---

25th Sunday of the Year

Dear Parishioners

With a surge in the number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 in our region you will be aware  that the Government, at the request of the Local Authorities, launched a new series of measures last Friday for us to follow in an attempt to curb the transmission of the virus.

The underlying nature of the restrictions is for us all to limit our social contact with those who do not live in our household as much as possible.

Why, you may ask. Gateshead Council’s data has identified that there is an increased rate of transmission in our own homes, in hospitality venues and through grassroot sports. The Council’s aim is to do everything they can to protect our most vulnerable people, to keep businesses open and our children in school.

We will all have our own views on what is happening and what is being asked of us and whilst it is easy to apportion blame, as Christian people, should we not accept that we have a personal responsibly to follow the rules and guidelines for the sake of the common good?

I recall these words of Professor Chris Whitty, the Chief Medical Officer for England who said on 25th June that “Covid-19 is still in general circulation. If we do not follow social distancing guidance then cases will rise again. It is absolutely critical people stick to the guidance that has been given.” He has been proven to be correct – many people have chosen to ignore social distancing and we have seen a surge in the number of cases locally, nationally and in other countries too.

We have also heard how “the worried well,” who seek a Covid test without having Covid symptoms, are putting an added strain on an already over stretched Test and Trace system. If we are worried about catching the virus to the extent that we want to seek a test for our peace of mind, which is understandable as no-one likes having to live with anxiety and uncertainty, why do we not seem to be as worried about catching the virus when it comes to observing social distancing?

We have been given another opportunity by the Government to change our social habits for the well-being of one another. Let us respond in a positive way to do all we can to try to reduce the transmission of the coronavirus in our own locality.

Please look after each other by observing social distancing and local restrictions.

Pray for one another and please pray for me

May God bless you all.

Fr. Patterson

---

Mass to view on line

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

Alternatively, you may like to follow daily Mass from the Holy Name, Jesmond celebrated live at 10.00 or which may also be viewed any time later.

---

Mass Intentions

With the exception of Tuesday and Thursday, when there is a public Mass in St. Patrick’s Church, I will continue to celebrate Mass privately each day. These Intentions will be remembered this week.

• Monday – Mgt Miller, Adam & Les Jackson & Peter Stout
• Tuesday: 10.00 in St. Patrick’s Church –  Dorothy Diamond
• Wednesday: Pat Donald
• Thursday: 18.30 in St. Patrick’s Church – Sheila Robinson
• Friday – Fr. “P’s” Intentions
• Saturday – The sick, their families, NHS staff & Care Workers
• Sunday – For the intentions of all our parishioners

When 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

---

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 Dorothy Diamond, Michael and Iris Hollywood and Sheila Robinson

---

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.

---

Should I come to church?

If you have been confirmed as clinically extremely vulnerable the government is advising that you do not need to shield at the moment, but if you are in this category, you should still try to keep your overall social interactions low, as outlined in the Government Guidance.

Some people, including those aged 70 and over, are described as being clinically vulnerable, meaning that they are at a higher risk of severe illness from the coronavirus. Individuals who fall within this group are advised to stay at home as much as possible and if they do go out, to take particular care to minimise contact with others outside their household.

If you fall into either of these categories, or if you feel unsure about returning to Mass, you need to consider the wisdom of doing so. Please remember, you are not obliged to attend Mass. Sunday obligation is suspended.

If you are feeling unwell or if you suspect that you have Covid-19, (high temperature, new persistent cough, lack of taste or smell) or if you are living with someone who has or is suspected of having Covid-19, you MUST self-isolate in accordance with HM Government guidance and contact the online 111 service to arrange for testing. You must not come to Church.

It is also important to note, that while we will attempt to take all appropriate precautions consistent with the advice of public health authorities to ensure our Church is Covid-19 safe, 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

---

What to expect when returning to Church

The Archdiocese of Liverpool have put together a video which gives us an idea of what to expect when you can return to Church.

---

Mass in St. Patrick’s Church and the new local Restrictions

It had been hoped that we might have been able to offer a Mass in St. Patrick’s Church on a Sunday from this weekend. However, in the light of the substantial rise in the number of coronavirus cases in our locality and the local restrictions imposed upon us, I do not think it prudent to introduce an additional (Sunday) Mass in St. Patrick’s until the local situation improves. Sunday obligation is still suspended.

We will continue to celebrate Mass on Tuesdays at 10.00 and Thursdays at 18.30, unless additional measures are imposed which may prevent us from doing so.

As you are aware,  St. Patrick’s Church has been risked assessed and is deemed to be Covid-19 secure. Strict protocols are in place for your health and safety.

However, the new local Restrictions do affect us to the extent that they emphasise that we should not socialise outside of the Church after Mass but disperse immediately. I urge those of you who come to Mass to follow this advice and in doing so set an example for others to follow.

---

News from our School

Mrs Telfer, will be retiring in October after 25 years at our school where she has dedicated her time and energy to helping to care for so many children and their families. To celebrate her time there, if you have a story to share or wish to send a message,  please contact the school office (0191 469 3251).

---

Your generous Offerings are greatly appreciated

Fr. Patterson continues to be so grateful to those parishioners who, in these financially challenging times, are able to make their weekly offering by bank transfer directly into the parish accounts and to those who have sent cheques.

He is also appreciative of those parishioners who have dropped their weekly offering envelopes through the presbytery letterbox  This all helps to meet our day to day financial commitments.

However, for security reasons, please do not put any envelopes through St. Alban’s Presbytery door. Envelopes for St. Alban’s parish should be posted through St. Patrick’s Presbytery door only.

If you Gift Aid your offertory contributions, the parish can reclaim the tax on your offering should you wish to make a bank transfer. It would be helpful to enter your name and Gift Aid envelope number as the reference when making the transfer.

If you choose to send a cheque please make it payable to the appropriate Account name below or you might wish to continue to put aside your envelopes each week and bring them along to church once we can reopen our doors.

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

---

Diocesan Website

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

Government Information

The following Government Information may also be of value to you:

• Hands, face, space
• North East of England – local restrictions

---

21^st Sunday of the Year

Dear Parishioners

As many of you will already be aware, St. Patrick’s Church was risk assessed by the Diocese last Wednesday and we have been given permission to begin the process of a phased reopening. I am sure many of us will be delighted to hear this news.

At the same time, following advice and guidance from the Bishops, I am afraid we are not in a position to be able to reopen St. Alban’s Church at present. I appreciate that this will be disappointing news for some of you, but I hope you will continue to be patient and understanding in what are still difficult and challenging times.

It is perhaps helpful to recall these words of our Metropolitan Archbishop Malcolm McMahon:  “As we begin to return to Mass we have to provide guidelines to ensure a safe and reverent environment. We all have a role to play in keeping each other safe and healthy. We are not going back to normal. It is not going back to what it was like before March. We have to think differently.”

We must all take his words to heart.

To maintain social distancing there will be a maximum of 70 people allowed in St. Patrick’s Church at any one time for a parish Mass. Any other services which we may be able to accommodate, subject to the availability of stewards, will be limited to the current Government restrictions of a maximum of 30 people.

The Church will be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized on Monday.

Later in the week there will be two training sessions for those who have volunteered to act as stewards. Their role is to make you feel welcome and safe when you choose to return to Church and to ensure the Government guidelines are being followed.

If all goes according to plan, we hope to open St. Patrick’s Church for the celebration of Mass on Tuesday, 1st September and on Thursday evening, 3rd September. These dates will be confirmed in next weeks Newsletter along with the times of Mass. 

I am aware that some of you may not be ready to return to Church at the moment and you are under no obligation to do so. Please see the item on page two of this newsletter for more details. Remember too, Sunday obligation is still suspended.

Please continue to look after and pray for one another and please pray for me.

May God bless you all.

Fr. Patterson

---

Mass to view on line

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

Alternatively, you may like to follow daily Mass from the Holy Name, Jesmond celebrated live at 10.00 or which may also be viewed any time later.

---

 Mass Intentions

I continue to celebrate Mass privately every day. The following Intentions will be remembered this week.

• Monday – A Special Intention (ID)
• Tuesday – Maurice Brown
• Wednesday – Kathleen Harland
• Thursday – The sick, their families, NHS staff & Care Workers
• Friday – Isabella Taylor
• 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

---

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

---

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.

---

Should I come to church?

If you have been confirmed as clinically extremely vulnerable you are very susceptible to an adverse reaction to Covid-19 and you would have been advised to take extra precautions during the peak of the pandemic in England. This is known as ‘shielding’. The government is advising that you do not need to shield at the moment, because the rates of transmission of the coronavirus in the community have fallen significantly, although they are now on the increase in some parts of our country. If you are in this category, you should still try to keep your overall social interactions low. You can read the HM Government Guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from Covid-19 on the Government website.

Some people, including those aged 70 and over, are described as being clinically vulnerable, meaning that they are at a higher risk of severe illness from coronavirus. Individuals who fall within this group are advised to stay at home as much as possible and if they do go out, to take particular care to minimise contact with others outside their household.

If you fall into either of these categories, or if you feel unsure about returning to Mass, you need to consider the wisdom of doing so. Please remember, you are not obliged to attend Mass. Sunday obligation is suspended.

Needless to say, if you are feeling unwell or if you suspect that you have Covid-19, (high temperature, new persistent cough, lack of taste or smell) or if you are living with someone who has or is suspected of having Covid-19, you MUST self-isolate in accordance with HM Government guidance and contact the online 111 service to arrange for testing. You must not come to Church.

It is also important to note, that while we will attempt to take appropriate precautions consistent with the advice of public health authorities, to ensure our Church is Covid-19 safe, 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.

---

What to expect when returning to Church

The Archdiocese of Liverpool have put together a video which gives us an idea of what to expect when you can return to Church.

---

A Pastoral Message from Bishop Robert

Church at Home – A Pastoral video Message from Bishop Robert Byrne. Bishop Robert offers all of us some pastoral support in what are still very challenging times.

---

Your generous Offerings are greatly appreciated

Fr. Patterson continues to be so grateful to those parishioners who, in these financially challenging times, are able to make their weekly offering by bank transfer directly into the parish accounts and to those who have sent cheques.

He is also appreciative of those parishioners who have dropped their weekly offering envelopes through the presbytery letterbox  This all helps to meet our day to day financial commitments.

However, for security reasons, please do not put any envelopes through St. Alban’s Presbytery door. Envelopes for St. Alban’s parish should be posted through St. Patrick’s Presbytery door only.

If you Gift Aid your offertory contributions, the parish can reclaim the tax on your offering should you wish to make a bank transfer. It would be helpful to enter your name and Gift Aid envelope number as the reference when making the transfer.

If you choose to send a cheque please make it payable to the appropriate Account name below or you might wish to continue to put aside your envelopes each week and bring them along to church once we can reopen our doors.

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

---

Diocesan Website

More information and support may be found on our Diocesan website

---

The Feast of the Assumption

Dear Parishioners

God gave Moses ten commandments to enable his people to live life to the full as the people he made us to be. Of course we know it isn’t always easy to keep the commandments, which is one of the reasons Jesus introduced into the life of his Church the nature of a loving God who is all forgiving.

Governments and political leaders throughout the world have provided their people with guidelines to follow in order to protect us from the coronavirus.  Like the ten commandments, it isn’t always easy to follow these guidelines, perhaps because sometimes they involve putting other peoples’ needs before our own.

There seems to be some confusion in England about what those guidelines are when it comes to socialising. Let us review the latest update from 14th August:-

“In order to keep you and your family and friends safe, it remains very important that you stay alert when meeting them. At all times, it’s important to maintain social distancing from people you do not live with to reduce the risk of spreading the virus. You should only have close contact with people outside of your household if you are in a support bubble with them.

Members of 2 different households can meet in any indoor space, including a private home. Even so, you should, wherever possible, socially distance from people you do not live with or who are not in your support bubble

When eating or drinking in pubs or restaurants with people you do not live with, you should only meet with one other household if you are seated indoors. If you are eating or drinking outdoors, including private gardens, you can do so with one other household or in a group of up to 6 people from different households. You should take care to limit your interactions with anyone outside the group you visit these places with.

In all cases, people from different households (unless in support bubbles) should ensure they socially distance as much as possible. Premises should also take reasonable steps to help you do so in line with COVID-19 secure principles

You should try to limit the number of people you see, especially over short periods of time, to keep you and them safe, and save lives. The more people with whom you interact, the more chances we give the virus to spread”

Please continue to look after and pray for one another and please pray for me.

May God bless you all.

Fr. Patterson

---

Mass to view on line

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

Alternatively, you may like to follow daily Mass from the Holy Name, Jesmond celebrated live at 10.00 or which may also be viewed any time later.

---

Mass Intentions

I continue to celebrate Mass privately every day. The following Intentions will be remembered this week.

• Monday – A Special Friend (RK)
• Tuesday – A successful operation (AGW)
• Wednesday – Joan Dolan
• Thursday – The sick, their families, NHS staff & Care Workers
• Friday – Agnes and Billy McStea
• 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

---

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,
• Fr. Tony Duffy 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

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.

---

The People of Beirut

Amidst their own country’s struggle with the coronavirus, Pope Francis asks us to join him in praying for Lebanon, “So that with all of its social components, political and religious, it can face this tragic and painful moment, and with the help of the international community, overcome the serious crises it is undergoing.”

£250.00 has been sent to Cafod’s Beirut Emergency Appeal from St. Alban’s Charity Box. A prayer for the people of Beirut may be found on the CAFOD website.

---

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.

---

Reopening our Churches – Latest News

As you will be aware from last week’s Newsletter, we have now been given leave by Bishop Robert to be risk assessed with a view to a phased reopening of St. Patrick’s Church. We are awaiting a date for that assessment.

As Fr. Patterson is in the clinically vulnerable category and on the advice of the bishops, St. Alban’s Church will remain closed for the time being.

Once St. Patrick’s has been risk assessed it will have to be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized to ensure it is a Covid safe environment.

The number of volunteers who are willing to act as stewards and to clean the church after every celebration will determine when we can reopen and the number and times of services we will be able to offer.

Things will be very different. The Archdiocese of Liverpool have put together a video which gives us an idea of what to expect when you can return to Church.

As you are aware the Government Guidelines for the reopening of churches are very demanding to ensure they are Covid-19 secure.

A minimum of two stewards must be in attendance at every celebration to ensure the guidelines are met and the church must be thoroughly sanitized after each service.

The more volunteers we have, the easier it will be to fulfil these requirements and the less burdensome it will be on those who have volunteered.

If you can volunteer as a steward and/or help with cleaning the church, please send Fr. Patterson an email stating your availability weekday/weekend and in what way you would be able to help.  Volunteers should really not be in the vulnerable categories.

---

Your generous Offerings are greatly appreciated

Fr. Patterson continues to be so grateful to those parishioners who, in these financially challenging times, are able to make their weekly offering by bank transfer directly into the parish accounts and to those who have sent cheques.

He is also appreciative of those parishioners who have dropped their weekly offering envelopes through the presbytery letterbox  This all helps to meet our day to day financial commitments.

However, for security reasons, please do not put any envelopes through St. Alban’s Presbytery door. Envelopes for St. Alban’s parish should be posted through St. Patrick’s Presbytery door only.

If you Gift Aid your offertory contributions, the parish can reclaim the tax on your offering should you wish to make a bank transfer. It would be helpful to enter your name and Gift Aid envelope number as the reference when making the transfer.

If you choose to send a cheque please make it payable to the appropriate Account name below or you might wish to continue to put aside your envelopes each week and bring them along to church once we can reopen our doors.

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

---

Diocesan Website

More information and support may be found on our Diocesan website

---

19^th Sunday of the Year

Dear Parishioners

Across the world and here at home we witness the number of cases of Covid-19 on the rise leading to the introduction of restrictions, quarantines and lockdowns having to be imposed.

Many commentators put the rise in Europe down to a growing number of people choosing to ignore the call to keep social distancing, wear face coverings and to observe basic hygiene requirements.

I share with you today the following comments of Professor Chris Whitty, the Chief Medical Officer in the UK and Doctor David Nabarro, the World Health Organisation’s special envoy for coronavirus, which I feel are worthy of consideration.

“We have all known that what we have to try and do is get to the absolute edge of what we can do in terms of opening up society and the economy without getting to the point where the virus starts to take off again. I think what we are seeing from the data…. is that we have probably reached near the limit or limits of what we can do in terms of opening up society. So what that means potentially, is if we wish to do more things in the future we may have to do less of some other things and these will be difficult trade-offs, some of which will be decisions of government, some of which are for all of us as citizens to do. So we have to be realistic about this. The idea that we can open up everything and keep the virus under control is clearly wrong and what we are seeing (now) is that we are at the outer edge of what we can do and therefore choices will need to be made.” (Chris Whitty, 31st July, Downing Street Briefing.)

“I hear about people in many parts of other European countries saying we have had enough of (restrictions and lockdowns) and I so understand it. I think all of us are just thinking when is this going to end and I have to be this person who comes out with (the fact that) this virus is not going away, this virus is really dangerous, this virus doesn’t get bored, it really relishes when we get bored because then it can cause more trouble. This virus only has one purpose and that is to multiply and multiply and it is doing so all over the world. So… we have absolutely no choice but to take it seriously and we mustn’t compete with each other about it. We’ve got to have everybody working together on this agenda because we are all experiencing the same problem all over the world.”

(David Nabarro, The Today Programme, 4th August). The full interview can be heard at 2 hours 14.45 minutes into the programme

Please continue to look after and pray for one another and please pray for me.

May God bless you all.

Fr. Patterson

---

Mass to view on line

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

Alternatively, you may like to follow daily Mass from the Holy Name, Jesmond celebrated live at 10.00 or which may also be viewed any time later.

---

 Mass Intentions

I continue to celebrate Mass privately every day. The following Intentions will be remembered this week.

• Monday – Knock, Hughes and Kelly Families
• Tuesday – Allan Neil
• Wednesday – Lawrie Hindes
• Thursday – The sick, their families, NHS staff & Care Workers
• Friday – Jim McErlane
• 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

---

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,
• Allan Neil 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

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.

---

The People of Beirut

Amidst their own country’s struggle with the coronavirus, I feel sure we can do no other than to pray earnestly for the people of Beirut following the explosion in their city last Tuesday and the ensuing deaths, injuries and devastation.

---

Reopening our Churches – Update

We have now been given leave by Bishop Robert to be risk assessed with a view to a phased reopening of St. Patrick’s Church.

As Fr. Patterson is in the clinically vulnerable category and on the advice of the bishops, St. Alban’s Church will remain closed for the time being.

Once St. Patrick’s has been risk assessed it will have to be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized to ensure it is a Covid safe environment.

It will then depend on the number of volunteers we have who are willing to act as stewards and to clean the church after every celebration before we can determine when we can reopen and the number and times of services we will be able to offer.

As you are aware the Government Guidelines are very demanding to ensure our churches are Covid-19 secure.

A minimum of two stewards must be in attendance at every celebration to ensure the guidelines are met and the church must be thoroughly sanitized after each service.

The more volunteers we have, the easier it will be to fulfil these requirements and the less burdensome it will be on those who have volunteered.

If you can volunteer as a steward and/or help with cleaning the church, please send Fr. Patterson an email stating your availability weekday/weekend and in what way you would be able to help.  Volunteers should really not be in the vulnerable categories.

---

What to expect when we can return to Church

As we patiently await the reopening of our churches, this video from the Archdiocese of Liverpool gives an idea of what to expect when you can come back to Church:

---

Your generous Offerings are greatly appreciated

In these financially challenging times, Fr. Patterson continues to be grateful to those parishioners who contribute their weekly offering by bank transfer directly into the parish accounts and to those who have sent cheques.

He is also appreciative of those parishioners who have dropped their weekly offering envelopes through the presbytery letterbox  This all helps to meet our day to day financial commitments.

However, for security reasons, please do not put any envelopes through St. Alban’s Presbytery door. Envelopes for St. Alban’s parish should be posted through St. Patrick’s Presbytery door only.

If you Gift Aid your offertory contributions, the parish can reclaim the tax on your offering should you wish to make a bank transfer. It would be helpful to enter your name and Gift Aid envelope number as the reference when making the transfer.

If you choose to send a cheque please make it payable to the appropriate Account name below or you might wish to continue to put aside your envelopes each week and bring them along to church once we can reopen our doors.

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

---

Mass Offerings

If you would like to have Mass offered for any particular intention, Fr. Patterson would be happy to celebrate it for you privately.

You may drop your intention and offering through the letterbox of St. Patrick’s Presbytery, so long as you follow Government guidelines about leaving your home or place it in the post with a cheque, or you may email your intention to Fr. Patterson and send your offering by bank transfer.

For security reasons, please do not put any intentions or offerings through the letterbox of St. Alban’s Presbytery.

---

Help Control the Virus

To protect yourself and others, when you leave home you must:

• Wash hands – keep washing your hands regularly
• Cover face – wear a face covering over your nose and mouth in enclosed spaces
• Make space – stay at least a metre away from people not in your household

If you are feeling unwell, get a test and do not leave home for at least ten days.

You can read more about what you can and can’t do on the government website.

---

Diocesan Website

More information and support may be found on our Diocesan website

---

18^th Sunday of the Year

Dear Parishioners

Last weekend it was face coverings.  This week, the major topics of conversation have been the reintroduction of the need to quarantine for fourteen days if you are returning from Spain and Luxembourg due to a rapid increase of reported new cases in those countries; the extension of the self-isolating period if you test positive or show symptoms of Covid-19 from seven to ten days; and local restrictions.

It is not for me to enter into the politics of the Government having made these decisions, but I do remember the Prime Minister saying on the day he announced the introduction of the travel corridors, that he would be prepared “to slam the door shut at a moments notice” should the situation change from the time the decision to relax the travel restrictions took place and that is what has happened.

Indeed this policy has been at the heart of all the easements that have been made in recent weeks. They are all made based on the science at the time and are subject to review should there be a change in circumstances. We are witnessing this currently in areas of Greater Manchester, East Lancashire and West Yorkshire and in the suspension on further easements due to take place on 1st August.

The responsibility has been placed on the shoulders of us all to make our own risk assessments in the way we choose to live from day to day in the light of the Government guidelines active at the time, aware that they may change at a moment’s notice.  Hopefully in making our decisions, we take into account not only our own needs, hopes and desires, but the effect our actions and behaviour may have on others—for the sake of the common good.

It appears that a lack of respect for the social distancing rule has been a major cause of recent outbreaks. Here at home, our Government advice is still 2 metres  unless it is impossible in which case it is 1 metre plus with other measures being put in place to prevent the spread of Covid-19. In the more relaxed social settings that we may now enjoy, this appears not always to be happening, as some people seem to think the virus has gone away or, worse still, that they are invulnerable.

Which is why I urge you once again to keep in mind the advice of Professor Chris Whitty, the Chief Medical Officer for England who has said “Covid-19 is still in general circulation. If we do not follow social distancing guidance then cases will rise again. It is absolutely critical people stick to the guidance that has been given.”

Please look after one another, pray for each other and please pray for me.

May God bless you all.

Fr. Patterson

---

Mass to view on line

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

Alternatively, you may like to follow daily Mass from the Holy Name, Jesmond celebrated live at 10.00 or which may also be viewed any time later.

---

Mass Intentions

I continue to celebrate Mass privately every day. The following Intentions will be remembered this week.

• Monday – Hilda McDonald and LDM McDonald and Coffell Families
• Tuesday – In Thanksgiving for 60 years of Marriage (R&V)
• Wednesday – Fr. Owen Grant
• Thursday – The sick, their families, NHS staff & Care Workers
• Friday – Fr. “P’s” Intentions
• Saturday – Susan Harland
• 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

---

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

---

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.

---

Reopening our Churches

We continue to patiently await Bishop Robert approaching us to enquire if we are prepared  to be risk assessed with a view to reopening our churches.

As Fr. Patterson is in the clinically vulnerable category and on the advice of the Bishops, initially we may only be able to open St. Patrick’s Church.

Until such time as our own churches have been risk assessed and we are able to fulfill all the requirements for stewarding and cleaning, we will remain closed. So please be patient, prayerful and understanding.

---

We require a further 5 Volunteers please

If you are able to volunteer as a steward or to help with cleaning our churches please send Fr. Patterson an email stating your availability weekday/weekend and in what way you would be able to help.  Your help could make the difference between being able to open our churches or not! Volunteers should really not be in the vulnerable categories.

---

What to expect when we can return to Church

As we patiently await being approached by Bishop Robert to consider the reopening of our churches, this video from the Archdiocese of Liverpool gives an idea of what to expect when you can come back to Church.

---

Your generous Offerings are greatly appreciated

In these financially challenging times, Fr. Patterson continues to be grateful to those parishioners who contribute their weekly offering by bank transfer directly into the parish accounts and to those who have sent cheques.

He is also appreciative of those parishioners who have dropped their weekly offering envelopes through the presbytery letterbox  This all helps to meet our day to day financial commitments.

However, for security reasons, please do not put any envelopes through St. Alban’s Presbytery door. Envelopes for St. Alban’s parish should be posted through St. Patrick’s Presbytery door only.

If you Gift Aid your offertory contributions, the parish can reclaim the tax on your offering should you wish to make a bank transfer. It would be helpful to enter your name and Gift Aid envelope number as the reference when making the transfer.

If you choose to send a cheque please make it payable to the appropriate Account name below or you might wish to continue to put aside your envelopes each week and bring them along to church once we can reopen our doors.

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

---

Thank you

Fr. Patterson is most grateful for a donation of £100.00 received during the week for St. Patrick’s parish funds.

Mass Offerings

If you would like to have Mass offered for any particular intention, Fr. Patterson would be happy to celebrate it for you privately.

You may drop your intention and offering through the letterbox of St. Patrick’s Presbytery, so long as you follow Government guidelines about leaving your home or place it in the post with a cheque, or you may email your intention to Fr. Patterson and send your offering by bank transfer.

For security reasons, please do not put any intentions or offerings through the letterbox of St. Alban’s Presbytery.

---

Help Control the Virus

To protect yourself and others, when you leave home you must:

Wash hands – keep washing your hands regularly

Cover face – wear a face covering over your nose and mouth in enclosed spaces

Make space – stay at least a metre away from people not in your household

If you are feeling unwell, get a test   and do not leave home for at least ten days.

You can read more about what you can and can’t do on the government website.

---

Diocesan Website

More information and support may be found on our Diocesan website

---

17^th Sunday of the Year

Dear Parishioners

I suppose one of the major topics of conversation this week has been the introduction of the compulsory wearing of face coverings in shops and supermarkets.

There are those who are prepared to comply with this requirement for the sake of the common good. Others argue that it is inconvenient, uncomfortable, not British, an infringement of civil liberty.

Fr, James Martin, a Jesuit priest from the United States puts it this way:-   “I believe that all life is sacred, inviolable and a gift from God. That reverence for life includes a desire to care for the unborn child in the womb, the elderly person in danger of euthanasia, the refugee starving on the border….

To that list of sacred lives you can add: the woman standing in line at the grocery store checkout counter, the elderly man seated in a church pew or the office worker who has just stepped aboard public transportation.

Surely everyone would consider all these lives worthy of protection. So why aren’t all Christians convinced that wearing a mask, maintaining social distance and taking the necessary precautions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus are pro-life moves?”

He cites the parable of the Good Samaritan. There were those who failed to help and there was the Samaritan who went beyond the call of duty.

Fr. Martin continues: “So the question comes down to this: Do you reverence all lives—the checkout clerk as much as the unborn child? The man standing in the grocery store as much as the man in danger of euthanasia? The woman on the subway as much as the terminally ill child?

Do you really want to help save lives? Then start to bother. Wear a mask”

You can read Fr Martin’s article in America: The Jesuit Review.

Please take care of yourselves in the weeks and months ahead. Keep in mind the advice of Professor Chris Whitty, the Chief Medical Officer for England who has said “Covid-19 is still in general circulation. If we do not follow social distancing guidance then cases will rise again. It is absolutely critical people stick to the guidance that has been given.”

Pray for each other and please pray for me

May God bless you all.

Fr. Patterson

---

Mass to view on line

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

Alternatively, you may like to follow daily Mass from the Holy Name, Jesmond celebrated live at 10.00 or which may also be viewed any time later.

---

 Mass Intentions

I continue to celebrate Mass privately every day. The following Intentions will be remembered this week.

• Monday – Special Intention (RK)
• Tuesday – In Thanksgiving (KC)
• Wednesday – Lavinia and Alexander Henderson
• Thursday – The sick, their families, NHS staff & Care Workers
• Friday – Brian Quigley
• 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

---

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

---

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.

---

Reopening our Churches

We continue to patiently await Bishop Robert approaching us to enquire if we are prepared  to be risk assessed with a view to reopening our churches.

As Fr. Patterson is in the clinically vulnerable category and on the advice of the Bishops, initially we may only be able to open St. Patrick’s Church.

Until such time as our own churches have been risk assessed and we are able to fulfill all the requirements for stewarding and cleaning, we will remain closed. So please be patient, prayerful and understanding.

---

We need another 6 Volunteers please

If you are able to volunteer as a steward or to help with cleaning our churches please send Fr. Patterson an email stating your availability weekday/weekend and in what way you would be able to help.  Your help could make the difference between being able to open our churches or not! Volunteers should really not be in the vulnerable categories.

---

What to expect when we can return to Church

As we patiently await being approached by Bishop Robert to consider the reopening of our churches, Fr. Patterson thought it may be helpful to outline some of the changes you will experience when we are able to gather for Mass.

First of all, things will not be the same as they were! We must observe the 2 metre social distancing rule which reduces the seating capacity of our churches considerably. Everyone, with the exception of children under 11 and those with certain medical conditions, must bring and wear a face covering. Please note there will be no toilet facilities available nor votive candles, no repository items, no Mass Books, hymnbooks nor holy water.

The number of Masses offered will be determined by the number of volunteers we can call upon to act as stewards to assist you and to make you feel welcome and safe. They will greet you on your arrival at the Church and invite you to sanitise your hands. They will lead you to your seat—which may not be the one you are accustomed to sitting in. Please remain in your seat at all times. Do not move around the Church. In your bench, you must adhere to the 2 metre social distancing rule unless you are from the same household and are sharing a bench with members of your household.

Holy Communion will be distributed at the end of Mass when you will be invited by a steward to come forward. After receiving Holy Communion you must leave the Church immediately and not return to your place.

These are only some of the guidelines we must put in place. They are under constant review by the Government and the bishops. A more comprehensive set of procedures will be published once we have had our risk assessment carried out by the Diocesan Authorities.  You may be interested in a short video from the Archdiocese of Liverpool which gives an idea of what to expect when you can come to Church. 

---

Your generous Offerings are greatly appreciated

In these financially challenging times, Fr. Patterson continues to be grateful to those parishioners who contribute their weekly offering by bank transfer directly into the parish accounts and to those who have sent cheques.

He is also appreciative of those parishioners who have dropped their weekly offering envelopes through the presbytery letterbox  This all helps to meet our day to day financial commitments.

However, for security reasons, please do not put any envelopes through St. Alban’s Presbytery door. Envelopes for St. Alban’s parish should be posted through St. Patrick’s Presbytery door only.

If you Gift Aid your offertory contributions, the parish can reclaim the tax on your offering should you wish to make a bank transfer. It would be helpful to enter your name and Gift Aid envelope number as the reference when making the transfer.

If you choose to send a cheque please make it payable to the appropriate Account name below or you might wish to continue to put aside your envelopes each week and bring them along to church once we can reopen our doors.

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

---

Diocesan Website

More information and support may be found on our Diocesan website

---

16^th Sunday of the Year

Dear Parishioners

I don’t know about you but I continue to be confused by political commentators and journalists who are critical of the Government in being slow to make decisions and then critical of them when they make decisions. The most recent example being the requirement for us to wear face coverings in shops from 24th July.

Of course there are people who agree with this ruling and those who don’t. We are all entitled to our opinion. We can question the science and the politics. But when it comes to the common good, should we not be prepared to put the needs of the community at large before our own. As Christian people that is our calling.

There is little doubt that Covid-19 lives on in our communities as we have seen resurgences during the past week in our own country and further afield. The Prime Minister made this very clear in the Downing Street briefing last Friday.

Here in Gateshead there have been a further 6 confirmed cases since last week bringing the total number of cases in our area to 1,282 and the number of Covid-19 related deaths to 236 as of 3rd July.

The science and medical advice still suggests that the best way of preventing the spread of the coronavirus is by social distancing and washing our hands. Despite what we see going on around us, 2 metres is still the “golden rule” for social distancing unless it is impossible to maintain, in which case it is “1 metre plus” which may involve the wearing of face coverings or taking other protective measures.

We are also still encouraged to stay at home as much as possible to limit contact with other people, to work from home if we can—although there is now a debate in progress on this subject. We should wash our hands regularly and not leave the house if we, or a member of our household, has any symptoms and to report those symptoms to the Government’s Test and Trace System.

It can be difficult to get the balance right between continuing to live with the restrictions and responsibly enjoying the freedom the Government has entrusted to us. Whatever we do, hopefully we will always have the well-being of others at heart and have in the forefront of our minds the advice of Professor Chris Whitty, the Chief Medical Officer for England who has said “Covid-19 is still in general circulation. If we do not follow social distancing guidance then cases will rise again. It is absolutely critical people stick to the guidance that has been given.”

So please take care of yourselves in the weeks and months ahead.

Pray for each other and please pray for me

May God bless you all.

Fr. Patterson

---

Mass to view on line

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

Alternatively, you may like to follow daily Mass from the Holy Name, Jesmond celebrated live at 10.00 or which may also be viewed any time later.

---

 Mass Intentions

I continue to celebrate Mass privately every day. The following Intentions will be remembered this week.

• Monday – Sister Francine
• Tuesday – Dominic and Andrew Sloan
• Wednesday – Kathleen Falconer
• Thursday – The sick, their families, NHS staff & Care Workers
• Friday – Patsy Rafferty
• 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

---

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

---

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

Every Thursday one of our Bishops has been celebrating a special evening Mass for the sick, their families, NHS staff, and those working in Social Care. These Masses seem to have come to an end, but Fr. Patterson will continue to celebrate a Mass each week on a Thursday for this intention.

---

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.

---

Reopening our Churches

We continue to patiently await Bishop Robert approaching us to enquire if we are prepared  to be risk assessed with a view to reopening our churches.

As you are aware, the Bishop  has announced  that no church will be able to reopen for any communal worship until it has been risk assessed by the Diocesan Authorities and can fulfil the requirements of the Government, the guidelines of the Bishops’ Conference and the local Diocesan guidelines. This includes being able to provide sufficient volunteers to help with stewarding and cleaning to ensure all measures, including social distancing are fulfilled.

We need at least another eight volunteers if we are to be able to consider reopening our churches.

As Fr. Patterson is in the clinically vulnerable category and following the advice of the Bishops, initially we may only be able to open St. Patrick’s Church.

Until such time as our own churches have been risk assessed and we are able to fulfill all the requirements for stewarding and cleaning, we will remain closed. So please be patient, prayerful and understanding.

---

We need another 6 Volunteers please

If you are able to volunteer as a steward or to help with cleaning our churches please send Fr. Patterson an email stating your availability weekday/weekend and in what way you would be able to help.  Your help could make the difference between being able to open our churches or not! Volunteers should really not be in the vulnerable categories.

---

A Message from our School

Dear Parishioners,

It has been a while since we sent you our news so we thought it would be timely to say hello and give you an update.

Life in school has changed so much and become very quiet, as you can imagine. Teachers have been leading groups in school, providing online learning for each of their classes and keeping in touch with the children during these strange months. We have had groups of children in throughout lockdown and are making plans to have everyone return in September.

As we come to the end of the summer term, we wish our Year 6 pupils well as they leave to start secondary school and we get ready to welcome new children into our Early Years Unit.

Thank you for your ongoing support and please pray for us as we hope to re-open our school fully when it is safe for all of us.

With all our best wishes from everyone at St. Alban’s Primary School.

---

Your generous Offerings are greatly appreciated

In these financially challenging times, Fr. Patterson is grateful to those parishioners who contribute their weekly offering by bank transfer directly into the parish accounts and to those who have sent cheques.

He is also appreciative of those parishioners who have dropped their weekly offering envelopes through the presbytery letterbox  This all helps to meet our day to day financial commitments.

However, for security reasons, please do not put any envelopes through St. Alban’s Presbytery door. Envelopes for St. Alban’s parish should be posted through St. Patrick’s Presbytery door only.

If you Gift Aid your offertory contributions, the parish can reclaim the tax on your offering should you wish to make a bank transfer. It would be helpful to enter your name and Gift Aid envelope number as the reference when making the transfer.

If you choose to send a cheque please make it payable to the appropriate Account name below or you might wish to continue to put aside your envelopes each week and bring them along to church once we can reopen our doors.

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

---

Diocesan Website

More information and support may be found on our Diocesan website