3rd 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 4th Sunday of Lent by Thursday.
With God all things are possible – a thought for Lent
St Paul speaks of the three virtues of faith, hope and love, with the greatest being love; but it becomes clear that without faith there can be no genuine hope, and without these two there can be no lasting love. We are invited by God to have hope in his saving grace even when we don’t feel it is within our reach.
Both Moses and the Samaritan woman in the readings at Mass this weekend became leaders when they learned that God’s power overcomes our fragility. When we engage in an intimate relationship with Jesus, nothing can separate us from God’s love.
On our own we are powerless. With God, all things are possible, and even our poor efforts can make a difference to how the world is and will be.
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
Fr. Patterson is still laid low from post Covid symptoms and has been advised to continue 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: Elizabeth Pearson
- Wednesday: No Mass
- Thursday: No Mass
- Friday: 6pm Mass in St. Patrick’s parish centre: Carol Belton
- Saturday: 6pm Mass in St. Alban’s Church: For the Intentions of all our parishioners
- Sunday: 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s Church: Ken and Brida Clay
The Feast of St. Patrick
Mass will be celebrated on Friday, 17th March in St. Patrick’s parish centre at 6pm to provide an opportunity for as many parishioners as possible, especially those who work during the day, to attend. It is hoped to offer refreshments after Mass.
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.
- all those near and dear to us whose memories we cherish at this time especially Ken and Brida Clay, Elizabeth Lenehan and John Lenehan and,
- Pat Maddison who has died. May she rest in the peace of the Risen Lord.
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.
Diocesan Review – A message from Carol Lawrence, Appointee of Archbishop McMahon
The investigation commissioned by the Dicastery for Bishops has issued a survey to be completed by parishioners. This is an anonymous survey, all answers are provided in complete confidence, and you are asked to give your own individual views.
The survey will run until Monday 27 March 2023 and can be accessed at https://forms.gle/wevQ6zrj1t8SCxNq5 or through the Diocesan website. Please complete the survey only once, even if you hold more than one role in the Diocese.
Your Weekly Offering by Standing Order
Fr. Patterson has had several requests recently for the details required to make your weekly offering by Standing Order. They are set out below:-
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
You are still able to Gift Aid your offering by Standing Order. If you are not already in the Gift Aid scheme and would like to join, please email John, the Gift Aid organiser for both of our churches who will send you the necessary form. You must be a tax payer to Gift aid you contribution. John’s email is stpatrick.giftaid@outlook.com
News from our School
For a little treat before Mothering Sunday, all are invited to an ‘I love you café’ in the school hall on Friday 17th March from 9am.
The children in Year 4 are inviting their parents and families for a prayer service in the school hall at 2.30pm on Friday afternoon.
