THE CYCLE OF PRAYER-ORDINARY TIME (SUMMER)

During Ordinary Time (Summer) i.e. up to September, we are asked to pray for these intentions: A deeper understanding between Christians and Jews; Those who Suffer Persecution, Oppression and Denial of Human Rights; Europe; Human Life; Seafarers.

JOURNEY IN FAITH

Our next Journey in Faith starts on Thursday 6th September in St. Cuthbert’s Chapel.  It is intended for parents who have asked for Baptism or First Holy Communion for their children, but everyone is welcome to come along and tell us your experiences of your faith.  You can choose to come at either 9.05 am or 7.00pm.

Breaking the Word

A day of reflection for readers at Ushaw College on Saturday 8th September, 10.30am - 4.00pm.  Please see the notice at the back of church and sign up this weekend.

PROGRAMME OF EVENTS FOR PARISH CENTENARY

Fri 28th September

Concert in church with the Cobweb Orchestra and Music Makers.

Thurs 11th – 14th October

Parish Flower Festival to finish off our year long celebrations ending on Sunday 14th October at 3 pm with Centenary Mass.  Bishop Kevin will be the main celebrant.  There is no 9.30am Mass that day.

CENTENARY FLOWER FESTIVAL

People are very generous sponsoring flowers at Christmas and Easter for our remembrance book.  We are now inviting you to make donations in memory of loved ones for our Centenary remembrance book.  If you would like to remember someone place your donation in an envelope marked “Flower Festival”, write the name/names of those to be remembered clearly and place in the Offertory basket.  The closing date for donations is the end of August, any donations and names received after this date cannot be included in the book.  Thank you.

PILGRIMAGE TO POLAND

Father Peter Stott is organising a pilgrimage to various sites in Poland from 4th — 11th January 2008.  The cost is £570.  For more information see the poster at the back of church and if you are interested contact Father Peter ( or e-mail at saintjoseph@btconnect.com

THANK YOU

Anne, Helen and Sarah Carvill would like to express their gratitude to the many friends and parishioners of St. Joseph’s who prayer for Jim and visited him during his illness.  Also for the many Mass offerings ,cards and expressions of sympathy and support during this very sad time.  Holy Mass will be offered for your intentions.  God Bless you all.

CAFOD

Many thanks to all who made donations to CAFOD in memory of Jim Carvill.  The total donated was £307.70  CAFOD have also written to us in thanks for our donation of £700 for the Darfur and Chad emergency.

The fighting in Darfur has driven 2 million people from their homes and has effected 3 million in total.  Your donation is helping people like 37 year old Amina who was forced to flee her home with her four children when it was attacked by militia.  She now lives in Dereig Camp in South Darfur.

LIVESIMPLY SO OTHERS CAN SIMPLY LIVE

Q —Quaker Green Action is full of good ideas.

 R — Recycle everything you can including electrical items.

We are hosting an afternoon of reflection on the theme of Livesimply on Sunday 18th September from 2.00  —  4.00p.m.  Judith from Wigan, organiser of her school’s Justice and Peace Group says “I think we need to stop caring so much about material possessions and focus more on things that are more important like family and friends and the environment.  We should care more about them than about how many shoes we have or whether we have designer labels in our clothes”.

DIOCESAN TRAINING COURSE

Diocesan Certificate in Religious Studies

The Diocesan Education Service are offering this course for Catechists and it will enable them to gain a Diocesan award in recognition of their training.  There is an Information Evening about the course on Wednesday 12th September.  If anyone is interested in going please contact Father Gordon.

CERTIFICATE IN PASTORAL THEOLOGY

The Diocese is also offering this course starting on 29th September and involves 4 Saturdays in 2007/8.  It is aimed at all involved in parish ministry and enables participants to develop a more reflective way of working in the parish and to help make the connection between faith and parish ministry.  There are leaflets available with more information about this course.  Please see Father Gordon if you are interested.

SAVE A LIFE AND BE A BLOOD DONOR

There will be a Blood Donor Session held in St. Joseph’s Parish Centre on Wednesday 29th August from 14:15 – 19:00. If you are aged between 17 and 59 years, weigh at least 7sts 12lbs / 50kgs. and are in good health then you can be a blood donor. (Existing donors can give up to the age of 70 years).

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Today:   21st Sunday of the Year:

Friday: 7.00pm Indian Prayer Group

Saturday: 10.00am Indian Orthodox Mass

1.00pm.  El Shaddai Prayer Group

5.00pm.  Prayer Group

Sunday: 22nd Sunday of the Year

Rotas week ending 1st/2nd Sept 2007