Thought from Fr. Colm - 15th September 2024
Laudate Deum prayer A prayer inspired by the Apostolic Exhortation Laudate Deum released by Pope Francis on 4 October 2023. Laudate...
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Fr. Colm Hayden
Fr. Colm is from Dublin, Ireland. He was appointed our parish priest in 2005. In 2015 Bishop Seamus further appointed Fr. Colm as the Episcopal Vicar for the East Durham and Sunderland area.
Thoughts from Fr. Colm
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- Sep 6
- 1 min
Thought from Fr. Colm - 8th September 2024
Welcome back schools’ staff and pupils. I hope you all had a good rest over the summer break. Always a challenge starting up again, but...
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- Aug 16
- 1 min
Thought from Fr. Colm - 18th August 2024
I Am the Bread of Life Malcolm Guite Where to get bread? An ever-pressing question That trembles on the lips of anxious mothers, Bread...
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- Aug 9
- 2 min
Thought from Fr. Colm - 11th August 2024
Statement by CEO of Caritas Social Action Network on recent public disorder 6th August 2024 At Caritas Social Action Network, we have...
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- Jul 19
- 2 min
Thought from Fr. Colm - 21st July 2024
As we unwind for the summer holidays, I’d like to say thanks to our exceptional set of educators in our three primary and one secondary...
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- Jul 12
- 1 min
Thought from Fr. Colm - 14th July 2024
We had a good parish meeting last Saturday. It was very productive with specific actions outlined. The notes from the meeting are...
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- Jul 5
- 3 min
Thought from Fr. Colm - 7th July 2024
Following a Hometown Boy: Reflections on Mark 6: 1-6, Alyce McKenzie I picture Jesus' hometown family and friends squirming in their...
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- Jun 28
- 1 min
Thought from Fr. Colm - 30th June 2024
We gather again with Fr. John O’Brien next Saturday, 6th July, to continue with our efforts at forging a way forward for our parish. I am...
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- Jun 21
- 2 min
Thought from Fr. Colm - 23rd June 2024
John Kenneth Galbraith(a)OC (October 15, 1908-April 29, 2006), also known as Ken Galbraith, was a Canadian American Economist, diplomat,...
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- Jun 14
- 1 min
Thought from Fr. Colm - 16th June 2024
Bishop Stephen was delighted with his visit to the parish last weekend and particularly by the welcome he received. The International...
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- Jun 7
- 1 min
Thought from Fr. Colm - 9th June 2024
We welcome Bishop Stephen this weekend. This coming week also sees us gather for our Annual General Parish Council meeting. All are...
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- May 24
- 1 min
Thought from Fr. Colm - 26th May 2024
“Watch a teacher with a classroom full of students, and you’ll see what real love looks like.” Teresa Kwant. Sadly, Bridget...
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- May 17
- 1 min
Thought from Fr. Colm - 19th May 2024
A letter to all parishes from Bishop Stephen Dear Sisters and Brothers, In order to grow as a synodal Church, it is important that we all...
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- May 10
- 2 min
Thought from Fr. Colm - 12th May 2024
We will have our follow-up and third meeting with Fr. John O’Brien on Saturday, 15th June at 11.00am. This is an important gathering...
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- May 3
- 2 min
Thought from Fr. Colm - 5th May 2024
“We are not living an epoch of change so much as an epochal change, Pope Francis says. The forms of religion and their roles in different...
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- Apr 26
- 1 min
Thought from Fr. Colm - 28th April 2024
I Am the Vine - A Sonnet by Malcolm Guite John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same...
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- Apr 19
- 2 min
Thought from Fr. Colm - 21st April 2024
Easter is behind us and we are grateful for a marvellous celebration in all our churches. Thanks to all who worked particularly hard to...
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- Apr 12
- 1 min
Thought from Fr. Colm - 14th April 2024
Thanks to everyone who was involved in our Holy Week and Easter celebrations and Masses. Our Mini Triduum was a lovely occasion, and the...
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- Apr 5
- 1 min
Thought from Fr. Colm - 7th April 2024
Poem – Christ has No Body Christ has no body but yours, No hands, no feet on earth but yours, Yours are the eyes with which He looks...
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- Mar 22
- 3 min
Thought from Fr. Colm - 24th March 2024
What a marvellous evening of music and song we had on Thursday night at the St. Leonard’s concert in St. Joseph’s. From Jazz to...
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- Mar 15
- 2 min
Thought from Fr. Colm - 17th March 2024
Our International Meal was a joy. Dishes of many cultures were enjoyed but a good attendance. May I thank you all for your generosity of...
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- Mar 8
- 1 min
Thought from Fr. Colm - 10th March 2024
Easter A Poem by: Eloise A. Skimings The clouds break - light thro' the darkness Penetrates the gloom with its effulgence, And from on...
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- Mar 1
- 3 min
Thought from Fr. Colm - 3rd March 2024
We were blessed for our annual parish retreat. The weather may have been mixed, but the sense of togetherness and positivity of the group...
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- Feb 23
- 1 min
Thought from Fr. Colm - 25th February 2024
We had an excellent turn out at last Saturday’s parish meeting. Thanks to all for your participation. We are at least moving in the right...
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- Feb 16
- 1 min
Thought from Fr. Colm - 18th February 2024
A Lenten Poem from Wendell Berry – Sabbaths, II from 1985 A gracious Sabbath stood here while they stood Who gave our rest a haven. Now...
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- Feb 9
- 1 min
Thought from Fr. Colm - 11th February 2024
There are still a few places left for our Parish Retreat in Keswick. Our parish meeting next Saturday takes on more importance as we get...
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- Feb 2
- 2 min
Thought from Fr. Colm - 4th February 2024
The notice in the bulletin regarding Saturday, 17th February is an important one. Parishes are seeing the necessity to anticipate – with...
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- Jan 26
- 2 min
Thought from Fr. Colm - 28th January 2024
Our sympathies to Tracy and Matt Shaw on the death of their daughter Sofia. Sofia attended St. Thomas More School here in the parish. Our...
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- Jan 19
- 1 min
Meeting after 11am Mass 21st January
Fr. Colm will be available in the Jubilee Room immediately after the 11:00am Mass this Sunday, 21st January at St Joseph's, to listen to...
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- Jan 19
- 4 min
Thought from Fr. Colm - 21st January 2024
Mass time changes: I’m not on Facebook but gather some feel disappointed at ‘lack of consultation’ regarding changes to the Mass times on...
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- Jan 12
- 1 min
Thought from Fr. Colm - 14th January 2024
Congratulations to Paul Murray, who becomes an Ecumenical Dean of Durham Cathedral this Sunday, 14th January. I hope we’re all settled...
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- Jan 5
- 2 min
Thought from Fr. Colm - 7th January 2024
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your generosity, and best wishes for Christmas and the New Year. Thank you. Sadly,...
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- Dec 15, 2023
- 2 min
Thought from Fr. Colm - 17th December
Christmas is upon us. Much to reflect on in these uncertain times. Thank God we are back to normality after so much disruption. Sadly,...
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- Dec 8, 2023
- 3 min
Thought from Fr. Colm - 10th December
We (parish) had a very productive meeting on Wednesday. Many important issues were discussed on ways forward for the parish. Powerful...
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- Dec 1, 2023
- 2 min
Thought from Fr. Colm - 3rd December
We continue our follow up to our initial meeting on moving forward as a parish. Our first meeting led by John O’Brien was very well...
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- Nov 24, 2023
- 1 min
Thought from Fr. Colm - 26th November
Our Memorial Mass is this Sunday. Always a very moving occasion to remember our loved ones. There have been too many this year. Do join...
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- Nov 17, 2023
- 1 min
Thought from Fr. Colm - 19th November
Our Gifts Are For Encouraging © By M.S.Lowndes Help us, Lord, to see ourselves Through your loving eyes, To see what you see in us And to...
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- Nov 10, 2023
- 1 min
Thought from Fr. Colm - 12th November
The poem below has been written by one of our parishioners – James Gilman – and has been used in services at Durham Cathedral and...
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- Nov 3, 2023
- 2 min
Thought from Fr. Colm - 5th November
We had an open meeting on Thursday evening to chat about moving onwards and upwards as parish. Fr. John O’Brien, Spiritan, led the...
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- Oct 27, 2023
- 2 min
Thought from Fr. Colm - 29th October
A number of you commented on Fr. John O’Brien’s encouraging words at my 40th Anniversary of Ordination celebration. John has agreed to...
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- Oct 20, 2023
- 1 min
Thought from Fr. Colm - 22nd October
Thanks again for your continued prayers for peace in the Middle East. Our gathering was small, but powerful last Sunday at St. Godric’s....
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- Oct 13, 2023
- 2 min
Thought from Fr. Colm -15th October
Our recent Parish Council Meeting was a constructive and lively discussion on many aspects of parish life. From making all as welcome as...
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- Oct 6, 2023
- 1 min
Thought from Fr. Colm -8th October
Congratulations to the Capuchin Community at Tenter House on the Feast of St. Francis. Last Wednesday we celebrated the Feast Day with...
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- Sep 15, 2023
- 1 min
Parish Meeting postponed
Earlier this summer I reflected that, as part of our efforts to continue to build a strong parish community, we would hold 'Parish...
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- Sep 8, 2023
- 1 min
Thought from Fr. Colm -10th September
Whilst we are in a better place now regarding Covid, it still lurks, and indeed, some parishioners are still being hit with the dreaded...
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- Sep 1, 2023
- 2 min
Thought from Fr. Colm - 3rd September
God’s Great Creation Excerpts from a poem on praise and forgiveness by Helen Kinnett Creator God, we praise your great creation, We...
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- Aug 25, 2023
- 1 min
Thought from Fr. Colm - 27th August
Sadly, Bernard Reid passed away last Monday morning after a long and brave struggle against illness. Bernard was a teacher by profession,...
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- Aug 18, 2023
- 1 min
Thought from Fr. Colm - 20th August
Have You Earned Your Tomorrow By Edgar A. Guest Is anybody happier because you passed his way? Does anyone remember that you spoke to him...
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- Aug 11, 2023
- 2 min
Thought from Fr. Colm - 13th August
The Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes seems, by all accounts, to have been a great success. Both parishioners and clergy were full of...
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- Jul 21, 2023
- 2 min
Thought from Fr. Colm - 23rd July
The induction of Bishop Stephen was a powerful statement on his leadership into the future. He brought a strength of character to the...
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