Welcome to St Mary's & St Joseph's Parish

Click here for some useful materials from the Jesuit parish in Newcastle, to help us make the most of the season of Lent.

4th Sunday of Lent - Laetare Sunday

‘Lord, I believe!’

Before we enter the darker days of Holy Week, we celebrate Laetare (‘Rejoice!’) Sunday. Today we are reminded of the joy of the presence of Jesus, the light of our world, and of the love of God shining through our lives.

Both the First Reading and the Psalm speak of the shepherd caring for the flock. Despite David’s youth and outward appearance, the Lord sees the strength of his heart, which will enable him to lead God’s people.

The Psalm speaks of the certainty that I can rely on the Lord as my shepherd, keeping me safe from harm whatever happens in my life.

In the Second Reading, St Paul reminds the Ephesians (and us) that God’s light in us shines out for others when we live in goodness and right living and truth.

In the Gospel, the blind man’s sight is restored and he comes into the light. Not only is he physically able to see for the first time, but he also recognises Jesus as the Son of Man. In contrast, those around him remain in the darkness of un-belief, trapped by their unwillingness to see Jesus as he really is.

This week, we pray for those who have yet to allow the light of Christ into their lives. We pray that we will carry Christ’s light to others as we walk beside them, sharing their hardships and sorrows.

(With thanks to St Beuno's Outreach)

ARTWORK

The Healing of the Man Born Blind

Duccio di Buoninsegna (1311)

The National Gallery, London

Pray With the Pope March Intention

Click the image above to view the video

For disarmament and peace

Let us pray that nations move toward effective disarmament, particularly nuclear disarmament, and that world leaders choose the path of dialogue and diplomacy instead of violence.

Visit the website of Pray With the Pope

Visit the website of Pray As You Go for a reflection on this month's video.

Welcome Message

On the 1^st of September 2025 we saw the coming together of our two former parishes under the new Parish name of St Mary & St Joseph.

My vision for our future is that we will become stronger together under one umbrella of cooperation, practice of faith and going forward as pilgrims of Hope.

We do this with an optimism that challenges us to be involved and to ask ourselves 'what can I do for my Parish', rather than what can the Parish do for me?

We need that vitality of volunteering and being involved, of helping each other and caring for each other into the future.

I see our new parish as a way of thanking God for all that has been achieved in the former parishes and as an opportunity to forge new ways ahead.

By nature, we don't like change, but with the Lord at the helm, all will be well and good, to those who trust in his love.

Our new parish website will develop over time, as we grow, but in the meantime please enjoy browsing the site. Please also keep me, Deacon Andrew, and all of our parishioners in your prayers.

Fr John McGinley
Parish Priest

New Facebook Page.

St Mary and St Joseph. Please visit and spread the word!

Pope Leo's Lenten Message

Abstain from harsh words and rash judgement

This season of Lent, Pope Leo XIV invites Catholics to open ourselves to listening, fasting, and community, urging us to abstain from words of hatred in order to make space for words of hope and peace.

Read more here

Clydebank Pastoral Area

CHECK IT OUT!
The new website for the Clydebank parishes is launched across all Parishes
The website address is www.rcclydebank.org
ALSO contains the summer schedule for Parish masses across the Clydebank area.