Christmas & Epiphany Masses in Hexham & Newcastle diocese

The programme of EF Masses in the diocese is as follows Christmas Barnard Castle, St Mary's. Christmas Day. Low Mass at 9.00am. Thornley, Sacred Heart & English Martyrs. Christmas Day. Low Mass at 9.30am. Newcastle, St Dominic's Priory. Christmas Day. Low Mass at 11.30am. Gateshead, St Joseph's. Christmas Day. Low Mass at 9.00am. Forest Hall, St Mary's. Christmas Eve. Missa Cantata at Midnight. Epiphany January 6th 2013. Barnard Castle, St Mary's. Low Mass at 9.00am. Thornley, Sacred Heart & English Martyrs. Low Mass at 9.30am. Newcastle, St Dominic's Priory. Missa Cantata at 11.30am. Gateshead, St Joseph's. Missa Cantata at 12 noon. Forest Hall, St Mary's. Low Mass at 4.00pm. Any alterations will be advised.

Confirmations in the Traditional Rite in London

Afterwards, the confirmands, their sponsors and their families went for lunch in St James's parish centre, where Bishop Hopes cut a celebratory cake. LMS general Manager, Mike Lord, said: "We were delighted with the number of candidates we received for Traditional Confirmations in London this year, particularly as there have been, for the first time, two other Traditional Confirmation ceremonies this year in Wirral and Stoke-on-Trent. We would very much like to see other Confirmations in the Traditional Form across the whole country and would urge all bishops to consider offering this Sacrament in its traditional form in their dioceses as part of their pastoral care for the faithful."

New Mass in Darlington

Great news!! With effect from 12th December 2012 Fr Paul Tully will celebrate a monthly Mass on second Wednesday of each month at St Augustine's Church, 30 Coniscliffe Road, Darlington DL3 7RG at 7.00pm The Mass is due to the efforts of Carl Watson & his wife. Carl & his 2 sons presently serve at St Mary's, Barnard Castle.

Extra monthly Mass at St Mary's, Forest Hall

With effect from the First Sunday of Advent (2nd December 2012) Fr Brown will celebrate Low Mass at St Mary's, Forest Hall at 4.00pm. This Mass will replace Benediction on the first Sunday of each month.

Proposed new Mass venue in Hexham & Newcastle

Totally due to a local LMS member we are in process of setting up a new Mass venue in the south of the diocese. Carl Watson who, together with his sons, presently attends and serves at St Mary's, Barnard Castle, approached the Parish Council of St Augustine's Church in Darlington to request an EF Mass in the parish. It was made clear to him that this could not replace a current Mass but that an additional Mass could be arranged. To test the water, a monthly Mass is proposed. The parish priest was unable to celebrate the Mass and Fr Elkin from Barnard Castle felt he had enough on his plate so the question of a priest was raised. I offered to approach Fr Paul Tully, a hospital chaplain based at Easington Lane, who taught himself to celebrate the EF and celebrates it privately. He has also supplied at one or two Sunday EF Masses. He responded very quickly and positively and so we are now in process of arranging a suitable midweek monthly Mass to begin with. Hopefully this should be up and running early in 2013. AMDG. Well done Mr & Mrs Watson for your endeavours.

Successful Solemn Requiem at St Mary's, Forest Hall for the Feast of All Souls

A most successful Solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated at St Mary's, Forest Hall on the evening of Friday 2nd November. The celebrant was Fr Michael Brown, the parish priest and Northern Chaplain of the LMS, with Fr David Phillips of Stella as deacon and Deacon Andrew Bunce as sub deacon. The Ordinary of the Mass was sung to 'Missa pro Defunctis' by Gabriel Faure by the joint choirs of Jesmond Choral Group and The Priory Singers under their Director of Music, John Scott. The Schola Sancti Baedae sang those parts of the Proper not included in the Faure. As is quite well known here in the north the sanctuary of St Mary's presents its own great difficulties since the church was 're-ordered' many years ago placing the sanctuary on one of the long walls. Clergy and servers managed very well to overcome these difficulties. Following Mass refreshments were provided in the church hall which gave the congregation and those involved in the Mass to socialise. Some 50 were estimated to be in the congregation and apologies are made in advance to the person who feels we should physically count them. EF Masses for the feast were also celebrated at St Mary's in Barnard Castle and SS Joseph, Patrick and Cuthbert in Coxhoe where Fr Shaun Swales celebrated all 3 Masses allowed to be said by priests on this feast.