The Feast of Christ the King
This Sunday is the Feast of Christ the King. It is also World Youth Sunday.
The following excerpts are from Pope Francis’ message for World Youth Sunday. They are addressed to people of all ages:-
“In these troubling times, when our human family, already tested by the trauma of the pandemic, is racked by the tragedy of war, Mary shows to all of us the path of proximity and encounter.
Bring yourselves to God just as you are, with all of your joys, fears, strengths and challenges. Place yourselves in his presence, knowing that he loves you as we are.
What do you want to give thanks to God for? What good things have happened this week that you want to hold on to? What things do you want to say sorry to God for – things you wished you had done, or things you wished you had done better? What are your goals or aspirations for today? What do you hope to do, learn or enjoy this week?
Take your feelings right now, your joys, challenges and desires for today, and ask God for whatever it is you need : patience? energy? confidence? peace?”
Opening soon – Advent Café
(aka St. Patrick’s Parish Centre)
Opening Wednesday, 30th November, 2022 at 6pm
Offering a chance to explore the themes of Advent – Hope, Love, Joy and Peace while praying, chatting and drinking coffee and eating cake!!!
The aim is – to find ways in which we, as a Christian, Catholic family can make these Advent ’themes’ a reality for someone, somewhere this Christmas. All are welcome and admission is free in a warm environment.
URGENTLY REQUIRED!!!
Bakers, Baristas, Talkers, Listeners, Carers, Servers, Prayers,
All those interested please contactour Parish Master Chef at adventcafe@icloud.com
All positions are on a totally voluntary basis!
Mass Intentions
- Monday – No Mass
- Tuesday: 10am in St. Patrick’s parish centre – Paul Hughes
- Wednesday: 10am in St. Alban’s Room in school – A Private Intention
- Thursday: 10am in St. Patrick’s parish centre – Gerard McCabe
- Friday: (Private Mass) Special Intention
- Saturday: 6pm in St. Alban’s Church – For the Intentions of all our parishioners
- Sunday: 10am in St. Patrick’s Church – Maurice Brown
Mass to view on line
Mass is live streamed from our Cathedral on a Sunday. Visit the Cathedral website.
Alternatively, you may like to follow Mass from the Holy Name, Jesmond. Visit the website for Mass times this week.
When you are unable to celebrate Mass 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:
- 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 especially Dominic Sloan.
Lest we forget
November is that time of year when the Church invites us to pray for all those who have died. As well as remembering our own family members and friends, let us remember those parishioners whose deaths were made known to us during the past twelve months:
Celia Anderson ~ Mary Smith ~ Sheila Fletcher ~ Patrick Reilly ~ Celia Morley ~ Maureen Hughes ~ Brian Barrett ~ Jim Ward ~ Joan Elliott ~ John Madden ~ Catherine Harkness ~ Margaret Graham ~ George Owens ~ Connie Hullock ~ Kevin O’Sullivan ~ Ronnie Brown ~ Louise Synnott ~ Catherine Hall ~ Peter Coyne ~ Joan Neil ~ John Rutter ~ Audrey Irvine ~ Pat Cunningham ~ John Southern ~ Kathleen Burrell
May light perpetual shine on them
A Prayer for Youth Sunday
Loving Lord, watch over the young people of the world. Help them to experience your love for them in all that they do so that they may come to know more deeply that they are valued members of the global world.
A Prayer for those who are ill and for those who care for them
Merciful God, we entrust to your loving care those who are ill or in pain. Comfort and heal them, and restore them to full health and strength. Grant perseverance and resilience to all who are caring for the sick, empower them with your Spirit, so that through their care many will be restored to health; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
A Prayer for our nation
Almighty God, ruler of all the peoples of the earth, forgive our shortcomings as a nation, purify our hearts to see and love the truth, give wisdom to our leaders, steadfastness to our people and bring us at last
to your kingdom of peace whose foundations are mercy, justice, and goodwill; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
A Prayer for Ukraine
Loving God, we pray for the people of Ukraine, for all those suffering or afraid, that you will be close to them and protect them. We pray for world leaders, for compassion, strength and wisdom to guide their choices. We pray for the world that in this moment of crisis, we may reach out in solidarity to our brothers and sisters in need. May we walk in your ways so that peace and justice become a reality for the people of Ukraine and for the whole world. Amen
All are welcome
Everyone is welcome to join us for the celebration of Mass in St. Patrick’s and St. Alban’s churches. In recent times, it has been a joy to welcome people of other faiths or none who have come to join us in worship.
Currently, only baptised Catholic people are able to receive Holy Communion and we ask that when you approach the altar you extend your hands towards the minister who will place the sacred host in your hand which you should then consume immediately before returning to your place.
If you are not a Catholic or are indisposed to receive Holy Communion, you are invited to come forward at the appropriate time and receive a blessing, indicating your desire by folding an arm across your chest.
Refreshments after Mass
Enjoy each others company in a warm and friendly setting with delightful refreshments in St. Patrick’s parish centre after Mass this Sunday.
Mass on Tuesday and Thursday at St. Patrick’s
In an effort to manage our heating costs, Mass on Tuesday and Thursday will be celebrated in St. Patrick’s parish centre at 10am. Entry will be by the parish centre doors only. Parking is available in the main church car park.
Mass in St. Alban’s Room in our school
Fr. Patterson will be celebrating Mass on Wednesday, 23rd November at 10am in St. Alban’s Room in our school when parishioners will be able to join in prayer with some of our children.
To comply with the school’s safeguarding policy, you are asked to enter the school via the Rothbury Avenue gate by ringing the bell at the gate. Cross the yard to the Main Entrance where you will be welcomed, asked to “sign in” and taken to St. Alban’s Room. Please do not arrive before 9.45am and do not attend if you are suffering from any Covid, cold or flu like symptoms. St. Alban’s room is ventilated, but if you wish to wear a face covering you are welcome to do so.
St. Alban’s Church Cleaning
We will be cleaning St Alban’s Church on Friday, 25th November at 10am. If you are able to come, your help would be appreciated.
Bishop Robert
Please keep Bishop Robert in your prayers. On the advice of his doctor, he is taking some medical leave from the Diocese as from last Friday, 18th November.
Youth Sunday Offering
There is an opportunity, for those of you who wish, to make an offering towards the work of the Diocesan Youth Ministry Team. Offerings may be placed in an envelope marked “Youth Sunday” and deposited in one of the collection boxes at the entrances to our churches. Those of you who have boxes of envelopes should find an envelope in your box.
Supporting St. Alban’s and St. Patrick’s with your offerings
These are difficult times for everyone as the cost of living and energy costs are starting to impact on us, our parishes included. Fr. Patterson wishes to express his gratitude for your generous weekly contributions to parish funds enabling us to pay our bills.
There are ways you can help at no further cost to yourself. If you are a UK taxpayer, our parishes can recover, through the UK government’s Gift Aid scheme, an extra 25p for every £1.00 you donate. If you wish to support our parishes in this way, please email John, the parish gift aid organiser for both of our parishes at stpatrick.giftaid@outlook.com for the appropriate form.
Whether you are a tax payer or not, you can help to relieve the pressure on our “Counting Teams” and those who have to bank the monies, by making your weekly contribution by Standing order. The details below will enable you to do so.
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
Vandalism
St. Patrick’s Church suffered some vandalism last Saturday evening at approximately 7pm when lead was stripped off the sacristy roof which resulted in the damage of a considerable number of roof slates. Temporary repairs have been made to prevent the ingress of water into the sacristy and Fr. Patterson is in the process of obtaining estimates for the cost of the repairs.
When passing either of our churches, please keep an eye out for anything or anyone who may appear to be acting in a suspicious manner and let us know, but please do not do anything that would put yourself at risk.
Our School News : www.stalbansgateshead.org
Open day
Our school is holding an Open Day on Monday, 28th November, 2022. If you would like to arrange a visit, please telephone the school office on 0191 469 3251 to arrange a time.
Little Saints
Families with pre-school age children are invited to join our Toddler Group called “Little Saints,” which meets every Thursday morning in St Alban’s school from 9.30 – 11.30. All are welcome!
School places available
We have a few spaces available for children aged 3-5 to join our Nursery or Reception class. Please contact the school office for further information 0191 469 3251
Gateshead Covid update
You may find this data from the Borough of interest. Figures are as reported on 17th November, 2022.
90 new Covid cases in the seven days up to 12th November which is an decrease of 50 from the previous 7 days. 1 person has died in the same period, which is a decrease of 1 from the previous 7 days. There were 50 patients with Covid in the QE Hospital on 16th November
Carols by Candlelight
….by Westoe Brass Band, The Diocesan Choir and Ensembles from St Joseph’s Academy, Hebburn are to be held on Friday, 9th December at 7.30pm in St Joseph’s Church, Gateshead. Tickets are £10/£8 and only available at the door. Admission for under 18s is free. Cash and card payments are accepted. Refreshments during the interval.
Cop 27 Climate Change Conference
As the Cop 27 Conference comes to a close, you may be interested in the following.
In 2015 Pope Francis wrote Laudato Si’ (The Letter), an encyclical about the environmental crisis, to every single person in the world. A month ago a film was released in which, four voices that have gone unheard in global conversations were invited to an unprecedented dialogue with the Pope. Hailing from Senegal, the Amazon, India and Hawai’i, they brought perspective and solutions from the poor, the indigenous, the youth and wildlife into a conversation with Pope Francis. This documentary follows their journey to Rome and the extraordinary experiences that took place there. It is packed with powerfully moving personal stories alongside the latest information about the planetary crisis and the toll it’s taking on nature and people.
The Pope, the Environmental Crisis, and Frontline Leaders | The Letter: Laudato Si Film
