Missa Cantata Laetare Sunday

You are asked to note that the monthly Missa Cantata celebrated at St Joseph's, Gateshead on the 3rd Sunday of the month will, for March only, be celebrated on 2nd Sunday (10th March 2013) to coincide with the 4th Sunday of Lent - Laetare Sunday.

Thank you Holy Father

Within the diocese of Hexham & Newcastle there is great love & thankfulness for the pontificate of Pope Benedict XVI. His 'Summorum Pontificum' freed our priests to celebrate the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite without let or hindrance from diocesan bishops. Our own bishop, let me add, has never placed any difficulties in the way of our diocesan clergy & all of our Sunday Masses are celebrated by the relevant parish priests. Deo Gratias. In many other ways His Holiness has confirmed the legitimacy of the EF by his pronouncements &, given a longer reign, would probably have removed many of the bad practices introduced. We looked for a way to express our thanks to Pope Benedict &, it was suggested that, we looked for a way to email him with those expressions. However, a solution was suggested which would ensure that he was aware of our thanks in a tangible way. Emails can be deleted so it was suggested that we, individually, arrange Masses for his future health & wellbeing & send Mass cards to him with suitable messages of support & thanks. Such an action could result in an avalanche of mail descending on him to overwhelm him with our gratitude. Please send you cards to: His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI Pontificalis Domus Vatican City

Onward & Upward

The recent introduction of the EF Mass in Darlington is showing great promise with a wish now to mount an exhibition in the local boys' secondary school over 2 days. It is hoped that this will engender enthusiasm among the young men to come forward to learn how to serve the EF Mass &, we must never forget, hopefully to develop the beginnings of a vocation to the priesthood. Such an exhibition will of course be aimed at parents & female siblings who will also realise the beauty in the liturgy which is, largely, absent from the OF Masses. The dates are not set in stone but we are looking at dates probably in November. If anyone has items which we might consider for exhibition which they are willing to lend please contact us on david-oneill3@sky.com or by telephone at 0191 264 5771.