6th Sunday of Easter
Dear Parishioners
Thanks to the generosity of our volunteers we are able to open St. Patrick’s Church for Mass on Tuesday at 10am, when no booking will be needed, and on Sunday at 10.30am when booking will be required. Parishioners are welcome to attend both Masses.
To reserve a place for Mass on Sunday, 16th May, please telephone 07526 232124 on:
Wednesday, 12th May between 5.30pm – 6.30pm
Friday, 14th May between 5.30pm – 7.00pm
Please note the change in booking times for Wednesday.
This number will be unavailable outside of the above times. Bookings cannot be made via the presbytery telephone number nor by email and can only be made for the approaching Sunday and not for any other dates. Text messages cannot be accepted as a method of booking.
You will be encouraged to provide your name and telephone number to comply with the NHS Test and Trace system and also the number in your family if you are attending as a household. Under the current restrictions you must only sit with members of your own household or bubble and not mix with people from other households. On arrival at the church you will be welcomed by a steward and your name will be checked against the booking list.
For Mass on Tuesday, where booking is not required, you are invited to bring your Test and Trace details in an envelope and place them in the box in Church.
You may still be feeling a little hesitant or uncertain about coming to Mass at St. Patrick’s and that is understandable when we still have to exercise care when mixing with those outside our household even when we have had our vaccinations. But the message below, which I recently received from a parishioner by email and am publishing with their agreement, might help to allay your fears:-
“Dear Fr. Patterson, I have just returned from my first Mass for over a year. I know there has been no obligation to attend Mass during this time and I have been lucky enough to access Mass online 2 or 3 times a week since the beginning of the pandemic.
As I have had my second jab I felt now was the time for me to return to St Patrick’s. Absolutely nothing prepared me for the emotional effect this had on me which was mainly because I was able to receive Holy Communion for the first time in such a long time. I was very anxious on arrival about doing the right things but I needn’t have worried as the stewards were wonderful and I am very grateful to them and you, Father, for making that possible. The environment felt very safe.”
Please remember though that the Sunday obligation is still suspended so you are under no obligation to come to Mass. You must not come to Church if you are experiencing any signs of Covid-19 or feeling unwell in any way.
Despite the reduction in the number of new cases of Covid-19 in the region, there is still a need to look after one another in the weeks and months ahead especially by complying with the restrictions remembering not everyone has been vaccinated.
Please continue to pray that the Lord will watch over us and keep us safe.
Lord God, keep us under the shadow of your protection
during this time of pandemic. Sustain and support the anxious
and fearful and lift up all who are brought low
so that we may rejoice in your comfort
knowing that nothing can separate us from your love
in Christ Jesus our Risen Lord.
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 Sunday or anytime later. There are no weekday Masses at the Holy Name this week.
Mass Intentions for the coming week
With the exception of Sunday and Tuesday, I will celebrate Mass privately during the week remembering the following Intentions
- Monday – Pat McDonagh
- Tuesday: 10am in St. Patrick’s Church – LDM Brown and McCloskey Families
- Wednesday – Dorothy Foster
- Thursday – The sick, their families, NHS staff & Care Workers
- Friday – Emma Hindes Saturday – Fr “P’s” intentions
- Sunday: 10.30am in St. Patrick’s Church – For the intentions of all our parishioners – booking required
When you are unable to celebrate Mass with me 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.
In case you are not aware, a parish priest is obliged to celebrate Mass for the “Intentions of the Parishioners” every Sunday or Holyday, which prevents him from fulfilling personal intentions on those occasions.
Please keep in your prayers this week:
- all our parishioners who are sick, housebound or in hospital and,
- all those near and dear to us whose memories we cherish at this time.
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 together in prayer for the 127,598 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.
Pray for an end to the pandemic
Pope Francis encourages Catholics across the globe to dedicate the month of May to praying for an end to the pandemic by reciting the Rosary. Each day will see Vatican News broadcast the recitation of the Rosary at 6pm Rome time (5pm UK time) from the various Shines taking part in the initiative.
Funerals in Church
The Government has announced that from 17th May, the number of people able to attend a funeral will depend on how many people can be accommodated safely within an individual place of worship with social distancing, and where the Diocese has carried out a risk assessment of the individual church and taken all reasonable measures to limit the risk of transmission of COVID-19.
In the case of St. Patrick’s Church the risk assessment carried out by the Diocesan Health and Safety Adviser has determined that a maximum of 70 people may attend a Funeral Mass or Service, subject to the Government implementing their ruling after 17th May. The numbers permitted in other churches will vary according to their own risk assessment.
To minimise the risk of viral transmission, the Government continues to advise that only the following should attend a funeral: members of the deceased person’s household, close family members and close friends.
For “Test and Trace” purposes, families will still be invited to provide the parish with a list of those people they will be inviting to attend a funeral who must also adhere to the Covid-19 protocols which are in place for the safety and well-being of everyone. The Funeral Director will explain these protocols to family members.
Repairs to St. Alban’s Presbytery
Essential repairs to St. Alban’s presbytery, which involved replacing the lintel over the external kitchen door, work to the surrounding brickwork and some roof repairs have been completed at a cost of £3,000.00.
Thank you
Fr. Patterson is most grateful for three recent donations to St. Patrick’s parish funds. Two donations of £100.00 each and a donation of £40.00. Thank you.
Mission Boxes
Thanks to those parishioners who support the work of the Missions by way of the Red Mission boxes you have in your homes. During the past twelve months you have raised £1,569.00 (St. Patrick’s) and £648.00 (St. Alban’s).
If you need to have your mission box emptied, this can be arranged in accordance with Covid restrictions by contacting Kathleen on 0191 440 5324.
We take this opportunity to remember in prayer Emma Hindes who organised the Mission Boxes in St. Alban’s and who died in December, 2020. Whilst Kathleen has offered to look after the boxes from both parishes for the time being, a replacement for Emma in this work would be appreciated. If you would be interested in helping, please contact Kathleen on the above telephone number who will explain “the ins and outs!”.
The Search for Happiness
Now that the current series of “Line of Duty” has come to an end, you may find this short video by Fr. Stephen Wang of interest. It is the beginning of a series of videos which I propose to share with you over the next few weeks.
This first video is entitled “The Search for Happiness.” I hope you enjoy it.
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.
Have we entered a new phase of the Coronavirus?
This week we continue to see low levels of cases again which, according to Professor Tim Spector, suggests COVID-19 is becoming endemic in the UK.
Unlike a pandemic affecting diverse populations around the world, endemic refers to a situation where the virus is found regularly among particular pockets of the population. In short, COVID-19 is here to stay but at low levels with minor outbreaks from time to time. Hear more about this in Tim’s weekly video.
Checking in on your mental health
It’s Mental Health Awareness Week this coming week and it’s been a tough year for many of us. Don’t forget to look after yourself and reach out to friends and family who might need your support. Check out Zoe’s 5 tips to support your mental health blog.
Wealthy countries should help poorer nations
On Thursday, 6 May, the number of new recorded daily Covid infections in India reached a new high of more than 414,000.
Distressing images continue to emerge from the country, as it struggles with soaring infection rates in its deadly second wave. Makeshift pyres are being built in crematoriums in India’s capital Delhi as the city runs out of space to cremate its dead. Car parks, public parks or empty ground are now being sought for cremations, with families often waiting for hours before they can cremate their loved ones. Ventilators and oxygen equipment have arrived in India from the UK in the first international shipment aimed at stemming the surge, but many more supplies will be needed.
World Health Organization special envoy David Nabarro has told the BBC that wealthy countries, including the UK, should send spare vaccine doses to virus-hit nations before organising booster jabs at home, He said Covid was “fiercer than ever” and “causing more distress than ever” worldwide. His comments came after Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi said the UK could start a booster programme as early as September. The government has also pledged to donate surplus vaccine doses to poorer nations. You can read more about the UK’s vaccine programme on the BBC news website.
Roadmap Step 2 (from 12 April)
These are the changes that came into effect on 12th April:
- More businesses will open, but indoor settings should be visited alone, or with household groups.
- Outside, six people or two households can meet. We are still not permitted to meet indoors before 17th May at the earliest.
- All shops are allowed to open.
- Hairdressers, beauty salons and other close-contact services can open.
- Restaurants and pubs are allowed to serve food and alcohol to customers sitting outdoors.
- Gyms and spas can reopen, as can zoos, theme parks, libraries and community centres.
- Members of the same household can take a holiday in England in self-contained accommodation.
- Weddings – up to 15 people; Funerals – up to 30 people, with 15 at wakes.
- Children may attend any indoor children’s activity.
- Care home visitors will increase to two per resident and further. changes for residents are proposed for Tuesday, 4th May.
- Driving lessons can resume, with driving tests restarting on 22 April.
New Offertory Envelopes – to collect or be delivered.
The new boxed sets of Offertory envelopes, beginning Sunday, 4th April, 2021, are now available and may be collected from St. Patrick’s Church after Mass on Sunday or after Mass on a Tuesday if you could let us know you will be attending. It may be possible to deliver some boxes. If you would like your box delivered please contact Fr. Patterson at felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk.
During the course of the pandemic several parishioners have chosen to contribute by Bank Transfer or Standing Order and it is hoped they will continue to do so in the long term rather than use envelopes. This facilitates the financial administration of the parish. Please consider contributing by Standing Order. The details needed are provided below.
Your ongoing financial support is welcomed and needed
Fr. Patterson continues to be grateful for your offerings during these difficult times and is especially grateful to those parishioners who regularly contribute to parish funds by standing order helping us meet the regular financial commitments of our churches.
You may bring your envelopes to Mass on Tuesdays or Sundays or drop them through the presbytery letterbox. 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
