14^th Sunday of the Year

Dear Parishioner

As the hospitality industry gradually reopens this weekend, I feel it is important to repeat what I wrote last week and urge everyone to remember that the basic Government advice, which is for the long term well-being of us all, remains the same. Social distancing is still 2 metres 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, to wash our hands regularly and not to 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.

You may be wondering why we should still be asked to follow such advice especially when some media coverage continues to remind us of those in public office or public life who seem to choose to ignore it. Whatever the rights or wrongs or the actions of others, as Christian people, we have a duty of care for each other, particularly to those in our community who are in the shielded and clinically vulnerable categories.

I invite you to reflect once again on these words of Professor Chris Whitty, the Chief Medical Officer for England. He says, “Covid-19 is still in general circulation. If we do not follow social distancing guidance then cases will rise again.

If people hear a distorted version of what’s being said, that says ‘this is all fine now, it’s gone away’ and start behaving in ways that they normally would have before this virus happened we will get an uptick for sure.

It is absolutely critical people stick to the guidance that has been given.”

His words are proving to be sound advice as we have witnessed a local lockdown in Leicester this week and the emergence of other local outbreaks of Covid-19 around the country. Worldwide too there have been some severe cases of the re-emergence of the coronavirus.

So that is why we must continue to follow the Government guidelines. By all means make the most of the easing of the lockdown, but please ensure that your actions are not responsible for the spread of Covid-19.

Please take care of yourselves too. Pray for each other and please pray for me.

May God bless you all.

Fr. Patterson

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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.

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 Mass Intentions

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

• Monday – Janice Connolly
• Tuesday – Fr. Michael Hickey
• Wednesday – The sick, NHS & Care Workers
• Thursday – Paul Hughes
• Friday – Anthony Bunting
• 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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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 Doris Foster and,
• Fr. Michael Hickey 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.” 

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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 celebrates a special evening Mass for the sick, their families, NHS staff, and those working in Social Care.

Bishop Tom Williams from Liverpool Cathedral will say Mass on Thursday, 9th July at 19.00 for the above intention.

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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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Reopening our Churches

The Prime Minister has announced  that from 4th July, Places of Worship may reopen for prayer and services.

However, a significant number of churches may remain closed as they are unable to meet the requirements for opening for the celebration of Mass with a congregation.

Bishop Robert 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 ten 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.

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We need another 10 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 not be in the clinically vulnerable categories.

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Coping with Social Distancing

Fr. Anselm OSB offers some helpful ways to cope with social distancing which is going to continue to be a part of our lives for many months to come

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What you can and can’t do from 4th July

The Government Guidelines on what you can and can’t do from 4 July can be found on the government website.

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Your generous Offerings are appreciated

In what are difficult times financially for us all, Fr. Patterson wishes to express his gratitude to those parishioners who are contributing their weekly offering by bank transfer directly into the parish accounts.  This helps us meet our day to day financial commitments.

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

Alternatively, you may wish to send a cheque made 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

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

Several parishioners have been in contact to ask if they can put their weekly offering envelopes, which they have been saving week by week, through the presbytery letter box. Those parishioners who wish to do so would be more than welcome so long as you follow Government guidelines about leaving your home.

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.

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The Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul

Dear Parishioner

I suspect many of us will be pleased to hear of the further easing of the lockdown which the Prime Minister announced on Tuesday as it will enable us to socialise a little more with those we love and enable the hospitality industry and other business to gradually reopen. But please remember the basic advice remains: social distancing is still 2 metres 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, to wash our hands regularly and not to 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.

You may be wondering why we should still be asked to follow such advice.

Professor Chris Whitty, the Chief Medical Officer for England, explains why. He says, “Covid-19 has gone down due to the efforts of everyone but it is still in general circulation. If we do not follow social distancing guidance then cases will rise again.

If people hear a distorted version of what’s being said, that says, ‘this is all fine now, it’s gone away’ and start behaving in ways that they normally would have before this virus happened, yes, we will get an uptick for sure.

It is absolutely critical people stick to the guidance that has been given; it’s a changed guidance for there are still very significant restrictions socially and there are very significant restrictions on business of different sorts.

I would be surprised and delighted if we weren’t in this current situation through the winter and into next spring. I expect there to be a significant amount of coronavirus circulating at least into that time and I think it is going to be quite optimistic for science to come fully to the rescue over that kind of timeframe.”

So that is why we must continue to follow the Government guidelines. But we also have a responsibility to each other, particularly to those in our community who are in the shielded and clinically vulnerable categories – including myself! So please do enjoy yourselves, but please follow the guidelines that are provided to ensure that our actions are not responsible for the spread of the coronavirus.

Please take care of yourselves too. Pray for each other and please pray for me.

May God bless you all.

Fr. Patterson

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Mass to view on line

Mass is live streamed from our Cathedral on Sunday at 11.30 and on weekdays at 12.00. 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.

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Mass Intentions

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

• Monday – Rosemary Kane
• Tuesday – In Thanksgiving (Laurie)
• Wednesday – The sick, NHS & Care Workers
• Thursday – Anthony Costelloe
• Friday- Kathy Malley
• Saturday – For the intentions of all our parishioners
• Sunday- Doris Foster

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 especially Rosemary Kane and Doris Foster

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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 celebrates a special evening Mass for the sick, their families, NHS staff, and those working in Social Care.

Mass this coming Thursday, 2nd July, will be celebrated by Archbishop John Wilson from Southwark Cathedral at 19.00.

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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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Reopening our Churches

The Prime Minister announced on Tuesday that from 4th July, Places of Worship may reopen for prayer and services.

The Archbishops have issued a letter welcoming this news. Please take time to  read it carefully noting the following:-

“A significant number of churches may remain closed as they are unable to meet the requirements for opening for individual prayer. Fulfilling these requirements is a precondition for any church opening after 4th July for the celebration of Mass with a congregation.

Please be aware that there will be a limit on the number of people who can attend Mass in our churches. This will be determined locally in accordance with social distancing requirements. We therefore need to reflect carefully on how and when we might be able to attend Mass. We cannot return immediately to our customary practices. This next step is not, in any sense, a moment when we are going ‘back to normal.’ 

We ask every Catholic to think carefully about how and when they will return to Mass. Given there is no Sunday obligation, we ask you to consider the possibility of attending Mass on a weekday. This will ease the pressure of numbers for Sunday celebrations and allow a gradual return to the Eucharist for more people.

When we return to Mass there will be some differences. For the time being, there will be no congregational singing and Mass will be shorter than usual. We ask everyone to respect and follow the guidance that will be issued and the instructions in each church.”

Bishop Robert has announced twenty more churches may reopen for private prayer once the necessary risk assessments have been completed by the Diocesan authorities and he will announce the opening of others soon. Visit the Diocesan website for more news.

No church will be able to reopen for any communal worship until it has been risk assessed by the Diocese and can fulfil the requirements of the Government and Bishops’ guidelines. This includes being able to provide sufficient volunteers to help with stewarding and cleaning to ensure all measures, including social distancing are fulfilled.

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 and understanding.

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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 not be in the clinically vulnerable categories.

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Your generous Offerings are appreciated

In what are difficult times financially for us all, Fr. Patterson wishes to express his gratitude to those parishioners who are contributing their weekly offering by bank transfer directly into the parish accounts.  This helps us meet our day to day financial commitments.

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

Alternatively, you may wish to send a cheque made 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

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

Several parishioners have been in contact to ask if they can put their weekly offering envelopes, which they have been saving week by week, through the presbytery letter box. Those parishioners who wish to do so would be more than welcome so long as you follow Government guidelines about leaving your home.

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.

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Diocesan Website

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

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The Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ

Dear Parishioner

As many of you will be aware, from Monday, 15th June, some Places of Worship  in England will be allowed to open for private and individual prayer only so long as the building has been certified as Covid-19 secure.

The celebration of Mass along with the celebration of all other Sacraments is still suspended in all of our churches throughout the country.

Bishop Robert has announced that five of our churches, one from each Vicariate, will open for private prayer only as soon as is practical and once all the necessary guidelines, risk assessments and health and safety requirements have been satisfied. St. Mary’s Cathedral and St. Mary’s, Sunderland are due to open for limited periods from Monday. St. Aidan’s, Ashington; St. Patrick’s, Consett and St. Joseph’s, Hartlepool will open later if protocols can be met. After a trial period, some other churches, of the Bishop’s choosing, may gradually reopen.

Bishop Robert’s utmost priority in allowing a church to reopen is the health and safety of the priests, deacons and parishioners.

A church will only be able to open if it can provide sufficient volunteers to comply with the protocols laid down especially relating to sanitising and stewarding.

Over the years appeals for volunteers in most parishes, including our own, have met with a poor response. This will obviously impact at this present time when  having sufficient volunteers is a prerequisite for the reopening of churches.

 If you would be prepared to volunteer as a steward or to help sanitise the church after services when the time is right, please send me an email to that effect. Volunteers should not be in any of the Government’s vulnerable or at risk categories.

Please be aware things will not be the same.

Social distancing will considerably reduce the seating capacity in our churches and , when the time comes when we are able to open for public worship, those priests who are in the “shielded” category, or are self-isolating, would not be available to celebrate Mass. As a result, it may not be possible to open all churches at the same time.

We must be patient, continue with our prayers at home and not allow ourselves to be misled by “Fake news!”

Please take care of yourselves too. Pray for each other and please pray for me.

May God bless you all.

Fr. Patterson

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 Mass to view on line

Mass is live streamed from our Cathedral on Sunday at 11.30 and on weekdays at 12.00. 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.

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Mass Intentions

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

• Monday – Janice Connolly
• Tuesday – Grace Spence
• Wednesday – John Flynn
• Thursday – The sick, NHS & 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

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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,
• Grace Spence 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.”

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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.

Mass this coming Thursday, 18th June, will be celebrated by Archbishop Bernard Longley from St. Chad’s Cathedral, Birmingham at 19.00.

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BBC Radio 4 Sunday Worship

Sunday worship will broadcast Mass, celebrated by Cardinal Vincent Nichols from Westminster Cathedral, on Sunday 14th June at 8.10am.

Please share news of this broadcast with any parishioners who do not have access to the internet, as they will be able to listen to this Mass on their radio.

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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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A Diocesan Day of Scripture

This “Virtual Day” will be held on Friday 19th June. All aspects of the day can be accessed via the Diocesan website nearer the time.

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Ministers of the Eucharist

The Feast of Corpus Christi is the day on which our Eucharistic Ministers would renew their commitment to serving our parish families. As this is not possible at present, Fr. Adrian Dixon has prepared a short reflective video for Ministers.

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Alone [Together]

If you are finding life difficult at the moment, living alone or shielded, you might find the thoughts of Fr Christopher Jamison helpful through the website Alone [Together].

This website is frequently updated, so if you have visited it before, it may be worth returning for another look.

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School News

Please keep our school community in your prayers.

Since the beginning of lock-down, our school has continued to provide childcare for key worker children.  “We have had some lovely weather and they have enjoyed spending lots of time outside, even going for walks.”  

Last week we welcomed back some of our younger children in early years who were very excited to see their friends.  This Monday, 15th June, the majority of our Year 6 children will return and be taught in three separate classes to ensure social distancing measures are followed.

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Your generous Offerings are appreciated and some of your questions are answered here

In what are difficult times financially for us all, Fr. Patterson wishes to express his gratitude to those parishioners who are contributing their weekly offering by bank transfer directly into the parish accounts.  This helps us meet our day to day financial commitments.

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

Alternatively, you may wish to send a cheque made 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

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

Several parishioners have been in contact to ask if they can put their weekly offering envelopes, which they have been saving week by week, through the presbytery letter box. Those parishioners who wish to do so would be more than welcome so long as you follow Government guidelines about leaving your home.

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.

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Diocesan Website

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

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Trinity Sunday

Dear Parishioner

Here is our Parish Newsletter for the coming week.

There has been a great expression of anger around the world this week as a result of the death of George Floyd. Bishops Declan Lang and Paul McAleenan have issued the following statement on behalf of the Bishops of England and Wales:

“We stand in solidarity with our sisters and brothers in the USA as they challenge the evil of racism and the brutal killing of George Floyd.” As the US Bishops made clear: “we cannot turn a blind eye to these atrocities and yet still try to profess to respect every human life. We serve a God of love, mercy, and justice.”

Systemic racism is embedded in our own society. The disproportionate harm suffered by BAME people throughout the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted profound inequalities, marginalisation and injustice here in the UK. The peaceful Black Lives Matter protests taking place in our towns and cities this week reflect the understandable anger that so many people feel about this.

As Catholics we recognise that racism is an evil which must be opposed; we all have a responsibility for actively promoting racial justice. Whenever we ignore racism or dismiss BAME people’s experience of it, we are complicit in violations of human dignity. We pray for God’s help to overcome racism in all its forms and that we might protect everyone who suffers its consequences. We are all made in God’s image.”

Here at home, the wearing of face coverings will be compulsory on all public transport in England from Monday, 15th June which includes the Metro and our local buses. I do hope we will all comply with this measure which is designed to help reduce the risk of the spread of the coronavirus.

At the same time we should remember that minimising contact with others is still the best way to prevent transmission of the virus as well as washing our hands and strictly observing social distancing rules – staying two metres apart from those who we do not live with.

Please take care of yourselves too. Pray for each other and please pray for me.

May God bless you all.

Fr. Patterson

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Mass to view on line

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

Bishop Robert Barron’s daily Mass has now come to an end due to the reopening of churches in the State of California. 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.

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Mass Intentions

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

• Monday – The O’Donnell Cousins
• Tuesday – Kathleen and Bill Falconer
• Wednesday – Swafaa Jackson
• Thursday – The sick, NHS & Care Workers
• Friday – Paul Hughes
• 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

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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.

Mass this coming Thursday, 11th June, will be celebrated by Bishop Patrick McKinney from Nottingham Cathedral at 19.00.

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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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The Re-opening of our churches

At present, there is no change in the Government regulations, which means that all churches and places of worship remain closed and all public acts of worship are forbidden.

Faith Leaders are currently in discussion with the Government developing plans which will enable the COVID-19 secure reopening of our churches initially for private prayer and later for public worship.

Bishop Robert has announced that when the Government restrictions are lifted, five of our churches, one from each Vicariate, will open for private prayer as soon as is practical once all the necessary guidelines, risk assessments and health and safety requirements have been satisfied. After a trial period, some other churches would reopen.

The five churches are St. Aidan’s, Ashington; St. Mary’s Cathedral, Newcastle; St. Patrick’s, Consett; St. Mary’s, Sunderland and St. Joseph’s, Hartlepool.

Bishop Robert’s utmost priority, when it comes to the reopening of our churches, will be the health and safety of the priests, deacons and all parishioners.

Each church would only be able to open if it can provide sufficient volunteers to monitor adherence to the protocols laid down.

If you would be prepared to volunteer to help with the reopening of our own churches when the time is right, please send me an email to that effect. Volunteers should not be in any of the Government’s vulnerable or at risk categories.

Things will not be the same

Social distancing will considerably reduce the seating capacity in our churches and those priests who are in the “shielded” category or are self-isolating would not be available to celebrate Mass. As a result, it may not be possible to open all churches at the same time.

We must be patient, continue with our prayers at home and not be misled by “Fake news!”

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Your weekly offering is greatly valued and is our sole source of income

As our churches remain closed Fr. Patterson  would ask those of you who may feel able, in what I am aware are 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 may wish to send a cheque made payable to the appropriate Account name below or 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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Felling Food Bank

Fr. Patterson has received a note of thanks from the Felling Food Bank for our donation of £250.00 which was recently sent to them from our Charity Box.

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School News

Please keep in your prayers this coming week our school community as our school begins its phased reopening in keeping with the conditions outlined in the Head Teacher’s letter sent to parents and to parishioners last week.

Fr. Patterson is particularly grateful to Mrs Bridon and the entire school staff who have been working tirelessly since the lockdown began and continue to do their utmost to ensure our school provides a safe and secure learning environment for everyone.

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A Diocesan Day of Scripture

Will be held on Friday 19th June. All aspects of the day can be accessed via the Diocesan website nearer the time.

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And finally …

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

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The Feast of Pentecost

Dear Parishioner

Here is our Parish Newsletter for the week ahead. I hope you have been able to make the most of the good weather during the past few days in keeping with the Government requirements.

Politics and the media have been very evident during the course of the past week, but I hope, as a country, we can continue to make decisions and follow them with the well-being of everyone in mind and in doing so help to control the spread of the coronavirus. Remember it is the “hidden enemy.”

As you will be aware our Prime Minister has declared that he will ease some of the restrictions on social contact from Monday, 1st June, when our Government will allow up to six people to meet outside, in gardens and other private outdoor spaces – provided those from different households continue strictly to observe social distancing rules by staying two metres apart. He stressed that people should not go inside the homes of their friends and families, unless it is to access the garden.

These changes will mean friends and family can start to meet their loved ones which he acknowledged, for many, will be a long-awaited and joyful moment.

At the same time, he emphasised that minimising contact with others is still the best way to prevent transmission of the virus. So he advises that we should try to avoid seeing people from too many households in quick succession  to avoid the risk of quick transmission from lots of different households and continue to control the virus.

He also stressed that to control the virus, everyone needs to stay alert, act responsibly, strictly observe social distancing rules, and stay two metres apart from those who we do not live with.

I suspect many of us will welcome these changes and I hope we will all respect and adhere to them.

But please remember those who cannot take advantage of these changes because of their “shielded” status and pray especially for them.

Please take care of yourselves too. Pray for each other and please pray for me.

May God bless you all.

Fr. Patterson

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Mass to view on line

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

Bishop Robert Barron’s daily Mass, which is available any time after 13.15 UK time will come to an end after Mass this Sunday due to the reopening of churches in the State of California.

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Mass Intentions

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

• Monday – Imelda Dempsey
• Tuesday – John & Elizabeth Lenehan
• Wednesday – Billy Knowles
• Thursday – The sick, NHS & Care Workers
• Friday – Pat Donald
• 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,
• Imelda Dempsey 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.”

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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.

Mass this coming Thursday, 4th June, will be celebrated by Bishop John Arnold from Salford Cathedral at 19.00.

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Pentecost Sunday Mass

Pope Francis will be celebrating Mass, without a congregation, in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome on Sunday at 9.00 UK time.

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Confirmation Candidates

Please remember in your prayers this weekend those young people from our Partnership who had just begun their preparation to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation later in the year, which has now been deferred.

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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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The Re-opening of our churches

With the possibility of a phased reopening of our schools in the near future, many of you may be wondering when our churches might reopen.

At present, there is no change in the Government regulations, which means that all churches and places of worship remain closed and all public acts of worship are forbidden.

Faith Leaders are currently in discussion with the Government developing plans which will enable the COVID-19 secure reopening of our churches initially for private prayer and later for public worship.

Bishop Robert envisages that a very small number of churches will be selected to pilot the reopening procedures, from which best practice will be determined into developing the approach which will be taken across the Diocese to allow more churches to open.

His utmost priority, when it comes to the reopening of our churches, will be the health and safety of the priests, deacons and all parishioners.

To ensure that we all return to safe environments, the Diocesan Property Department will undertake site-specific risk assessments to develop protocols and procedures which must be put in place and followed to enable a church to reopen safely and securely.

Parishes chosen to reopen in this first phase must have sufficient volunteers to be available to monitor adherence to these protocols such as social distancing regulations, attending to the cleaning and sanitising of each church after each period of opening and, for security purposes, to ensure that open churches are not left unattended. Obviously Bishop Robert will only choose those churches which can provide sufficient volunteers.

If you would be prepared to help if one or other of our churches should be chosen, please send me an email to that effect stating the amount of time you would be able to give. Volunteers should not be in any of the Government’s vulnerable or at risk categories.

In the meantime we must be patient, continue with our prayers at home and not allow ourselves to be misled by “Fake news!”

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Your weekly offering is greatly valued and is our sole source of income

As our churches remain closed Fr. Patterson  would ask those of you who may feel able, in what I am aware are 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 may wish to send a cheque made payable to the appropriate Account name below or 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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And finally …

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

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Seventh Sunday of Easter, 2020

With the possibility of a phased reopening of our schools in the near future, many of you may be wondering when our churches might reopen.

The Government has established a “Places of Worship Task Force” which includes leaders and representatives from all the major faiths in our country, to develop a plan to enable the phased and safe reopening of places of worship when the evidence shows it is the right time to do so. Cardinal Vincent Nichols is representing the Catholic Church.

It is likely that initially only a small number of churches will be allowed to reopen and for private prayer only. Bishop Robert has written to the priests and deacons of our Diocese informing us that his utmost priority, when it comes to the reopening of our churches, will be the health and safety of the priests, deacons and all parishioners.

Whilst awaiting guidance from the Bishops’ Conference and from the Government Task Force, the Diocese is developing plans which will enable the COVID-19 secure reopening of our buildings.

Bishop Robert envisages that a very small number of churches will be selected to pilot the reopening procedures which will be treated as a “dry run.” He goes on to say that what we learn from these “dry runs” will be incorporated into developing the approach which will be taken across the Diocese to allow more churches to open.

To ensure that we all return to safe environments, there is much that needs to be done and the Diocesan Curia is supporting Bishop Robert with these practical tasks. The reopening planning will include conversations with the Parish Priest and key workers of the parishes he chooses to reopen, after which  the Diocesan Property Department will prepare and undertake site-specific risk assessments to develop protocols and procedures which must be put in place to enable a church to reopen safely and securely. Full compliance with these Diocesan protocols and procedures will be a requirement for all clergy and all volunteers so that the opening of our churches is safe and shown to be safe.

Parishes which will be chosen to reopen in this first phase must have sufficient volunteers (key workers) to be available to monitor adherence to these protocols such as social distancing regulations, attending to the cleaning and sanitising of each church after each period of opening and, for security purposes, to ensure that open churches are not left unattended. Obviously Bishop Robert will only choose those churches which can provide sufficient “key workers.” Further details and suitable training will be given to all volunteers as the situation develops.

If one or other of our churches might be considered by the Bishop to reopen in this pilot scheme, we would need to assure him that we have sufficient volunteers to fulfil the requirements laid down by the Task Force and the Bishops’ Conference. If you would be prepared to help in either church should we be chosen, please send me an email to that effect stating the amount of time you would be able to give and what assistance you would be able to offer. Volunteers should not be in any of the Government’s vulnerable or at risk categories.

The Government is very much aware of the importance of public worship for all faith communities. As the Faith Minister Lord Greenhalgh said in a statement on 15^th May: “Places of worship serve such an important role in supporting and providing spiritual leadership for this country’s diverse communities and in bringing communities and the generations together, but this also makes them places that are currently particularly vulnerable to the spread of the pandemic.”

In the meantime we must be patient, continue with our prayers at home and not allow ourselves to be misled by “Fake news!”

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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 anytime after 13.15 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. The following Intentions will be remembered this week.

• Monday – Teresa Smith
• Tuesday – Tony Roberts
• Wednesday – Patrick & Rose Wright and Patricia Jameson
• Thursday – The sick, NHS & Care Workers
• Friday – Brian Grace Jnr
• 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.

---

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.

Mass this coming Thursday, 28th May, will be celebrated by Bishop Terence Drainey from Middlesbrough Cathedral at 19.00.

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Liturgical Restrictions

The celebration of Mass in church along with the celebration of all other Sacraments and sacramentals is suspended until such time as we are allowed to reopen our churches.

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. 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 Patrick & Rose Wright and Patricia Jameson

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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.

Prepare for the Feat of Pentecost

From the Feast of the Ascension to the Feast of Pentecost, Church members often pray for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit , not only for ourselves but for the wider family of the Church.

Why not spend time in prayer with this Novena to the Holy Spirit by the composer Dan Schutte. He writes: 

“It’s been many years since I last made a novena, nine days dedicated to prayer. But if there’s ever a moment when we all could use the light and wisdom of the Holy Spirit, it’s now. While we wait till we can be together again for Sunday worship, this is a way we can join our hearts in prayer, as those first disciples did, and wait in hope to receive the Comforter, the Spirit of Jesus.”

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Your weekly offering is greatly valued and is our sole source of income

As our churches remain closed Fr. Patterson  would ask those of you who may feel able, in what I am aware are 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 may wish to send a cheque made payable to the appropriate Account name below or 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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And finally …

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

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Sixth Sunday of Easter, 2020

Dear Parishioner

Here is our parish Newsletter for the coming week.

Please rest assured that I continue to pray for you all in the hope that you are keeping well and remain in good spirits. 

I suspect we are still trying to grow in our understanding of the recent changes our Government have made this week into slightly easing the lock down. We must now “Stay Alert, Control the Virus and Save Lives.”

What does it mean for us? Essentially this means you must:

• stay at home as much as possible
• work from home if you can
• limit contact with other people
• keep your distance if you go out (2 metres apart where possible)
• wash your hands regularly
• do not leave home if you or anyone in your household has symptoms

I do hope that we will all be accepting of these measures. As a nation we have a responsibility to look out for the well-being of each other.

You can keep up-to-date with the latest coronavirus guidance on the Government website.

The following prayer may help us to refocus our minds and hearts:

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 Christ our Lord.

Please take care of yourselves. Try to pray every day and strive to read your bible, God’s Word can offer great comfort in times of trial. Pray for  each other and please pray for me.

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 at

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 anytime after 13.15 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. The following Intentions will be remembered this week.

• Monday – Carol Belton  
• Tuesday – Knock, Hughes and Kelly Families
• Wednesday – Brian Gilmore
• Thursday – The sick, NHS & Care Workers
• Friday – Francis Dodds
• 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.

---

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.

Mass this coming Thursday, 21st May, will be celebrated by Bishop Mark Davies from Shrewsbury Cathedral at 19.00.

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Liturgical Restrictions

The celebration of Mass in church along with the celebration of all other Sacraments and sacramentals is suspended until such time as we are allowed to reopen our churches.

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. 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.

---

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.

---

Pause for thought

Psychologists tell us that a true friend is someone who has seen us at our worst and still loves us. If you have encountered me only on my best days, I have no guarantee that you are my friend. But when you have dealt with me when I am most obnoxious and you still love me, then I am sure that you are my friend.

The old Gospel song says, “What a friend we have in Jesus!” This is not pious sentimentalism; it is the heart of the matter. What the first Christians saw in the dying and rising of Jesus is that we killed God and God returned in forgiving love. He saw us at our very worst and loved us anyway.

Thus they saw confirmed in flesh and blood what Jesus had said the night before he died: “I no longer call you slaves. . . . I have called you friends.”

They realised, in the drama of the Paschal Mystery, that we have not only been shown a new way; we have been drawn into a new life, a life of friendship with God.

(Bishop Robert Barron)

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Charitable Donations

Fr. Patterson received a call from Cafod this week who wish to thank us for our recent donation to their Coronavirus Crisis Appeal.

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Alone [Together]

If you are finding it difficult living in isolation – on your own or ‘stuck’ with family – you might find the thoughts of Fr Christopher Jamison helpful. He is 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 Coronavirus crisis.

This website is frequently updated, so if you have visited it before, it may be worth returning for another look – watch the gentle video “You can’t look forward” or the “Locked down psalm.” There is much more to see, hear and read.

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Your weekly offering is greatly valued and is our sole source of income

As our churches remain closed Fr. Patterson would ask those of you who may feel able, in what I am aware are 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 may wish to send a cheque made payable to the appropriate Account name below or 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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And finally …

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

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Fifth Sunday of Easter, 2020

Dear Parishioner

Here is our parish Newsletter for the 5th week of Easter.

Please rest assured that I continue to pray for you all in the hope that you are keeping well and remain in good spirits. 

I suspect we are all waiting to hear our Prime Minister’s announcement this Sunday evening about how the Government wants us to approach the future in the next phase. There is a great deal of speculation, some more informed than others, but we must wait and listen to him ourselves.

Hopefully we will all be accepting of whatever measures we are asked to follow. As a nation we seem to have done so well up to now by following Government instructions, may we continue to do so for the well-being of everyone.

The following prayer may help us to refocus our minds and hearts:

“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 Christ our Lord.”

Please remember our parishioners who do not have internet access, why not give them a ring and share the news with them.

Please take care of yourselves. Try to pray every day and strive to read your bible, God’s Word can offer great comfort in times of trial. 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 at

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 anytime after 13.15 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 – Brida and Ken Clay
• Tuesday – Margaret Cullen
• Wednesday – Jim and Michael McErlane
• Thursday – The sick, NHS & Care Workers
• Friday – Special Intention (L)
• 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.

---

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.

Mass this coming Thursday, 14th May, will be celebrated by Bishop Robert from St. Mary’s Cathedral at 19.00. 

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Diocesan Day of Prayer

Bishop  Robert has also made Thursday, 14th May a Diocesan Day of Prayer for the sick and their families, and all who support them. This day of prayer will begin at 10.00 with an online stream of Divine Office from St. Mary’s Cathedral, led by Fr. Michael McCoy. Further information including liturgical and prayer resources will be made available on the Diocesan website.

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Liturgical Restrictions

The celebration of Mass in church along with the celebration of all other Sacraments and sacramentals is suspended until such time as we are allowed to reopen our churches.

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. 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
• all those near and dear to us whose memories we cherish at this time especially Jim and Michael McErlane and,
• Teresa Smith who has died. “Receive Lord into tranquillity and peace the soul of your servant whom you have called from this life. May she be taken up into glory with your Son in whose great mystery of love we are all united. Amen.”

---

A Prayer for Carers, Nurses and Doctors

Lord Jesus, who healed the sick and gave them new life, be with doctors, nurses and carers, as they act as agents of your healing touch.

In desperate times, keep them strong yet loving; and when their work is done, be with them in their weariness and in their tears. Amen.

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Stations of the Light

Stations of the Light is a spiritual journey with Christ that takes you through fourteen of the most inspiriting events of His post-Resurrection life on earth, up until Pentecost.

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Could Jesus be calling you to be Catholic Priest?

An online course of reflection and discussion is an opportunity to ask that question. The course will take place using ZOOM at 19.15 on Mondays beginning Monday 11th May. To find out more, please contact Father Christopher Warren at vocations@rcdhn.org.uk.

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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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Charitable Donations

Some members of St. Alban’s Parish Working Party have asked that we might support the following charitable causes with donations from our “Charity Box.” Fr. Patterson considers their request to be most appropriate at this time so £1000.00 has been sent to Cafod’s Coronavirus Crisis Appeal; £250.00 to our Diocesan Destitute Asylum Seekers Fund and £250.00 to the Felling Food Network. Thanks must go to all our parishioners who have made this possible by your support of the Charity Box week by week.

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Your weekly offering is greatly valued and is our sole source of income

Our churches remain closed at present, so 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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