We are asked to pray for
A Deeper Understanding between Christians and Jews; Those who suffer Persecution, Oppression and Denial of Human Rights; Europe; Human Life; Seafarers. Please pray for those we know who are unwell, as well as the many who have no one to pray for them; for those in hospital and for all undergoing treatment for serious illnesses and for all who are facing challenging situations. We pray for those who have died recently including Father Leo Pyle whose Requiem Mass will be celebrated at St Mary’s Church, Hexham at 12 noon on Wednesday 29th July; for Frances McParlin (Morpeth) whose Requiem Mass will be celebrated at St Robert of Newminster Church at 10am on Thursday 6th August; for Andrew Dane (Wheatsheaf Yard, Morpeth) who died recently and whose Funeral Service will be held at St Robert of Newminster Church on Wednesday 12th August at 12noon; and for all whose anniversaries occur at this time.
Tea and Coffee
Don’t forget that we have tea and coffee available on a Saturday evening after Mass in the Church Hall at St Bede’s and also in St Robert’s Church Hall after 9am Mass. All welcome.
CAFOD Venezuela Appeal
CAFOD recently launched its Emergency Appeal for Venezuela, following the recent earthquakes there. Please go check out their website for information on how CAFOD and its partners are helping people in Venezuela: www.cafod.org.uk
CAFOD immediately sent £100,000 to Caritas in Venezuela and CAFOD Emergency envelopes are now available at the back of Church. If you wish to use one, please take away and return to us as soon as possible so that we can forward all donations to CAFOD.
SPUC Parish Rep for St Robert’s
We now have two representatives for the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children in our Parish Communities, who will be links between SPUC and the Parish. St Bede’s Representative: Benjamin Whittaker and St Robert’s Representative: Deborah Froggatt.
Confessions
Don’t forget that we have regular Confessions, at St Robert’s Church, on a Saturday morning after Mass from 10.30am until 11am and on a Saturday evening at St Bede’s Church, from 5pm until just before Mass.
First Holy Communions 2027 Applications Online
St Robert’s First School and St Bede’s Primary School both sent out notices before the end of term about registering children for First Confession and First Holy Communion and included this link: (https://form.jotform.com/Fr_Peter/first-confession-and-holy-communion). There may be other children not in our schools who may now be at the correct age to receive these two sacraments. Please let their parents know about this link. This QR Code is also a link to the Online Registration. Open until Monday 31st August.
St Robert’s Offertory Procession
We would welcome offers of help to carry the gifts of bread and wine at our Sunday Masses. We have advertised this for several weeks and still no one, no family, has come forward yet.
Baptism Preparation
We run a regular Baptism Preparation Course and all parents seeking Baptism for their children are asked to attend this meeting. Anyone with a child to be baptised needs to speak to Deacon Stephen or Fr Peter to book onto this course as soon as possible please. There is no meeting in August. The next meeting will be Thursday 10th September at 7pm in St. Robert’s Church Hall, Morpeth. Please note that it is very unfair on our catechists when parents do not turn up for these meetings.
The Wednesday Word
The Wednesday Word: Connecting Home, School and Parish through the Word of God. The Wednesday Word is a website with reflections on the forthcoming readings for the Sunday Mass and it is available each Wednesday beforehand. https://www.wednesdayword.org/ It has three Sections—one for parents, so they can use it with children, and within their families; one section for schools; and one section for Parishes to use. It is free to use. A great resource.
Journey in Faith 2026/7
The Journey in Faith is the series of meetings through which we instruct our potential converts to Catholicism. This normally runs from the end of September through to Easter. If there is anyone considering converting their faith, or anyone you know who may be interested in this, let them know that they should contact Fr Peter to have a chat about their situation, and their story so far. Fr Peter needs to know if there’s a need; if there’s no-one, we won’t do the Journey in Faith but if there is someone, then we will meet. So please contact and speak to Fr Peter asap.
Reminder to Adult Volunteers
It is important that all Adult Volunteers remember to complete a Volunteer Registration Form before beginning any voluntary role within the parish. This is something we have been doing over the last year as recommended by the Diocesan Safeguarding Office. If unsure, please contact the Parish Office. Your voluntary role may mean that you also need to complete a DBS Application but we will advise you on this.
Foodbank Donations
Donations of non-perishable food can be left in the boxes at our Churches for the Bedlington and Wansbeck Valley Foodbanks. Please note that “out of date” food cannot be accepted.
Live Simply Bitesize
Save water and use up leftovers for other things.
Diocesan Justice and Peace Refugee Project
Thank You to everyone who continues to support with donations of food and other items for the Diocesan Justice and Peace Refugee Project. The five regular items needed most are Toilet rolls, Tinned tomatoes, Tinned fish, Individual packet of biscuits and Chickpeas. Other Standard items are Rice (standard size packet), Sugar (standard size packet), Cooking oil, spices/dried herbs, Table Salt, Sweetcorn, Flour, Corned Beef, Cooking Sauces, Condiments, Cereals, Coffee, Long-life Milk, Cordials and Juices. Hygiene and cleaning products needed include: Deodorant, Toothbrushes and toothpaste, Shampoo, Washing-up liquid / surface & toilet cleaners and Detergents.
Petitions for Our Lady of Lourdes
Elizabeth Dixon is traveling to Lourdes and if anyone would like her to take Petitions on your behalf, she would be happy to take them. She asks if she could have them by Sunday 26th July.
Pilgrimage Prayers
The Pilgrimage to Lourdes begins on Friday. Please if you can remember the Bishop and all pilgrims in your prayers, that they have a happy, holy and safe Pilgrimage, and that they will also offer a prayer or two for those staying at home.
Assisted Dying Bill
Promoters of the Assisted Suicide Bill will be working hard to promote their Bill for a vote in September. Even though the Bill was defeated earlier this year, they are presenting the same Bill, without change on September 11th. Please do all you can to oppose and encourage others to oppose this Bill. Speak about it with friends and family up and down the country. Our two local MP’s are both against it, but we still need to contact them and others to vote against it.
Morpeth Christian Aid Committee
Ian Jack, from St Robert’s Parish, is stepping down after 7 years as treasurer for Morpeth Christian Aid Committee. Thank you Ian for your work for Christian Aid over this time. The Committee need someone to replace Ian – working with representatives of the other churches in Morpeth. Is that something you could do? The committee are also looking for someone to act as ‘publicity officer’ to get the Christian Aid events featured in local publications such as Inside Morpeth. Do you have expertise / contacts to enable you to fulfill that role? If you could do either please contact Gerry Harber.
Live Simply: A Service in Thanksgiving
A short service “In Thanksgiving” for the work of the “Live Simply” project and for all the dedicated work of so many in St. Robert’s Parish will be held at 6pm on Friday 31st July in St Robert’s Church. We hope you will feel free to be able to come along and join in.
St Robert’s Sewing Bee
The Sewing Bee ladies are commencing their next recycling project in August. Please donate any unwanted denim Jeans or Jackets to be recycled and refashioned into bags, children’s toys and soft furnishings. There will be a box in the church porch or hand in to any “Sewing Bee” member.
St Bede’s Parish Anniversary Mass
Bishop Stephen will be with us on Friday 18th September at St Bede’s Church to celebrate 7pm Mass for the 150th Anniversary of the Opening of the Parish and the celebration of the First Mass in the Parish. Put the date in your diary so you can be present. If anyone would be willing to coordinate a Buffet for that evening, please contact Fr Peter.
Coffee Morning Thanks
John Kinghorn and all staff at William Purves Funeral Directors would like to thank everyone in the parish who attended their coffee morning on Thursday 23rd July in the church Hall. “It was lovely to see so many people there and we raised an amazing £343 for Parkinson’s UK. We are so grateful for all the support”.
Blessed John Ingram Walk
The annual Blessed John Ingram Walk will take place on Sunday 26th July, led by Deacon Shaun McGee, meeting at St Andrew’s Anglican Church, Newgate Street at 2:30pm before going onto St Edmund’s Chapel, High St Gateshead for an ecumenical service followed by refreshments.
Grandparents Day
The Vatican and the whole Catholic Church celebrates World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly on Sunday, July 26th under the theme “I will never forget you” (Isaiah 49:15). World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly was instituted by Pope Francis in 2021 to honor the elderly as vital members of families and the Church. It is celebrated annually on the fourth Sunday of July, near the feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus Christ. In 2026, the observance coincides with this feast on July 26th. Pope Leo XIV has chosen the theme “I will never forget you” (Is 49:15) for the sixth World Day, emphasizing that God’s love for every person never fails, even in old age or frailty. In his message, the Pope highlights the importance of recognizing the elderly as sons and daughters of God, encouraging families and communities to visit and support grandparents and elderly people, especially those who are lonely or marginalized. The day is intended to inspire comfort, hope, and inter-generational connection.
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