THE
SISTERS OF MERCY IN ALNWICK FROM 1890
On the 13th October 1890, Mother Evangelist and four Sisters arrived in Alnwick from Cordier Hill, Guernsey.
They were invited by the Parish Priest, Fr. Edward Robert, whose request was sanctioned by Bishop Wilkinson,
“to take charge of the school, visit the sick and instruct converts.”
At this time there were about 100 Catholics in Alnwick and the surrounding area.
When the Sisters came, there was no furniture, no tradition, little money and only a childlike trust in the Providence of God.
Fortunately Mother Evangalist’s relatives were very generous in their support of the little community, and with their help large
extensions to the Convent were made, so that the present Convent was completed within 20 years.
The Sisters taught in St. John’s and the Convent School, which was opened in 1895.
At this time some qualified teachers entered and commenced teaching in the schools.
Over the years vocations increased and many young Sisters qualified, became available, and gave wholehearted,
dedicated service to Education and the Works of Mercy up to the 1900s.
The schools went from strength to strength.
These apostolates were carried out not only in Alnwick, but also in Crook, Felton and Esh.
Today the Sisters
have limited Apostolates and concentrate on
visitation of the sick and housebound, and help in the Church.
Ven. Catherine McAuley said: “You have given all to God.
You must be happy and animate all around you.”
We are members of
an international organisation of men and women who are committed
to
assisting the Sisters of Mercy in their work and prayer life.
We meet on the
last Friday of each month in the Convent.
The format of the
meetings is usually prayer and reflection followed by tea and the business part
of the meeting.
We hold social events to raise money for
charity.
To
find out more or if you wish to join us, please contact any of the Associates.
Visiting the sick
and housebound of the Parish has been entrusted to the Parish Visiting Group.
Those in any kind of need are visited
regularly and reports made to the Parish Priest, Parish Council and at the
Parish Annual Meeting.
Some of the visitors are also Eucharistic
Ministers for the sick and are able and privileged to take Holy Communion to
the sick.
Each Easter and Christmas as many as possible
of the elderly are welcomed at St Paul’s for a short Seasonal Service and tea
party.
The present
contact person is Mrs Eileen Turnbull, (01665-602859,
who would be delighted to hear from those
who would welcome a visit and from anyone who
could undertake to visit the elderly in our parish.
The Parish SVP
meet on the second Tuesday of the Month and are
also active visiting the
sick and helping those in need.
They also organize transport to church for
several parishioners.
If you wish to
join or find out more about the SVP please contact either
Lawrence Bland or Tim Sewell on (01665-575176 or e-mail:
tim@sewell-online.co.uk
St Cuthbert’s Care
the Diocesan Charity run a home in Alnwick for Ladies
with special needs.
Enquiries should
be directed to Mrs Sheila McEwan at 16 Bailiffgate
or to St Cuthbert’s House, West Road,
Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE15 7PY
St Paul’s First School
(01665-602547
Head:
Mrs Maria Wilson
St
Paul’s RC First School serves the Parishes of Alnwick, Seahouses,
Wooler, Whittingham,
Rothbury, Thropton
and Longhorsley for children aged 4 to 9 years.
We also have a Mothers and Toddlers Group, Playcare and a Nursery for Pre-school children.
The Education Authority provides transport for
catholic children of school age.
Ofsted states
that “St Paul’s is a very effective school that, rightly, prides itself
on
its inclusive nature with good and often very good teaching and learning.
There
is a very good provision for spiritual, moral, social and cultural
development.”
St Paul’s Middle School
(01665-602650
Head:
Mrs Maria Wilson
St
Paul’s Middle School is the only Catholic Middle School in Northumberland
serving all the villages in the
Parishes of Alnwick,
Berwick, Amble, Seahouses, Wooler,
Whittingham, Rothbury, Thropton
and Longhorsley.
It is a modern school with up-to-date
facilities.
The Education Authority provides transport to
our schools for all catholic children.
St Benet Biscop High School
Head:
Mr Con Todd (Acting) (01670-822795
After
completing their studies at St Paul’s Middle School students transfer to St
Benet Biscop High School at Bedlington.
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