A
ALTAR SERVERS
Girls and boys are constantly encouraged to serve on the altar and participate in the Parish liturgy.
ART CLUB
This is a friendly and informal group; tuition is given in all media and experience is not needed. Meetings are held in St Mary’s Hall each Tuesday from 10am to 12 noon.
ASSOCIATION FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE FAITH
Support of Mill Hill Missionary Fathers in the Third World. Fostering, development and care of people in all areas of life through financial and prayerful means. Mission boxes are iprovded for the home and are emptied quarterly.
B
BAPTISM PREPARATION
We currently run sessions for all parents in the Parish who are planning to have their child baptised. The course is run on a regular basis. The aims of the course are:
* to allow parents time to reflect on the reasons why they have chosen to have their child baptised and understand what is involved,
* to help in the preparation by explaining the role of the parents and godparents and by going through the ceremony and explaining the symbolism,
* to provide an opportunity to ask questions,
* to offer a chance to meet new parents who have children of a similar age and help forge friendships when they meet them at Church and nursery/school.
BIDDING PRAYERS
A small team prepares the bidding prayers on a rota basis for use at each Church at Sunday Masses. More members are always welcome.
BROWNIES AND GUIDES – 2nd Whitley Bay (St Edwards)
We meet in St Edward’s Parish Centre, Roxburgh Terrace, Whitley Bay.
* Guides Tuesday 6.30 to 8.30 pm
* Brownies Friday 6.00 to 7.30 pm
Girls aged 7+ (Brownies) and 10+ (Guides) may join for a variety of activities including craft, knowledge, service, outdoors, holidays.
C
CENACLE PRAYER GROUP
The aim is to answer Our Lady’s call to prayer by intercessory prayer, praying the rosary and studying Our Lady’s messages given to the Marian Movement Of Priests and Laity to help to bring God’s love and peace to the world.
CHALA
For the past seven years the parish has been working with St Cuthberts to support Chala, a parish in Tanzania. Chala’s parishioners have built a 30-bed clinic but cannot afford to buy medicines. We have raised £8,000 which has provided medicines, mosquito nets, water purifying apparatus, and have funded repairs to a dam to ensure a water supply. We raise funds by holding a cake stall in St Mary’s porch after Mass every few weeks. Contributions are welcome; label and price your offering and leave it on the stall. Also, please come and buy. Letters from Chala and lists of medicines supplied are displayed regularly on the notice board.
CHILDREN’S LITURGY GROUP
Held during the 11am Sunday Mass at St Marys, the children’s liturgy is the Liturgy of the Word suitably adapted to make it relevant to the lives and experience of young children. It gives them the opportunity to understand the Gospel message and participate in the Eucharistic celebration at their own level.
CHOIR
The aim of the parish choir is to support the participation of the congregation in the music liturgy of the Church. It operates at both sites.
CHRISTIAN FORMATION
This covers the preparion of children of the Parish to receive the sacraments of Baptism, First Communion, First Confesson and Confirmation.
CHURCHES TOGETHER IN CULLERCOATS
The parish has two representatives, Mrs Ann Dunn and Mrs Margaret Hall. Besides St Marys, five other churches are represented, three Anglican and two Methodist. There are three meetings each year and the churches work together in organising regular ecumenical services, Lent study groups and in fund raising for charity.
CHURCH CLEANING
Volunteers work on a rota basis and more helpers are always welcome.
E
EMERGENCY LIFTS
A group of people who undertake to provide transport to parishioners as required.
F
FINANCE COMMITTEE
This committee is a consultative group which helps Canon Cunningham with the financial matters of the parish.
FIRST COMMUNION AND FIRST CONFESSION
This is Parish based in School Year 3 or older. It is also available to Catholic children attending non-Catholic schools.
G
GIFT AID
Parishioners who are taxpayers and who contribute to the Church are encouraged to sign a Gift Aid form; this increases church revenue at no extra cost to the donor.
H
HALL AND MEETING ROOM.
Facilities for meetings and activities are available at both churches
* St Mary’s Hall can be hired – please contact us for current rate.
The committee room can be hired separately – please contact us for current rate.
* The St Oswin meeting room can be hired for small meetings which includes use of the kitchen – please contact us for the current rate.
Coffee and tea are served in the St Oswin Meeting Room after the 9.30 Mass on Fridays and the 9.30 Mass on Sundays
HOUSE GROUPS
At the time of producing this Directory there are no House Groups but work is underway to start them in the Parish. Any person interested or who would like to participate or help in any way should contact Canon Cunningham.
HCPT (Pilgrimage Trust)
This is the local group of a national organisation which takes disadvantaged children to Lourdes each Easter.
K
KNIGHTS OF ST COLUMBA
An organised body of Catholic men, giving loyalty to the Holy See, the Hierarchy and the Clergy in all matters pertaining to the Faith. The Knights are pledged to support members in their vocation and mission as Catholic in spreading the Gospel. Meetings are held monthly.
M
MAKATON
Venue: St Oswin’s Meeting Room, Front Street, Tynemouth
Training Sessions in “signing” take place on Wednesdays 7.00pm-8.30pm. For parents, carers, practitioners, volunteers and anyone who is interested.
MARRIAGE PREPARATION
Couples intending to be married in the parish should contact the Canon as early as possible. They will be expected to attend a marriage preparation course, which normally consists of two evening sessions of approximately two and a half hours duration.
P
PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL
This is a group of parishioners elected by the parish. Its task is a consultative one in which it may advise Canon, relate any concerns from the parish, and propose new ideas.
PEOPLES KITCHEN
This is a voluntary organisation which seeks to improve the lives of the homeless and disadvantaged people in and around Newcastle. It was founded in 1986 and we now have volunteers of all ages, from all walks of life, five of them in our parish. More help is always needed. Our centre is in Bath Lane, Newcastle where all are welcome to visit.
PIETY STALL
There is a well stocked Piety Stall at St Mary’s which is open at all weekend Masses. It has an excellent selection of cards for all occasions, Missals, and many other items, all at competitive prices. It is always well worth a look, especially at Christmas!
R
READERS
We are always ready to welcome more volunteers to read at Mass, and some training can be given. Young readers are especially encouraged to participate in the liturgy in this way.
RCIA
Adult enquirers about the Catholic Faith meet weekly to follow a pathway of prayer, discussion, liturgy, social activity, which hopefully culminates in their full reception into the Church at Holy Saturday.
S
SACRISTANS
Sacristans prepare everything needed for the celebration of the Mass and operate on a rota basis. This is a very rewarding ministry. As in all lay ministries, more people are needed, and anyone interested is encouraged to enquire.
SINGLES GROUP
This group is for single people, over 20 years of age, and includes those who are separated, divorced or widowed. The group meets for social events.
SOCIETY OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL
An international organisation with local groupings the SVP carries out home visits to the elderly and lonely and local residential care homes. It is aware of and helps with any social needs.
ST MARY’S PRIMARY SCHOOL
St Mary’s RC Primary School is a thriving voluntary aided school founded in 1964 and situated on the Marden Estate next to St Marys Church, Cullercoats. Because of its popularity it has had to be extended on three occasions to cater for 215 pupils in seven year groups plus 52 part time pupils in a purpose built nursery. The school and the nursery have built a very successful reputation.
The main school goes from strength to strength and enjoys a very high status on North Tyneside. Excellent examination results are achieved. Year 6 SATS results have constantly remained within the top seven schools in the borough. Key Stage 1 results are equally good.
High among the school’s aims is the provision of a Catholic Christian setting where children learn about and experience Christian values.
ST THOMAS MORE HIGH SCHOOL
St Thomas More is the Catholic High School in North Tyneside. It was established in 1988 and has grown into a thriving, very successful 11-18 Catholic Comprehensive of 1450 students. This includes a highly successful Sixth Form of 250 students. The school has gained an excellent reputation locally, regionally and nationally. It is regularly oversubscribed. Recent achievements include Beacon School Status since 1999, Training School Status since 2000, outstanding Investors in People practice, School Achievement Awards in 2000 and 2001, and an outstanding Ofsted Inspection Report in 1999.
T
TAI CHI AND YO CHI CLASSES
Tai Chi is a long sequence of flowing movements performed at a slow and even pace with deep breathing and concentration. Yo Chi is a mixture of Yoga and Tai Chi. Classes are held in St Mary’s Hall each Friday from 12 noon to 1pm, cost £1 per class. No experience is required.
TEAMS OF OUR LADY
An international spiritual movement of married couples to help them understand God’s plan for marriage and support them in their everyday lives. Meetings are held monthly and there are socials, family outings, national conferences, retreats and international pilgrimages.
THIRD WORLD FAIR
Our fair began in 1980 to raise money for the Third World and has grown to fund the sinking of wells, building of small family homes, medical clinics, cataract operations. The fair takes place biennially in November and brings together all parishioners to share their talents and enthusiasm.
TYNEMOUTH CATENIAN ASSOCIATION
An organisation of Catholic men who meet once a month. The group maintains a vibrant social programme for members and their families including meals, visits to places of interest, barbeques, visiting speakers etc. There are seventeen such circles in the North East and Cumbria and members visit other circles and extend friendships in this way. Tynemouth Circle is currently seeking to expand its membership. All Catholic men are invited to join and would be made to feel most welcome.
TYPING AND ADMINISTRATION
The preparation and distribution of the Parish newsletter is the main weekly task of the present team. Other tasks include typing and photocopying support for some of the Parish Groups and providing secretarial support for the Parish Priest. We work on a rota basis. More help would be greatly appreciated, and anyone who feels they would like to know more please get in touch. Training is available if required.
W
WALKING GROUP
The Cluster Walking Group was established recently with the object of providing a social opportunity for members of the Cluster parishes. Two walks a month are organised. A Sunday walk and a mid week walk on a Wednesday.
WALK WITH ME PROGRAMME
This is a programme for Catholic children who attend non-Catholic schools. The aim is to provide a Catholic education leading to First Holy Communion and to help the children to have contact with the parish.
WEBSITE
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