5th Sunday of the Year
Dear Parishioners
There was some good news this week from the Prime Minister who spoke of the progress being made with the nations vaccination programme. This is part of what he said:
“There are many people and groups responsible for the UK’s vaccination programme and we owe our thanks to our brilliant scientists, to the Vaccine Task Force which has procured over 400 million doses of seven different types of vaccine, to the manufacturers and the delivery drivers, the pharmacists, the military medics, countless volunteers, and to the doctors, nurses and all the staff of our NHS. Thanks to their effort we have passed the milestone of 10 million vaccinations in the United Kingdom.”
With every jab and every day, we have more evidence about the effectiveness of these vaccines. New research from Oxford University suggests the protection provided by the first dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine kicks in after three weeks and lasts right the way through to the booster at three months. And research also shows that the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine seems likely to reduce transmission to others.
And even if these vaccines cannot make us invulnerable, and no vaccine has ever given 100 per cent protection to everybody, the evidence increasingly shows that our vaccines achieve this crucial objective: to reduce death and serious illness from those major strains of Covid that have been subject to research.
There are some signs of hope that the numbers of Covid patients in hospital are beginning to fall for the first time since the onset of this new wave although the level of infection is still alarmingly high and I am sorry to say that we have lost another 1,322 lives in the last 24 hours alone (Wednesday’s figure) and our hearts again go out to every family that grieves.
The wards of our NHS are still under huge pressure with more than 32,000 Covid patients still in hospital. So let’s do everything we can to carry on supporting them. Because if we stay at home, protect our NHS and save lives, then in the words of the late Captain Tom – “Tomorrow will be a good day.”
Please continue to look after one another and pray that the Lord will watch over us and keep us safe from harm.
May God bless you all
Fr. Patterson
Mass to view on line
Mass is live streamed from our Cathedral on Sunday at 11.30 am and on weekdays at 12.05 pm. These Masses may be viewed live or anytime later.
Alternatively, you may like to follow Mass from the Holy Name, Jesmond celebrated live at 10.00 am on Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
Mass Intentions for the coming week
In keeping with the public health message that the movement and gathering of people should be minimised and that as many people as possible stay at home for the sake of health, life and the Common Good, St. Patrick’s Church will remain closed until the situation improves.
Fr. Patterson will continue to celebrate Mass privately each day. The following Intentions will be remembered this week:
- Monday – Isabella Taylor
- Tuesday – Michael Scanlon
- Wednesday – LDM Cooper and Hollyman Families
- Thursday – The sick, their families, NHS staff & Care Workers
- Friday -Larry Cullen (Private Funeral : by invitation only)
- Saturday – Fr. “P’s” Intentions
- Sunday – For the intentions of all our parishioners
As you are unable to celebrate Mass with him in Church, you may wish to make this act of spiritual communion:
Lord Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most Blessed Sacrament. I love you above all things and I desire to receive you into my soul. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace you as if you were already there and unite myself wholly to you. Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.
Please keep in your prayers this week:
- all our parishioners who are sick, housebound or in hospital
- Fr. Paul McCourt and Fr. Kevin Daly who are currently unwell
- all those near and dear to us whose memories we cherish at this time especially Isabella Taylor and.
- Larry Cullen and Dorothy Foster who have died. “Receive Lord into tranquillity and peace the souls of your servants whom you have called from this life. May they be taken up into glory with your Son in whose great mystery of love we are all united.
A Prayer for Carers, Nurses and Doctors
Lord Jesus, who healed the sick and gave them new life, be with doctors, nurses and carers, as they act as agents of your healing touch. In desperate times, keep them strong yet loving; and when their work is done, be with them in their weariness and in their tears. Amen.
A time to pray
Please join me in prayer for the 111,264 people who have died in our country from the coronavirus. (Friday’s figure).
Gracious God, as we remember before you the thousands who have died from the coronavirus, surround us and all who mourn with your compassion. Be gentle with us in our grief, protect us from despair and give us grace to persevere and face the future with hope. We make this prayer in Jesus Christ our risen Lord. Amen.
World Day of Prayer for the Sick
The Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes on 11th February, is also the World Day of Prayer for the Sick. How important then is this Feast Day for the whole world during this pandemic. The world needs the prayers of Our Lady of Lourdes for healing and strength.
In his message for this World Day of Prayer, Pope Francis says, “The experience of sickness makes us realize our own vulnerability and our innate need of others. It makes us feel all the more clearly that we are creatures dependent on God. When we are ill, fear and even bewilderment can grip our minds and hearts; we find ourselves powerless, since our health does not depend on our abilities or life’s incessant worries (cf. Mt 6:27). Sickness raises the question of life’s meaning, which we bring before God in faith. In seeking a new and deeper direction in our lives, we may not find an immediate answer. Nor are our relatives and friends always able to help us in this demanding quest.”
He concludes with, “To Mary, Mother of Mercy and Health of the Infirm, I entrust the sick, healthcare workers and all those who generously assist our suffering brothers and sisters. From the Grotto of Lourdes and her many other shrines throughout the world, may she sustain our faith and hope, and help us care for one another with fraternal love.” The full text can be found on the Vatican website.
Parish News by Email
If you are aware of parishioners who would like to receive the Newsletter and other news from the parish by email, please ask them to email Fr. Patterson at felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk and they will be added to our contact list.
Your ongoing financial support is welcomed and needed
Fr. Patterson wishes to thank you for your offerings during these difficult times. He is particularly grateful to those parishioners who regularly contribute to parish funds by bank transfer which helps to meet the day to day financial commitments of our churches.
Whilst we are being urged to “Stay at Home,” it may not be wise to drop your envelopes through the presbytery letterbox, unless your daily exercise route happens to take you past the presbytery. Please be sensible. For security reason, envelopes should not be put through the letterbox of St. Alban’s Presbytery.
The parish is still able to reclaim the tax from Gift Aided offertory contributions made by bank transfer. It would be helpful to enter your name and Gift Aid envelope number as the reference when making the transfer.
The details for bank transfers and cheques are as follows:
St. Alban’s HSBC bank account name: DHN Pelaw St Alban, Sort code: 40-34-18, Account No: 92010984
St. Patrick’s HSBC bank account name: DHN Felling St Patrick, Sort code: 40-34-18, Account No: 52010453
