St Robert of Newminster Morpeth

CLICK HERE for St Robert of Newminster Newsletter 13th May 2012

(PLEASE NOTE THAT TWO VIDEO’S BELOW MAY BEGIN TO PLAY SIMULTANEOUSLY WITHOUT ANY PROMOTING)

On March 24th, 5 pilgrims from St Robert’s took part in the Flame Youth Congress at the Wembley Arena in London. YMT (the Diocesan Youth Mission Team) had organised a charted train from the North East with 400 young people on board. At the Wembley Arena, 8,000 young people were gathered together to celebrate the Catholic Faith. “Don’t be afraid to be Catholic” was the rallying call of the day. The whole event was a follow up of the Pope visit to the United Kingdom in September 2011:

Here are a few photo’s of the event:

The theme of the event was the Olympic values of respect, friendship and excellence. Please take the time to listen to the remarkable testimonies of Stef Reid (World Long Jump Record 2010) and Debbie Flood (Champion Rower)

At the Flame Congress there was a remarkable presentation to the Young People from CAFOD:

David Wells, one of the speakers at the Congress introduces us to a “Flash Mob”:

Fr Lawrence writes: “I don’t know what ‘Glee’ is but I was amazed to see the same performance at the ‘Celebrate’ Conference during Easter week in Ilfracombe, again introduced by David Wells. Many thanks to Andrew Smith for making a comment on this website and pointing us towards this video” :

CLICK HERE for St Robert of Newminster Newsletter 6th May 2012

The Alpha Course – an opportunity to explore the meaning of life

Fr Lawrence would like to invite you to the Alpha Course, which starts on Wednesday 9^th May at 1.30pm in the presbytery (Collingwood House) on Oldgate and finishes at 3.10pm. The course will continue at the same time every Wednesday until the end of term (excluding half term holiday).  Alpha is for everyone but especially those wanting to investigate Christianity as well as for those who are already committed but want to brush up on the basics. Alpha is a non-pressurised, fun and informative course. It is a place to share your thoughts and explore the meaning of life. Alpha courses are currently being run in churches, homes, workplaces, prisons, universities and a wide variety of other locations. The course is being run around the world by all major Christian denominations. Each session begins with refreshments (tea/coffee, cakes and scones) followed by a short talk and then an opportunity to discuss what you have heard.

CLICK HERE for more information or Email Fr Lawrence at ljonesys@yahoo.co.uk or ring him at 01670 513410

The Alpha Course is not just for those who do not go to church. It is for practicing Catholics as well. We all need to get back to the basics of our faith and rediscover the fundamentals of our faith. This video illustrates that the course is thoroughly promoted by the Catholic Church.   Fr Raniero Cantalamessa, who speaks on the video, for over 25 years, has been the official preacher to the Pope.

CLICK HERE for St Robert of Newminster Newsletter 22nd April 2012

“Catholicism” the launch of the DVD series by Fr Robert Barron.

As stated in the Newsletter, parishioners are invited to attend the talk by Fr Robert Barron concerning the launch of the “Catholicism” DVD series. The “Journey in Faith” (RCIA) group are already using this resource on a Tuesday evening. Fr Lawrence would like as many parishioners as possible to attend this event because we will use this material for the whole parish in the autumn as we enter into the “Year of Faith” called for by Pope Benedict. The talk will be given at St Robert of Newminster Secondary School, Washington, Thursday 26th April from 4.00pm to 5.30pm. Fr Lawrence suggests that everyone interested should meet at the presbytery at 3.00pm and lifts can be arranged from there. So, please bring a car if you have one.

CLICK HERE for more information from the Diocesan website and then click on further relevant links. Below is a promotional video:

A Celebration of Faith

Fr Lawrence wishes to invite parishioners to attend the “Celebration of Faith” event at St Joseph’s, Gateshead, on Sunday 28th April at 400pm.

CLICK HERE for more information from the Diocesan website. Please let him know if you are going.

The Easter Season

Let’s not forget that we are in the Easter Season. We continue our celebration of the resurrection of Christ. Here are some wonderful words of  St Paul set to glorious music by Handel.

“ O death, where is thy sting? O grave where is thy victory?  The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (I Corinthians 15:54 – 57)

Lynne Dawson, soprano
Hillary Summers, alto
John Mark Ainsley, tenor
Alastair Miles, bass

The Brandemburg Consort and
The Choir of King’s College Cambridge
conducted by Stephen Cleobury

In this Easter Season my mind and heart is transported back to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem and to the very place where Jesus rose from the dead. Those of you who have accompanied me on pilgrimages to the Holy Land will remember the words of Amir, our guide “Go back home and tell everyone – the tomb is empty – Jesus is Risen!” Usually people visit tombs to reverence the remains of famous people who have died. But in Jerusalem we visit the only place where an empty tomb is venerated – because Jesus rose from the dead “in his flesh” at this very spot. The tomb is definitely empty. Jesus is Risen! I have it also from the testimony of those who met the Risen Christ after his resurrection as recorded  in the Gospels – Peter, John, Mary Magdalen, Thomas and the other Apostles who have “eaten and drank with him after His resurrection” (Acts:10:41) These people were prepared to lay down their lives for the truth of the Resurrection. Millions have died for the same truth over the centuries and many are doing the same today. In my own humble way I too can testify that Jesus is alive. I speak to him everyday and I eat his body and drink his blood everyday. How privileged we are as Catholics to be able to say like St Peter said, we have “eaten and drank with him after His resurrection” (Acts:10:41)

Here is a video from the Franciscans in the Holy Land. Again, Amir, our guide often said to us that  “this is YOUR home – we are looking after these holy places for you”. Let us not forget the beleaguered Christian community in the Holy Land at this difficult time. May all our help and prayers enable them to stay and flourish once more  in what is truly their home as well as ours.

Fr Lawrence Jones

CLICK HERE for St Robert of Newminster Newsletter 15th April 2012

(A picture of the Risen Christ painted by one of our parishioners here at St Robert’s)

FR JIM AND FR LAWRENCE WISH YOU ALL A VERY JOYFUL EASTER

Christ is Risen!

He is Risen Indeed!

Click Here for St Robert of Newminster Newsletter 8th April 2012.