Let the Church always be a place of mercy and hope, where everyone is welcomed, loved and forgiven.
~ Pope Francis
Who We Are – Our parish has a growing, talented congregation – growing in the numbers taking part in Mass (30% increase in the past three years), in the diversity of participants, including young families, students, professionals, a large volunteer base and and in the wide range of social, educational, spiritual and cultural activities. Everyone is welcome to join us.
If you are not a regular churchgoer but are searching for a spiritual home where you can find acceptance and God’s healing love, you will be especially welcome. You may be hesitant about doing this if you are visiting Holy Name for the first time or, perhaps, returning to church after an absence. If this is the case, and you so wish, our parish priest, Fr Michael Campion, would be happy to meet privately with you beforehand.
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‘Let the heavens rejoice and earth be glad;
let the sea and all within it thunder praise.
Let the land and all it bears rejoice. (Psalm 96)
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Remembrance Sunday, 8 November 2026
Holy Mass on Sunday will be celebrated for the Dead of the Two World Wars. The photograph (below) of Tyne Cot cemetery near Passchendaele, Belgium, was taken by parishioner Michael Anderson three weeks ago while on our Parish Trip to Antwerp.
On last year’s Trip to Lille, in France, we visited a war cemetery that contained the grave of Captain R P Neville MC who died on 27 October 1917 near Ypres whilst serving in the Northumberland Fusiliers. Nigel Findlay, a distant relative who with his wife, Norma, was in our party, has subsequently discovered that Captain Neville’s daughter, Gabrielle Bavidge (née Neville), was later married here at the Church of the Holy Name and their daughter Judith was confirmed here.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace.
Mass Times and Intentions 7 -15 November 2026
Saturday – Mass 4pm – Mario De Giorgi (A)
Sunday – Mass 10am – Peggy and Leo McConnell (WA)
Tuesday – Mass 10am – Michael Martin (A)
Thursday – Mass 10am – Pro Populo
Saturday – Mass 4pm – Joe Parish and Eileen Zammit-Maempel
Sunday – Mass 10am – Betty and Kevin Norman
Baptism – We welcome into the family of the Church baby Harriet Mulvaney, first child of William and Rebecca, being baptised this weekend by Deacon Jeremy.
Journey in Faith Course – An initial meeting to find out more about the course will take place in the church after Mass this Sunday and last about half an hour. The course would be of benefit to all but especially to adults who may wish to be received into the Catholic Church, Catholics wishing to know more about their faith, and non-Catholics who would like to know more but, at this stage, do not wish to become Catholic. The meetings will be mostly via Zoom on a Thursday evening. For further information or to express an interest in joining the course please contact me at jeremy.wynne@diocesehn.org.uk ~ Deacon Jeremy Wynne
The Newman Tyneside Circle invites you to hear Fr Colin Patey speak on “The Dream of Gerontius: how might Newman’s poem inform our November prayers for the Holy Souls?” in the hall on Tuesday at 7.30pm. This will be a timely reflection from Scripture and Newman’s great poem.
Father Colin Patey was ordained at Durham Cathedral and served for 20 years as an Anglican. He was ordained as a Catholic priest in 1998. He is now retired but very active as a supply priest and leading occasional retreats. As a High Church Anglican, Fr. Colin was inspired by Newman, Pusey and Keble, and as he approached the Catholic Church, Newman’s journey became an even greater inspiration for him.
Jimmy Lai, the most famous dissident and oldest of the 1,200 political prisoners in Hong Kong, will be 79 on 8 December. He will spend the day alone in Stanley Prison, on an otherwise empty floor in a cell with no natural light, where he has been held for almost all of his nearly six-year captivity. Despite being a British citizen, he is denied all consular access. His latest sentence, for collusion and sedition, delivered in February this year, is for 20 years, but that day will almost certainly not come because Mr Lai suffers from diabetes, a heart condition, high blood pressure, failing eyesight and hearing, for all of which he receives inadequate medical treatment.
A devout Catholic, he has been permitted the sacraments on only a handful of occasions. His courage is approaching the status of martyrdom. A West Country reader writes with an excellent suggestion which would show solidarity with Mr Lai without making any political statement which could provoke rage from Beijing. Send him a birthday card, he says. The instructions are precise. The address is LAI Chee-Ying [his Chinese name], Top floor, Stanley Prison, 99 Tung Tau Wan Road, Stanley, Hong Kong SAR. Prison regulations require that the sender’s address be on the card and the envelope. Only general greetings are allowed; no politics. Two first-class stamps and an Air Mail sticker will cover the cost. To allow enough time, cards should be posted before 20 November. Imagining the prisoner’s pleasure at receiving cards, the reader quotes Auden’s much-loved ‘Night Mail’: ‘And none will hear the postman’s knock,/ Without a quickening of the heart/ For who can bear to feel himself forgotten?’ Please do send. ~ Charles Moore in The Spectator, 31 October
Walking Group – Our next walk will be on Thursday 12 November at Lintzford Mill (thanks to Anil and Joanne Gholkar). If you would like to join us but have not yet registered, please contact Barbara Cooper, Parish Secretary. ~Philippa and Helen
Why Did MY Mother Go Mad? by Nicholas Farrell in The Spectator. Click on the title to read.
Holy Name Death Café – Join us on Saturday (14 November) in the Church Hall at 2pm for our second Death Café at Holy Name. What is a Death Café? They are held all over the world and all have some things in common: a gathering of people, welcomed by hosts who provide beverages and cake, with no charge to attend, and the opportunity to discuss any aspect of dying and death. Some people focus on grief and bereavement, some think about funeral arrangements, some discuss their wishes about care at the end of life. Sometimes a speaker is invited, often the topics just arise in conversation. At Holy Name’s last Death Café somebody brought their will to be witnessed, people asked questions about the process of dying, some people wanted to know more about talking to children about death, and others discussed (and hummed) their funeral hymns. We drank tea, the cake was excellent, and we sat in small groups with friends we already knew or new friends we met that day. It was an uplifting afternoon and several people asked us to do it again – so we will. We will provide the cakes and beverages, we will suggest a few topics and, like last time, the conversation will follow your lead as we get warmed up. We’ll finish just before 4pm, in time for Mass for those who would like to attend. Everyone is welcome, from age 16 to 100+.
Parish Calendar – Our 2027 calendar, featuring photographs submitted by parishioners, is on sale this weekend, price £5. As in previous years, proceeds will be donated to charity.
Tweet of the Day – Trump failed at regime change in Iran but he succeeded in Texas.
Nature Notes – As winter approaches twites move from upland landscapes like the Scottish Highlands and Islands, the Pennines and the mountains of north Wales to coastal, estuarine and saltmarsh areas, including along the east coast down as far as Kent. These small, streaky brown finches also known as “the linnet of the north” are named for their rising “twee-et” call. A year-round seed-eater, in winter they forage along the tideline for the tiny seeds of sea purslane, glasswort, sea aster and other salt-tolerant species. Wintering flocks are boosted a little by birds from the Continent, but even so, you’d be lucky to see one: numbers have declined in recent decades with one estimate putting the figure for breeding pairs in the UK at fewer than 8,000. Melissa Harrison in The Times, 3 November
Holy Name Fitness Classes – The classes began last Monday and everyone who took part enjoyed them immensely (even if challenging). We have three remaining spaces for Tai Chi, and two for PhysioFit. If you wish to join, please contact Jacqueline on 07726 118801 or by email www.longsandsrehabilitation.co.uk
Tai Chi for Health – Mondays 13.30-14.20 – Tai Chi originates from the Martial Arts in ancient China. It is a mind and body exercise that integrates movements with focussing your mind. This combination of physical and mental exercise makes Tai Chi one of the most effective exercises for health. Scientific studies have shown Tai Chi can benefit people with arthritis, diabetes, Parkinson’s, back pain, falls, and many more conditions. In our classes, you will learn Tai Chi for Health programmes to increase muscle strength and flexibility. The programmes have been developed to improve balance both mentally and physically and offer a great form of relaxation. This class is for people with or without health conditions – all ages and abilities welcome.
PhysioFit – Mondays 14.30-15.20 – PhysioFit classes are small, physiotherapy-led exercise classes designed to build your fitness, muscle strength and balance – and reduce the risk of falling. As we are a physiotherapy-led class, we can tailor your exercises to meet your individual needs and goals.
This class is perfect for people who want to keep strong and improve their balance – helping you keep active for longer.
Holy Name Book Club – The group meets next on Wednesday 2 December at 7pm in the hall to discuss ‘The One from the Other’, a 2006 mystery thriller novel by the British writer Philip Kerr. It is the fourth in his series featuring the German private detective and former policeman Bernie Gunther. It revived the character, who had originally appeared in the “Berlin Noir” trilogy from 1989 to 1991.For future Book Club reads click here.
‘Christmas Surprise‘ – Once again and during Advent, nearly-new paperbacks, wrapped in festive paper, will be available at the back of church for parishioners to select from as an extra present for friends and relatives. All proceeds go to charity. If you have any books you’d like to donate for this purpose (please, just recent paperbacks in good condition) simply leave them to at the back of church and they will be collected. Alternatively, they can be dropped off in the Hall during Sunday morning refreshments. Many thanks for your generosity in supporting this project. ~ Lynn and Kevin Dresser
In the meantime, please drop in to the hall to have a look on Sunday mornings after Mass to have a look at the books on sale in aid of charity. Many thanks to all who have donated books so far. You can leave any donation of books at the back of church after Mass on Saturday or take them round to the hall on Sunday morning. Many thanks for your generosity. ~ Lynn and Kevin Dresser
Today is the anniversary of the death of John Milton, born 1608, the English poet, pamphleteer, and historian, considered the most significant English author after William Shakespeare. Milton’s 1667 epic poem Paradise Lost features several of the most famous lines in English literature, spoken mostly by Satan. Here is Satan’s famous declaration of defiant pride after being cast out of heaven and taking up residence in Hell.
Farewell happy Fields
Where Joy for ever dwells: Hail horrours, hail
Infernal world, and thou profoundest Hell
Receive thy new Possessor: One who brings
A mind not to be chang’d by Place or Time.
The mind is its own place, and in it self
Can make a Heav’n of Hell, a Hell of Heav’n.
What matter where, if I be still the same,
And what I should be, all but less then he
Whom Thunder hath made greater? Here at least
We shall be free; th’ Almighty hath not built
Here for his envy, will not drive us hence:
Here we may reign secure, and in my choyce
To reign is worth ambition though in Hell:
Better to reign in Hell, then serve in Heav’n.
First Holy Communions – The next preparation course – involving parents doing course work with their children – will begin in January. Parents of children aged 8+ next year wishing to take part need to register now.
Youth Sunday – Sunday 22 November is Youth Sunday when we give thanks for our children and young people, and invite them to take a more prominent part in the Mass and refreshments afterwards. If your child/young person would like to take part in some way by reading a prayer or the Scripture reading, welcoming or helping with the Cake Sale and Bring and Buy Sale afterwards, please contact me on 07943 710345. Donations of cakes would be very welcome on the day, as well as raffle prizes, especially anything Fair Trade. ~ Ruth Gibson
Artificial Intelligence (AI) – Amid all the talk about the potential benefits and dangers of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Pope Leo has published his first major teaching document (an Encyclical) on this very topic. The subtitle of the Letter reads, “On safeguarding the human person in the time of AI”. Dr Sean Hall will give a talk outlining the Pope’s thoughts in the Hall on Thursday 19 November at 7pm. All are welcome and no need to book.
Holy Name Young Adult Group – Following the inaugural meeting, in which 13 young people took part, the group will meet monthly and all those within the 18 to 35 age range are warmly invited to attend for a relaxed evening of faith, food and fellowship. The next meetings are on Wednesday 25 November, when the discussion topic will be The Mass, and on Thursday 10 December for an Advent/Christmas theme including a Quiz. Meetings take place in the Church Hall between 7 and 8.30pm and you welcome to bring some food to share. Do spread the word among your friends and family members. Please email me jeremy.wynne@diocesehn.org.uk if you are attending or wish to know more. ~ Deacon Jeremy Wynne
Wednesday is the birthday of Paul Signac, born 1863, was a French painter who, with Georges Seurat, developed the technique called pointillism.
Wine Club – The tasting of wines suitable for Christmas fayre will take place on 27 November at 7pm in the hall. If you wish to reserve a ticket, please contact Barbara Cooper at welcome@holynamejesmond.co.uk Tickets cost £10, and a BACS transfer is preferred. Do not make payment until you have received confirmation of your ticket when details of how to pay will be sent to you. A raffle in aid of charity is held at all tastings.
Meanwhile, for The Best Wines to Drink with Spicy Food, go to our Wine Club page
Commas are important:
No more wine.
No, more wine.
Today is the anniversary of the death of Norman Rockwell, born 1894, an American illustrator best known for his covers for the journal The Saturday Evening Post.
Please remember the following who are ill – Susan Madrak, Sheila McCarthy, Judith Ford, Baby Sadie, Christopher Robson, Anne Laws, Tessa Stevens, Malcolm Gregor, Claire Holloway, Diana Ross Richards, Mike Hannon, Frank McCombie and the Reverends Andrew Faley, John Skivington, Ronnie Brown, Syd Riley, Seamus McGivern, Bernard Pitt and Deacon Michael Rowell. May the Lord grant them comfort, strengthen them in their weakness, take away their fear and give them his peace.
Where the Money Goes – The parish’s Financial Accounts for April 2025-March 2026 will be presented at Masses next weekend. Thank you to all who contribute so generously to Holy Name.
Good News! – The Purchase of the Rothbury Estate has been completed by the Northumberland Wildlife Trust! Thanks again to all who supported this at the recent cake and plant sale! You can read more here:https://www.nwt.org.uk/news/future-rothbury-estate-secured-nature-and-nation-wildlife-trusts-complete-largest-fundraising. ~ Ruth Gibson
Christmas Quiz – Come to our quiz night in Holy Name Church Hall on Sunday 13 December. Doors open at 6.30pm for a 7pm start. Come with a team or join up with others to form one on the night. If a team, let us know so that we can arrange seating appropriately. Tickets £10 (students £5) to include a welcome drink. All proceeds will go to Kabuyanda Health Centre in rural Uganda; a summary of progress made thanks to your support, and future plans, will be presented. The event will include a raffle and a donations bar (cash only). Tickets are available by contacting the parish office welcome@holynamejesmond.co.uk ~ Hilary Cope
Climate and Nature Crisis – Everyone is invited to attend a Coffee Morning at Minsteracres Retreat Centre, Nr Consett DH8 9RT on Saturday 28 November from 10.00am to 11.45am for a screening of the People’s Emergency Briefing on the climate and nature crisis The film is suitable for ages 16 and over and everyone is welcome. It is free although donations will be welcome on the day to help cover the cost of room hire and refreshments. Please book your place here: https://buytickets.at/minnie/2500540
Proud Catholics – Our next meeting is on 17 November at 7.30pm for a Trans Day of Remembrance Vigil at the ONE Centre, Unit 2B, Stonehills Business Park, Bill Quay, Gateshead NE10 0HW. You can get there on public transport via the Metro or a bus; both are about a five-to-ten-minute walk away. There will be a Zoom link for this meeting and social time afterwards, so please bring snacks and/or drinks to share. ~ Phoenix
Lourdes Pilgrimage – A Remembrance Mass has been organised by the Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage for Friday 20 November at 7.00pm at Our Blessed Lady Immaculate, Washington. This is open to everyone, not just those who have been to Lourdes. There are special candles that can be purchased to be burned at the Mass in memory of loved ones. These are £3 each and available by contacting the Lourdes office lourdes@diocesehn.org.uk
Tuesday is the birthday of François Couperin, born 1668, a French composer and harpsichordist, the most renowned of the Couperin dynasty of 17th- and 18th-century musicians.
Jesmond Library – On Thursday at 6pm local writer Noel Hodgson brings to life some lesser-known aspects of Northumberland history, including the Kettley Stone, Duddo Stones, the PoW camp at Wooler, the career of Josephine Butler and the battles of Homildon Hill and Hedgeley Moor. Admission £3 at the door. On Thursday 19 November at 6pm, Molly Wyatt in ‘Discover Jesmond 1888’ celebrates local history and culture through an immersive heritage trail and event programme. This talk introduces a story far richer than you might expect! Admission £3 at the door.
Personal Prayer – Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer (from the Liturgy of the Hours) and the Scripture Readings for daily Mass can be found for free on the Universalis website. Also highly recommended is the Jesuit Ignatian Spirituality website at Pray As You Go
Refugee Project Collection – The next collection will be on Saturday 7 November from 9 to 10am in the Hall. If you can, please donate any of the following: cooking oil, sugar, long life milk, evaporated milk, white rice, (not microwaveable), tinned mushrooms, instant coffee in 100gram jars, washing up liquid, unopened toiletries and nappies size 5&6. Any spare plastic bags are always welcome.
Philip Platt RIP – Following a private cremation, in accordance with Dad’s wishes, we warmly invite family, friends and all who knew him to join us for a memorial to remember him and celebrate his life. On Tuesday (10 November) at 1pm in The Garden Room at The Biscuit Factory, Stoddart Street, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 1AN, there will be a short memorial service, followed by food and refreshments. We very much hope you will stay with us afterwards to share stories, memories and laughter, and celebrate a life well lived. Dress: Please wear whatever you feel comfortable in, there is no requirement to wear black unless you wish to. We hope you can join us. It would mean a great deal to bring together the many people who were part of Dad’s life to remember him with love and affection. Many thanks, Ruth, Eleanor and Chris
Cantique de Jean Racine by Gabriel Fauré
Word of the Highest, our only hope,
Eternal day of earth and the heavens,
We break the silence of the peaceful night;
Saviour Divine, cast your eyes upon us!
Pour on us the fire of your powerful grace,
That all hell may flee at the sound of your voice;
Banish the slumber of a weary soul,
That brings forgetfulness of your laws!
O Christ, look with favour upon your faithful people
Now gathered here to praise you;
Receive their hymns offered to your immortal glory;
May they go forth filled with your gifts.
Charity Management – The Parish of the Holy Name is part of the Hexham and Newcastle Diocese, a registered charity. As such, it is good governance that all charitable activities under the auspices of the Holy Name should be reported to and noted by the parish’s Charity Committee. Resulting donations managed by the Holy Name parish must be processed and recorded in the parish accounts before dispersal. We have a very generous community and many of us organise and manage charitable activities. The Charity Committee must be informed of intentions by members of the parish to promote any charity or to organise charitable events within the church or hall before any arrangements are made. All such charities must be in keeping with the ethos of the Church. The Charity Committee members are: John Waddell, Deacon Jeremy Wynne, John Gilroy, Clare Robson and Fr Michael Campion.
People’s Kitchen – In addition to blankets and sleeping bags for men and women, the Clothes Team would welcome donations of the following items: Men’s Jogging Bottoms, Jeans, Coats, Beanie Hats, Gloves (not mittens); and for women Jogging Bottoms, Leggings, and Coats sizes 10 & 12. Please take them to church or to the hall before Monday and one of our volunteer parishioners will collect and deliver them.
Parish Visiting Service – We have a friendly visiting service for supporting parishioners who are no longer able to attend church regularly but wish to remain part of parish life. It provides a social, cultural and spiritual link with the parish through regular home visits. These visits:
~ Help parishioners stay connected with one another
~ Share news and updates about parish life
~ Offer friendship and the opportunity to get to know fellow parishioners
~ Enable the parish to care for all its members, regardless of their circumstances
~ Offer Holy Communion to be received at home if requested
If you wish to find out more or arrange a visit, please contact the Parish Office in the first instance or complete and return the tear off portion of the leaflet at the back of church.
Friday is the birthday of St. Augustine, born 354, the bishop of Hippo from 396 to 430, one of the Latin Fathers of the Christian church, and perhaps the most significant Christian thinker after St. Paul.
Holy Name Choir
Perhaps, at some time, somewhere at the back of your mind, you’ve thought you might enjoy singing in the choir, but then thought, “Oh, no, I’m not good enough”, that you lack some sort of ‘special ability’ that’s needed to do it. But, you know, it’s really not like that: singing is a natural thing, and the people who sing in the choir are not highly trained professional singers and musicians – we’re just ordinary folk, all very different, but just like any other member of the congregation. Just like you, in fact.
So – I want to suggest to you: why not do something new and exciting and give it a go? All you need to sing in the choir is to enjoy singing – it doesn’t matter if you’ve never sung in a choir before, you can’t read music or you’re a slow learner. Every time we have a new piece to learn, one of our members, Ian, puts together easy learning tracks for each part and posts them on You Tube – this means that everyone can sit at home and learn their part in their own time and at their own pace. We sing some wonderful music, and I’m sure you’d agree with me that the choir does such a fantastic job, they make such a great sound. But we’re all just amateurs giving it our best shot, and we take all the time we need learning and practicing the music we do. And, you know, we have great fun along the way doing it.
We rehearse fortnightly on a Saturday from 5pm to 6.15pm, which means it wouldn’t encroach on your Saturday evenings – and we have a quick warm up on Sunday morning at 9:30am; and we tend to have a few extra rehearsals in the run up to Christmas and Easter. So: whatever your age, whatever sort of voice you have, if you enjoy having a sing, can basically hold a tune and think you’d like to give it a try, just speak to me or any member of the choir. It’s a very special thing to be able to make such a contribution to the life and worship of Holy Name. And we’d love it if you could join us. ~ Martin Wheeler, Choir Director
Nobel Prize – The Canadian poet and essayist Anne Carson (age 76) was announced recently as the winner of the 2026 Nobel Prize in Literature “for her bold and inventive oeuvre that, in playful dialogue with the classical tradition, has created new forms for contemporary literature.” Her famous short poem “9 October” (“Yesterday I won the Nobel Prize. Odd day.“) humorously lines up with that real-life milestone.
Sacrament of Penance (Confession) – Saturdays 3.30 – 3.50pm and after every weekday Mass.
St George’s CE Fundraising News – The recent Angel’s Way Sponsored Challenge raised £12,225, 122% of the £10,000 target. Our local MP, Catherine McKinnell, was one of the walkers who covered the entire 50km pilgrimage route. Since 2023, when the charity’s fundraising campaign for the Hub was launched, we have raised almost £498,000. We have our fingers crossed that the recently submitted Heritage Lottery bid will be successful and enable construction to start on the church extension in 2027. This would be Phase 1 of the work – we plan to start an extensive renovation of the Church Hall after completion of the church extension. We also have upcoming fundraising events, the next of which is on Friday 13 November for a Ceilidh; Saturday 28 November will have a Christmas Market; and on Friday, 15 January in the church there will be a Simply ABBA tribute band. For further details go to https://www.stgeorgesjesmond.org.uk/ ~ Kay Plumley Community Hub Team
Holy Name Bridge Club – We meet each Wednesday in the Holy Name Hall on Towers Avenue from 1pm to 3.30 pm. We are a friendly group who welcome all, whether beginner or experienced and all the stages in between. Play is non-competitive but social. You don’t need a partner as we play with a different one each week and experienced players are quite happy to play with a beginner. At present we have four male members and would welcome more men to join. We take a drink and pause halfway through for a chat. If this sounds appealing, please come and join us. Just turn up! ~ Christina Cook
Film Club – On Friday (6 November) at 7pm Film Club will be showing the award-winning 2007 crime thriller Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead, directed by Sidney Lumet and starring Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ethan Hawke, Albert Finney and Rosemary Harris. The title comes from the Irish saying, ‘May you be in heaven half an hour before the Devil knows you’re dead’. Andy Hanson (Hoffman), in danger of the imminent discovery that he’s been embezzling company funds, bullies his younger brother Hank (Hawke) into the ‘victimless crime’ of robbing their parents’ jewellery store – but when the robbery goes tragically wrong their lives rapidly and ineluctably unravel to a terrible climax. An engrossing study in character and insidious evil, with a gripping sense of dread and escalating tragedy, it was the final film of Sidney Lumet before his death in 2011, and, Time magazine named it as one of the top ten of the year, describing it as “a hypnotizing film from one of our great masters”. ~ Martin Wheeler
Gift Aid – If you pay tax and make donations to our parish, we can claim back from HM Revenue & Customs – and at no extra cost to you – 25p for every £1 you donate. This is a valuable source of income for the parish – it supports the work of our parish as well as helps to pay for the maintenance of our near 100 year old church. I am most grateful to everyone who supports Holy Name in this way. If you have not done so already, and you pay tax, please sign up for our Gift Aid scheme by completing this Gift Aid Declaration 2026 and returning it to the parish office.
Parish Registration – If you’ve never completed one before, or if you did but changed address or contact details in recent years, please complete and return a Registration Form that’s available at the back of church. Alternatively, you can download and print and return it to the parish, or complete the form online.
In addition to your name and contact details, we ask you to provide the name of a next of kin that we – God forbid – can contact in the event of an emergency. The form also allows you to indicate if you wish to join any of the liturgical ministries and spiritual, educational, social and cultural activities in our thriving community.
A Stay in Hospital – If you or any members of your family are going into hospital and wished to meet the Catholic Chaplain, please ask a member of the ward staff to contact the Catholic Chaplain. Alternatively, you can contact the Chaplaincy Department Office directly. For the RVI and Freeman Hospitals here in Newcastle, telephone 0191 233 6161 (Catholic Chaplain: Fr Mariadass). In an emergency, please ask the Ward Sister to contact the on-call Catholic chaplain. Please do not contact your own parish priest who will be unable to respond due to hospital protocols.
Prayer for People Critically Ill or Facing Great Uncertainty
God of the present moment,
God who in Jesus stills the storm and soothes the frantic heart,
bring hope and courage to all who wait or work in uncertainty.
Bring them hope that you will make them the equal of whatever lies ahead.
Bring them courage to endure what cannot be avoided,
for your will is health and wholeness;
you are God, and we need you.
—Adapted from New Zealand Prayer Book, p. 765
Used Stamps, Medals and Jewellery – Thank you to everyone who donated items for the Little Sisters of the Poor. The recent collections have raised £250, taking the full amount raised to £29,628. Items – used postage stamps (any country or period), foreign currency (notes and coins from any country), broken or unwanted pieces of gold/silver jewellery, military medals from any conflict and any old stamp albums – may be left at the back of church in a marked envelope or dropped off at the presbytery for Barbara, our parish secretary, to deliver them to David and Theresa O’Neill. David can be contacted on telephone 0191 264 5771 or email david-oneill3@sky.com
Mary’s Place Homeless Café – Located at St Mary’s Cathedral (opposite Central Station) the Centre always needs sleeping bags, socks, men’s and women’s underwear (new) and deodorants. Contact Ged Downey on 07740 336 459 if you can help. If you’d be willing to be a volunteer, email marys.place@outlook.com
Follow Holy Name on Social Media – Holy Name is now on Facebook and Instagram. Please follow our pages to keep up to date with parish news, Mass times, events, groups and community updates. You can also help us by liking, sharing and commenting on posts so that more people in our parish and local community can see what is happening at Holy Name.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HolyNameJesmond
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holynamejesmond
Office Hours – Excluding Bank Holidays, the normal parish office hours are Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm. Emails received outside these times will be answered on the next working day.
Dissatisfied? Taking part in Mass at Holy Name should be a prayerful and uplifting experience. If you are dissatisfied with the service you receive or with any aspect of parish life, including its management, please let Fr Campion know. Our members’ satisfaction is paramount. ‘The Christian faithful have the right and even at times, the duty to manifest to the sacred pastors their opinion on matters that obtain to the good of the Church and to make their opinion known’. (Code of Canon Law 212.3)