HAPPY RETIREMENT

We wish Mrs Allison a very happy retirement and thank her for 19 years of teaching service in St. Joseph's Primary School

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.

LIVESIMPLY SO OTHERS CAN SIMPLY LIVE

M — Make do and mend rather than throw away

N — Natural foods and fabrics  Nappies—why not washable?

MASS OFFERINGS

We have now caught up with the back log of Mass intentions.  Many thanks for being so understanding about when Masses were celebrated.

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.

Hospital Chaplaincy

If you are in hospital and require a visit from the chaplain you must make this known to the ward staff.  The hospital does not give the names to the chaplaincy  any more.

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.

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 on ( or e-mail at saintjoseph@btinternet.com

Children's liturgy and coffee morning

There will be no Children's Liturgy or Coffee Morning during August.

FATHER DALEY’S THANKS

Thank you all ever so much for making my Jubilee such a happy event.  There must have been much unseen work in church and in the hall.  I have been completely overwhelmed with cards and presents and would find it impossible to reply to every individual.  Will you please accept this big  THANK YOU as including you all.  Sincerest thanks.

CONGRATULATIONS & BEST WISHES

Congratulations and best wishes to Rebecca Haldane and Steven Pike who were married here in St. Joseph’s on Friday.

WRVS VOLUNTEERS

For many, hospitals can be  daunting places, however, friendly and caring WRVS volunteers can make a stay or visit a more pleasant experience.  The WRVS tea bar at Sunderland Eye Infirmary has recently been refurbished with extended opening hours.  More volunteers, men and women, are needed now to help continue the valuable service to the local community.  If you can spare up to three hours once a week, we would love you to come and join our team of dedicated volunteers.  For more information, please contact, (or log on to www.wrvs.org.uk (calls are charged at local rate).  All expenses are paid and there is full training.

USED STAMPS

Please remember to save your stamps from any correspondence that you receive.  So much of our mail is franked now, it is becoming more difficult to collect stamps.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Today:   17th Sunday of the Year:

Friday:

7pm Indian Prayer Group

Saturday:

1.00pm.  El Shaddai Prayer Group

   5.00pm.  Prayer Group

Sunday: 18th Sunday of the Year

Rotas week ending 4th/5th Aug 2007