’s and Br. John asked for the money to go to the Nepal Disaster Fund.

Photo taken from the Capuchin Franciscan Friary, Durham Facebook page

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.