‘Rejoice in The Lord always: and again I say rejoice’
Saint Paul’s letter to the Philippians ch 4, v4.
St Paul’s RC Primary School is served by the parish of St Thomas of Canterbury in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle. Our local church is ‘Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary’.
The school has close links with the parish and the clergy – Fr J Butters and Deacon D McKie. The school and parish work in close partnership in preparing the children for the first sacraments. Pupils, staff and governors are fully involved in the parish and take an active role in a range of ministries in the Catholic community life of the town.
The children at the school have a strong sense of awareness of those less fortunate and play an active role in supporting the many charitable initiatives on going in the parish and wider Christian community by both spiritual and practical means.
Collective Worship
As a Catholic School children are encouraged to take part in all aspects of the school life. However, parents do have the right to withdraw their children from collective worship is they so wish. This must be done by a formal request to the Headteacher and after discussion and consultation an agreement would be drawn up for alternative activities during these times.
Wednesday Word
The Wednesday Word mission aims to help all school families draw closer to God, to the Church and to each other. Each Wednesday every family receives the Wednesday Word, we hope you enjoy sharing this together.
Diocese
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle comprises the counties of Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Durham, Hartlepool and the remaining part of Stockton Borough which lies north of the River Tees. The Right Reverend Robert Byrne is the Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle Diocese. The Diocesan Education Service has been established to support those involved in education; to address current and future need and faithfully express and promote the church’s pastoral mission in education.
Further information on the work of the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle can be found at www.rcdhn.org.uk/index.php
Diocesan Partnerships
Our 18 Partnerships were formally established by Bishop Séamus at Pentecost 2017. Each of the Partnerships has been given a name rooted in our Christian Heritage and Partnership Deans have been appointed to each.
Further information on the work of the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle can be found here
Young Thomas
Young Thomas is a group we have set up here at St. Paul’s School, working in partnership with our Parish of St. Thomas of Canterbury.
When parents approach the clergy to discuss baptism for their children, they are asked to undertake some preparation for the sacrament – this is usually done through a series of group sessions. Hopefully, families will continue to take part in the formal aspects of parish life, through attending Mass and other services, after their child’s baptism has taken place. However, we are aware that there is a lack of additional opportunities to support families to continue to grow in faith while their children are very young.
To help fill this gap, we have an informal group – Young Thomas’ which meet on a weekly basis for about an hour and a half each Monday afternoon during term time. The group is intended for those who are caring for children who will hopefully be starting the school nursery within the next year (and their younger brothers or sisters). We are fortunate that at St. Paul’s we have a designated room available which is ideal for the group – lots of room for the children to play in a safe and friendly environment, as well as providing parents and carers with an opportunity to meet others.
Parish Information
Parish Priest
Fr J Butters
Deacon D McKie
Address
St Thomas of Canterbury
c/o 2 Grosmont Drive
Billingham
TS23 3PE
Telephone: 01642 553118
Weekend Mass Times in Billingham
Saturday Vigil 5.30pm (Children’s Liturgy)
St John’s Church
Central Avenue
Billingham
TS23 1LR
Sunday 6.30pm
St Joseph’s Church
Low Grange Avenue
Billingham
TS23 3NN
Sunday 9.30am (Children’s Liturgy)
Holy Rosary Church
2 Grosmont Drive
Billingham
TS23 2EP
Although we are apart, we can still pray together - use these daily acts of pray for collective worship
