4th Sunday of Lent

The following celebrations will take place during the days ahead.

• Saturday: (9th Mar) 6pm Mass in St. Alban’s Church: The Parishioners Intentions
• Sunday: (10th Mar) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s Church: Catherine Palmer
• Tuesday: (12th Mar) 10am Funeral Mass in St. Patrick’s Church: Pat Powell
• Thursday: (14th) 10am Funeral Mass in St. Patrick’s Church: Betty Wasp
• Saturday: (16th ) 6pm Mass in St. Alban’s Church: Andrew Sloan
• Sunday: (17th Mar) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s Church: The Parishioners Intentions
• Tuesday: (19th Mar) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s Church: In Thanksgiving

Mass to view on line

Mass is live streamed from  the Holy Name, Jesmond. Visit the website for Mass times this week.

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

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

Please keep in your prayers:

• all our parishioners who are sick, housebound or in hospital
• all those whose memories we cherish at this time especially Andrew Sloan and Bill Harland and,
• Fr. John McElhone Fr. Paddy Kennedy (Curate at St. Patrick’s from Aug 1962 to May 1966), Fr. Kevin Bolger, Fr. Mark Whelehan and Katherine Patterson who have died. May they rest in the peace of the Risen Lord.

Holy Hour

There will be a Holy Hour at St Joseph’s, Gateshead on Wednesday, 13th March from 7pm, providing an opportunity to pray that the current attempt to decriminalise abortion up to birth will be rejected by MPs.

Summary of Listening Exercises, and Bishop Stephen’s Response

On our Diocesan website you will find all the summaries from the various Listening Exercises that have been conducted throughout the Diocese since last summer. In Bishop Stephen’s response to what has been presented to him, he reflects on the past, the present state of ‘where we are at’ and our future together. The documentation is lengthy. Should you require a hard copy please contact Fr. Patterson.

A Prayer for Mothering Sunday

Thank you for mams and for all the joy of family life.
Be with those who are grieving because they have no mother;
be close to those who are struggling because they have no children;
be near to those who are sad because they are far apart from those they love.
Let your love be present in every home, and help your church
to have eyes to see and ears to hear the needs of all who come.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

(released on 2nd March, 2024 by the Church of England)

Lenten Reflections

The Diocesan Vicariate for Faith and Mission has produced booklets of Daily Lenten Reflections which are available for viewing, downloading and printing from the Diocesan website.

Celebrate Holy Week and Easter with one another

The following services will take place in St. Patrick’s Church.

The Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday (28th March) at 6pm;

The Solemn Celebration of the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday (29th March) at 3pm

The Solemn Celebration of the Vigil of Easter on Holy Saturday (30th March) at 5.30pm

The Mass of the Resurrection on Easter Sunday (31st March) will be celebrated

at 9.30am in St. Alban’s Church by Fr. Stanley

and at 10am in St. Patrick’s Church by Fr. Patterson

Gift Aid Scheme

Are you aware that if you are a UK tax payer and make an offering to our church collection you could join the Gift Aid Scheme enabling our parishes to gain an extra 25% of your offering, at no extra cost to you. If you feel you could be a part of the Gift Aid Scheme, please email the Parish Gift Aid Organiser, John Gillum at stpatrick.giftaid@outlook.com for further details or have a word with Fr. Patterson.

Thank you to those who already Gift Aid their offerings. We have been able to claim back from HMRC £1,637.75 for St. Alban’s and £4,034.52 for St. Patrick’s for the tax year 2022/23.

Your offerings are our sole source of income

Although we do not take a collection at Mass by passing round a basket, we do hope you will feel able to make an offer-ing towards the upkeep and running costs of our churches in one of the boxes you will find at the entrances to our churches.  Alternatively you may consider making your offering by Standing Order the details of which are below.

For St. Alban’s: Account name: DHN Pelaw St Alban: Sort code: 40-34-18 Account No: 92010984

For St. Patrick’s: Account name: DHN Felling St Patrick: Sort code: 40-34-18 Account No: 52010453

The Path to Jerusalem

A journey in prayer and liturgy

from Ash Wednesday, 14th February to Palm Sunday, 24th March
___________________________

Healing and forgiving steps

On Thursday, 21st March in St. Patrick’s parish centre,
there will be an opportunity to take another few steps –
or for some, it may be a leap, when we are invited
to gather to reflect on God’s mercy, healing and forgiveness
which he offers to us in the hope that we will show
mercy and forgiveness to one another. There will
be an opportunity for sacramental confession for those
who may wish to celebrate it

---

Nurturing Steps
A liturgy based on the Feeding of the Five Thousand followed by a Lenten Lunch

Quiet Steps
Encouragement to quiet personal prayer. Selecting a time and place each
week to spend in prayer supported by the weekly distribution of our prayer
sheets.

Feel free to join in as many steps of our Journey as you can manage or suits your circumstances and remember whatever steps you take you will be sharing in the journey. Dates of the various steps will be announced each week. If you would like to help us with further planning of the journey, please contact Kevin Rhodes, Trisha McGinley or any of our welcomers. Alternatively email the parish office felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk

3rd Sunday of Lent

The following celebrations will take place during the days ahead.

• Saturday: (2nd Mar) 6pm Mass in St. Alban’s Church: The Parishioners Intentions
• Sunday: (3rd Mar) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s Church: William and Elizabeth Pearson
• Tuesday: (5th Mar) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s parish centre: Annie Donald
• Thursday: (7th) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s parish centre: In Thanksgiving (NF)
• Saturday: (9th Mar) 6pm Mass in St. Alban’s Church: The Parishioners Intentions
• Sunday: (10th Mar) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s Church: Catherine Palmer
• Tuesday: (12th Mar) 10am Funeral Mass in St. Patrick’s Church: Pat Powell

Mass to view on line

Mass is live streamed from  the Holy Name, Jesmond. Visit the website for Mass times this week.

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

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

Please keep in your prayers:

• all our parishioners who are sick, housebound or in hospital
• and all those whose memories we cherish at this time and,
• Fr. John McElhone, Katherine Patterson, Pat Powell and Betty Wasp who have died. May they rest in the peace of the Risen Lord

Summary of Listening Exercises, and Bishop Stephen’s Response

On our Diocesan website you will find all the summaries from the various Listening Exercises that have been conducted throughout the Diocese since last summer. Also included are the results of the Questionnaire prepared for the Dicastery of Bishops Report following the resignation of Bishop Robert Byrne. In Bishop Stephen’s response to what has been presented to him, he reflects on the past, the present state of ‘where we are at’ and our future together. The documentation is lengthy. Should you require a hard copy please contact Fr. Patterson.

LOUDfence. St. Mary’s Cathedral and Newcastle Cathedral 3rd-6th March. Welcome to All

Bishop Stephen has asked us to share the following with you:

Together with the Diocese of Newcastle, our diocesan family is privileged to be hosting a LOUDfence at St. Marys’ Cathedral and at Newcastle Cathedral. It will begin at the 11.30am Sunday Mass on 3rd March at St. Mary’s Cathedral and end with a Service of the Word at Newcastle Cathedral on the 6th March at 7pm.

Everyone is welcome to these liturgies and to visit both Cathedrals during the days to offer their prayers and support for all who have suffered abuse within church communities and all contexts. We are invited to leave prayers and messages together with provided items like the prayer ribbons presented to Bishop Stephen at his Installation Mass, which are still tied to his Bishop’s Chair.

People can leave their prayers and messages within or outside of the Cathedrals, recognising some people would rather not enter a place of worship. There will be people available for pastoral accompaniment if that is requested. As a diocesan family we pray for all who have suffered abuse and recognise our shared duty to safeguard the vulnerable.

Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes. 2024

The Diocesan Pilgrimage takes place from 26th July – 2nd August, 2024. For further details visit Tangney Tours website.

Are you new to our Parishes?

If you have recently moved into Bill Quay, Felling, Pelaw, Heworth, Windy Nook and the surrounding area you are more than welcome to come along to worship with us in either St. Alban’s Church, Queen Victoria Street, Pelaw or St. Patrick’s Church on the High Street in Felling. Mass times are Saturday evening at 6pm in St. Alban’s and 10am on a Sunday in St. Patrick’s.

If you would like to offer your talents to the parish – and we all have God given talents – then please approach Fr. Patterson or any of our welcomers and provide us with your details. You would also be most welcome to join us for refreshments after Sunday Mass in St. Patrick’s parish centre which is located directly underneath the Church. We look forward to seeing you.

Gift Aid Scheme

Are you aware that if you are a UK tax payer and make an offering to our church collection you could join the Gift Aid Scheme enabling our parishes to gain an extra 25% of your offering, at no extra cost to you. If you feel you could be a part of the Gift Aid Scheme, please email the Parish Gift Aid Organiser, John Gillum at stpatrick.giftaid@outlook.com for further details or have a word with Fr. Patterson.

Thank you to those who already Gift Aid their offerings. We have been able to claim back from HMRC £1,637.75 for St. Alban’s and £4,034.52 for St. Patrick’s for the tax year 2022/23.

Your offerings are our sole source of income

Although we do not take a collection at Mass by passing round a basket, we do hope you will feel able to make an offer-ing towards the upkeep and running costs of our churches in one of the boxes you will find at the entrances to our churches.  Alternatively you may consider making your offering by Standing Order the details of which are below.

For St. Alban’s: Account name: DHN Pelaw St Alban: Sort code: 40-34-18 Account No: 92010984

For St. Patrick’s: Account name: DHN Felling St Patrick: Sort code: 40-34-18 Account No: 52010453

School News from Mrs Robinson

Dear Parishioners, you are all invited to join us each Friday in St Alban’s Church at 15.00 for a Celebration of the Word Service of Prayer. These will be led by the children each week and will help us reflect on the Sunday Gospel as we journey towards Easter

We currently have spaces in our nursery for children who are 3 or 4 years old. If you are interested in either a 15-hour place or a 30-hour place in our teacher-led nursery, please contact the school office on 0191 469 3251 for an application pack

We currently have spaces in our nursery for children who are 3 or 4 years old. If you are interested in either a 15-hour place or a 30-hour place in our teacher-led nursery, please contact the school office on 0191 4693251 for an application pack.

Lenten Alms

St Cuthbert’s Care is a charity working throughout the North East, committed to helping improve the lives of some of the most vulnerable members of our communities, including people with profound disabilities, children in care, older people and those living on the margins of society. Should you wish to support their work place your donation in an envelope marked “Lenten Alms” and place it in the collection boxes at the doors of our Church anytime during Lent.

Lenten Reflections

The Diocesan Vicariate for Faith and Mission has produced booklets of Daily Lenten Reflections which are available for viewing, downloading and printing from the Diocesan website.

Lenten Day for Families

Catholic Mothers and the Carmelite Friars invite you to a Lenten Family Day at St John Vianney, Hillhead Parkway, West Denton, Newcastle NE5 1DP on Saturday 9th March. The day will beginning with Mass at 10am followed by a short talk, opportunity for Confession, a soup lunch, children’s activities and social time. All ages and families are welcome. For more information email catholicmothersne@gmail.com.

Can you play a musical instrument?

If you would like to join St. Patrick’s musicians and help with the music at Sunday Mass, please speak to Jessica or Dylan whom you will find at the front of the church after Mass.

More parishioners would be welcome to join the very small singing group to help sustain the singing. If you are interested simply sit at the front of the church behind our musicians and “sing your heart out!”

New readers

Pope Francis highlights the importance of  the Word of God for people of faith, it may be that some of you may value the opportunity to read the Word of God at Mass.  You would be welcome to join our readers rota. This invitation is open to parishioners of all ages. If you would like to take part in our liturgies in this way, or indeed in any way, please speak to Fr. Patterson or email the parish office at felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk.

The Diocesan Justice and Peace Refugee Project…….

…….which supports people who are seeking asylum in our area, continue to appeal for donations of sugar, biscuits, tinned fish in oil, tins of tomatoes, chick peas, toiletries and shampoo. If you feel able to support this project, donations may be left on the tables at the entrance to our churches and at our school.

Parish Newsletter

In an attempt to reduce the cost of printing “hard copies” of the Parish Newsletter and to be more environmentally friendly, please consider allowing us to send you your copy by email. Simply email the parish office at felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk and you will be added to the mailing list. For those who do not have this facility, a small number of printed copies will be available at the doors of both of our churches.

Parking in our church car parks

Please be aware that the Trustees of the Diocese cannot accept responsibility for injury, loss or damage to third party property, vehicles and their contents whilst left in the church car parks.

Please exercise care when parking in St. Patrick’s car park and avoid striking the railings. They are cast iron and easily snap if they are reversed into by a vehicle!!

The Path to Jerusalem

A journey in prayer and liturgy

from Ash Wednesday, 14th February to Palm Sunday, 24th March
___________________________

Another moment for a “Quiet step”
The scripture readings at daily Mass last week encouraged us to spend some
time listening to the Lord – rather than talking to him
There will be an opportunity for a quiet time on
Wednesday, 6th March at 5pm – 6:30pm
in our “Oasis of Prayer” in St. Patrick’s parish centre.
Whynot “drop in” on your way home from work.

---

During the weeks ahead, there will be the opportunity of taking some
further steps in our journey:

Learning Steps
A time for discussion about “The Lord’s Prayer. In response to the Year of
Prayer.

Healing Steps
A liturgy based on the healing ministry of Christ which may incorporate the
Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick   

Forgiving Steps
A liturgy based around readings focusing on the forgiveness of Christ which
may incorporate the Sacrament of Reconciliation

Nurturing Steps
A liturgy based on the Feeding of the Five Thousand followed by a Lenten Lunch

Quiet Steps
Encouragement to quiet personal prayer. Selecting a time and place each
week to spend in prayer supported by the weekly distribution of our prayer
sheets.

Feel free to join in as many steps of our Journey as you can manage or suits your circumstances and remember whatever steps you take you will be sharing in the journey. Dates of the various steps will be announced each week. If you would like to help us with further planning of the journey, please contact Kevin Rhodes, Trisha McGinley or any of our welcomers. Alternatively email the parish office felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk

2nd Sunday of Lent

The following celebrations will take place during the days ahead.

• Saturday: (24th) 6pm Mass in St. Alban’s Church: The Parishioners Intentions
• Sunday: (25th) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s Church: Paul Hughes
• Tuesday: (27th) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s parish centre: Manus McDermott
• Thursday: (29th) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s parish centre: Patsy Rafferty
• Saturday: (2nd Mar) 6pm Mass in St. Alban’s Church: The Parishioners Intentions
• Sunday: (3rd Mar) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s Church: Elizabeth Pearson
• Tuesday: (5th Mar) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s parish centre: Annie Donald

Mass to view on line

Mass is live streamed from  the Holy Name, Jesmond. Visit the website for Mass times this week.

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

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

Please keep in your prayers:

• all our parishioners who are sick, housebound or in hospital and,
• all those whose memories we cherish at this time especially Manus McDermott, Jim McWilliams and Elizabeth Pearson.

Mass Intentions

Fr. Patterson is very grateful for the generous Mass Offerings you are handing in.  As he is currently only able to celebrate four Masses each week, one of which must be for “the Parishioners Intentions,” he is a little behind in celebrating some of your Mass requests. He tries to give priority to Anniversaries, but it is not always possible. So please be patient and understanding.

LOUDfence. St. Mary’s Cathedral and Newcastle Cathedral 3rd-6th March. Welcome to All

Bishop Stephen has asked us to share the following with you:

Together with the Diocese of Newcastle, our diocesan family is privileged to be hosting a LOUDfence at St. Marys’ Cathedral and at Newcastle Cathedral. It will begin at the 11.30 Sunday Mass on 3rd March at St. Mary’s Cathedral and end with a Service of the Word at Newcastle Cathedral on the 6th March at 7pm.

Everyone is welcome to these liturgies and to visit both Cathedrals during the days to offer their prayers and support for all who have suffered abuse within church communities and all contexts. We are invited to leave prayers and messages together with provided items like the prayer ribbons presented to Bishop Stephen at his Installation Mass, which are still tied to his Bishop’s Chair.

People can leave their prayers and messages within or outside of the Cathedrals, recognising some people would rather not enter a place of worship. There will be people available for pastoral accompaniment if that is requested. As a diocesan family we pray for all who have suffered abuse and recognise our shared duty to safeguard the vulnerable.

White Flower Appeal

Thanks to those who felt able to support the above Appeal for the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children.  St. Alban’s parishioners contributed £84.00 and St. Patrick’s offered £57.00.

Are you new to our Parishes?

If you have recently moved into Bill Quay, Felling, Pelaw, Heworth, Windy Nook and the surrounding area you are more than welcome to come along to worship with us in either St. Alban’s Church, Queen Victoria Street, Pelaw or St. Patrick’s Church on the High Street in Felling. Mass times are Saturday evening at 6pm in St. Alban’s and 10am on a Sunday in St. Patrick’s.

If you would like to offer your talents to the parish – and we all have God given talents – then please approach Fr. Patterson or any of our welcomers and provide us with your details. You would also be most welcome to join us for refreshments after Sunday Mass in St. Patrick’s parish centre which is located directly underneath the Church. We look forward to seeing you.

Gift Aid Scheme

Are you aware that if you are a UK tax payer and make an offering to our church collection you could join the Gift Aid Scheme enabling our parishes to gain an extra 25% of your offering, at no extra cost to you. If you feel you could be a part of the Gift Aid Scheme, please email the Parish Gift Aid Organiser, John Gillum at stpatrick.giftaid@outlook.com for further details or have a word with Fr. Patterson.

Thank you to those who already Gift Aid their offerings. We have been able to claim back from HMRC £1,637.75 for St. Alban’s and £4,034.52 for St. Patrick’s for the tax year 2022/23.

Your offerings are our sole source of income

Although we do not take a collection at Mass by passing round a basket, we do hope you will feel able to make an offer-ing towards the upkeep and running costs of our churches in one of the boxes you will find at the entrances to our churches.  Alternatively you may consider making your offering by Standing Order the details of which are below.

For St. Alban’s: Account name: DHN Pelaw St Alban: Sort code: 40-34-18 Account No: 92010984

For St. Patrick’s: Account name: DHN Felling St Patrick: Sort code: 40-34-18 Account No: 52010453

Potential Legislation Changes regarding Abortion

Bishop John Sherrington, the lead Bishop on Life Issues for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales sends the following message:

“From the end of February, it is likely that the Criminal Justice bill will return to parliament and that amendments will be tabled to decriminalise abortion up to the point of birth. As well as a direct attack on the dignity of the unborn, it is highly likely that these amendments, if passed, will have unforeseen consequences which could be very serious for both unborn babies and their mothers, especially given the increase in home abortions following the legalisation of the provision of abortion pills by post. It is possible that there will be other amendments more favourable to the rights of unborn babies. Please consider supporting an amendment to reduce the abortion time limit in the UK from 24 weeks to 22 weeks. Research indicates that a significant number of babies born at 22 or 23 weeks can now survive outside the womb, leaving a contradiction in our abortion law.”

Postcards are available at the back of both churches if you wish to contact your MP to support this amendment.

Lenten Alms

St Cuthbert’s Care is a charity working throughout the North East, committed to helping improve the lives of some of the most vulnerable members of our communities, including people with profound disabilities, children in care, older people and those living on the margins of society. Should you wish to support their work place your donation in an envelope marked “Lenten Alms” and place it in the collection boxes at the doors of our Church anytime during Lent.

Lenten Reflections

The Diocesan Vicariate for Faith and Mission has produced booklets of Daily Lenten Reflections which are available for viewing, downloading and printing from the Diocesan website.

Lenten Day for Families

Catholic Mothers and the Carmelite Friars invite you to a Lenten Family Day at St John Vianney, Hillhead Parkway, West Denton, Newcastle NE5 1DP on Saturday 9th March. The day will beginning with Mass at 10.00 followed by a short talk, opportunity for Confession, a soup lunch, children’s activities and social time. All ages and families are welcome. For more information email catholicmothersne@gmail.com.

A call to our parents

If you are bringing your child(ren) up for a blessing at Holy Communion, would you please ensure they cross their arms over their chest before approaching the minister to avoid any possible confusion. Thank you so much.

The Diocesan Justice and Peace Refugee Project…….

…….which supports people who are seeking asylum in our area, continue to appeal for donations of sugar, biscuits, tinned fish in oil, tins of tomatoes, chick peas, toiletries and shampoo. If you feel able to support this project, donations may be left on the tables at the entrance to our churches and at our school.

Parish Newsletter

In an attempt to reduce the cost of printing “hard copies” of the Parish Newsletter and to be more environmentally friendly, please consider allowing us to send you your copy by email. Simply email the parish office at felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk and you will be added to the mailing list. For those who do not have this facility, a small number of printed copies will be available at the doors of both of our churches.

Parking in our church car parks

Please be aware that the Trustees of the Diocese cannot accept responsibility for injury, loss or damage to third party property, vehicles and their contents whilst left in the church car parks.

Please exercise care when parking in St. Patrick’s car park and avoid striking the railings. They are cast iron and easily snap if they are reversed into by a vehicle!!

The Path to Jerusalem

A journey in prayer and liturgy

from Ash Wednesday, 14th February to Palm Sunday, 24th March
___________________________

We should never “Walk alone”.
During the coming week why not contemplate sharing your “Path to Jerusalem”
with members of the local churches in our area at The World Day of Prayer on
Friday, 1st March at 10.00 in St. Alban’s Church, Windy Nook,
followed by refreshments.

---

During the weeks ahead, there will be the opportunity of taking some
further steps in our journey:

Learning Steps
A time for discussion about “The Lord’s Prayer. In response to the Year of
Prayer.

Healing Steps
A liturgy based on the healing ministry of Christ which may incorporate the
Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick   

Forgiving Steps
A liturgy based around readings focusing on the forgiveness of Christ which
may incorporate the Sacrament of Reconciliation

Nurturing Steps
A liturgy based on the Feeding of the Five Thousand followed by a Lenten Lunch

Quiet Steps
Encouragement to quiet personal prayer. Selecting a time and place each
week to spend in prayer supported by the weekly distribution of our prayer
sheets.

Feel free to join in as many steps of our Journey as you can manage or suits your circumstances and remember whatever steps you take you will be sharing in the journey. Dates of the various steps will be announced each week. If you would like to help us with further planning of the journey, please contact Kevin Rhodes, Trisha McGinley or any of our welcomers. Alternatively email the parish office felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk

1st Sunday of Lent

The following celebrations will take place during the days ahead.

• Saturday: (17th) 6pm Mass in St. Alban’s Church: Albert Lagan
• Sunday: (18th) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s Church: The Parishioners Intentions
• Tuesday: (20th) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s parish centre: Carol Belton
• Saturday: (24th) 6pm Mass in St. Alban’s Church: The Parishioners Intentions
• Sunday: (25th) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s Church: Paul Hughes
• Tuesday: (27th) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s parish centre: Manus McDermott

Mass to view on line

Mass is live streamed from  the Holy Name, Jesmond. Visit the website for Mass times this week.

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

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

Please keep in your prayers:

• all our parishioners who are sick, housebound or in hospital and,
• all those whose memories we cherish at this time especially Manus McDermott, Jim McWilliams and Elizabeth Pearson.

Congratulations

Our prayerful good wishes go to Jack and Jason who, supported by their family, friends and parish family, celebrated the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist for the first time during the week. We assure them and the family of our ongoing prayers.

 A Prayer for the troubled world

Prince of peace, in a world of conflict and violence we pray that the peace you came to bring may become a reality in the world of our own time. Amen.

LOUDfence. St. Mary’s Cathedral and Newcastle Cathedral 3rd-6th March. Welcome to All

Bishop Stephen has asked us to share the following with you:

Together with the Diocese of Newcastle, our diocesan family is privileged to be hosting a LOUDfence at St. Marys’ Cathedral and at Newcastle Cathedral. It will begin at the 11.30am Sunday Mass on 3rd March at St. Mary’s Cathedral and end with a Service of the Word at Newcastle Cathedral on the 6th March at 7pm.

Everyone is welcome to these liturgies and to visit both Cathedrals during the days to offer their prayers and support for all who have suffered abuse within church communities and all contexts. We are invited to leave prayers and messages together with provided items like the prayer ribbons presented to Bishop Stephen at his Installation Mass, which are still tied to his Bishop’s Chair.

People can leave their prayers and messages within or outside of the Cathedrals, recognising some people would rather not enter a place of worship. There will be people available for pastoral accompaniment if that is requested. As a diocesan family we pray for all who have suffered abuse and recognise our shared duty to safeguard the vulnerable.

Pie and Pea Lunch

During the cold weather we offer you a pie and pea lunch in St. Patrick’s parish centre on Saturday, 24th February from 1pm. This event is open to everyone from St. Alban’s and St. Patrick’s, along with your friends and neighbours.

Walk with Me – Lenten Booklets

These booklets include a daily reflection for each day of Lent. A limited number are now available to purchase at the back of St. Alban’s Church and on the table at the front of St. Patrick’s Church priced at £1.00. First come, first served!

Family Fast Day 

Friday is Family Fast Day when CAFOD invites us to support its work of providing aid and development for people in need overseas. By giving up a meal or undertaking some other form of self-denial, we can be in solidarity with them in their struggles. If you wish to make a donation, please take a CAFOD envelope and return it via the collection boxes next weekend.

Lenten Alms

St Cuthbert’s Care is a charity working throughout the North East, committed to helping improve the lives of some of the most vulnerable members of our communities, including people with profound disabilities, children in care, older people and those living on the margins of society. Should you wish to support their work place your donation in an envelope marked “Lenten Alms” and place it in the collection boxes at the doors of our Church anytime during Lent.

Your offerings are our sole source of income

Although we do not take a collection at Mass by passing round a basket, we do hope you will feel able to make an offering towards the upkeep and running costs of our churches in one of the boxes you will find at the entrances to our churches.  Alternatively you may consider making your offering by Standing Order the details of which are below.

For St. Alban’s: Account name: DHN Pelaw St Alban: Sort code: 40-34-18 Account No: 92010984

For St. Patrick’s: Account name: DHN Felling St Patrick: Sort code: 40-34-18 Account No: 52010453

The path to Jerusalem

We took our first steps on the “Path to Jerusalem” as parishioners processed to St. Patrick’s parish
centre following Mass on Ash Wednesday where our “Oasis of Prayer” was inaugurated to help us
at various times during Lent to remember Jesus time in the wilderness.

The Path to Jerusalem

A journey in prayer and liturgy

from Ash Wednesday, 14th February to Palm Sunday, 24th March
___________________________

Fruitful Steps
The next “Fruitful Steps” take place this coming week when,
on Saturday evening and Sunday morning,
a sheet of Gospel readings will be offered to you at the end of Mass
relating to Alms Giving with some suggestions as to what we can do in practically sup-
porting those in need in our community and further afield.

On Friday evening, 23rd February
our “Oasis of Prayer” in St. Patrick’s parish centre will be available between 5.30pm to
6.30pm for those of you who may value a time of quiet prayer and reflection at the end of
a working week. Why not drop in on your way home from work.

---

During the weeks ahead, there will be the opportunity of taking some
further steps in our journey:

Learning Steps
A time for discussion about “The Lord’s Prayer. In response to the Year of
Prayer.

Healing Steps
A liturgy based on the healing ministry of Christ which may incorporate the
Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick   

Forgiving Steps
A liturgy based around readings focusing on the forgiveness of Christ which
may incorporate the Sacrament of Reconciliation

Nurturing Steps
A liturgy based on the Feeding of the Five Thousand followed by a Lenten Lunch

Quiet Steps
Encouragement to quiet personal prayer. Selecting a time and place each
week to spend in prayer supported by the weekly distribution of our prayer
sheets.

Feel free to join in as many steps of our Journey as you can manage or suits your circumstances and remember whatever steps you take you will be sharing in the journey. Dates of the various steps will be announced each week. If you would like to help us with further planning of the journey, please contact Kevin Rhodes, Trisha McGinley or any of our welcomers. Alternatively email the parish office felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk

6th Sunday of the Year

The following celebrations will take place during the days ahead.

• Saturday: (10th) 6pm Mass in St. Alban’s Church: The Parishioners Intentions
• Sunday: (11th) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s Church: Denis Patrick Lenehan
• Ash Wednesday: (14th Feb) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s  Church celebrated for Tommy and Kathleen McKenna and Joan Neil, ending with the launch of our “Path to Jerusalem” and the setting up of a prayer space in St. Patrick’s centre, based on Christ’s time in the wilderness 
• Thursday: 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s parish centre: Maureen Moore
• Saturday: (17th) 6pm Mass in St. Alban’s Church: Albert Lagan
• Sunday: (18th) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s Church: The Parishioners Intentions
• Tuesday: (19th) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s parish centre: Carol Belton

Mass to view on line

Mass is live streamed from  the Holy Name, Jesmond. Visit the website for Mass times this week.

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

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

Please keep in your prayers:

• all our parishioners who are sick, housebound or in hospital
• all those whose memories we cherish at this time especially Denis Patrick Lenehan

A Prayer for the troubled world

Prince of peace, in a world of conflict and violence we pray that the peace you came to bring may become a reality in the world of our own time. Amen.

Pray for Vocations

The Icon of Christ the Eternal High Priest will be present in St. Alban’s and St. Patrick’s this weekend. The icon was commissioned and blessed by our Vocations team in July 2019. It depicts Jesus wearing priestly vestments with St Cuthbert’s Cross at the centre of the chasuble. The words “I am the Good Shepherd” are on the open book in his hand. The icon is touring the parishes of the Diocese to encourage each of us to pray for Vocations to the Priesthood, Diaconate and Consecrated Life and to discern our own calling from God.

“Almighty and eternal God, in your unfailing love you provide ministers for your Church. We pray for those whom you call. Inspire in them a generous response. Grant them courage and vision to serve your people. May their lives and service call your people to respond to the presence of your Spirit among us all so that, faithful to the Gospel and hope in Jesus the Christ, we may: announce good news to the poor, proclaim liberty to captives, set prisoners free and renew the face of the earth.” 

A call to our parents

If you are bringing your child(ren) up for a blessing at Holy Communion, would you please ensure they cross their arms over their chest before approaching the minister to avoid any possible confusion. Thank you so much.

Walk with Me – Lenten Booklets

These booklets include a daily reflection for each day of Lent. A limited number are now available to purchase at the back of St. Alban’s Church and on the table at the front of St. Patrick’s Church priced at £1.00. First come, first served!

World Day of Prayer for the Sick

Sunday is the World Day of Prayer for those are sick and Pope Francis asks us to pray especially for those who are terminally ill and their families. He offers us the following message:-

“When some people talk about terminal illness there are two words they often confuse incurable and un-carable but they are not the same Even when little chance of a cure exists every sick person has the right to medical, psychological spiritual and human assistance. Sometimes they can’t talk, sometimes we think they don’t recognise us. But if we take them by the hand we know they are relating with us. Healing is not always possible, but we can always care for the sick person, caress them. St. John Paul II used to say, “cure if it is possible; always take care.” And this is where palliative care comes in. It guarantees the patient not only medical attention but also human assistance and closeness. Families should not be left alone in these difficult moments. Their role is decisive. They need access to adequate means so as to provide appropriate physical, spiritual and social support. Let us pray that the terminally ill and their families always receive the necessary medical and human care and assistance.”  

 Thank you

Fr. Patterson is grateful for a Gift Aided Donation of £100.00 and a donation of £40.00 received over recent weeks for  St. Patrick’s parish funds.

Your offerings are our sole source of income

Although we do not take a collection at Mass by passing round a basket, we do hope you will feel able to make an offer-ing towards the upkeep and running costs of our churches in one of the boxes you will find at the entrances to our churches.  Alternatively you may consider making your offering by Standing Order the details of which are below.

For St. Alban’s: Account name: DHN Pelaw St Alban: Sort code: 40-34-18 Account No: 92010984

For St. Patrick’s: Account name: DHN Felling St Patrick: Sort code: 40-34-18 Account No: 52010453

The path to Jerusalem

Following a discussion at the Think Tank meeting held on 19th January, we offer the following approach to Lent this year. If you would like to help us with further planning please contact Kevin Rhodes, Trisha McGinley or any of our welcomers.

The Path to Jerusalem

A journey in prayer and liturgy

from Ash Wednesday, 14th February to Palm Sunday, 24th March
____________________________

First Steps
Ash Wednesday Mass and distribution of Ashes ending with a Short
Prayer service – based on Christ’s time in the wilderness, with the setting up
of a prayer space

Fruitful Steps
First Sunday of Lent – Distribution of a sheet of Gospel Readings relating to
Alms Giving and suggestions as to what we can do in practically supporting
those in need in our community. (Your
ideas on this aspect of Lent would be greatly valued)

Learning Steps
A time for discussion about “The Lord’s Prayer. In response to the Year of
Prayer.

Healing Steps
A liturgy based on the healing ministry of Christ which may incorporate the
Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick   

Forgiving Steps
A liturgy based around readings focusing on the forgiveness of Christ which
may incorporate the Sacrament of Reconciliation

Nurturing Steps
A liturgy based on the Feeding of the Five Thousand followed by a Lenten Lunch

Quiet Steps
Encouragement to quiet personal prayer. Selecting a time and place each
week to spend in prayer supported by the weekly distribution of our prayer
sheets.

The dates and times of each step will vary.

Feel free to join in as many steps of our Journey as you can manage or suits your circumstances and remember whatever steps you take you will be sharing in the journey.

5th Sunday of the Year

The following celebrations will take place during the days ahead.

• Saturday: (3rd Feb) 6pm Mass in St. Alban’s Church: George Burrell
• Sunday: (4th Feb) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s Church: The Parishioners Intentions
• Tuesday: 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s parish centre: Lindsay Bradley
• Thursday: 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s parish centre: Isabella Rogan Taylor
• Friday: 10.15am Funeral Service in St. Alban’s Church: John Brown
• Saturday: (10th) 6pm Mass in St. Alban’s Church: The Parishioners Intentions
• Sunday: (11th) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s Church: Denis Patrick Lenehan
• Ash Wednesday: (14th Feb) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s  Church: Tommy and Kathleen McKenna and Joan Neil

Mass to view on line

Mass is live streamed from  the Holy Name, Jesmond. Visit the website for Mass times this week.

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

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

Please keep in your prayers:

• all our parishioners who are sick, housebound or in hospital
• all those whose memories we cherish at this time especially Lindsay Bradley, Denis Patrick Lenehan, and Isabella Rogan Taylor and,
• John Brown who has died. May he rest in the peace of the Risen Lord.

A Prayer for the troubled world

Prince of peace, in a world of conflict and violence
we pray that the peace you came to bring may become
a reality in the world of our own time. Amen.

School News from Mrs Robinson

Dear Parishioners, thank you for your prayers and support this week. We really felt the benefit of them during our Ofsted Section 8 Inspection. The children and staff did an amazing job of sharing our fantastic school with the inspector and I look forward to sharing the outcome with you soon.

We currently have spaces in our nursery for children who are 3 or 4 years old. If you are interested in either a 15-hour place or a 30-hour place in our teacher-led nursery, please contact the school office on 0191 4693251 for an application pack.

White Flower Appeal

The White Flower Appeal for the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children will be taken this weekend 3rd/4th February, by means of a basket as you leave our churches for those who may choose to support it.

A call to our parents

If you are bringing your child(ren) up for a blessing at Holy Communion, would you please ensure they cross their arms over their chest before approaching the minister to avoid any misunderstandings. Thank you so much.

Walk with Me – Lenten Booklets

These booklets include a daily reflection for each day of Lent. A limited number are now available to purchase at the back of St. Alban’s Church and on the table at the front of St. Patrick’s Church priced at £1.00. First come, first served!

The Diocesan Justice and Peace Refugee Project…….

…….which supports people who are seeking asylum in our area, continue to appeal for donations of sugar, biscuits, tinned fish in oil, tins of tomatoes, chick peas, toiletries and shampoo. If you feel able to support this project, donations may be left on the tables at the entrance to our churches and at our school.

Are you new to our Parishes?

If you have recently moved into Bill Quay, Felling, Pelaw, Heworth, Windy Nook and the surrounding area you are more than welcome to come along to worship with us in either St. Alban’s Church, Queen Victoria Street, Pelaw or St. Patrick’s Church on the High Street in Felling. Mass times are Saturday evening at 6pm in St. Alban’s and 10am on a Sunday in St. Patrick’s.

If you would like to offer your talents to the parish – and we all have God given talents – then please approach Fr. Patterson or any of our welcomers and provide us with your details. You would also be most welcome to join us for refreshments after Sunday Mass in St. Patrick’s parish centre which is located directly underneath the Church. We look forward to seeing you.

Your offerings are our sole source of income

Although we do not take a collection at Mass by passing round a basket, we do hope you will feel able to make an offer-ing towards the upkeep and running costs of our churches in one of the boxes you will find at the entrances to our churches.  Alternatively you may consider making your offering by Standing Order the details of which are below.

For St. Alban’s: Account name: DHN Pelaw St Alban: Sort code: 40-34-18 Account No: 92010984

For St. Patrick’s: Account name: DHN Felling St Patrick: Sort code: 40-34-18 Account No: 52010453

The path to Jerusalem

Following a discussion at the Think Tank meeting held on 19th January, we offer the following approach to Lent this year. If you would like to help us with further planning please contact Kevin Rhodes, Trisha McGinley or any of our welcomers.

The Path to Jerusalem

A journey in prayer and liturgy

from Ash Wednesday, 14th February to Palm Sunday, 24th March
____________________________

First Steps
Ash Wednesday Mass and distribution of Ashes ending with a Short
Prayer service – based on Christ’s time in the wilderness, with the setting up
of a prayer space

Fruitful Steps
First Sunday of Lent – Distribution of a sheet of Gospel Readings relating to
Alms Giving and suggestions as to what we can do in practically supporting
those in need in our community. (Your
ideas on this aspect of Lent would be greatly valued)

Learning Steps
A time for discussion about “The Lord’s Prayer. In response to the Year of
Prayer.

Healing Steps
A liturgy based on the healing ministry of Christ which may incorporate the
Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick   

Forgiving Steps
A liturgy based around readings focusing on the forgiveness of Christ which
may incorporate the Sacrament of Reconciliation

Nurturing Steps
A liturgy based on the Feeding of the Five Thousand followed by a Lenten Lunch

Quiet Steps
Encouragement to quiet personal prayer. Selecting a time and place each
week to spend in prayer supported by the weekly distribution of our prayer
sheets.

The dates and times of each step will vary.

Feel free to join in as many steps of our Journey as you can manage or suits your circumstances and remember whatever steps you take you will be sharing in the journey.

4th Sunday of the Year

The following celebrations will take place during the days ahead.

• Saturday: (27th) 6pm Mass in St. Alban’s Church: The Parishioners Intentions
• Sunday: (28th) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s Church: Mary Eleanor McWilliams
• Tuesday: (30th) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s parish centre: Ellen Farrell
• Thursday: 10am Funeral Mass in St. Patrick’s Church: Agnes Swinhoe
• Saturday: (3rd Feb) 6pm Mass in St. Alban’s Church: George Burrell
• Sunday: (4th Feb) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s Church: The Parishioners Intentions
• Tuesday: (6th Feb) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s parish centre: Lindsay Bradley

Mass to view on line

Mass is live streamed from  the Holy Name, Jesmond. Visit the website for Mass times this week.

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

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

Please keep in your prayers:

• all our parishioners who are sick, housebound or in hospital
• all those whose memories we cherish at this time especially Denis Patrick Lenehan, Mary Eleanor McWilliams, Patsy Rafferty and Lindsay Bradley and,
• and Agnes Swinhoe and John Brown who have died. May they rest in the peace of the Risen Lord

A Prayer for the troubled world

Prince of peace, in a world of conflict and violence we pray that the peace you came to bring may become a reality in the world of our own time. Amen.

School News from Mrs Robinson

In school this year, we are trying to take care of the little things. This is really helping us focus on just small acts of kindness that, when put together, build up to have a bigger impact on the world. We hope you will also be inspired to take care of the little things and, as St David once said, to “be joyful, keep the faith, and do the little things”.

We currently have spaces in our nursery for children who are 3 or 4 years old. If you are interested in either a 15-hour place or a 30-hour place in our teacher-led nursery, please contact the school office on 0191 4693251 for an application pack.

Annual White Flower Appeal

The Annual White Flower Appeal for the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children will be taken next weekend 3rd/4th February, by means of a basket as you leave our churches.

Your offerings are our sole source of income

Although we do not take a collection at Mass by passing round a basket, we do hope you will feel able to make an offering towards the upkeep and running costs of our churches in one of the boxes you will find at the entrances to our churches.  Alternatively you may consider making your offering by Standing Order the details of which are below.

For St. Alban’s: Account name: DHN Pelaw St Alban: Sort code: 40-34-18 Account No: 92010984

For St. Patrick’s: Account name: DHN Felling St Patrick: Sort code: 40-34-18 Account No: 52010453

The path to Jerusalem

Following a discussion at the Think Tank meeting held on 19th January, we offer the following approach to Lent this year. If you would like to help us with further planning please contact Kevin Rhodes, Trisha McGinley or any of our welcomers.

The Path to Jerusalem

A journey in prayer and liturgy

from Ash Wednesday, 14th February to Palm Sunday, 24th March
____________________________

First Steps
Ash Wednesday Mass and distribution of Ashes ending with a Short
Prayer service – based on Christ’s time in the wilderness, with the setting up
of a prayer space

Fruitful Steps
First Sunday of Lent – Distribution of a sheet of Gospel Readings relating to
Alms Giving and suggestions as to what we can do in practically supporting
those in need in our community. (Your
ideas on this aspect of Lent would be greatly valued)

Learning Steps
A time for discussion about “The Lord’s Prayer. In response to the Year of
Prayer.

Healing Steps
A liturgy based on the healing ministry of Christ which may incorporate the
Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick   

Forgiving Steps
A liturgy based around readings focusing on the forgiveness of Christ which
may incorporate the Sacrament of Reconciliation

 

Nurturing Steps
A liturgy based on the Feeding of the Five Thousand followed by a Lenten Lunch

Quiet Steps
Encouragement to quiet personal prayer. Selecting a time and place each
week to spend in prayer supported by the weekly distribution of our prayer
sheets.

The dates and times of each step will vary.

Feel free to join in as many steps of our Journey as you can manage or suits
your circumstances and remember whatever steps you take you will be sharing in
the journey.

3rd Sunday of the Year

The following celebrations will take place during the days ahead.

• Saturday: (20th) 6pm Mass in St. Alban’s Church: Peter Sloan
• Sunday:  (21st) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s Church: The Parishioners Intentions
• Tuesday: 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s parish centre: George Owens
• Thursday: 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s parish centre: Vincent Dolan
• Saturday: (27th) 6pm Mass in St. Alban’s Church: The Parishioners Intentions
• Sunday: (28th) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s Church: Mary Eleanor McWilliams
• Tuesday: (30th) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s parish centre: Ellen Farrell

Mass to view on line

Mass is live streamed from the Holy Name, Jesmond. Visit the website for Mass times this week.

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

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

Please keep in your prayers:

• all our parishioners who are sick, housebound or in hospital
• all those whose memories we cherish at this time especially Mary Eleanor McWilliams,  Patsy Rafferty and Peter Sloan.

Weekly Offering Envelopes  for 2024/25 – Gift Aid Contributors

We will be ordering boxes of envelopes for the new year, beginning 1st April, 2023 this week. These envelopes are becoming very expensive, so we would urge you, if you do not already do so, to consider making your offering by Standing Order. This not only reduces the cost on the parish and our carbon footprint, but also eases the burden on our limited teams of counters who count the collections.

The details you require to set up a Standing Order are set out below:

For St. Alban’s:   
Account name: DHN Pelaw St Alban
Sort code: 40-34-18   
Account No: 92010984

For St. Patrick’s:   
Account name: DHN Felling St Patrick
Sort code: 40-34-18
Account No: 52010453

If you prefer an envelope please take note:

If you would prefer to continue to receive a box of envelopes for your Gift Aided contributions please place a note to that effect with your name and address in the collecting boxes at the front and back of our churches by next weekend, or email the parish office at felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk as soon as possible. Thank you.

A Prayer for the troubled world

Prince of peace, in a world of conflict and violence
we pray that the peace you came to bring
may become a reality in the world of our own time. Amen.

Sunday of the Word of God

This Sunday, is a day on which Pope Francis encourages us to deepen our awareness of the importance of the Word of God in our lives so that we can experience anew how the risen Lord opens up for us the treasury of his word and enables us to proclaim its unfathomable riches before the world.

New readers

On this day when Pope Francis highlights the importance of  the Word of God for people of faith, it may be that some of you may value the opportunity to read the Word of God at Mass.  You would be welcome to join our readers rota. This invitation is open to parishioners of all ages. If you would like to take part in our liturgies in this way please speak to Fr. Patterson or email the parish office at felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk.

Can you play a musical instrument?

If you would like to join St. Patrick’s musicians and help with the music at Sunday Mass, please speak to Jessica or Dylan whom you will find at the front of the church after Mass.

More parishioners would be welcome to join the very small singing group to help sustain the singing. If you are interested simply sit at the front of the church behind our musicians and “sing your heart out!”

Soup and Sandwich Lunch

During the cold weather a soup and sandwich lunch will replace the “Afternoon Tea.”

Why not join us in St. Patrick’s parish centre on Saturday, 27th January from the slightly earlier time of 1pm. This event is open to everyone from St. Alban’s and St. Patrick’s, along with friends and neighbours.

Are you new to our Parishes?

If you have recently moved into Bill Quay, Felling, Pelaw, Heworth, Windy Nook and the surrounding area you are more than welcome to come along to worship with us in either St. Alban’s Church, Queen Victoria Street, Pelaw or St. Patrick’s Church on the High Street in Felling. Mass times are Saturday evening at 6pm in St. Alban’s and 10am on a Sunday in St. Patrick’s.

If you would like to offer your talents to the parish – and we all have God given talents – then please approach Fr. Patterson or any of our welcomers and provide us with your details. You would also be most welcome to join us for refreshments after Sunday Mass in St. Patrick’s parish centre which is located directly underneath the Church. We look forward to seeing you.

A Year of Prayer and a Jubilee Year to come

Pope Francis has called a Jubilee Year for 2025, the theme of which is “Pilgrims of Hope’.

In preparation for the Jubilee Year, he has  designated 2024 as a Year of Prayer, with a particular focus on the Our Father. This, he hopes will be a great opportunity to go back to the basics of prayer. He encourages every Catholic to reflect on their life of prayer: what they pray, how they pray and why they pray.

He speaks of “Prayer that comes from the heart, not like parrots. Prayer which renews our desire to be in the presence of the Lord, to listen to him and to adore him. Prayer which thanks God for the many gifts of his love for us and praises his work in creation, which summons everyone to respect it and take concrete and responsible steps to protect it.

The Pope speaks of Prayer that makes it possible for every man and woman in this world to turn to the one God and to reveal to him what lies hidden in the depths of their heart; of Prayer as the road to holiness, enabling us to be contemplative even in the midst of activity.

Pope Francis hopes that 2024 may be an intense year of prayer in which hearts are opened to receive the outpouring of God’s grace and to make the “Our Father,” the prayer Jesus taught us, the life programme of each of his disciples.

We hope to offer some opportunities to make this Year of Prayer special for St. Alban’s and St. Patrick’s. Your ideas would be welcomed.

School News from Mrs Robinson

We currently have spaces in our nursery for children who are 3 or 4 years old. If you are interested in either a 15-hour place or a 30-hour place in our teacher-led nursery, please contact the school office on 0191 469 3251 for an application pack.

School Chaplaincy Vacancy

St Thomas More School, Blaydon is looking to recruit a School Chaplain. For further information, supporting documents and to download an application pack, please visit the Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust website. Closing date for applications is Monday 22nd January, 2024.

2^nd Sunday of the Year

The following celebrations will take place during the days ahead.

• Saturday: (13th) 6pm Mass in St. Alban’s Church: The Parishioners Intentions
• Sunday:  (14th) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s Church: In Thanksgiving (Linda)
• Tuesday: (16th) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s parish centre: Norman Foster
• Wednesday: (17th) 10am Funeral Mass for Vona Wood in St. Alban’s Church
• Thursday: (18th) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s parish centre: Bishop Hugh Lindsay
• Saturday: (20th) 6pm Mass in St. Alban’s Church: Peter Sloan
• Sunday:  (21st) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s Church: The Parishioners Intentions
• Tuesday: (23rd) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s parish centre: George Owens

Mass to view on line

Mass is live streamed from  the Holy Name, Jesmond. Visit the website for Mass times this week.

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

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

Please keep in your prayers:

• all our parishioners who are sick, housebound or in hospital
• all those whose memories we cherish at this time especially Annie Donald, Bishop Hugh Lindsay, Patsy Rafferty and Peter Sloan and’
• George Burrell  and Vona Wood who have died. May they rest in peace. The Funeral Mass for George Burrell will take place in St. Augustine’s Church, Leam Lane on Friday, 19th January, 2024 at 10am.

Weekly Offering Envelopes  for 2024/25 – Gift Aid Contributors

We will soon be ordering boxes of envelopes for the new year, beginning 1st April, 2023. These envelopes are becoming very expensive, so we would urge you, if you do not already do so, to consider making your offering by Standing Order. This not only reduces the cost on the parish and our carbon footprint, but also eases the burden on our limited teams of counters who count the collections.

The details you require to set up a Standing Order are set out below:-

For St. Alban’s:   
Account name: DHN Pelaw St Alban
Sort code: 40-34-18   
Account No: 92010984

For St. Patrick’s:   
Account name: DHN Felling St Patrick
Sort code: 40-34-18
Account No: 52010453

If you prefer an envelope please take note:

If you would prefer to continue to receive a box of envelopes for your Gift Aided contributions please place a note to that effect with your name and address in the collecting boxes at the front and back of our churches by next weekend, or email the parish office at felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk as soon as possible. Thank you.

 A Prayer for the troubled world

Prince of peace, in a world of conflict and violence
we pray that the peace you came to bring
may become a reality in the world of our own time. Amen.

Think Tank Meeting

Sorry, but Lent is just round the corner. Ash Wednesday is 14th February, 2024!

Fr. Patterson would like to invite all parishioners from St. Alban’s and St. Patrick’s to a Think Tank meeting on Friday of this week, 19th January to discuss how we might celebrate Lent this year and “other things.” Everyone has something to offer, so please try to come to St. Patrick’s parish centre at 615pm.

We might also consider the item below on Pope Francis decision to make 2024 a “Year of Prayer.”

A Year of Prayer and a Jubilee Year to come

Pope Francis has called a Jubilee Year for 2025, the theme of which is “Pilgrims of Hope’.

In preparation for the Jubilee Year, he has  designated 2024 as a Year of Prayer, with a particular focus on the Our Father. This, he hopes will be a great opportunity to go back to the basics of prayer. He encourages every Catholic to reflect on their life of prayer: what they pray, how they pray and why they pray.

He speaks of “Prayer that comes from the heart, not like parrots. Prayer which renews our desire to be in the presence of the Lord, to listen to him and to adore him. Prayer which thanks God for the many gifts of his love for us and praises his work in creation, which summons everyone to respect it and take concrete and responsible steps to protect it.

The Pope speaks of Prayer that makes it possible for every man and woman in this world to turn to the one God and to reveal to him what lies hidden in the depths of their heart; of Prayer as the road to holiness, enabling us to be contemplative even in the midst of activity.

Pope Francis hopes that 2024 may be an intense year of prayer in which hearts are opened to receive the outpouring of God’s grace and to make the “Our Father,” the prayer Jesus taught us, the life programme of each of his disciples.

We hope to offer some opportunities to make this Year of Prayer special for St. Alban’s and St. Patrick’s. Your ideas would be welcomed.

Soup and Sandwich Lunch

During the cold weather a soup and sandwich lunch will replace the “Afternoon Tea.”

Why not join us in St. Patrick’s parish centre on Saturday, 27th January from the slightly earlier time of 1pm. This event is open to everyone from St. Alban’s and St. Patrick’s, along with friends and neighbours.

Can you play a musical instrument?

If you would like to join St. Patrick’s musicians and help with the music at Sunday Mass, please speak to Jessica or Dylan whom you will find at the front of the church after Mass.

More parishioners would be welcome to join the very small singing group to help sustain the singing. If you are interested simply sit at the front of the church behind our musicians and “sing your heart out!”

All are welcome

Everyone is welcome to join us for our celebrations in St. Patrick’s and St. Alban’s churches. It is a joy to welcome people of other faiths or none who come to join us in worship. Currently, only baptised Catholic people are able to receive Holy Communion and we ask that when you approach the altar you extend your hands towards the minister who will place the sacred host in your hand which you should then consume immediately before returning to your place. If you are not a Catholic or are indisposed to receive Holy Communion, you are invited to come forward at the appropriate time and receive a blessing, indicating your desire by folding an arm across your chest.

School News from Mrs Robinson

Happy New Year to you all in our parish churches of St Alban’s and St Patrick’s. The children have returned to school with enthusiasm and energy, full of exciting tales of their Christmas holidays. We look forward to meeting up with you during this spring term and continue to appreciate the prayers being offered for our school community.

Thank you

Father Patterson wishes to thank those families who attended the Advent Liturgies in St Alban’s Church and very generously donated  £137.68. towards the running costs of our church.

Children’s Liturgy of the Word

We had hoped to reintroduce the Children’s Liturgy this year but unfortunately there has been insufficient interest shown to do so at present.

However there are several children’s prayer books available for use during Mass in our churches. They may be found at the back of both churches. Parents and carers are invited to make use of these and help their children follow the Mass.

The Feast of the Epiphany

The following celebrations will take place during the days ahead:

• Saturday: (6 Jan) 6pm Mass in St. Alban’s Church: The Parishioners Intentions
• Sunday:  (7 Jan) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s: Rosie Cullen
• Tuesday: 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s parish centre: Lavinia Webber
• Thursday: 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s parish centre: Sadie Nelson
• Saturday: (13 Jan) 6pm Mass in St. Alban’s Church: The Parishioners Intentions
• Sunday:  (14 Jan) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s: In Thanksgiving (Linda)
• Tuesday: (16 Jan) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s parish centre: Norman Foster

Mass to view on line

Mass is live streamed from the Holy Name, Jesmond. Visit the website for Mass times this week.

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

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

Please keep in your prayers:

• all our parishioners who are sick, housebound or in hospital
• all those whose memories we cherish at this time especially Rosie Cullen and,
• George Burrell and Vono Wood who have died. May they rest in peace

We saw the star as it rose and have come to do the Lord homage

On the Feast of the Epiphany, we hear the account in the gospel of wise men from the east who observed the light of a new star and tried to discover meaning in this extraordinary event.

Wise men and women are still searching the heavens for a greater understanding of the mysteries of life. How did it all happen? Where did it all begin? Where are we all going?

But the wise men of the gospel associated their experience with an even deeper mystery: the entry into human history of a God who would be a king and who would suffer and die.

The prayerful attention of the wise ones can help us to discover the unfolding mystery of God’s purpose for each one of us. It is a mystery of love that has created us inlove, for love, to love: to love God, to love our fellow human beings and to love the world in which we live. If we are wise, we will sit up and take notice.

 A Prayer for the troubled world

Prince of peace, in a world of conflict and violence
we pray that the peace you came to bring
may become a reality in the world of our own time.
Amen.

A Year of Prayer and a Jubilee Year to come

Pope Francis has called a Jubilee Year for 2025, the theme of which is “Pilgrims of Hope’.

In preparation for the Jubilee Year, he has  designated 2024 as a Year of Prayer, with a particular focus on the Our Father. This, he hopes will be a great opportunity to go back to the basics of prayer. He encourages every Catholic to reflect on their life of prayer: what they pray, how they pray and why they pray.

He speaks of “Prayer that comes from the heart, not like parrots. Prayer which renews our desire to be in the presence of the Lord, to listen to him and to adore him. Prayer which thanks God for the many gifts of his love for us and praises his work in creation, which summons everyone to respect it and take concrete and responsible steps to protect it.

The Pope speaks of Prayer that makes it possible for every man and woman in this world to turn to the one God and to reveal to him what lies hidden in the depths of their heart; of Prayer as the road to holiness, enabling us to be contemplative even in the midst of activity.

Pope Francis hopes that 2024 may be an intense year of prayer in which hearts are opened to receive the outpouring of God’s grace and to make the “Our Father,” the prayer Jesus taught us, the life programme of each of his disciples.

We hope to offer some opportunities to make this Year of Prayer special for St. Alban’s and St. Patrick’s. Your ideas would be welcomed.

Joe’s Place

Joe’s Place is a project supported by the parishes of the John Ingram Partnership. It supports some of the many vulnerable people in the local area. It was founded in 2014 and takes place every Wednesday in the Parish Hall of St Joseph’s Church, Gateshead. Guests are served freshly prepared hot or cold food at their tables. Food is prepared in the kitchen using donated tinned and dried foods, together with fresh and frozen food purchased using donations from local schools, businesses, parishes, and individuals. During the past five years the parishes in the Partnership have made financial contributions to the project, according to their means, to help cover the cost of renting St. Joseph’s Hall and the cost of utilities. This coming year the proceeds of the Charity Box in St. Alban’s Church will go to Joe’s Place and a box at the front of  St. Patrick’s Church marked “Joe’s Place” will be available for donations.

The Diocesan Justice and Peace Refugee Project…….

…….which supports people who are seeking asylum in our area, continue to appeal for donations of sugar, biscuits, tinned fish in oil, tins of tomatoes, chick peas, toiletries and shampoo. If you feel able to support this project, donations may be left on the tables at the entrance to our churches and at our school.

 All are welcome

Everyone is welcome to join us for our celebrations in St. Patrick’s and St. Alban’s churches. It is a joy to welcome people of other faiths or none who come to join us in worship. Currently, only baptised Catholic people are able to receive Holy Communion and we ask that when you approach the altar you extend your hands towards the minister who will place the sacred host in your hand which you should then consume immediately before returning to your place. If you are not a Catholic or are indisposed to receive Holy Communion, you are invited to come forward at the appropriate time and receive a blessing, indicating your desire by folding an arm across your chest.

Your offerings are our sole source of income

Although we do not take a collection at Mass by passing round a basket, we do hope you will feel able to make an offering towards the upkeep and running costs of our churches in one of the boxes you will find at the entrances to our churches.  Alternatively you may consider making your offering by Standing Order the details of which are below.

For St. Alban’s: Account name: DHN Pelaw St Alban: Sort code: 40-34-18 Account No: 92010984

For St. Patrick’s: Account name: DHN Felling St Patrick: Sort code: 40-34-18 Account No: 52010453