Dear Parishioner

Third Sunday of Easter

Here is our parish Newsletter for the coming week.

I do hope you continue to keep well and are in good spirits.  Social distancing and lockdown can be challenging for us all especially during this spell of sunny weather, but we are assured it is having a positive effect on curbing the spread of the coronavirus, so I continue to encourage you to follow our Government’s instructions to Stay at Home, Protect the NHS and Save Lives. Please encourage others to do the same.

I do hope some of you who have access to the internet, were able to join Cardinal Vincent Nichols in prayer during the Mass from Westminster Cathedral last Thursday which he offered for the sick and all frontline workers in the NHS and social care. This will be a weekly celebration.

As you are aware a large number of our parishioners do not have access to the internet so please share the information in this Newsletter with them if you can. Perhaps you could give them a ring.

Please take care of yourselves and try to pray each day. Strive to read your bible, where you will find comfort and solace in God’s Word. Pray for  each other and please pray for me.

Keep an eye out for one another in keeping with Government advice, remembering that some parishioners are self isolating.

May the Risen Lord bless you all

Father Patterson

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Mass to view on line

Mass is live streamed from our Cathedral on a Sunday at 11.30 and on weekdays at 12.00. These services may be viewed live or anytime later.

Bishop Robert Barron or Fr. Steve Grunow from Word on Fire, continue to celebrate daily Mass from the bishop’s private chapel which is available from 15.15 UK time.

More information and support may be found on our Diocesan website.

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Mass Intentions

I continue to celebrate Mass privately every day and as I suspect it will be quite some time before we are able to reopen our churches I propose to fulfil during this coming week the following Mass Intentions which remained unsaid when we had to close our doors:

• Monday – Terry McDonough
• Tuesday – Brian Quigley
• Wednesday – Billy Knowles
• Thursday – The sick, NHS & Care Workers
• Friday – Flo Rouse 
• Saturday – Fr “P’s” Intentions
• Sunday – For the intentions of all our parishioners

As you are unable to celebrate Mass with me, 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.

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Masses for the Sick and their Families, NHS Front-Line workers and those working in Social Care

Every Thursday one of our Bishops will be celebrating a special evening Mass for the sick, their families, NHS staff, and those working in Social Care.

Acknowledging the community solidarity behind the ‘Clap for our Carers’ initiative that has seen millions applauding NHS staff and health workers from their doors and windows for the past four weeks, Cardinal Nichols said: “…what we want to do, is add to that public applause, the practice of public prayer, encouraging Catholics to follow Mass and pray before the 8pm applause.” “We applaud, but we pray and we pray fervently for them. May God bless them all,” he concludes.

Mass this coming Thursday, 30th April will be celebrated by  Bishop Richard Moth from Arundel Cathedral at 19.00.

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Liturgical Restrictions

Not only is the celebration of Mass in Church suspended at this time, but the celebration of all other Sacraments and sacramentals is suspended until such time as we are allowed to reopen our churches.

In the current situation the Bishops have announced the following instruction: All baptisms, confirmations, first Holy Communions and weddings are to be deferred until congregations are allowed to gather again.

Funeral Masses and Funeral Services are not permitted in our churches. A simple funeral service may be celebrated at the graveside or at the crematorium where numbers attending are limited to 10 people. These Local Authority restrictions are made in the light of the latest guidance from the Federation of Burial and Cremation Authorities, the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management and central Government. The funeral director will guide you in this regard.

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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 and,
• Kathleen Mullen 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 private Funeral Service for Kathleen took place last week.

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A Prayer for this Current Time

Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we pray to you through Christ the healer for those who suffer from the Coronavirus across the world. We pray for all who reach out to those who mourn the loss of each and every person who has died as a result of contracting the disease.

Give wisdom to our policymakers, skill to healthcare professionals and researchers, comfort to those in distress and calm to us all in these days of uncertainty and distress. This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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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.

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Your weekly offering is our sole source of income

As we face another period during which our churches will have to remain closed, I would ask those of you who may feel able, in what I am aware may be difficult times for us all financially, to consider contributing your weekly offering by bank transfer directly into the parish account.  It will help us meet our ongoing financial commitments. I am very grateful to those of you who have already chosen to do so.

Alternatively, you might put aside your envelopes each week and bring them along to church once we can reopen and celebrate Mass and socialise together.

The details for bank transfers

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

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An ear to hear

As part of the pastoral care the Diocese offers during this COVID-19 lockdown, a number of qualified counsellors and listeners have generously made themselves available to anyone who may be troubled by the negative effects of the situation.

These can be contacted through St Mary’s Cathedral Listening Service on 0191 232 6953 and the Northumberland Listening Service on 07732 980740.

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Asylum Seekers Food Donations Update

The Diocesan Justice and Peace Refugee Project has had to temporarily close its doors and can no longer accept food donations. They have established a mechanism for sending out monthly ‘digital vouchers’ to the mobile phones of the most destitute asylum seekers which allow them to purchase goods to the value of £30.00 in nominated supermarkets.

This way of operating is expensive, so if you can support this scheme you may make a donation by Bank transfer to HSBC DHN Destitute Asylum Fund; Sort code: 40-34-18; Account number: 52854058.

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Second Sunday of Easter, 2020

Dear Parishioner

Here is our parish Newsletter for the Second Week of Easter.

I do hope you are all keeping well and in the light of the Government’s decision to extend social distancing for a further period of time, I do urge you to continue to follow their instructions to Stay at Home, Protect the NHS and Save Lives, no matter how challenging we all find it. We are told it is making a difference to the spread of the virus. Please encourage others to do the same.

Please also try to share the information in this Newsletter with our parishioners who do not have access to the internet. Perhaps you could give them a ring.

I continue to be grateful to you for your emails, telephone calls, offers of help and support and of course for your prayers. They mean a great deal to me.

Please take care of yourselves and try to pray each day. Strive to read your bible, where you will find comfort and solace in God’s Word. Pray for each other and please pray for me.

Keep an eye out for one another in keeping with Government advice, remembering that some parishioners are self isolating.

May the Risen Lord bless you all

Father Patterson

---

Mass to view on line

Mass is lived streamed from our Cathedral on a Sunday at 11.30 and on weekdays at 12.00. These services may be viewed live or anytime later.

Bishop Robert Barron or Fr. Steve Grunow from Word on Fire, continue to celebrate daily Mass from the bishop’s private chapel which you can view.

Because of the time difference between the USA and the UK this Mass does not become available until 15.15 but can be viewed any time after that.

More information and support may be found on our Diocesan website.

I continue to celebrate Mass privately for you all every day. As you are unable to celebrate Mass with me at present, 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

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Divine Mercy Sunday

This Sunday, 19th April, is Divine Mercy Sunday. Pope Francis will be celebrating Mass at 9.55 UK time in the Church of the Holy Spirit in Rome which is the centre of devotion to Divine Mercy in the city.

You can view the Mass live or anytime after.

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Masses for the Sick and their Families, NHS Front-Line workers and those working in Social Care

The Bishops of England and Wales recognise that this time of the Coronavirus pandemic is affecting every person in our countries. Those who are sick and their families are suffering many hardships of isolation from contact with those they love.

Our front-line workers in hospitals and in care homes all over our lands are giving exceptional service to those who are vulnerable at this time.

In order to show a spiritual solidarity with all those who are involved in the ways  above, each week from this Thursday, one of the Bishops will celebrate Mass privately in their Cathedral which will be live-streamed for people to join.

This Thursday, Cardinal Vincent Nichols will celebrate Mass from Westminster Cathedral at 19.00.    

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Our Lady of Walsingham

There will be an eight day retreat led by Monsignor John Armitage live streamed from the National Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham from 20.00 this Sunday, 19^th April to Sunday, 26^th April.

Details of the retreat programme may be found on the Shrine’s website.

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Liturgical Restrictions.

Not only is the celebration of Mass in Church suspended at this time, but the celebration of all other Sacraments and sacramentals is suspended until such time as we are allowed to reopen our churches.

In the current situation the Bishops have announced the following instruction: All baptisms, confirmations, first Holy Communions and weddings are to be deferred until congregations are allowed to gather again.

Funeral Masses and Funeral Services are not permitted in our churches. A simple funeral service may be celebrated at the graveside or at the crematorium where numbers attending are limited to 10 people. These Local Authority restrictions are made in the light of the latest guidance from the Federation of Burial and Cremation Authorities, the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management and central Government. The funeral director will guide you in this regard.

---

Please keep in your prayers this week:

• all our parishioners who are sick, housebound or in hospital and,
• all those near and dear to us whose memories we cherish at this time especially Molly Bell and Brian Grace Jnr.

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Pope Francis’ Prayer for Protection during the Coronavirus Pandemic

O Mary, you shine continuously on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope. We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the sick. At the foot of the cross you participated in Jesus’ pain, with steadfast faith. You know what we need. We are certain that you will provide, so that, as you did at Cana of Galilee, joy and feasting might return after this moment of trial. Help us, Mother of Divine Love. to conform ourselves to the Father’s will and to do what Jesus tells us: He who took our sufferings upon Himself, and bore our sorrows to bring us, through the Cross, to the joy of the Resurrection. Amen.

We seek refuge under your protection, O holy Mother of God. Do not despise our pleas – we who are put to the test and deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin.

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.

---

Alone [Together]

If you are finding it difficult living in isolation – on your own or ‘stuck’ with family – you might find the suggestions of Fr Christopher Jamison helpful. He is the President of the English Benedictine Congregation and a monk of Douai Abbey in Berkshire. Drawing on almost 50 years experience as a monk, Fr Christopher has helped to create a website Alone [Together] which addresses loneliness and self-sufficiency raised by the current crisis.

For him, positivity is the key. “Do not begin the day by rehearsing your grievances,” he says. “Begin by remembering you’re alive and there are good things still. You may have to do tough things later, but take it one step at a time. Begin with gratitude; then ask for the grace to face the day and its difficulties. Then go and address the difficulties.”

---

Your weekly offering is our sole source of income

As we face another period during which our churches will have to remain closed, I would ask those of you who may feel able, in what I am aware may be difficult times for us all financially, to consider contributing your weekly offering by bank transfer directly into the parish account.  It will help us meet our ongoing financial commitments. I am very grateful to those of you who have already chosen to do so.

Alternatively, you might put aside your envelopes each week and bring them along to church once we can reopen and celebrate Mass and socialise together.

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

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The Northern Cross

The April edition of our Diocesan Newspaper The Northern Cross is available online free of charge.

Dear Parishioner

Newsletter for Easter Sunday

Here is our parish Newsletter for Easter Day and I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your families all the blessings and joys of Easter.

I do hope you are all keeping in good health and continue to follow our Government’s instructions to Stay at Home, Protect the NHS and Save Lives. Please encourage others to do the same.

Please also try to share the information in this Newsletter with parishioners who do not have access to the internet. Perhaps you could give them a ring.

I would like to thank you for your emails, telephone calls, offers of help and support and of course your prayers. They mean a great deal to me.

Please take care of yourselves and try to pray each day. Endeavour to read your bible, where you will find comfort and solace in God’s Word. Pray for  each other and please pray for me.

Keep an eye out for one another in keeping with Government advice, remembering that some parishioners are self isolating.

May God bless you all

Father Patterson

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Mass to view on line

Pope Francis will celebrate the Easter Vigil from St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome this Saturday evening at 20.00 UK time and Mass on Easter Sunday morning at 10.00 UK time. Both Masses will be live streamed but may also be viewed anytime later via the Vatican YouTube channel.

Mass is being lived streamed from our Cathedral where Bishop Robert will celebrate the Easter Vigil at 19.00 and Mass on Easter Sunday at 11.30. These services may be viewed live or anytime later via St Mary’s RC Cathedral YouTube channel.

Bishop Robert Barron or Fr. Steve Grunow from Word on Fire, continue to celebrate daily Mass from the bishop’s private chapel.

More information and support may be found on our Diocesan website.

I continue to celebrate Mass privately for you all every day. As you are unable to celebrate Mass with me at present, 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

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The Opening Prayer from the Mass of Easter Sunday

O God, who on this day, through your Only Begotten Son, have conquered death and unlocked for us the path to eternity, grant, we pray, that we who keep the Solemnity of the Lord’s Resurrection may, through the renewal brought by your Spirit, rise up in the light of life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen 

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Other Liturgical Restrictions.

Not only is the celebration of Mass in Church suspended at this time, but the celebration of all other Sacraments and sacramentals is suspended until such time as we are allowed to reopen our churches.

In the current situation the Bishops have announced the following instruction: All baptisms, confirmations, first Holy Communions and weddings are to be deferred until congregations are allowed to gather again.

Funeral Masses and Funeral Services are not permitted in our churches. A simple funeral service may be celebrated at the graveside or at the crematorium where numbers attending are limited to 10 people. These Local Authority restrictions are made in the light of the latest guidance from the Federation of Burial and Cremation Authorities, the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management and central Government. The funeral director will guide you in this regard.

---

Please keep in your prayers this week

• all our parishioners who are sick, housebound or in hospital and,
• all those near and dear to us whose memories we cherish at this time especially Molly Bell and Brian Grace Jnr.

---

Pope Francis’ Prayer for Protection during the Coronavirus  Pandemic

O Mary, you shine continuously on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope. We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the sick. At the foot of the cross you participated in Jesus’ pain, with steadfast faith. You know what we need. We are certain that you will provide, so that, as you did at Cana of Galilee, joy and feasting might return after this moment of trial. Help us, Mother of Divine Love. to conform ourselves to the Father’s will and to do what Jesus tells us: He who took our sufferings upon Himself, and bore our sorrows to bring us, through the Cross, to the joy of the Resurrection. Amen.

We seek refuge under your protection, O holy Mother of God. Do not despise our pleas – we who are put to the test and deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin.

---

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.

---

Alone [Together]

If you are finding it difficult living in isolation – on your own or ‘stuck’ with family – you might find the suggestions of Fr Christopher Jamison helpful. He is  the President of the English Benedictine Congregation and a monk of Douai Abbey in Berkshire. Drawing on almost 50 years experience as a monk, Fr Christopher has helped to create a website Alone [Together] which addresses loneliness and self-sufficiency raised by the current crisis.

For him, positivity is the key:

“Do not begin the day by rehearsing your grievances,” he says. “Begin by remembering you’re alive and there are good things still. You may have to do tough things later, but take it one step at a time. Begin with gratitude; then ask for the grace to face the day and its difficulties. Then go and address the difficulties.”

---

Your weekly offerings

If you feel able, bearing in mind the additional financial commitments you may be currently facing, might I suggest you retain your envelopes each week and bring them along once we can reopen our churches and celebrate Mass together.

I would be grateful if more of you might consider contributing by bank transfer directly into the parish account.  It will help us to meet our ongoing financial commitments. I am very grateful to those of you who have already chosen to do so. The details for bank transfers 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

---

Asylum Seekers

The Diocesan Justice and Peace Refugee Project, which you so generously support with your donations of tinned meat and fish, has had to temporarily close its doors. No food donations can be received.

However, they are searching for ways to be able to arrange financial support for the most destitute asylum seekers.

If you feel able to offer a donation you may make a bank transfer to their account:

HSBC DHN Destitute Asylum Fund Sort code: 40-34-18 Account No: 52854058

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200 Club

The 200 Club draws have been suspended for the time being and will recommence at Week 11 when we are able to reopen our churches, come together to celebrate Mass and enjoy one another’s company again.

The 200 Club will then continue to run its course to complete 52 weeks. As a result it will no longer follow the calendar year.

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And finally

You may enjoy this picture of our New Easter Candle which will be lit when we can return to our churches.

Dear Parishioner

Newsletter for Holy Week

Here is our parish Newsletter for Holy Week and I do hope it finds you well and continuing to follow our Government’s instructions. Please stay at home, especially during this spell of fine and sunny weather. It is for the well-being of us all and our NHS service.

Please try to share the information in this Newsletter with our parishioners who do not have access to the internet. Perhaps you could give them a ring.

If you know of anyone who would like to receive future information from us by email and haven’t passed on to me their email address, please ask them to contact me at felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk

Other information, including where you can turn to for spiritual support and prayer may be found on our own Diocesan website.

Please take care of yourselves and try to pray each day especially during Holy Week. Endeavour to read your bible, where you will find comfort and solace in God’s Word. Pray for each other and please pray for me.

Keep an eye out for one another in keeping with Government advice, remembering that some parishioners are self isolating.

May God bless you all

Father Patterson

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Mass to view on line

Bishop Robert Barron or Fr. Steve Grunow from Word on Fire, continue to celebrate daily Mass from the bishop’s private chapel which you can view here:

Daily Mass

Please remember though that he lives in the USA so the time difference means the Mass doesn’t become available to us here until 12.30 each day. It may be accessed any time after that.

As you will see from the link above, Bishop Barron will be celebrating the Holy Week Services too but these will be at Pacific time which is 8 hours behind UK time!

Mass is being lived streamed from our Cathedral and one or two other parishes in the Diocese. I suspect they may be offering some of the Holy Week services too. You can find all the information you need on the Diocesan website.

I continue to celebrate Mass privately for you all every day. As you are unable to celebrate Mass at present, 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

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The Opening Prayer from the Mass of Palm Sunday

Almighty ever-living God, who as an example of humility for the human race to follow, caused our Saviour to take flesh and submit to the Cross, graciously grant that we may heed his lesson of patient suffering and so merit a share in his Resurrection. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

---

Other Liturgical Restrictions

Not only is the celebration of Mass in Church suspended at this time, but the celebration of all other Sacraments and sacramentals is suspended until such time as we are allowed to reopen our churches.

In the current situation the Bishops have announced the following instruction:

• All baptisms, confirmations, first Holy Communions and weddings are to be deferred until congregations are allowed to gather again.

• Funeral Masses and Funeral Services are not permitted in our churches. A simple funeral service may be celebrated at the graveside or at the crematorium where numbers attending are limited to 10 people. These Local Authority restrictions are made in the light of the latest guidance from the Federation of Burial and Cremation Authorities, the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management and central Government. The funeral director will guide you in this regard.

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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 Kathleen Falconer and Elizabeth Knock
• and Vin McCormack and Terry Boyle 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. Amen.” Private cremation services took place for Vin and Terry last week.

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Bishop Robert

Bishop Robert has written a Pastoral Letter in which he writes:-

“Without doubt we are living in challenging times but we should see this as an opportunity to have an ever-deeper faith and trust in the Lord. In these days of Holy Week, we unite ourselves more earnestly to the sufferings of the Lord on the Cross and wait with him for the glorious day of the Resurrection and new life.”

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Easter Duties

Cardinal Vincent Nichols has shared his thoughts on what it means for our spiritual well-being and salvation when we can’t fulfil our “Easter Duties.”

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Pope Francis speaks to us

The Holy Father sends us a special message as we approach Holy week which can be viewed here:

During Holy week you can watch the Holy Week services celebrated by Pope Francis via the Vatican News YouTube channel.

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Our School

Mrs Bridon and all the staff at school would like to thank our parents for their support and co-operation in these difficult times.

Please continue to give them whatever support they need in the weeks ahead.

St. Alban – pray for us.

St. Patrick – pray for us.

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Holy Week at Home

Our Diocese has produced a document to help us celebrate Holy Week at Home.

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Your weekly offerings

If you feel able, bearing in mind the additional financial commitments you may be currently facing, might I suggest you retain your envelopes each week and bring them along once we can reopen our churches and celebrate Mass together.

Those of you who have not collected your new envelopes will be aware that your present envelopes have run out, but I hope you will feel able to save your contribution nonetheless.

I would be grateful if more of you might consider contributing by bank transfer directly into the parish account.  It will help us to meet our ongoing financial commitments. I am very grateful to those of you who have already chosen to do so. The details for bank transfers 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

---

Asylum Seekers

The Diocesan Justice and Peace Refugee Project, which you so generously support with your donations of tinned meat and fish, has had to temporarily close its doors. No food donations can be received.

However, they are searching for ways to be able to arrange financial support for the most destitute asylum seekers.

If you feel able to offer a donation you may make a bank transfer to their account: HSBC DHN Destitute Asylum Fund Sort code: 40-34-18 Account No: 52854058

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And finally, a Prayer during this time of the Pandemic

Almighty and eternal God, our refuge in every danger, and to whom we turn in our distress; in faith we pray that you might look with compassion on the afflicted, grant eternal rest to the dead, comfort to mourners, healing to the sick, peace to the dying, strength to healthcare workers, wisdom to our leaders and the courage to reach out to all in love, so that together we may give glory to your holy name. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.  Amen

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Dear Parishioner

Here is our parish Newsletter for the coming week and I do hope it finds you well and following our Government’s advice.

As I mentioned last week, I am very much aware that many of our parishioners do not have access to the internet so please share this information with others. Perhaps you could give them a ring.

If you know of people who haven’t passed on to me their email address and would like to receive future information from us in this way, please ask them to email me at felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk

Other information, including where you can turn to for spiritual support and prayer may be found on our own Diocesan website www.rcdhn.org.uk/index.php

Please take care of yourselves and try to pray each day. Endeavour to read your bible, where you will find comfort and solace in God’s Word. Pray for each other and please pray for me.

Keep an eye out for one another in keeping with Government advice, remembering that some parishioners are self isolating.

May God bless you all

Father Patterson

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Our Churches are now completely closed

I am sure many of your will be aware that last Tuesday, Cardinal Vincent Nichols announced the total closure of all of our churches even for private prayer in keeping with the Governments advice.

The Cardinal stresses that we must all play our part to safeguard the NHS and to save ‘precious lives.’ His statement can be viewed at:

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Mass to view on line

Bishop Robert Barron, or one of the other priests from Word on Fire, is celebrating daily Mass from his private chapel which you can view here www.wordonfire.org/daily-mass.

Please remember though that he lives in the USA so the time difference means the Mass doesn’t become available to us here until 12.30 each day. It may be accessed any time after that.

Mass is being lived streamed from our Cathedral and one or two other parishes in the Diocese. You can find all the information you need on the Diocesan website.

I continue to celebrate Mass privately for you all every day. As you are unable to celebrate Mass at present, 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.

Other Liturgical Restrictions

Not only is the celebration of Mass in Church suspended at this time, but the celebration of all other Sacraments and sacramentals is suspended until such time as we are allowed to reopen our churches.

In the current situation the Bishops have announced the following instruction:

All baptisms, confirmations, first Holy Communions and weddings are to be deferred until congregations are allowed to gather again.

Funeral Masses and Funeral Services are not permitted in our churches. A simple funeral service may be celebrated at the graveside or at the crematorium where numbers attending are limited to 10 people. These Local Authority restrictions are made in the light of the latest guidance from the Federation of Burial and Cremation Authorities, the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management and central Government. The funeral director will guide you in this regard.

Please keep in your prayers this week:

• all our parishioners who are sick, housebound or in hospital
• and all those near and dear to us whose memories we cherish at this time especially Pat Donald and Brian Gilmore.

Why should we stay at home?

These words of the Irish Prime Minister, Leo Varadker in his address to the nation on 17th March, 2020 is one reason why:-

My family has spoken about little else in recent days. My partner, my two sisters, and both their husbands are working in the health service – here in Ireland and in the UK. They are all apprehensive. They have heard the stories from China and Italy of hospitals being overwhelmed and medical staff getting sick. I am so proud of all of them. Not all superheroes wear capes, some wear scrubs and gowns … This is the calm before the storm – before the surge. And when it comes – and it will come – never will so many ask so much of so few.

Prime Minister, Leo Varadker. 17 March 2020

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The Rededication of England to Mary

It was at a time of national crisis that the young King Richard II in 1831 dedicated England to our Lady as her Dowry and as England’s protector and guardian.

This year we are called by our bishops to renew this dedication. It is surely providential that, as we enter a time of national crisis again, we are making such an important declaration of love for our Saviour’s Mother.

It was hoped that we could make this rededication together at Mass this Sunday which is no longer possible. But we can rededicate ourselves at home by saying the following prayer:

O Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, and our most gentle Queen and Mother, look down in mercy upon England, thy Dowry, and upon us all who greatly hope and trust in thee. By thee it was that Jesus, our Saviour and our hope, was given unto the world; and he has given thee to us that we might hope still more. Plead for us thy children, whom thou didst receive and accept at the foot of the cross, O sorrowful Mother, intercede for our separated brethren, that with us in the one true fold they may be united to the Chief Shepherd, the Vicar of thy Son. Pray for us all, dear Mother, that by faith, fruitful in good works, we may all deserve to see and praise God, together with thee in our heavenly home. Amen

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Our School

Please keep the staff of our school in your prayers. They are having to implement difficult decisions relating to our children’s education which inevitably will affect your family life and commitments.

They are working incredibly hard and I ask that you continue to give them your support, co-operation and understanding in what are challenging times for everyone.

St. Alban – pray for us.    St. Patrick – pray for us.

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Your weekly offerings

Several parishioners have been in touch with me about continuing to make their weekly offering contribution to our parishes.

If you feel able, bearing in mind the additional financial commitments you may be currently facing, might I suggest you retain your envelopes each week and bring them along once we can reopen our churches and celebrate Mass together.

Those of you who have not collected your new envelopes will be aware that your present envelopes will run out this weekend, but I hope you will feel able to save your contribution nonetheless.

Alternatively, you might consider contributing directly into the parish account by bank transfer. I am very grateful to those of you who have chosen to do so. The details for bank transfers 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

(My apologies that the final digit (3) of St. Patrick’s Account Number was omitted in the website edition of the Newsletter last weekend preventing some of you from making a transfer. The error has been amended. The correct account number is as above: 52010453. Thank you to those who are contributing in this way.)

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And finally – A Prayer for this Current Time

Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we pray to you through Christ the healer for those who suffer from the Coronavirus across the world. We pray for all who reach out to those who mourn the loss of each and every person who has died as a result of contracting the disease.

Give wisdom to our policymakers, skill to all healthcare professionals and researchers, comfort to those in distress and calm to us all in these days of uncertainty and distress. This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Dear Parishioner

Here is our parish Newsletter for the coming week – somewhat different to what we are accustomed to. I am very much aware that many of our parishioners do not have access to the internet so please share this information with others. Perhaps you could give them a ring.

If you know of people who haven’t passed on to me their email address and would like to receive future information from us in this way, please ask them to email me at felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk.

This Newsletter, along with any major changes in our current practice, will appear on this website. A downloadable version is available.

Our Churches must close

As many of you will be aware, last Thursday, Cardinal Vincent Nichols announced that our churches must be closed for all acts of public worship until further notice but urged us to pray continually at home. You might like to listen to his words of encouragement at the following link:

I know that many of you will miss the opportunity to celebrate Mass with one another. I miss it too.  However, I hope you will be reassured to know that every priest in the diocese is celebrating Mass privately each day and constantly remembering you and your families in prayer.

Mass to view on line

Bishop Robert Barron, or one of the other priests from Word on Fire, is celebrating daily Mass from the his private chapel which you can view using this link:

Daily Mass

Please remember though that he lives in the USA so the time difference means the Mass doesn’t become available to us here until 12.30 each day. It may be accessed any time after that.

This coming Sunday, 22nd March, Mass from St. Mary’s Church, Hexham is being live streamed at 10.00 and can be viewed via their parish website at:

www.stmaryshexham.org.uk

You may find this prayer of help:

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

Keeping churches open for private prayer

Our bishops hope that some of our churches may be able to remain open for people to come to pray privately.

At this stage, I am not sure if we can arrange this for St. Alban’s and St. Patrick’s. Leaving our churches open and unattended raises a number of issues and in the light of the further restrictions placed on social mixing and self-isolation announced by the Government last Friday evening (20th March), I suspect it would be unwise to do so.

I will seek further guidance in this regard and will keep you informed of the outcome, but for this coming week I am afraid our churches will not be open.

Other Liturgical Restrictions

Not only is the celebration of Mass in Church suspended at this me, but the celebration of all other Sacraments and sacramentals is suspended until such time as we are allowed to reopen our churches.

Following Government advice, the Bishops have announced the following instruction:

All baptisms, confirmations, first Holy Communions and weddings are to be deferred until congregations are allowed to gather again.

Funeral Masses and Funeral Services are not permitted in our churches. A simple funeral service may be celebrated at the graveside or at the crematorium where numbers attending will be limited following the Government guidelines on social distancing. The funeral director will guide you in this regard.

Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes

Following current advice from the Tour Operator, and the information given by the statutory authorities in France and the United Kingdom, this year’s pilgrimage has been cancelled.

If you have already booked, Tangney Tours will be in touch with you in the coming weeks. You are asked to be patient with them at this present time.

Our School

Please keep the staff of our school in your prayers. They are having to implement difficult decisions relating to our children’s education which inevitably will affect your family life and commitments.

They are working incredibly hard and I ask that you give them your unreserved support, co-operation and understanding in what are challenging times for everyone.

St. Alban – pray for us.
St. Patrick – pray for us.

Your weekly offerings

Thank you for your offerings last weekend

St. Alban’s:  Offertory Collection £323.90
St. Patrick’s: Offertory Collection £461.84

Several parishioners have been in touch with me about continuing to make their weekly offering contribution to our parishes. I can honestly say it was something I hadn’t thought of! 

If you feel able, bearing in mind the additional financial commitments you may be currently facing, might I suggest you retain your envelopes each week and bring them along once we can reopen our churches and celebrate Mass together. 

Those of you who have not collected your new envelopes will be aware that your present envelopes will run out on 29th March, but I hope you will feel able to save your contribution nonetheless.

Alternately you might consider contributing directly into the parish account by bank transfer. The details for bank transfers are as follows: –

For St. Alban’s: HSBC Bank Account name: DHN Pelaw St Alban Sort code: 40-34-18 Account No: 92010984

For St. Patrick’s: HSBC Bank Account name: DHN Felling St Patrick Sort code: 40-34-18 Account No: 52010453

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 Margaret Cullen, Brian Gilmore and Terry McDonough

• and Thomas Toole who has died.
“Receive Lord into tranquility 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.”

The Rededication of England to Mary

Next Sunday, 29th March, every Catholic parish in England is being asked to celebrate the Rededication of England to Our Blessed Lady.  The first dedication was made by King Richard II in 1831 in Westminster Abbey, in thanksgiving for his kingdom being saved at the time of the peasants’ revolt.  At this point, England received the title ‘Mary’s Dowry;’ meaning that our country was ‘set aside’ as a gift, a dowry, for Our Lady under her guidance and protection.  

This can no longer be celebrated in our churches, but prayers for the Rededication, which you may say at home, will be published in next week’s Newsletter.    

And finally

Please take care of yourselves and try to pray each day. Read your bible, where you will find comfort and solace in God’s Word.  Pray for each other and please pray for me.

Keep an eye out for one another in keeping with Government advice remembering that some parishioners are self-isolating.

God bless you all

Fr Patterson