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 for Jacob Cole (East Hartford) whose Requiem Mass will be celebrated at St Bede’s Church on Wednesday 19th August at 11am; 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 Emergency appeal Venezuela and Colombia
An Earthquake this week hit Colombia; several earth quakes were felt in Venezuela several weeks ago. Please go check out the CAFOD website for information on how they and their partners are helping people in Venezuela and Colombia. www.cafod.org.uk 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.
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 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.
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.
Wedding
Please pray for Thomas Boulby and Elizabeth Agnew who will be married at St Robert’s Church on Saturday 22nd August at 12noon.
Journey in Faith 2026/7
The Journey in Faith is the series of meetings through which we instruct new members to the Catholic Church or for those who are already Catholic but who seek to be Confirmed as an adult, having missed it when younger! We currently have six people who have expressed an interest in this course, which is terrific and we look forward to guiding them through this introduction to the catholic church and faith! If there is anyone else considering this, or anyone you know who may be interested, let them know that they should contact Fr Peter to have a discussion about their own situation. This course will begin on Thursday 24th September at 7pm and then meet every Thursday evening.
Safeguarding Changes
From 1st September 2026, the law about regulated activity with children is changing. The Disclosure and Barring Service is making changes to the DBS requirements for people undertaking regulated activity with children, which will become effective from the 1st September 2026. Currently, anyone carrying out regulated activity with children can be supervised by a DBS holder when carrying out their role. This element of supervision is now being removed and all persons carrying out regulated activity with children will require an enhanced DBS check with child barred list information from the 1st September 2026. If a person teaches, trains, instructs, cares for, or supervises children often enough (3 times in 30 days), they will be in regulated activity with children even if someone else supervises them. This will also apply to any young helpers over the age of 16, e.g. Altar Servers, who will also need a DBS check from the 1st September, if they are assisting with activities involving young people. Please speak to Flora Webley or Mary Beaton at St Robert’s, Mary Underwood at St Bede’s or Fr Peter, if you are unsure. All Altar Servers aged 16 and above will now need to have a DBS check in place from the 1st September.
Live Simply Bitesize
Allocate time for silent reflection before Mass.
Children’s Liturgy Groups
Our Children’s Liturgy Groups will resume on Saturday 29th August at St Bede’s Church and Sunday 30th August at 9am Mass at St Robert’s Church. In light of the Safeguarding information above, any adults in Children’s Liturgy MUST have a DBS Certificate in place before doing any work or helping in any way.
St Bede’s Children’s Liturgy Adults Leaders and Companions
Friday 21st August from 7.30pm—9.30pm, “Georgie sings the Oldies”, Tickets cost £5 each.
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.
Season of Creation
Morpeth Town Service: Sunday 6th September, 6pm in Carlisle Park. If raining, in St Robert’s Church.
Season of Creation Organ Recital
One of our organists, Jen Swales, is doing an organ recital on Sunday 4th October in St Robert’s Church, as a finale for the Season of Creation celebrations. She is hoping to include a couple of choral pieces and so needs a few willing singers to boost the usual choir. No auditions, just enthusiasm required – the emphasis is on enjoyment over perfection. If you enjoy singing and are willing to offer your time and talent please come along to choir practice on Wednesday evenings at 7.15pm. If that time doesn’t suit and you would like to sing at this event please let Jen or any of the choir members know or Father Peter, so he can pass on your details and we can arrange some alternative / extra practice dates.
Christian Aid Street Collection
The Christian Aid Street Collection will be held on Saturday 5th September from 9am till 2pm. Five volunteers are needed to represent St Robert’s Church, collecting for 1 hour each. If you are able to do this please put your name and phone number on the list at the back of church, or ring Gerry Harber. Thank you.
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi
Places are still available for those who would like to travel on the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi in October 2027. More information on the Diocesan website: diocesehn.org.uk
Pilgrimage to Lourdes
Petitions, Mass Offerings and Candles were lit for you in the Grotto at Lourdes. Both parishes were prayed for in Lourdes. Fr Purdy, Pilgrimage Director also writes to thank those who supported the fundraising Afternoon Tea at St Robert’s which raised £350 for the Lourdes Pilgrimage, helping in many ways to assist the smooth running of the pilgrimage.
Bedlington and Morpeth 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.
Diocesan Justice and Peace Refugee Project
Thank You to those who support the Diocesan Justice and Peace Refugee Project 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.
Read or download the full Newsletter below: