A Year in the Life

Church Hill

Crook

County Durham DL15 9DN

Tel: 01388 762724

A year in the life

As summer moves on the garden party preparations are well under way. The Grand Draw tickets will have been distributed and prizes gathered in. Carrier bags full of all sorts of donated goods appear. The grass is cut, stalls erected and prayers offered for a fine day.

The flag on the tower flutters in anticipation as refreshments, games and stalls are busily prepared. The garden party is a highlight of the social life of the parish. Many people are involved. Many who have left the area years ago, return especially for this event. The efforts of all provide a huge boost for parish funds plus, more importantly provide a wonderful day of community spirit and life.

In September we again recall the coming of the Sisters of the Order of the Faithful Companions of Jesus to Crook. The present Sisters carry out great pastoral work among the parishioners and townsfolk. They open their home in welcome, for meetings, prayers, Eucharistic services, private visits and help and not least for a very welcome cup of coffee and chat after Mass on Sunday mornings. On special days the coffee is extra special too!. They follow a great tradition of nuns working and praying in our parish.

As the year progresses other social events take place. These are generally organised by the Fund-raising group. Among the most successful was a Bonfire Night and barbeque.

Suddenly we are preparing yet again for Christmas. It is time for those hard-working parishioners who make and sell Christmas wreathes to spring into action. There is a carol service in the town to which we are all invited, Christmas Cards are being sent to Prisoners of Conscience, the Advent Candles are being lit one by one and the coming of Our Lord is remembered by a series of Holy Hours and a Taize evening. Parishioners sign a huge parish Christmas card in lieu of personal cards and donate the proceeds to Cafod or Christian Aid. Our parish cycle of activity Our Parish cycle of activity is beginning to turn once more.

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Outreach

In 1975, in his Evangelii Mountain. Pope Paul VI stated:

"The question of how to evangelise is permanently relevant because the methods of evangelising vary according to the different circumstances of time, place and culture and because thereby present a certain challenge to our capacity for discovery and adaptation. On us........rest the responsibility for reshaping with boldness and wisdom, but in complete fidelity to the content of evangelisation, the means that are most suitable and effective for communication the gospel message to the men and women of our times."

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Bishop Ambrose greets parishoners after a recent confirmation ceremony.