During August and September, Castlerigg Manor in Keswick is opening its doors to families, groups of friends, or private individuals who are looking for an affordable stay in the Lake District.

Also, during October half term, Castlerigg Manor is running a quiet retreat for individual adults who want to spend a few days of peace, relaxation and prayer in the Lake District.

Read more for links to free programmes of catechesis, faith formation and on the sacred scripture from Ascension Press and the Norbertine’s at St Michael’s Abbey.

Thank you to all those who prepared cakes at St Catherine’s for after the 10.30am Mass in honour of our parish patron St John Boste last weekend. Also, to those who participated in the pilgrimage, it’s my hope next year that we might be able to celebrate Mass at Dufton on the Saturday of the feast and then to have the pilgrimage after Mass.

Sophia & Francis were enrolled into the Guild of St Stephen for altar servers at the 10.30am Mass on Sunday 19 July. Many congratulations!

A huge thank you from the Monze group to all who bought tickets, donated raffle prizes, baked cakes, or in any way contributed to making our BBQ last Sunday a great success. Thank you also to BlueJam Street Beats for the fantastic music. £787.70 was raised which will go towards buying much needed equipment for the Monze Mission hospital’s neo-natal unit.

Read the letter to all parishioners here.

We offer our prayers and congratulations to the children who received our Lord for the first time in Holy Communion on Saturday. May they all continue to grow in their love for the Holy Eucharist…..

We welcome Fr Stuart Chapple, our new parish priest.

It is with great sadness that we said farewell to Fr John on Friday. A packed church for Mass with parishioners from all 3 churches in our widely spread parish along with friends from CTiP, St Catherine’s Primary School and the wider community which is a testament to the great personal connection Fr John has made with people during his time here.

We wish him every blessing in his new parish and feel very blessed to have had his wonderful pastoral care for the last 8 years.

Today's Valuation Event with auctioneer Paul Laidlaw raised £136 for Monze Funds. Thank you to everyone who helped and contributed in any way.

This year we were joined by Dusky the donkey from Wyeknot Donkeys in Brampton and members of Christ Church. We all gathered together at the Haydock Centre to mark Our Lord’s entry into Jerusalem.

Jessie has recently returned from India and wishes to thank all who supported Curry Aid. Read more for photos and a letter of thanks from the Sisters in the orphanage.

Congratulations to all who received the Sacrament recently when Bishop Paul visited Alston and Penrith. Read more for photos …

Special Parish memorial at the 10.30am Mass and blessing of gravestone and prayers at 12 noon in Penrith Cemetery. Read more for details.

As you know your donations have enabled the Monze Mission Hospital in Zambia to buy a much-needed blood gas analyser for the neo natal unit. Sister Joyce has now sent a lovely report and photos on the first few weeks of using the blood gas analyser in hospital.

According to a local newspaper report of 1950, St Catherine's was opened on 11th June 1850. This means that on Wednesday last week, the church was 175 years old (and still going strong, deo gratias). The whole school was in church for Mass last Wednesday morning which was most fitting.