Parish newsletter

Posted on 3 April 2021 by admin

Parish newsletter 3 April 2021 Download

Easter Sunday

Dear Parishioners

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy and Blessed Easter.

With the slight easing of restrictions last Monday, I hope you will be able to enjoy a little time with others in keeping with the present restrictions of the rule of six or two households and observing social distancing. It is still so important whether we have been vaccinated or not.

It was uplifting to see so many of you who felt able to come along to St. Patrick’s Church to celebrate Maundy Thursday and Good Friday together. I am also grateful for your comments as to how safe you feel inside the Church and for your appreciation of the welcome and assistance you receive from our volunteer stewards. As you are aware, we are keeping to the 2 metre social distancing requirement as laid down in the Government guidelines.

I would also like to express my gratitude to our volunteer stewards for their support and for making it possible to open our Church for some parish Masses and Funerals and to our “telephone operator” for taking your calls ensuring our booking system runs smoothly. Thank you.

Following the removal of the restriction to “Stay at Home” on 29th March, and thanks to the generosity of our volunteers, we will now be able to open St. Patrick’s Church for Mass on Tuesdays at 10.00 (no booking will be needed) as well as on a Sunday, at 10.30 when booking will be required. The Tuesday Mass will commence on 13th April due to private funeral services in the Church this coming week.

To reserve a place for Sunday, 11th April please telephone:

07526 232124

on Wednesday, 7th April between 10am – 12pm or

Friday, 9th April between 5.30pm – 7pm

I am afraid Mass on Easter Sunday is fully booked.

This number will be unavailable outside of the above booking times.

Bookings cannot be made via the presbytery telephone number nor by email and can only be made for the approaching Sunday and not for any other dates. Text messages cannot be accepted as a method of booking.

You will be asked to provide your name and telephone number to comply with the NHS Test and Trace system and also the number in your family if you are attending as a household. Under the current restrictions you must only sit with members of your own household or bubble and not mix with people from other households.

On arrival at the church you will be welcomed by a steward and your name will be checked against the booking list.

Please remember you are under no obligation to attend Mass. The Sunday obligation is still suspended. You should not come to Church if you are experiencing any signs of Covid-19 or feeling unwell in any way.

In the weeks and months ahead it is still important to look after one another and to pray that the Lord will continue to watch over us and keep us safe.

Lord God, keep us under the shadow of your protection
during this time of pandemic. Sustain and support the anxious
and fearful and lift up all who are brought low
so that we may rejoice in your comfort
knowing that nothing can separate us from your love
in Christ Jesus our Risen Lord.

God bless you all

Fr. Patterson

Mass to view on line

Mass is live streamed from our Cathedral on Sunday at 11.30 am and on weekdays at 12.05 pm. These Masses may be viewed live or anytime later.

Mass Intentions for the coming week

With the exception of Sunday, I will celebrate Mass privately during the week remembering the following Intentions

Monday – Pat Donald
Tuesday -Private Memorial Mass
Wednesday – Knock, Hughes and Kelly Families
Thursday – Private Funeral Mass
Friday – The sick, their families, NHS staff & Care Workers
Saturday – Fr “P’s” intentions
Sunday: 10.30am in St. Patrick’s Church – for the intentions of all our parishioners – booking is necessary

When you are unable to celebrate Mass with me in Church, you may wish to make this act of spiritual communion:

In case you are not aware, a parish priest is obliged to celebrate Mass for the “Intentions of the Parishioners” every Sunday or Holyday, which prevents him from fulfilling personal intentions on those occasions.

Please keep in your prayers this week:

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 Pat Donald and Elizabeth Knock and,
Kevin Crinnion who has died. “Receive Lord into tranquillity and peace the soul of your servant whom you have called from this life. May she be taken up into glory with your Son in whose great mystery of love we are all united. Amen.”

A Prayer for Carers, Nurses and Doctors

Lord Jesus, who healed the sick and gave them new life, be with doctors, nurses and carers, as they act as agents of your healing touch. In desperate times, keep them strong yet loving; and when their work is done, be with them in their weariness and in their tears. Amen.

A time to pray

Please join me in prayer for the 126,816 people who have died in our country from the coronavirus. (Friday’s figure)

Gracious God, as we remember before you
the thousands who have died from the coronavirus,
surround us and all who mourn with your compassion.

Be gentle with us in our grief,
protect us from despair and give us grace to persevere
and face the future with hope. We make this prayer
in Jesus Christ our risen Lord. Amen.

Roadmap Step 1b:

These are the changes that came into effect on 29th March.

On 31st March, Public Health England medical director Dr Yvonne Doyle has warned in terms of the pandemic “we’re not quite out of the woods yet”.

“It is encouraging that the death rate is falling, but there are still as many people in hospital now as there were at the start of the second wave, and tens of thousands of us are getting infected every week and could become seriously ill,” she says.

“As restrictions lift and the weather improves, we cannot drop our guard. We’re not out of the woods quite yet.

“Until all of us are protected it remains essential to follow the steps we know stop the virus from spreading. Kill it by washing your hands, block it by wearing your mask, and maintain a safe social distance in the open air.

“Case numbers are still high in certain places and looking forward they are certainly not predictable. So your actions are still saving lives.

New Offertory Envelopes

The new boxed sets of Offertory envelopes, beginning Sunday, 4th April, 2021, are now available and may be collected from St. Patrick’s Church after Mass on Sundays.

Thanks to an offer of help, new Gift Aid envelopes will shortly be delivered to those parishioners who have been returning their envelopes during the pandemic and live in the Bill Quay, Wardley and Pelaw areas of our parish.

During the course of the pandemic several parishioners have chosen to contribute by Bank Transfer or Standing Order and it is hoped they will continue to do so in the long term rather than use envelopes. This facilitates the financial administration of the parish. Please consider contributing by Standing Order. The details needed are provided below.

Your ongoing financial support is welcomed and needed

Fr. Patterson renews his thanks to you for your offerings during these difficult times especially to those parishioners who regularly contribute to parish funds by bank transfer helping to meet the regular financial commitments of our churches.

Should you wish, you may drop your envelopes through the presbytery letterbox. For security reason, envelopes should not be put through the letterbox of St. Alban’s Presbytery.

The parish is still able to reclaim the tax from Gift Aided offertory contributions made by bank transfer. It would be helpful to enter your name and Gift Aid envelope number as the reference when making the transfer.

The details for bank transfers and cheques are as follows:

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

Parish News by Email

If you are aware of parishioners who would like to receive the Newsletter and other news from the parish by email, please ask them to email Fr. Patterson at felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk and they will be added to our contact list. The Newsletter may also be found on our parish website.

Parish newsletter 3 April 2021 Download

Parish newsletter

Posted on 27 March 2021 by admin

Parish newsletter 28 March 2021 Download

Attending St. Patrick’s Church during the National Lockdown Download

Palm Sunday

Dear Parishioner

After consulting with our volunteer stewards, we are able to offer a modified programme of services for Holy Week. I am very grateful to our volunteers for making this possible for those of you who may feel able to take part.

The Government Guidelines still require places of worship and faith communities “to adapt their religious services to ensure the safety of those present and minimise the spread of infection. It is advised that the ceremonies and services should be concluded in the shortest reasonable time,” which is reaffirmed by the Bishops of England and Wales.

In keeping with that guidance, we offer you the following opportunities:-

Holy Thursday: a simple Mass will be celebrate at 5.30pm. You do not need to reserve a place in advance. Seats will be allocated on a first come first served basis to ensure we do not breach our maximum capacity of 70 people for a parish Mass.

Should you choose to attend Mass on Holy Thursday, please bring an envelope containing your name and a contact telephone number and place it in the box provided at the front of the Church to satisfy Test and Trace requirements. These will be retained for 21 days in accordance with Government requirements. Alternatively you may use the NHS Covid-19 App to “Sign in” using the QR Code displayed in the Church.

Good Friday: a simplified celebration of the Passion of the Lord with Holy Communion will take place at 11.00am. You will need to reserve a place for this Service. See details below

Easter Sunday: Mass will be celebrated at 10.30. You will need to reserve a place for this Mass. See details below

To reserve a place for Good Friday and/or Easter Sunday please telephone

07526 232124 on

Monday, 29th March between 10.00am – 12.00pm
Tuesday, 30th March between 5.30pm – 6.30pm
Wednesday, 31st March between 5.30 pm – 6.30 pm

This number will be unavailable outside of the above booking times.

Bookings cannot be made via the presbytery telephone number nor by email and can only be made for the approaching Sunday and not for dates in advance. Text messages cannot be accepted as a method of booking.

You will be asked to provide your name and telephone number to comply with the NHS Test and Trace system and also the number in your family if you are attending as a household. Under the current Lockdown restrictions you must only sit with members of your own household or bubble and not mix with people from other households.

On arrival at the church you will be welcomed by a steward and your name will be checked against the booking list.

Please remember you are under no obligation to attend Mass. The Sunday obligation is still suspended. You should not come to Church if you are still shielding or experiencing any signs of Covid-19 or feeling unwell in any way.

In the meantime, please continue to look after one another and pray that the Lord will watch over us and keep us safe from harm

May God bless you all

Fr. Patterson

Mass to view on line

Mass is live streamed from our Cathedral on Sunday at 11.30 am and on weekdays at 12.05 pm. These Masses may be viewed live or anytime later.

Alternatively, you may like to follow Mass from the Holy Nam e, Jesmond celebrated live at 10.00 am on Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Mass Intentions for the coming week

I will celebrate Mass privately on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The following Intentions will be remembered this week.

Monday – Special Intention (JWG)
Tuesday – John, Mary and Jack Gillum
Wednesday – Leonard Robinson
Thursday: 5.30 pm in St. Patrick’s Church – The sick, their families, NHS staff & Care Workers
Good Friday Service: 11.00am in St. Patrick’s Church – booking is necessary
Saturday – No Mass is celebrated on Holy Saturday
Sunday: 10.30 am in St. Patrick’s Church – For the intentions of all our parishioners – booking is necessary

As you are unable to celebrate Mass with me in Church, you may wish to make this act of spiritual communion:

Please keep in your prayers this week:

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 Pat Donald and,
Kevin Crinnion who has died. “Receive Lord into tranquillity and peace the soul of your servant whom you have called from this life. May she be taken up into glory with your Son in whose great mystery of love we are all united. Amen.”

A Prayer for Carers, Nurses and Doctors

A time to pray

Please join me in prayer for the 126,515 people who have died in our country from the coronavirus. (Friday’s figure).

Gracious God, as we remember before you
the thousands who have died from the coronavirus,
surround us and all who mourn with your compassion.

Be gentle with us in our grief,
protect us from despair and give us grace to persevere
and face the future with hope. We make this prayer
in Jesus Christ our risen Lord. Amen.

To support you during Lent

You may like to join Bishop Robert Barron in a “Reflection on the Way of the Cross”.

A free small book, recommended by Bishop Barron, entitled “The Sign of the Cross” can be downloaded. It would be one way for you to prepare for Holy Week.

The Diocese offers daily reflections for your Lenten journey at home.

“Magnificat” offer you their free digital prayer book for Holy Week.

Retirement

Fr. Kevin Cummins will be retiring as parish priest of St. Oswald’s, Wrekenton at the end of August, 2021. He will continue to live in the presbytery at Wrekenton. As Bishop Robert has no-one to replace him, Fr. Paul Zielinski will take on the pastoral care of St. Oswald’s along with St. Augustine’s, Leam Lane and St. Anne’s, Harlow Green.

Roadmap Step 1b: Changes from 29th March subject to ratification by the Prime Minister

These are the changes that may come into effect on 29th March.

Social contact

The evidence shows that it is safer for people to meet outdoors rather than indoors. And this is why from 29 March, when most schools start to break up for the Easter holidays, outdoor gatherings (including in private gardens) of either 6 people (the Rule of 6) or 2 households will also be allowed, making it easier for friends and families to meet outside.

Business and activities

Outdoor sports facilities such as tennis and basketball courts, and open-air swimming pools, will also be allowed to reopen, and people will be able to take part in formally organised outdoor sports.

Travel

The ‘stay at home’ rule will end on 29 March but many restrictions will remain in place. People should continue to work from home where they can and minimise the number of journeys they make where possible, avoiding travel at the busiest times and routes. Travel abroad will continue to be prohibited, other than for a small number of permitted reasons. Holidays abroad will not be allowed, given it will remain important to manage the risk of imported variants and protect the vaccination programme. The government has launched a new taskforce to review global travel which will report on 12 April.

Regional update

You may find this update of data showing cases per 100,000 per population from our region of interest:

Cases per 100,000 per population in our region – national average 43

Area	w/e 5th January 2021 (lockdown)	w/e 22^th March
Gateshead	404	58
Newcastle	215	58
South Tyneside	495	74
Sunderland	479	76

New Offertory Envelopes

The new boxed sets of Offertory envelopes, beginning Sunday, 4th April, 2021, are now available and may be collected from St. Patrick’s Church after Mass on Sundays. It is hoped that alternative arrangements may be made for their distribution after 29th March, if the “Stay at Home” restriction has been lifted.

During the course of the pandemic several parishioners have chosen to contribute by Bank Transfer and it is hoped they will continue to do so in the long term rather than use envelopes. This facilitates the financial administration of the parish. Please consider contributing by Bank Transfer. The details needed are provided below.

Your ongoing financial support is welcomed and needed

Whilst we are being urged to “Stay at Home,” it may not be wise to drop your envelopes through the presbytery letterbox, unless your daily exercise route happens to take you past the presbytery. Please be sensible. For security reason, envelopes should not be put through the letterbox of St. Alban’s Presbytery.

The details for bank transfers and cheques are as follows:

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

Parish newsletter 28 March 2021 Download

Parish newsletter

Posted on 20 March 2021 by admin

Parish newsletter 21 March 2021 Download

Attending St Patrick’s Church during the national lockdown Download

5th Sunday of Lent

Dear Parishioner

Next Tuesday, 23rd March, marks the first anniversary of the day on which the Prime Minister announced the first national stay-at-home order days after warning us that “we would loose loved ones before their time.”

The total number of recorded deaths linked to coronavirus in the UK stood at 335 on that day and according to last Friday’s figures there have now been 125,353 people who have died.

To mark this anniversary, Tuesday has been declared a National Day of Prayer and Reflection, a time to come together to reflect on our collective loss, support those who have been bereaved and hope for a brighter future.

The Bishops of England and Wales encourage us to share in this day with prayer. To enable us to do so,

there will be a public Mass in St. Patrick’s Church at 10.00 on Tuesday

No booking is necessary, but seats will be allocated on a first come first served basis to ensure we do not breach our maximum capacity of 70 people for a parish Mass.

Please remember that you are still legally obliged by the Lockdown restrictions to “Stay at Home,” but you are permitted by law to come to Church if you consider it is safe for you to do so. You must not come if you are shielding or are feeling unwell.

Should you choose to come, please bring an envelope containing your name and a contact telephone number and place it in the box provided at the front of the Church to satisfy Test and Trace requirements. These will be retained for 21 days in accordance with Government requirements. Alternatively you may use the NHS Covid-19 App to “Sign in” using the QR Code displayed in the Church

I am very grateful to our volunteer stewards who have offered to assist at this Mass thereby making it possible for Mass to take place.

In keeping with the current restrictions, we continue to offer Mass on a Sunday at 10.30 in St. Patrick’s Church for which booking is necessary.

Booking for Sunday, 21st March, is now closed, so please do not attend unless you have been assured of a place as we may be unable to welcome you into the Church.

To reserve a place for Sunday, 28th March, please telephone

07526 232124 on

Wednesday, 24th March between 10.00 am – 12.00 pm
or
Friday, 26th March between 5.30 pm – 7.00 pm

This number will be unavailable outside of the above booking times.

You will be asked to provide your name and telephone number to comply with the NHS Test and Trace system and also the number in your family if you are attending as a household. Under the current Lockdown restrictions you must only sit with members of your own household or bubble and not mix with people from other households.

On arrival at the church you will be welcomed by a steward and your name will be checked against the booking list.

In the meantime, please continue to look after one another and pray that the Lord will watch over us and keep us safe from harm.

May God bless you all

Fr. Patterson

Mass to view on line

Mass is live streamed from our Cathedral on Sunday at 11.30 am and on weekdays at 12.05 pm. These Masses may be viewed live or anytime later.

Alternatively, you may like to follow Mass from the Holy Nam e, Jesmond celebrated live at 10.00 am on Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Mass Intentions for the coming week

Fr. Patterson will continue to celebrate Mass privately each weekday. The following Intentions will be remembered this week.

Monday – Private Funeral Mass
Tuesday: 10 am in St Patrick’s Church – For all who have been affected by the coronavirus in the past year
Wednesday – Brian Gilmore
Thursday – John Lenehan and Elizabeth Lenehan
Friday – Private Funeral Mass
Saturday – Fr. “P’s” Intentions
Sunday: 10.30 am in St. Patrick’s Church – For the intentions of all our parishioners – booking necessary

As you are unable to celebrate Mass with him in Church, you may wish to make this act of spiritual communion:

Please keep in your prayers this week:

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 Brian Gilmore and John Lenehan and Elizabeth Lenehan and,
Sheila Barrett and Ann Bennell who have died. “Receive Lord into tranquillity and peace the soul of your servant whom you have called from this life. May she be taken up into glory with your Son in whose great mystery of love we are all united. Amen.”

A Prayer for Carers, Nurses and Doctors

A time to pray

Please join me in prayer for the 126,026 people who have died in our country from the coronavirus. (Friday’s figure).

Gracious God, as we remember before you
the thousands who have died from the coronavirus,
surround us and all who mourn with your compassion.

Be gentle with us in our grief,
protect us from despair and give us grace to persevere
and face the future with hope. We make this prayer
in Jesus Christ our risen Lord. Amen.

To support you during Lent.

You may like to join Bishop Robert Barron in a “Reflection on the Way of the Cross” or to pray The Mysteries of the Rosary with him.

A free small book, recommended by Bishop Barron, entitled “The Sign of the Cross” can be downloaded. It would be one way for you to prepare for Holy Week.

The Diocese offers daily reflections for your Lenten journey at home.

Stations of the Cross every Friday throughout Lent, 11:00-11:30 am. CAFOD invites you to join its meditation on Christ’s journey to the cross, following themes of justice, poverty, mercy, friendship and hope

Holy Week in St. Patrick’s Church

After consulting with our volunteer stewards, we hope to be able to offer a modified programme of services for Holy Week.

In keeping with that guidance, a simple Mass will be celebrate in the early evening on Holy Thursday at 5.30 pm; a simplified celebration of the Passion of the Lord with Holy Communion will take place on Good Friday at 11 am and Mass will be celebrated on Easter Sunday at 10.30 am. There will be no need to reserve a place for Holy Thursday, but we do ask you to reserve a place for Good Friday and Easter Sunday. This can be done on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Holy Week at times which will be published in next weekend’s Newsletter.

All Holy Week Services will be lived streamed from our Cathedral for those of you who do not feel ready to return to Church. You are under no obligation to do so and must still look after your own health and well-being.

National Day of Prayer and Reflection

Next Tuesday, 23rd March marks the first anniversary of the day on which the Prime Minister announced the first national stay-at-home order days after warning us that “we would loose loved ones before their time.”

We reflect in sorrow on all those who have died, whether family members, friends or those unknown to us personally. We pray for them, asking our Father to welcome them into their heavenly home, the destiny for which God first gave us the gift of life.

We reflect with compassion on all those who have suffered during this last year, whether through illness, stress, financial disaster or family tensions. We pray for their ongoing resilience, courage and capacity to forgive.

We reflect with thanksgiving for the generosity, inventiveness, self-sacrifice and determination shown by so many in this most difficult of times. We pray for them, thanking God for their gifts and dedication, whether they are scientists, politicians, health workers, public servants of every kind, community leaders or steadfast family members and friends who continue to show such love and compassion.

We reflect in hope that, as the pandemic is controlled and we open up our lives again, we will gather in the lessons we have learned and build our society into a better shape, more compassionate, less marked by inequalities, more responsive to needs and deprivation.

We ask for the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to guide and strengthen us in this endeavour, whether we are focussing on overcoming family breakdowns, economic recovery, or building political consensus.

Christian prayer is, of course, centred on Jesus Christ, the one who is “lifted up” before us “so that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him” (John 3.13). We pray with Jesus, in him and through him, for he is the one who carries us, and our prayers, into the embracing presence of his Father. He is our comfort in sorrow, our strength in the face of need, our rejoicing in the gifts we celebrate and our hope in the face of the weighty darkness of death.

May Tuesday be a great day of prayer that this pandemic comes to an end and that the gift of God’s Holy Spirit will carry us all forward to a new and better life, both here and in the world to come.

Why we are asked to reserve a place when we come to Church

“Shoulder my yoke and learn from me” (Matthew 11: 29)

I am aware that there are some parishioners who are uncomfortable with the need to reserve a place when coming to church on some occasions. In an ideal world it is something we would normally not have to do, but we are still in the midst of the pandemic and as with all the other guidelines and restrictions, we must continue to follow those for Places of Worship and be willing to make sacrifices, putting our personal preferences to one side for the sake of others, so that we can pray together in relative safety.

From the start of the pandemic, Places of Worship were described by the Government Task Force and Public Health England as “places that are particularly vulnerable to the spread of the virus because of the communities and generations that are brought together,” which is why they imposed such strict guidelines on Places of Worship all of which are designed to minimise the risk of the transmission of the coronavirus.

Part of those guidelines are that we have to have in place “pre-booking arrangements so that no more people than can be safely accommodated arrive at the church.” St. Patrick’s has been risked assessed with a maximum of 70 people at a parish Mass which is a statutory requirement. Financial penalties can be incurred if that number is breached. It also prevents our stewards having to turn people away, which they would be required to do, if our maximum capacity is likely to be breached.

So to comply with these regulations we have, like many churches, to ask parishioners to reserve a place for some of our celebrations—principally, at this time, Sunday Mass.

Roadmap Step 1: Changes from 8th March

These are the changes that came into effect on 8th March:

Schools and colleges have reopened, and university students can return for practical courses.
Two people from different households can meet outside for recreation, which can include “a coffee on a bench”.
Care home residents can have one nominated visitor, with testing and social distance precautions.

All other restrictions are still in place including the mandatory rule to “Stay at Home.”

Lenten Alms

The following letter has been received from Moira Ashman, the Chief Executive of St. Cuthbert’s Care. “At St Cuthbert’s Care, we provide a very personal and sensitive approach to our care. The pandemic has made this so much more challenging for us. Throughout the past year, we have carefully transformed the delivery of all our frontline services, to ensure residents and service users still enjoy life to the full. Replicating this care to every resident throughout our nursing homes alongside our disability provision and children’s homes, has been at a significant cost, and these increased costs look set to continue for some time to come. Circumstances have been difficult for us all this year. For this Lenten Appeal, any donation we receive however small, would be deeply appreciated. I know that for some parishioners, financial donations may not be an option and I fully accept this. Thank You.”

If you feel able to support Lenten Alms this year you can make a donation via St Cuthberts Care website.

New Offertory Envelopes

Your ongoing financial support is welcomed and needed

The details for bank transfers and cheques are as follows:

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

Parish newsletter 21 March 2021 Download

Parish newsletter

Posted on 13 March 2021 by admin

Parish newsletter 14 March 2021 Download

Attending St Patrick’s Church during the national lockdown Download

4th Sunday of Lent

Dear Parishioner

St Patrick’s Church will be open for Mass next Sunday, 21st March at 10.30.

To ensure the safety and well-being of everyone, and to prevent breaching our maximum capacity of 70 parishioners in the church for a parish Mass, we will follow Government and Diocesan Guidelines and ask parishioners, who wish to attend Mass to reserve a place in advance. This should prevent anyone having to be turned away, which I am afraid would have to happen if our capacity is reached.

To reserve a place for Mass on Sunday, 21st March at 10.30

please telephone

07526 232124

Booking system open on:

Wednesday, 17th March between 10.00 am – 12.00 pm
and
Friday, 19th March between 5.30 pm – 7.00 pm

This number will be unavailable outside of the above booking times.

You will be asked to provide your name and telephone number to comply with the NHS Test and Trace system and also the number in your family if you are attending as a household. Under the current Lockdown restrictions you must only sit with members of your own household or bubble and not mix with people from other households.

On arrival at the church you will be welcomed by a steward and your name will be checked against the booking list.

The procedures which need to be followed when you attend Church are outlined on the information sheet attached to this Newsletter.

On leaving the Church – Please be responsible and adhere to the law.

Under the current Lockdown Restrictions, you must not mingle outside the Church after Mass. Parishioners are asked todisperse immediately on leaving the Church, this is to minimise any possible transmission of the coronavirus.

Please remember though, the Public Health Message is that we are still legally required to “Stay at Home.” You are under no obligation to attend Mass. The Sunday obligation is still suspended. You should not come to Church if you have received a letter to say that you must shield nor if you are experiencing any signs of Covid-19 or feeling unwell in any way. Remember too that if you have received your first dose of the vaccine it takes 3 to 4 weeks to develop antibodies and the vaccine does not give you total immunity. So please consider the wisdom of coming to Church.

While we will attempt to take all the appropriate precautions consistent with the advice of public health authorities, the Bishops’ Conference and the Diocesan Authorities, parishioners should understand that they assume the risk of contracting COVID-19 any time they enter a public space, since such precautions do not eliminate the risk of infection.

Unfortunately we still do not have sufficient volunteers to reopen St. Alban’s Church to ensure it would be Covid secure and fully compliant with all the guidelines which continue to be required by the Government. Hopefully, in the light of the Government’s Roadmap, we can begin to explore how we can reopen St. Alban’s Church once the Covid restrictions have been lifted. I will outline my hopes in the coming weeks. The Bishop will be meeting with priests via Zoom in the next couple of weeks which may provide more guidance for us. I will, as always, keep you informed

In the meantime, please continue to look after one another and pray that the Lord will watch over us and keep us safe from harm.

May God bless you all

Fr. Patterson

Mass to view on line

Mass is live streamed from our Cathedral on Sunday at 11.30 am and on weekdays at 12.05 pm. These Masses may be viewed live or anytime later.

Alternatively, you may like to follow Mass from the Holy Nam e, Jesmond celebrated live at 10.00 am on Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Mass Intentions for the coming week

Fr. Patterson will continue to celebrate Mass privately each weekday. The following Intentions will be remembered this week.

Monday – Sloan, Harland and Bushell Families
Tuesday -Fathers White, Bellamy, Keane and Rooke
Wednesday – Brida and Ken Clay
Thursday – The sick, their families, NHS staff & Care Workers
Friday -Michael Earl
Saturday – Fr. “P’s” Intentions
Sunday: 10.30 in Church – For the intentions of all our parishioners – booking necessary

As you are unable to celebrate Mass with him in Church, you may wish to make this act of spiritual communion:

Please keep in your prayers this week:

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 Brida and Ken Clay and John Lenehan and,
Fr. Ronnie Richmond (one of our retired priests) who has died. “Receive Lord into tranquillity and peace the soul of your servant whom you have called from this life. May he be taken up into glory with your Son in whose great mystery of love we are all united. Amen.”

A Prayer for Carers, Nurses and Doctors

A time to pray

Please join me in prayer for the 125,343 people who have died in our country from the coronavirus. (Friday’s figure)

Gracious God, as we remember before you
the thousands who have died from the coronavirus,
surround us and all who mourn with your compassion.

Be gentle with us in our grief,
protect us from despair and give us grace to persevere
and face the future with hope. We make this prayer
in Jesus Christ our risen Lord. Amen.

To support you during Lent.

You may like to join Bishop Robert Barron in a “Reflection on the Way of the Cross” or to pray The Mysteries of the Rosary with him.

A free small book, recommended by Bishop Barron, entitled “The Sign of the Cross” can be downloaded. It would be one way for you to prepare for Holy Week.

The Diocese offers daily reflections for your Lenten journey at home.

The Minsteracres Retreat Team invites you to a quiet day ‘A Journey With The Psalms’ on Saturday 20 March from 10.30 am – 3.30 pm. The day will be held Online via ZOOM. There is a suggested donation of £10.00. If you have an enquiry or wish to attend a future retreat, email info@minsteracres.org.

Unlocking too quickly could lead to a substantial surge in Covid infections

These words of Professor Chris Whitty at the Science and Technology Select Committee last Tuesday were in response to pressure from backbench Tories to ease lockdown more quickly given the drop in infections.

Professor Whitty warned MPs that it would be dangerous and risk lives among the many vulnerable people not yet protected by a vaccine. He went on to say that a “lot of people may think this is all over, but it is very easy to forget how quickly things can turn bad. Under all the scenarios, if we unlock very suddenly, all the modelling suggests we would get a substantial surge while a lot of people are not protected.”

Read and listen to what he has to say Covid-19: Don’t think pandemic is over, Whitty warns – BBC News. Meanwhile, you may find this update of data showing cases per 100,000 per population from our region of interest:

Cases per 100,000 per population in our region

Area	w/e 5th January 2021 (lockdown)	w/e 8^th March
Gateshead	404	60
Newcastle	215	71
South Tyneside	495	68
Sunderland	479	73

At the same time there are still 8,404 people in hospital who are suffering from the coronavirus and are very poorly.

So to cite Professor Jonathan Van-Tam once again “Do not wreck this now!”

Roadmap Step 1: Changes from 8th March

These are the changes that came into effect on 8th March:

Education

All children and students may return safely to face-to-face education in schools and colleges. Childcare and children’s supervised activities can also resume where necessary to enable parents to work or engage in similar activities. Higher Education students at English universities on practical courses can also return.

Social contact

People will be allowed to leave home for recreation and exercise outdoors with their household or support bubble or with one person from outside their household. Care home residents may also be allowed one regular visitor.

All other restrictions are still in place including the mandatory rule to “Stay at Home.”

New Offertory Envelopes

Your ongoing financial support is welcomed and needed

The details for bank transfers and cheques are as follows:

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

Parish newsletter 14 March 2021 Download

Parish newsletter

Posted on 6 March 2021 by admin

Parish newsletter 7 March 2021 Download

Attending St Patrick’s Church during the national lockdown Download

3rd Sunday of Lent

Dear Parishioner

As the gradual reduction of Covid-19 cases and deaths locally continues along with the fact that a growing number of our community are receiving their vaccinations and given that the Government guidelines permit us to leave home to attend a place of worship, having consulted with our volunteer stewards we agreed that

St. Patrick’s Church will reopen for Mass – initially on a Sunday only – commencing next Sunday, 14th March at 10.30 am.

To reserve a place for Mass on Sunday, 14th March at 10.30 am please telephone:

07526 232124

on Wednesday, 10th March between 10.00 am – 12.00 pm or,
on Friday, 12th March between 5.30 pm – 7.00 pm

This number will be unavailable outside of the above booking times.

You will be asked to provide your name and telephone number to comply with the NHS Test and Trace system and also the number in your family if you are attending as a household. Under the current Lockdown restrictions you must only sit with members of your own household or bubble and not mix with people from other households.

On arrival at the church you will be welcomed by a steward and your name will be checked against the booking list.

The procedures which need to be followed when you attend Church are outlined on the information sheet attached to this Newsletter

In the meantime, please continue to look after one another and pray that the Lord will watch over us and keep us safe from harm.

May God bless you all

Fr. Patterson

Mass to view on line

Mass is live streamed from our Cathedral on Sunday at 11.30 am and on weekdays at 12.05 pm. These Masses may be viewed live or anytime later.

Alternatively, you may like to follow Mass from the Holy Nam e, Jesmond celebrated live at 10.00 am on Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Mass Intentions for the coming week

Fr. Patterson will continue to celebrate Mass privately each weekday. The following Intentions will be remembered this week.

Monday – Dennis Rogan
Tuesday – Kathleen and Bill Harland
Wednesday – In Thanksgiving (NF)
Thursday – The sick, their families, NHS staff & Care Workers
Friday – Gladys Beeson
Saturday – Fr. “P’s” Intentions
Sunday: 10.30 in Church – For the intentions of all our parishioners – booking necessary

As you are unable to celebrate Mass with him in Church, you may wish to make this act of spiritual communion:

Please keep in your prayers this week:

all our parishioners who are sick, housebound or in hospital
Fr. Ronnie Richmond who is very poorly and,
all those near and dear to us whose memories we cherish at this time

A Prayer for Carers, Nurses and Doctors

A time to pray

Please join me in prayer for the 124,261 people who have died in our country from the coronavirus. (Friday’s figure)

Gracious God, as we remember before you
the thousands who have died from the coronavirus,
surround us and all who mourn with your compassion.

Be gentle with us in our grief,
protect us from despair and give us grace to persevere
and face the future with hope. We make this prayer
in Jesus Christ our risen Lord. Amen.

To support you during Lent.

You may like to join Bishop Robert Barron in a “Reflection on the Way of the Cross”.

You may also pray The Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary with Bishop Barron.

The Diocese offers daily reflections for your Lenten journey at home.

Lenten Alms

If you feel able to support Lenten Alms this year you can make a donation via St Cuthbert’s Care.

“Make sure your behaviour does not create a rise in infections which could prolong restrictions“.

These are the words of Professor Paul Elliot in what has been a very positive week of data revealing that the number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus continues to decline along with the number of people who are dying from Covid-19.

You may find this data from our region of interest:

Cases per 100,000 per population in our region

Area	w/e 5 January (lockdown)	w/e 28 February
Gateshead	404	88
Newcastle	215	84
Northumberland	345	78
North Tyneside	248	105
South Tyneside	495	106
Sunderland	479	115
Durham	448	100
Hartlepool	749	141

At the same time there are still 12,136 people in hospital who are suffering from the coronavirus and are very poorly.

Professor Paul Elliott, director of the REACT programme from Imperial College’s School of Public Health, London said: “The fall in infections our study has observed since January demonstrates that national public health measures are working. But recent findings also show that the rate of decline has slowed and some areas are experiencing apparent growth, reinforcing the need for everyone to continue to stick to the rules and help keep infections down. At this critical time, with lockdown soon to be eased, we need to make sure that our behaviour does not risk a rise in infections which could prolong restrictions, which we all want to avoid.”

So to quote Professor Jonathan Van-Tam “Do not wreck this now!”

Roadmap Step 1: Changes from 8th March

Monday marks the beginning of Step 1 of the Government’s Roadmap and the gradual easing of the Lockdown restrictions. These are the changes that come into effect on 8th March.

Education

All children and students return safely to face-to-face education in schools and colleges. Childcare and children’s supervised activities can also resume where necessary to enable parents to work or engage in similar activities. Twice-weekly rapid testing for secondary and college pupils – in addition to regular testing for all teachers – to reduce the chance of the virus spreading in schools is being introduced. Higher Education students at English universities on practical courses can also return from 8th March.

Social contact

People will be allowed to leave home for recreation and exercise outdoors with their household or support bubble, if they are eligible for one, or with one person from outside their household. Care home residents will also be allowed one regular visitor.

All other restrictions are still in place including the mandatory rule to “Stay at Home.”

Your ongoing financial support is welcomed and needed

The details for bank transfers and cheques are as follows:

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

Parish newsletter 7 March 2021 Download

Attending St Patrick’s Church during the national lockdown Download

Parish newsletter

Posted on 27 February 2021 by admin

Parish newsletter 28 February 2021 Download

2nd Sunday of Lent

Dear Parishioners

When the Government imposed a National Lockdown on 5th January, the Public Health message was very clear Stay at Home, Protect the NHS and Save Lives.

One of the anomalies in the Government Guidance is that Places of Worship may remain open for worship despite the message to “Stay at Home.” Because of the high rate of the transmission of the virus in our region at that time, and after consultation with others, I felt it would be prudent to suspend the celebration of Mass in St. Patrick’s Church until the National Restrictions eased; and some seventy or so parishes in the Diocese did the same.

The local situation has improved as the following data reveal:-

On 5th January, (Lockdown)
the 7 day rolling total of cases in Gateshead was 893.
the 7 day rolling total of people who had died in Gateshead was 7.

On 26th February
the 7 day rolling total of cases in Gateshead was 194.
the 7 day rolling total of those who had died in Gateshead was 9.

On 19th January, the number of patients in the local hospital with Covid was 86.

On 16th February, the number of patients in the local hospital with Covid was 44.

As of 19th February, the estimated “R” number for the healthcare region of the North East and Yorkshire was between 0.7 to 1 with a daily infection growth rate range of -5% to -1%.

In the light of the gradually improving situation, the Prime Minister’s announcement, the fact that a growing number of our community are receiving their vaccinations and given that the Government guidelines permit us to leave home to attend a place of worship, having consulted with our volunteer stewards we agreed that St. Patrick’s Church will reopen for Mass – initially on a Sunday only – commencing Sunday, 14th March at 10.30 am.

All the necessary Covid Restrictions will still be in place. It will be necessary to reserve a place. Details of how to do this will be published in next week’s Newsletter.

We will explore opening the Church for Mass on a Tuesday following the removal of the “Stay at Home” restriction which is due to take place on 29th March according to the Government’s Roadmap.

Please remember, the Public Health Message is that we are still legally required to “Stay at Home.” You are under no obligation to attend Mass. The Sunday obligation is still suspended. You should not come to Church if you have received a letter to say that you must shield nor if you are experiencing any signs of Covid-19 or feeling unwell in any way. Remember too that if you have received your first dose of the vaccine it takes 3 to 4 weeks to develop antibodies and the vaccine does not give you total immunity. So please consider the wisdom of coming to Church.

In the meantime, please continue to look after one another and pray that the Lord will watch over us and keep us safe from harm.

May God bless you all

Fr. Patterson

Mass to view on line

Mass is live streamed from our Cathedral on Sunday at 11.30 am and on weekdays at 12.05 pm. These Masses may be viewed live or anytime later.

Alternatively, you may like to follow Mass from the Holy Nam e, Jesmond celebrated live at 10.00 am on Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Mass Intentions for the coming week

In keeping with the public health message that the movement and gathering of people should be minimised and that as many people as possible stay at home for the sake of health, life and the Common Good, St. Patrick’s Church will remain closed until the situation improves.

Fr. Patterson will continue to celebrate Mass privately each day. The following Intentions will be remembered this week.

Monday – Manus McDermott
Tuesday – Sheila Robinson
Wednesday – Emma Hindes
Thursday – The sick, their families, NHS staff & Care Workers
Friday – Rita Turnbull
Saturday – Fr. “P’s” Intentions
Sunday – For the intentions of all our parishioners

As you are unable to celebrate Mass with him in Church, you may wish to make this act of spiritual communion:

Please keep in your prayers this week:

all our parishioners who are sick, housebound or in hospital
Fr. Kevin Daly who is currently unwell
all those near and dear to us whose memories we cherish at this time and,
Fr. Tom Cunningham (one of our retired priests) and Manus McDermott who have died. “Receive Lord into tranquillity and peace the souls of your servants whom you have called from this life. May they be taken up into glory with your Son in whose great mystery of love we are all united.

A Prayer for Carers, Nurses and Doctors

A time to pray

Please join me in prayer for the 122,415 people who have died in our country from the coronavirus. (Friday’s figure)

Gracious God, as we remember before you
the thousands who have died from the coronavirus,
surround us and all who mourn with your compassion.

Be gentle with us in our grief,
protect us from despair and give us grace to persevere
and face the future with hope. We make this prayer
in Jesus Christ our risen Lord. Amen.

Lenten Mass

Bishops from all over Europe will join together during Lent to celebrate a series of Masses for the victims of Covid-19. The continent has suffered over 770,000 deaths from the virus. The initiative, promoted by the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences, aims to offer a sign of communion and hope for the entire continent.

Since the start of the pandemic, bishops from across Europe have added their voices to that of Pope Francis to reiterate the Church’s closeness to all those struggling with coronavirus – the victims and their families, the sick, health and social care workers, the volunteers and all those on the front line at this challenging time

Cardinal Vincent Nichols, as President of our Bishops’ Conference, will celebrate Mass on Tuesday, 2nd March, 2021 in Westminster Cathedral at 17.30 which will be live-streamed on their website.

Bishop Robert will celebrate Mass in St Mary’s Cathedral on Tuesday at 12.05pm which will also be livestreamed.

To support you during Lent.

You may like to join Bishop Robert Barron in a “Reflection on the Way of the Cross”.

You may also pray The Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary with Bishop Barron.

The Diocese offers daily reflections for your Lenten journey at home.

News from our School

On Monday, 1st March, our School takes on Academy Status as part of the Bishop Wilkinson Trust. Please pray that this move will help us to develop the already high standard of education we are able to offer our children.

Cafod Family Fast Day

Our Third World Group have been able to send a donation of £100.00 to the Cafod Family Fast Day Appeal. Thanks to everyone who has helped to make this possible.

Should you wish to support Cafod’s Lenten Appeal.

Do not wreck this now

This was the sobre warning from Professor Jonathan Van-Tam during the Downing Street briefing on Friday evening. He told us that despite the gradual decrease in recorded cases of the coronavirus throughout the country, the recent fall in the number of cases was now slowing and in one in five local authority areas cases are still rising. “It is not a battle we have won yet,” he went on to say.

Prof Van-Tam said Britons could not afford to let their guard down and “take your foot off the brake” by relaxing adherence to social distancing rules by meeting relatives and friends. “We are not yet collectively as a country in the right place,” he warned. “All the rules still apply until we are in a much safer place. “It’s a bit like being 3-0 up in a football game and saying ‘We can’t lose this’. But how many times have you seen the other side come back and win 4-3? Do not wreck this now, we are so close”

Prof Van-Tam urged all those who had received the first dose of their vaccination to continue following the rules. He said: “Much as it is encouraging and much as I am upbeat about vaccines, and how they are going to change how we live and what the disease is like between now and the summer, there is a long way to go. My inbox in the last week has been besieged with people writing in saying, I’ve had the vaccine, ‘Can I now start to break the rules?’ ’Can I go and see my grandchildren and do X, Y and Z?’ And the answer to that is no. We are not yet collectively, as a country, in the right place.”

Prof Van-Tam continued: “All the patients that I vaccinate … I say to them, ‘Remember, all the rules still apply to you and all of us until we’re in a much safer place’. It doesn’t change because you’ve had your first dose of vaccine. So, please don’t be tempted to think, ‘Well, one home visit might be alright now the weather is getting better, going to be a nice weekend – one small gathering in your house won’t really matter’. I’m afraid it does matter and the data speak for themselves.

So my key message tonight is look, this is all going very well but there are some worrying signs that people are relaxing, taking their foot off the brake at exactly the wrong time.” Do not wreck this now!

Listen to Professor Van Tam.

Your ongoing financial support is welcomed and needed

The details for bank transfers and cheques are as follows:

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

Parish newsletter 28 February 2021 Download

Parish newsletter

Posted on 20 February 2021 by admin

Parish newsletter 21 February 2021 Download

1st Sunday of Lent

Dear Parishioners

We are almost a full year into the Pandemic. What has it meant for you? The answer will be unique for everyone.

For one person this time will have brought the greatest personal tragedies of a lifetime as a result of sickness and loss of lives. For another it will have meant serious limitations and loss, frustrations and disappointments. For others it will appear as a time of challenge, refocus and even renewal of commitment in life.

So think again; how has it really been for you? Is there something of all of the above going on in your life? Challenge along with tragedy; refocus coming from frustration.

The most glorious and significant thing about our life as Christian people is that it is a walk with God. God is the centre of all things. To know God and to love and serve him in the bits and pieces of your life, is always a possibility no matter how your life seems to be at any moment. You might doubt God; God doesn’t doubt you. Perhaps you feel totally unworthy of God’s love and concern; it may make no sense to you but God is desperately keen to be in relationship with you.

Opening our hearts to God is the most worthwhile and important thing that human beings can do. This pandemic experience may have made that very difficult for you. On the other hand it may have opened your heart up to see it afresh.

Looking ahead

Last Friday, Foreign Office minister James Cleverly told BBC Breakfast that “the prime minister would set out plans for easing restrictions in as much detail as he is able in his long-awaited ‘roadmap’ statement to Parliament on Monday. But we cannot give guarantees, because that is not how viruses work,” he added. “Ultimately we want to open up society and the economy, as much as we are able, but only on the condition that it is safe to do so.”

A further 12,027 Covid cases were reported across the UK on Friday, another 533 people died within 28 days of a positive test and more than 17 million people in the UK have now received at least one dose of a vaccine. But concerns are high over the rapid spread, worldwide, of new coronavirus strains.

You may be interested in the figures below as we await the “Roadmap.”

At the beginning of the November lockdown (5th November, 2020)
the 7 day rolling total of confirmed cases in Gateshead was 806;
the national rolling total was 157,860;
the 7 day rolling total of deaths in Gateshead was 8 people;
the national rolling total was 2,165 people.

At the end of the November lockdown (2nd December, 2020)
the 7 day rolling total of cases in Gateshead had decreased to 296;
the national rolling total had dropped to 103,553
the 7 day rolling total of deaths in Gateshead was 7 people;
the national rolling total of deaths had risen to 3,169 people

By the beginning of the January lockdown (5th January, 2021)
the 7 day rolling total of confirmed cases in Gateshead had risen to 893;
the national rolling total had risen to 391,615
the 7 day rolling total of deaths in Gateshead was 7 people;
the national rolling total had increased to 4,694 people

Friday’s figures (19th February, 2021) showed:
the 7 day rolling total of confirmed cases in Gateshead was 227;
the national rolling total was 81,472
the 7 day rolling total of deaths in Gateshead was 14 people;
the national rolling total was 3,633 people.

So I suspect there will be an element of caution in the Prime Minister’s statement as figures continue to fluctuate.

Please continue to look after one another and pray that the Lord will watch over us and keep us safe from harm.

May God bless you all

Fr. Patterson

Mass to view on line

Mass is live streamed from our Cathedral on Sunday at 11.30 am and on weekdays at 12.05 pm. These Masses may be viewed live or anytime later.

Alternatively, you may like to follow Mass from the Holy Nam e, Jesmond celebrated live at 10.00 am on Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Mass Intentions for the coming week

Fr. Patterson will continue to celebrate Mass privately each day. The following Intentions will be remembered this week.

Monday – Special Intention (ML)
Tuesday -Brian Quigley
Wednesday – Deceased O’Brien and Costello Families
Thursday – The sick, their families, NHS staff & Care Workers
Friday -Brian Grace Senior and Brian Grace Junior
Saturday – Fr. “P’s” Intentions
Sunday – For the intentions of all our parishioners

As you are unable to celebrate Mass with him in Church, you may wish to make this act of spiritual communion:

Please keep in your prayers this week:

all our parishioners who are sick, housebound or in hospital
Fr. Paul McCourt and Fr. Kevin Daly who are currently unwell
all those near and dear to us whose memories we cherish at this time

A Prayer for Carers, Nurses and Doctors

A time to pray

Please join me in prayer for the 119,920 people who have died in our country from the coronavirus. (Friday’s figure)

Gracious God, as we remember before you the thousands who have died from the coronavirus, surround us and all who mourn with your compassion. Be gentle with us in our grief, protect us from despair and give us grace to persevere and face the future with hope. We make this prayer in Jesus Christ our risen Lord. Amen.

To support you during Lent.

You may like to join Bishop Robert Barron in a “Reflection on the Way of the Cross”.

The Diocese offers daily reflections for your Lenten journey at home.

Parish News by Email

Your ongoing financial support is welcomed and needed

The details for bank transfers and cheques are as follows:

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

Parish newsletter 21 February 2021 Download

Parish newsletter

Posted on 13 February 2021 by admin

Parish newsletter 14 February 2021 Download

6th Sunday of the Year

Dear Parishioners

Over the past few weeks, I have been delighted to hear from so many of you that you have “had your jab” which has given you some peace of mind and hope for the future. I know there are others who are eagerly awaiting their invitation.

However, we must all remember that being vaccinated does not provide a magic cure. No vaccine provides 100% protection, so there is still a possibility that despite being vaccinated, you can still contract the virus albeit in a mild form and possibly pass it on to others. That is why we must continue to follow all the lockdown rules until such time as the Government is able to ease them.

So washing your hands regularly, wearing a face covering, keeping 2 metres socially distancing and not mixing with other households, are still so important.

Some of you I know are a little hesitant to accept the invitation to be vaccinated, but I would encourage you to follow the advice of Public Health England despite what you may hear or read in the media.

Dr Mary Ramsay, the Head of Immunisation for Public Health England explains why:

“Talk in recent days of mutations and new variants has caused alarm. But we shouldn’t let this new information dissuade us from getting the Oxford vaccine or any other.

The first and most important reason is that every approved vaccine is highly likely to give strong protection against the risk of severe disease and death. This is likely to be true regardless of the variant. These are the outcomes that matter most and are what will prevent people from ending up in hospital and possibly dying. This should be at the front of our minds.

The second key point is that the South African variant is not the dominant one in the UK. We currently have just 147 cases of this variant, each of which has been rapidly identified, tracked to a postcode and tackled head-on by our surge testing programme. We are taking every possible step to drive down that variant in the UK and make sure it does not get a chance to become established here.

The third thing to remember is our vital weapon in the fight against variants: Genomics. This is a scientific tool we use to track the changes and mutations in an infectious disease. UK scientists are world leaders in the field.

By tracking how the virus evolves, we are using genomics to detect and respond to its every move. We know that the smallest mutation could have big consequences for how the virus can spread. But we still expect the vaccines to work against serious disease. And as new variants emerge, scientists can develop newer generations of vaccines, similar to the work done every year on the flu.

None of this is cause for complacency. We must stay alert to the emerging evidence. There are still 30,000 people in UK hospitals battling the virus and the NHS is facing acute pressure. But be in no doubt, vaccines are the way out of this pandemic. By getting the vaccine, we will all be doing our bit.”

Please continue to look after one another and pray that the Lord will watch over us and keep us safe from harm.

May God bless you all

Fr. Patterson

Mass to view on line

Mass is live streamed from our Cathedral on Sunday at 11.30 am and on weekdays at 12.05 pm. These Masses may be viewed live or anytime later.

Alternatively, you may like to follow Mass from the Holy Nam e, Jesmond celebrated live at 10.00 am on Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Mass Intentions for the coming week

In keeping with the public health message that the movement and gathering of people should be minimised and that as many people as possible stay at home for the sake of health, life and the common good, St. Patrick’s Church will remain closed until the situation improves.

Fr. Patterson will continue to celebrate Mass privately each day. The following Intentions will be remembered this week.

Monday – Norman Foster & LDM Foster Family
Tuesday -Dominic and Andrew Sloan
Wednesday – Dorothy Foster (Private Funeral Service—by invitation only)
Thursday -The sick, their families, NHS staff & Care Workers
Friday -Elizabeth and William Pearson
Saturday – Fr. “P’s” Intentions
Sunday – For the intentions of all our parishioners

As you are unable to celebrate Mass with him in Church, you may wish to make this act of spiritual communion:

Please keep in your prayers this week:

all our parishioners who are sick, housebound or in hospital
Fr. Paul McCourt and Fr. Kevin Daly who are currently unwell
all those near and dear to us whose memories we cherish at this time especially Norman Foster and Elizabeth Pearson and,
Dorothy Foster who has died. “Receive Lord into tranquillity and peace the soul of your servant whom you have called from this life. May she be taken up into glory with your Son in whose great mystery of love we are all united.

A Prayer for Carers, Nurses and Doctors

A time to pray

Please join me in prayer for the 116,287 people who have died in our country from the coronavirus. (Friday’s figure)

Gracious God, as we remember before you the thousands who have died from the coronavirus, surround us and all who mourn with your compassion. Be gentle with us in our grief, protect us from despair and give us grace to persevere and face the future with hope. We make this prayer in Jesus Christ our risen Lord. Amen.

To support you during Lent.

The Season of Lent begins on Wednesday and as the Government’s Public Health Message to Stay at Home is still in place the Diocese offers some resources which you may find helpful in your Lenten journey at home. Daily reflections, which you may download, print and share may be found here

News from our School

We are now at the end of a half term at school so we would like to send a message of love and support to all of the parishioners. We hope you are all keeping safe and staying well and we look forward to the times when we can be together again.

Parish News by Email

Your ongoing financial support is welcomed and needed

Fr. Patterson wishes to thank you for your offerings during these difficult times. He is particularly grateful to those parishioners who regularly contribute to parish funds by bank transfer which helps to meet the day to day financial commitments of our churches.

The details for bank transfers and cheques are as follows:

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

Parish newsletter 14 February 2021 Download

Parish newsletter

Posted on 6 February 2021 by admin

Parish newsletter 7 February 2021 Download

5th Sunday of the Year

Dear Parishioners

There was some good news this week from the Prime Minister who spoke of the progress being made with the nations vaccination programme. This is part of what he said:

“There are many people and groups responsible for the UK’s vaccination programme and we owe our thanks to our brilliant scientists, to the Vaccine Task Force which has procured over 400 million doses of seven different types of vaccine, to the manufacturers and the delivery drivers, the pharmacists, the military medics, countless volunteers, and to the doctors, nurses and all the staff of our NHS. Thanks to their effort we have passed the milestone of 10 million vaccinations in the United Kingdom.”

With every jab and every day, we have more evidence about the effectiveness of these vaccines. New research from Oxford University suggests the protection provided by the first dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine kicks in after three weeks and lasts right the way through to the booster at three months. And research also shows that the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine seems likely to reduce transmission to others.

And even if these vaccines cannot make us invulnerable, and no vaccine has ever given 100 per cent protection to everybody, the evidence increasingly shows that our vaccines achieve this crucial objective: to reduce death and serious illness from those major strains of Covid that have been subject to research.

There are some signs of hope that the numbers of Covid patients in hospital are beginning to fall for the first time since the onset of this new wave although the level of infection is still alarmingly high and I am sorry to say that we have lost another 1,322 lives in the last 24 hours alone (Wednesday’s figure) and our hearts again go out to every family that grieves.

The wards of our NHS are still under huge pressure with more than 32,000 Covid patients still in hospital. So let’s do everything we can to carry on supporting them. Because if we stay at home, protect our NHS and save lives, then in the words of the late Captain Tom – “Tomorrow will be a good day.”

Please continue to look after one another and pray that the Lord will watch over us and keep us safe from harm.

May God bless you all

Fr. Patterson

Mass to view on line

Mass is live streamed from our Cathedral on Sunday at 11.30 am and on weekdays at 12.05 pm. These Masses may be viewed live or anytime later.

Alternatively, you may like to follow Mass from the Holy Nam e, Jesmond celebrated live at 10.00 am on Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Mass Intentions for the coming week

Fr. Patterson will continue to celebrate Mass privately each day. The following Intentions will be remembered this week:

Monday – Isabella Taylor
Tuesday – Michael Scanlon
Wednesday – LDM Cooper and Hollyman Families
Thursday – The sick, their families, NHS staff & Care Workers
Friday -Larry Cullen (Private Funeral : by invitation only)
Saturday – Fr. “P’s” Intentions
Sunday – For the intentions of all our parishioners

As you are unable to celebrate Mass with him in Church, you may wish to make this act of spiritual communion:

Please keep in your prayers this week:

all our parishioners who are sick, housebound or in hospital
Fr. Paul McCourt and Fr. Kevin Daly who are currently unwell
all those near and dear to us whose memories we cherish at this time especially Isabella Taylor and.
Larry Cullen and Dorothy Foster who have died. “Receive Lord into tranquillity and peace the souls of your servants whom you have called from this life. May they be taken up into glory with your Son in whose great mystery of love we are all united.

A Prayer for Carers, Nurses and Doctors

A time to pray

Please join me in prayer for the 111,264 people who have died in our country from the coronavirus. (Friday’s figure).

Gracious God, as we remember before you the thousands who have died from the coronavirus, surround us and all who mourn with your compassion. Be gentle with us in our grief, protect us from despair and give us grace to persevere and face the future with hope. We make this prayer in Jesus Christ our risen Lord. Amen.

World Day of Prayer for the Sick

The Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes on 11th February, is also the World Day of Prayer for the Sick. How important then is this Feast Day for the whole world during this pandemic. The world needs the prayers of Our Lady of Lourdes for healing and strength.

In his message for this World Day of Prayer, Pope Francis says, “The experience of sickness makes us realize our own vulnerability and our innate need of others. It makes us feel all the more clearly that we are creatures dependent on God. When we are ill, fear and even bewilderment can grip our minds and hearts; we find ourselves powerless, since our health does not depend on our abilities or life’s incessant worries (cf. Mt 6:27). Sickness raises the question of life’s meaning, which we bring before God in faith. In seeking a new and deeper direction in our lives, we may not find an immediate answer. Nor are our relatives and friends always able to help us in this demanding quest.”

He concludes with, “To Mary, Mother of Mercy and Health of the Infirm, I entrust the sick, healthcare workers and all those who generously assist our suffering brothers and sisters. From the Grotto of Lourdes and her many other shrines throughout the world, may she sustain our faith and hope, and help us care for one another with fraternal love.” The full text can be found on the Vatican website.

Parish News by Email

Your ongoing financial support is welcomed and needed

The details for bank transfers and cheques are as follows:

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

Parish newsletter 7 February 2021 Download

Parish newsletter

Posted on 30 January 2021 by admin

Parish newsletter 31 January 2021 Download

4th Sunday of the Year

Dear Parishioners

This Saturday marks the first anniversary of the World Health Organization’s declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern and this Sunday will be one year on from the first case of COVID-19 detected in the UK. It has been a terrible year as the virus has spread across the world causing misery, hardship, death and severely disrupting all of our lives.

During the course of this week our country reached the milestone of having to acknowledge the death of over 100,000 people from the coronavirus.

How is the death rate in our country so high? There is no quick and easy answer, although I am sure we are aware, from what we see on the television, from what we hear and read that there are a variety of opinions.

There are those who point a finger at the government; others highlight the health of our nation as a factor. The UK has one of the highest rates of obesity in the world, and obesity increases the risk of hospitalisation and death from Covid-19, according to Public Health England. Conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease and respiratory problems also increase the risk to health.

The UK is among the 10 most densely populated nations among those countries with populations of more than 20 million. Its ethnically diverse and densely packed urban populations exposed its vulnerability to a virus that spreads effortlessly in the close proximity between people. What is more, our cities are more inter-connected than they are in many countries. The ageing population must also be taken into account.

Some commentators point to the fact that what is one of our greatest strengths, namely that our country is a vibrant hub for international travel, has also posed problems. Genetic analysis has shown that by the end of March, 2020, the virus was brought into the UK on at least 1,300 separate occasions, mainly from France, Spain and Italy.

And then there is our own response to following the guidelines and rules of staying at home, social distancing, washing our hands, wearing face coverings and not mixing households, because remember the virus spreads through human contact. So there will inevitably be people in our country who will have had some part to play in the spread of the virus if they haven’t been following the rules.

With the benefit of hindsight, it is so easy to be critical of the well intentioned efforts of so many when in the early days, as Professor Chris Whitty admits, the data was “really quite poor and very limited.”

What is important for the future is that we all resolve to work harder than ever to look after each other especially by following all the current rules. And of course there is the rollout of the vaccine which will hopefully help to ease the situation given time. But remember it is only one of many tools, so we must not drop our guard.

Cardinal Vincent Nichols issued the following statement on hearing of the death of so many people from coronavirus: It is…

“A day of great sadness all over the land. So many people, families, communities, remembering those who have died in these terrible months of the pandemic. Each one is mourned. Each one is to be prayed for. This is our instinct, our faith, our practice. Our prayer is rooted in the faith that, in death, life is changed, not ended, for the promise of eternal life opens the door of hope even in our darkest moments. I pray for each and everyone, those who have died, those who mourn, those who serve. Please, please, join me in prayer.”

Please continue to look after one another and pray that the Lord will watch over us and keep us safe from harm.

May God bless you all

Fr. Patterson

Mass to view on line

Mass is live streamed from our Cathedral on Su nday at 11.30 am and on weekdays at 12.05 pm. These Masses may be viewed live or anytime later.

Alternatively, you may like to follow Mass from the Holy Name, Jesmond celebrated live at 10.00 am on Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Mass Intentions for the coming week

Fr. Patterson will continue to celebrate Mass privately each day. The following Intentions will be remembered this week.

Monday – Lindsay Bradley
Tuesday – For all who have died due to the coronavirus
Wednesday – Margaret Hewitt (Private Funeral : by invitation only)
Thursday – The sick, their families, NHS staff & Care Workers
Friday – Veronica and James Houghton
Saturday – Fr. “P’s” Intentions
Sunday – For the intentions of all our parishioners

As you are unable to celebrate Mass with him in Church, you may wish to make this act of spiritual communion:

Please keep in your prayers this week:

all our parishioners who are sick, housebound or in hospital
Fr. Paul McCourt and Fr. Kevin Daly who are currently unwell
all those near and dear to us whose memories we cherish at this time especially Lindsay Bradley and Veronica Houghton and,
George Perry, Margaret Hewitt and Larry Cullen who have died. “Receive Lord into tranquillity and peace the souls of your servants whom you have called from this life. May they be taken up into glory with your Son in whose great mystery of love we are all united.”

A Prayer for Carers, Nurses and Doctors

A time to pray

Please join me in prayer on Tuesday when I will offer Mass privately for all those who have died from the Coronavirus. May they rest in peace. Although you can’t be with me, I hope you may feel able to say this prayer sometime during the day.

Gracious God, as we remember before you the thousands who have died from the coronavirus, surround us and all who mourn with your compassion. Be gentle with us in our grief, protect us from despair and give us grace to persevere and face the future with hope. We make this prayer in Jesus Christ our risen Lord. Amen.

Parish News by Email

Your ongoing financial support is welcomed and needed

The details for bank transfers and cheques are as follows:

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

Parish newsletter 31 January 2021 Download