4th 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 5th Sunday of Lent by Thursday.
Give them something to eat – a thought for Lent
In November, 2013, Pope Francis issued his first proclamation to the Church and the world called the “Joy of the Gospel.” In it he set out his vision for a missionary Church, active in the modern world. He wrote: “My hope is that we will be moved by a fear of remaining shut up within structures which give us a false sense of security, within rules which make us harsh judges, within habits which make us feel safe, while at our door people are starving and Jesus does not tire of saying to us: ‘Give them something to eat’ (Mk 6:37).”
Ten years later, how far have we come in making this Church a reality? How many of us still hold on to “structures which give us a false sense of security.” If our experience of Covid-19 taught us anything, it was an awareness of our vulnerability as human beings. Has it taught us to be more compassionate and open? How much more aware are we of the vulnerability of the homeless, the lonely, those who risk their lives and drown in our seas trying only to escape tyranny and look after their families? How loudly do we proclaim that structures which allow these things to exist are wrong?
Ten years on from the proclamation of Pope Francis, the poor and “starving are still at our doors,” and Jesus is still saying to us, “give them something to eat.”
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 making slow progress recovering from post Covid systems and is advised to continue to rest as much as possible. He seeks your understanding and patience and is grateful for your prayers and kind wishes.
Celebrations during the coming week:
- Monday: No Mass
- Tuesday: 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s parish centre: John Lenehan and Elizabeth Lenehan
- Wednesday: No Mass
- Thursday: 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s parish centre: Rita Short
- Friday: No Mass
- Saturday: 6pm Mass in St. Alban’s Church: Brian Gilmore
- 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.
- 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.
A Lenten Service in your Home
As there has been no response to the suggestion of offering a Lenten Reflection Service by Zoom, it will be laid to rest!
Stations of the Cross
Sixth Form students from Cardinal Hume School invite parishioners from the parishes in our Partnership to join with them in a celebration of the Stations of the Cross based on “Laudato Si” in St Peter’s Church, Low Fell onWednesday 22nd March at 7pm. Refreshments will be served afterwards.
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 27th 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. A paper copy of this survey, for those without internet access, is available from the sacristy after Mass.
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.
Lenten Alms Appeal
The Appeal this year will help St. Cuthbert’s Care raise funds to purchase a small vehicle to be used across their two nursing homes. If you wish to support this appeal, please place your donation in an envelope marked “Lenten Alms” and place it in one of the collection boxes at the entrance to our churches.
News from our School
The children in Year 5 will invite their parents and families for a prayer service in the school hall at 2.30pm on Friday to help us continue our Lenten journey together. They will reflect on the story of Lazarus from Sunday’s Gospel.
