In the time leading up to Lent, we are asked to pray for these intentions:

Peace on Earth; Christian Unity; the Sick and Those who Care for Them; Students and Teachers: the Unemployed

The Parish Pastoral Council Meeting will be held on Monday after 7pm Mass in St Cuthbert's Chapel. Every parish group is to send a representative to this important parish meeting All members are asked to attend, or to let us have their apologies. Anyone else who is interested parish life is also welcome

This weekend we have our first Fair Trade Stall of 2007. If you have bought from us before why not try something you haven't bought yet! The new Spring catalogue has arrived have a look there may be something Help us to help our brothers and sisters in the Third World. We have received an advanced copy of the new Traidcraft Catalogue which has many new items. Watch this space for more information.

The Deanery Forum will be held on Tuesday 13th February at 7.00pm at the Holy Rosary. All are welcome.

There is no Meeting on Tuesday. We will continue the Prayer Meeting on Tuesday 20th February looking at the scriptures with time for quiet reflection and meditative music. After that the meetings will be held every Tuesday during Lent. All are welcome.

At St Robert's Fenham & St Joseph's Hartlepool Sunday 4th February 2-4pm

At St Joseph's, Gateshead. Every 2nd Wednesday of the month at 12pm

At St Joseph's Gateshead. 7pm-8.30pm 11th March, 10th June, 16th September and 9th December.

At St Agnes Crawcrook: 7.30pm-9pm 23rd February, 1st March ,9th March, 16th March, 23rd March, 30th March

At Ushaw College, 30th May 2007, 7.00pm-9.30pm

This will take place on Saturday 17th February 10.30-4pm at St Joseph's Parish Centre, Walker Terrace, Gateshead

Two evenings for parishioners who may wish to be involved in planning special celebrations for the season of Lent. This will range from an understanding of the character of the season to looking at how we can celebrate Lenten themes as a parish in Eucharistic and non-Eucharistic Liturgies. The sessions will be on Monday 12th and 19th February 7-9pm at St Joseph's Parish Centre, Gateshead

The Becon Band (refugees from the Frazers) will entertain us with Music. There will also be nibbles available to help us celebrate our Patronal feast . Tickets on sale soon.

Lunchtime get together to celebrate St Joseph's Feast Day, for all the Parish. Shared table in hall.

1 pm Panto and Party for children in hall

11 am Mass for sick and elderly; lunch in hall Sat 7th July-Pilgrimage to Holy Island

Concert in Church with the Cobweb Orchestra and music Makers.

Flower Festival

3pm Centenary Mass

Our next lunch, (including a 90th Birthday Celebration) will be on Wednesday 14th February. To help with transport, please try and let us know if you are unable to attend.

Congratulations to Lucy Pope who celebrates her 90th Birthday this week, from all your friends at St Joseph's.

We would like to welcome new members to the Newsletter Folders Team and the Church Cleaning Team. To include these new members we have produced updated rotas. The new rotas are available at the back of the church please take one If you're a member on either of these teams.

To help celebrate the clearance of the loan on their church property ,they invite us to a Social evening of Thanksgiving, Buffet Meal on Saturday 24th February 2007 at 6.30pm.RSVP by 20th February to Pastor David Hands 13 Beechville Street, Eden Vale, Sunderland SR4 7NA or phone Edward Harkness (.'

It's the bicentenary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act to mark this there will be a regional Service in Durham Cathedral on Saturday 24th March at 11am. Today 12 million people live in modern forms of slavery.