What is Christmas without Christ?

Today is the 1st Sunday of Advent and at this time of year people obviously turn their thoughts towards Christmas and everyone knows how crazy it can get with the amount of Christmas Shopping people do during this month. The thing so many people can be guilty of, however, is how Christ can often be left out of Christmas in the madness of it all. Is he not the reason we celebrate Christmas in the first place? The day of the birth of our Saviour?

Take a look at this video made by Advent Conspiracy, a group whose mission is that we should worship fully, spend less, give more and love all. Think about what you're doing this Christmas time, look at the real reason we are celebrating this wonderful season.

First Sunday of Advent

Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’

Mark 13:33-37

How can we prepare for Jesus coming into the world?

Are we ready to welcome Jesus into our lives this Christmas?

Let's be excited, let us feel the anticipation of what is to come!

Youth Sunday 2011 - Gladiators

The theme for Youth Sunday 2011 is "Go with joy in your heart and make disciples of the whole world" and I think it's safe to say that the young people of Hartlepool definitely have joy in their heart after todays Gladiators Contest.

St Patricks Church was the host for our youth Sunday celebrations this year and a day of friendly competition between the different parishes across town was in order. Slow Coach, Welly Skiing, Gladiator Splat, Tug of War and Sumo Wrestling formed the main entertainment of the day before the final inflatable obstacle course.

Those involved in the event then took part in the vigil mass at St Patricks, leading the singing throughout before sharing pizza and chips together afterwards to finish off the day nicely. The results of the competition were as follows:

1. St Cuthberts
2. St Patricks and St Teresas
3. Northern Parishes (St Cuthberts, St John Vianney, St Marys)
4. St Josephs

For more pictures from the event just visit our Facebook Page and don't forget to like our page while you're there!

Lest We Forget

They shall not grow old, as we are that left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

We will remember them.

Youth Sunday 2011

Stand and fasten the belt of truth around your waist and put on the breastplate of righteousness. Take the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit... Are you ready for Gladiators?

Celebrating Youth Sunday at St. Patrick's Church Saturday 19th November, 1.00 p.m. till 8.30 p.m. Mass at 6 p.m. Giant inflatable games, food, music and face-painting for all the family and best of all there is no charge for entry, everyone is welcome!

To be part of your parish Gladiators team (age 7+), please see your parish reps:

• St. Mary's: Bernadette Malcolmson
• St. John Vianney: Donna Travers
• St. Thomas More: Karen Grimwood and Pat Shore
• St. Joseph: Anne Carney, Kath Green, Andrea Illingworth, Neil Ongsuco and Carol Wigham
• St. Cuthbert: Carol Guthrie, Sheila Turner, Colin McDonald
• St. Patrick and St. Teresa: Catherine Detain, Jane Jennings