Wednesday is Ash Wednesday a day of Fasting and Abstinence or some other act of self denial. Mass is at 7pm and includes distribution of the Ashes. Lent is a time of prayer fasting and alms giving and to help us we have a number of aids to help us all.  There are a number of prayer groups in the parish to which all are welcome, and there will be Stations of the Cross on Tuesday and Friday afternoons at 3pm and on Sundays at 4pm.

'Walk with Me' a Lenten Journey of Prayer is available from the back of church, free of charge. It gives a reflection for each day of Lent Please take one

Included in your Newsletter is a timetable of events for Lent. Please put it up in your home so that you will be reminded of what is happening here in St Joseph's.

CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to St. Cecilia's Church on their Golden Jubilee
 

SATURDAY EVENING PRAYER GROUP
The Prayer Group that meets on a Saturday Evening at 5pm is open to all parishioners. If you go to the vigil Mass why not come along a little earlier and join them. All are welcome.

FAIR TRADE STALL
Thank you to all who visited our Fair Trade Stall last weekend we took £500.45. The new catalogue is here and we shall be ordering some new items for our next stall 10th/11th March.

LEGION OF MARY
The Legion of Mary are struggling for members at present with some ill and others absent due to other commitments. They are appealing for new members male and female to help with the invaluable work they do in the parish visiting the sick and housebound. If you are interested why not come along to St Cuthbert's Chapel at 2pm on a Thursday afternoon, even if it's just to see what they get up to . All are welcome.

THANK YOU
To all who came to bid George a last farewell. Accept from his wife Mary and family a hug and a thank you and we have you all in our prayers.

BIBLE YOUTH GROUP
A Parish Bible Youth Group has been formed for young people from 10- 14 years. They meet every second Sunday in St Cuthbert's Chapel for all young people at 10.45am. The next meeting is on 25th February. This is an appeal for all young people between 10-14 to come along, and bring a friend if they're interested. All are welcome.

WOMEN'S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER
Women's World Day of Prayer is being celebrated here at St Joseph's on Friday 2nd March.

CHILDREN'S LITURGY
Due to Government legislation and Child Protection Policy we are required to have at least 1 adult to 10 children present during Liturgy Sessions. It would be very helpful if we could have helpers each week. The more volunteers we have the fewer times you will need to help. Last year it was every 6(7 weeks. We know many parents work weekends and don't like to volunteer in case their work is in conflict with the Liturgy Rota. Maybe 2 or 3 people could help under one name and cover each other. Dads are very welcome to help us also. Anyone willing to help will you speak to any of the Liturgy Leaders by 18th February or phone Jean Thompson (. Thank you all for your encouragement and support.

FAMILY FAST DAY

Friday 2nd March. There will be more information next Sunday.

JUSTICE & PEACE GROUP
The Justice &- Peace is organising a PASSOVER MEAL to be held on MONDAY 26th MARCH 2007 in the Parish Centre; this will consist of a PASSOVER LITURGY including a meal with wine/juice. The whole liturgy will be presided over by Mr Lawrence Levine. Tickets will be strictly limited to 60 and will be on a "first come first served" basis. This event is not considered suitable for children under 8 years of age. Tickets will be for sale in the near future-watch this space

ROTAS

Welcome Rotas are available at the back of church.



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

AGE CONCERN ADVOCACY SERVICE
This service is available if you have any problems or issues or you wished to be more involved in decisions hat effect you, or you want someone to help you make a difference in your life. You can contact the Advocacy Co-ordinator at AGE CONCERN SUNDERLAND, Bradbury Centre, Stockton Road, SR2 7AQ. (   Email: enquiries@acsunderland.org.uk  Website: www.acsunderland.org.uk

CHURCH Of THE NAZARENE
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 (.