WELCOME
This website is currently developing as our four parishes develop their new relationship and partnership.
Our four parishes strive to serve God and his people in the Tyne and Derwent Valleys. We believe that our faith can help to make us better people, caring for others while on our journey to our heavenly home. We respect and keep safe all who come to join us, what ever their circumstances. As the Catholic Church, we welcome everyone, inspired by the words of Pope Francis in his encyclical Fratelli Tutti:
Of the counsels (St) Francis offered, I would like to select the one in which he calls for a love that transcends the barriers of geography and distance, and declares blessed all those who love their brother “as much when he is far away from him as when he is with him”. In his simple and direct way, Saint Francis expressed the essence of a fraternal openness that allows us to acknowledge, appreciate and love each person, regardless of physical proximity, regardless of where he or she was born or lives.”
Visit the Advent reflections section of our diocesan website for daily reflections for the season.
Come, thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee.
Israel's strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.
Upcoming events
- Christmas Coffee Fayre 7th December – St. Joseph’s Hall, Blaydon after 11am Mass
- Christmas Cake and Carols 30th December – St Joseph’s, Blaydon 2pm – 4pm
Christmas Mass Times
Christmas Eve
- 5:00pm Mass at St Anne's, Winlaton preceded by carols at 4:30pm
- 7:00pm Mass at St Barnabas' Church, Rowlands Gill
Christmas Day
- 9:30am Mass at St Joseph's, Blaydon
- 10:45am Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes, Chopwell
Please remember in prayer at this time...
...all those in our parishes who are unwell/housebound, including:
- John Malloy, Edward O’Halloran, Craig Sutton, Simon Burns, Chloe Cant, Tommy Carr, Valeria Coleman, Eleanor Dobson, Stephen Duffy, Jack & Ellen Goodfellow, Michael Hogan, Michelle Horrocks, Sienna Jane McNestry, Fr Alan Macknight, Annette Pinota, Frances Renwick, Norah Rogers, Barbara Wray, Kathleen Diamond, Melania, Joan
Hambrook, Marcey Carter, Ann Smith, Owen McNestry and Maureen Thew.
...and all those who have died recently, including:
- John Hanson who died on Wednesday 3rd December. May his soul rest in peace.
Please contact the parish office requesting the name of the person to be included in the published list for people who are sick/housebound. Only the named person, or their next of kin/close relative, is permitted to give permission for their name to be included in the published list in the newsletter. Please inform us if someone’s name can be removed from the list.
Cycle of Prayer
During the Advent and Christmas seasons, we pray especially for:
- Openness to the Word of God, especially on Bible Sunday (2nd Sunday of Advent)
- Migrants and Refugees, especially on Migrant's Day (3 December)
- Expectant Mothers, especially on 4th Sunday of Advent
Stay connected
Join our community Facebook page for news and frequent livestreams of Mass in our parishes.
For details of this week's services and Masses, please see this week's newsletter.
Follow all of the news from Pope Leo and the Vatican.
Safeguarding in our parishes
We do all we can to ensure our parishes are welcoming and safe places for everyone. Our parish clergy and Parish Safeguarding Reps are here to ensure that we not only follow the policies of the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle and the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) but also truly care for everyone. They are always happy to be contacted for any support or questions you may have.
Links to the Diocesan policies can be found here - Safeguarding - Diocese of Hexham & Newcastle and CSSA here - catholicsafeguarding.org.uk
This link will take you to more information on this website - With One Voice: Pilgrims of Hope - Safeguarding
Our churches display notices with some information regarding who to contact, some independent organisations who can help and a paper copy of the Safeguarding Policy.
In our Diocese, we’ll be reflecting on our initial Diocesan Vision during the Jubilee Year. There will be lots of resources for parishes, clergy, religious, laypeople, educators and more, both on the Jubilee Year and on our Diocesan Vision. It’s a vital year in the Church’s life.
There’s more information about the Jubilee Year on the Diocesan website HERE.
