1st Sunday of Advent
The season of Advent, which begins this Sunday, is an opportunity to rediscover wonder and surprise in our tired and overstimulated lives.
Children can teach us many lessons during Advent. They are full of natural excitement and exuberance as they look towards the birth of Jesus at Christmas.
In the gospel read in our churches this Sunday, Jesus warns us to: “Stay awake.” It is an important message for us living in the world of today because if we become complacent in our life as a Christian, our faith can become lukewarm.
Advent provides an opportunity to reassess our priorities and live with eyes open to wonder and the gifts we see around us. It is a good time to appreciate and thank those we love for their presence and place in our lives.
Advent is also a time of waiting in hope. The old will pass away and so we hope that Christ will break again into our lives to bring his gift of peace, for which so many people long today.
For many families the busyness of the pre-Christmas season is a challenge to making the most of Advent. In contrast to this whirlwind of busyness, Advent is an opportunity to give some time to prayer and to reflect on the gifts that we have been given. A period of reflection can open our eyes to the wonderful gifts around us and lead us to truly praise God this Christmas.
Opening this week – Advent Café
(aka St. Patrick’s Parish Centre)
Opening Wednesday, 30th November, 2022 at 6pm
Offering a chance to explore the themes of Advent – Hope, Love, Joy and Peace while praying, chatting and drinking coffee and eating cake!!!
The aim is – to find ways in which we, as a Christian, Catholic family can make these Advent ’themes’ a reality for someone, somewhere this Christmas. All are welcome and admission is free in a warm environment.
STILL URGENTLY REQUIRED!!!
Bakers, Baristas, Talkers, Listeners, Carers, Servers, Prayers,
All those interested please contact our Parish Master Chef at adventcafe@icloud.com
All positions are on a totally voluntary basis!
Mass Intentions
Fr. Patterson will celebrate Mass for the following Intentions during the coming week. With the exception of Wednesday and Friday all Masses are open to everyone.
- Monday – No Mass
- Tuesday: 10am in St. Patrick’s parish centre – Eileen, Billy, Liam and Bernadette Brannigan
- Wednesday: (Private Mass) – The Holy Souls
- Thursday: 10am in St. Patrick’s parish centre – Pat Cunningham
- Friday (Private Mass) – Private Intention
- Saturday: 6pm in St. Alban’s Church – For the Intentions of all our parishioners
- Sunday: 10am in St. Patrick’s Church – In thanksgiving (ML)
Mass to view on line
Mass is live streamed from our Cathedral on a Sunday. Visit the Cathedral website.
Alternatively, you may like to follow Mass from the Holy Name, Jesmond. Visit the website for Mass times this week.
When you are unable to celebrate Mass in Church, you may wish to make this act of spiritual communion:-
Lord Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most Blessed Sacrament. I love you above all things and I desire to receive you into my soul. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace you as if you were already there and unite myself wholly to you. Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.
Please keep in your prayers:
- all our parishioners who are sick, housebound or in hospital and,
- all those near and dear to us whose memories we cherish at this time especially Maurice Brown
Bishop Robert
Please keep Bishop Robert in your prayers. On the advice of his doctor, he is currently taking some medical leave from the Diocese.
Lest we forget
November is that time of year when the Church invites us to pray for all those who have died. As well as remembering our own family members and friends, let us remember those parishioners whose deaths were made known to us during the past twelve months:
Celia Anderson ~ Mary Smith ~ Sheila Fletcher ~ Patrick Reilly ~ Celia Morley ~ Maureen Hughes ~ Brian Barrett ~ Jim Ward ~ Joan Elliott ~ John Madden ~ Catherine Harkness ~ Margaret Graham ~ George Owens ~ Connie Hullock ~ Kevin O’Sullivan ~ Ronnie Brown ~ Louise Synnott ~ Catherine Hall ~ Peter Coyne ~ Joan Neil ~ John Rutter ~ Audrey Irvine ~ Pat Cunningham ~ John Southern ~ Kathleen Burrell
May light perpetual shine on them
An Advent prayer of Hope
God of Hope, we seek you. During this holy season of Advent, help us to see you in all whom we encounter. May your hope be a comfort to all who long for justice. May your hope fill our hearts and grace our lips so that we might reflect your hope for all the world. Amen
A Prayer for those who are ill and for those who care for them
Merciful God, we entrust to your loving care those who are ill or in pain. Comfort and heal them, and restore them to full health and strength. Grant perseverance and resilience to all who are caring for the sick, empower them with your Spirit, so that through their care many will be restored to health; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
A Prayer for Ukraine
Loving God, we pray for the people of Ukraine, for all those suffering or afraid, that you will be close to them and protect them. We pray for world leaders, for compassion, strength and wisdom to guide their choices. We pray for the world that in this moment of crisis, we may reach out in solidarity to our brothers and sisters in need. May we walk in your ways so that peace and justice become a reality for the people of Ukraine and for the whole world. Amen
All are welcome
Everyone is welcome to join us for the celebration of Mass in St. Patrick’s and St. Alban’s churches. In recent times, it has been a joy to welcome people of other faiths or none who have come to join us in worship.
Currently, only baptised Catholic people are able to receive Holy Communion and we ask that when you approach the altar you extend your hands towards the minister who will place the sacred host in your hand which you should then consume immediately before returning to your place.
If you are not a Catholic or are indisposed to receive Holy Communion, you are invited to come forward at the appropriate time and receive a blessing, indicating your desire by folding an arm across your chest.
Refreshments after Mass
Enjoy each others company in a warm and friendly setting with tasty refreshments in St. Patrick’s parish centre after Mass this Sunday.
Mass on Tuesday and Thursday at St. Patrick’s
In an effort to manage our heating costs, Mass on Tuesday and Thursday will be celebrated in St. Patrick’s parish centre at 10am. Entry will be by the parish centre doors only. Parking is available in the main church car park.
Why not help to boost St. Alban’s and St. Patrick’s income at no additional cost to yourself!
These are difficult times for everyone as the cost of living and energy costs are starting to impact on us, our parishes included. Fr. Patterson wishes to express his gratitude for your generous weekly contributions to parish funds enabling us to pay our bills.
Please help to boost the income of both of our churches by Gift Aiding your weekly offering if you are a tax payer. It costs you nothing more than you already give to the church, but we are able to claim from HMRC 25p of every £1.00 you are already giving. All that is required is that you sign a simple form providing the Diocese with your name and address and they do the rest for us. You do not have to declare anything about your personal financial situation on the form.
Forms may be obtained from John Gillum who is the parish Gift Aid Organiser for both of our churches. Simply drop him an email at stpatrick.giftaid@outlook.com.
Thanks to everyone who is already in the Gift Aid scheme. Your generosity during the last tax year 2021/22 resulted in us receiving from HMRC £1,734.26 for St. Alban’s and £4,089.89 for St. Patrick’s. If you require a Statement for tax purposes of the amount you contributed last year, please contact John Gillum at stpatrick.giftaid@outlook.com.
Whether you are a tax payer or not, you can help to relieve the pressure on our “Counting Teams” and those who have to bank the monies, by making your weekly contribution by Standing order. The details below will enable you to do so.
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
Advent 2022
As we enter the season of Advent the following resources are available for those of you who have access to the internet:-
The Diocesan Vicariate for Faith & Mission have produced a series of reflections on the readings used throughout the Advent season. The reflections have been written by members of the Diocese and offer an opportunity to pause and reflect. The first and second week of Advent reflections can be downloaded from the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle website. The second part of the Advent reflections will be available shortly.
Cafod also offers some Advent reflections.
Fr. Patterson has ordered the Advent booklet “Walk with me,” especially for those of you who do not have access to the internet. Unfortunately they have been delayed due to the Royal Mail industrial action.
Our School News : www.stalbansgateshead.org
Open day
Our school is holding an Open Day on Monday, 28th November, 2022. If you would like to arrange a visit, please telephone the school office on 0191 469 3251 to arrange a time.
Little Saints
Families with pre-school age children are invited to join our Toddler Group called “Little Saints,” which meets every Thursday morning in St Alban’s school from 9.30 – 11.30. All are welcome!
School places available
We have a few spaces available for children aged 3-5 to join our Nursery or Reception class. Please contact the school office for further information 0191 469 3251
Gateshead Covid update
You may find this data from the Borough of interest. Figures are as reported on 24th November, 2022.
50 new Covid cases in the seven days up to 19th November which is an decrease of 40 from the previous 7 days; 2 people have died in the same period, which is an increase of 1 from the previous 7 days; 45 patients with Covid were in the QE Hospital on 23rd November
The Little Sisters of the Poor
………are having a Christmas Fayre at St Joseph’s Home, Westmorland Road, Newcastle on Saturday 3rd December from 1 – 3pm. All are welcome.
Carols by Candlelight
….by Westoe Brass Band, The Diocesan Choir and Ensembles from St Joseph’s Academy, Hebburn are to be held on Friday, 9th December at 7.30pm in St Joseph’s Church, Gateshead. Tickets are £10/£8 and only available at the door. Admission for under 18s is free. Cash and card payments are accepted. Refreshments during the interval.
Priestly Vocations Discernment Evening
The next Discernment evening for those who may feel they have a vocation to the priestly life, will take place at St. Mary’s Cathedral on Tuesday, 6th December at 6pm.
If you would like to come along, or for more information, please contact the Vocations Promoter, Father Shaun Purdy, by Monday, 28th November, so catering arrangements can be made. Please either call 01670 812 200 or email vocationspromoter@diocesehn.org.uk The evening will finish at 8pm.
Advent Alms
This Advent, St Cuthbert’s Care call upon the generosity of the people of our Diocese to help raise funds to purchase a newer minibus for their two nursing homes. Your support will allow them to offer more regular outings throughout the year, ensuring their residents’ lives remain as varied as possible. They appreciate this winter will be difficult for many and urge you only to support them if you are able to do so. Should you wish to support their appeal, place your offering in an envelope marked “Advent Alms” and place it one of the boxes at the entrance to our churches. Alternatively, if you have a box of envelopes, you should have an envelope in your box. Offerings are welcome throughout the four weeks of Advent.
As Christmas approaches are you able to support our Diocesan Justice and Peace Refugee Project?
When doing your own shopping for Christmas, please spare a thought for the above project. It supports over 400 clients each week, who all receive a bag of food. Those who are destitute also receive a supermarket voucher.
Donations of sugar, biscuits, tinned fish in oil, tins of tomatoes and chick peas may be left on the table to your right as you enter the front of St. Patrick’s Church or on any table if you enter by the rear door. A basket is also available in the porch at St. Alban’s Church and in our school. They are particularly in need of toiletries and shampoo. Please note: baked beans and tinned meat are not required.
Justice & Peace Refugee Project
