Carols at Christmas

Tonight saw a Christmas Carol Service (yes, actually in the Christmas season!) take place at St Teresa's Church. The service was beautiful and along with the carols that were sung by all attending we also prayed for people in many countries around the world by offering hearts in front of the crib, listened to a short scripted drama about the Nativity by some of our young people and even a poet of the parish reciting one of her own poems for us all to enjoy.

Once this was done there was of course plenty of fun (and food!) to be had in the St Teresa's parish centre and it was so nice to celebrate this beautiful season in such a wonderful way.

Christ is Born

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Luke 2:1-14

The preparations are over...

The time to wait has ended...

Let us enjoy the birth of our Saviour

The Light of Christ

A light shall shine upon us this day: for the Lord is born to us:

and He shall be called Wonderful, God, the Prince of Peace, the

Father of the world to come: of whose reign there shall be no end.

St Cuthbert's Youth Group Advent Service

Last night the St. Cuthbert's Youth Group held their Advent Service, following weeks of dedicated rehearsal. They invited the congregation to come together and weave a crib for Jesus as a way of symbolically welcoming him into our lives at Christmas. Another highlight was the dramatisation of the Annunciation which will stay in the memory for quite a while. Afterwards everyone went for a sing song and Christmas quiz in the parish centre next door with, of course, mince pies and mulled wine. All in all a great way to prepare for Christmas.

Putting the Hart into Hartlepool for Christmas

No, it's not Rudolph but the latest addition to the St. Cuthbert's Living Water Garden!

Made by famous sculptor Steve Blaylock, the hart joins the pelican, dove and tree that are already in the garden to help people pray and reflect on God's creation.

Everyone who's seen him loves him, with or without a shiny red nose!

Decorating St Marys Church

Tonight a few of our young people decorated St Marys Church on the Headland in preparation for the Mass and Carol Service on Christmas eve. It's such an old and atmospheric church but we're happy to report that the great big Christmas tree and fairy lights at the back most definitely did NOT look out of place at all! Thanks to everyone who helped to organise the decorating!

St Cuthbert's Crib

Last Saturday, some children gathered in St. Cuthbert's Church to reflect on the meaning of the crib and build one for the parish! Well done everyone for all your efforts. It looks brilliant!

Friday Night Fun Christmas Party

Friday night was a busy night. On the other side of town, Friday Night Fun, the junior youth group for the children of St. Teresa's and St. Patrick's parishes, were throwing a Christmas party. The children were clearly having a great time, especially enjoying the magician and balloon modeller and polishing off a table overloaded with party food. The evening was finished with a prayer led by Fr. Adrian, reminding us of the real reason for our celebration and asking for God's blessing during our holidays. Yet another great night with a youth club that keeps growing in popularity. Well done to everyone!

Building Bethlehem

Meanwhile, at the other end of the parish centre, some younger children had set about building Bethlehem to create an Italian-style crib for the church. Amazing angels, superb stars and pretty palm trees were made to recreate the scene of Jesus' birth and help us all reflect on what is central to our celebration of Christmas. The final product looked amazing and the children were rightly proud of their gift to their parish for Christmas. Many thanks to Maria, Brenda and Jim and everybody else involved for supporting our children in their efforts.

Decorating St Josephs

For a few years now, the young people of St. Joseph's Parish have helped decorate the church for Christmas. This year was noteworthy for 2 reasons; first of all the appalling weather during our normal raid for greenery on Ward Jackson park and secondly for the superb quality of the final product.

Thanks to everyone for sharing your talents with us and especially to Andrea for organising it all.

Year 11 Christmas Service

On Thursday 15th Dec, Year 11 made their annual 'pilgrimage' to St Hilda's church for a special Christmas assembly. We heard stories from Mrs Phillips about her son Joseph and from Mr Lee about the birth of his son, Joseph, born on Christmas day.

We had carols and readings fitting in with the season and the Year 11 choir sang beautifully for us. It was the perfect setting for the start of the holidays. It was a very beautiful occasion - summed up by Year 11 soloist Jess Ward who played and sang for us a fabulous Phil Whickham song, "You're Beautiful!"

Fourth Sunday of Advent

In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.” “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

Luke 1:26-38

Can you think how much courage Mary had to say yes?

Could you put your trust in God so deeply?

We are all servants of the Lord and await his coming.

Christingle at St Begas

Last night around 80 people gathered at St. Bega's School to celebrate the annual Christingle Service, organised by the children and young people of the 3 northern parishes. As we sat listening to scripture and praying by candlelight, we found a bit of stillness in the middle of what is a very busy time for many of us and heard Jesus speaking to us...

'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will
have the light of life and will never walk in darkness.'

Christmas Carols & Party

The young people of the town will be hosting a Christmas Carol Service actually during the Christmas season! So ditch the TV and turkey sandwiches and come and join in on Wednesday 28th December in St. Teresa’s Church from 6.30 p.m.

Afterwards there will be a party aimed at anyone who is or feels aged between 11 and 18 but everyone will be made to feel welcome as long as you’re up for Karaoke, silly games and pizza. Do come and join us for something that should be just a little bit different. Happy Christmas!

Joy to the World!

A quick message from Terry Curren, our Christmas correspondent in the USA!

He has just been to the First Baptist Church of Orlando to see the Singing Christmas Trees, complete with a 40 piece orchestra, massive choir hiding in two huge Christmas trees with only their heads poking out like beautiful Christmas baubles and an audience of 5000, yes 5000! That is apparently the normal size of congregation on Sundays!

Staff Carols in the Chapel

Tonight saw the annual Staff Carol service take place in the Chapel.  This is an occasion that many staff look forward to at this time of year and once again the Chapel was packed as members of staff gathered around the Advent wreath.

Although the carols are aimed mainly at staff it's the contribution of the young people which make the service so very special. This year, Jack Hanlon played the music for each of the Carols with Georgia Corbett reading and singing a wonderful descant to 'O Come All Ye Faithful'. Thank you to all!

Advent Labyrinth

Once again during Advent this year Anne-Marie has led groups of Year 7 students through the Advent Labyrinth in the School Chapel. Students were guided around each of the stations and contributed in the various activities at each stop.

"Once, when Zechariah was serving as priest before God and his section was on duty, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. Now at the time of the incense offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense."

(Luke 1:8-11)

The students lit incense as a symbol of entering a holy place. This helped to raise their awareness of entering into a holy place.

But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son, and you will name him John.” The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus.”

(Luke 1:13,30-31)

At this station students wrote their names and thought about what their names mean to them or the reasons they were given the names that they were.

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy."

(Luke 1:41-44)

Students picked cards from a range that were given to them, deciding on which most represented Christ to them.

On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

(Matthew 2:11)

Gift tags were used at this station where the students wrote down what gifts they have that they can give to God. These were then carried to the crib and placed amongst the hay as a symbol of presenting them to Jesus.

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see - I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people”.

(Luke 2:10)

Students spent some time writing a letter to themselves with their own hopes and dreams for Christmas.

When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time he had learned from the wise men.

(Matthew 2:16)

At this station students sat for a while remembering all of those who have given their lives in God's service and for those who they miss such as loved ones who have died in their families.

While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
(Luke 2:6-7)

The students took a card which had a quote from the bible on it at this station and read it thinking about how the coming of Jesus could make a difference in their lives.

Third Sunday of Advent

There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.” They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’” Now the Pharisees who had been sent questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” “I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.” This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

John 1:6-8, 19:28

John is inviting us to be patient as we await Jesus' birth.

Today, Gaudete Sunday, we should feel joy in our hearts.

"Rejoice in the Lord Always; again I say, rejoice"

Disco for St Nicholas!

Last night, St. Joseph's Church celebrated the Feast of St. Nicholas in style with a disco for the children of the parish, including a very special guest. As Fr. Michael said, 'It's not often you celebrate a Saints Day with the man himself in the building!' Congratulations to Anthea, Wendy, Brenda, Sr. Jo and all the other organisers for putting on such a brilliant event.’

Crafts After Mass

To encourage families to stay behind for coffee, St. Joseph’s have started offering craft activities for children to try out following the 11 o’clock Mass on Sunday. Each week the activity picks up the theme of the gospel or season. We've got some pictures here of the children making Royal Bookmarks for the Feast of Christ the King! Please come and join us after mass and see what we are offering the young people of our parish.

Second Sunday of Advent

The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way - a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’ ” And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Mark 1:1-8

John the Baptist was preparing the way, are we ready to do that?

How can we prepare ourselves to receive God into our lives?

May we be patient as we put our hope in God this Christmas.