RC Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle

The evening started with a prayer and notices: here are some important dates:

Rite of Election: Sunday 26th February  3.00 pm
Scrutiny: Sunday 11th March 10.00am mass
Holy Thursday: Thursday 5th April evening
Good Friday:  Friday 6th April afternoon
Holy Saturday:  Saturday 7th April morning and evening

We reflected on the Sunday Readings for the following Sunday: "Look, there is the Lamb of God", "Come and See" , "We have found the Messiah"...

The evening's input and discussion focussed on Baptism. What happens durung a Baptism, the Baptism Rite itself, the conversion and turning to Christ.

We were reminded that during the Easter Vigil we will all be called on to renew our own Baptism Promises.

More information on Baptism - see Baptism in the Catholic Catechism

From the Vigil last year:

This week's topic was PRAYER.

After an opening prayer we reflected on the Gospel for the coming Sunday: The Call of the Disciples.

Memorable phrases were: "Believe the Good News", "Follow me", "The Kingdom of God is close at hand", "At once they left their nets and followed him"

Norma led us in an exploration of the many ways of Prayer, and in groups we briefly discussed these. Some of the ways are:

Ways of Praying - Petition, Thanksgiving, Psalms, Adoration, Contrition, Intercession, Healing, Tongues, Arrow, Deliverance, Contemplation, Active, Listening, Liturgical, Eucharistic, Scriptural, Submission, Forgiveness, Soaking, Supplication, Meditation, Centering Prayer, Lectio Divina, Creative...

This was followed by going into the Cathedral where different prayer "stations" had been prepared at different points in the church. Participants chose a station and went to it to explore that form of prayer. This was a marvellous opportunity for some practical hands on experience of prayer - and the whole evening was very prayerful and enjoyable.

Here is a list of the Prayer Stations:

Family Tree - attach names of family and friends who do not know the Lord
Prayer Basket - praying God's blessing on those you love
I Am the Best Me in the World - seeing yourself as God's creation
Belonging - where and to whom do you belong?
Hand Intercessions - on a drawing of your hand write on each finger the names of those you are praying for (those closest to you;those who point others to God; people in authority & government; the weak & those who suffer; yourself)
Write a Postcard to Jesus
Meditation on a Stone with a Cross shot through it
Please Pray for notes
Celtic Crosses
God is Our Father - reflection on Isaiah 49:15
Forgiveness - an opportunity to identify and deal with issues in our lives
Holding Crosses
Walking with Jesus - reflections on the journey, add a slate to the path
Prayer Shawls - an opportunity to use a prayer shawl and sit quietly with God
Masks - look at the real you
Give Your Worries to God - shred what you are ready to give to God
Waiting with God - a selection of prayers and quotations to sit with in silence
Your Deepest Desire - take time to identify & offer it to God
Who Invited You? - recognising God's promise
God's Boxes - a reflection on the place of Joy & sorrow in our lives
Is God Asking You to Take Practical Action in Support of Justice? Isaiah 58:6-14
Light a Candle as a Symbol of Your Prayer
Caim Encircling Prayer
Finger Labyrinth
Reflection on Micah 6:8 - What does the Lord require of you?
Praying a Blessing on those you love
Pray for the Community
Scrolls - God's Word for You
Letting Go - releasing your cares into God's cleansing water
Stumbling Blocks - Irritants or God's gems?

We finished the evening with the Grail Prayer, Lord's Prayer, and prayer for unity.

This week we reviewed the programme so far, and then looked at Justice and Social Issues in the light of the Church's teaching.

After an opening prayer we reflected on the scripture reading for the following Sunday - Jesus teaches with authority. Significant phrases were: "He taught with authority", "I know who you are, the Holy One of God". "The people were all so astonished they started asking each other what it all meant"...

Wetakled about the Rite of Election which will be on Feb 26th at 3pm in the Cathedral. More details about the Rite of Election can be found here.

We looked at the topics covered so far in the RCIA programme, and at a brief outline of topics that will be covered:

God the Father
Jesus
Tour of the Cathedral
The Holy Spirit and the Catholic Church
Heaven, Hell, Purgatory
Sacraments and Grace
Commandments and Sin
Scripture and Salvation History
Baptism
Prayer
Justice and Social Teaching

Coming soon:

Mass x2
Reconciliation
Life Questions
Marriage
Confirmation
Events of Holy Week
About the Vigil

After a fun table quiz we looked briefly at the Church's Social Teaching.

CAFOD materials on the CAFOD website are very helpful in giving an overview of Church's teaching, as are those on Justice and Peace website. More information can be found in the COMPENDIUM OF THE SOCIAL DOCTRINE OF THE CHURCH

The evening finished with a liturgy of short readings from scripture about social justice.

This week we explored aspects of the Mass.

We began the evening with a prayer followed by looking at Sunday's Gospel - Jesus at Capernaum. Significant verses from here were: "He went off to a lonely place and prayed there", "And the fever left her and she began to wait on them" "He knew who they were"

The forthcoming Rite of Election (Sunday Feb 26th 3pm) was discussed again. See Rite of Election

Fr John led us in an exploration of the Mass.

Useful links with information about the Mass:

Resources for the New Translation of the Roman Missal

Please be thinking about your choice of Saint's name for Confirmation - we will need to know your choices soon.

A useful list of Saints can be found here.

This week Fr John led us in a session looking at the Sacrament of Reconciliation

During the evening we looked at Sunday's Gospel - Jesus heals a Leper. "If you want" the leper said "you can cure me". Feeling sorry for him Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him. "Of course I want to!" he said. "Be cured!".

The session began with a question and answer handout on making peace and this led into some lively discussions.

...

Youmight like to also listen to Homily by Bishop Seamus on Feb 11th where he is talking about the Sarcaments of Healing especially Reconciliation

This week we looked at (a) Life issues and (b) The Coming Season of Lent, the Rite of Election and the events of Holy Week

We began the evening by looking at the Gospel for Sunday - the double cure of the Paralytic. In addition we read and reflected on the first Reading - the Lord says "No need to recall the past; no need to think about what was done before. See I am doing a new deed, even now it comes to light.", and we thought about the new life being offered to us this Lent and Easter.

We talked about choosing a Saint's Name for Confirmation - so far Saint's Names chosen are:

• Edwin
• Peter
• Patrick
• Rose
• Bede
• Benedict
• Eata
• Albertus

About the Rite of Election

Links to watch Easter Vigil

This week the session, on Marriage as a Sacrament, was led by by Deacon Peter Lavery and his wife Pauline. Peter is the Diocesan Coordinator for Marriage and Family Life. This interesting and informative session was greatly enjoyed by everybody.

Peter and Pauline looked at many different aspects of marriage and showed us how the church's theology of marriage has developed, exploring especially the influence of Vatican 2.

Discussions were lively and far-ranging and the evening was really helpful and memorable.

Rite of Election Feb 26th:

See report and slideshow of photos:

http://www.rcdhn.org.uk/becoming_a_catholic/rcia/riteelection2012.php

You can download photos from:

http://www.rcdhn.org.uk/rcia_gal/rite_election/index.htm

This week we focused on the Mass, and Angela led us in an exploration of aspects of the Mass.

The Mass is the source and summit of our Catholic faith. It is the source of all our needs, when we come together as the Body of Christ, before God our loving Father to praise and worship him in spirit through Jesus. We receive his loving mercy and forgiveness at the beginning of Mass and are nourished as we listen to his Word from which we derive inspiration, encouragement and strength for our daily lives.

We give God thanks for all his goodness and gifts to us in the Eucharistic Prayer where we are present at the Paschal Mystery, the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus, the summit of our faith, culminating in the 'Great Amen'. We are then nourished with the Body and Blood of Jesus in Holy Communion and are sent out in peace to share the Good News of God's love with others, 'glorifying the Lord' by our lives.

Rite of Election Feb 26th:

See report and slideshow of photos:

http://www.rcdhn.org.uk/becoming_a_catholic/rcia/riteelection2012.php

You can download photos from:

http://www.rcdhn.org.uk/rcia_gal/rite_election/index.htm

This week we looked in depth at and prayed the scripture of The Woman at the Well.

See John 4:4-42

It is the First Scrutiny this Sunday at 10am Mass

Countdown - two more sessions befor Easter...

This week we looked at Confirmation and revisited Reconciliation.

On March 20th (next Tuesday) the session is cancelled as there is a Talk in the Cathedral on "North East Churches Throughout the Ages" by John Grundy, architectural historian and local broadcaster. All are welcome.