Welcome to our parishes

ST. AGNES’, CRAWCROOK &

ST. MARY & ST. THOMAS AQUINAS’, STELLA.

Parishes’ Landline & answering machine: 0191 4142749;

Parish Priest: Rev. Fr. J. G. Rose

Retired in residence at St. Agnes’, Crawcrook: Rev. Fr. J. James.                                                          

Bulletin for 3rd Sunday of Advent 15th December 2024

Safeguarding. Our parishes operate in accordance with Statutory Safeguarding Guidance, the CSSA and Diocesan policies at all times. Our Parish reps are:- Rachael Taylor (Stella) & Janet Dale (Crawcrook).The Diocesan Team can be contacted on (0191) 243 3305.  

Confessions:- Saturday 4.15 – 4.45p.m.; Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament: Saturday 4.15 – 4.45.p.m

Please pray for:  the sick – Mark Armstrong; Jenny, Kathleen & Simon Burns;Pat Butler;D. C.; Chloe Cant; Tommy Carr; Valerie Coleman; Michael Hogan; Avril & Paul Kimmitt Joyce Madine; Margaret March; Annie O’Connor; Jessica Rich; Natasha Rose; Matthew Stewart; Fr. Alan MacKnight.

200 Club £30 Winner. This week’s £30 winner: J. Lowden, no. 95. Congratulations Josie!

Offertory Procession.This week:- Sat. 5.00p.m. Ava Brown & Family; Sun.10.15a.m Oakley Bush.& Family.

                                     Next week:- Sat. 5.00p.m. Oscar Davidson & Family; Sun. 10.15a.m. Zoe Davison & Family.

First Confession & First Holy Communion Groups 2024/25.

Please keep these children in your prayers:- STELLA:- Ava Brown; Oakley Bush; Olivia Coff; Fearne Cunny; Oscar Davidson; Zoe Davison; Harry Elliott; Catherine Foster; Darcey Gill; Evie Graham; Nathan Gray; Nathaniel Jones; Scarlett Knox; Martha McMullen; Jonah Minto; Penny Peart; Noah Potts; Talia Proud; Eden Rawlinson; Samuel Reay; Hannah Redpath; Maisie Reed; Luke Russell; Fearne Smith; Akshith Sony; Teddy Tarpey; Amelia-Rose Tully; Sophie Underwood; Eduardo Watson; Mateo Watson; Harlow Williams. ST. AGNES’:- Isabel Fleck; Ellen Fox; Alfie Harbisher; Rex Mallenby; Joe Shepherdson and Frances Stapley.    

Thank You! Many thanks for donations totalling £250 recently received at Stella, both directly and via the Donations Box. This will go towards the new roof.

Christmas Mass Times – a reminder!

Christmas is a busy time for all, but one that reminds us of the essence of our being and the faith that we share. As I will be celebrating two Christmas Masses at Frankland on Christmas Eve morning, there will be no weekday Mass at either Stella or Crawcrook on that Tuesday. Our parishes’ Christmas Masses will be as follows:-

Christmas Eve:-  4.00 p.m. & 5.30 p.m. at Stella;

Christmas Day:- 9.00 a.m. at St. Agnes’, Crawcrook;

                             10.00 a.m. at Stella.

Festive Attire?!

I’ve already been asked about the ‘dress code’ for this year’s Christmas Eve Masses! FESTIVE is the simple answer! Some children (and parents!) come in festive jumpers, others in onesies! It’s entirely up to you… …you will be more than welcome!

Christmas Raffles.

Stella’s Christmas Draw tickets are available before our weekend Masses: 50p each! First Prize: £100 cash. Also:- a litre of Bells whisky; Mad Owl Craft Gin – 42%; case of Stella Artois; bottle of cognac, 12 year old Glenfiddich 35cl; Case of Leffe 6.6%; Jack Daniels Triple Tasting Set; presentation pack of wine, Liz Earle Beauty Set; Body Shop Toiletries; Ralph Lauren EDT; Celebrations; Paw Patrol Stamp Set – the tickets are available prior to our weekend Masses. 

The tickets for St. Agnes’ Christmas Raffle have been available for some weeks now… …a good number still remain! The list of prizes for St. Agnes’ is posted on the noticeboard, and tickets can be purchased at £1 each. Please return your counterfoils by next weekend!

Readers, Offertory Procession etc for Christmas

– Volunteers!

Next weekend, the list for volunteers to help with readings, offertory processions and bidding prayers at Stella will be at the back of church. As always, our two early Vigil Masses are ones particularly for our children and their families. If they would like to help with readings, bidding prayers and the offertory procession, please do sign up and I will get the readings to you a.s.a.p.

A sheet is also posted at St. Agnes’ for volunteers for our Christmas 9.00 a.m. Mass.

 Welcome!

Last week, we warmly welcomed Amy Harrison and Rachel Walsh into our parish community at Stella, as we celebrated the Sacraments of Baptism, Holy Communion and Confirmation with them. May their faith be nourished and encouraged by the example of our local faith community, so that God who has begun His good work in them, may bring it to fulfilment.

St. Agnes’ Memorial Christmas Tree Stars.

At St. Agnes’, there are envelopes for your stars of dedication which will be hung (as usual) on the Christmas tree. Please remember to return your dedications as soon as possible – the stars will decorate the tree over the Christmas season.

St. Agnes’ Church Cleaning. Saturday, 21st December at 11.00 a.m. & Monday, 6th January at 6.00 p.m.

Ecumenical Christmas! Carol singing outside Ryton Co Op – Saturday, 21st December at 10.00 a.m. Carol concert at Holy Cross, Ryton on 15th December at 3.00 p.m.

Weekly chuckles… …?!    
At one point during a game, the coach said to one of his young players, “Do you understand what cooperation is? What a team is?”
The little boy nodded in the affirmative.
“Do you understand that what matters is whether we win together as a team?” The little boy nodded yes.
“So,” the coach continued, “when you’re out first ball, you don’t argue or curse or attack the umpire. Do you understand all that?” Again, the little boy nodded.
“Good,” said the coach. “Now go over there and explain it to your mother.”

A company owner was asked a question, ‘How do you motivate your employees to be so punctual?’
He smiled & replied, ‘It’s simple. I have 30 employees and 29 free parking spaces…..  …one is paid parking.’