OPENED BY BISHOP OF HEXHAM Needs of Rapidly Growing Parish
The Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle on Wednesday last week blessed and opened a new church near Consett, co. Durham. The church is dedicated in honour of St. John and fills a steadily increasing need in the Grove and Moorside district of Consett.
Until last Sunday there was no place of worship nearby other than the school which was not large enough for the parish which has been growing year by year.
The new church has been built to seat 300 and cost about £2,000.
A striking feature of the design is that the large oak cross which surmounts the main entrance is illuminated at night by means of neon tubes. The altar was presented by Mr. J. Silvertop, of Ministeracres (co. Durham) in memory of his father, Lieut. F. Silvertop, who was killed in the war.
Pastor's Birthday
The opening ceremony, which happily took place on the birthday of the Rev John Canon O'Donoghue, parish-priest of St. Patrick's, Consett, was attended by priests from all parts of the diocese and was followed by high Mass.
Canon O'Donoghue was celebrant and was assisted by the Rev. J. P. Canon Byrne, of St. Bede's, South Shields, and Canon Burke, of the church of the Immaculate Conception, Hartlepool. Other priests at the altar were the Rev. J. Farrow, church of the English Martyrs, Cowgate, Newcastle; the Rev. J. McEnaney, St. Patrick's, Dipton ; the Rev. G. B. Canon Pippet, St. Joseph's, Blaydon ; the Rev. E. Avery, convent of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, Ebchester ; the Rev. A. Sheedy, church of Our Wessed Lady and St. Joseph, Brooms; and the Rev. R. Durnin, St. Patrick's, Dipton. A sermon was preached by the Rev. T. A. Dunne, of St. Joseph's, Tow Law, Co. Durham.
Among other clergy present were Mgr. Canon McCormack, V.G.. of St. Mary's Cathedral, Newcastle ; the Rev. P. L. Canon Corcoran, of St. Michael's, Newcastle, and the Rev. Mgr. J. H. McShane, of St. Godric's, Durham.
Canon O'Donoghue, who took a very active part in forming the new parish, has another ambition which he hopes will soon be fulfilled. Building operations will begin shortly on a new St. Patrick's church for Consett, for the present church which was converted from an old school is not large enough.
PERSECUTION OF JEWS IN GERMANY Leeds Jews to Raise £35,000
Leeds Jews have been asked to contribute as their quota 05,000 towards the £3,000,000 required for the settlement of 100,000 young Jewish exiles from Germany in Palestine.
At meetings held in Leeds during the week-end addressed by Sir Herbert Samuel £12,000 was subscribed.
Professor S. Brodetsky, of Leeds University, said, "The enemy is stronger than we are. We shall not defeat Hitler. It is a sad thought that to-day sees a German regime dictating not only to its own people but almost dictating to Europe."