Cathedral Renovation
The renovation work on the Cathedral commenced on Monday 23rd November 2009 and is scheduled to take around 38 weeks.

From this date and until further notice please note the following arrangements:

• The Cathedral is closed during the week Monday - Saturday inclusive but re-opens each Sunday for Masses at the usual times.
• Monday - Friday Mass is at 8.00am in the Cloister Cafe.
• There is no weekday 12.05pm Mass and no 10.00am Mass on Saturday mornings in the Cathedral.
• Monday - Saturday there is Mass at 12.15pm at St Andrew's, Worswick Street.
• Holyday Masses will be celebrated at St Andrew's Church, Worswick Street at the following times: Vigil 6.00pm, 8.00am, 12.15pm & 6.00pm. There will be no Masses at the Cathedral.
• Confessions are at St Andrew's, Worswick Street on Saturdays, 11.00am – 12 noon, and 5.15 - 5.45pm.
• There are also Confessions at St Dominic's, New Bridge Street on Saturdays, 10.30am - 11.00am & 5.00pm - 5.30pm.
• Disabled access to the Cathedral is currently available on Sundays. Any temporary restrictions to disabled access will be notified in the newsletter and on the website.
• The Cathedral Office and Pauline Books & Media are open at the following times:
• Cathedral Office
  Mon - Fri 9.00am - 4.00pm
• Pauline Books & Media
  Mon - Sat 10.00am - 4.30pm
  1st Sunday of month 10.00am - 1.15pm

Cathedral Re-Opening
After a long nine months, the current phase of the re-development work in the Cathedral is expected to be completed by early September. A Solemn Mass to celebrate the reopening of the Cathedral and the Consecration of the Altar will take place at 11.00am on Saturday 11 September. The Principal Celebrant will be Bishop Séamus Cunningham. A marquee reception will follow the Mass and to facilitate the day, tickets for regular worshippers at the Cathedral will be available on a first come first served basis. If you would like to attend and would like to be placed on the list for tickets, please contact the Cathedral Office, Tel: 0191 232 6953 ext 201 or Email: office@stmaryscathedral.org.uk. Please note: A ticket will be required for both the Mass and the Reception.

Cardinal Hume Memorial Lecture
We are pleased to announce that this year's Cardinal Hume Memorial Lecture entitled The UK, The Vatican and Diplomacy will be given by Francis Campbell, the British Ambassador to the Holy See, on Thursday 14 October at 6.00pm in the Cathedral. Before his present post, Mr Campbell was a policy advisor and private secretary to the then Prime Minister, Tony Blair. He was also First Secretary at the British Embassy in Rome and a senior policy director with Amnesty International.

Papal Visit
As part of the visit to Great Britain of Pope Benedict XVI, Holy Mass will be celebrated in Bellahouston Park, Glasgow on Thursday 16 September. For security purposes individual travel is discouraged and places will only be allocated to those travelling in a pre-arranged parish group. If you are interested in travelling by coach to attend the Mass, please complete one of the white slips at the back of the church and return it to the Cathedral Office. The cost of travel is £20 per person. Further information regarding times will be available nearer the time.

Papal Visit Booklet
A booklet entitled Magnificat: Liturgies and Events of the Papal Visit of Pope Benedict XVI has been been produced to commemorate the Holy Father's visit to Great Britain. Copies are available at the back of church and are free of charge however if you wish to make a donation (£2 recommended) there is a basket available.

Coffee Morning
Coffee will be served in the Cloister Cafe following the 10.00am and 11.30am Masses this Sunday and on Wednesday, 10.00am – 12.00 noon. All are welcome.

Tyneside Pregnancy Advice Centre
Foundation for Life is a Christian charity set up to provide a service for women with unplanned pregnancies. Tyneside Pregnancy Advice Centre opened in 2008. The Centre is staffed by qualified nurses and a team of trained advisors and receptionists. It is open Monday-Friday, providing telephone consultations and appointments for women and their families. They offer continuing practical and emotional support for women who choose to keep their baby. For further information telephone: 0191 239 9966.

Becoming a Catholic
A new RCIA programme will start in October. Anyone who would like to become a Catholic or would like to know more about the Catholic Church would be very welcome. Please complete the enquiry form to be contacted closer to the time with further information.

Planned Giving and Gift Aid
The Gift Aid envelopes for the Financial Year 2010/11 are available for collection from the back of church. Using Gift Aid means that for every £1 you give the Cathedral receives 28 pence from the Inland Revenue - and it doesn’t cost you a thing! If you pay UK tax and you are not already in the Gift Aid scheme, please consider joining (either by weekly envelopes or a bank standing order) as this greatly benefits the Cathedral's income. Envelopes are also available for those who do not pay tax but who wish to make a regular contribution. If you would like to join the Gift Aid scheme or would like further information on financial contributions to the Cathedral, please contact the Cathedral Office.

Universities - Catholic Chaplaincy
The University Catholic Chaplaincy serves students and staff of Newcastle and Northumbria Universities. The Chaplaincy offers prayers and worship, talks, discussions, social events and weekends away. It’s a great place to find friendship and support while you're at University. Further details are available from:
Fr Andrew Downie Tel. 07790 014204 E-mail andrew.downie@ncl.ac.uk and Mia Fox Tel. 07713 259173 or E-mail mia.fox@ncl.ac.uk.

Altar Servers
We are looking to increase our group of Altar servers. This very important ministry is open to all individuals who have made their First Holy Communion and are over the age of 10. Anyone who is over the age of 18 will require full Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) clearance prior to taking up the role. If you are interested or would like further information, please speak to one of the clergy.

Going into Hospital?
Due to a new admissions system at the RVI, Newcastle General, the Freeman and Walkergate Hospitals Fr Corbett (Hospital Chaplain) does not receive any information on Catholic patients. Patients or relatives must therefore take responsibility to inform the Chaplain - Tel. 0191 232 1892 or email: me.corbett1@tiscali.co.uk. A phone call before 8.15am would be helpful, providing Fr Corbett with the name of the patient, the ward and the hospital.