2nd Sunday of Lent
Lent at Home
We are striving to reach out to everyone during Lent inviting you to engage in a “Personal Pilgrimage” in your own homes knowing that your fellow parishioners are doing the same.
It is a time to reflect and identify with Christ’s forty days of solitude in the wilderness; his personal journey to Jerusalem, then on to his death on the Cross from which he would rise to offer us the gift of the new life of the Resurrection. Our “Personal Pilgrimage” will prepare us to celebrate and enjoy that new life at Easter.
Do try to set aside some extra time each day for prayer and reflection in the “solitude” of your own home or room, knowing that we do so as a parish family and that praying apart can help to bring us together.
You may also like to “Share a Prayer” with other members of the parish, so that although we pray and read in private, we know we share our prayers with one another. Thanks to those who are sending us prayers. If you would like to share a prayer with other parishioners please email your prayers to adventcafe@icloud.com or drop them through the letterbox of St. Patrick’s presbytery by Thursday. We will produce our own prayer sheet based on the prayers that you send, which will be published on line and also included as printed copies with the Parish Newsletter in our churches.
Please let us have your prayers for the 3rd Sunday of Lent by Thursday.
Who do you trust? – a thought for Lent
Sometimes even good things that happen to us can cause us to be fearful. We might be glad to have a new job, but worry that we might not be up to it. Parents are delighted to be expecting a baby, but nervous about the responsibilities. Even something beautiful can be overwhelming: the emotions we experience can be almost too much to bear. People climbing a mountain might experience such emotions; edging upwards on difficult terrain is something they want to do, yet it can be worrying too – they might slip and fall. And then, when they reach the top, the spectacular view evokes all kinds of powerful emotions.
Many of these experiences are about trust: do we trust ourselves to take on something and do it well? Do we trust those who have chosen us? Do we trust in God?
All are welcome
Everyone is welcome to join us for the celebration of Mass in St. Patrick’s and St. Alban’s churches. It is a joy to welcome people of other faiths or none who 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.
Covid 19
Whilst no longer testing positive for Covid, Fr. Patterson continues to suffer from post Covid symptoms and has been advised to rest as much as possible for the time being. He asks for your understanding and patience and continues to be grateful for your prayers and kind wishes.
Celebrations during the coming week.
- Monday: No Mass
- Tuesday: 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s parish centre: George Armstrong
- Wednesday: No Mass
- Thursday: 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s parish centre: Manus McDermott
- Friday: No Mass
- Saturday: 6pm Mass in St. Alban’s Church: Andrew Sloan
- Sunday: 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s Church: For the Intentions of all our parishioners
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 Bill Harland, Joan Makepeace, Manus McDermott and Andrew Sloan
The Sacrament of Confirmation
Fr. Patterson is hoping to arrange the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation later in the year in St. Patrick’s Church.
It will be open to young people from St. Alban’s and St. Patrick’s who will be in Year 8 and above from September, 2023 and to any adults who may wish to receive the Sacrament. Prospective candidates should be regularly attending Mass and will need to take part in a period of preparation which will be organised in the months ahead. Please keep an eye on the Newsletter for more details. Those who may be interested, are invited to email the parish office at felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk.
Lenten Booklet of Reflections
The Diocesan Vicariate for Faith & Mission has produced the first booklet of Lenten reflections for this year. The reflections have been contributed by a range of clergy, religious and lay people to express the richness and variety of our Diocesan community. Unfortunately the booklet is only available online.
A Lenten Service in your Home
In keeping with our “Lent at Home” and “Share a Prayer” programme, Fr. Patterson would like to explore the possibility of offering one or two Lenten Reflections by Zoom for those who find it difficult to come to Church. These services, lasting approximately 30 minutes, could be offered during the course of an afternoon or in the evening. To be able to take part you would need to have access to the internet.
If this is something you would be interested in, please email the parish office at felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk during the course of the coming week to enable us to decide if it is an idea worth pursuing. Please indicated your preference for afternoon or evening.
Bishop Barron’s Sunday Sermons
Each week Bishop Barron offers a Sunday sermon.
A stay in Hospital
If you or any members of your family are going into hospital and would like to see the Catholic Chaplain, please ask a member of the ward staff to contact the Catholic Chaplain. Alternatively you can contact the Chaplaincy Department Office directly. For the Queen Elizabeth Hospital telephone 0191 445 2072 (Catholic Chaplain: Rev Paul Nichol). For the RVI and Freeman Hospitals in Newcastle telephone 0191 282 9322 (Catholic Chaplain: Rev Paddy Jackson).
In an emergency, please ask the ward sister to contact the on call Catholic chaplain. Please do not contact your own parish priest who may be unable to respond due to current hospital protocols.
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
News from our School
During the coming week, the Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust will be shortlisting applicants who have applied for the post of Headteacher of our school from September, 2023.
Year 2 children began our Lenten Journey in school last week, reflecting on the Sunday Gospel. This week, the children in Year 3 are inviting their parents and families for a prayer service in the school hall at 2.30pm on Friday afternoon.
One of our Year 4 pupils has asked us to mark World Kidney Day because of the support she had as a baby. We will be wearing purple to raise funds and awareness on Thursday 9th March
