Parish newsletter

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

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Mass to view on line

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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!!

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