The Feast of the Holy Family
The following celebrations will take place during the days ahead:
- Saturday: (30 Dec) 6pm Mass in St. Alban’s Church: The Parishioners Intentions
- Sunday: (31 Dec) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s: Gerry Toberty & the Toberty Sisters
- Monday: (1 Jan) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s Church: Allan Lavin
- Thursday: 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s parish centre: Jim Murray and LDM Family
- 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: (9 Jan) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s parish centre: Lavinia Webber
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, Allan Lavin, Jim Murray, Gerry Toberty, Rose Wright and Patrick Wright and,
- Fr. John Gibbons who has died. May he rest in peace.
Thanks
Fr. Patterson would like to take this opportunity to wish you and those you love dearly a Happy New Year, rich in God’s blessings.
He is grateful for your cards, gifts, emails, telephone calls and prayers, all of which are very much appreciated.
Thanks to everyone who helped to make the Feast of Christmas a most prayerful and uplifting celebration in both of our churches. and thanks to those Volunteers who continue to ensure everyone who visits our churches receives a warm welcome in a safe and friendly setting.
A Prayer for the New Year and beyond
We are a community of memory that looks back; we are a community of Spirit that looks forward. It is important, though not easy, to look back with kindness and to look forward in hope.
This year is coming to a close and a new year beckons. Let us hand over the past to God for his healing blessing. Let us ask the Lord to face the future with us so that we do not face it alone
Let us pray for each other and for all those we love
that we might know the promise of the Lord that brings the Gospel to a close.
(Fr. Denis McBride C.Ss.R)
A New Year Resolution – Why not try it?
Let the message of Christ, in all its richness, find a home with you. Teach each other and advise each other in all wisdom. Bear with one another; forgive each other as soon as a quarrel begins. Never say or do anything except in the name of the Lord Jesus. Over all these things, to keep them together and complete them, put on love.
(St. Paul writing to the people of Colossae)
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.
Christmas Raffle – Prize winners
Father Patterson wishes to thank all those who supported our Christmas Raffle this year; those who organised it, sold and bought tickets and gifted prizes. You have helped to raise the most generous total of £851.00 which will be shared between St. Alban’s and St. Patrick’s helping to offset the running costs in each of our churches. A list of prize winners may be found on the noticeboards in our churches.
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.
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.
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