Notices
Please see the Church Bulletin and Porch notice boards
for further notices of events and dedications in our parish.
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: (Confession) is available
after Mass on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and at other times
by appointment.
EXPOSITION & ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT: there
will be no Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on a Friday during the school
holidays.
SCRIPTURE SHARING: will cease during the holidays. We will start
again in
September.
St. Michael’s Cleaning — Group 6 T Smith, J Greenwood,
A Wilson & D Smith
CAFOD PILGRIMAGE TO HOLY ISLAND: will be on Saturday 1st September
2018. The Pilgrimage walk will start at the usual place on the island i.e.
the coach pull-in OVER the bridge at 11.30 am. Mass will be at 3.30 in church
and then we need to be off the island by 5.30 pm.
Daily Prayer This Week
This week we can ask, in the variety of ways and situations each day that
our eyes might be opened to see Jesus as he really is - glorified, with
the Father, and ready to renew our faith and trust in him.
As we begin our day, and at brief times throughout our day, we can pull
our consciousness together by letting the themes of this week's reading
guide us. One day, we might ask to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus as we go
through a day full of strong wind and waves. We can ask again and again,
as things get tougher and more challenging.
Another day, we might focus on what comes out of our mouths. Is there cynicism,
judgments, distortions of the truth, divisive and self-serving manipulation,
yelling and hurtful put-downs? Do I practice using my voice to give praise
to God by affirming others, forgiving them, by telling the truth, by defending
the poor and the voiceless, by giving God thanks? Another day, I might be
conscious of those I regard as “dogs,” those I disdain or think of as “the
enemy.” I might ask for the grace to open my heart to whatever faith in
God they have, however different from mine. I might ask for a sense of solidarity
with them, not because it is my desire or inclination, but because it is
God's desire for me.
How can I heal and reconcile, at least in my heart, what needs healing:
racism, sexism, anti-Semitism, negative stereotypes towards Muslims and
those I see as “foreigners.” How can I be relieved of my hostility against
the poor or being judgmental about sinners. Later in the week, we can get
in touch with the call of Jesus to deny ourselves. This is not self-denial
for its own sake. This is the dying to self that comes from loving in the
self-sacrificing way that Jesus did.
Who in my family, friends, relative, co-workers and members of my parish
or congregation needs my self-denying love? How have I focused on “gaining
the world” and lost some of my true self in the process? Is there some way
this week that I can taste discovering my true self in giving some time,
some compassion, some love, some special care to someone who needs this
from me?
And throughout the week, perhaps at a special time of powerlessness or some
time when I feel that I don't have the energy or gifts to do the “more,”
to move a mountain, I can ask for faith the size of a mustard seed. And,
each night I can give thanks to God for being generous to me all week, for
this simple focus on our relationship every day.
VOCATIONS TO THE PRIESTHOOD
There will be a day of reflection for men over the age of 40 considering
a possible vocation to the Priesthood on
Saturday, 20th October 2018 10.00 am – 4.00 pm
St. Hilda’s Centre, 391 West Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE15 7NL.
The theme of the day: “The significance of our story”. For more information
and to confirm attendance including any special dietary requirements for
the lunch and refreshments that will be provided, please contact Fr David
Smith on 0191 262 3882 or at wallsend.ourladystcolumba@rcdhn.org.uk
