Calendar

 

Saturday, 6th August

 

The Transfiguration

 

Sung Mass at 11am

 

This feast commemorates the events recounted in the first three Gospels (Matt 17: 1 – 13; Mark 9: 2 – 13; Luke 9: 28 – 36) and to which II Peter 1: 16 – 18 alludes.  As part of the ecclesiastical calendar, the festival was a late entrant, being prescribed for universal observance in the fifteenth century.

 

It is a curious story in many ways, but, inter alia, draws the witness of the Law (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah) into the witness of Christ’s authority.

 

Blessing of the marriage of Allen and Sabina Mundangepfupfu

 

Sung Mass at 11am

 

At 11 o’clock, we gather with the family and friends of Allen and Sabina to bless their marriage.

 

Monday, 15th August

 

The Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary

 

Procession and High Mass at 7.30pm

 

This is one the principal festivals of our Lady, marking the day when she died and went to Heaven.  In most Christian traditions, Mary is recognized as first of all Christians on account of her unique role within the unfolding of God’s purposes.  Some Christians believe that on her death Mary was bodily taken into Heaven so that she would know no corruption; but this is not required belief of Anglicans, who never-the-less celebrate the festival.  Here, like the Eastern Churches, we call it the Dormition of Mary, which means the falling asleep.

 

Sunday, 28th August

 

Saint Augustine

 

Sung Mass at 10.30am; Solemn Evensong and Benediction at 6.30pm

 

Saint Augustine is one of the patrons of the benefice.  After a fairly colourful life, he finally embraced the Christian Faith and eventually became Bishop of Hippo.  He was one of the great thinkers of the Church and produced a number of theological works, which are still read today.

 

There will be only one Mass today, followed by some sort of lunch (we shall consult the entrails – if good weather is anticipated, we shall have a barbecue, otherwise something more traditional).

 

At Solemn Evensong, the usual plainsong will be replaced by metrical tunes and, hopefully, goodly numbers will turn out to provide a good ending to the day’s celebrations.

 

Saturday, 3rd September

 

Wedding of Austin Woods and Sarah O’Neill

 

We shall be celebrating the wedding of Austin and Sarah at 12 noon

 

Wedding of Christopher Tait and Michelle Cragan

 

The wedding of Christopher and Michelle, who have been welcome members of our congregation over the past few weeks, takes place at S Francis’s High, Heaton, also, unfortunately at 12 noon.

 

We wish both couples a very happy day – and a like happy marriage afterwards!

 

Thursday, 8th September

 

The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

 

Sung Mass at 7.30pm

 

Another festival of our Lady – this time her birthday, which speaks for itself.  There will be a modest party in the Vicarage after Mass.

 

Saturday, 10th and Sunday 11th September

 

Heritage Open Days

 

Saturday, 9am – 6pm; Sunday, 12 noon – 6pm

 

Our building is first and foremost a home for the worship that our communities offer to God; but we cannot deny that it is also a significant piece of Newcastle’s heritage.  For a number of years we have taken part in the national initiative to encourage people to see the wealth of architectural beauty across the nation.

 

This is, of course, a fairly labour intensive operation.  When the lists are place in church, please try to find some time to be stewards so that the Church is not left untended, nor that there is no welcome for our visitors.

 

Thursday, 15th September

 

Society of Mary

 

Mass at 7.30pm

 

The Society of Mary is a large Anglican society committed to promoting a proper regard for our Lady in the Faith and practice of Christian discipleship.  The diocesan branch will be meeting here.

 

Wednesday, 21st September

 

Saint Matthew’s Day

 

Procession and High Mass at 7.30pm

 

The annual celebration of the building’s patron will take place with the usual exuberance.  The invitation list gets longer every year and the congregations have grown somewhat over the past few years.  This year, we shall welcome the Dean of Newcastle to preach at the Mass.

 

We shall need lots of help with the various aspects of preparing for the Mass and the party that follows.

 

Thursday, 29th September

 

Saint Michael and all Angels

 

Sung Mass at 7.30pm

 

The holy Angels are the messengers of God.  They are mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments; Jesus is recorded as making reference to them in the Gospels and they are major players in the drama of the Book of the Apocalypse.  In Mediaeval times, a hugely complex structure of the angelic host emerged.  Nowadays, their place is more modest, but they still appear in lots of Christian art.

 

We hope, at this Mass, to sing the Ordinary of the Mass (Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus, Benedictus and Agnus Dei) to the melody of the Missa de Angelis.  The choir will be practising this during September and any others who would like to join us would be very welcome.

Home page: http://stmatthewsnewcastle.org.uk/