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...

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...

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 e...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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.”...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...