The Feast of the Assumption

Dear Parishioners

In the light of Bishop Robert’s instruction issued on 16th July, 2021, the wearing of face coverings, sanitising your hands, 2 metre social distancing, cleaning the church after each celebration and the maximum capacity of 70 for any celebration remain in place within St. Patrick’s Church until at least the end of August when the Bishop will review our situation.

I hope you will be understanding and accepting of the protocols you are asked to follow. It is important for us all to remember, Covid has not gone away! The Bishop is concerned for the well-being of everyone who attends our churches.

The ongoing generosity of our volunteer stewards makes it possible to open St. Patrick’s Church for Mass on Tuesday at 10 am, when no booking will be needed, and on Sunday at 10.30 am when booking is advised to guarantee a place.

To reserve a place for Mass next Sunday, 22nd August, please telephone:

07526  232124

on Friday, 20th August between 5 – 7 pm.

This number will be unavailable outside of the above hours. Text messages cannot be accepted as a method of booking.

You will be encouraged to provide your name and telephone number to comply with the NHS Test and Trace system and also the number in your family if you are attending as a household. You should only sit with members of your own household or bubble. On arrival at the church you will be welcomed by a steward and your name will be checked against the booking list. If you have not pre-booked please bring your contact details in an envelope and place them in the box at the front of the church or give your details to the outside stewards. Alternatively you can use the QR Code displayed at the entrance to the Church using the NHS Covid App

For Mass on Tuesday, where booking is not required, you are invited to bring your Test and Trace details in an envelope and place them in the box in church.

There are still places available for Mass this Sunday, 15th August, offered on a first come first served basis. Please bring Test and Trace details if you haven’t reserved a place. You will receive a warm and reassuring welcome.

There are a number of our parishioners who have recently contracted Covid-19 despite having had two doses of vaccine. Thankfully, most have had mild symptoms, but some have been very poorly and two have had to be admitted to hospital. Please keep them and all who are suffering in your prayers.

It is a reminder that Covid-19 is still in our community and that we should do all we can to be cautious in our everyday life choices which don’t only affect ourselves, but impact on others too.

We have lived through a lot since this pandemic started so let’s be kind and respect one another. Be aware of personal space and personal choice. Some people might not be ready to hug, kiss, shake hands or reduce social distance. Don’t assume what people are comfortable with. Instead, ask them and respect their personal choices.

We are not people of fear: we are people of courage. We are not people who protect our own safety: we are people who protect our neighbours’ safety. We are not people of greed: we are people of generosity. We are your people Lord, giving and loving, wherever we are, wherever you call us, whatever it costs, for as long as it takes.

Look after each other and pray for one another and may God bless you and keep you safe

Fr. Patterson

Mass to view on line

Mass is live streamed from our Cathedral on Sunday at 11.30 am.   There will be no weekday Masses streamed until 1st September.

Alternatively, you may like to follow Mass from the Holy Name, Jesmond celebrated live at 10 am on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. These Masses may also be viewed later from the same website.

Mass Intentions for the coming week

With the exception of Sunday and Tuesday, Fr. Patterson will celebrate Mass privately during the week remembering the following Intentions. Bishop Robert asks that Face coverings should still be worn in our churches.

• Monday – Isabella Taylor
• Tuesday:  10 am in St. Patrick’s Church – Special Intention (RK)
• Wednesday – Dominic and Andrew Sloan                                             
• Thursday – The sick, their families, NHS staff & Care Workers
• Friday – Morton Stott      
• Saturday –  Fr “P’s” intentions
• Sunday: 10.30am in St. Patrick’s Church – For the intentions of all our parishioners – booking advisable

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.

Please keep in your prayers this week:

• all our parishioners who are sick, housebound or in hospital and Fr. Kevin Daly who is seriously ill
• all those near and dear to us whose memories we cherish at this time especially and’
• and Fr. Bill O’Gorman  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

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 130,801 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 those who are afraid

God of all hope we call on you today.
We pray for those who are living in fear:
Fear of Covid-19, fear for loved ones, fear of what the future holds.
May your Spirit give us a sense of calmness and peace. Amen

Diocesan Year of the Eucharist

Bishop Robert has announced that a Year of the Eucharist will be celebrated in the Diocese starting on Sunday, 17th October. It will be launched at St Mary’s Cathedral and simultaneously with the launch of the Synod of Bishops in Rome. He has defined the aims of the Year of the Eucharist as:

• To celebrate the Eucharist at the heart of the life and mission of the Church and to gather people back.
• To grow as a Diocese in our love and appreciation of the Eucharist.
• To deepen our appreciation of the liturgical celebration of the Eucharist through the rites.
• To revitalise and renew our faith through a deepening prayer and devotion of the Eucharist.
• To go out and serve the world through the nourishment of the Eucharist.

The Year of the Eucharist will be celebrated in Episcopal Areas, Partnerships, Parishes and Schools and will provide a framework of prayer for the Diocese’s participation in the first stage of the Synod.

The Synod, to be held in Rome in 2023, will begin with a period of consultation and discernment from 17 October this year. The Synod, which is entitled ‘For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission’, will involve consultation with all of the faithful across the world. For more information and the processes involved, please visit Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales (cbcew.org.uk)

The Sacrament of Baptism

Following Bishop Robert’s decision to extend the Covid restrictions to at least the end of August, we are still unable to open St. Patrick’s Church for anything other than Mass on a Sunday and Tuesday and for funerals at present.

His decision also prevents us from reopening the parish centre. As a result, we are not in a position to be able to offer the necessary baptismal preparation for parents who are considering presenting their child to the Church for Baptism.

Fr. Patterson regrets that it will still not be possible to offer the Sacrament of Baptism in St. Patrick’s Church until the situation improves. Please keep an eye on the Newsletter for further information.

Things you need to know about having your child baptised.

For a child to be baptised in the Catholic Church, one parent must be a baptised Catholic.

A child should be baptised in the parish in which their family lives and in the church they regularly attend. Parents who live outside our shared parish of St Patrick’s and St Alban’s and who wish to have their child baptised here, must regularly attend St Patrick’s Church.

To ensure that parents have a living awareness of the commitment having their child baptised entails, namely promising to bring their child up in the practice of the Catholic faith, they will be invited to attend a series of preparation sessions, after which they will decide, along with the priest, whether they should proceed with having their child baptized.

Please note that no date for baptism can be considered until the preparation is completed and the parents feel able to make the commitment the Church asks of them.

We are still in need of more volunteers

If we are going to be able to reopen St. Alban’s Church and fully reopen St. Patrick’s Church and parish centre once all the Covid restrictions have been removed, I need your help and support to fulfil the roles outlined in our shared parish Roadmap which was circulated at the beginning of May. 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.

Currently we do not have sufficient offers of help and support to be able to reopen St. Alban’s Church and will be struggling to fully reopen St. Patrick’s Church and parish centre when the Covid restrictions are lifted.

If you can commit yourself to help in either church when all the Covid Restrictions have been removed, whenever that may be, please contact me as soon as possible.

If you have helped in either church before the pandemic and no longer feel able to continue in your previous role; if you wish to continue helping as you have done in the past or if you would like to help in any of the ways outlined in our shared parish Roadmap for the first time, please get in touch as soon as possible.

Donations received

Fr. Patterson is very grateful for two donations received this week. One of £200.00 and another of £100.00 for St. Patrick’s parish funds. Thank you.

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 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

Should I still wear a mask, social distance or get vaccinated?

Professor Tim Spector of the ZOE COVID Study comments:-

“If you are comfortable wearing your mask, we recommend doing so in crowded indoor settings, even if the people around you can’t be convinced to do the same. Even one mask in a group of people can reduce the risk of Covid spreading, protecting yourself and others.

Unfortunately, the Delta variant means that transmission is now easier than ever, and even a tiny droplet containing the virus can cause infection. As long as it’s properly worn, a mask helps to prevent you from breathing in airborne droplets from those around you, reducing the risk of catching the virus. It also helps protect others from whatever you’re breathing out, especially if you’re infected without knowing.

By cutting infections and transmission, we can protect unvaccinated and vulnerable people, as well as reducing the number of people developing long Covid. Covid-19 transmission is easiest in crowded, indoor areas, which is why we recommend wearing a mask in these situations, even if you have had both of your vaccines.”

The Office for National Statistics reports that a survey of around 5,000 households, conducted between 4th and 8th August revealed that 49% of adults say they always or often maintain social distancing – compared to 53% the previous week. The proportion of adults saying they wear face coverings outside of the home has fallen from 92% to 90%.

More people are meeting up indoors with others who aren’t in their household (up from 62% to 64%), but fewer people are meeting outdoors (down from 65% to 60%).

The ONS figures suggest that a high proportion of adults feel measures to slow the spread of the virus are important, and that 97% of people feel positively about the vaccine.

Fall in UK Covid cases stalls

According to ZOE COVID Study incidence figures, there are currently 45,911 new daily symptomatic cases of COVID in the UK on average, based on PCR and LFT test data from up to five days ago. This is only a slight fall from 46,905 new cases from last week, suggesting that the rate of decline has slowed down.

When divided by vaccination status it is estimated that among unvaccinated people in the UK there are currently 27,700 new daily symptomatic cases of COVID on average, this is a drop of 6.5% compared to last week (29,620). Comparatively there are currently 7,168 new daily symptomatic cases in partly vaccinated (1 dose) people and 11,043 new daily symptomatic cases in fully vaccinated people (2 doses). 

Whilst the data indicates there are more cases in the fully vaccinated group, this is because there are now significantly more people in the population who are fully vaccinated compared to those who are not vaccinated or partially vaccinated.

ZOE Covid Study update

This week’s video update is presented by Jonathan Wolf, as Professor Tim Spector is taking some holiday. He explains that while we saw a steep drop in cases last week, this doesn’t seem to have continued and rates have been staying level over the last few days.

Remember too that there are more symptoms of Covid emerging, namely a headache accompanied by a runny nose, sore throat, sneezing and a persistent cough. It may just be a summer cold, but check it out by taking a Lateral Flow Test. These kits are available from the local chemist, are free of charge and simple to use.

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.

18^th Sunday of the Year

Dear Parishioners

Due to the high rate of cases in our region and the ageing demographic of many of our parishioners, Bishop Robert has instructed the priests of the Diocese to continue to implement all previous Covid protocols within our churches until at least the end of August, for the well-being of us all.

As such, the wearing of face coverings, sanitising your hands, 2 metre social distancing and cleaning the church after each celebration remain in place within St. Patrick’s Church. The maximum capacity for any celebration remains at 70.  

I hope you will be understanding and accepting of the protocols you are asked to follow. It is important for us all to remember, Covid has not gone away!

Thanks to the ongoing generosity of our volunteer stewards we are still able to open St. Patrick’s Church for Mass on Tuesday at 10 am, when no booking will be needed, and on Sunday at 10.30 am when booking is advised to guarantee a place.

To reserve a place for Mass next Sunday, 8th August please telephone:

07526  232124
on Friday, 6th August between 5 pm and 7 pm

This number will be unavailable outside of the above hours. Text messages cannot be accepted as a method of booking.

You will be encouraged to provide your name and telephone number to comply with the NHS Test and Trace system and also the number in your family if you are attending as a household. You should only sit with members of your own household or bubble. On arrival at the church you will be welcomed by a steward and your name will be checked against the booking list. If you have not pre-booked please bring your contact details in an envelope and place them in the box at the front of the church or give your details to the outside stewards. Alternatively you can use the QR Code displayed at the entrance to the Church using the NHS Covid App.

For Mass on Tuesday, where booking is not required, you are invited to bring your Test and Trace details in an envelope and place them in the box in church.

There are still places available for Mass this Sunday, 1^st August, offered on a first come first served basis. Please bring Test and Trace details if you haven’t reserved a place. You will receive a warm and reassuring welcome.

If you are hesitant in returning to Church because you are unsure of what to do or what to expect, St. Patrick’s Church will be open on Saturday, 7th August from 10 – 11 am for you “to have a look inside.” There will be no service taking place. Two of our volunteer stewards will be available to welcome you and explain things to you so that you may feel more comfortable when you choose to return for Mass. You would have the opportunity to say a prayer if you wish. You will need to wear a face covering in the Church. Entry to the Church is by the top door off Church Street.

You must not come to Church if you are experiencing any signs of Covid-19 or feeling unwell in any way.

Remember too that there are more symptoms of Covid emerging, namely a headache accompanied by a runny nose, sore throat, sneezing and a persistent cough. It may just be a summer cold, but check it out by taking a Lateral Flow Test. These kits are available from the local chemist, are free of charge and simple to use.

Please continue to look after one another and pray that the Lord will watch over us and keep us safe from harm.

Fr. Patterson

Mass to view on line

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

Alternatively, you may like to follow Mass from the Holy Name, Jesmond celebrated live at 10 am on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. These Masses may also be viewed later from the same website.

Mass Intentions for the coming week

With the exception of Sunday and Tuesday, Fr. Patterson will celebrate Mass privately during the week remembering the following Intentions. Bishop Robert asks that Face coverings should still be worn in our churches.

• Monday – Margaret, William and Jim Murray
• Tuesday: 10 am in St. Patrick’s Church – Mary Robinson
• Wednesday – Peter Sloan
• Thursday – The sick, their families, NHS staff & Care Workers
• Friday – In Thanksgiving (MH)
• Saturday – Fr “P’s” intentions
• Sunday: 10.30 am in St. Patrick’s Church – For the intentions of all our parishioners – booking advisable

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.

Please keep in your prayers this week:

• all our parishioners who are sick, housebound or in hospital and Fr. Kevin Daly who is seriously ill
• all those near and dear to us whose memories we cherish at this time and,
• Morton Stott (father of Fr. Peter Stott)  who has died. “Receive Lord into tranquillity and peace the soul of your servant whom you have called from this life. May she be taken up into glory with your Son in whose great mystery of love we are all united.”

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 129, 583 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 those who are afraid

God of all hope we call on you today.
We pray for those who are living in fear:
Fear of Covid-19, fear for loved ones, fear of what the future holds.
May your Spirit give us a sense of calmness and peace. Amen

We are still in need of your support

If we are going to be able to reopen St. Alban’s Church and fully reopen St. Patrick’s Church and parish centre once all the Covid restrictions have been removed, Fr. Patterson needs your help and support to fulfil the roles outlined in our shared parish Roadmap which was circulated at the beginning of May. 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.

Currently we do not have sufficient offers of help and support to be able to reopen St. Alban’s Church and will be struggling to fully reopen St. Patrick’s Church and parish centre when the Covid restrictions are lifted.

If you can commit yourself to help in either church when all the Covid Restrictions have been removed, whenever that may be, please contact Fr. Patterson as soon as possible.

If you have helped in either church before the pandemic and no longer feel able to continue in your previous role; if you wish to continue helping as you have done in the past or if you would like to help in any of the ways outlined in our shared parish Roadmap please get in touch with me as soon as possible.

The Sacrament of Baptism

Following Bishop Robert’s decision to extend the Covid restrictions to at least the end of August, we are still unable to open St. Patrick’s Church for anything other than Mass on a Sunday and Tuesday and for funerals at present.

His decision also prevents us from reopening the parish centre. As a result we are not in a position to be able to offer the necessary baptismal preparation for parents who are considering presenting their child to the Church for Baptism.

Fr. Patterson regrets that it will still not be possible to offer the Sacrament of Baptism in St. Patrick’s Church until the situation improves.

Donations received

Fr. Patterson is very grateful for two donations received this week of £20.00 and £10.00 for St. Patrick’s parish funds. Thank you.

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 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

Sunday Obligation

The Bishops of England and Wales have issued a statement concerning their hope that it might be possible for all Catholics to fulfil the Church precept of Sunday Obligation, by the First Sunday in Advent, 28th November, 2021.

St Vincent’s Support Centre Newcastle –  Volunteers & Donations Needed

The Support Centre is next door to St Dominic’s Church on New Bridge Street Newcastle. It is open Monday to Friday 9 am to 4pm. It provides a range of support from helping with a free hot meal service, to providing food parcels, clothing, toiletries and small household items. The Centre also has a small Vintage Charity Boutique shop, which helps to raise much needed funds to support its vital work. Donations of Food, clothing, handbags, shoes, toiletries, accessories and other small household items are always welcomed.

If you have items, you would like to donate or would like to find out more information on how to get involved in volunteering please give Emma a call on 07453615139 or email emmab@svp.org.uk.

Are vaccines still working?

Vaccines have proved to be a topic of conversation in the news this week.

It is obvious from what is being reported that there is still a certain amount of misunderstanding about what vaccines can and can’t do. They do not, for example provide total immunity from contracting Covid-19, but they do minimise the risk of hospitalisation and possible death if someone does catch Covid after having been vaccinated.

That is one of the major reasons why we should all still exercise caution in our daily life choices even though the Government has removed many of the restrictions and why we should consider having the vaccine if we haven’t already done so.

You may find this question and answer session with Professor Jonathan Van Tam of interest along with this Q&A session with Professor Tim Spector of the ZOE COVID Study.

We’ve lived through a lot since this pandemic started so let’s be kind and respect one another. Be aware of personal space and personal choice. Some people might not be ready to hug, kiss, shake hands or reduce social distance. Don’t assume what people are comfortable with. Instead, ask them and respect their personal choices. This is particularly true of the choice to wear face masks. With limited guidance from the government on where and when we should be wearing face coverings, respect people’s choices. If wearing a mask makes someone feel safer, then they have every right to continue wearing one.

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.

17^th Sunday of the Year

Dear Parishioners

Last Monday, the Government transferred the responsibility of public health and safety in public buildings to the owners of those premises.

In our situation, the Bishop now has the legal responsibility to ensure the safety of everyone who enters our churches.

Due to the high rate of cases in our region and the ageing demographic of many of our parishioners, Bishop Robert has instructed the priests of the Diocese to continue to implement all previous Covid protocols within our churches until at least the end of August, for the well-being of us all.

As such, the wearing of face coverings, sanitising your hands, 2 metre social distancing and cleaning the church after each celebration remain in place within our church. The maximum capacity for any celebration remains at 70.  

I hope you will be understanding and accepting of the protocols you are asked to follow. It is important for us all to remember, Covid has not gone away! Bishop Robert’s statement can be read on the diocese website.

In the light of his decision and with the ongoing generosity of our volunteer stewards we are still able to open St. Patrick’s Church for Mass on Tuesday at 10 am when no booking will be needed, and on Sunday at 10.30 when booking is advised to guarantee a place.

To reserve a place for Mass next Sunday, 1st August, please telephone:

07526  232124

on Friday, 30th July between 5pm and 7pm

This number will be unavailable outside of the above hours. Text messages cannot be accepted as a method of booking.

You will be encouraged to provide your name and telephone number to comply with the NHS Test and Trace system and also the number in your family if you are attending as a household. You should only sit with members of your own household or bubble. On arrival at the church you will be welcomed by a steward and your name will be checked against the booking list. If you have not pre-booked please bring your details in an envelope and place them in the box at the front of the church or give your details to the outside stewards. Alternatively you can use the QR Code displayed at the entrance to the Church using the NHS Covid App

For Mass on Tuesday, where booking is not required, you are invited to bring your Test and Trace details in an envelope and place them in the box in church.

There are still places available for Mass this Sunday, 25th July, offered on a first come first served basis. Please bring Test and Trace details if you haven’t reserved a place. You will receive a warm and reassuring welcome.

You may still be feeling a little hesitant about coming to Mass and that is perfectly understandable. The Sunday obligation is still suspended so you are under no obligation to attend Mass. You must not come to Church if you are experiencing any signs of Covid-19 or feeling unwell in any way.

Remember too that there are more symptoms of Covid emerging, namely a headache accompanied by a runny nose, sore throat, sneezing and a persistent cough. It may just be a summer cold, but check it out by taking a Lateral Flow Test. These kits are available from the local chemist, are free of charge and simple to use.

Please continue to look after one another and pray that the Lord will watch over us and keep us safe from harm.

Fr. Patterson

Mass to view on line

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

Alternatively, you may like to follow Mass from the Holy Name, Jesmond celebrated live at 10 am on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. These Masses may also be viewed later from the same website.

Mass Intentions for the coming week

With the exception of Sunday and Tuesday, Fr. Patterson will celebrate Mass privately during the week remembering the following Intentions. Bishop Robert asks that Face coverings should still be worn in our churches.

• Monday – Brian Quigley
• Tuesday:  10am in St. Patrick’s Church – Brian Grace Snr & Brian Grace Jnr
• Wednesday – In Thanksgiving for graces received
• Thursday- The sick, their families, NHS staff & Care Workers
• Friday – Private Funeral Service for Hannah Boyd (by invitation only) – restrictions still apply
• Saturday – Fr “P’s” intentions
• Sunday: 10.30am in St. Patrick’s Church – For the intentions of all our parishioners – booking required

When you are unable to celebrate Mass with 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.

Please keep in your prayers this week:

• all our parishioners who are sick, housebound or in hospital and Fr. Kevin Daly who is seriously ill
• all those near and dear to us whose memories we cherish at this time and,
• Hannah Boyd who has died. “Receive Lord into tranquillity and peace the soul of your servant whom you have called from this life. May she be taken up into glory with your Son in whose great mystery of love we are all united.

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 129,044 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 those who are afraid

God of all hope we call on you today.
We pray for those who are living in fear:
Fear of Covid-19, fear for loved ones, fear of what the future holds.
May your Spirit give us a sense of calmness and peace. Amen

We are still in need of your support

If we are going to be able to reopen St. Alban’s Church and fully reopen St. Patrick’s Church and parish centre once all the Covid restrictions have been removed, Fr. Patterson needs your help and support to fulfil the roles outlined in our shared parish Roadmap which was circulated at the beginning of May. 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.

Currently we do not have sufficient offers of help and support to be able to reopen St. Alban’s Church and will be struggling to fully reopen St. Patrick’s Church and parish centre when the Covid restrictions are lifted.

If you can commit yourself to help in either church when all the Covid Restrictions have been removed, whenever that may be, please contact Fr. Patterson as soon as possible.

If you have helped in either church before the pandemic and no longer feel able to continue in your previous role; if you wish to continue helping as you have done in the past or if you would like to help in any of the ways outlined in our shared parish Roadmap please get in touch with me as soon as possible.

The Sacrament of Baptism

Following Bishop Robert’s decision to extend the Covid restrictions to at least the end of August, we are still unable to open St. Patrick’s Church for anything other than Mass on a Sunday and Tuesday and for funerals at present.

His decision also prevents us from reopening the parish centre. As a result we are not in a position to be able to offer the necessary baptismal preparation for parents who are considering presenting their child to the Church for Baptism.

Fr. Patterson regrets that it will still not be possible to offer the Sacrament of Baptism in St. Patrick’s Church until the situation improves.

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 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

Tips from Professor Tim Spector

Professor Tim Spector, the lead scientist on the ZOE COVID Study and Professor of Genetic Epidemiology at King’s College London offers these tips below as we learn to live with Covid.

His latest weekly update is also worth a listen especially in relation to how the virus is spreading.

Respect others

We’ve lived through a lot since this pandemic started so let’s be kind and respect one another. Be aware of personal space and personal choice. Some people might not be ready to hug, kiss, shake hands or reduce social distance. Don’t assume what people are comfortable with. Instead, ask them and respect their personal choices.

This is particularly true of the choice to wear face masks. With limited guidance from the government on where and when we should be wearing face covering, respect people’s choices. If wearing a mask makes someone feel safer, then they have every right to continue wearing one.

Airborne particles can multiply rapidly in crowded, badly ventilated places. So anywhere you’re in a crowded confined space, Tim recommends you continue to wear a face covering, if you are able to. Companies like Ryanair and Transport for London have already stated they’ll continue with mandatory masks, which is sensible and should keep us all safer.

This probably isn’t the advice many people will want to hear, as the topic of face masks really divides us. But we know from our research that face masks do work, both for preventing you from passing on viral load if you’re infected, and for catching some of the droplets which may be expelled by those around you. 

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.

15^th Sunday of the Year

Dear Parishioners

The ongoing generosity of our volunteer stewards make it possible for us to open St. Patrick’s Church for Mass on Tuesday at 10 am, when no booking will be needed, and on Sunday at 10.30 am when booking is advised to guarantee a place.

There are still places available for Mass this Sunday, 11th July, offered on a first come first served basis. Please bring Test and Trace details if you haven’t reserved a place. You will receive a warm and reassuring welcome.

To reserve a place for Mass next Sunday, 18th July, please telephone 07526 232124 on

Friday, 16th July between 5 pm – 7 pm.

This number will be unavailable outside of the above times. Bookings cannot be made via the presbytery telephone number nor by email and can only be made for the approaching Sunday and not for any other dates. Text messages cannot be accepted as a method of booking.

You will be encouraged to provide your name and telephone number to comply with the NHS Test and Trace system and also the number in your family if you are attending as a household. You should only sit with members of your own household or bubble. On arrival at the church you will be welcomed by a steward and your name will be checked against the booking list.

For Mass on Tuesday, where booking is not required, you are invited to bring your Test and Trace details in an envelope and place them in the box in church.

You may still be feeling a little hesitant about coming to Mass and that is perfectly understandable. The Sunday obligation is still suspended so you are under no obligation to attend Mass. You must not come to Church if you are experiencing any signs of Covid-19 or feeling unwell in any way.

The mandatory wearing of face coverings, sanitising your hands, 2 metre social distancing and cleaning the church after each celebration remain in place within our church and the maximum capacity for a parish Mass remains at 70. So the church is as safe as we can possibly make it for you and our volunteer stewards will continue to look after you.

Learning to live with Covid-19

Last Monday the Prime Minister outlined a new approach to the situation in our country which he described as “learning to live with Covid.” This will mark a new phase in the Government’s response to the pandemic, moving away from stringent restrictions on everyone’s day-to-day lives, towards advising people on how to protect themselves and others, alongside targeted interventions to reduce risk. These proposals, which may be found on the Government website, are due to come into effect on 19th July, subject to confirmation this Monday, 12th July.

We still await Guidelines from the Government and the Bishops of England and Wales as to how these changes will effect Places of Worship and I shall keep you informed when we receive them.  With the high rate of transmission of the coronavirus in our region, any changes we may make will be gradual and made with your safety and well-being in mind.

The removal of restrictions, while welcomed by many, will not however mean we will be going back to the way of life we were living in March 2020. We must build a new future, living with Covid-19 in our midst.

I am afraid we still do not have sufficient volunteers to be able to reopen St. Alban’s Church and we need more volunteers for St. Patrick’s too. So what we will be able to offer in the immediate future will be determined by the level of help and support we receive.

In the meantime, please continue to look after one another and pray that the Lord will watch over us and keep us safe from harm.

Fr. Patterson

Mass to view on line

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

Alternatively, you may like to follow Mass from the Holy Name, Jesmond celebrated live at 10 am on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. These Masses may also be viewed later from the same website.

Mass Intentions for the coming week

With the exception of Sunday and Tuesday, Fr. Patterson will celebrate Mass privately during the week remembering the following Intentions:

• Monday – Brian Quigley
• Tuesday:  10.00 in St. Patrick’s Church – Margaret and Brian Pankhurst
• Wednesday – Paul Hughes
• Thursday – The sick, their families, NHS staff & Care Workers
• Friday – Jimmy, Terry, Richard and Michael Wilson
• Saturday – Fr “P’s” intentions
• Sunday: 10.30 am in St. Patrick’s Church – For the intentions of all our parishioners – booking required

When you are unable to celebrate Mass with 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.

Please keep in your prayers this week:

• all our parishioners who are sick, housebound or in hospital and Fr. Kevin Daly who is seriously ill and,
• all those near and dear to us whose memories we cherish at this time

A Prayer for Carers, Nurses and Doctors

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

A time to pray

Please join together in prayer for the 128,365 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 those who are afraid

God of all hope we call on you today.
We pray for those who are living in fear:
Fear of Covid-19, fear for loved ones, fear of what the future holds.
May your Spirit give us a sense of calmness and peace. Amen

The meaning of Love

This is the final short video in the Sycamore Series by Fr. Stephen Wang.

This week Fr. Wang explores “The meaning of Love.”

Thank you

Fr. Patterson wishes to express his thanks to those parishioners who were able to help with the cleaning of St. Patrick’s Church last Friday evening. Thank you so much for your time and energy.

We are still in need of your support

If we are going to be able to reopen St. Alban’s Church and fully reopen St. Patrick’s Church and parish centre once all the Covid restrictions have been removed, Fr. Patterson needs your help and support to fulfil the roles outlined in our shared parish Roadmap which was circulated at the beginning of May. 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.

Currently we do not have sufficient offers of help and support to be able to reopen St. Alban’s Church and will be struggling to fully reopen St. Patrick’s Church and parish centre when the Covid restrictions are lifted.

If you can commit yourself to help in either church when all the Covid Restrictions have been removed, whenever that may be, please contact Fr. Patterson as soon as possible.

If you have helped in either church before the pandemic and no longer feel able to continue in your previous role; if you wish to continue helping as you have done in the past or if you would like to help in any of the ways outlined in our shared parish Roadmap please get in touch with me as soon as possible.

The Sacrament of Baptism

Covid restrictions and limited human resources to enable us to comply with these restrictions, prevent us being able to open St. Patrick’s Church for anything other than Mass on a Sunday and Tuesday and for funerals at present.

We are still unable to reopen the parish centre which prevents us offering the necessary baptismal preparation for parents who are considering presenting their child to the Church for Baptism.

As such, we are still unable to offer the Sacrament of Baptism in St. Patrick’s Church.

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, but we are only able to do so, if you leave your telephone number!!

St Vincent’s Support Centre Newcastle –  Volunteers & Donations Needed

The Support Centre is next door to St Dominic’s Church on New Bridge Street Newcastle. It is open Monday to Friday 9 am – 4pm. It provides a range of support from helping with a free hot meal service, to providing food parcels, clothing, toiletries and small household items. The Centre also has a small Vintage Charity Boutique shop, which helps to raise much needed funds to support its vital work. Donations of Food, clothing, handbags, shoes, toiletries, accessories and other small household items are always welcomed.

If you have items, you would like to donate or would like to find out more information on how to get involved in volunteering please give Emma a call on 07453615139 or email emmab@svp.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 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

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. The Newsletter may also be found on our parish website

How many people have you been in contact with this week?

The latest statistics from the Office of National Statistics, suggest that the chances are you could have been in contact with someone who has Covid-19.

According to the ONS Infection Survey, findings for the week to 3rd July in England are that one in 160 people had the virus – up from one in 260 in the previous week and the highest level since the week to 19th February. Many of the infections are among children and young adults.

Dr Jenny Harries, chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency, said the sharp increase in cases being seen had not been followed by a similar increase in hospitalisation and death, suggesting the vaccines were working well.

“Getting both jabs,” she said, “ is the best way to ensure you and the people you love remain safe, so we once again urge everyone to come forward as soon as they are eligible. As we approach the planned end of restrictions, we must remain cautious and careful. Cases are rising across the country, and whilst the vaccines offer excellent protection, they do not offer 100% protection. Be sensible, and follow ‘hands, face, space, fresh air’ at all times and make sure to get tested if required.” 

How we might prepare for the easing of restrictions.

I would encourage you to view this weeks update from Professor Tim Spector, the lead scientist on the ZOE COVID Study and Professor of Genetic Epidemiology at King’s College London, which is very informative and reassuring.

He encourages us all to continue to take care especially at this time when cases in our region are increasing at a considerable pace.

The Zoe data also shows that symptoms are more mild and similar to those of a bad cold, so cases are being missed and increasing the spread because people are unaware. It’s crucial that we all recognise cold-like symptoms as possible COVID and get tested to prevent further spreads and increases in rates.

12^th Sunday of the Year

Dear Parishioners

Thanks to the generosity of our volunteer stewards we are able to open St. Patrick’s Church for Mass on Tuesday at 10 am when no booking will be needed, and on Sunday at 10.30 am when booking is advised to guarantee a place.

There are still places available for Mass this Sunday, 20th June, offered on a first come first served basis. Please bring Test and Trace details if you haven’t reserved a place. You will receive a warm and reassuring welcome.

To reserve a place for Mass next Sunday, 27th June, please telephone 07526 232124 on:

 Friday, 25th June between 5pm – 7pm

Please note the booking facility is no longer available on Wednesdays.

This number will be unavailable outside of the above times. Bookings cannot be made via the presbytery telephone number nor by email and can only be made for the approaching Sunday and not for any other dates. Text messages cannot be accepted as a method of booking.

You will be encouraged to provide your name and telephone number to comply with the NHS Test and Trace system and also the number in your family if you are attending as a household. You should only sit with members of your own household or bubble. On arrival at the church you will be welcomed by a steward and your name will be checked against the booking list.

For Mass on Tuesday, where booking is not required, you are invited to bring your Test and Trace details in an envelope and place them in the box in church.

You may still be feeling a little hesitant about coming to Mass and that is perfectly understandable. The Sunday obligation is still suspended so you are under no obligation to attend Mass. You must not come to Church if you are experiencing any signs of Covid-19 or feeling unwell in any way.

The mandatory wearing of face coverings, sanitising your hands, 2 metre social distancing and cleaning the church after each celebration remain in place within our church and the maximum capacity for a parish Mass remains at 70. So the church is as safe as we can possibly make it for you and our volunteer stewards will continue to look after you.

With the growing number of new Covid cases due to the Delta variant, I suspect none of us were surprised to learn of the extension of the restrictions until 19th July. Here in Gateshead there have been 164 new cases in the last seven days and 61,181 throughout the UK in the same period.

Despite our frustrations, I do hope we will continue to do all we can to prevent the spread of the virus in our families, amongst our friends and within the local community – irrespective of what others may choose to do. I also hope we will all respond positively to the vaccination programme now that all adults aged 18 and over may book a vaccination.

Whilst the vaccines have been shown to reduce the likelihood of severe illness in most people, like all medicines, no vaccine is completely effective, so those of us who have received the vaccine should continue to take recommended precautions to avoid infection. Whilst emerging evidence suggests vaccines are having an impact on transmission, we do not know by how much the vaccine stops Covid-19 from spreading. Even if you have been vaccinated, you could still spread Covid-19 to others, even if you do not display symptoms.

Covid spreads mainly among people who are in close contact (within 2 metres). The further away you can keep from other people, and the less time you spend in close contact with them, the less likely you are to catch Covid-19 and pass it on to others. Close contact, including hugging, increases the risk of spreading Covid-19. And please remember, you should always make space for other people to keep their distance if they want to – not everyone may want a hug!

May the Lord continue to bless and watch over us and those we love in these challenging times. 

Fr. Patterson

Mass to view on line

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

Alternatively, you may like to follow Mass from the Holy Name, Jesmond celebrated live at 10 am on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. These Masses may also be viewed later from the same website.

Mass Intentions for the coming week

With the exception of Sunday and Tuesday, Fr. Patterson will celebrate Mass privately during the week remembering the following Intentions:

• Monday – A special intention (AB & CD) 
• Tuesday:  10 am in St. Patrick’s Church – George and Mary Laurie
• Wednesday – Dorothy Foster
• Thursday – The sick, their families, NHS staff & Care Workers
• Friday – Brian Quigley 
• Saturday:  Fr “P’s” intentions
• Sunday: 10.30 am in St. Patrick’s Church – For the intentions of all our parishioners – booking required

 When you are unable to celebrate Mass with 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.

Please keep in your prayers this week:

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

A Prayer for Carers, Nurses and Doctors

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

A time to pray

Please join together in prayer for the 127,956 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.

For those who are afraid

God of all hope we call on you today.
We pray for those who are living in fear:
Fear of Covid-19, fear for loved ones, fear of what the future holds.
May your Spirit give us a sense of calmness and peace. Amen

The Gift of Faith

We continue the series of short videos by Fr. Stephen Wang.

This week Fr. Wang explores “the Gift of Faith.”

Day for Life

This Sunday, 20th June, we celebrate ‘Day for Life‘ providing an opportunity to pray for the gift of life from conception to natural death and to raise awareness of the precious gift of life.

The fragility of life and the reality of death has been brought into sharp focus during the Covid-19 pandemic. In the UK alone, almost 128,000 people have died from Covid-19. Yet in the face of such suffering and death, we have witnessed the extraordinary dedication of healthcare professionals and their loving care for the sick and dying. We too have each made sacrifices for the greater good during this pandemic. These acts of heroic love are a powerful testimony to the fundamental dignity of the human person and to the respect owed to each life, particularly through proper care and love in the last moments of life.

Against this backdrop of loving care, we are now faced with the very real threat of the legalisation of ‘assisted suicide’ in our country. It is not a question of ‘if’ this challenge will come, it is now a question of ‘when?’ There is now a Private Members Bill in the House of Lords on so-called ‘Assisted Dying’ and it is only a matter of time before the issue is back in the House of Commons.

This year’s theme for Day for Life focuses on assisted suicide and the respect owed to life. Online resources are available to inform Catholics about this threat to life and to share with people our response to such a threat: a true compassion as the just response to the immense value of the human person.

Looking ahead

To be able to reopen St. Alban’s Church and fully reopen St. Patrick’s Church and parish centre once all the Covid restrictions have been removed, Fr. Patterson needs your help and support as outlined in our shared parish Roadmap which was circulated at the beginning of May. If you haven’t received a copy, please contact Fr. Patterson on felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk or telephone 0191 495 2277.

Fr. Patterson also asks you to contact him as soon as possible

1. If you have helped in either church before the pandemic and no longer feel able to continue in your previous role.
2. If you would like to help in any of the ways outlined in our shared parish Roadmap.
3. If you wish to continue helping as you have done in the past

Please remember that you are not being asked to take up the role of volunteering until all the Covid Restrictions have been removed for churches (whenever that may be). However it is important for us to have a bank of volunteers in place to enable us to determine whether we can reopen St. Alban’s Church and fully reopen St. Patrick’s Church and parish centre when the time comes.

The Sacrament of Baptism

Covid restrictions and limited human resources to enable us to comply with these restrictions, prevent us being able to open St. Patrick’s Church for anything other than Mass on a Sunday and Tuesday and for funerals at present.

We are still unable to reopen the parish centre which prevents us offering the necessary baptismal preparation for parents who are considering presenting their child to the Church for Baptism.

As such, we are still unable to offer the Sacrament of Baptism in St. Patrick’s Church.

Thank you

Fr. Patterson is very grateful for a donation of £40.00 recently received for St. Patrick’s parish funds.

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 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

Christians and Muslims pray for peace

This annual service for women and children, which takes place each year in the historic Lady Chapel in Jesmond Dene, will, for 2021, be an online event only and will be available for viewing online from next Saturday 26 June by following this link: Interreligious Relations – contacts, events and news (rcdhn.org.uk) 

The Bookshop at St Mary’s Cathedral

The Bookshop has reopened on Tuesday 11 am – 3 pm, Thursdays and Fridays from 10 am – 3pm, on Saturdays from 9.45 am – 3 pm and on a Sunday from 8.30 am – 1 pm. Check the Cathedral  website to confirm opening times.

Thanks to our Stewards and Telephone Bookings operator

With the easing of the lockdown delayed, Fr. Patterson wishes to renew his thanks to our volunteer stewards and telephone bookings operator for their ongoing commitment and service to us during the course of the pandemic. Without their help we could not open St. Patrick’s Church.

The stewards welcome you, invite you to sanitise your hands, ensure you follow the current Covid restrictions by wearing a face covering and socially distancing before showing you to your seat. They invite you forward to receive Holy Communion, and once you have left the Church, they sanitise each bench as well as the many “touch points.” Our telephone booking operator gives of her time to ensure you have a place for Sunday Mass. Thanks to you all.

Roadmap Step 3  (from 17 May)

These are the changes  that came into effect on 17th May.

This information accompanies the changes. Whilst social distancing with close family and friends is now a matter of personal judgement, we are asked to remain cautious around close contact, like hugging. Remember too that you should always make space for other people to keep their distance if they want to.

In some settings, there will be specific guidance that we will need to follow even when we are with friends and family. This is important to reduce the risk of spreading Covid-19 to other people such as staff and other members of the public. You should always follow guidance associated with the setting you are in (for example in a place of worship).

Covid-secure rules, including social distancing requirements, continue to apply in the workplace, and in businesses and public venues including places of worship. This guidance does not affect a site owner’s responsibility to calculate the number of people that can be accommodated with social distancing in place.

Where do we go from here?

Professor Tim Spector, lead scientist on the ZOE COVID Study and Professor of Genetic Epidemiology at King’s College London, offers his comments on the Prime Minister’s decision to delay the easing of the lockdown for another four weeks.

In this week’s video Professor Spector provides his weekly update of the situation in the UK covering issues such as the rising number of cases, how the vaccines are working on the Delta variant, where will we be in a few weeks time and how the classic Covid symptoms now include headache, runny nose, sore throat, sneezing, persistent cough and the value of taking regular Lateral flow tests.” 

11^th Sunday of the Year

Dear Parishioners

I am grateful to our volunteer stewards who have once again offered to open St. Patrick’s Church for Mass on Tuesday at 10am, when no booking will be needed, and on Sunday at 10.30am when booking is advised to guarantee a place.

There are places remaining for this Sunday, 13^th June, offered on a first come first served basis. Please bring Test and Trace details if you haven’t reserved a place. You will receive a warm and reassuring welcome.

To reserve a place for Mass next Sunday, 20th June, please telephone 07526 232124 on:

 on Friday, 18th June between 5 pm – 7pm

Please note the booking facility will no longer be available on Wednesdays.

This number will be unavailable outside of the above times. Bookings cannot be made via the presbytery telephone number nor by email and can only be made for the approaching Sunday and not for any other dates. Text messages cannot be accepted as a method of booking.

You will be encouraged to provide your name and telephone number to comply with the NHS Test and Trace system and also the number in your family if you are attending as a household. You should only sit with members of your own household or bubble. On arrival at the church you will be welcomed by a steward and your name will be checked against the booking list.

For Mass on Tuesday, where booking is not required, you are invited to bring your Test and Trace details in an envelope and place them in the box in church.

You may still be feeling a little hesitant about coming to Mass and that is perfectly understandable. The Sunday obligation is still suspended so you are under no obligation to attend Mass. You must not come to Church if you are experiencing any signs of Covid-19 or feeling unwell in any way.

The mandatory wearing of face coverings, sanitising your hands, 2 metre social distancing and cleaning the church after each celebration remain in place within our church and the maximum capacity for a parish Mass remains at 70. So the church is as safe as we can possibly make it for you and our volunteer stewards will continue to look after you.

Looking ahead

To be able to reopen St. Alban’s Church and fully reopen St. Patrick’s Church and parish centre once all the Covid restrictions have been removed, Fr. Patterson needs your help and support as outlined in our shared parish Roadmap which was circulated at the beginning of May. If you haven’t received a copy, please contact Fr. Patterson on felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk or telephone 0191 495 2277.

Fr. Patterson also asks you to contact him as soon as possible.

1. If you have helped in either church before the pandemic and no longer feel able to continue in your previous role.
2. If you would like to help in any of the ways outlined in our shared parish Roadmap.
3. If you wish to continue helping as you have done in the past

Please remember that you are not being asked to take up the role of volunteering until all the Covid Restrictions have been removed for churches (whenever that may be). However it is important for us to have a bank of volunteers in place to enable us to determine whether we can reopen St. Alban’s Church and fully reopen St. Patrick’s Church and parish centre when the time comes.

In the meantime, please do all that you can to prevent the transmission of the virus by adhering to the current restrictions and accepting the invitation to be vaccinated if you have not already done so. 

May God bless you all.

Fr. Patterson

Mass to view on line

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

Alternatively, you may like to follow Mass from the Holy Name, Jesmond celebrated live at 10.00 am on Sunday or anytime later. There are no weekday Masses at the Holy Name this week.

Mass Intentions for the coming week

With the exception of Sunday and Tuesday, Fr. Patterson will celebrate Mass privately during the week remembering the following Intentions:

• Monday – Fr. Owen Grant
• Tuesday:  10am in St. Patrick’s Church – Ellen Farrell
• Wednesday – Emma Hindes
• Thursday – The sick, their families, NHS staff & Care Workers
• Friday – In thanksgiving for help during the pandemic
• Saturday – Fr “P’s” intentions
• Sunday: 10.30am in St. Patrick’s Church – For the intentions of all our parishioners – booking required

 When you are unable to celebrate Mass with 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.

  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 Carol Belton

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 127,884 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 those who are afraid

God of all hope we call on you today.
We pray for those who are living in fear:
Fear of Covid-19, fear for loved ones, fear of what the future holds.
May your Spirit give us a sense of calmness and peace. Amen

The Bible

We continue the series of short videos by Fr. Stephen Wang.

This week Fr. Wang explores “the Bible.”

My Mask

Holy God, you see me and you hear me.
Through my mask, you see if I smile or if I scowl.
Through my mask, you hear me if I whisper a brief prayer or mutter a muffled curse.
My friends don’t see or hear or know; nor do my family; nor my colleagues. But you do.

This mask takes away power – the power of clear communication, but also the power to infect.
It also grants a freedom to be with others.
My smiles, my thoughts, my mumbles, these I know, but they are a greater mystery to others now.
But not to you, Lord. You see past my mask, you hear through it, you know.

But your mask, Lord, what about your mask? Who can see through your mask? Hear through it?
I cannot. I cannot see if you smile or if you scowl.
I cannot hear if you whisper an answer to my prayer or brush off my curse.
I cannot sense if you are pleased with me or if you are waiting for me to do much better.
Can we all take off our masks, Lord? Put them away?

When the disease that moves us to mask our faces for safety fades away, will our eyes and our ears be stronger, better able to see and to hear the smiles and the frowns, the cries and the whispers of those who fill our lives, who make our lives worth living?

Will we see, Lord, that what we think of as your mask is really also our own, our inability to find you in the rush of our lives, our failure to see you in all the wonders you show us, our incapacity to hear your gentle voice in the tumult that surrounds us.

Can we know, Lord, that we put on many masks so we can cope, avoid, pretend, be acceptable?
Help us, Lord, to move beyond our masks. You are here for us to see and to hear. Help us. Let us take off our masks.

Fr. Edward Schmidt S.J.

The Sacrament of Baptism

Covid restrictions and limited human resources to enable us to comply with these restrictions, prevent us being able to open St. Patrick’s Church for anything other than Mass on a Sunday and Tuesday and for funerals at present.

We are still unable to reopen the parish centre which prevents us offering the necessary baptismal preparation for parents who are considering presenting their child to the Church for Baptism.

As such, we are still unable to offer the Sacrament of Baptism in St. Patrick’s Church.

The Little Sisters of the Poor

The Little Sisters of the Poor at St. Joseph’s Home in Newcastle are finding the current economic climate increasingly more demanding. The lockdown measures have had a massive impact on their fundraising activities and the charitable donations they rely on to meet the daily running costs of the Home. They are appealing for donations to help them continue with their work of caring for the elderly and to enable them to carry out essential fire prevention upgrades to the Home. In these uncertain times, small acts of kindness can make a huge difference. If you feel able to make a donation, cheques made payable to ‘Little Sisters of the Poor’ can be sent to: St. Joseph’s Home, Westmorland Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 7QA. Alternatively, secure, online donations can be made via the Little Sisters of the Poor website.

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.

Thank you

Fr. Patterson is very grateful for a donation received in memory of Paul Hughes for St. Patrick’s parish funds.

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 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

Roadmap Step 3  (from 17 May)

These are the changes  that came into effect on 17th May.

This information accompanies the changes. Whilst social distancing with close family and friends is now a matter of personal judgement, we are asked to remain cautious around close contact, like hugging. Remember too that you should always make space for other people to keep their distance if they want to.

In some settings, there will be specific guidance that we will need to follow even when we are with friends and family. This is important to reduce the risk of spreading Covid-19 to other people such as staff and other members of the public. You should always follow guidance associated with the setting you are in (for example in a place of worship).

Covid-secure rules, including social distancing requirements, continue to apply in the workplace, and in businesses and public venues including places of worship. This guidance does not affect a site owner’s responsibility to calculate the number of people that can be accommodated with social distancing in place.

Where do we go from here?

Monday is the day when the Government will announce whether or not it can proceed with Step 4 of the Roadmap on 21st June. Commentators predict that the prospect of that happening is looking increasingly unlikely following the rapid rise in Covid cases due to the Delta variant.

It was always expected that infection rates would rise having allowed indoor mixing from 17th May which provides more opportunity for the virus to spread.

But what has become clear in the past few days is that the trajectory is steeper than many had hoped, because of the more infectious Delta variant, thought to be 40% to 80% more transmissible than the Alpha variant, first identified in Kent.

At the current rate of growth, it is predicted that the UK will hit 15,000 cases a day by 21st June without any further relaxation of restrictions, which could drive up cases even more.

Professor Tim Spector, lead scientist on the ZOE COVID Study and Professor of Genetic Epidemiology at King’s College London, comments on the latest data:

“The COVID-19 situation in the UK has rapidly changed from one of the best performing nations to a nation again struggling with rising cases. Official confirmed cases are now around 7,500, (10^th June) which is the highest daily figure since late February.

However, when you dig into the data, it’s clear that this is an epidemic among the unvaccinated and partially vaccinated populations in the UK and, due to the way vaccines have been rolled out, is largely affecting younger generations.

The good news is that fully vaccinated people have much greater protection. Vaccines are working and we want to encourage people to exercise caution, especially if they feel at all unwell, until they’ve been fully vaccinated. The race is on to fully vaccinate the whole population to save lives and return to normal life”

For more information visit the  Zoe Study data video or read Why we may have to wait .