24th Sunday of the Year
The following celebrations will take place during the coming week:
- Saturday: (16 Sep) 6pm Mass in St. Alban’s Church: The Parishioners Intentions
- Sunday: (17 Sep) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s: Denis Lenehan & Margaret Lenehan
- Tuesday: 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s Church: Lily Brown
- Thursday: 10am Service of the Word with Holy Communion in St. Patrick’s Church
- Saturday: (23 Sep) 6pm Mass in St. Alban’s Church: The Parishioners Intentions
- Sunday: (24 Sep) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s Church: Brian Quigley
Mass to view on line
Mass is live streamed 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 whose memories we cherish at this time, especially Denis Lenehan, Margaret Lenehan and Sheila Robinson and,
- Terence Barker who has died. May he rest in peace
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.
Evangelii Gaudium Sunday
This weekend we celebrate Evangelii Gaudium Sunday, formerly known as Home Mission Sunday. It is a time when we are called to be joyous in proclaiming our faith.
This year we are invited to respond to Pope Francis’ calling of a Jubilee Year to be held in 2025 with the theme Pilgrims of Hope.
The Pope has invited the whole Church to prepare for the Jubilee during the next two years through:-
Reflecting on four Constitutions of the 2nd Vatican Council, namely the Liturgy, the Word of God, the Church and its role in the modern world and deepening our prayer life, with a special focus on the Lord’s Prayer.
To support the Church in England and Wales in this important initiative the Mission Directorate of the Bishops’ Conference has produced a series of videos on the four Constitutions and a range of resources are being prepared for the Year of Prayer (2024) which include a course on the Lord’s Prayer from small groups for Lent, encouragement to try different ways of praying from the tradition of the Church.
Pope Francis calls on the Church to embark on a fundamental change of direction when it comes to evangelisation, no longer relying on past structures and actions but to read the signs of the times and act passionately in proclaiming the unique message of the Gospel that brings joy to all people who receive it with an open heart. He says: “I dream of a ‘missionary option’, that is, a missionary impulse capable of transforming everything, so that the Church’s customs, ways of doing things, times and schedules, language and structures can be suitably channelled for the evangelisation of today’s world rather than for her self-preservation.”
Financial support
There is an opportunity this weekend, for those of you who wish to make a donation to support the Mission Directorate. Simply place your donation in an envelope marked “Mission Sunday” and place it in one of the boxes at the doors of our churches. Those of you with boxes of envelopes should have an envelope in your box. However much you give, big or small, it will go directly to support this important work to bring the joy of the Gospel to all.
What do Catholics believe and why?
If you would like to know more about what Catholics believe, perhaps with a view to considering becoming a member of the Catholic Church, you may be interested in a series of talks which will take place over the coming months in St. Patrick’s parish centre on Tuesday evenings.
An information evening will take place on Tuesday, 19th September at 7pm in St. Patrick’s parish centre, Felling. Please feel free to come along on the night for a short introduction to the programme and a chance to ask any questions you may have.
RAAC
St. Alban’s Church and presbytery are to be surveyed by the Diocese in the very near future to establish whether or not they contain RAAC as they were built during the period this concrete was being widely used. Until such time as the survey has been completed, we have been advised by the Diocese to continue using the church.
Could you lend a hand to clean St. Alban’s Church please?
If you can, please come along on Friday, 29th September, 2023 from 10am.
News from our School from Mrs Robinson
Our Head Girl and Head Boy were elected by the children last week. They would like to say:
‘We are very grateful and feel honoured to be our school’s Head Boy and Head Girl and are keen to take on this responsibility. We will help our school family follow our vision to ‘Live Life to the Full’, help everyone feel welcome in our school and help us all achieve our best. We will be calm, kind, loyal and trustworthy as we develop our skills as leaders in the school. We aim to be good listeners and will endeavour to be there for the pupils.”
Please pray for our Head Boy and Head Girl as they take on these important roles in our school.
Welcome
Please extend a warm welcome to our new Headteacher, Mrs Robinson, who will be introducing herself to us at both Masses this weekend.
The Season of Creation
The Diocesan Environment Group invites you to attend an online event to mark the Season of Creation which will take place via Zoom from 10.00 – 12.00 on Saturday, 30th September, 2023. It will provide the opportunity to hear from guest speakers about the Season of Creation and to reflect on the progress made over the last few months by the Group with updates from parishes and schools working towards the Live Simply Award. Places can be booked online.
The Sacrament of Confirmation – Sunday, 19th November, 2023
Bishop Stephen will come to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation during Mass on Sunday, 19th November at 10am in St. Patrick’s Church. Please put the date in your diary and come along to support our young parishioners who are currently preparing to receive this special Sacrament.
The final three sessions for our young people from St. Alban’s and St. Patrick’s who have expressed an interest to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation take place on:
Monday 9th October and Monday 6th November
in St. Patrick’s parish centre at 18.30. Parents and sponsors are also welcome. In order to proceed to Confirmation, it is necessary for prospective candidates to attend all three of these sessions.
Your offerings are our sole source of income
Although we do not take a collection at Mass by passing round a basket, we do hope you will feel able to make an offering towards the upkeep and running costs of our churches in one of the boxes you will find at the entrances to our churches. Alternatively you may consider making your offering by Standing Order the details of which are below.
For St. Alban’s: Account name: DHN Pelaw St Alban: Sort code: 40-34-18 Account No: 92010984
For St. Patrick’s: Account name: DHN Felling St Patrick: Sort code: 40-34-18 Account No: 52010453
