Parish newsletter

Posted on 12 March 2022 by admin

Parish newsletter 13 March 2022 Download

2nd Sunday of Lent

Dear Parishioners

The plight of the Ukrainian people is still of grave concern to all people of good will.

Pope Francis has made a heartfelt appeal for peace in Ukraine, and prays that “all the parties involved refrain from any action that would cause even more suffering to the people, destabilizing coexistence between nations and bringing international law into disrepute.” (Vatican News)

Prayer is of the essence and Bishop Robert Barron helps us understand why, assuring us of the power of prayer. He writes:-

“When people pray in a spirit of trust, really believing that what they are asking for will happen, it happens. Just as Jesus says in the Gospel, “Everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”

(Matthew 7: 7-12)

The power of prayer is having the confidence that we are being guided and cared for, even when that guidance and care are not immediately apparent. It is what allows someone to live in detachment from all of the ups and downs of life.

St. Ignatius of Loyola said: “We should not prefer health to sickness, riches to poverty, honour to dishonour, a long life to a short life. . . . Our one desire and choice should be what is more conducive to the end for which we are created . . . to praise, reverence and serve God our Lord.”

Someone that lives in that kind of detachment is free, and because they are free, they are powerful.”

Cafod have launched a Humanitarian Appeal with their sister organization “Caritas Ukraine” who are already helping people afflicted by this conflict. Should you wish to support this Appeal, donations may be left in the boxes at both entrances to St. Patrick’s Church or put through the letterbox of St. Patrick’s presbytery – please mark your envelope Ukrainian Appeal. Alternatively you may choose to donate directly to Cafod online. For security reasons, envelopes should not be put through the letterbox of St. Alban’s Presbytery

A further £180.00 has been sent to Cafod from your donations received this week.

Closer to home, the Diocesan Refugee Project, which we have been supporting for many months, renew their thanks and seek our continuing help to enable them to support over 400 asylum seekers. They try to provide them all with a bag of food and those who are destitute also receive a supermarket voucher.

If you are able to bring donations of sugar, biscuits, tinned fish in oil and tins of tomatoes and chick peas to St. Patrick’s Church before Mass, they may be left on the table to your right as you enter the front of 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.

Covid-19 is still very much on our doorstep too, sadly cases are on the rise in our region once again. We probably all know of someone who has the virus or is self isolating, you may even be one of them. Please pray that everyone suffering from the virus will make a full recovery. This is particularly important, as more cases of “long Covid” are beginning to emerge. The Public Health message is still to act cautiously and to consider wearing a face covering especially in an indoor environment when we are in the company of people we do not usually mix with. Please respond in a positive way for the sake of each other’s well-being, remembering that not everyone is “ready to be hugged!”

St. Patrick’s Day falls on Thursday of the coming week and, thanks to our volunteer stewards, we are able to offer a public Mass in St. Patrick’s Church at 10am.

May God bless us and continue to watch over us, keeping us safe from harm.

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, Tuesday and Wednesday, Fr. Patterson will celebrate Mass privately during the week for the following Intentions. Face coverings should be worn when attending Church, unless you are medically exempt.

Monday – Maurice Brown
Tuesday: 10.00 in St. Patrick’s Church -John Lenehan and Elizabeth Lenehan
Wednesday – Connie Stout
Thursday: (St. Patrick’s Day): 10.00 in St. Patrick’s Church – Brida and Ken Clay
Friday – The sick, their families, NHS staff & Care Workers
Saturday – Fr. Patterson’s intentions
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:

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

Please keep in your prayers this week:

all our parishioners who are sick, housebound or in hospital
all those near and dear to us whose memories we cherish at this time especially Ken Clay and John Lenehan and,
Fr. Harry Ryan (retired) who has died. Receive Lord into tranquillity and peace the soul of your servant whom you have called from this life. May he be taken up into glory with your Son in whose mystery of love we are all united

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 162,738 people who have died in our country from the coronavirus. (Friday’s figure)

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

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

The Lenten Journey

Starting this Sunday, 6th March, 2022, Father Denis McBride C.Ss.R. will be leading a free online retreat.

Each video will be added to the Redemptorist website every Sunday, but they will be available throughout the Lenten season, so you can re-watch them at your leisure.

Lenten Reflections

The Diocesan Vicariate for Faith and Mission has produced the first part of a booklet of Lenten reflections which you may find of value during Lent.

Bishop Robert Barron asks, “Do you want to grow in your faith this Lent?”

It is almost two years since we were faced with the first total lockdown in our country due to the Coronavirus. You may remember for several months we were able to offer those of you who have access to the internet the opportunity to engage in a variety of talks and video presentations given by Bishop Robert Barron and the Word on Fire team.

During Lent this year, Word on Fire offer the opportunity to engage in more talks and videos with the ability to access those videos you have watched in the past and it is free of charge.

Bishop Barron’s Sunday Sermon

Each week Bishop Barron offers a Sunday sermon.

Cafod’s Humanitarian Appeal for the Ukraine

Fr. Patterson is grateful for donations received for this appeal during the course of the week totalling £180.00. Further donations may be left in the boxes at both entrances to St. Patrick’s Church – please mark your envelope Ukrainian Appeal. Alternatively you may choose to donate directly via the Cafod website.

Your Offertory contributions from 1st April, 2022

For the past two years, as a result of the pandemic, we have been left with a large number of unclaimed sets of weekly offering envelopes which came at a considerable cost to our parishes.

With the uncertainties of the year ahead, we will only be issuing envelopes for the coming financial year to those of you who are in the parish gift aid scheme and are not already contributing by standing order or bankers order.

As non gift aid envelopes no longer need to be individually recorded, we ask that those of you who are not in the gift aid scheme, might bring your offering in an envelope of your own or simply place your offering in the box provided in the church as “loose plate.” We will review the situation during the course of the year.

Many of you during the past two years have chosen to make your offering by standing order or by bank transfer and we are most grateful to you for doing so. It is hoped that you will continue to make your offering in this way, which saves on administration costs. For those of you who gift aid your offering, tax can still be reclaimed from the standing order method of contributing.

We invite more of you to consider making your offering in this way whether you are in the gift aid scheme or not. The bank details you require are printed below.

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. 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.

Your ongoing financial support is welcomed and needed

Fr. Patterson continues to be grateful for your offerings during these difficult times and is especially grateful to those parishioners who regularly contribute to parish funds by standing order helping us meet the regular financial commitments of our churches.

You may bring your envelopes to Mass on Tuesdays or Sundays or drop them through the presbytery letterbox. For security reason, envelopes should not be put through the letterbox of St. Alban’s Presbytery.

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

The details for bank transfers/standing orders and cheques are as follows:

St. Alban’s HSBC bank account name: DHN Pelaw St Alban, Sort code: 40-34-18, Account No: 92010984

St. Patrick’s HSBC bank account name: DHN Felling St Patrick, Sort code: 40-34-18, Account No: 52010453

Diocesan Covid Protocols are still in place in our churches.

As we await an update from Bishop Robert relating to our Diocesan protocols, we request that you maintain the “status quo” when it comes to attending St. Patrick’s Church. So we ask that face coverings continue to be worn in the Church unless you are medically exempt. You are also asked to maintain social distancing from others in your bench, unless you are from the same household or bubble. Sanitising your hands is also good practice.

There is no longer a need to provide Test and Trace details, nor to “log in” using a QR code.

If you are still hesitant about attending Church, you are under no obligation to do so.

If you have Covid symptoms or feel unwell, please stay at home until you feel better.

St. Alban’s Church – feedback.

Fr. Patterson would like to thank those parishioners who were able to attend the Gathering in the parish room last Saturday during which he spoke of the level of help and support that would be needed if we are to be able to reopen St. Alban’s Church. He explained the nature of the various roles which must be filled and the commitment that would be necessary to fulfil them. Those present were invited to go away and reflect on whether or not they could make the necessary commitment involved and to discuss our needs with others in the hope of being able to establish a sufficient bank of volunteers to enable the reopening of the Church.

Fr. Patterson looks forward to receiving your offers of help and support by 31st March. Please contact him at felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk or telephone 0191 495 2277. Alternatively you may contact Terry and Christine Harbron by telephoning 0191 469 8697.

Please avoid telephoning after 6pm or at weekends. Emails are welcome anytime.

Please get vaccinated

Cardinal Vincent Nichols has echoed the call encouraging people to take up Covid vaccinations and boosters when offered by the NHS. “The call ‘Get vaccinated! Get boosted!’ is more and more pressing.”

Pope Francis also urges us to do so.

ZOE Covid weekly update – Cases rise by 20%

This week, Professor Tim Spector shares some disappointing news about the ZOE COVID Study funding which the Government are withdrawing and expresses gratitude to their parent company ZOE for agreeing to continue supporting their work with both COVID surveillance and exploring other health conditions like cancer, heart disease and dementia. He also explores some research linking COVID to some of these conditions.

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

Parish News by Email

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

Parish newsletter 13 March 2022 Download

Parish newsletter

Posted on 5 March 2022 by admin

Parish newsletter 6 March 2022 Download

1st Sunday of Lent

Dear Parishioners

I suspect we are all concerned by the situation in the world at present as the media focuses our attention on the war in Ukraine and the plight of the Ukrainian people.

Pope Francis has made a heartfelt appeal for peace in Ukraine, saying that the war has caused “great pain in my heart.” “Despite the diplomatic efforts of the last few weeks,” the Pope said, “increasingly alarming scenarios are opening up, with many people all over the world feeling anguish and pain.“ “Once again the peace of all is threatened by partisan interests,” he stressed. Pope Francis appealed to those “with political responsibility to examine their consciences seriously before God, who is the God of peace and not of war, who is the Father of all, not just of some, who wants us to be brothers and not enemies.” He also prayed that “all the parties involved refrain from any action that would cause even more suffering to the people, destabilizing coexistence between nations and bringing international law into disrepute.” (Vatican News)

Cafod have launched a Humanitarian Appeal with their sister organization “Caritas Ukraine” who are already helping people afflicted by this conflict.

Tetiana Stawnychy, President of Caritas Ukraine, has expressed concern that Ukrainian families are now in need of emergency water, food and safe shelter: “the current crisis will inevitably lead to a colossal humanitarian catastrophe,” she said.

Russia’s military invasion will have dire consequences for Ukraine; threatening people’s lives, their jobs and essential buildings like schools and hospitals. The conflict has already caused food shortages and forced people from their homes.

As freezing temperatures continue, the plight of Ukrainians will only worsen. Any bombing of public services like schools, hospitals and train stations across the country will only result in further suffering of the Ukrainian people.

According to the UN’s refugee agency (UNHCR), over 800,000 people have fled Ukraine into neighbouring countries (mainly to Poland, Hungary, Moldova and Romania), with thousands more having to leave their homes inside Ukraine. Many of those who have fled are women and children, having to leave behind their loved ones.

Our Third World Group are accepting donations for Cafod’s Humanitarian Appeal and have already sent £100.00 to the Appeal. £500.00 has also been sent from St. Alban’s Charity Box. Donations may be left in the boxes at both entrances to St. Patrick’s Church – please mark your envelope Ukrainian Appeal. Alternatively you may choose to donate directly via the Cafod website.

If you are able to bring donations of sugar, biscuits, tinned fish in oil and tins of tomatoes and chick peas to St. Patrick’s Church before Mass, they may be left on the table to your right as you enter the front of 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.

Covid-19 is still very much on our doorstep too. Several of our parishioners have tested positive this week and we probably all know of someone who has the virus or is self isolating, you may even be one of them. Please pray that everyone suffering from the virus will make a full recovery. The Public Health message is still to act cautiously, especially in an indoor environment when we are in the company of those we do not usually mix with by considering to wear a face covering. Please respond in a positive way for the sake of each other.

May God bless us all.

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, Tuesday and Wednesday, Fr. Patterson will celebrate Mass privately during the week for the following Intentions. Face coverings should be worn when attending Church, unless you are medically exempt.

Monday – LDM Foster and Freeman Families
Tuesday: 10.00 in St. Patrick’s Church – Mary Robinson
Wednesday – Bill Harland
Thursday – The sick, their families, NHS staff & Care Workers
Friday: 10.00 in St. Patrick’s Church – Funeral Service for Brian Barrett – Diocesan Covid Protocols apply
Saturday – Fr. Patterson’s intentions
Sunday: 10.00 in St. Patrick’s Church – For the intentions of all our parishioners*

* Please note the change of the time of Sunday Mass from next Sunday, 6th March, 2022

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

Please keep in your prayers this week:

all our parishioners who are sick, housebound or in hospital
all those near and dear to us whose memories we cherish at this time especially Bill Harland and,
Fr. Harry Ryan (retired) and Brian Barrett who have died. Receive Lord into tranquillity and peace the souls of your servants whom you have called from this life. May they be taken up into glory with your Son in whose mystery of love we are all united.

A Prayer for Carers, Nurses and Doctors

A time to pray

Please join together in prayer for the 162,008 people who have died in our country from the coronavirus. (Friday’s figure)

A Prayer for the Ukraine

Diocesan Covid Protocols are still in place in our churches.

There is no longer a need to provide Test and Trace details, nor to “log in” using a QR code.

If you are still hesitant about attending Church, you are under no obligation to do so.

If you have Covid symptoms or feel unwell, please stay at home until you feel better.

St. Alban’s Church – our future is in your hands!

In an attempt to determine whether we will be able to reopen St. Alban’s Church when all the Covid restrictions are lifted, Fr. Patterson has invited parishioners who feel able to commit themselves to any one of the roles outlined in our parish Roadmap, to gather together to discuss how we can rebuild St. Alban’s parish with the resources available to us. In doing so, it is important that we look to the future rather than harken back to the past.

The gathering took place on Saturday, 5th March after this Newsletter had gone to print, so Fr. Patterson will inform you of the outcome in next weekend’s Newsletter.

The Lenten Journey

Starting this Sunday, 6th March, 2022, Father Denis McBride C.Ss.R. will be leading a free online retreat.

Each video will be added to the Redemptorist website every Sunday, but they will be available throughout the Lenten season, so you can re-watch them at your leisure.

Lenten Reflections

The Diocesan Vicariate for Faith and Mission has produced the first part of a booklet of Lenten reflections which you may find of value during Lent.

Sycamore for Lent

Sycamore opens up the heart of the Christian message and helps people to grow in faith. The films give an inspiring vision of Catholic Christianity. They involve some clear teaching and thought-provoking testimonies. The discussion groups, even online, help people grow in friendship and build a sense of community.

The Diocesan Vicariate for Faith and Mission invite you to join a Sycamore journey during Lent. They offer an opportunity to gather online each Sunday from 6th March to 10th April from 16.00 – 17.15. There is no charge but you are asked to register to join.

Bishop Robert Barron asks, “Do you want to grow in your faith this Lent?”

During Lent this year, Word on Fire offer the opportunity to engage in more talks and videos with the ability to access those videos you have watched in the past and it is free of charge. Visit the Word on Fire website for more information as to how to access this material.

Each week Bishop Barron offers a Sunday sermon.

Head of Finance

The Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle is looking to appoint a new Head of Finance. The role will be based in the Diocesan Offices in Newcastle and agile working is available. Full-time or 30 hours a week. Closing date for applications: 12th March, 2022. For full details, please visit www.diocesehn.org.uk or contact us 0191 243 3301

Your ongoing financial support is welcomed and needed

The details for bank transfers/standing orders and cheques are as follows:

St. Alban’s HSBC bank account name: DHN Pelaw St Alban, Sort code: 40-34-18, Account No: 92010984

St. Patrick’s HSBC bank account name: DHN Felling St Patrick, Sort code: 40-34-18, Account No: 52010453

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 on the answer machine. 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.

When to take Lateral Flow Tests

With access to free lateral flow tests ending from the 1st April in England, Professor Tim Spector of the Zoe Study presents some valuable insights from their recent research to help us make the most of testing. Their scientists recently analysed the length of time it took for people to test negative, following their first positive test. They found that, on average, it took 8 days after the first positive test to log a negative test.

What can we learn from these findings?

Have some LFTs at home ready so you can test as soon as symptoms start. You don’t want to be out and about looking for test kits while symptomatic
Use a LFT on the day that you start experiencing symptoms
If you log a positive test, wait 6 days to retest as it’s unlikely that you’ll test negative before then
Those aged 75 and over could wait up to 10 days to retest as research suggests that those in this age bracket may take longer to recover
If your test is negative, test again the next day

Please get vaccinated

Pope Francis also urges us to do so.

ZOE Covid weekly update – Why bother tracking Covid-19

This week, Professor Tim Spector looks at some new data Zoe have discovered on Lateral Flow Tests and how long you are likely to test positive, helping you to use the tests economically and save money. He also explains why it’s so important to keep on tracking COVID and logging your health and tests in the ZOE app, as well as some intriguing data on whether skipping breakfast is really as bad as people say it is.

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

Parish News by Email

Parish newsletter 6 March 2022 Download

Parish newsletter

Posted on 26 February 2022 by admin

Parish newsletter 27 November 2022 Download

8th Sunday of the Year

Dear Parishioners

Some of you will be familiar with the hymn, “The Love I have for you, my Lord”. The chorus reads:

“My life is in your hands”

which might be said to reflect the nature of the Public Health Message we heard this week as we begin to learn to live with Covid-19, moving from Government restrictions to taking personal responsibility for our actions so that we protect ourselves and each other without losing our liberty.

The NHS Public Health message outlined by Sir Chris Whitty, the Chief Medical Officer on 21st February, is very clear. We are all strongly urged to play our part to reduce the risk of catching and passing on Covid-19 in the following ways:

by getting vaccinated;
by letting fresh air in when meeting indoors or choosing to meet outside instead;
by wearing a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces, especially where you come into contact with people you do not usually meet with and when rates of transmission are high;
by trying to stay at home if you are unwell;
by taking a test if you have COVID-19 symptoms, and staying at home and avoiding contact with other people if you test positive;
by washing your hands and following advice to ‘Catch it, Bin it, Kill it’.

If we are prepared to follow this advice we may, by example, encourage others to do the same. After all, such behaviour is central to our Christian faith.

There is no longer a need to provide Test and Trace details, nor to “log in” using a QR code.

If you are still hesitant about attending Church, you are under no obligation to do so.

If you have Covid symptoms or feel unwell, please stay at home until you feel better. We probably all know of someone who has the virus or is self isolating, you may even be one of them. Please keep them in your prayers.

I would also like to explore with you whether or not we are going to be able to reopen St. Alban’s Church which will depend on having sufficient volunteers to be able to fulfil the requirements outlined in our parish Roadmap.

If you are willing to volunteer, I would like to invite you to a socially distanced gathering in the parish room in St. Alban’s presbytery next Saturday, 5th March from 11.00 – 12.00. Those attending are asked to wear a face covering unless they are medically exempt and to sanitise their hands on entry. For more details, please see the news item later in this Newsletter.

Bishop Robert has written urging us to remember in our prayers the people in Ukraine who only wish for what we have and enjoy and Pope Francis asks us to remember them in a special way on Ash Wednesday, through prayer and fasting in the hope of peace.

May God bless us all.

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

Monday – Brian Barrett
Tuesday: 10am in St. Patrick’s Church – Ron McKewon
Ash Wednesday: 10am in St. Patrick’s Church: Margaret and Brian Pankhurst
Thursday – The sick, their families, NHS staff & Care Workers
Friday – Andrew Sloan
Saturday – Fr. Patterson’s intentions
Sunday: 10am in St. Patrick’s Church – For the intentions of all our parishioners Please note the change of the time of Sunday Mass from next Sunday, 6th March, 2022.

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

Please keep in your prayers this week:

all our parishioners who are sick, housebound or in hospital
all those near and dear to us whose memories we cherish at this time especially Andrew Sloan and,
Brian Barrett who has died. Receive Lord into tranquillity and peace the soul of your servant whom you have called from this life. May he be taken up into glory with your Son in whose mystery of love we are all united.

A Prayer for Carers, Nurses and Doctors

A time to pray

Please join together in prayer for the 161,224 people who have died in our country from the coronavirus. (Friday’s figure)

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

The Season of Lent

Wednesday, 2nd March, 2022 is Ash Wednesday which marks that time in our Christian lives when we perhaps go out of our way to prepare spiritually for the celebration of Easter.

Thanks to our volunteer stewards, we will be able to offer Mass in St. Patrick’s Church on Ash Wednesday at 10am when it is hoped children from Years 5 and 6 from our school will join us.

Lenten Reflections

The Diocesan Vicariate for Faith and Mission has produced the first part of a booklet of Lenten reflections which you may find of value during Lent. Unfortunately the booklet is too large to make printed copies available, but it is accessible online to those of you who have internet access.

The Lenten Journey

Starting Sunday, 6th March, 2022, Father Denis McBride C.Ss.R. will be leading a free online retreat.

Each video will be added to the Redemptorist website every Sunday, but they will be available throughout the Lenten season, so you can re-watch them at your leisure.

Sycamore for Lent

The Diocesan Vicariate for Faith and Mission invite you to join a Sycamore journey during Lent. They offer an opportunity to gather online each Sunday from 6th March to 10th April from 4pm – 5:15pm. There is no charge but you are asked to register via the Diocesan website.

St. Alban’s Church – our future is in your hands!

With a possible further relaxation of our Diocesan Covid protocols in sight, we can now turn our attention to considering whether we will be able to reopen St. Alban’s Church.

As you are aware from our Parish Roadmap, which was circulated in June, 2021, many of our parishioners who served the parish in different ways over the years have asked to step down from their roles and Fr. Patterson has thanked them for their years of service and renews his thanks to them. Others have moved away and sadly, some have died – may they rest in peace.

Before we can open the church, we need committed volunteers to fulfil the roles outlined in our parish Roadmap which was recently recirculated . Further copies may be requested from felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk.

Fr. Patterson would like to invite all those who feel able to commit themselves to any one of these roles to gather together, socially distanced, to discuss how we can rebuild St. Alban’s parish with the resources available to us. In doing so, it is important that we look to the future rather than harken back to the past.

The gathering will take place next Saturday, 5th March from 11.00 – 12.00 in the Parish Room of St Alban’s presbytery. Fr. Patterson appreciates that this date and time may not suit everyone, but as it is of importance for our future, he hopes those of you who feel able to volunteer, will make a special effort to attend. Please wear a face covering unless you are medically exempt.

If you are unable to come along, but are willing to help in any one of the roles mentioned in the Roadmap, or would like to know more about what the roles entail, please contact Terry or Christine Harbron (0191 469 8697) or email Fr. Patterson on felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk or telephone him on 0191 495 2277.

If you have helped in the past and would like to continue in your former role, it is important to contact Fr. Patterson in advance of our gathering.

Fr. Patterson has also submitted a request to the Diocesan Health and Safety Advisor to arrange to carry out a risk assessment of the Church which every parish must have in place before a church can be reopened.

The Ukraine

Pope Francis has made a heartfelt appeal for peace in Ukraine, saying that the threat of war had caused “great pain in my heart.” “Despite the diplomatic efforts of the last few weeks,” the Pope said, “increasingly alarming scenarios are opening up,” with many people all over the world feeling anguish and pain. ““Once again the peace of all is threatened by partisan interests,” he stressed. Pope Francis appealed to those “with political responsibility to examine their consciences seriously before God, who is the God of peace and not of war, who is the Father of all, not just of some, who wants us to be brothers and not enemies.”” He also prayed that “all the parties involved refrain from any action that would cause even more suffering to the people, destabilizing coexistence between nations and bringing international law into disrepute.”

(Vatican News)

The Synod Webinar

Sr. Nathalie Becquart, the under secretary to the Synod of Bishops at the Vatican, is currently organising the synod process and empowering the Church across the world to journey towards the international Synod. She will be the guest speaker at a webinar on the 5th March 11.00—12.30 for people across the diocese. A time to listen, discuss and question her on the church and the way forward. To register please email admin@ymt.org requesting ‘webinar registration’.

An Appeal from our Diocesan Justice and Peace Refugee Project

Thank you for continuing to respond so positively to this Appeal which supports on average 300 clients each week, who all receive a bag of food. 102 of them are destitute and also receive a supermarket voucher.

If you are able to bring donations of sugar, biscuits and toiletries as well as tinned fish in oil and tins of tomatoes and chick peas to St. Patrick’s Church before Mass, they may be left on the table to your right as you enter the front of Church or on a table if you enter by the rear door. Please note: baked beans and tinned meat are not required.

Head of Finance

Your ongoing financial support is welcomed and needed

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

Please get vaccinated

Pope Francis also urges us to do so.

ZOE Covid weekly update – What is the reality of living with Covid-19

In this week’s update, Tim discusses the prime minister’s speech on living with COIVD, and what this really means for us going forward. He also looks at the latest figures and updates from the Zoe studies with more insights from the diet studies they conducted previously during the pandemic, this week he is looking at snacking habits.

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

Parish News by Email

Parish newsletter 27 November 2022 Download

Parish newsletter

Posted on 19 February 2022 by admin

Parish newsletter 20 February 2022 Download

7th Sunday of the Year

Dear Parishioners

A life of faith stands in contrast to the values of this world

Everyone gets annoyed from time to time. Anger is part of our fallen human nature, but it need not be a source of insulting or violent behaviour. After the flaring up of temper we have a choice to make. We can refuse to retaliate and instead meet negativity with goodness and in doing so, choose to imitate the way God is with us.

Sometimes the loving choice may be to stand up to unacceptable behaviour and gently help other people to understand the consequences of their actions, which is not revenge, it simply reaffirms Jesus’ teaching that love restores, teaches and most of all heals. (Luke 6: 27 – 38)

Gentle steps

Following discussions with our stewards and in keeping with Bishop Robert’s Diocesan Covid protocols, it was agreed that it will now be possible for you to enter St. Patrick’s Church either through the Church Street entrance or through the parish centre doors ascending either by the inner staircase or the lift. Both doors will open 20 minutes before Mass is due to begin.

On arrival in the church you will be invited to sanitise your hands and will be guided to your seat by one of our volunteers. A box will be available for your offerings, Test and trace details and Mass Intentions. Face coverings should still be worn.

The arrangements for Holy Communion will remain the same – you will be invited to come forward row by row from the front. For the time being, at the end of Mass, please remain in your seats until you are invited to leave and exit via the centre aisle through either the front or rear doors.

Change in Sunday Mass time

It was also agreed that from Sunday 6th March, 2022, the First Sunday of Lent, Mass on Sundays will be at 10am.

These are a few more small steps to building a new, safe and secure future.

We received an update from Bishop Robert on 28th January concerning the Covid protocols to be followed in churches in our Diocese. Given the transmission rate of Covid-19 in the region, no changes are to be made to our current protocols.

So we ask that face coverings continue to be worn in St. Patrick’s Church unless you are medically exempt. You are also asked to maintain social distancing from others in your bench, unless you are from the same household or bubble. Sanitising your hands is also good practice.

The Government is still encouraging places of worship, to keep a record of those attending to support the NHS Test and Trace programme. If you have a smartphone you may use the QR Code displayed at the entrance to the Church or you can bring your details (name and contact telephone number) in an envelope and place it in the box at the front of the Church.

May God bless you all

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 and Tuesday, Fr. Patterson will celebrate Mass privately during the week remembering the following Intentions. Face coverings must be worn when attending Church, unless you are medically exempt.

Monday – William and Elizabeth Pearson
Tuesday: 10.00 in St. Patrick’s Church – Manus McDermott
Wednesday – Brian Quigley
Thursday – The sick, their families, NHS staff & Care Workers
Friday – Carol Belton
Saturday – Fr. Patterson’s intentions
Sunday: 10.30 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:

Please keep in your prayers this week:

all our parishioners who are sick, housebound or in hospital
all those near and dear to us whose memories we cherish at this time es[ecially Manus McDermott and Elizabeth Pearson and,
Fr. Malcolm Cairns (parish priest of Amble) who has died. May he rest in peace

A Prayer for Carers, Nurses and Doctors

A time to pray

Please join together in prayer for the 160,379 people who have died in our country from the coronavirus. (Friday’s figure)

A Prayer for the Ukraine

The Season of Lent

Wednesday, 2nd March, 2022 is Ash Wednesday which marks that time in our Christian lives when we perhaps go out of our way to prepare spiritually for the celebration of Easter.

Thanks to our volunteer stewards, we will be able to offer Mass in St. Patrick’s Church on Ash Wednesday at 10am when it is hoped children from Years 5 and 6 from our school will join us.

Lenten Reflections

St. Alban’s Church – our future is in your hands!

With a possible further relaxation of our Diocesan Covid protocols in sight, we can now turn our attention to considering whether we will be able to reopen St. Alban’s Church.

As you are aware from our Parish Roadmap which was circulated in June, 2021, many of our parishioners who served the parish in different ways over the years have asked to step down from their roles and Fr. Patterson has thanked them for their years of service and renews his thanks to them. Others have moved away and sadly, some have died – may they rest in peace.

Before we can open the church, we need committed volunteers to fulfil the roles outlined in our parish Roadmap which was circulated again last weekend. Further copies may be requested from felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk.

The gathering will take place on Saturday, 5th March from 11am-12pm. It is the intention to hold it in the Parish Room at St Alban’s presbytery, but this will be confirmed closer to the date. Fr. Patterson appreciates that this date and time may not suit everyone, but as it is of importance for our future, he hopes those of you who feel able to volunteer, will make a special effort to attend.

If you have helped in the past and would like to continue in your former role, it is important to contact Fr. Patterson in advance of our gathering.

The Synod update

Our Diocesan synod process has been moving ahead over the last couple of months, and the Diocesan team are now starting to collate the responses from diocesan groups and parishes.

Last weekend, Partnerships across the Diocese sent people to join Bishop Robert for a morning of prayer, talking and listening, and to feedback on what they have heard during the last few months of our Diocesan Synod process.

Bishop Robert said, “We have had a very fruitful morning… we go forward trusting each other, and with a confidence in the joy and power of the Gospel”.

The partnerships are asked to finalise their responses by 22nd February and to pass these to their respective Episcopal Area meetings. The Lay Pastoral Forum, which includes representatives of all the Partnership and lay groups in the Diocese will compile the responses received into a submission to the Bishop in early March. The Bishop will then consider this, plus the responses from the Clergy, Caritas, and other Diocesan groups and produce his final submission by 8th April, 2022.

Webinar

Sr. Nathalie Becquart, the under secretary to the Synod of Bishops at the Vatican, is currently organising the synod process and empowering the Church across the world to journey towards the international Synod. She will be the guest speaker at a webinar on the 5th March 11am-12pm for people across the diocese. A time to listen, discuss and question her on the church and the way forward. To register please email admin@ymt.org requesting ‘webinar registration’.

An Appeal from our Diocesan Justice and Peace Refugee Project

If you are able to bring donations of sugar, biscuits and toiletries as well as tinned fish in oil and tins of tomatoes and chick peas to St. Patrick’s Church before Mass, they may be left on the table to your right as you enter the front of Church or on a table if you enter by the rear door. Please note: baked beans and tinned meat are not required.

Church Grounds

The grounds of both of our churches are looking somewhat worse for wear at present due to the contractor who looked after them having ceased trading. Fr. Patterson has now engaged the services of a replacement contractor who will be commencing work on the grounds in the near future.

The Catholic Universe

This newspaper, which went into administration last Summer after 160 years, has been replaced by an online subscription digital publication under a new name, “The Universe Catholic Weekly.” It will be topical, controversial, stimulating and packed with news, opinion and features. You can receive a weekly edition on line for £20.00 a quarter paid simply and directly to the publisher. For more information as to how to subscribe, visit the Universe Catholic Weekly website.

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 on the answer machine. 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.

Your ongoing financial support is welcomed and needed

The details for bank transfers/standing orders and cheques are as follows:

St. Alban’s HSBC bank account name: DHN Pelaw St Alban, Sort code: 40-34-18, Account No: 92010984

St. Patrick’s HSBC bank account name: DHN Felling St Patrick, Sort code: 40-34-18, Account No: 52010453

Get vaccinated. Get boosted!

Pope Francis also urges us to do so.

ZOE Covid weekly update – Professor Spector recovers from Omicron

Tim discusses the latest data which shows cases continuing to decline, and the spread of Omicron BA.2 around the country. He also discusses the rumours about the ONS COVID surveillance not being renewed and free LFTs being stopped, and what we can do to live with the virus in the future.

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

Parish News by Email

Parish newsletter 20 February 2022 Download

Parish newsletter

Posted on 12 February 2022 by admin

Parish newsletter 13 February 2022 Download

6th Sunday of the Year

Dear Parishioners

Following discussions with our stewards and in keeping with Bishop Robert’s Diocesan Covid protocols, it was agreed that from this Sunday, 13th February, 2022 it will be possible to enter St. Patrick’s Church either through the Church Street entrance or through the parish centre doors ascending either by the inner staircase or the lift. Both doors will open 20 minutes before Mass is due to begin.

The arrangements for Holy Communion will remain the same – you will be invited to come forward row by row from the front as at present. For the time being, at the end of Mass, please remain in your seats until you are invited to leave and exit via the centre aisle through either the front or rear doors.

After discussions with our stewards and following a show of hands last Sunday, it was agreed that from Sunday 6th March, 2022, the First Sunday of Lent, Mass on Sundays will be at 10am.

These are a few more small steps to building a new future.

A life of faith stands in contrast to the values of this world

This is the theme of the Gospel which is read at Mass this Sunday (Luke 6: 17-26).

Jesus speaks of how reliance on the world’s values – whether of strength, security, wealth or reputation – is pointless and ultimately of little value. Instead he offers us what at first may seem unrealistic; reliance on a God we cannot see; faith in a crucified Christ and belief in an eternity of which there are no guarantees. Faith, hope and love are not easy virtues, but they are the graces we need to be a true follower of Christ.

May God bless you all

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 and Tuesday, Fr. Patterson will celebrate Mass privately during the week remembering the following Intentions. Face coverings must be worn when attending Church, unless you are medically exempt.

Monday – Pat Smith
Tuesday: 10.00 in St. Patrick’s Church -Special Intention (ML)
Wednesday: 10.00 Funeral Mass for Maureen Hughes – Diocesan Covid protocols apply
Thursday – The sick, their families, NHS staff & Care Workers
Friday – Jack Durham
Saturday – Fr. Patterson’s intentions
Sunday: 10.30 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:

Please keep in your prayers this week:

all our parishioners who are sick, housebound or in hospital
all those near and dear to us whose memories we cherish at this time and,
Fr. Malcolm Cairns (parish priest of Amble) and Maureen Hughes who have died. May they rest in peace

A Prayer for Carers, Nurses and Doctors

A time to pray

Please join together in prayer for the 159,351 people who have died in our country from the coronavirus. (Friday’s figure)

A Prayer for the Ukraine

St. Alban’s Church – our future is in your hands!

With a possible further relaxation of our Diocesan Covid protocols in sight, we can now turn our attention to considering whether we will be able to reopen St. Alban’s Church.

Before we can open the church, we will need volunteers who will be prepared to fulfil the roles outlined in our parish Roadmap. A copy may be requested by contacting felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk.

If you have helped in the past and would like to continue in your former role, it is important to contact Fr. Patterson in advance of our gathering.

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 on the answer machine. 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.

Your ongoing financial support is welcomed and needed

The details for bank transfers/standing orders and cheques are as follows:

St. Alban’s HSBC bank account name: DHN Pelaw St Alban, Sort code: 40-34-18, Account No: 92010984

St. Patrick’s HSBC bank account name: DHN Felling St Patrick, Sort code: 40-34-18, Account No: 52010453

Get vaccinated. Get boosted!

Pope Francis also urges us to do so.

ZOE Covid weekly update – Professor Spector gets Covid as Omicron peaks

Delivering his weekly update from isolation due to COVID infection, Tim shares the latest data on national case rates, including where we’re seeing Omicron BA.2 becoming more prevalent.

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

Parish News by Email

Parish newsletter 13 February 2022 Download

Parish newsletter

Posted on 5 February 2022 by admin

Parish newsletter 2 February 2022 Download

Dear Parishioners

All of us know that when something of any significance happens in the world or even in our lives, many different accounts of the event will quickly circulate, each of them giving a slightly different perspective, possibly adding or exaggerating some details to enhance its meaning.

For life changing events, like the story of a man who died and rose from the dead and was then seen and talked to by those who knew him, the credibility of the storyteller becomes absolutely crucial to the telling of the story.

All kinds of stories were in circulation about the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. There were stories of earthquakes and volcanoes, of armies of angels seen in the skies over Jerusalem, of Jesus coming from the tomb dressed in white, wearing a crown, with an archangel on either side, striking dead the Roman soldiers sent to guard the tomb.

What to believe? Who to believe? What actually happened? Who was this man? These became hugely important questions for the first Christian communities who relied on the men and women who actually knew Jesus, who walked with him, heard him and saw him.

The Apostles held the highest places in the ranks of eye-witnesses. Not only were they with Jesus when he taught the crowds, healed the sick, told the parables, but they were also privileged to be with him in his private moments.

That is why it was so important in the early Church that those called to be Apostles by Jesus were clearly identified and the stories of their call recorded. That is why their stories are important for us today if we are to be effective witnesses of the Good News of the Gospel.

As we hear in the gospel read at Mass this Sunday, (Luke 5: 1-11) remember that just as Jesus called the first apostles on the lakeside by name, he called every baptised person by name to follow him and be his witness in the world.

(Fr. Brian Maher OMI adapted)

With the ongoing support of our volunteer stewards, we continue to do what we can to ensure St. Patrick’s Church is both welcoming and as Covid-19 safe as we can make it for you. At this present time, Mass will continue to be celebrated on Tuesdays at 10am and on Sundays at 10.30am. As we clean the church after each celebration, the rear of the church is closed to reduce the demands on our stewards in this regard. Limited toilet facilities are available in case of necessity. If you are still hesitant about attending Church, you are under no obligation to do so.

May God bless you all

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

Monday – Kathleen and Bill Harland
Tuesday: 10am in St. Patrick’s Church – Special Intention
Wednesday: Isabella Taylor
Thursday – The sick, their families, NHS staff & Care Workers
Friday – Veronica and James Houghton
Saturday – Fr. Patterson’s intentions
Sunday: 10.30 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:

Please keep in your prayers this week:

all our parishioners who are sick, housebound or in hospital and,
all those near and dear to us whose memories we cherish at this time especially Veronica Houghton and Isabella Taylor

A Prayer for Carers, Nurses and Doctors

A time to pray

Please join together in prayer for the 157,984 people who have died in our country from the coronavirus. (Friday’s figure)

A Prayer for the Ukraine

St. Alban’s Church

Currently, we are still unable to reopen St. Alban’s Church whilst Diocesan Covid restrictions are in place as we do not have sufficient volunteers to comply with the protocols required to make the church Covid safe.

Even when the restrictions are removed, before we can open the church, we will need volunteers who will be prepared to fulfil the roles outlined in our shared parish Roadmap which was circulated at the beginning of May, 2021. If you do not have a copy, please email felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk or ring 0191 495 2277 and one will be sent to you.

It is Fr. Patterson’s intention to invite those parishioners who are prepared to take on the necessary roles required to open the church to meet together to discuss the way forward. More news, next week.

An Appeal from our Diocesan Justice and Peace Refugee Project

If you are able to bring donations of rice, sugar, biscuits and toiletries as well as tinned fish in oil and tins of tomatoes and chick peas to St. Patrick’s Church before Mass, they may be left on the table to your right as you enter the Church. Please note: baked beans and tinned meat are not required.

Gas and electricity bills to rise in April

I feel sure all of us will be anxious about the increased cost of gas and electricity in the coming months and having to meet higher utility bills will be a genuine struggle for so many – our parishes included.

Last week we received the gas bill for the heating of St. Patrick’s Church for the three month period 1/11/21 to 31/1/22 which totalled £2,289.00; the parish income for the same period totalled £6,092. The same period before lockdown (1/11/19 to 31/1/20) saw a heating bill of £3,387.00 with an income for the period of £9,080. The smaller heating costs in the current year are due to the church being open only two days in any week. With St. Alban’s Church being closed there are no comparable costings.

Your ongoing financial support is welcomed and needed

The details for bank transfers/standing orders and cheques are as follows:

St. Alban’s HSBC bank account name: DHN Pelaw St Alban, Sort code: 40-34-18, Account No: 92010984

St. Patrick’s HSBC bank account name: DHN Felling St Patrick, Sort code: 40-34-18, Account No: 52010453

Get vaccinated. Get boosted!

Pope Francis also urges us to do so.

ZOE Covid weekly update looks at how to use a Lateral Flow Test

In this week’s COVID-19 update, Professor Tim Spector takes a look at the second peak we’re seeing in cases and discusses when might be the best time to take an LFT test, and what we’ve discovered on symptoms of back pain.

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

Parish News by Email

Parish newsletter 2 February 2022 Download

Parish newsletter

Posted on 29 January 2022 by admin

Parish newsletter 30 January 2022 Download

4th Sunday of the Year

Dear Parishioners

In the Gospel which will be read at Mass this Sunday, we hear how Jesus was teaching in the synagogue in his home town of Nazareth when, having listened to what he had to say, the people turned on him leading to Jesus’ words: “No prophet is ever accepted in his own country.” (Luke 4: 21-30)

What had he been saying to make the people respond to him in such a way? He was simply stating that his message “to love one another” must extend to everyone, without exception.

That message is true for us today. God’s love isn’t just for Christian people, it is for everyone and what a wonderful message that is for the people of the world.

It is a message which has been at the heart of all the pandemic restrictions and guidelines we have been asked to follow for almost two years. They are based on that need to look after one another by doing all we can to reduce the transmission of Covid-19.

This approach continues to lie at the heart of the Government guidelines which are still in place, even though the legal restrictions of Plan B were lifted last Thursday.

Take the wearing of face coverings for example. Whilst they are not legally necessary in shops or on public transport, the government still “recommends” that people wear face coverings in crowded, enclosed spaces where we may come into contact with people we do not normally meet. They remain a requirement in healthcare settings such as GP surgeries, hospitals or care homes and we ask that you continue wearing them when coming to our Church out of consideration for everyone else in the Church. Most of the major retailers including Tesco, Sainsburys, Lidl, Waitrose and John Lewis have also asked staff and customers to keep wearing a face covering.

Evidence suggests transmission mainly happens indoors where people are close together. Covering the nose and mouth reduces the spread of coronavirus droplets from coughs, sneezes and while speaking. The main purpose is to protect others although there is evidence they offer protection to wearers.

We received an update from Bishop Robert last Friday (28th January) on the Covid protocols to be followed in churches in our own Diocese for the time being and given the prevailing transmission rate of Covid-19 in the region, we are asked to make no changes to our current protocols.

With the ongoing support of our volunteer stewards, we continue to do what we can to ensure St. Patrick’s Church is both welcoming and as Covid-19 safe as we can make it for you. At this present time, Mass will continue to be celebrated on Tuesdays at 10am and on Sundays at 10.30am. As we must clean the church after each celebration, the rear of the church is closed to reduce the demands on our stewards who sanitise the benches after you leave. Limited toilet facilities are available in case of necessity. If you are still hesitant about attending Church, you are under no obligation to do so.

May God bless you all.

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

Monday – Pat and Brian McDonough
Tuesday: 10.00 in St. Patrick’s Church – Lindsay Bradley
Wednesday – Patsy Rafferty
Thursday – The sick, their families, NHS staff & Care Workers
Friday -Funeral Mass for Celia Morley – Diocesan Covid protocols apply
Saturday -Fr. Patterson’s intentions
Sunday: 10.30 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:

Please keep in your prayers this week:

all our parishioners who are sick, housebound or in hospital
all those near and dear to us whose memories we cherish at this time especially Lindsay Bradley and,
Celia Morley who has died. May she rest in peace

A Prayer for Carers, Nurses and Doctors

A time to pray

Please join together in prayer for the 155,317 people who have died in our country from the coronavirus. (Friday’s figure):

A Prayer for the Ukraine

Pope Francis invites us to pray for peace in the Ukraine.

“May the Lord grant that the Ukraine may grow in the spirit of brotherhood and that all wounds, fears and divisions will be overcome. Amen.”

Bishop Robert asks that we maintain the current Diocesan Covid Protocols in our Churches

We received an update from Bishop Robert last Friday (28th January) on the Covid protocols to be followed in our own Diocese until his next review at the end of February. Given the prevailing transmission rate of Covid-19 in the region, the Bishop asks that no changes are made to our current protocols.

An Appeal from our Diocesan Justice and Peace Refugee Project

Thank you

Fr. Patterson wishes to express his gratitude for donations of £100.00 and £40.00 received during the past week for St. Patrick’s Church Funds.

St. Alban’s Church

Sadly, we are still not in a position to reopen St. Alban’s Church whilst Covid restrictions are in place as we do not have sufficient volunteers to comply with the protocols required to make the church Covid safe.

Once the restrictions are removed, before we are able to open the church, we will need volunteers who will be prepared to fulfil the roles outlined in our shared parish Roadmap which was circulated at the beginning of May, 2021. If you do not have a copy, please email felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk or telephone 0191 495 2277 and one will be sent to you.

At the earliest opportunity, Fr. Patterson will invite those parishioners who are prepared to fulfil the necessary roles to meet together to discuss the way forward. Just before Christmas, Bishop Robert closed all parish centres, halls and meeting places until further notice because of the rapid spread of Omicron in the region. Once the situation changes Fr. Patterson will be in a position to arrange a meeting.

Your ongoing financial support is welcomed and needed

The details for bank transfers/standing orders and cheques are as follows:

St. Alban’s HSBC bank account name: DHN Pelaw St Alban, Sort code: 40-34-18, Account No: 92010984

St. Patrick’s HSBC bank account name: DHN Felling St Patrick, Sort code: 40-34-18, Account No: 52010453

Get vaccinated. Get boosted!

Pope Francis also urges us to do so.

ZOE Covid weekly update looks at what a sore throat may be telling you

In this week’s COVID-19 update, Professor Tim Spector looks at the newly discovered Omicron variation BA.2, as well as the latest data from the ZOE app on rates of reinfection, and duration of COVID symptoms!

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

Parish News by Email

Parish newsletter 30 January 2022 Download

Parish newsletter

Posted on 22 January 2022 by admin

Parish newsletter 23 January 2022 Download

3rd Sunday of the Year

Dear Parishioners

In the popular television program Antiques Roadshow, people from around the country bring their treasures to be appraised by various experts. It might be a cherished family heirloom displayed proudly in a prominent place in the home, or a long-forgotten trinket gathering dust in the attic. Whatever the item, the owner is usually keen to know its value. The appraiser might put a low price tag on something the owner thought had great value or what was originally purchased for a few pounds sometimes turns out to be valued at thousands of pounds.

Take a look around your home. What is your family’s most valued possession? Is it an object, a person, a relationship? How does your family express delight and pride in this treasured possession?

Pope Francis has dedicated this Sunday to “the Word of God.” He invites us to consider if the Bible is one of our treasures. Is a Bible among your home’s most valuable possessions?

Sadly, recent surveys have shown that few Catholics read the Bible, but what better place is there to encounter the person of Jesus Christ than in God’s Word?

So Pope Francis invites us to return to God’s Word. For when we read and reflect on it, our encounter with the living God is not a mere intellectual exercise but an opportunity to deepen our lives of faith and to model our own way of living on the example of Jesus.

And we need all the strength we can get to be more truly Christ like at this present time when we are asked to be concerned for the well-being of our neighbour. This will be more important when some of the Covid restrictions are lifted on Thursday of this week and become “Guidance” which we are still asked to follow for the well-being of others.

Until we receive an update from Bishop Robert, we ask that face coverings continue to be worn in St. Patrick’s Church unless you are medically exempt. This is in keeping with the Government advice after Thursday when they encourage us still “to wear face coverings in crowded, indoor spaces where we come into contact with people we do not normally meet.” Evidence suggests transmission mainly happens indoors where people are close together. Covering the nose and mouth reduces the spread of coronavirus droplets from coughs, sneezes and while speaking. The main purpose is to protect others although there is some evidence they offer protection to wearers.

You are also asked to maintain two metres social distancing from others in your bench, unless you are from the same household or bubble. Sanitising your hands is also good practice.

With the ongoing support of our volunteer stewards, we continue to do what we can to ensure St. Patrick’s Church is both welcoming and as Covid-19 safe as we can make it for you. At this present time, Mass will continue to be celebrated on Tuesdays at 10am and on Sundays at 10.30am. As we must clean the church after each celebration, the rear of the church is closed to reduce the demands on our stewards who sanitise the benches after you leave. Limited toilet facilities are available in case of necessity. If you are still hesitant about attending Church, you are under no obligation to do so.

If you have Covid symptoms or feel unwell, please stay at home until you feel better. We probably all know of someone who has the virus or is self isolating, you may even be one of them. Please pray that everyone suffering from the virus will make a full recovery.

May God bless you all

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

Monday – George and Evelyn May Craig
Tuesday: 10.00 in St. Patrick’s Church – Ellen Farrell
Wednesday – Private Intention (NF)
Thursday – The sick, their families, NHS staff & Care Workers
Friday – Denis Patrick Lenehan
Saturday -Fr. Patterson’s intentions
Sunday: 10.30 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:

Please keep in your prayers this week:

all our parishioners who are sick, housebound or in hospital
all those near and dear to us whose memories we cherish at this time especially Lindsay Bradley, George Craig, Denis Patrick Lenehan and Patsy Rafferty and,
Celia Morley who has died. May she rest in peace.

A Prayer for Carers, Nurses and Doctors

A time to pray

Please join together in prayer for the 153,490 people who have died in our country from the coronavirus. (Friday’s figure)

A Prayer for Christian Unity – in this week of prayer for Christian Unity

God of every nation, creator of every human life, the Lord Jesus Christ has been made manifest in human history by becoming one of us and one with us. The solidarity of God with created humanity calls us to a life of solidarity with the homeless, the refugee, the weakest and the rejected. Help your Church to be a light for unity within itself and a beacon of hope for all humanity. We ask this through Jesus Christ, who with you and the Holy Spirit reign as God for ever and ever. Amen

An Appeal from our Diocesan Justice and Peace Refugee Project

Thank you for responding so positively to this Appeal which supports on average 300 clients each week, who all receive a bag of food. 102 of them are destitute and also receive a supermarket voucher.

Afghanistan Appeal

Thank you for your donations in recent weeks. Fr. Patterson has sent £135.00 to Cafod for The Afghanistan Appeal. Should you wish to make a donation to the this Appeal on line, please visit the Cafod website.

St. Alban’s Church

Your ongoing financial support is welcomed and needed

The details for bank transfers/standing orders and cheques are as follows:

St. Alban’s HSBC bank account name: DHN Pelaw St Alban, Sort code: 40-34-18, Account No: 92010984

St. Patrick’s HSBC bank account name: DHN Felling St Patrick, Sort code: 40-34-18, Account No: 52010453

Get vaccinated. Get boosted!

Pope Francis also urges us to do so in this video message.

ZOE Covid weekly update asks, “Omicron cases are falling rapidly, but will it last?”

In this week’s COVID-19 update, Professor Tim Spector looks at the latest data from the ZOE COVID Study, which shows Omicron is continuing to fall rapidly. But will it last now that cases are gain rising in children? He also discusses some interesting symptoms which have become more prevalent in Omicron cases than previous variants !

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

Parish News by Email

Parish newsletter 23 January 2022 Download

Parish newsletter

Posted on 15 January 2022 by admin

Parish newsletter 16 January 2022 Download

2^nd Sunday of the Year

Dear Parishioners

We are now into the season described by the Church as “Ordinary Time.”

It is the time when we, as Catholic people, strive to implement in our everyday lives the message Jesus came to bring on the first Christmas Day.

Sharing what we have received lies at the heart of our human experience, but it also raises an awareness of the inequalities which surround us whether that be in our own families, in our community, in our country or in the world at large.

There is a great temptation to see such inequalities as being someone else’s problem to resolve – whether it be National or local Government, the churches, law enforcement, border control and many more. Rarely do we see such situations as our joint responsibility, perhaps because of the “knock on effect” it may have on us.

The gift of faith we received on the day of our baptism, was given to us to enable us to share what we have been given for the well-being of others.

We still need to draw on this at this present time as the cases of Omicron are still increasing in our own region and in our own community.

So please continue to do all you can to be cautious in your everyday life choices, not only for your own good but for the well-being of others; family, friends, the local community and further afield, including the NHS on which we all rely at times.

You may like to include this prayer in your daily prayers:-

Attend to the prayers of your people with heavenly care,
O Lord, we pray, that they may see what must be done
and gain strength to do what they have seen.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Face coverings must be worn unless you are medically exempt and you are asked to maintain two metres social distancing from others in your bench, unless you are from the same household or bubble. Sanitising your hands is also necessary.

As we must clean the church after each celebration, the rear of the church is closed to reduce the demands on our stewards who sanitise the benches after you leave. Limited toilet facilities are available in case of necessity.

As more and more people in the parish are contracting Covid-19, if you have Covid symptoms or feel unwell, if you have a cough or are sneezing, if someone in your household has been poorly recently, please do not take any risks with your health or the health of others at Church and stay at home until you feel better. If you are still hesitant about attending Church, you are under no obligation to do so.

With the growing spread of Covid in our region, we probably all know of someone who has the virus or is self isolating, you may even be one of them. Please pray that everyone suffering from the virus will make a full recovery. Pray for each other that the Lord will continue to watch over us and keep us safe.

May God bless you all

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 and Tuesday, Fr. Patterson will celebrate Mass privately during the week remembering the following Intentions. Face coverings must be worn when attending Church, unless you are medically exempt.

Monday – Paul Hughes
Tuesday: 10.00 in St. Patrick’s Church – Tom Hayes
Wednesday -Bishop Lindsay
Thursday – The sick, their families, NHS staff & Care Workers
Friday – Joan Barrett
Saturday -Fr. Patterson’s intentions
Sunday: 10.30 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:

Please keep in your prayers this week:

all our parishioners who are sick, housebound or in hospital
all those near and dear to us whose memories we cherish at this time especially Bishop Lindsay

A Prayer for Carers, Nurses and Doctors

A time to pray

Please join together in prayer for the 151,612 people who have died in our country from the coronavirus. (Friday’s figure)

A Prayer for the New Year and beyond

We are a community of memory that looks back; we are a community of Spirit that looks forward.
It is important, though not easy, to look back with kindness and to look forward in hope.
This year is coming to a close and a new year beckons.
Let us hand over the past to God for his healing blessing.
Let us ask the Lord to face the future with us so that we do not face it alone
Let us pray for each other and for all those we love
that we might know the promise of the Lord that brings the Gospel to a close.

(Fr. Denis McBride C.Ss.R)

An Appeal from our Diocesan Justice and Peace Refugee Project

Please spare a thought for the above project. It supports on average 300 clients each week, who all receive a bag of food. 102 of them are destitute and also receive a supermarket voucher.

St. Alban’s Church

Your ongoing financial support is welcomed and needed

The details for bank transfers/standing orders and cheques are as follows:-

St. Alban’s HSBC bank account name: DHN Pelaw St Alban, Sort code: 40-34-18, Account No: 92010984

St. Patrick’s HSBC bank account name: DHN Felling St Patrick, Sort code: 40-34-18, Account No: 52010453

Get vaccinated. Get boosted!

Pope Francis also urges us to do so.

Self Isolation Rules change in England on Monday

The self-isolation period for people who test positive for Covid-19 is being cut to five full days in England from Monday, Health Secretary Sajid Javid has said. The change means people will be able to end isolation after negative lateral flow tests on days five and six, with Mr Javid saying this meant they could leave “at the start of day six”. Ministers say the move is one way to reduce staffing pressures in the NHS and other sectors, while Mr Javid said it was about maximising activity in the economy while “minimising the risk of people leaving isolation”.

ZOE Covid weekly update asks, “Are we past the peak of Omicron?”

Professor Tim Spector is back from holiday and in this week’s video, he takes us through the latest data which shows that the UK may be over the Omicron wave. However, if you’re feeling unwell, it’s now more likely to be COVID than a cold!

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

Parish News by Email

Parish newsletter 16 January 2022 Download

Parish newsletter

Posted on 8 January 2022 by admin

Parish newsletter 9 January 2022 Download

The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

Dear Parishioners

Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus in the river Jordan by John the Baptist.

Traditionally it marks the end of the Christmas season, but it does not mean that the message of Christmas is put away with the rest of the Christmas decorations until next year.

We have celebrated so much in the world of faith over the past few weeks.

Mary’s acceptance of God’s will for her to be the mother of his Son. Her difficult journey with Joseph to Bethlehem to fulfil the governor’s edict to register in the town of their birth. No place to stay when they arrived, so Mary gave birth in a cattle shed surrounded by shepherds. The arrival of the Magi who followed a star which led them to the long awaited Messiah and the celebration of family life on the Feast of the Holy Family. So we have a great deal to be thankful for and hopefully we would want to share what we have celebrated and received.

Sharing lies at the heart of today’s Feast of the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan which marks the beginning of his “public ministry” when he travelled around the countryside talking to people who came to listen to what he had to say and gently inviting them to follow his example and teaching. Many came to listen, but only a few remained with him and became his disciples.

We are reminded today of our baptism which made us members of God’s family. The day on which we were entrusted with the gift of faith and encouraged, as we mature in years and in faith, to share what we have been given for the well-being of others.

We need to draw on that at this present time when we must continue to take personal responsibility for our life choices, not only for our own good but for the well-being of others; family, friends, the local community and further afield.

So, please do all you can to be cautious in your everyday life choices which not only affect you, but impact on others too, including the NHS on which we all rely at times and pray for one another.

With the ongoing support of our volunteer stewards, we are doing what we can to ensure St. Patrick’s Church is both welcoming and as Covid-19 safe as we can make it for you. At this present time, Mass will continue to be celebrated on Tuesdays at 10am and on Sundays at 10.30am.

Face coverings are still a legal requirement unless you are medically exempt and you are asked to maintain two metres social distancing from others in your bench, unless you are from the same household or bubble. Sanitising your hands is also necessary.

If you have Covid-19 symptoms or feel unwell, if you have a cough or are sneezing, if someone in your household has been poorly recently, please do not take any risks with your health or the health of others at Church and stay at home until you feel better. If you are still hesitant about attending Church, you are under no obligation to do so.

With the growing spread of Covid in our region, we probably all know of someone who has the virus or is self isolating. Please pray that they will make a full recovery and pray for each other that the Lord will continue to watch over us and keep us safe.

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 and Tuesday, Fr. Patterson will celebrate Mass privately during the week remembering the following Intentions. Face coverings must be worn when attending Church, unless you are medically exempt.

Monday – Peter Sloan
Tuesday: 10am in St. Patrick’s Church – Bet Roberts
Wednesday – LDM Makepeace and Shanks Families
Thursday – Funeral Mass for Patrick Joseph Reilly – by invitation – Covid restrictions apply
Friday – The sick, their families, NHS staff & Care Workers
Saturday -Fr. Patterson’s intentions
Sunday: 10.30am 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:

Please keep in your prayers this week:

all our parishioners who are sick, housebound or in hospital
all those near and dear to us whose memories we cherish at this time especially Peter Sloan and,
Patrick Reilly who has died. “Receive Lord into tranquillity and peace the soul of your servant whom you have called from this life. May he be taken up into glory with your Son in whose great mystery of love we are all united”.

A Prayer for Carers, Nurses and Doctors

A time to pray

Please join together in prayer for the 149,744 people who have died in our country from the coronavirus. (Friday’s figure):

A Prayer for the New Year and beyond

(Fr. Denis McBride C.Ss.R)

A New Year Appeal from our Diocesan Justice and Peace Refugee Project

Please spare a thought for the above project. It supports on average 300 clients each week, who all receive a bag of food. 102 of them are destitute and also receive a supermarket voucher.

St. Alban’s Church

Your ongoing financial support is welcomed and needed

The details for bank transfers/standing orders and cheques are as follows:

St. Alban’s HSBC bank account name: DHN Pelaw St Alban, Sort code: 40-34-18, Account No: 92010984

St. Patrick’s HSBC bank account name: DHN Felling St Patrick, Sort code: 40-34-18, Account No: 52010453

Get vaccinated. Get boosted!

He goes on to say: “I add my voice to many others… To the voice of Pope Francis, who says to be vaccinated is ‘an act of love’. To the voice of my favourite football manager, Jurgen Klopp: ‘The whole vaccination process is a question of solidarity, loyalty and togetherness’. He adds: ‘There is only one answer: “You do it.” “Yes, please act quickly. Here is real protection, for yourself and for others.”

Pope Francis urges us to do so in his video message.

ZOE Covid weekly update returns with some interesting news

Tim’s colleague Dr Claire Steves steps in again this week to give us the latest update on data from the ZOE COVID Study app. She discusses what the case numbers are looking like this week, how cases are now starting to rise in the over 75’s and what we can do to help reduce the transmission of the virus. She also discusses the latest symptoms being reported.

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

Parish News by Email

Parish newsletter 9 January 2022 Download