Today We Remember Those Whose Funerals Have Been Held Here In

5th NOVEMBER 2017 - 31ST SUNDAY OF YEAR A

BREVIARY WEEK : 2

WORD FOR TODAY

Where do we look to in order to find guidance in our lives? We can count on all the human wisdom in the world, or we can turn to the scriptures where Jesus has unfolded the message from God.

Today we remember those whose funerals have been held here in

St Augustine’s parish in the last year and any friends and relatives.

Andrew Keough, Joan Beckwith, Alan Joseph Green, James Edward Christey,

Aldo Gerard Di-Duca, Caroline Bainbridge, Christine Fawcett,

Margaret Isabel Patterson, Domenico Bambino, Seamus Anthony Doyle,

Hilda Pattison, Christopher Michael Springfield, Mary Kathleen Smollet,

Judith Anne Wilson, Corazon Thompson, Hilda Hauxwell, Geoffrey Start,

Thomas Michael McDermott, Reuben James Clark, Paul Gibson, Eleanor

Lilian Brown, Joan Foster, Francis Baldwin, Susan McGraw, Vincent Ferguson, Kenneth Robert Hardman.

NOVEMBER is the month of Holy Souls, when we remember and pray for those who have died, especially our loved ones. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

PRIESTS’ TRAINING FUND

There are envelopes available at the back of Church for the Priests’ Training Fund. This will remain open until 26th November. Please note your donation can be gift aided. Booklets also available re the Clergy Training Fund.

RED MISSION BOX HOLDERS

Thank you for supporting the Missions through the "red boxes". The annual collection is now due. Please bring in your red box by the end of November for opening and counting. Alternatively, you may wish to pick up a brown "Mission" envelope from the back of the Church and empty the contents of your box into this, or write a cheque (payable to APF - Mill Hill) for the equivalent amount. Kindly leave your envelopes or boxes in the sacristy. To find out more about the "red box" appeal and Catholic Missions in today's world, visit www.missio.org.uk

Our Mission Co-ordinator is Mary Mustard (9.15am Mass) if you have any questions/queries.

SVP Collection will be held this Sunday 5th November (after all masses)

Here are some examples of how your money is used.

·  helping to support Sunday Stop

·  funded the purchase of white goods for a single mother

·  working with Carmel Youth SVP

Next Sunday the Northern Cross will be on sale – 20p of every £1 comes direct to the SVP

If anyone would like Fr Gordon to visit a parishioner who is sick or housebound, please let him know with written contact details of name/address etc.

HOGARTH PARTNERSHIP

NEWS/EVENTS

It's not too late to get involved – if you would like to be part of the following groups please leave your name and contact in the office/Julie Humphrey and this will be forwarded on to the relevant groups Liturgy,Prayer & Spirituality/Formation/Communications/Team Building/ Human Resources/Finance/Property/Young People.

Partnership Christmas Social Evening at St Anne’s

Saturday 25th November after Evening Mass. Grand Raffle, Bottle Stall, Shared Table and live entertainment. Further details to follow.

CHURCH FLOWERS

After numerous years arranging the flowers in Church for Sunday’s, Easter, Christmas, Weddings, First Communions, etc., Elizabeth France would now like to step down and enjoy some retirement time. If you would like to become part of a team please contact the office or Elizabeth herself. On behalf of everyone we would like to say thank you to Elizabeth and her team for the wonderful flower displays in our Church – they are always commented on especially by visitors.

NEW CERTIFICATE IN PASTORAL MINISTRY FOR DIOCESE IN THE NORTH OF ENGLAND

A second Information Session will be held on

Sunday 12th November 2017 6.00 – 7.00 pm

St Cuthbert’s House, West Road, Newcastle

For further support and information email Amy Cameron at or telephone 0191 2433313

JOB VACANCIES – Diocese of H&N

Safeguarding Advisor, Department for Safeguarding, 30 hours per week, permanent contract. Closing date: 10 November.

Volunteering Opportunity – Independent Chair of the Safeguarding Commission.

please visit website www.rcdhn.org.uk or contact us 0191 243 3301, email

MISSION APPEAL – 19th November

Every year we are asked to hold an appeal in the parish on behalf of the Missions, this year we will be welcoming Rev. W. Krzempek from the Society of African Missions. He will be here on Sunday 19th November at both masses, when a collection will also take place.

First Reading: Malachi 1:14 - 2:2.8-10

I am a great king, says the Lord of hosts, and my name is feared throughout the nations. And now, priests, this warning is for you. If you do not listen, if you do not find it in your heart to glorify my name, says the Lord of hosts, I will send the curse on you and curse your very blessing. You have strayed from the way; you have caused many to stumble by your teaching. You have destroyed the covenant of Levi, says the Lord of hosts. And so I in my turn have made you contemptible and vile in the eyes of the whole people in repayment for the way you have not kept to my paths but have shown partiality in your administration.

Have we not all one Father? Did not one God create us? Why, then, do we break faith with one another, profaning the covenant of our ancestors?

PSALM

Keep my soul in peace before you, O Lord.

Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 2:7-9.13

Like a mother feeding and looking after her own children, we felt so devoted and protective towards you, and had come to love you so much, that we were eager to hand over to you not only the Good News but our whole lives as well. Let me remind you, brothers, how hard we used to work, slaving night and day so as not to be a burden on any one of you while we were proclaiming God's Good News to you.

Another reason why we constantly thank God for you is that as soon as you heard the message that we brought you as God's message, you accepted it for what it really is, God's message and not some human thinking; and it is still a living power among you who believe it.

Gospel: Matthew 23:1-12

Addressing the people and his disciples Jesus said, 'The scribes and the Pharisees occupy the chair of Moses. You must therefore do what they tell you and listen to what they say; but do not be guided by what they do: since they do not practise what they preach. They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men's shoulders, but will they lift a finger to move them? Not they! Everything they do is done to attract attention, like wearing broader phylacteries and longer tassels, like wanting to take the place of honour at banquets and the front seats in the synagogues, being greeted obsequiously in the market squares and having people call them Rabbi.

'You, however, must not allow yourselves to be called Rabbi, since you have only one Master, and you are all brothers. You must call no one on earth your father, since you have only one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor must you allow yourselves to be called teachers, for you have only one Teacher, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Anyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will be exalted.'

© 1966, 1967 and 1968 by Darton, Longman and Todd, and Doubleday and Co Inc., and used by permission.

BAPTISM COURSE

Where? St Augustine’s Parish Centre

When? Wednesdays 8th & 15th November

At? 7.15pm – 8.30pm

Please let us know in the office if you will be attending.

There are memorium cards at the back of Church for Fr Seamus,

please take one and remember him in your prayers.

REFLECTION – Being genuine

A peacock’s feathers are very colourful;

they are worn more for show than for warmth.

The Pharisees wore their virtue for show;

they wanted to be seen and praised by others.

They were more concerned with appearing good

than with really being good.

Today there is great emphasis on appearances.

The image is more important than the reality.

We may deceive others but we cannot deceive God.

But then it would be foolish even to try.

We don’t have to put on an outward show,

or pretend to be what we are not.

All we have to do is try to be true

to what we are – God’s sons and daughters.

Lord, help us to shun all falsity and pretence,

and to live a life of genuine goodness.

Then our deeds will flow from what we are,

as naturally as good fruit from a good tree.

CAFOD CABARET

This year's CAFOD Cabaret will be held on Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd December. If you wish to take part please contact asap Martin McLean (01325 465275 or ) or to Stuart Sanderson. As ever, both new and returning performers are welcome. Don’t hide your light…Your Third World still needs YOU!

DARLINGTON CHORAL SOCIETY

Verdi Requiem – Saturday 25th November 7.30pm at Darlington Dolphin Centre. Tickets £15/£12, students £5. Available from the Dolphin Centre or online at www.dchoral.co.uk or on the door.

Gail Wiper and members of the Inner Wheel Club of Darlington invite you to join them at their annual Christmas charity coffee morning at St Augustines Parish Centre on Thursday 16th November 2017 from 10 am until noon. Tickets available from Gail on 07899 915218 or on the door. The charity we are helping this year is Citizens Advice Bureau in Darlington who are now heavily dependent on donations after Government cuts.

ST AUGUSTINE’S PARISH CLUB/CENTRE INFORMATION

CHRISTMAS WREATH MAKING

Saturday 25th November. The morning session runs from 11-1.30 and the afternoon session will be from 3.00-5.30.

Don’t forget that there’ll be a raffle!

Swing Dance – No Class on Thursday 16th November (prior bookings)

SUPPORT A LOCAL CHARITY AND HAVE A NIGHT OUT!

Darlington and Bishop Auckland NHS Hospital Trust MRI SCANNER APPEAL.

An evening with THE FABULOUS STOCKTON TO DARLINGTON UKULELE EXPRESS.

St Augustine's Parish Centre Friday 10th November @ 7.00pm. Tickets only £5 & all proceeds go to the appeal. Contact Brendan Fox on 07400 905033

S.T.E.P.P.S. (St Teresa’s Parish Productions) (Bondgate Methodist Hall)

Invite you to their annual Christmas Pantomime, ‘The Wizards of Oz’.
November 16th - 19th: 7.15pm, Saturday & Sunday - 2pm matinee.
Adults: £7.50/ Concessions: £6.00 / Family Ticket: ( 2 Adults & 2 Children )

£25.00 Tickets can be purchased:www.steppstheatre.co.uk./ 01748 810552

STUCK FOR AN IDEA FOR WHAT TO DO THIS NEW YEAR’S EVE AND CAN’T GET A BABY SITTER?

HCPT Group 195 would like to invite you to their New Year’s Eve Ceilidh at

St Augustines Parish Centre, 7.30-12.30am.

HCPT are a charity who take disabled and disadvantaged children on pilgrimage holiday for a week, in Lourdes, France. This is a holiday of a lifetime for the children and a chance for respite for their families or carers. The children travel in small groups with dedicated volunteer carers and volunteer nurses and doctors.

We have now set up a Darlington group 195 to take children from the local area.

To reserve your tickets priced at £7.00 for adults (includes New Year’s Eve toast) and £2.00 for children. Family tickets also available (2A + 2C for £15.00) please text/phone Julie Watson on 07809 340321.

Every Wednesday evenings after 7pm Mass there will be an open meeting for those who wish to come and talk about anything