Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham
Darlington Mission
2 August 2026 – Ninth Sunday after Trinity
Group Pastor – Fr. Thomas Mason – thomas.mason@ordinariate.org.uk – 01833 631457 – 07876 308657
Assistant Priest – Fr. Ian Westby Deacon – the Rev’d Carl Watson
Web: https://www.ordinariate-darlington.co.uk
Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/OrdDarlFacebook
Twitter: https://twitter.com/OrdDarlington
Services this week:
Monday 3, 6.15pm, Barnard Castle (Latin) – Votive
Tuesday 4, 10am, Gainford – S. John Vianney
Thursday 6, 9am, Barnard Castle – Transfiguration
Friday 7, 12noon, Barnard Castle (Ordinariate) – S. Cajetan (preceded by Sext at 11.45am)
Friday 7, 6-7pm, Barnard Castle – Holy Hour
Confessions (at Barnard Castle): Monday 5.30-6pm, Thursday 5.30-6pm, Saturday 10-11am
Prayer List
Of your charity please pray for all the sick, especially: Morag, Ethel, George Gwilliam, Andrew Gwilliam, Fay Jackson, Dennis Walburn, Elaine Robertson, Barbara Ugoletti, Andrea Matthews, Bridget Wright, Graham Pegley, Calvert Hardy, James Hardy, Keith McAllister, Elizabeth Rawling, Charlie Camilleri, Pauline McAllister, Paul Laughlin, Garth Redvers Harris, Geraldine Dobson, Pat MacGregor, Ann Griffiths.
As also for all the faithful departed, particularly the recently departed, as well as those whose years-mind falls at this time, including Edie Wood. Requiescant in pace.
Restoration work as part of the projects to restore the fabric of the church, repairs to the plastering will begin this week. As such, internal scaffolding will mean that the church is out of action for a couple of weeks. Ordinariate Masses will be moved to Barnard Castle during this time (as we did during the roof repairs). This will begin with Mass this Friday (7th August). Apologies for the short notice, this was driven by the availability of specialist tradesmen.
Ordinariate Festival 2026 – Beauty, Truth, & Goodness This takes place in Eastbourne 13-15 October. Previous years have been very well appreciated by those who went. Full details, including how to book, can be found at https://eastbourneordinariate.org.uk/ordinariate-festival-2026
Second Collection – there is be a second collection for the Clergy Relief Fund, this is the Ordinariate’s fund to provide an equivalent of a pension for retired Priests. It will remain open on 9 August.
Third Œcumenical Council – the Council of Ephesus
Last month we began to look at the various œcumenical councils by reflecting on the Council of Constantinople which followed on from the Council of Nicaea. Both of these had the great Christological struggle in their heart – the way that the Church needed time and much effort to come to a clearer understanding of how it is that Christ can be both God and man.
In the early fifth century a new ‘solution’ to this problem began to be advocated, especially in the theological schools associated with Antioch (a major Christian centre since the first century). This became particularly associated with Nestorius, a monk and theologian in Antioch. Nestorius became famous for his preaching, and in 428 was appointed as Patriarch of Constantinople. This elevated position meant that his proposal gained much more prominence, and with that scrutiny. Nestorianism, roughly speaking, accepted that Christ is both God and man, but stresses the distinct elements within him. This became particularly focused on the titles given to Our Lady; Nestorians opposed the now widespread use of θεοτοκος (theotokos – God bearer/mother of God), preferring to refer to her as χριστοκος (christokos – Christ bearer/mother of Christ).
Cyril, Patriarch of Alexandria, in particular opposed this, stressing the unity of Christ both God and man. As the dispute continued, Cyril referred the matter to Pope Celestine I; the Pope agreed with Cyril and ordered that Nestorius recant his position, accept the unity of Christ, or face excommunication. In order to consider the matter more fully and deeply, the Emperor Theodosius II called a council to meet at Ephesus in June 431. Ephesus was chosen in part because it had always been a centre of Marian devotion, Our Lady lived there for a numbers of years in the house of S. John.
As with the Council of Constantinople, Pope Celestine did not travel to attend in person, but sent legates on his behalf. Cyril took the position of president of the council. Before the formal sessions could open, there were many informal discussions among the bishops as they arrived (inevitably given the transportation of the time, this took some while). Sadly these discussions did not tend towards mutual understanding or better relations, but mutual antagonism.
The Council formally opened on 22 June 431, despite the fact that some delegations of bishops were still en route. The deliberations of the Council involved very robust debate, as well as procedural wrangling. When the delegation from Antioch arrived, rather than join the main council, they formed a separate council which proceeded to condemn Cyril. Despite all of these troubles, the council was able to consider both the position of Nestorius, as well as of the teachings of Nestorianism. Nestorius was declared to be removed from his position as Patriarch of Constantinople, and his teaching was condemned (in both cases, mirroring the previous declarations of Pope Celestine).
In particular the Council declared that Christ is a single person, who had both a human and divine nature. These two could not be separated out (as Nestorianism implies). This leads to the acceptance of the title of theotokos for Our Lady, as the child she bore in her womb was God from the very moment of his conception. The Council also confirmed the creed from the Council of Nicaea as the firm basis of the faith.
The effects of the Council have been long-lived. For example, we use the title ‘Mother of God’ with great frequency, especially in the ‘Hail Mary’; and our Eastern brethren always refer to Our Lady as theotokos. However, it was not universally accepted, with the Assyrian Church (which we looked at back in March) breaking away over the Council – fortunately, a common Christological declaration showed a great unity of faith with it more recently.
As we rejoice in Our Lord’s incarnation, in his unity as both God and man; we also turn to Our Lady, and ask for the prayers of the great God-bearer. – Fr. Thomas.
Safeguarding The Group operates in accordance with Statutory Safeguarding Guidance and Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) and Diocese’s policies and procedures at all times. Our Group Safeguarding Representative is Jos Thompson or alternatively the Diocesan Safeguarding Team can be contacted on 0191 2433305 or at safeguarding@diocesehn.org.uk