18^th Sunday of the Year

Dear Parishioners

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens is perhaps one of the best-loved Christmas stories ever written. Whilst it does not refer directly to the original Christmas story it takes as its central theme the Christmas message of peace and goodwill to all.

In the course of one night, the miser Scrooge is subjected to visitations from the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future. These experiences put Scrooge in touch with the bright young man he once was, the terrifyingly destructive person  he has become and the devastation that lies ahead both for him and for others if he does not change his ways.

When he awakes he emerges as someone who is now full of joy and kindness. His ghostly guides have put him in touch with his deeper and inner self. The new Scrooge becomes a symbol of how we should live in generous concern both for our families and for our neighbours and colleagues. Where there was meanness there is now openness, penny-pinching is replaced by extravagance, and disdain is replaced by delight.

This message, echoed in the readings this weekend, is particularly relevant as we struggle to make ends meet.    

May God bless you all

Fr Patterson

Cases of Covid-19 begin to decrease, but they are still high

Covid cases in our country are in decline but still high with an estimated 1 in 20 people in England with Covid.  There is an increase in the number of people being admitted to hospital too.

We also have a number of our parishioners who are poorly with Covid-19 and are self isolating. As a result, wearing a face covering in church at the moment would be greatly appreciated out of consideration for our more vulnerable parishioners. We do still encourage everyone to use the hand gel on entering the church and to be sensitive to sitting too close to someone who is already in the bench you enter. They may not be comfortable if you “snuggle up to them.”

All are welcome

Everyone is welcome to join us for the celebration of Mass in St. Patrick’s and St. Alban’s churches. In recent times, it has been a joy to welcome those people of other faiths or none who have come to join us in worship.

Currently, only baptised Catholic people are able to receive Holy Communion and we ask that when you approach the altar you extend your hands towards the minister who will place the sacred host in your hand which you should then consume immediately before returning to your place.

If you are not a Catholic or are indisposed to receive Holy Communion, you are invited to come forward at the appropriate time and receive a blessing, indicating your desire by folding an arm across your chest.

Mass Intentions

Fr. Patterson will celebrate Mass for the following Intentions during the coming week. With the exception of Wednesday and Friday all Masses and Services are open to everyone to attend.

• Monday:  No Mass
• Tuesday: 10 am in St. Patrick’s Church: Ellen Farrell
• Wednesday: (Private Mass) Brian Quigley
• Thursday: 10 am in St. Patrick’s Church: Funeral Service for Louise Synnott               
• Friday: (Private Mass): Fr. Ronnie Richmond
• Saturday: 6 pm in St. Alban’s Church: For the intentions of all our parishioners
• Sunday: 10 am in St. Patrick’s Church: George Owens

Mass to view on line

Mass is live streamed from our Cathedral on a Sunday. Visit the Cathedral website.

Alternatively, you may like to follow Mass from the Holy Name, Jesmond. Visit the website for Mass times this week.

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

Lord Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most Blessed Sacrament. I love you above all things and I desire to receive you into my soul. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace you as if you were already there and unite myself wholly to you. Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.

Please keep in your prayers:

• all our parishioners who are sick, housebound or in hospital
• all those near and dear to us whose memories we cherish at this time and,
• Louise Synnott, Catherine Hall, Joan Neil and Peter Coyne who have died. May they rest in peace.

A Prayer for those who have died from Covid

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

A Prayer for Carers, Nurses and Doctors

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

A Prayer for Ukraine

Father, hold the people of Ukraine deep in your heart. Protect them from violence, political gamesmanship and from being used and abused. Give the nations of the world the courage and wisdom to stand up for justice and the courage to care generously. Take from us those traits that see us pursuing our own needs and wants before those of others. Teach us to live in love, dignity and respect, following your ways. We ask this in your name and for your sake. Amen

A Prayer for Grand Parents and the Elderly

I give thanks to you, Lord, For the blessing of a long life. For, to those who take refuge in You, grant always to bear fruit. Forgive, O Lord, resignation and disillusionment, but forsake me not when my strength declines. Teach me to look with hope to the future you give me, to the mission you entrust to me and to sing your praises without end. Guard with love my grandchildren and all the little ones who seek shelter in you. Protect, O Lord, Pope Francis and grant thy Church to deliver the world from loneliness. Direct our steps in the way of peace. Amen.

A Prayer for People facing uncertainty God of the present moment who, in Jesus, stills the storm and soothes the frantic heart, bring hope and courage to all who wait or work in uncertainty. Bring them hope that you will make them the equal of whatever lies ahead. Bring them courage to endure what cannot be avoided, for your will is health and wholeness; you are God, and we need you.

Bishop Barron’s Sunday Sermons

Each week Bishop Barron offers a Sunday sermon.

St. Alban’s Church Cleaning

We would value your help to clean St. Alban’s Church this Friday, 5th August at 10.00. Simply come to the church where all cleaning materials will be provided for you.

Refreshments after Mass

Refreshments will next be served in St. Patrick’s parish centre after Mass next Sunday, 7th August.

Could you join the rota to help make tea and coffee?

Are you able to support the Diocesan Refugee Project?

 The organisers of this project express their renewed thanks for your ongoing support of their work.  The project supports over 400 asylum seekers and tries to provide them all with a bag of food. Those who are destitute also receive a supermarket voucher. Donations of sugar, biscuits, tinned fish in oil, tins of tomatoes and chick peas may be left on the table to your right as you enter the front of St. Patrick’s Church or on any table if you enter by the rear door. A basket is also available in the porch at St. Alban’s. They are particularly in need of toiletries and shampoo. Please note: baked beans and tinned meat are not required.

A stay in Hospital

If you or any members of your family are going into hospital and would like to see the Catholic Chaplain, please ask a member of the ward staff to contact the Catholic Chaplain. Alternatively you can contact the Chaplaincy Department Office directly. For the Queen Elizabeth Hospital telephone 0191 445 2072 (Catholic Chaplain: Rev Paul Nichol). For the RVI and Freeman Hospitals in Newcastle telephone 0191 233 6161 (Catholic Chaplain: Fr Mariadass 0191 273 3903).

In an emergency, please ask the ward sister to contact the on call Catholic chaplain. Please do not contact your own parish priest  who will be unable to respond due to current hospital protocols.

What do Catholics believe and why?

If you would like to know more about what Catholics believe, perhaps with a view to considering becoming a member of the Catholic Church, you may be interested in a series of talks which will take place in St. Patrick’s parish centre. An information evening will be held on Tuesday, 6th September at 7 pm in St. Patrick’s parish centre. 

We plan to meet most Tuesday evenings in St. Patrick’s Parish Centre, Felling at 19.00 for around one hour 15 minutes. These gatherings are held in school term times avoiding the holiday periods and are very informal allowing participants to discuss various topics and explore their thoughts and feelings in a open, non-judgemental way. Topics look at the history of the Church, the Bible, the Sacraments of the Church and prayer. You will have the opportunity to suggest any areas that you would like to know more about.

If, during the course of the programme, participants decide that they would like to be received into the Catholic Church, time will be taken to look more closely at the Sacraments of Baptism, the Holy Eucharist, Reconciliation and Confirmation.

Please feel free to come along to the information evening on 6th September for a short introduction to the programme and a chance to ask any questions you may have. If you need any more information please contact Alan on 07976402023 or, if you know a priest, you may wish to have a quick word with him too.

Do you want to help? Please consider making your weekly offering by Standing Order

To relieve the pressure on our “Counting Teams” in both St. Alban’s and St. Patrick’s, it would be greatly appreciated if parishioners would consider making their offering to either St. Alban’s or St. Patrick’s by Standing Order. The details you require to set up a standing order can be found below. If you would like to help by join a counting team, please contact Terry or Christine Harbron for St. Alban’s or Maureen Hodgson for St. Patrick’s. 

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

If you are a tax payer and are not a member of the parish gift aid scheme, please consider joining the scheme, it costs you nothing and the parish benefits by being able to reclaim the tax you have already paid on your offering. The parish receives 25p of every £1.00 you give from HMRC. All that is required, is for you to complete a simple form which does not involve you disclosing any personal financial information and is held securely by the Diocesan Finance Office. To obtain a form, or for more information, please email John, our Gift Aid organiser for both St. Alban’s and St. Patrick’s at stpatrick.giftaid@outlook.com

Celebrate safely in our churches.

Both St. Alban’s and St. Patrick’s churches continue to follow the National Guidelines for Churches issued by the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales which are as follows:

• If you are displaying any symptoms of Covid-19 you should stay at home.
• Hand sanitiser will continue to be offered as you enter and leave church.
• You may wear a face covering during the celebration of Mass.
• Indoor congregational singing can take place with a general encouragement that face coverings are worn.
• Although there is no formal social distancing by way of seating, we ask that when you take your seat, you are sensitive to the needs of other people who are already in a bench and may not be comfortable if you “snuggle up” to them. We have plenty of seating space.
• We will invite you to come forward for Holy Communion, row by row from the front. Holy Communion will continue to be distributed under one kind only.
• It is still important to ventilate our buildings. This has the effect of diluting and dispersing viral particles
• Our “welcomers” will be on hand to greet you and care for you

St. Alban’s Church.

St. Alban’s Church is now open for a Vigil Mass on Saturdays at 18.00. Parishioners are asked to enter and leave the church by the main doors only. Following advice from the Diocesan Health and Safety Officer, the side door should only be used as an emergency exit.

Following Bishop Robert’s advice with the current level of help we have available to us, we are only able to open the church on a Saturday evening. For the time being, it will remain closed during the week for all services. Bishop Robert has asked Fr. Patterson to review the situation after the summer to assess the level of need and support.

ZOE Covid fortnightly update – Covid cases in decline but still high

This week, Professor Tim Spector Talks about monkeypox and why the World Health Organisation has declared it the latest global health emergency. He’s also provides the latest updates on COVID rates and symptoms . 

The updated symptoms of Omicron may be found on the BBC website.

Data from the Office of National statistics may also be of interest to you with 1 in 20 people having Covid in England.

Please get vaccinated

The Catholic Church continues to promote the participation of everyone in the Covid vaccination programme as part of its mitigation of virus transmission in church and ancillary buildings.

Pope Francis also urges us to do so.

17^th Sunday of the Year

Dear Parishioners

This weekend, the readings read in our churches speak of the power of prayer. But what do you understand prayer to be? The illustration below may set you thinking:-

“Dear God, you don’t usually hear from me, but there’s something I’d like you to take care of.”

If a character in a film or TV drama is shown praying, it often indicates one of two things: either they’re a religious fanatic and possibly dangerous; or they’re in the middle of a devastating crisis in their lives, so overwhelming, that they need to make an emergency call to a distant God. The inference is either that God is absent and that only someone deluded would think otherwise, or, at the very best, that God is far away and only to be called on in the most extreme of human circumstances.

The readings for Mass this Sunday reveal a very different picture of what we do when we pray. Prayer is not about somehow getting hold of God, to put God to work for us, but being drawn beyond ourselves, into friendship with God.

May the Lord open your minds and hearts to his presence.

Fr Patterson

Cases of Covid-19 continue to rise

Covid cases in our country are still rising with an estimated 1 in 17 people in England with Covid.  There is an increase in the number of people being admitted to hospital too.

We also have a number of our parishioners who are poorly with Covid-19 and are self isolating. As a result, wearing a face covering in church at the moment would be greatly appreciated out of consideration for our more vulnerable parishioners. We do still encourage everyone to use the hand gel on entering the church and to be sensitive to sitting too close to someone who is already in the bench you enter. They may not be comfortable if you “snuggle up to them.”

All are welcome

Everyone is welcome to join us for the celebration of Mass in St. Patrick’s and St. Alban’s churches. In recent times, it has been a joy to welcome those people of other faiths or none who have come to join us in worship.

Currently, only baptised Catholic people are able to receive Holy Communion and we ask that when you approach the altar you extend your hands towards the minister who will place the sacred host in your hand which you should then consume immediately before returning to your place.

If you are not a Catholic or are indisposed to receive Holy Communion, you are invited to come forward at the appropriate time and receive a blessing, indicating your desire by folding an arm across your chest.

Mass Intentions

Fr. Patterson will celebrate Mass for the following Intentions during the coming week. You may wish to wear a face covering when attending Church.

• Monday – No Mass
• Tuesday: 10 am in St. Patrick’s Church – Fr Tom Burke
• Wednesday: (Private Mass) – Pat Donald
• Thursday:  10 am in St. Patrick’s Church – Margaret Rodley (nee McAloon)                 
• Friday: (Private Mass) – Fr Tom Cunningham
• Saturday: 6 pm in St. Alban’s Church – For the intentions of all our parishioners
• Sunday: 10 am in St. Patrick’s Church – Kathleen Falconer

Mass to view on line

Mass is live streamed from our Cathedral on a Sunday. Visit the Cathedral website.

Alternatively, you may like to follow Mass from the Holy Name, Jesmond. Visit the website for Mass times this week.

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

Lord Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most Blessed Sacrament. I love you above all things and I desire to receive you into my soul. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace you as if you were already there and unite myself wholly to you. Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.

Please keep in your prayers:

• all our parishioners who are sick, housebound or in hospital
• all those near and dear to us whose memories we cherish at this time and,
• Louise Anne Synott who has died. May she rest in peace.

A Prayer for those who have died from Covid

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

A Prayer for Carers, Nurses and Doctors

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

A Prayer for Ukraine

Father, hold the people of Ukraine deep in your heart. Protect them from violence, political gamesmanship and from being used and abused. Give the nations of the world the courage and wisdom to stand up for justice and the courage to care generously. Take from us those traits that see us pursuing our own needs and wants before those of others. Teach us to live in love, dignity and respect, following your ways. We ask this in your name and for your sake. Amen

World day of Prayer for Grand Parents and the Elderly

Pope Francis has asked us to make this Sunday, 24th July, a World Day of Prayer for Grandparents and the Elderly. His hope for this day is that we celebrate and recognise the central role that grandparents and the elderly play in our communities, and how in their closeness and consolation they are a tangible sign of the Church’s mission to the world.

A Prayer for Grand Parents and the Elderly

I give thanks to you, Lord, For the blessing of a long life. For, to those who take refuge in You, grant always to bear fruit. Forgive, O Lord, resignation and disillusionment, but forsake me not when my strength declines. Teach me to look with hope to the future you give me, to the mission you entrust to me and to sing your praises without end. Guard with love my grandchildren and all the little ones who seek shelter in you. Protect, O Lord, Pope Francis and grant thy Church to deliver the world from loneliness. Direct our steps in the way of peace. Amen.

Bishop Barron’s Sunday Sermons

Each week Bishop Barron offers a Sunday sermon.

John Ingram Walk

The Annual Blessed John Ingram Walk will take place next Sunday 24th July, starting at 2 pm from St Andrew’s Anglican Church, Newgate Street in Newcastle. The route drops down to the river, crossing the Swing Bridge, then  up “Bottle Bank” to Gateshead High Street, to St Edmund’s Anglican church, where a prayer service will be held, followed by refreshments.

Visit of Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski

Bishop Kenneth is the Bishop of the Ukrainian Eparchy of Great Britain. He will be visiting the Diocese on the weekend of 23rd -24th July and will speak at all the Masses at St. Mary’s Cathedral. Everyone will be very welcome to attend as a sign of our solidarity with the people of Ukraine.

St. Alban’s Church Cleaning

We would value your help to clean St. Alban’s Church on Friday, 5th August at 10 am Simply come to the church where all cleaning materials will be provided for you.

Refreshments after Mass

Refreshments will next be served in St. Patrick’s parish centre after Mass on Sunday, 7th August.

Could you join the rota to help make tea and coffee?

An opportunity to celebrate – with thanks for your support

A big thank you to everyone who made our “Celebration Mass” last Thursday a most worthy and prayerful occasion. It provided an opportunity to show our unity and solidarity as a shared parish and school community, resolving to work ever more closely together in the months and years ahead.

The end of another academic year

Fr Patterson wishes to take this opportunity to thank Mrs Bridon for her valuable contribution to the life of the school over the past seventeen years as deputy headteacher and more recently as our headteacher as she moves to a new appointment at St. Godric’s School, Durham. Thanks must also go to all the staff of our school for their dedication during the course of the past year having to live with the presence of Covid in our midst.

What do Catholics believe?

If you would like to know more about what Catholics believe, perhaps with a view to considering becoming a member of the Catholic Church, you may be interested in a series of talks which will take place in St. Patrick’s parish centre. An information evening will be held on Tuesday, 6th September at 7pm in St. Patrick’s parish centre. Please keep an eye on the Newsletter for more information.

These gatherings are open to everyone. Wherever you live you will be most welcome.

Do you want to help? Please consider making your weekly offering by Standing Order

To relieve the pressure on our “Counting Teams” in both St. Alban’s and St. Patrick’s, it would be greatly appreciated if parishioners would consider making their offering to either St. Alban’s or St. Patrick’s by Standing Order. The details you require to set up a standing order can be found below. If you would like to help by join a counting team, please contact Terry or Christine Harbron for St. Alban’s or Maureen Hodgson for St. Patrick’s. 

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

If you are a tax payer and are not a member of the parish gift aid scheme, please consider joining the scheme, it costs you nothing and the parish benefits by being able to reclaim the tax you have already paid on your offering. The parish receives 25p of every £1.00 you give from HMRC. All that is required, is for you to complete a simple form which does not involve you disclosing any personal financial information and is held securely by the Diocesan Finance Office. To obtain a form, or for more information, please email John, our Gift Aid organiser for both St. Alban’s and St. Patrick’s at stpatrick.giftaid@outlook.com

Celebrate safely in our churches.

Both St. Alban’s and St. Patrick’s churches continue to follow the National Guidelines for Churches issued by the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales which are as follows:

• If you are displaying any symptoms of Covid-19 you should stay at home.
• Hand sanitiser will continue to be offered as you enter and leave church.
• You may wear a face covering during the celebration of Mass.
• Indoor congregational singing can take place with a general encouragement that face coverings are worn.
• Although there is no formal social distancing by way of seating, we ask that when you take your seat, you are sensitive to the needs of other people who are already in a bench and may not be comfortable if you “snuggle up” to them. We have plenty of seating space.
• We will invite you to come forward for Holy Communion, row by row from the front. Holy Communion will continue to be distributed under one kind only.
• It is still important to ventilate our buildings. This has the effect of diluting and dispersing viral particles
• Our “welcomers” will be on hand to greet you and care for you.

St. Alban’s Church.

St. Alban’s Church is now open for a Vigil Mass on Saturdays at 18.00. Parishioners are asked to enter and leave the church by the main doors only. Following advice from the Diocesan Health and Safety Officer, the side door should only be used as an emergency exit.

Following Bishop Robert’s advice with the current level of help we have available to us, we are only able to open the church on a Saturday evening. For the time being, it will remain closed during the week for all services. Bishop Robert has asked Fr. Patterson to review the situation after the summer to assess the level of need and support.

ZOE Covid update and this weeks data from the Office of National Statistics

The Zoe update occurs once every two weeks.

The updated symptoms of Omicron.

This weeks data from the Office of National statistics may also be of interest to you, showing the percentage of people testing positive for coronavirus continues to increase in England where the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 3,147,700, equating to 5.77% of the population, or around 1 in 17 people.

 Please get vaccinated

The Catholic Church continues to promote the participation of everyone in the Covid vaccination programme as part of its mitigation of virus transmission in church and ancillary buildings.

Pope Francis also urges us to do so.

16^th Sunday of the Year

Dear Parishioners

The world today is one in which hospitality needs to be more greatly shared.

It we look at our own cities and towns, we can see the loneliness that is so often to be found there, in those who may not see another person from day to day, week to week; and in the homeless people whom we may pass by on the street.

For many people, feelings of loneliness were experienced or exacerbated by the enforced isolation during the Covid-19 pandemic. Looking further afield, we can see the refugees leaving everything behind, fleeing war, oppression and suffering and there are the many thousands of displaced people desperate to find a place of welcome and safety. Wherever we look, there is a call to share and befriend. And what is often needed above all is a listening ear, to hear their stories. This call is a challenge for us, as it was for Martha in the gospel read in our churches this weekend. (Luke 10:38-42).

True hospitality lies in meeting the person whom we welcome. We need to learn to sit stilll with those we are called to care for, to listen to them and to let them know they are heard. Too often our fretting over “so many things”, as Jesus says, may get in the way of truly caring. But if we can keep love of and care for others central, our moments of generosity and hospitality will also be moments of meeting God.

May God bless you in all you do in his name. 

Fr Patterson

Cases of Covid-19 rising

Covid cases in our country continue to rise with an estimated 1 in 19 people in England with Covid. 

We still have a number of our parishioners who are poorly and self isolating. As a result, wearing a face covering in church at the moment would be greatly appreciated out of consideration for our more vulnerable parishioners.

We do still ask everyone to use the hand gel on entering the church and to be sensitive to sitting too close to someone who is already in the bench you enter. They may not be comfortable if you “snuggle up to them.”

All are welcome

Everyone is welcome to join us for the celebration of Mass in St Patrick’s and St Alban’s churches. In recent times, it has been a joy to welcome those people of other faiths or none who have come to join us in worship.

Currently, only baptised Catholic people are able to receive Holy Communion and we ask that when you approach the altar you extend your hands towards the minister who will place the sacred host in your hand which you should then consume immediately before returning to your place.

If you are not a Catholic or are indisposed to receive Holy Communion, you are invited to come forward at the appropriate time and receive a blessing, indicating your desire by folding an arm across your chest.

Mass Intentions

Fr. Patterson will celebrate Mass for the following Intentions during the coming week. You may wish to wear a face covering when attending Church.

• Monday – No Mass
• Tuesday: 10 am in St. Patrick’s Church – Funeral Mass for Ronnie Brown
• Wednesday – (Private Mass) Celia Wraith
• Thursday:  10 am in St. Patrick’s Church – Celebration Mass for our shared Parish Family and School
• Friday: (Private Mass) – Fr Dermott Donnelly
• Saturday: 6pm in St. Alban’s Church – LDM Harbron and Foster Families
• Sunday: 10am in St. Patrick’s Church – For the intentions of all our parishioners

Mass to view on line

Mass is live streamed from our Cathedral on a Sunday. Visit the Cathedral website.

Alternatively, you may like to follow Mass from the Holy Name, Jesmond. Visit the website for Mass times this week.

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

Lord Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most Blessed Sacrament. I love you above all things and I desire to receive you into my soul. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace you as if you were already there and unite myself wholly to you. Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.

Please keep in your prayers:

• all our parishioners who are sick, housebound or in hospital.
• all those near and dear to us whose memories we cherish at this time and,
• Fr Dermott Donnelly, (parish priest of Stanley, Dipton and Byermoor), Fr. Tom Burke (one of our retired priests) and Ronnie Brown who have died. May they rest in peace.

A Prayer for those who have died from Covid

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

A Prayer for Carers, Nurses and Doctors

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

A Prayer for Ukraine

Father, hold the people of Ukraine deep in your heart. Protect them from violence, political gamesmanship and from being used and abused. Give the nations of the world the courage and wisdom to stand up for justice and the courage to care generously. Take from us those traits that see us pursuing our own needs and wants before those of others. Teach us to live in love, dignity and respect, following your ways. We ask this in your name and for your sake. Amen

Bishop Barron’s Sunday Sermons

Each week Bishop Barron offers a Sunday sermon.

Refreshments after Mass

Refreshments will be served in St. Patrick’s parish centre after Mass this Sunday, 17th July.

Could you join the rota to help make tea and coffee?

A word of thanks

Joan Owens wish to thank St. Patrick’s parish family for the Mass cards, sympathy cards and condolences she received in her recent sad bereavement.

An opportunity to celebrate what makes us one

As we gradually “Learn to live with Covid,” and can continue to ease restrictions, Fr Patterson,  wishes to extend an open invitation to all the parishioners from St Alban’s and St Patrick’s to a Celebration Mass with our school community, marking not only the end of the school year but the beginning of what we hope will be a brighter future drawing our shared parishes and school closer together in what are going to be challenging times ahead.

In order to accommodate everyone safely, which is an important consideration at present with the continuing rapid rise in the transmission of Covid in our area, and to be able to offer an invitation to our entire shared parish family, the Mass will be celebrated in St. Patrick’s Church, which has the larger capacity of our two churches and is well ventilated, which is still an important requirement of our Diocesan Covid controls.

With 1 in 19 people currently with Covid in the UK, Father Patterson asks that adults attending the Mass might consider wearing a face covering for the well-being of everyone present, especially those who are vulnerable – but this is a decision for each individual to make.

This Celebration Mass provides an opportunity to show our unity and solidarity as a shared parish and school community, resolving to work ever more closely together in the months and years ahead.

So please do make a special effort to come and celebrate this Mass on Thursday, 21st July, 2022 at 10am. You do not need to have family members in the school to attend, as we are all part of a much larger family which our shared churches and school represent – the Family of God – the Catholic Church!

John Ingram Walk

The Annual Blessed John Ingram Walk will take place next Sunday 24th July, starting at 2pm from St Andrew’s Anglican Church, Newgate Street in Newcastle. The route drops down to the river, crossing the Swing Bridge, then  up “Bottle Bank” to Gateshead High Street, to St Edmund’s Anglican church, where a prayer service will be held, followed by refreshments.

An important message for those parishioners who are in the Gift Aid Scheme

If you are a tax payer and are already in the parish gift aid scheme for either St. Alban’s or St. Patrick’s, please ensure that you are making your offering either by standing order, bank transfer or using your offertory envelopes which you would have collected in March this year.

Please do not simply place a loose cash offering in the boxes at the church doors. This prevents us being able to record your offering for the Gift Aid scheme with the result that we will be unable to reclaim the tax on your offering. If you did not collect your envelopes for the current year and do not contribute by standing order please contact John the parish Gift Aid Organiser for both St Alban’s and St Patrick’s by emailing him at stpatrick.giftaid@outlook.com

Please note this information only applies to those parishioners who are tax payers and already members of the parish gift aid schemes.

Please consider making your weekly offering by Standing Order or Bank Transfer

With fewer volunteers prepared to join a “Counting Team” which has had the knock on effect of us having fewer counting teams in both St. Alban’s and St. Patrick’s, it would be greatly appreciated if parishioners who have bank accounts would consider making their offering to either St. Alban’s or St. Patrick’s by Standing Order or Bank Transfer. The details you require to set up a standing order or bank transfer for both parishes can be found below.

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

If you are a tax payer and are not a member of the parish gift aid scheme please consider joining the scheme, it costs you nothing and the parish benefits by being able to reclaim the tax you have already paid on your offering. The parish receives 25p of every £1.00 you give from HMRC. All that is required, is for you to complete a simple form which does not involve you disclosing any personal financial information and is held securely by the Diocesan Finance Office. To obtain a form, or for more information, please email St. Patrick’s Gift Aid organiser at stpatrick.giftaid@outlook.com

For the time being, enquiries concerning the Gift Aid scheme for St. Albans Church should be directed to Fr. Patterson at felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk.

Vigil Mass on Saturdays in St. Alban’s Church.

St Alban’s Church is now open for a Vigil Mass on Saturdays at 6pm.

Following Bishop Robert’s advice with the current level of help we have available to us, we are only able to open the church on a Saturday evening. For the time being, it will remain closed during the week for all services. Bishop Robert has asked Fr. Patterson to review the situation after the summer to assess the level of need and support.

If you are attending Mass in St. Alban’s Church, please note the following:-

• Parishioners are asked to enter and leave the church by the main doors only.
• Following advice from the Diocesan Health and Safety Officer, the side door should only be used as an emergency exit.
• You are invited to sanitise your hands as you enter the church
• You may wear a face covering during Mass
• Due to the low ceilings over the congregation, we must ensure adequate ventilation to help dilute and disperse viral particles.  Both inner doors at the rear of the church will remain open throughout Mass (the outer doors will normally be closed) and the side windows will be open. Please dress accordingly as there may be a draught in some areas of the church.
• No collection will be taken during Mass, by way of passing baskets along the benches, but we do hope you will support our parish financially by placing your offering in the offering box as you enter the church.  Alternatively you may consider contributing by standing order, the details for which are:  Account name: DHN Pelaw St Alban, Sort code: 40-34-18, Account No: 92010984

St. Patrick’s Church needs more support from you

Fr. Patterson wishes to thank those parishioners who have already offered their support in various aspects of parish life, but it is insufficient to be able to rebuild our future.

We need more volunteers for the following:-

• preparing light refreshments in the parish centre after Sunday Mass
• joining the music ministry, whether as an instrumentalist or singer
• assisting with the children’s liturgy when we are in a position to restart it
• offering to help with the opening of the church for Mass and tidying up afterwards on weekdays
• reading at Mass on Tuesdays and/or Thursdays

The more support you give will make it less demanding on any individual or group/team. It is important that we should all play our part in helping to rebuild our shared parish family.

Please indicate your offer of support by emailing the parish office at felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk.

Current Diocesan COVID Controls

Both St. Alban’s and St. Patrick’s churches continue to follow the National Guidelines for Churches issued by the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales which are as follows:

If you are displaying any symptoms of Covid-19 you should stay at home.

Hand sanitiser will continue to be offered as you enter and leave church.

You may wear a face covering during the celebration of Mass.

Indoor congregational singing can take place with a general encouragement that face coverings are worn.

Although there is no formal social distancing by way of seating, we ask that when you take your seat, you are sensitive to the needs of other people who are already in a bench and may not be comfortable if you “snuggle up” to them. We have plenty of seating space.

We will, for the time being, continue to invite you to come forward for Holy Communion, row by row from the front. Holy Communion will continue to be distributed under one kind only. At the end of Mass, you may leave at your leisure.

It is still important to ventilate our buildings. This has the effect of diluting and dispersing viral particles

Our “welcomers” will be on hand to greet you and care for you.

Visit of Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski

Bishop Kenneth is the Bishop of the Ukrainian Eparchy of Great Britain. He will be visiting the Diocese on the weekend of 23rd -24th July and will speak at all the Masses at St. Mary’s Cathedral. Everyone will be very welcome to attend as a sign of our solidarity with the people of Ukraine.

What do Catholics believe?

If you would like to know more about what Catholics believe, perhaps with a view to considering becoming a member of the Catholic Church, you may be interested in a series of talks which will take place in St. Patrick’s parish centre. An information evening will take place on Tuesday, 6th September at 7pm in St. Patrick’s parish centre. Please keep an eye on the Newsletter for more information.

These gatherings are open to everyone living in our Partnership of Parishes which includes, Corpus Christi, Bensham, Immacuate Heart, Lobley Hill, St. Alban’s, Pelaw, St. Anne’s, Harlow Green, St. Augustine’s, Leam Lane, St. Joseph’s, Gateshead, St. Mary’s, Whickham, St. Oswald’s, Wrekenton, St. Patrick’s, Felling, St. Peter’s, Low Fell, St. Philip Neri’s, Dunston,  St. Wilfrid’s, Gateshead, The Holy Rosary, Teams and beyond. Wherever you live you will be most welcome.

Farewell to Fr. Keith

We will soon be saying farewell to Fr Keith Walker who will be leaving St. Peter’s, Low Fell and our Partnership in September.

He will be taking up a new appointment as parish priest of St. Gregory’s and St. Oswald’s, South Shields along with the Sacred Heart, Boldon. We thank him for his contributions to the Partnership over the years and wish him God’s blessing in his new ministry.

He will be replaced at St. Peter’s by Fr. Paul Spellman, a native of Newton Aycliffe, who is currently a priest in the Diocese of East Anglia but wishes to return to the North East to be closer to his family.

Please get vaccinated

The Catholic Church continues to promote the participation of everyone in the Covid vaccination programme as part of its mitigation of virus transmission in church and ancillary buildings.

Pope Francis also urges us to do so.

ZOE Covid fortnightly update – 350,000 new Cases per week

This week, Professor Tim Spector reveals that for the first time ever, new daily COVID cases have exceeded 350,000 this week. Tim looks at why this is and who’s at highest risk of infection. 

Updated symptoms of Omicron

Data from the Office of National statistics may also be of interest to you with 1 in 40 people having Covid in England.

15^th Sunday of the Year

Dear Parishioners

The parable of the Good Samaritan is read in our churches this weekend (Luke 10:25-37).

In it, Jesus asks that we must care about our neighbours with the same intensity that we care about ourselves and our families. We are to love as he loves us.

This involves more than simply smiling at strangers and trying to develop positive attitudes to people we don’t particularly like. It demands a positive effort to elevate the needs of our neighbours to the same level as our own.

Moreover we are asked not just to serve those who serve us, or return favours because we have received them, we are called to love beyond the usual human expectations of making special efforts only for family and friends.

In this parable Jesus teaches us that it is possible to go beyond the boundaries society has constructed and to do things in a different way.

So let us turn our thoughts to the ways of the Lord.

Fr Patterson

Cases of Covid-19 rising

Covid cases in our country continue to rise with an 18% increase in the past 7 days and an estimated 1 in 25 people in England with Covid.  We still have a number of our parishioners who are poorly and self isolating. As a result, wearing a face covering in church at the moment would be greatly appreciated out of consideration for our more vulnerable parishioners.

We do still ask everyone to use the hand gel on entering the church and to be sensitive to sitting too close to someone who is already in the bench you enter. They may not be comfortable if you “snuggle up to them.”

All are welcome

Everyone is welcome to join us for the celebration of Mass in St. Patrick’s and St. Alban’s churches. In recent times, it has been a joy to welcome those people of other faiths or none who have come to join us in worship.

Currently, only baptised Catholic people are able to receive Holy Communion and we ask that when you approach the altar you extend your hands towards the minister who will place the sacred host in your hand which you should then consume immediately before returning to your place.

If you are not a Catholic or are indisposed to receive Holy Communion, you are invited to come forward at the appropriate time and receive a blessing, indicating your desire by folding an arm across your chest.

Mass Intentions

Fr. Patterson will celebrate Mass for the following Intentions during the coming week. You may wish to wear a face covering when attending Church.

• Monday:  No Mass
• Tuesday: 10.00 in St. Patrick’s Church – George Owens
• Wednesday – (Private Mass) Jim Ward
• Thursday:  10.00 in St. Patrick’s Church – Funeral Mass for Kevin O’Sullivan        
• Friday: (Private Mass) – Fr. Stephen Johnson
• Saturday: 18.00 in St. Alban’s Church – For the intentions of all our parishioners
• Sunday: 10.00 in St. Patrick’s Church – Paul Hughes

Mass to view on line

Mass is live streamed from our Cathedral on a Sunday. Visit the Cathedral website.

Alternatively, you may like to follow Mass from the Holy Name, Jesmond. Visit the website for Mass times this week.

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

Lord Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most Blessed Sacrament. I love you above all things and I desire to receive you into my soul. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace you as if you were already there and unite myself wholly to you. Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.

Please keep in your prayers:

• all our parishioners who are sick, housebound or in hospital.
• all those near and dear to us whose memories we cherish at this time and,
• Fr. Dermott Donnelly, (parish priest of Stanley, Dipton and Byermoor), Kevin O’Sullivan and Ronnie Brown who have died. May they rest in peace.

A Prayer for those who have died from Covid

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

A Prayer for Carers, Nurses and Doctors

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

A Prayer for Ukraine

Father, hold the people of Ukraine deep in your heart. Protect them from violence, political gamesmanship and from being used and abused. Give the nations of the world the courage and wisdom to stand up for justice and the courage to care generously. Take from us those traits that see us pursuing our own needs and wants before those of others. Teach us to live in love, dignity and respect, following your ways. We ask this in your name and for your sake. Amen

A Prayer for Sea Sunday

O Mary, Star of the Sea, guide always and everywhere all people of the sea, comfort those who feel lonely and are far from their loved ones and enrich the lives of those who care for and minister to them. Our Lady, Star of the Sea, pray for us.

Bishop Barron’s Sunday Sermons

Each week Bishop Barron offers a Sunday sermon.

Thanksgiving Mass

A Mass of Thanksgiving for NHS Staff, chaplains and Carers will be celebrated by Bishop Robert on Thursday, 14th July, 2022 at 7pm in St. Mary’s Cathedral. This Celebration will be the opportunity to express the gratitude of the Diocese to medical, nursing and healthcare staff and chaplains as we continue to emerge from the COVID Pandemic.

Are you on a rota?  –  please read on……..

If you have joined one of our rotas in either St. Alban’s or St. Patrick’s churches and find you are unable to fulfil your role on a particular occasion, would you please arrange a substitute. Telephone numbers of other volunteers are printed on each rota.

This is particularly important to ensure that our liturgy and parish activities flow smoothly. With reduced numbers attending our churches, it cannot be presumed that someone can just be “plucked out of the congregation” to take your place. Many thanks.

Renewed thanks

Fr. Patterson renews his gratitude to Joan Owens for further donations amounting to £210.00 received this week for St. Patrick’s parish funds made in memory of her late husband George. May he rest in peace.

Sea Sunday

This Sunday is Sea Sunday when the Church prays for all those who live and work at sea. Seafarers and fishers play a vital role in all of our lives, but they often work in difficult, hazardous conditions. In the last year, more crews have been abandoned by their employers than ever before. Many are still being denied the right to leave their ships for even a short break away from the relentless noise and pressure onboard. Many are reporting more stress and poorer mental health.

Stella Maris is the official maritime charity of the Catholic Church whose chaplains provide practical help and pastoral care to seafarers and fishers. If you would like to support their work  you may place a donation in an envelope and put it in one of the collection boxes at the entrance to our churches. Please mark your envelope “Sea Sunday.” Those of you with boxes of envelopes should have an envelope in your box.

Are you able to support the Diocesan Refugee Project?

 The organisers of this project express their renewed thanks for your ongoing support of their work.  The project supports over 400 asylum seekers and tries to provide them all with a bag of food. Those who are destitute also receive a supermarket voucher. Donations of sugar, biscuits, tinned fish in oil, tins of tomatoes and chick peas may be left on the table to your right as you enter the front of St. Patrick’s Church or on any table if you enter by the rear door. A basket is also available in the porch at St. Alban’s. They are particularly in need of toiletries and shampoo. Please note: baked beans and tinned meat are not required.

An important message for those parishioners who are in the Gift Aid Scheme

If you are a tax payer and are already in the parish gift aid scheme for either St. Alban’s or St. Patrick’s, please ensure that you are making your offering either by standing order, bank transfer or using your offertory envelopes which you would have collected in March this year.

Please do not simply place a loose cash offering in the boxes at the church doors. This prevents us being able to record your offering for the Gift Aid scheme with the result that we will be unable to reclaim the tax on your offering. If you did not collect your envelopes for the current year and do not contribute by standing order please contact John the parish Gift Aid Organiser for both St. Alban’s and St. Patrick’s by emailing him at stpatrick.giftaid@outlook.com

Please note this information only applies to those parishioners who are tax payers and already members of the parish gift aid schemes.

Please consider making your weekly offering by Standing Order or Bank Transfer

With fewer volunteers prepared to join a “Counting Team” which has had the knock on effect of us having fewer counting teams in both St. Alban’s and St. Patrick’s, it would be greatly appreciated if parishioners who have bank accounts would consider making their offering to either St. Alban’s or St. Patrick’s by Standing Order or Bank Transfer. The details you require to set up a standing order or bank transfer for both parishes can be found below.

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

If you are a tax payer and are not a member of the parish gift aid scheme please consider joining the scheme, it costs you nothing and the parish benefits by being able to reclaim the tax you have already paid on your offering. The parish receives 25p of every £1.00 you give from HMRC. All that is required, is for you to complete a simple form which does not involve you disclosing any personal financial information and is held securely by the Diocesan Finance Office. To obtain a form, or for more information, please email St. Patrick’s Gift Aid organiser at stpatrick.giftaid@outlook.com

For the time being, enquiries concerning the Gift Aid scheme for St. Albans Church should be directed to Fr. Patterson at felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk.

What do Catholics believe?

If you would like to know more about what Catholics believe, perhaps with a view to considering becoming a member of the Catholic Church, you may be interested in a series of talks which will take place in St. Patrick’s parish centre. An information evening will take place on Tuesday, 6th September at 19.00 in St. Patrick’s parish centre. Please keep an eye on the Newsletter for more information.

These gatherings are open to everyone living in our Partnership of Parishes which includes, Corpus Christi, Bensham, Immacuate Heart, Lobley Hill, St. Alban’s, Pelaw, St. Anne’s, Harlow Green, St. Augustine’s, Leam Lane, St. Joseph’s, Gateshead, St. Mary’s, Whickham, St. Oswald’s, Wrekenton, St. Patrick’s, Felling, St. Peter’s, Low Fell, St. Philip Neri’s, Dunston,  St. Wilfrid’s, Gateshead, The Holy Rosary, Teams and beyond. Wherever you live you will be most welcome.

The Universal Synod

The National Synthesis  – reflects on the Synod reports received by the national synthesis team, discerning the main themes that have emerged from the listening conversations, and collating them together to give a picture of the synodal process in England and Wales.

Our Diocesan Submission to the National Synthesis can be viewed from the website. 

Refreshments after Mass

Refreshments will next be served in St. Patrick’s parish centre after Mass on Sunday, 17th July.

Could you join the rota to help make tea and coffee?

John Ingram Walk

The Annual Blessed John Ingram Walk will take place on Sunday 24th July,  starting at 2pm from St Andrew’s Anglican Church, Newgate Street in Newcastle. The route drops down to the river, crossing the Swing Bridge, then  up “Bottle Bank” to Gateshead High Street, to St Edmund’s Anglican church, where a prayer service will be held, followed by refreshments.

An opportunity to celebrate what makes us one

As we gradually begin to “Learn to live with Covid,” and can continue to ease restrictions, Fr. Patterson, after discussion with Mrs. Bridon and Mrs Robinson, has offered to celebrate a Mass to mark the end of the current school year with an eye to the future for our shared parish family.

As such, Fr. Patterson wishes to extend an invitation to all the parishioners from St. Alban’s and St. Patrick’s to this Mass marking not only the end of another school year but the beginning of what we hope will be a brighter future drawing our shared parishes closer together in what are going to be challenging times ahead.

As many of our parishioners will be aware, when St. John’s School in Felling closed eleven years ago, St. Alban’s was designated by the Diocese to be our “new” shared parish school for the children of both St. Alban’s parish and St. Patrick’s parish. Part of the agreement made at the time of the closure of St. John’s was that the children would be given the opportunity to celebrate school liturgies and Masses in both of our churches  (St. Alban’s and St. Patrick’s) and our end of year Mass is one of those opportunities.

In order to accommodate all the pupils (YR-Y6) safely, which is an important consideration at present with the rapid rise in the transmission of Omicron in our area, and to be able to offer an open invitation to all parents/carers and parishioners, the Mass will be celebrated in St. Patrick’s Church, which has the larger capacity of our two churches and is well ventilated, which is still a requirement of our Diocesan Covid controls. Father Patterson asks that adults attending the Mass might consider wearing a face covering for the well-being of everyone present, especially those who are vulnerable – but this is a decision for each individual to make.

The children will travel to St. Patrick’s by metro and coach. Father Patterson has offered to cover the cost of the transport from the “Friends of St. Patrick’s Fund.”

This celebration provides an opportunity to show our unity and solidarity as a shared parish and school community, resolving to work ever more closely together in the months and years ahead.

So please do make a special effort to come and celebrate this Mass together on Thursday, 21st July, 2022 at 10am. You do not need to have family members in the school to attend, as we are all part of a much larger family which our shared churches and school represents – the Catholic Church, the Family of God!

Vigil Mass on Saturdays in St. Alban’s Church.

St. Alban’s Church is now open for a Vigil Mass on Saturdays at 6pm.

Following Bishop Robert’s advice with the current level of help we have available to us, we are only able to open the church on a Saturday evening. For the time being, it will remain closed during the week for all services. Bishop Robert has asked Fr. Patterson to review the situation after the summer to assess the level of need and support.

If you are attending Mass in St. Alban’s Church, please note the following:-

• Parishioners are asked to enter and leave the church by the main doors only.
• Following advice from the Diocesan Health and Safety Officer, the side door should only be used as an emergency exit.
• You are invited to sanitise your hands as you enter the church
• You may wear a face covering during Mass
• Due to the low ceilings over the congregation, we must ensure adequate ventilation to help dilute and disperse viral particles.  Both inner doors at the rear of the church will remain open throughout Mass (the outer doors will normally be closed) and the side windows will be open. Please dress accordingly as there may be a draught in some areas of the church.
• No collection will be taken during Mass, by way of passing baskets along the benches, but we do hope you will support our parish financially by placing your offering in the offering box as you enter the church.  Alternatively you may consider contributing by standing order, the details for which are:  Account name: DHN Pelaw St Alban, Sort code: 40-34-18, Account No: 92010984

St. Patrick’s Church needs more support from you

Fr. Patterson wishes to thank those parishioners who have already offered their support in various aspects of parish life, but it is insufficient to be able to rebuild our future.

We need more volunteers for the following:-

• preparing light refreshments in the parish centre after Sunday Mass
• joining the music ministry, whether as an instrumentalist or singer
• assisting with the children’s liturgy when we are in a position to restart it
• offering to help with the opening of the church for Mass and tidying up afterwards on weekdays
• reading at Mass on Tuesdays and/or Thursdays

The more support you give will make it less demanding on any individual or group/team. It is important that we should all play our part in helping to rebuild our shared parish family.

Please indicate your offer of support by emailing the parish office at felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk.

Current Diocesan COVID Controls

Both St. Alban’s and St. Patrick’s churches continue to follow the National Guidelines for Churches issued by the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales which are as follows:

If you are displaying any symptoms of Covid-19 you should stay at home.

Hand sanitiser will continue to be offered as you enter and leave church.

You may wear a face covering during the celebration of Mass.

Indoor congregational singing can take place with a general encouragement that face coverings are worn.

Although there is no formal social distancing by way of seating, we ask that when you take your seat, you are sensitive to the needs of other people who are already in a bench and may not be comfortable if you “snuggle up” to them. We have plenty of seating space.

We will, for the time being, continue to invite you to come forward for Holy Communion, row by row from the front. Holy Communion will continue to be distributed under one kind only. At the end of Mass, you may leave at your leisure.

It is still important to ventilate our buildings. This has the effect of diluting and dispersing viral particles

Our “welcomers” will be on hand to greet you and care for you.

Visit of Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski

Bishop Kenneth is the Bishop of the Ukrainian Eparchy of Great Britain. He will be visiting the Diocese on the weekend of 23rd -24th July and will speak at all the Masses at St. Mary’s Cathedral. Everyone will be very welcome to attend as a sign of our solidarity with the people of Ukraine.

Thanks

Fr. Patterson is grateful for donations recently received for Cafod’s Ukrainian Appeal and for Cafod’s Aghan Appeal, both totalling £15.00.

 St Joseph’s Home of the Little Sisters of the Poor, Newcastle

The Little Sisters are looking for volunteers to help throughout the Home with residents’ activities, administration duties, fundraising and other various duties. If you are interested and would like to know more, please contact Sister Evelyn or Mother Deirdre at St Joseph’s Home on  0191 273 1279 for further details.

The Sisters would also like to thank everyone for supporting the recent Diocesan Church Collection in aid of St Joseph’s Home (Newcastle). They are extremely grateful for the kindness shown to them.

“We ask God to bless and reward you and your families for all you have done to help us continue the work of Jeanne Jugan in caring for our elderly residents. Assuring you of our grateful prayers.” Mother Deirdre and The LSP Community.

Farewell to Fr Keith

We will soon be saying farewell to Fr. Keith Walker who will be leaving St. Peter’s, Low Fell and our Partnership in September.

He will be taking up a new appointment as parish priest of St. Gregory’s and St. Oswald’s, South Shields along with the Sacred Heart, Boldon. We thank him for his contributions to the Partnership over the years and wish him God’s blessing in his new ministry.

He will be replaced at St. Peter’s by Fr. Paul Spellman, a native of Newton Aycliffe, who is currently a priest in the Diocese of East Anglia but wishes to return to the North East to be closer to his family.

 A Special Report from the ZOE Health Study  – Cases reach record high!

Last week, Professor Tim Spector talked about the soaring increase in the spread of the Omicron variant of Covid-19, the growing number of reinfections, a 26% increase in hospitalisations in the last week, and the fact that the Omicron variant is finding a way round our natural immunity and the vaccine with the possibility of people catching Covid every three months! If you missed his talk last week, you can watch it here.

Data from the Office of National statistics may also be of interest to you with 1 in 25 people having Covid in England. An increase of 18% from last week.

Please get vaccinated

The Catholic Church continues to promote the participation of everyone in the Covid vaccination programme as part of its mitigation of virus transmission in church and ancillary buildings.

Pope Francis also urges us to do so.

14^th Sunday of the Year

Dear Parishioners

In our earthly lives most of us value our home, that place where we live with those whom we love; that place where we love and are loved in return. Our lives and what we do in our lives are often centered around our home.

“Are we at home with Jesus” I wonder?

How aware are we of the presence of God living within us and how aware are we that we are living in the presence of God?”

A life of faith is, after all, living in peace with God, feeling at home with God which  involves more than simply doing our duty, following the rules or being nice to other people.

Remember these words found in the Book of Revelation: (3:21) “Look, I am standing at the door, knocking. If one of you hears me calling and opens the door, I will come in to share a meal at your side.”

Might Jesus be knocking on your door and would you invite him in?

Fr Patterson

Cases of Covid-19 rising

Covid cases in our country and in our region continue to rise rapidly due to the highly transmissible Omicron variant. We still have a number of our parishioners who are poorly and self isolating. As a result, wearing a face covering in church at the moment would be greatly appreciated out of consideration for our more vulnerable parishioners. It helps to keep everyone in church safe, by restricting the spread of aerosol particles.

We do still ask everyone to use the hand gel on entering the church and to be sensitive to sitting too close to someone who is already in the bench you enter. They may not be comfortable if you “snuggle up to them.”

All are welcome

Everyone is welcome to join us for the celebration of Mass in St. Patrick’s and St. Alban’s churches. In recent times, it has been a joy to welcome those people of other faiths or none who have come to join us in worship.

Currently, only baptised Catholic people are able to receive Holy Communion and we ask that when you approach the altar you extend your hands towards the minister who will place the sacred host in your hand which you should then consume immediately before returning to your place.

If you are not a Catholic or are indisposed to receive Holy Communion, you are invited to come forward at the appropriate time and receive a blessing, indicating your desire by folding an arm across your chest.

Mass Intentions

Fr. Patterson will celebrate Mass for the following Intentions during the coming week. You may wish to wear a face covering when attending Church.

• Monday – No Mass
• Tuesday: 10.00 in St. Patrick’s Church – Funeral Mass for Connie Hullock
• Wednesday – (Private Mass) Brian Quigley
• Thursday:  10.00 in St. Patrick’s Church – Allan Lavin
• Friday: (Private Mass) – Fr. Michael Keoghan
• Saturday: 18.00 in St. Alban’s Church – For the intentions of all our parishioners
• Sunday: 10.00 in St. Patrick’s Church – Pat Donald

Mass to view on line

Mass is live streamed from our Cathedral on a Sunday. Visit the Cathedral website.

Alternatively, you may like to follow Mass from the Holy Name, Jesmond. Visit the website for Mass times this week.

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

Lord Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most Blessed Sacrament. I love you above all things and I desire to receive you into my soul. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace you as if you were already there and unite myself wholly to you. Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.

Please keep in your prayers:

• all our parishioners who are sick, housebound or in hospital.
• all those near and dear to us whose memories we cherish at this time and
• Connie Hullock, Kevin O’Sullivan and Ronnie Brown who have died. May they rest in peace.

A Prayer for those who have died from Covid

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

A Prayer for Carers, Nurses and Doctors

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

A Prayer for Ukraine

Father, hold the people of Ukraine deep in your heart. Protect them from violence, political gamesmanship and from being used and abused. Give the nations of the world the courage and wisdom to stand up for justice and the courage to care generously. Take from us those traits that see us pursuing our own needs and wants before those of others. Teach us to live in love, dignity and respect, following your ways. We ask this in your name and for your sake. Amen

Bishop Barron’s Sunday Sermons

Each week Bishop Barron offers a Sunday sermon.

Refreshments after Mass

Refreshments will next be served  in St. Patrick’s parish centre after Mass this Sunday, 3rd July.

Could you join the rota to help make tea and coffee?

Are you on a rota?  –  please read on……..

If you have joined one of our rotas in either St. Alban’s or St. Patrick’s churches and find you are unable to fulfil your role on a particular occasion, would you please arrange a substitute. Telephone numbers of other volunteers are printed on each rota.

This is particularly important to ensure that our liturgy and parish activities flow smoothly. With reduced numbers attending our churches, it cannot be presumed that someone can just be “plucked out of the congregation” to take your place. Many thanks.

A sincere thanks

Fr. Patterson wishes to express his gratitude to Joan Owens for choosing to request that donations made in memory of her late husband George, might be given to St. Patrick’s Church funds. A most thoughtful gesture which realised a generous £89.00 donated at the Funeral Mass for George which took place in St. Patrick’s last Thursday.

St Joseph’s Home of the Little Sisters of the Poor, Newcastle

The Little Sisters are looking for volunteers to help throughout the Home with residents’ activities, administration duties, fundraising and other various duties. If you are interested and would like to know more, please contact Sister Evelyn or Mother Deirdre at St Joseph’s Home on  0191 273 1279 for further details.

An important message for those parishioners who are in the Gift Aid Scheme

If you are a tax payer and are already in the parish gift aid scheme for either St. Alban’s or St. Patrick’s, please ensure that you are making your offering either by standing order, bank transfer or using your offertory envelopes which you would have collected in March this year.

Please do not simply place a loose cash offering in the boxes at the church doors. This prevents us being able to record your offering for the Gift Aid scheme with the result that we will be unable to reclaim the tax on your offering. If you did not collect your envelopes for the current year and do not contribute by standing order please contact John the parish Gift Aid Organiser for both St. Alban’s and St. Patrick’s by emailing him at stpatrick.giftaid@outlook.com

Please note this information only applies to those parishioners who are tax payers and already members of the parish gift aid schemes.

Paper £20.00 notes

The paper £20.00 note will cease to be legal tender after 30th September, 2022. It would be greatly appreciated if you would not use them for your offerings after that date.

Please consider making your weekly offering by Standing Order or Bank Transfer

With fewer volunteers prepared to join a “Counting Team” which has had the knock on effect of us having fewer counting teams in both St. Alban’s and St. Patrick’s, it would be greatly appreciated if parishioners who have bank accounts would consider making their offering to either St. Alban’s or St. Patrick’s by Standing Order or Bank Transfer. The details you require to set up a standing order or bank transfer for both parishes can be found below.

If you would like to help by join a counting team, please contact Terry or Christine Harbron for St. Alban’s or Maureen Hodgson for St. Patrick’s.

Taking the collection during Mass

Although no collection is taken during Mass, by way of passing baskets along the benches, we do hope you will support our church financially by placing your offering in the boxes at the entrances to the church. Alternatively you may consider contributing by standing order the details for which are found below.

Your Offertory contributions

To reduce the demands on parish administration, we invite those of you who feel able, to consider making your weekly offering by Standing Order.  The bank details you require for this are printed below. 

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

If you are a tax payer and are not a member of the parish gift aid scheme please consider joining the scheme, it costs you nothing and the parish benefits by being able to reclaim the tax you have already paid on your offering. The parish receives 25p of every £1.00 you give from HMRC. All that is required, is for you to complete a simple form which does not involve you disclosing any personal financial information and is held securely by the Diocesan Finance Office. To obtain a form, or for more information, please email St. Patrick’s Gift Aid organiser at stpatrick.giftaid@outlook.com

For the time being, enquiries concerning the Gift Aid scheme for St. Albans Church should be directed to Fr. Patterson at felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk.

Mrs Bridon is to leave St. Alban’s School

The following letter was sent to the parents and carers of our school children last week by Mr. Nick Hearn, the CEO of the Bishop Wilkinson Academy Trust of which our school is now a part.

Dear Parents/Carers,

I am writing (to) inform you of a change to the leadership team, at St Alban’s from 1^st September 2022 to 31^st August 2023.

Mrs Bridon has been invited to become the headteacher at St Godric’s Catholic Primary School, Durham for (the) next academic year. This post is initially a secondment for one academic year.

Mrs Stokoe, a highly experienced headteacher from St Peter’s Catholic Primary School, Low Fell will become the executive headteacher of St Alban’s with effect from 1^st September 2022. She will be supported by Mrs Robinson, deputy headteacher. This arrangement will ensure that there is a smooth transition for pupils and staff in school as well as ensuring that life at St. Alban’s continues to flourish.

I am sure you will welcome Mrs Stokoe into your school and parish community. I know this will be a great opportunity to share expertise across both school communities.

Yours sincerely

Nick Hurn

Chief Executive Officer

Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust

Addendum

Fr Patterson wishes to make it clear, for our parishioners who are unfamiliar with the workings of the Bishop Wilkinson Academy Trust, that these appointments were made by the Trust. The Local Governing Committee of our school (formerly known as Governors) were not consulted nor involved in any decision making process.

An opportunity to celebrate what makes us one

As we gradually begin to “Learn to live with Covid,” and can continue to ease restrictions, Fr. Patterson, after discussion with Mrs. Bridon and Mrs Robinson, has offered to celebrate a Mass to mark the end of the current school year with an eye to the future for our shared parish family.

As such, Fr Patterson wishes to extend an invitation to all the parishioners from St Alban’s and St Patrick’s to this Mass marking not only the end of another school year but the beginning of what we hope will be a brighter future drawing our shared parishes closer together in what are going to be challenging times ahead.

As many of our parishioners will be aware, when St. John’s School in Felling closed eleven years ago, St Alban’s was designated by the Diocese to be our “new” shared parish school for the children of both St Alban’s parish and St Patrick’s parish. Part of the agreement made at the time of the closure of St. John’s was that the children would be given the opportunity to celebrate school liturgies and Masses in both of our churches  (St. Alban’s and St. Patrick’s) and our end of year Mass is one of those opportunities.

In order to accommodate all the pupils (YR-Y6) safely, which is an important consideration at present with the rapid rise in the transmission of Omicron in our area, and to be able to offer an open invitation to all parents/carers and parishioners, the Mass will be celebrated in St. Patrick’s Church, which has the larger capacity of our two churches and is well ventilated, which is still a requirement of our Diocesan Covid controls. Father Patterson asks that adults attending the Mass might consider wearing a face covering for the well-being of everyone present, especially those who are vulnerable – but this is a decision for each individual to make.

The children will travel to St. Patrick’s by metro and coach. Father Patterson has offered to cover the cost of the transport from the “Friends of St. Patrick’s Fund.”

This celebration provides an opportunity to show our unity and solidarity as a shared parish and school community, resolving to work ever more closely together in the months and years ahead.

So please do make a special effort to come and celebrate this Mass together on Thursday, 21st July, 2022 at 10am. You do not need to have family members in the school to attend, as we are all part of a much larger family which our shared churches and school represents – the Catholic Church, the Family of God!

Vigil Mass on Saturdays in St. Alban’s Church.

St. Alban’s Church is now open for a Vigil Mass on Saturdays at 6pm.

Following Bishop Robert’s advice with the current level of help we have available to us, we are only able to open the church on a Saturday evening. For the time being, it will remain closed during the week for all services. Bishop Robert has asked Fr. Patterson to review the situation after the summer to assess the level of need and support.

If you are attending Mass in St. Alban’s Church, please note the following:-

• Parishioners are asked to enter and leave the church by the main doors only.
• Following advice from the Diocesan Health and Safety Officer, the side door should only be used as an emergency exit.
• You are invited to sanitise your hands as you enter the church
• You may wear a face covering during Mass
• Due to the low ceilings over the congregation, we must ensure adequate ventilation to help dilute and disperse viral particles.  Both inner doors at the rear of the church will remain open throughout Mass (the outer doors will normally be closed) and the side windows will be open. Please dress accordingly as there may be a draught in some areas of the church.
• No collection will be taken during Mass, by way of passing baskets along the benches, but we do hope you will support our parish financially by placing your offering in the offering box as you enter the church.  Alternatively you may consider contributing by standing order, the details for which are:  Account name: DHN Pelaw St Alban, Sort code: 40-34-18, Account No: 92010984.

St. Patrick’s Church needs more support from you

Fr. Patterson wishes to thank those parishioners who have already offered their support in various aspects of parish life, but it is insufficient to be able to rebuild our future.

We need more volunteers for the following:-

• preparing light refreshments in the parish centre after Sunday Mass
• joining the music ministry, whether as an instrumentalist or singer
• assisting with the children’s liturgy when we are in a position to restart it
• offering to help with the opening of the church for Mass and tidying up afterwards on weekdays
• reading at Mass on Tuesdays and/or Thursdays

The more support you give will make it less demanding on any individual or group/team. It is important that we should all play our part in helping to rebuild our shared parish family.

Please indicate your offer of support by emailing the parish office at felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk.

Current Diocesan COVID Controls

Both St. Alban’s and St. Patrick’s churches continue to follow the National Guidelines for Churches issued by the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales which are as follows:

• If you are displaying any symptoms of Covid-19 you should stay at home.
• Hand sanitiser will continue to be offered as you enter and leave church.
• You may wear a face covering during the celebration of Mass.
• Indoor congregational singing can take place with a general encouragement that face coverings are worn.
• Although there is no formal social distancing by way of seating, we ask that when you take your seat, you are sensitive to the needs of other people who are already in a bench and may not be comfortable if you “snuggle up” to them. We have plenty of seating space.
• We will, for the time being, continue to invite you to come forward for Holy Communion, row by row from the front. Holy Communion will continue to be distributed under one kind only. At the end of Mass, you may leave at your leisure.
• It is still important to ventilate our buildings. This has the effect of diluting and dispersing viral particles
• Our “welcomers” will be on hand to greet you and care for you

 John Ingram Walk

The annual John Ingram Walk will take place this year on the afternoon of Sunday, 24 July, organised by the Newcastle St. Vincent de Paul society – more details to follow soon

A Special Report from the ZOE Health Study  – Cases reach record high!

This week, Professor Tim Spector talks about the soaring increase in the spread of the Omicron variant of Covid-19, the growing number of reinfections, a 26% increase in hospitalisations in the last week, and the fact that the Omicron variant is finding a way round our natural immunity and the vaccine with the possibility of people catching Covid every three months! This is evidenced in our own parish community where several of our parishioners have tested positive having had their “Spring Booster!”.

Data from the Office of National statistics may also be of interest to you with 1 in 30 people having Covid in England.

….so it hasn’t gone away

I know! So many people around and about are behaving as if Covid-19 has gone away until it bites them, or a member of their family or a friend. Thankfully the symptoms, although often unpleasant, are not life threatening for most of us – but not for everyone, as the current rise in hospitalisations testifies.

And believe it or not, the government still offers guidance.

To put it simply the government suggests wearing a mask in “crowded and enclosed spaces where you may come into contact with other people you do not normally meet,” and while, if you test positive for Covid you are no longer legally required to self-isolate, you are advised to stay at home and avoid contact with others for at least five full days.

The good thing is the choices we make are ours to make.

The question we should ask, despite “Partygate,” is how thoughtful are we of others in making our choices?

Thanksgiving Mass

A Mass of Thanksgiving for NHS Staff, chaplains and Carers will be celebrated by Bishop Robert on Thursday, 14th July, 2022 at 7pm in St. Mary’s Cathedral. This Celebration will be the opportunity to express the gratitude of the Diocese to medical, nursing and healthcare staff and chaplains as we continue to emerge from the COVID Pandemic.

Please get vaccinated

The Catholic Church continues to promote the participation of everyone in the Covid vaccination programme as part of its mitigation of virus transmission in church and ancillary buildings.

Pope Francis also urges us to do so.

The Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ

Dear Parishioners

“Follow me,” Jesus says.

Do you? If not, what is your excuse?

In the Gospel, read this weekend in our churches (Luke 9: 51-52), we hear of two excuses:-

The first man said, ‘Lord, let me go first and bury my father.’ Jesus answered him, ‘Let the dead bury their dead.’ 

The second follower said,  “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family at home.’ To him Jesus said, “Once the hand is laid on the plough no one who looks back is fit for the kingdom of God”

It’s all about decisions. How decisive are you in following Jesus? That is what lies at the heart of today’s gospel and it is the question we should ask ourselves not only today but on each and every day of our lives. We have, of course, the freedom to make our own decisions; but remember, decisions bring with them consequences.  Are you prepared to accept the consequences of the decisions you make?

Cases of Covid-19 rising

As news reports tell us this week of an increase in cases of Covid-19 around the UK and a number of our parishioners have also been poorly in recent weeks with the virus, if you still wish to wear face coverings in church this is perfectly acceptable, both to keep yourselves and everyone else in church safe, by restricting the spread of aerosol particles.

We do still ask everyone coming into Church to use the hand gel at the door and to be sensitive to sitting too close to someone who is already in the bench you enter who may not be comfortable if you “snuggle up to them.”

All are welcome

Everyone is welcome to join us for the celebration of Mass in St. Patrick’s and St. Alban’s churches. In recent times, it has been a joy to welcome those people of other faiths or none who have come to join us in worship.

Currently, only baptised Catholic people are able to receive Holy Communion and we ask that when you approach the altar you extend your hands towards the minister who will place the sacred host in your hand which you should then consume immediately before returning to your place.

If you are not a Catholic or are indisposed to receive Holy Communion, you are invited to come forward at the appropriate time and receive a blessing, indicating your desire by folding an arm across your chest.

Mass Intentions

Fr. Patterson will celebrate Mass for the following Intentions during the coming week.

• Monday – No Mass
• Tuesday: (Private Mass) – Fr. Harry Ryan
• Wednesday: 10am in St. Patrick’s Church: Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul – For the intentions of all our parishioners
• Thursday: 10am in St. Patrick’s Church – Funeral Mass for George Owens                   
• Friday: (Private Mass) – In Thanksgiving (NF)
• Saturday: 6pm in St. Alban’s Church – For the intentions of all our parishioners
• Sunday: 10am in St. Patrick’s Church – Patsy Rafferty

Mass to view on line

Mass is live streamed from our Cathedral on a Sunday. Visit the Cathedral website.

Alternatively, you may like to follow Mass from the Holy Name, Jesmond. Visit the website for Mass times this week.

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

Lord Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most Blessed Sacrament. I love you above all things and I desire to receive you into my soul. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace you as if you were already there and unite myself wholly to you. Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.

Please keep in your prayers:

• all our parishioners who are sick, housebound or in hospital
• all those near and dear to us whose memories we cherish at this time and,
• George Owens, Connie Hullock, Kevin O’Sullivan and Ronnie Brown who have died. May they rest in peace.

A Prayer for those who have died from Covid

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

A Prayer for Carers, Nurses and Doctors

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

A Prayer for Ukraine

Father, hold the people of Ukraine deep in your heart. Protect them from violence, political gamesmanship and from being used and abused. Give the nations of the world the courage and wisdom to stand up for justice and the courage to care generously. Take from us those traits that see us pursuing our own needs and wants before those of others. Teach us to live in love, dignity and respect, following your ways. We ask this in your name and for your sake. Amen

An Invitation

Bishop Robert Byrne cordially invites you to a Mass to mark the 80th birthday of Bishop Seamus Cunningham which will be celebrated on Thursday, 30th June at 12.05 pm in St Mary’s Cathedral.  All are most welcome to attend.

Bishop Barron’s Sunday Sermons

Each week Bishop Barron offers a Sunday sermon.

Are you on a rota?  –  please read on……..

If you have joined one of our rotas in either St. Alban’s or St. Patrick’s churches and find you are unable to fulfil your role on a particular occasion, would you please arrange a substitute. Telephone numbers of other volunteers are printed on each rota.

This is particularly important to ensure that our liturgy and parish activities flow smoothly. With reduced numbers attending our churches, it cannot be presumed that someone can just be “plucked out of the congregation” to take your place. Many thanks.

The Past Two Years  –  Moving On

Fr. Patterson is more than grateful to those who prepared and supported our “Moving On” evening of prayer, reflection and sharing our experiences of how our lives have changed in the past two years as a result of the pandemic last Thursday.

Mass sheets

Thanks to those of you who have expressed your appreciation at the provision of Mass sheets in both of our churches which provide the text of the prayers and readings for Mass. We will continue to make them available for the foreseeable future. Please collect one when you enter church, if you do not happen to be offered one by our welcomers. Please feel free to take them home with you. You may value the opportunity of re-reading and reflecting on the readings during the course of the week.

Refreshments after Mass

Refreshments will next be served  in St. Patrick’s parish centre after Mass on Sunday, 3rd July.

Could you join the rota to help make tea and coffee?

St Joseph’s Home of the Little Sisters of the Poor, Newcastle

The Little Sisters are looking for volunteers to help throughout the Home with residents’ activities, administration duties, fundraising and other various duties. If you are interested and would like to know more, please contact Sister Evelyn or Mother Deirdre at St Joseph’s Home on  0191 273 1279 for further details.

Are you able to support the Diocesan Refugee Project?

 The organisers of this project express their renewed thanks for your ongoing support of their work.  The project supports over 400 asylum seekers and tries to provide them all with a bag of food. Those who are destitute also receive a supermarket voucher. Donations of sugar, biscuits, tinned fish in oil, tins of tomatoes and chick peas may be left on the table to your right as you enter the front of St. Patrick’s Church or on any table if you enter by the rear door. A basket is also available in the porch at St. Alban’s. They are particularly in need of toiletries and shampoo. Please note: baked beans and tinned meat are not required.

Peter’s Pence

The annual collection for Peter’s Pence takes place this Sunday, 26th June, 2022.  Offerings are designated for the Pope’s apostolic and charitable ministry. Should you wish to support this you may put your donation in an envelope marked “Peter’s Pence” and place it in the offering boxes in both churches. Those of you with boxes of envelopes should find an envelope in your box.

Taking the collection during Mass

Although no collection is taken during Mass, by way of passing baskets along the benches, we do hope you will support our church financially by placing your offering in the boxes at the entrances to the church. Alternatively you may consider contributing by standing order the details for which are found below.

Your Offertory contributions

To reduce the demands on parish administration, we invite those of you who feel able, to consider making your weekly offering by Standing Order.  The bank details you require for this are printed below. 

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

If you are a tax payer and are not a member of the parish gift aid scheme please consider joining the scheme, it costs you nothing and the parish benefits by being able to reclaim the tax you have already paid on your offering. The parish receives 25p of every £1.00 you give from HMRC. All that is required, is for you to complete a simple form which does not involve you disclosing any personal financial information and is held securely by the Diocesan Finance Office. To obtain a form, or for more information, please email St. Patrick’s Gift Aid organiser at stpatrick.giftaid@outlook.com

For the time being, enquiries concerning the Gift Aid scheme for St. Albans Church should be directed to Fr. Patterson at felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk.

The Parish Newsletter by email

Could you help to offset the cost of printing paper copies of the Newsletter by having it sent to you by email? Many of you have been receiving it electronically throughout the pandemic and continue to do so. If you do not already receive it in this way and would like to receive the Newsletter and other news from the parish by email, please send your request to felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk and you will be added to our contact list.

A few printed copies will still be available from St. Patrick’s and St. Alban’s churches, on the days they are open for Mass, for those of you who do not have access to email.

Returning your call

If you telephone the presbytery and there is no-one available to take your call, you may choose to leave a message. We will do all we can to return your call. However we are only able to do so if you leave your telephone number!! For safeguarding reasons, we are unable to return anonymous calls,  so please leave both your name and number for your call to be returned. For security reasons, the presbytery number is sometimes withheld for outgoing calls, so please bear this in mind if you are expecting us to return your call.

Might God be calling you to be a priest?

If you would like more information, please contact the Diocesan Vocations Team: Fr. John Bagnall 01207 502 196 vocationspriests@diocesehn.org.uk or Fr Shaun Purdy 01670 812 200 vocationspromoter@diocesehn.org.uk.

Thanksgiving Mass

A Mass of Thanksgiving for NHS Staff, chaplains and Carers will be celebrated by Bishop Robert on Thursday, 14th July, 2022 at 7pm in St. Mary’s Cathedral. This Celebration will be the opportunity to express the gratitude of the Diocese to medical, nursing and healthcare staff and chaplains as we continue to emerge from the COVID Pandemic.

Please get vaccinated

The Catholic Church continues to promote the participation of everyone in the Covid vaccination programme as part of its mitigation of virus transmission in church and ancillary buildings.

Pope Francis also urges us to do so.

ZOE Covid fortnightly update – We are in a new COVID wave

This week, Tim is talking about the new COVID wave we’re currently in driven by the Omicron BA.5 variant. He’ll take you through the data including the number of new daily Long COVID cases. Tim also discusses the symptoms trend we’re seeing in the ZOE Health Study app. 

In a separate blog, the updated symptoms of Omicron are discussed.

Data from the Office of National statistics may also be of interest to you with 1 in 40 people having Covid in England.

The Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ

Dear Parishioners

Meals are important, but so many of us have lost sight of that in today’s fast food society when it is rare for people to sit down to a meal together. It’s often much easier to put a ready meal in the microwave or to order a delivery online and then to eat it in front of the TV.

For Jesus meals were very significant, as the second reading heard at Mass this weekend reminds us. (1 Cor 11:23-26). That moment when Jesus gave us the central act of Catholic worship, a sacred meal, by which his followers would be nourished by his own Body and Blood foreshadowing the banquet of heaven.

To receive the Body that was given for us and the Blood that was shed for us is not an excuse for a party or getting dressed up. It is to be called to follow the example of Jesus’ act of total self-giving; to be strengthened to live holy lives, devoted to God and the needs of our brothers and sisters.

That is why the Mass matters and should be at the centre of our lives as Catholic people for it calls us to live in tune with the sacred meal that is set before us.  

May the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ bring eternal life to those who receive it. 

Fr Patterson

Eucharistic Festival at Ushaw  –  Fully Booked

This event which is being held on Sunday is now fully booked. You are asked not to attend unless you have registered and have received an acknowledgement of your booking.

Refreshments after Mass

Refreshments will be served in St. Patrick’s parish centre after Mass this Sunday, 19th June.

Could you join the rota to help make tea and coffee?

All are welcome

Everyone is welcome to join us for the celebration of Mass in St. Patrick’s church. In recent times, it is has been a joy to welcome those people of other faiths or none who have come to join us in worship.

Currently, only baptised Catholic people are able to receive Holy Communion and we ask that when you approach the altar you extend your hands towards the minister who will place the sacred host in your hand which you should then immediately consume before returning to your place.

If you are not a Catholic or are indisposed to receive Holy Communion, you are invited to come forward at the appropriate time and receive a blessing, indicating your desire by folding an arm across your chest.

 Mass Intentions

Fr. Patterson will celebrate Mass for the following Intentions during the coming week. You may wish to wear a face covering when attending Church.

• Monday – No Mass
• Tuesday: 10am in St. Patrick’s Church – Patsy and Rose Wright and Patricia Jameson
• Wednesday: (Private Mass) – Fr. Peter Smith
• Thursday:  10am in St. Patrick’s Church – LDM Makepeace and Shanks Family                            
• Friday: (Private Mass) – Fr. Richard Harriott
• Saturday: 6pm in St. Alban’s Church – For the intentions of all our parishioners
• Sunday:10am in St. Patrick’s Church – John Donald 

Mass to view on line

Mass is live streamed from our Cathedral on a Sunday. Visit the Cathedral website.

Alternatively, you may like to follow Mass from the Holy Name, Jesmond. Visit the website for Mass times this week.

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

Lord Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most Blessed Sacrament. I love you above all things and I desire to receive you into my soul. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace you as if you were already there and unite myself wholly to you. Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.

Please keep in your prayers:

• all our parishioners who are sick, housebound or in hospital
• all those near and dear to us whose memories we cherish at this time and,
• George Owens who has died. May he rest in peace. 

A Prayer for those who have died from Covid

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

A Prayer for Carers, Nurses and Doctors

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

A Prayer for the Ukraine

Lord God, hold the people of Ukraine deep in your heart. Protect them from violence, from political gamesmanship, from being used and abused. Give the nations of the world the courage and the wisdom to stand up for justice and the courage to care generously. Take from us those traits that see us pursuing our own needs and wants before those of others. Teach us how to live in love and dignity and respect, following your ways. We ask this in your name and for your sake. Amen

A Prayer for Corpus Christi

Gracious and merciful God, in a wonderful Sacrament you have given us a memorial of the passion of your Son. Grant that we who receive this great Sacrament, may grow to be like him in all things until we come to your eternal joy; through our Saviour Jesus Christ who is alive with you and the Holy Spirit, God now and for ever. Amen.

Day for Life – A Prayer for the Elderly

I thank you, Lord, for the comfort of your presence. Even in times of loneliness you are my hope and my confidence, my rock and my fortress since my youth!

I thank you for having given me a family and for having blessed me with a long life. I thank you for moments of joy and difficulty, for the dreams that have already come true in my life and for those that are still ahead of me. I thank you for this time of renewed fruitfulness to which you call me.

Increase, O Lord, my faith, make me a channel of your peace, teach me to embrace those who suffer more than me, to never stop dreaming and to tell of your wonders to new generations. Sustain me in weakness and help me to live life to the full in each moment that you give me, in the certainty that you are with me every day until the end of time.     

Bishop Barron’s Sunday Sermons

Each week Bishop Barron offers a Sunday sermon.

It was recently announced that Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Barron as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester (Minnesota).

The Past Two Years  –  Moving On – 23rd June, 2002 at 18.30 – St. Patrick’s Parish Centre

We have all been affected one way or another by the Covid pandemic and life will never be quite the same.

If you would value an opportunity to pause, reflect on your experiences, thoughts, feelings and memories of the past two years we invite you to join together in St Patrick’s parish centre on Thursday, 23rd June at 6.30pm.

In a gentle and non threatening way, we will try to link our feelings to the “Road to Emmaus” where the two disciples walked and talked with Jesus sharing their joys, their challenges, their fears and their grief. Then there was Thomas who, from a place of fear and vulnerability, discovered Jesus inviting him to touch his wounds.

Maybe we need to be more accepting of our own vulnerability and, like Thomas, share our woundedness with Jesus.

We offer this opportunity where you can feel safe, can be heard and also be a listener for others in sharing our stories from the past two years. Maybe now is the time to lay our fears aside so that like the disciples walking to Emmaus, we might recognise that Jesus was and is walking alongside us

You may like to bring a friend, relative or neighbour.

Mass sheets

For a trial period, we shall offer you a Mass sheet when you enter church which provides the text of the prayers and readings for Mass. This sheet will replace the Parish Mass Books which we have used in the past.

St. Patrick’s Church Cleaning

Thanks to those parishioners who came along to clean the church last Friday evening. Your time and effort were greatly appreciated.

Are you able to support the Diocesan Refugee Project?

 Your ongoing support of this project would be welcomed.  It supports over 400 asylum seekers. The project tries to provide them all with a bag of food and those who are destitute also receive a supermarket voucher. Donations of sugar, biscuits, tinned fish in oil, tins of tomatoes and chick peas may be left on the table to your right as you enter the front of St. Patrick’s Church or on any table if you enter by the rear door. A basket is also available in the porch at St. Alban’s. They are particularly in need of toiletries and shampoo. Please note: baked beans and tinned meat are not required.

Vigil Mass on Saturdays in St. Alban’s Church.

St. Alban’s Church is now reopen for a Vigil Mass on Saturdays at 6pm.

Following Bishop Robert’s advice with the current level of help we have available to us, we are only able to open the church on a Saturday evening. For the time being, it will remain closed during the week for all services. Bishop Robert has asked Fr. Patterson to review the situation after the summer to assess the level of need and support.

If you are attending Mass in St. Alban’s Church, please note the following:

• Parishioners are asked to enter and leave the church by the main doors only. The side door should only be used as an emergency exit.
• You are invited to sanitise your hands as you enter the church
• You may wear a face covering during Mass
• Due to the low ceilings over the congregation, we must ensure adequate ventilation to help dilute and disperse viral particles.  Both inner doors at the rear of the church will remain open throughout Mass (the outer doors will normally be closed) and the side windows will be open. Please dress accordingly as there may be a draught in some areas of the church.
• No collection will be taken during Mass, by way of passing baskets along the benches, but we do hope you will support our parish financially by placing your offering in the offering box as you enter the church.  Alternatively you may consider contributing by standing order, the details for which are:  
  Account name: DHN Pelaw St Alban, Sort code: 40-34-18, Account No: 92010984

St. Patrick’s Church needs more support from you

Fr. Patterson wishes to thank those parishioners who have already offered their support in various aspects of parish life, but it is insufficient to be able to rebuild our future.

We need more volunteers for the following:-

• preparing light refreshments in the parish centre after Sunday Mass
• joining the music ministry, whether as an instrumentalist or singer
• assisting with the children’s liturgy when we are in a position to restart it
• offering to help with the opening of the church for Mass and tidying up afterwards on weekdays
• reading at Mass on Tuesdays and/or Thursdays

The more support you give will make it less demanding on any individual or group/team. It is important that we should all play our part in helping to rebuild our shared parish family.

Please indicate your offer of support by emailing the parish office at felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk.

 Current Diocesan COVID Controls

In keeping with the National Guidelines for Churches issued by the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales the following  arrangements for St. Patrick’s Church are as follows:

• If you are displaying any symptoms of Covid-19 you should stay at home.
• Hand sanitiser will continue to be offered as you enter and leave church.
• You may wear a face covering during the celebration of Mass.
• Indoor congregational singing can take place with a general encouragement that face coverings are worn.
• Although there is no formal social distancing by way of seating, we ask that when you take your seat, you are sensitive to the needs of other people who are already in a bench and may not be comfortable if you “snuggle up” to them. We have plenty of seating space.
• We will, for the time being, continue to invite you to come forward for Holy Communion, row by row from the front. Holy Communion will continue to be distributed under one kind only. At the end of Mass, you may leave at your leisure.
• It is still important to ventilate our buildings. This has the effect of diluting and dispersing viral particles.
• Welcomers will be on hand to greet you and care for you.

Are you on a rota?  –  please read on……..

If you have joined one of our rotas in either St. Alban’s or St. Patrick’s churches and find you are unable to fulfil your role on a particular occasion, would you please arrange a substitute. Telephone numbers of other volunteers are printed on each rota.

This is particularly important to ensure that our liturgy and parish activities flow smoothly. With reduced numbers attending our churches, it cannot be presumed that someone can just be “plucked out of the congregation” to take your place. Many thanks.

An Invitation

Bishop Robert Byrne cordially invites you to a Mass to mark the 80th birthday of Bishop Seamus Cunningham which will be held on Thursday, 30th June at 12.05pm in St Mary’s Cathedral.  All are most welcome to attend.

Peter’s Pence

The annual collection for Peter’s Pence takes place next Sunday, 26th June, 2022.  Offerings are designated for the Pope’s apostolic and charitable ministry. Should you wish to support this you may put your donation in an envelope marked “Peter’s Pence” and place it in the offering boxes in both churches. Those of you with boxes of envelopes should find an envelope in your box.

Day for Life Message from Pope Francis

Pope Francis sends cordial greetings and good wishes to those participating in the 2022 Day for Life which is celebrated in Scotland, England and Wales, and Ireland under the theme “Caring for the Older Person”. His Holiness prays that the efforts in the defence of the God-given value and dignity of every human life, in all its stages, will be fruitful in drawing attention to the particular worth of our elderly brothers and sisters, for they “are not outcasts to be shunned but living signs of the goodness of God who bestows life in abundance.”He likewise trusts that a greater awareness of the essential contribution the elderly make to the spiritual and material wellbeing of every society will help to counter the “throwaway culture” and foster the bonds of charity and fraternity between the generations. With these sentiments and the assurance of his closeness in prayer, the Holy Father sends his blessing as a pledge of joy and peace in Jesus who is the way, the truth and the life. 

Day for Life collection

Should you wish to support the work of the Anscombe Bioethics Centre (www.bioethics.org.uk) and other life-related activities supported by the Church you may put your donation in an envelope marked “Day for Life” and place it in the offering boxes in both churches. Those of you with boxes of envelopes should find an envelope in your box.

Rwanda Statement from our Bishops

Bishop Paul McAleenan, who has special responsibility for migrants and is Chair of the Office for Migration Policy at the Catholic Bishops’ Conference made this statement on June 14th 2022:

“The UK’s plans to forcibly deport to Rwanda some of those seeking refuge in our country is shamefully illustrative of what Pope Francis has called the ‘loss of that sense of responsibility for our brothers and sisters on which every civil society is based.

The plan is presented as a humanitarian response to combat people trafficking and smuggling yet the result will compound the suffering of those who are already victims. Crime is defeated by confronting the perpetrators not by punishing victims. This scheme will increase the difficulties of those hoping for a new beginning, and it does nothing to address the problems which cause people to flee their homes.

Migration is a complex issue, but it is not resolved by delegating our roles and responsibilities to other countries. Our starting point should be the innate dignity of every person, created in the image and likeness of God. Our Christian faith demands that we respond generously to asylum seekers whose dignity must be protected and upheld.

Whether or not the flight to Rwanda takes off today we are now in a new situation. With greater force we insist that asylum seekers are not commodities for profit, nor are they problems to be rejected and deported by government. Instead we should be guided by the four verbs provided by Pope Francis in our approach to migrants and refugees, ‘Welcome, protect, promote and integrate’.

The Parish Newsletter by email

Could you help to offset the cost of printing paper copies of the Newsletter by having it sent to you by email? Many of you have been receiving it electronically throughout the pandemic and continue to do so. If you do not already receive it in this way and would like to receive the Newsletter and other news from the parish by email, please send your request to felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk and you will be added to our contact list.

A few printed copies will still be available from St. Patrick’s and St. Alban’s churches, on the days they are open for Mass, for those of you who do not have access to email.

Thanksgiving Mass

A Mass of Thanksgiving for NHS Staff, chaplains and Carers will be celebrated by Bishop Robert on Thursday, 14th July, 2022 at 7pm in St. Mary’s Cathedral. This Celebration will be the opportunity to express the gratitude of the Diocese to medical, nursing and healthcare staff and chaplains as we continue to emerge from the COVID Pandemic.

Taking the collection during Mass

Although no collection is taken during Mass, by way of passing baskets along the benches, we do hope you will support our church financially by placing your offering in the boxes at the entrances to the church. Alternatively you may consider contributing by standing order the details for which are found below.

Your Offertory contributions

To reduce the demands on parish administration, we invite those of you who feel able, to consider making your weekly offering by Standing Order.  The bank details you require for this are printed below. 

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

If you are a tax payer and are not a member of the parish gift aid scheme please consider joining the scheme, it costs you nothing and the parish benefits by being able to reclaim the tax you have already paid on your offering. The parish receives 25p of every £1.00 you give from HMRC. All that is required, is for you to complete a simple form which does not involve you disclosing any personal financial information and is held securely by the Diocesan Finance Office. To obtain a form, or for more information, please email St. Patrick’s Gift Aid organiser at stpatrick.giftaid@outlook.com

For the time being, enquiries concerning the Gift Aid scheme for St. Albans Church should be directed to Fr. Patterson at felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk.

Covid cases on the rise after Platinum Jubilee Celebrations

The Office of National Statistics has published figures to show that in the most recent week (ending 11 June for England, Wales and Northern Ireland; week ending 10 June for Scotland), there was an increase in the percentage of people testing positive for COVID-19 in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland likely caused by infections compatible with Omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5. In England, the estimated number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was 1,131,000 equating to around 1 in 50 people.

Please get vaccinated

The Catholic Church continues to promote the participation of everyone in the Covid vaccination programme as part of its mitigation of virus transmission in church and ancillary buildings.

Pope Francis also urges us to do so.

ZOE Covid fortnightly update.

This week Professor Tim Spector shares some research on Long COVID by his colleagues at Kings College London using ZOE Health Study data, as well as the initial results of the menopause and food survey. He also shares the latest COVID updates, as well as news on monkeypox. 

In a separate blog, the updated symptoms of Omicron are discussed.

Trinity Sunday

Dear Parishioners

We read in the Book of Genesis that we were created in God’s image and likeness. In each human person lies an imprint, a shadow, of the God who created us. This means that we share in the unique relationship we celebrate this weekend on the Feast of the Blessed Trinity.

We grow up being told that the Trinity is a mystery and we cannot understand it. The temptation is therefore to dismiss it and not reflect upon it.

The truth is that every time we enter into a relationship with another, every time we love another or experience the love of another, every time we share a meal or a chat or a drink with a friend, we are experiencing what God’s life is like – God’s Trinitarian life of perfect love, infinite harmonious relationship and never ending, respectful friendship.

So even though the Trinity may be a mystery for some, it can be a living realty for others.

Let our lives give glory to the Father, to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

Fr Patterson

Mass sheets

For a trial period, we shall offer you a Mass sheet when you enter church which provides the text of the prayers and readings for Mass. This sheet will replace the Parish Mass Books which we have used in the past.

Refreshments after Mass

Thanks to everyone who helped to create a wonderful party spirit over refreshments served in St Patrick’s parish centre last Sunday after Mass. Refreshments will next be served on Sunday 19th June.

All are welcome

Everyone is welcome to join us for the celebration of Mass in St Patrick’s church. In recent times, it is has been a joy to welcome those people of other faiths or none who have come to join us in worship.

Currently, only baptised Catholic people are able to receive Holy Communion and we ask that when you approach the altar you extend your hands towards the minister who will place the sacred host in your hand which you should then immediately consume before returning to your place.

If you are not a Catholic or are indisposed to receive Holy Communion, you are invited to come forward at the appropriate time and receive a blessing, indicating your desire by folding an arm across your chest.

Mass Intentions

Fr. Patterson will celebrate Mass for the following Intentions during the coming week. You may wish to wear a face covering when attending Church.

• Monday – No Mass
• Tuesday: 10am in St. Patrick’s Church – Rachel and Craig Berry
• Wednesday: (Private Mass) – Fr. Bill O’Gorman
• Thursday:  10am in St. Patrick’s Church – In Thanksgiving (BH) 
• Friday: (Private Mass) – Fr. Wilfrid Elkin
• Saturday: 6pm in St. Alban’s Church – For the intentions of all our parishioners
• Sunday: 10am in St. Patrick’s Church – Carol Belton

Mass to view on line

Mass is live streamed from our Cathedral on a Sunday. Visit the Cathedral website.

Alternatively, you may like to follow Mass from the Holy Name, Jesmond. Visit the website for Mass times this week.

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

Lord Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most Blessed Sacrament. I love you above all things and I desire to receive you into my soul. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace you as if you were already there and unite myself wholly to you. Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.

Please keep in your prayers:

• all our parishioners who are sick, housebound or in hospital.
• all those near and dear to us whose memories we cherish at this time especially Carol Belton and John Donald and,
• Fr Michael Keoghan who has died. May he rest in peace. 

A Prayer for Carers, Nurses and Doctors

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

A time to pray

Please join together in prayer for the 155,977 people who have died in our country from the coronavirus. (Figures of 10th June)

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

A Prayer for the Ukraine

Lord God, hold the people of Ukraine deep in your heart. Protect them from violence, from political gamesmanship, from being used and abused. Give the nations of the world the courage and the wisdom to stand up for justice and the courage to care generously. Take from us those traits that see us pursuing our own needs and wants before those of others. Teach us how to live in love and dignity and respect, following your ways. We ask this in your name and for your sake. Amen

A Prayer for Trinity Sunday

One God, three Persons, be near to the people of the world you formed in your image, close to the world which your love brings to life. Let your will for the world be accomplished through the decisions we make, give us a vision of peace and reconciliation and let us be to others as we would wish them to be to us.

Bishop Barron’s Sunday Sermons

Each week Bishop Barron offers a Sunday sermon.

It was recently announced that Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Barron as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester (Minnesota).

St. Patrick’s Church needs more support from you

Fr Patterson wishes to thank those parishioners who have offered their support in various aspects of parish life, but it is insufficient to be able to rebuild our future.

A limited amount of help now enables us to offer two public weekday Masses on a Tuesday and Thursday, but we need more volunteers for the following:-

• preparing light refreshments in the parish centre after Sunday Mass
• joining the music ministry, whether as an instrumentalist or singer
• assisting with the children’s liturgy when we are in a position to restart it
• offering to help with the opening of the church for Mass and tidying up afterwards on weekdays
• reading at Mass on Tuesdays and/or Thursdays

The more support you give will make it less demanding on any individual or group/team. It is important that we should all play our part in helping to rebuild our shared parish family.

Please indicate your offer of support by emailing the parish office at felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk.

Vigil Mass on Saturdays in St. Alban’s Church.

In his meeting with Fr Patterson,  Bishop Robert expressed his concern that the current level of support offered by parishioners is not what was hoped for, but agreed with Fr. Patterson, that we could proceed with the reopening of the church, initially for a Saturday Vigil Mass only, to assess the level of need and support. The church will remain closed during the week for all services. Bishop Robert has asked Fr. Patterson to review the situation after the summer.

We are now in a position to reopen St. Alban’s Church for a Vigil Mass at 6pm from Saturday, 11th June.

Please note the following:-

• Parishioners are asked to enter and leave the church by the main doors only.
• The side door should only be used as an emergency exit.
• You are invited to sanitise your hands as you enter the church
• You may wear a face covering during Mass
• Due to the low ceilings over the congregation, Bishop Robert advises that the church is adequately ventilated to help dilute and disperse viral particles. As such, both inner doors at the rear of the church will remain open throughout Mass (the outer doors will be closed) and the side windows will be open. Please dress accordingly as there may be a draught in some areas of the church.
• No collection will be taken during Mass, by way of passing baskets along the benches, but we do hope you will support our parish financially by placing your offering in the basket as you enter the church.  Alternatively you may consider contributing by standing order, the details for which are:  
  
  Account name: DHN Pelaw St Alban, Sort code: 40-34-18, Account No: 92010984

Current Diocesan COVID Controls

In keeping with the National Guidelines for Churches issued by the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales the following  arrangements for St. Patrick’s Church are as follows:

• If you are displaying any symptoms of Covid-19 you should stay at home.
• Hand sanitiser will continue to be offered as you enter and leave church.
• You may wear a face covering during the celebration of Mass
• Indoor congregational singing can take place with a general encouragement that face coverings are worn.
• Although there is no formal social distancing by way of seating, we ask that when you take your seat, you are sensitive to the needs of other people who are already in a bench and may not be comfortable if you “snuggle up” to them. We have plenty of seating space.
• We will, for the time being, continue to invite you to come forward for Holy Communion, row by row from the front. Holy Communion will continue to be distributed under one kind only. At the end of Mass, you may leave at your leisure.
• It is still important to ventilate our buildings. This has the effect of diluting and dispersing viral particles.
• Welcomers will be on hand to greet you and care for you. 

The Past Two Years  –  Moving On – 23rd June, 2002 at 18.30

We have all been affected one way or another by the Covid pandemic and life will never be quite the same.

If you would value an opportunity to pause, reflect on your experiences, thoughts, feelings and memories of the past two years we invite you to join together in St. Patrick’s parish centre on Thursday, 23rd June at 6.30pm.

In a gentle and non threatening way, we will try to link our feelings to the “Road to Emmaus” where the two disciples walked and talked with Jesus sharing their joys, their challenges, their fears and then their grief. Then there was Thomas who, from a place of fear and vulnerability, discovered Jesus inviting him to touch his wounds.

Maybe we need to be more accepting of our own vulnerability and, like Thomas, to share our woundedness with Jesus.

We offer this opportunity where you can feel safe, can be heard and also be a listener for others in sharing our stories from the past two years. 

Like the disciples hiding in the upper room at Pentecost maybe now is the time to lay our fears aside so that like the disciples walking to Emmaus, we might recognise that Jesus was and is walking alongside us

You may like to bring a friend, relative or neighbour.

St. Patrick’s Church Cleaning

Volunteers are needed to clean the church on Friday evening, 17th June from 18.00. Entry by the Church Street door.

Congratulations

Our prayerful good wishes go to Alesandra and Denise and to their families on the occasion of their celebration of the Holy Eucharist for the first time last Sunday and for sharing some delicious food with us afterwards in St. Patrick’s parish centre.

A Day of Prayer for Human Life

This is the day in the Church’s year dedicated to raising awareness about the meaning and value of human life at every stage and in every condition. The Church teaches that life is to be nurtured from conception to natural death. Day for Life will be celebrated next Sunday, 19th June, 2022. For further information, please visit the Day for Life website www.dayforlife.org

Should you wish to support the work of the Anscombe Bioethics Centre (www.bioethics.org.uk) and other life-related activities supported by the Church you may put your donation in an envelope marked “Day for Life” and place it in the offering boxes in both churches. Those of you with boxes of envelopes should find an envelope in your box.

An Invitation

Bishop Robert Byrne cordially invites you to a Mass to mark the 80th birthday of Bishop Seamus Cunningham which will be held on Thursday, 30th June at 12.05 pm in St Mary’s Cathedral.  All are most welcome to attend.

Eucharistic Festival at Ushaw.

This event will take place at Ushaw next Sunday, 19th June from 15.00 – 16.30. Free entry into Ushaw from 2.30pm.

As there are limited places available, booking is required. It appears that this event may be fully booked as it is no longer possible to register on line.

It has been organised by the Vicariate for Faith and Mission. If you haven’t registered but would still like to attend you could try telephoning the Vicariate on 0191 243 3316 or 07375 934713 for further information.

Photographs will be taken at this event for use in Diocesan promotional materials.

Anyone showing Covid symptoms within 10 days of the festival is advised not to attend the event.

Fr. Mark Carroll

Fr. Carroll, who came to celebrate Mass for us before the pandemic to enable Fr. Patterson to take a holiday, celebrated his Diamond Jubilee of Ordination to the Priesthood on 3rd June, 2022.  Fr. Patterson assured him of the prayers and good wishes of us all.

Fr Paddy Kennedy

Fr Kennedy, who served as an assistant priest at St. Patrick’s from August, 1962 to May, 1966, will be celebrating the Diamond Jubilee of his Ordination to the Priesthood this year and the parishioners of St. Gregory’s, South Shields, where he is living in retirement, invite you to join him for a Mass of Thanksgiving on Thursday, 16th June at 10am in St Gregory’s Church, South Shields followed by refreshments in the Church Hall after Mass.

Are you able to support the Diocesan Refugee Project?

Your ongoing support of this project would be welcomed.  It supports over 400 asylum seekers. The project tries to provide them all with a bag of food and those who are destitute also receive a supermarket voucher. Donations of sugar, biscuits, tinned fish in oil, tins of tomatoes and chick peas may be left on the table to your right as you enter the front of St. Patrick’s Church or on any table if you enter by the rear door. A basket is also available in the porch at St. Alban’s. They are particularly in need of toiletries and shampoo. Please note: baked beans and tinned meat are not required.

Certificate in Pastoral Ministry

Are you currently involved in Church ministry but wish you knew more about your faith? Do you sometimes lack confidence and feel you could benefit from further training and formation? Do you want to grow in your faith and ministry and perhaps find new ways to share your gifts with others? We have a course designed just for you.  The Certificate in Pastoral Ministry is an online, two-year learning experience created with the busy person in mind. It will take you on a journey of discovery about key aspects of the Catholic faith while helping you to reflect upon your own ministry and the ministry of others.  To find out more, join us online for one of our information evenings: Tuesday 14th June, 2022 or Wednesday 22nd June, 2022 from 19.30 – 21.00. To register your interest for one of the information evenings, or for further information please email adminfaith.mission@diocesehn.org.uk.  

The Parish Newsletter on the Parish Website

Some of you were unable to find the Newsletter on the parish website last weekend as the “button” you have been used to clicking had changed back to how it was pre-pandemic time. As our parishes are slowly getting back to normal, this change was necessary and that button now takes you to all Mass times. You can, as always, access the Newsletter from the menu at the top of every page or by the ‘quick link’ to News towards the bottom of the page.

The Parish Newsletter by email

Could you help to offset the cost of printing paper copies of the Newsletter by having it sent to you by email? Many of you have been receiving it electronically throughout the pandemic and continue to do so. If you do not already receive it in this way and would like to receive the Newsletter and other news from the parish by email, please send your request to felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk and you will be added to our contact list. The Newsletter may also be found on our parish website.

A few printed copies will still be available from St. Patrick’s and St. Alban’s churches, on the days they are open for Mass, for those of you who do not have access to email.

Taking the collection during Mass

Although no collection is taken during Mass, by way of passing baskets along the benches, we do hope you will support our church financially by placing your offering in the boxes at the entrances to the church. Alternatively you may consider contributing by standing order the details for which are found below.

Your Offertory contributions

To reduce the demands on parish administration, we invite those of you who feel able, to consider making your weekly offering by Standing Order.  The bank details are: 

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

If you are a tax payer and are not a member of the parish gift aid scheme please consider joining the scheme, it costs you nothing and the parish benefits by being able to reclaim the tax you have already paid on your offering. The parish receives 25p of every £1.00 you give from HMRC. All that is required, is for you to complete a simple form which does not involve you disclosing any personal financial information and is held securely by the Diocesan Finance Office. To obtain a form, or for more information, please email St. Patrick’s Gift Aid organiser at stpatrick.giftaid@outlook.com

For the time being, enquiries concerning the Gift Aid scheme for St. Albans Church should be directed to Fr. Patterson at felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk.

The Universal Synod

The Diocesan Submission to the Universal Synod has been completed and published.

Thanksgiving Mass

A Mass of Thanksgiving for NHS Staff, chaplains and Carers will be celebrated by Bishop Robert on Thursday, 14th July, 2022 at 7pm in St. Mary’s Cathedral. This Celebration will be the opportunity to express the gratitude of the Diocese to medical, nursing and healthcare staff and chaplains as we continue to emerge from the COVID Pandemic.

Please get vaccinated

The Catholic Church continues to promote the participation of everyone in the Covid vaccination programme as part of its mitigation of virus transmission in church and ancillary buildings.

Pope Francis also urges us to do so.

ZOE Covid fortnightly update.

This week Professor Tim Spector shares some research on Long COVID by his colleagues at Kings College London using ZOE Health Study data, as well as the initial results of the menopause and food survey. He also shares the latest COVID updates, as well as news on monkeypox. 

In a separate blog, the updated symptoms of Omicron are discussed.

Data from the Office of National statistics may also be of interest to you with 1 in 70 people having Covid in England.

Pentecost Sunday

Dear Parishioners

The first Pentecost was, for the Apostles and those in that locked upper room, an intensely spiritual experience. It was a ‘moment of God’ which was sudden, unexpected and tore away the curtain of fear, doubt and despair they had been living with, allowing them to experience, something they knew was from God and was completely life changing.  They realised that their own mission was to take Jesus’ message of love, peace and forgiveness to the whole world.

That very same living, active Holy Spirit lives within us. It is not the memory of a person who is gone, or a message tarnished by time, or a way of living which is too old or tired to survive in today’s world. Pentecost makes what the Apostles experienced on that wonderful day just as new, and vibrant, and urgent, and immediate, and burning for each one of us as it was for each one of them.

Jesus sent us the Holy Spirit so that the Gospel, the ‘Good News’ that God lives among us and within us, would always be ‘Good’ and new, and vibrant, and urgent, and immediate, and burning.  If we can allow ourselves to embrace this gift, then we will experience the joy, energy, hope and deep peace that God wishes for each of us.

May the Spirit of the Risen Lord enlighten your lives.

Fr Patterson

Refreshments after Mass

Refreshments will be served in St. Patrick’s parish centre after Mass this Sunday, 5th June. As well as tea and coffee there will be the option of a “glass of fizz” to mark a special occasion!

Mass sheets

For a trial period, we shall offer you a Mass sheet when you enter church which provides the text of the prayers and readings for Mass. This sheet will replace the Parish Mass Books which we have used in the past.

All are welcome

Everyone is welcome to join us for the celebration of Mass in St. Patrick’s church. In recent times, it is has been a joy to welcome those people of other faiths or none who have come to join us in worship.

Currently, only baptised Catholic people are able to receive Holy Communion and we ask that when you approach the altar you extend your hands towards the minister who will place the sacred host in your hand which you should then immediately consume before returning to your place.

If you are not a Catholic or are indisposed to receive Holy Communion, you are invited to come forward at the appropriate time and receive a blessing, indicating your desire by folding an arm across your chest.

Mass Intentions

Fr. Patterson will celebrate the following Intentions during the coming week. You may wish to wear a face covering when attending Church.

• Monday: (Private Mass) – James and Imelda Dempsey
• Tuesday: 10am in St. Patrick’s Church – Brian Quigley
• Wednesday: (Private Mass) – Fr Ronnie Richmond
• Thursday: 10am in St. Patrick’s Church – In Thanksgiving (AM)   
• Friday: 10.15am in St. Patrick’s Church – Funeral Service for Margaret Graham
• Saturday: 6pm in St. Alban’s Church: For the intentions of all our parishioners
• Sunday: 10am in St. Patrick’s Church: Paul Hughes (NC)

Mass to view on line

Mass is live streamed from our Cathedral on a Sunday. Visit the Cathedral website.

Alternatively, you may like to follow Mass from the Holy Name, Jesmond. Visit the website for Mass times this week.

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

Lord Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most Blessed Sacrament. I love you above all things and I desire to receive you into my soul. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace you as if you were already there and unite myself wholly to you. Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.

Please keep in your prayers:

• all our parishioners who are sick, housebound or in hospital and Fr. Michael Keoghan who is currently unwell
• all those near and dear to us whose memories we cherish at this time and,
• Margaret Graham who has died. May she rest in peace. 

A Prayer for Carers, Nurses and Doctors

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

A time to pray

Please join together in prayer for the 177,977 people who have died in our country from the coronavirus. (Figures of 20^th May)

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

A Prayer for the Ukraine

Lord God, hold the people of Ukraine deep in your heart. Protect them from violence, from political gamesmanship, from being used and abused. Give the nations of the world the courage and the wisdom to stand up for justice and the courage to care generously. Take from us those traits that see us pursuing our own needs and wants before those of others. Teach us how to live in love and dignity and respect, following your ways. We ask this in your name and for your sake. Amen

A Prayer for Pentecost

Come, Holy Spirit and fill us with your love. Open our eyes to see the presence of God around us; in the stillness of a moment, in the busyness and noise of our streets, in the joys and celebrations of our lives, in the tragedies and struggles that break our hearts. Inspire our warring world to seek peace and to cast aside all weapons. Ignite within us a passion for justice until no one is marginalized or oppressed and the world is transformed and renewed. Transform our hearts and minds and fill us with love that overflows so that we may discover your kingdom emerging around us, drawing us into the new things you are doing in the world. Amen.     

Bishop Barron’s Sunday Sermons

Each week Bishop Barron offers a Sunday sermon.

It was announced last Thursday, 2nd June, that Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Barron as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester (Minnesota).

St. Patrick’s Church needs more support from you

Fr Patterson wishes to thank those parishioners who have offered their support in various aspects of parish life, but it is insufficient to be able to rebuild our future.

A limited amount of help now enables us to offer two public weekday Masses on a Tuesday and Thursday, but we need more volunteers for the following:-

• preparing light refreshments in the parish centre after Sunday Mass
• joining the music ministry, whether as an instrumentalist or singer
• assisting with the children’s liturgy when we are in a position to restart it
• offering to help with the opening of the church for Mass and tidying up afterwards on weekdays
• reading at Mass on Tuesdays and/or Thursdays

The more support you give will make it less demanding on any individual or group/team. It is important that we should all play our part in helping to rebuild our shared parish family.

Please indicate your offer of support by emailing the parish office at felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk.

Vigil Mass on Saturdays in St. Alban’s Church.

In his meeting with Fr Patterson, Bishop Robert expressed his concern that the current level of support offered by parishioners is not what was hoped for, but agreed with Fr Patterson, that we could proceed with the reopening of the church, initially for a Saturday Vigil Mass only, to assess the level of need and support. The church will remain closed during the week for all services. Bishop Robert has asked Fr Patterson to review the situation after the summer.

We are now in a position to reopen St. Alban’s Church for a Vigil Mass at 6pm on Saturday, 11th June.

Please note the following:

• Parishioners are asked to enter and leave the church by the main doors only.
• The side door should only be used as an emergency exit.
• You are invited to sanitise your hands as you enter the church
• You may wear a face covering during Mass
• Due to the low ceilings over the congregation, Bishop Robert advises that the church is adequately ventilated to help dilute and disperse viral particles. As such, both inner doors at the rear of the church will remain open throughout Mass (the outer doors will be closed) and the side windows will be open. Please dress accordingly as there may be a draught in some areas of the church.
• No collection will be taken during Mass, by way of passing baskets along the benches, but we do hope you will support our parish financially by placing your offering in the basket as you enter the church.  Alternatively you may consider contributing by standing order, the details for which are:
  
  Account name: DHN Pelaw St Alban, Sort code: 40-34-18, Account No: 92010984

Current Diocesan COVID Controls

In keeping with the National Guidelines for Churches issued by the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales the following  arrangements for St. Patrick’s Church are as follows:

• If you are displaying any symptoms of Covid-19 you should stay at home.
• Hand sanitiser will continue to be offered as you enter and leave church.
• You may wear a face covering during the celebration of Mass
• Indoor congregational singing can take place with a general encouragement that face coverings are worn.
• Although there is no formal social distancing by way of seating, we ask that when you take your seat, you are sensitive to the needs of other people who are already in a bench and may not be comfortable if you “snuggle up” to them. We have plenty of seating space.
• We will, for the time being, continue to invite you to come forward for Holy Communion, row by row from the front. Holy Communion will continue to be distributed under one kind only. At the end of Mass, you may leave at your leisure.
• It is still important to ventilate our buildings. This has the effect of diluting and dispersing viral particles.
• Welcomers will be on hand to greet you and care for you . 

The Past Two Years

There is little doubt that we have all been affected one way or another by the Covid pandemic and life will never be quite the same.

We are planning to invite anyone who would value an opportunity to pause, reflect on their experiences, thoughts, feelings and memories of the past two years to come together after Pentecost.

We will try to link our feelings to the “Road to Emmaus” where the two disciples walked and talked about their memories of the time they shared with Jesus. The joys, the challenges, their fears and then their grief, telling their story to the yet unrecognised Jesus. And then there was Thomas who, from a place of fear and vulnerability, discovered Jesus inviting him to touch his wounds.

As a community of faith we need to be open to our own vulnerability and to be able to feel safe enough, like Thomas, to share our woundedness with Jesus. We need to offer an opportunity where others can feel safe, can be heard and also be a listener for others as they share their stories from the past two years. 

At the Feast of Pentecost,  the disciples and early followers of Jesus hiding in the upper room, received the gifts of God’s Spirit enabling them to lay their fears aside and move out to live the new life of the Resurrection.

Maybe the Feast of Pentecost this year, calls us to move from a place of fear and uncertainty to a place of courage and confidence, so that like the disciples walking to Emmaus, we might recognise that Jesus was and is walking alongside us.

We hope to offer you this opportunity shortly after Pentecost Sunday, so please keep an eye of the Newsletter for more details.

St. Patrick’s Church Cleaning

Volunteers are needed to clean the church on Friday evening, 17th June from 6pm. Entry by the Church Street door.

Parish Safeguarding Representatives

Every parish must have a Safeguarding Representative to ensure that we provide the best possible care of all our parishioners within the Church and parish environment.

Fr. Patterson is grateful to Stephen Brown for offering to continue in his role as the Safeguarding Representative for St. Patrick’s and to James McDermott who has accepted the role for St. Alban’s Church, subsequent to completing his training with the Diocese.

Platinum Jubilee

Pope Francis sent the following telegram to Her Majesty the Queen: 

“On the joyful occasions of your majesty’s birthday, and as you celebrate your Platinum Jubilee Year,
I send cordial greetings and good wishes together with the renewed assurance of
my prayers that Almighty God will bestow upon you the members of the Royal Family and
all the people of the nation blessings of unity, prosperity and peace.”

The Bishops of England and Wales ask that the following prayer be said at the end of Mass this weekend:

Almighty God, we pray, that your servant Elizabeth, our Queen, who,
by your providence has received the governance of this realm,
may continue to grow in every virtue, that, imbued with your heavenly grace,
she may be preserved from all that is harmful and evil and, being blessed with your favour may,
with the royal family, come at last into your presence, through Christ, who is the way,
the truth and the life and who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen

Eucharistic Festival at Ushaw.

This event will take place at Ushaw on Sunday 19th June from 3pm – 6.30pm. Free entry into Ushaw from 2.30pm.

There is no charge for this event. As there are limited places available , booking is required and can be made via the online booking. A confirmation email will be sent when your booking is confirmed.

The Festival programme includes the blessing of the newly restored Pugin Altar by Bishop Robert, a Eucharistic procession around the grounds of Ushaw (weather permitting) and benediction.

Ushaw has limited parking available. Refreshments will be available in the refectory after the event. Guests are welcome to bring a picnic and use the grounds. Please expect a short delay while people are being served in the refectory.

Photographs will be taken at this event for use in Diocesan promotional materials.

Anyone showing Covid symptoms within 10 days of the festival is advised not to attend the event.

Fr. Paddy Kennedy

Fr. Kennedy, who served as an assistant priest at St. Patrick’s from August, 1962 to May, 1966, will be celebrating the Diamond Jubilee of his Ordination to the Priesthood this year and the parishioners of St. Gregory’s, South Shields, where he is living in retirement, invite you to join him for a Mass of Thanksgiving on Thursday, 16th June at 10am in St Gregory’s Church, South Shields followed by refreshments in the Church Hall after Mass.

The Diocesan Refugee Project

Your ongoing support of this project would be welcomed.  It supports over 400 asylum seekers. The project tries to provide them all with a bag of food and those who are destitute also receive a supermarket voucher. Donations of sugar, biscuits, tinned fish in oil, tins of tomatoes and chick peas may be left on the table to your right as you enter the front of St. Patrick’s Church or on any table if you enter by the rear door. They are particularly in need of toiletries and shampoo. Please note: baked beans and tinned meat are not required.

Certificate in Pastoral Ministry

Are you currently involved in Church ministry but wish you knew more about your faith? Do you sometimes lack confidence and feel you could benefit from further training and formation? Do you want to grow in your faith and ministry and perhaps find new ways to share your gifts with others? We have a course designed just for you.  The Certificate in Pastoral Ministry is an online, two-year learning experience created with the busy person in mind. It will take you on a journey of discovery about key aspects of the Catholic faith while helping you to reflect upon your own ministry and the ministry of others.  To find out more, join us online for one of our information evenings: Tuesday 14th June, 2022 or Wednesday 22nd June, 2022 from 7.30pm – 9pm. To register your interest for one of the information evenings, or for further information please email adminfaith.mission@diocesehn.org.uk.  

The Parish Newsletter

Fr. Patterson would like to share the following comment received in an email this week from someone

living elsewhere in the Diocese who reads our Newsletter online.

“May I say how inspiring and informative your parish Bulletin is. I wish many more could be like yours.”

Throughout the pandemic, the Newsletter and other news has been sent out to all parishioners who have provided the parish office with their email address and is also published on the parish website. This has been a valuable means of keeping in touch with our parishioners, but Fr. Patterson is very conscious that there are a considerable number of our parishioners who cannot access the internet. He is grateful to those parishioners who have been printing off copies and delivering them to fellow parishioners without wifi and to our school for sending the Newsletter to all our parents.

Since the start of the pandemic, the Newsletter has had a dedicated section on Covid which was introduced at the request of a local medical practitioner who asked if we could do all that we could to promote official public health information and reduce the spread of “fake news” concerning Covid. We have done our best to ensure that published material is from reliable sources and we will continue to publish this information for the time being, although it is becoming more difficult to access reliable and up to date statistics.   

We will continue to send out the Newsletter by email and publish it on the parish website in an attempt to reduce our carbon footprint and the cost of printing hard copies. If you would like to receive the newsletter by email please forward your email address to the parish office felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk and it will be included on our distribution list. A few printed copies will still be available from St. Patrick’s Church, on the days it is open for Mass, for those of you who do not have access to email.

Thank you

Fr Patterson wishes to express his gratitude to the family of the late Jimmy and Imelda Dempsey for a donation of £2,000.00 for St. Patrick’s parish funds in their memory. He is also grateful to the family of the late Kathleen Harkness for a donation of £100.00.

Taking the collection during Mass

Although no collection is taken during Mass, by way of passing baskets along the benches, we do hope you will support our church financially by placing your offering in the boxes at the entrances to the church. Alternatively you may consider contributing by standing order the details for which are found below.

Your Offertory contributions

To reduce the demands on parish administration, we invite those of you who feel able, to consider making your weekly offering by Standing Order.  The bank details you require for this are printed below. 

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

If you are a tax payer and are not a member of the parish gift aid scheme please consider joining the scheme, it costs you nothing and the parish benefits by being able to reclaim the tax you have already paid on your offering. The parish receives 25p of every £1.00 you give from HMRC. All that is required, is for you to complete a simple form which does not involve you disclosing any personal financial information and is held securely by the Diocesan Finance Office. To obtain a form, or for more information, please email St. Patrick’s Gift Aid organiser at stpatrick.giftaid@outlook.com

For the time being, enquiries concerning the Gift Aid scheme for St. Albans Church should be directed to Fr. Patterson at felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk.

The Universal Synod

The Diocesan Submission to the Universal Synod has been completed and published.

Thanksgiving Mass

A Mass of Thanksgiving for NHS Staff, chaplains and Carers will be celebrated by Bishop Robert on Thursday, 14th July, 2022 at 7pm in St. Mary’s Cathedral. This Celebration will be the opportunity to express the gratitude of the Diocese to medical, nursing and healthcare staff and chaplains as we continue to emerge from the COVID Pandemic.

Please get vaccinated

The Catholic Church continues to promote the participation of everyone in the Covid vaccination programme as part of its mitigation of virus transmission in church and ancillary buildings.

Pope Francis also urges us to do so.

ZOE Covid update.

The update now occurs once every two weeks.

In a separate blog, the updated symptoms of Omicron are discussed.

Data from the Office of National statistics may also be of interest to you with 1 in 70 people having Covid in England.

7th Sunday of Easter

Dear Parishioners

Jesus’ prayer in the gospel (John 17:20-26) “that they may all be one” read in our churches this weekend, is frequently understood as Jesus praying for the unity of all religions. But is it what Jesus had in mind when he made this prayer?

Was he not praying for his Apostles and “for those who would believe through their words.” In other words, he was praying for each one of us. In this the challenge of Jesus is renewed.

He forgave, reached out to all, was tolerant, did not judge or condemn, was gentle and compassionate. These are the values and qualities that bring unity to us, our families, our country, the world.

At Pentecost Jesus answered his own prayer by sending the Holy Spirit to be with us always. In the power of that Spirit the apostles burst into an unsuspecting world with the message of Jesus. It was a message based on a person, Jesus Christ; on his life, death and resurrection and on the God he revealed to us; a loving, gentle, compassionate and forgiving God. Is it the God you know?

May the Spirit of the Risen Lord enlighten your lives.

Fr Patterson

Mass to view on line

Mass is live streamed from our Cathedral. Visit the Cathedral website for times this week.

Alternatively, you may like to follow Mass from the Holy Name, Jesmond. Visit the website for Mass times this week.

Mass Intentions

With the exception of Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, Fr. Patterson will celebrate Mass privately during the week for the following Intentions. You are encouraged to wear face coverings when attending Church, unless you are medically exempt.

• Monday: 10.00 Funeral Mass for Kathleen (Catherine) Harkness
• Tuesday: 10.00 in St. Patrick’s Church – Pat Donald and LDM Family
• Wednesday – Brian Quigley
• Thursday – Fr. Tom Cunningham
• Friday – Private Intention
• Saturday -No Mass 
• Sunday: 10.00 in St. Patrick’s Church – For the intentions of all our parishioners

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

Lord Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most Blessed Sacrament. I love you above all things and I desire to receive you into my soul. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace you as if you were already there and unite myself wholly to you. Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.

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

Current Diocesan COVID Controls

In keeping with the National Guidelines for Churches issued by the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales the following  arrangements for St. Patrick’s Church are as follows:

• If you are displaying any symptoms of Covid-19 you should stay at home.
• Hand sanitiser will continue to be offered as you enter and leave church.
• You may wear a face covering during the celebration of Mass
• Indoor congregational singing can take place with a general encouragement that face coverings are worn.
• Although there is no formal social distancing by way of seating, we ask that when you take your seat, you are sensitive to the needs of other people who are already in a bench and may not be comfortable if you “snuggle up” to them. We have plenty of seating space.
• We will, for the time being, continue to invite you to come forward for Holy Communion, row by row from the front. Holy Communion will continue to be distributed under one kind only. At the end of Mass, you may leave at your leisure.
• It is still important to ventilate our buildings. This has the effect of diluting and dispersing viral particles.
• Welcomers will be on hand to greet you and care for you.

Please keep in your prayers:

• all our parishioners who are sick, housebound or in hospital and Fr. Michael Keoghan who is currently unwell.
• all those near and dear to us whose memories we cherish at this time and,
• Kathleen Harkness who has died. May she rest in peace. 

A Prayer for Carers, Nurses and Doctors

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

A time to pray

Please join together in prayer for the 177,977 people who have died in our country from the coronavirus. (Thursday’s figure)

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

A Prayer for the Ukraine

Lord God, hold the people of Ukraine deep in your heart. Protect them from violence, from political gamesmanship, from being used and abused. Give the nations of the world the courage and the wisdom to stand up for justice and the courage to care generously. Take from us those traits that see us pursuing our own needs and wants before those of others. Teach us how to live in love and dignity and respect, following your ways. We ask this in your name and for your sake. Amen

A Prayer for Eastertime

Risen Christ, when darkness overwhelms us may your dawn beckon. When fear paralyses us may your touch release us. When grief torments us may your peace enfold us. When memories haunt us may your presence heal us. When justice fails us may your power ignite us. When apathy stagnates us may your challenge renew us. When courage leaves us may your spirit inspire us. When despair grips us may your hope restore us. And when death threatens us may your resurrection light lead us. Amen

Bishop Barron’s Sunday Sermons

Each week Bishop Barron offers a Sunday sermon.

The Past Two Years

There is little doubt that we have all been affected one way or another by the Covid pandemic and life will never be quite the same.

We are planning to invite anyone who would value an opportunity to pause, reflect on their experiences, thoughts, feelings and memories of the past two years to come together after Pentecost.

We will try to link our feelings to the “Road to Emmaus” where the two disciples walked and talked about their memories of the time they shared with Jesus. The joys, the challenges, their fears and then their grief, telling their story to the yet unrecognised Jesus. And then there was Thomas who, from a place of fear and vulnerability, discovered Jesus inviting him to touch his wounds.

As a community of faith we need to be open to our own vulnerability and to be able to feel safe enough, like Thomas, to share our woundedness with Jesus. We need to offer an opportunity where others can feel safe, can be heard and also be a listener for others as they share their stories from the past two years. 

At the Feast of Pentecost,  the disciples and early followers of Jesus hiding in the upper room, received the gifts of God’s Spirit enabling them to lay their fears aside and move out to live the new life of the Resurrection.

Maybe the Feast of Pentecost this year, calls us to move from a place of fear and uncertainty to a place of courage and confidence, so that like the disciples walking to Emmaus, we might recognise that Jesus was and is walking alongside us.

We hope to offer you this opportunity shortly after Pentecost Sunday, so please keep an eye of the Newsletter for more details.

Fr Paddy Kennedy

Fr Kennedy, who served as an assistant priest at St. Patrick’s from August, 1962 to May, 1966, will be celebrating the Diamond Jubilee of his Ordination to the Priesthood this year and the parishioners of St. Gregory’s, South Shields, where he is living in retirement, invite you to join him for a Mass of Thanksgiving on Thursday, 16th June at 10am in St Gregory’s Church, South Shields followed by refreshments in the Church Hall after Mass.

Refreshments after Mass

Refreshments will be served in St. Patrick’s parish centre after Mass next Sunday, 5th June. As well as tea and coffee there will be the option of a “glass of fizz” to mark a special occasion!

St. Patrick’s Church needs your support

Bishop Robert has advised Fr. Patterson that with fewer priests, their age profile and their associated health issues the responsibility for securing adequate help and support and the organisation of that support in parishes should lie with the parishioners themselves.

In the light of the Bishop’s advice, Fr. Patterson requires the support of parishioners for the next phase of the re-opening of St. Patrick’s Church.

Rotas have now been prepared and sent out for the following:-

• Reading at Mass on Sundays
• Preparing light refreshments in the parish centre after Sunday Mass
• Helping with counting the collection
• Supporting our “welcomers” by offering to help with the opening of the Church for Mass and tidying up afterwards on weekdays and/or Sundays and, of course welcoming fellow parishioners and visitors to our church.

There is still a need for more volunteers to join the rotas in the above roles. If you are interested please email the parish office at felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk.

Thanks to Maureen for completing this task. Every effort has been made to include all those who have volunteered for the above roles on the rotas. If you offered to assist with any of the above roles and have not received a rota please get in touch at felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk.

Volunteers are still required for:-

• Reading at Mass on Tuesdays and/or Thursdays
• assisting with the children’s liturgy if/when we are in a position to restart it
• to join in the music ministry whether as an instrumentalist or singer

The more support you give will make it less demanding on any individual or group/team. It is important that we should all play our part in helping to rebuild our shared parish family.

Please indicate your offer of support by emailing the parish office at felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk.

Parishioners who have, in recent months, made offers of help will automatically be included in the rotas.

St. Alban’s Church is to reopen for a Saturday Vigil Mass.

Most of the preparatory work needed to reopen St. Alban’s Church has been completed and Fr. Patterson is pleased to be able to announce that the church will reopen for a Vigil Mass on Saturday, 11th June at 6pm.  Unfortunately, we are not in a position to be able to open the church for services during the week.

In his meeting with Fr Patterson, Bishop Robert expressed his concern that the current level of support offered by parishioners is not what was hoped for, but agreed with Fr Patterson, that we could proceed with the reopening of the church, initially for a Saturday Vigil Mass only, to assess the level of need and support. The church will remain closed during the week for all services. Bishop Robert has asked Fr Patterson to review the situation after the summer.

Fr Patterson is most grateful to Terry and Christine Harbron who have  worked closely with him during the past months enabling us to reach this stage, but we still need much more support in every aspect of parish life if we are to secure our future. So if you are able to help in any way at all, please contact Terry and Christine by telephoning 0191 469 8697. Please avoid calling at weekends and after 6pm.

Rotas are being finalised and Christine will contact those of you who have offered to join a rota.

Fr Patterson hopes that it will be the start of rebuilding St. Alban’s parish family in our shared role with St Patrick’s and hopes that you will respond positively to this opportunity and play your part.

Keys to St. Alban’s Church

There are still some keys to St. Alban’s Church which have not as yet been returned.  If you are in possession of a key please return it immediately. This is to comply with the terms and conditions of the parish insurance. Simply place your key in an envelope with a note of your name, to enable us to identify the keyholder, and post it through the letterbox at St. Patrick’s. For security reasons keys should not be posted through St. Alban’s presbytery door.

All are welcome

Everyone is welcome to join us for the celebration of Mass in St Patrick’s church. In recent times, it is has been a joy to welcome those people of other faiths or none who have come to join us in worship.

Currently, only baptised Catholic people are able to receive Holy Communion and we ask that when you approach the altar you extend your hands towards the minister who will place the sacred host in your hand which you should then immediately consume before returning to your place.

If you are not a Catholic or are indisposed to receive Holy Communion, you are invited to come forward at the appropriate time and receive a blessing, indicating your desire by folding an arm across your chest.

An Invitation from the Bishops of England and Wales

The Bishops of England and Wales invite all Catholic people to consider returning to Mass on the Feast of Pentecost.

At the same time, they understand that there will still be some people who do not feel safe enough to return to Mass. It has always been the understanding of the Church that when the freedom of any Catholic to attend Mass in person is impeded, because of situations such as age, ill health, care for the sick, a legitimate fear, or any other serious reason, there is no requirement for them to attend Mass.

The Bishops acknowledge that many Catholic people have benefitted during these difficult times from the online streaming of Mass and other services which may continue to be a source of spiritual comfort to those who cannot attend Mass in person, for example those who are elderly and sick.

Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Party

St. Wilfrid’s, Gateshead are holding a special shared table to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee on Friday, 3rd June from 12.00 in the presbytery garden. There will be music, raffles, hopefully sunshine and lots of amazing food. You would be most welcome to attend.

Pilgrimage to Holy Island

“Stella Maris” (The Apostleship of the Sea), invites you to a Day of Prayer and Pilgrimage for seafarers and for everyone involved in their ministry and charity on Holy Island on Saturday 4th June, 2022. It will be led by Bishop Paul Mason. The day begins with Celtic Prayers on the Green at 12.00 followed by a concelebrated Mass in St. Mary the Virgin Church at 3pm. Safe crossing times on the day are between 9.10am – 4.20pm. Parish groups, families & individuals will be most welcome. For further information contact Regional Port Chaplains Paul Atkinson (07906 212 426) or Peter Barrigan (07713 924 504).

Eucharistic Festival at Ushaw.

This event will take place at Ushaw on Sunday 19th June from 3pm – 4.30pm. Free entry into Ushaw from 2.30pm.

There is no charge for this event. As there are limited places available , booking is required and can be made via the online booking form. A confirmation email will be sent when your booking is confirmed.

The Festival programme includes the blessing of the newly restored Pugin Altar by Bishop Robert, a Eucharistic procession around the grounds of Ushaw (weather permitting) and benediction.

Ushaw has limited parking available. Refreshments will be available in the refectory after the event. Guests are welcome to bring a picnic and use the grounds. Please expect a short delay while people are being served in the refectory.

Photographs will be taken at this event for use in Diocesan promotional materials.

Anyone showing Covid symptoms within 10 days of the festival is advised not to attend the event.

Thanksgiving Mass

A Mass of Thanksgiving for NHS Staff, chaplains and Carers will be celebrated by Bishop Robert on Thursday, 14th July, 2022 at 7pm in St. Mary’s Cathedral. This Celebration will be the opportunity to express the gratitude of the Diocese to medical, nursing and healthcare staff and chaplains as we continue to emerge from the COVID Pandemic.

The Diocesan Refugee Project

Your ongoing support of this project would be welcomed.  It supports over 400 asylum seekers. The project tries to provide them all with a bag of food and those who are destitute also receive a supermarket voucher. Donations of sugar, biscuits, tinned fish in oil, tins of tomatoes and chick peas may be left on the table to your right as you enter the front of St. Patrick’s Church or on any table if you enter by the rear door. They are particularly in need of toiletries and shampoo. Please note: baked beans and tinned meat are not required.

The Parish Newsletter

Fr. Patterson would like to share the following comment received in an email this week from someone living elsewhere in the Diocese who reads our Newsletter online.

“May I say how inspiring and informative your parish Bulletin is. I wish many more could be like yours.”

Throughout the pandemic, the Newsletter and other news has been sent out to all parishioners who have provided the parish office with their email address and is also published on the parish website. This has been a valuable means of keeping in touch with our parishioners, but Fr. Patterson is very conscious that there are a considerable number of our parishioners who cannot access the internet. He is grateful to those parishioners who have been printing off copies and delivering them to fellow parishioners without wifi and to our school for sending the Newsletter to all our parents.

Since the start of the pandemic, the Newsletter has had a dedicated section on Covid which was introduced at the request of a local medical practitioner who asked if we could do all that we could to promote official public health information and reduce the spread of “fake news” concerning Covid. We have done our best to ensure that published material is from reliable sources and we will continue to publish this information for the time being, although it is becoming more difficult to access reliable and up to date statistics.   

We will continue to send out the Newsletter by email and publish it on the parish website in an attempt to reduce our carbon footprint and the cost of printing hard copies. If you would like to receive the newsletter by email please forward your email address to the parish office felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk and it will be included on our distribution list. A few printed copies will still be available from St. Patrick’s Church, on the days it is open for Mass, for those of you who do not have access to email.

World Communications Day

This Sunday, 29th May, there is an opportunity for those of you who wish, to make an offering to support the work of the Bishops’ Conference Media Office which  helps journalists to better understand the Church’s activities, teaching and witness. Should you wish to support this cause, put you offering in an envelope marked World Communications and place it in the box as you enter the church. Those of you with sets of envelopes should find an envelope in your box.

Your Offertory contributions

To reduce the demands on parish administration, we invite those of you who feel able, to consider making your weekly offering by Standing Order.  The bank details you require for this are printed below. 

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

If you are a tax payer and are not a member of the parish gift aid scheme please consider joining the scheme, it costs you nothing and the parish benefits by being able to reclaim the tax you have already paid on your offering. The parish receives 25p of every £1.00 you give from HMRC. All that is required, is for you to complete a simple form which does not involve you disclosing any personal financial information and is held securely by the Diocesan Finance Office. To obtain a form, or for more information, please email St. Patrick’s Gift Aid organiser at stpatrick.giftaid@outlook.com

For the time being, enquiries concerning the Gift Aid scheme for St. Albans Church should be directed to Fr Patterson at felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk.

Please get vaccinated

The Catholic Church continues to promote the participation of everyone in the Covid vaccination programme as part of its mitigation of virus transmission in church and ancillary buildings.

Pope Francis also urges us to do so.

ZOE Covid fortnightly update – Reinfections rising, runny nose a dominant symptom and monkeypox.

This week Professor Tim Spector looks at the latest global outbreak of monkeypox and discusses if we should be concerned about it, and if we’re seeing signs of the symptoms in the ZOE Health Study app. He also discusses the current rates and recaps the differences between Omicron BA.1 and BA.2. 

In a separate blog, the updated symptoms of Omicron are discussed.

Data from the Office of National statistics may also be of interest to you with 1 in 60 people having Covid in England.