2nd Sunday of the Year
Peace Sunday
Archbishop Malcolm McMahon, the Apostolic Administrator of our Diocese, offers the following reflection for Peace Sunday:-
“2022 has been a year of war and rumours of war. Lives lost, people displaced, fear and suspicion overwhelming many communities around the world. These wars are also contributing to the destruction of our environment. Sometimes it feels as though we have moved backwards in our efforts to bring peace and justice to the world.
However, the constant, faithful voice of Pope Francis urges us to keep going. Whether he is speaking about Ukraine and Russia, Yemen or the Middle East, his message is always the same: No to war and no to the trade in weapons that fuel war. His Angelus message on the Feast of All Saints last year, offers these questions: ‘Brothers and sisters, let us look within and ask ourselves: are we peacemakers? In the places where we live, study and work, do we bring tension, words that hurt, chatter that poisons, controversy that divides? Or do we open up the way to peace?’”
Are you feeling unwell – remember the old slogan “Coughs and sneezes spread diseases”
If you are feeling unwell or have any cold, flu or Covid symptoms, particularly a persistent cough, you should consider staying at home rather than coming to church for your own well-being and for that of others.
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.
Mass Intentions
Fr. Patterson will celebrate Mass for the following Intentions during the coming week. With the exception of Wednesday and Friday, all Masses and Services are open to everyone.
- Monday: No Mass
- Tuesday: 10am in St. Patrick’s parish centre: Special Intention (GMcG)
- Wednesday: (Private Mass) In Thanksgiving (GL)
- Thursday: 10am in St. Patrick’s parish centre: Bishop Hugh Lindsay
- 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: Zofia Krawczyk-Pastuszka
Mass to view on line
Mass is live streamed from our Cathedral on a Sunday. Visit the Cathedral website.
Alternatively, you may like to follow Mass from the Holy Name, Jesmond. Visit the website for Mass times this week.
When you are unable to celebrate Mass in Church, you may wish to make this act of spiritual communion:-
Lord Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most Blessed Sacrament. I love you above all things and I desire to receive you into my soul. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace you as if you were already there and unite myself wholly to you. Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.
Please keep in your prayers:
- all our parishioners who are sick, housebound or in hospital.
- all those near and dear to us whose memories we cherish at this time especially Bishop Lindsay and Patsy Rafferty and,
- Mary Forster who has died. May she rest in the peace of Christ.
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
Thanks
Fr. Patterson is grateful for two donations amounting to £45.00 received this week towards the cost of heating St. Patrick’s Church. and wishes to renew his thanks for your generous financial support in what are challenging economic times for us all.
Pope Benedict
The Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales have produced a prayer card in memory of Pope Benedict. The arrival of the cards has been delayed, but they are now available for you to collect from the front of St. Patrick’s Church and the rear of St. Alban’s Church
Parish Boundaries
Following recommendations from the Diocesan Boundaries Commission and consultation with parishes, partnerships, schools and the Council of Priests, the boundaries of each parish within the diocese have been reviewed and where necessary revised. A map showing the boundaries of our parishes is displayed on the noticeboards and can be viewed on the Diocese website.
In addition to the various canonical and pastoral reasons for having clear boundaries for each parish, the maps will assist our Diocesan schools with the implementation of their admission policies.
Bishop Barron’s Sunday Sermons
Each week Bishop Barron offers a Sunday sermon.
Weekly Offering Envelopes – 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 to consider making your offering by Standing Order. This not only reduces the cost on the parish and is more environmentally friendly, 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:
St Alban’s HSBC bank account name: DHN Pelaw St Alban, Sort code: 40-34-18, Account No: 92010984
St Patrick’s HSBC bank account name: DHN Felling St Patrick, Sort code: 40-34-18, Account No: 52010453
If you 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.
St. Alban’s Church – plumbing issues
The plumbing issues were repaired during the course of the week. Toilet facilities are once again available in St. Alban’s Church.
