Easter Sunday
The Path to Jerusalem
Since Ash Wednesday many of us have taken our steps and tread the “Path to Jerusalem” as individuals and as a parish family. Hopefully we will arrive with the Lord in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday to accompany him on his final steps during Holy Week through his suffering and death on the cross to the glory of the new life of his Resurrection.
The following celebrations will take place during the days ahead.
- Easter Sunday: (31st March)
– 9.30am Mass in St. Alban’s Church: In Thanksgiving (Garbarino)
– 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s Church: Desmond Costelloe - Tuesday: (2nd Apr) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s parish centre: Jimmy Connolly
- Thursday: (4th Apr) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s parish centre: Pat Donald
- Saturday: (6th Apr) 6pm Mass in St. Alban’s Church: Bill Harland
- Sunday: (7th Apr) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s Church: The Parishioners Intentions
- Tuesday: (9th Apr) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s parish centre: Private Intention (NF)
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,
- and all those whose memories we cherish at this time especially Jimmy Connolly, and Pat Donald
Happy Easter
Fr. Patterson takes this opportunity to wish you and your families all the blessings of the Easter Feast, a Feast which brings the promise of a new and eternal life lived out in God’s presence. A new life that can also be experienced in our own time and place through the witness of those who believe.
Whilst it doesn’t take away all that is going on around us in the world, Easter does give us hope and through the lives of believers that hope can become a reality for everyone.
It takes us back to the words of the prophet Isaiah which we heard read on Palm Sunday:-
“The Lord has given me a disciple’s tongue. So that I may know
how to reply to the wearied he provides me with speech.
Each morning he wakes me to hear, to listen to his word.
The Lord has opened my ears. For my part,
I made no resistance, neither did I turn away.
The Lord comes to my help.”
May God bless us and keep us safe from harm
Serving those who have served us well -The Northern Brethren Fund
The annual collection for the Sick and Retired Priests of the Diocese will be taken next weekend, 6th/7th April, and the Fund will remain open until 28th April for donations. This collection goes to support our Sick and Retired Priests who have served our diocese over many years. The “Superiors” of the Fund, who are priests of the Diocese, wish to en-sure that this Fund is also there for future retired priests. Recent years have been very difficult and income has drastically declined. The Superiors invite you to consider donating to this Fund in recognition of all the priests who have served in our parishes over many years. Should you wish to make a donation please place your offering in an envelope marked “NBF” and place it in one of the collections boxes at the entrances to our churches. Those with boxes of envelopes should have an envelope. If you wish to Gift Aid your donation to this appeal, please complete a Gift Aid Declaration which are obtainable from Fr. Patterson.
School News from Mrs Robinson
We have celebrated a wonderful Holy Week in school, praying together and reflecting on our own Lenten journey as well as following Jesus along the stations of the cross. The children have also worked together with a local artist to create a large mosaic St Cuthbert’s Cross to hang in our school hall and a smaller version to hang in St Alban’s Room. They both look fabulous! Early pictures can be seen on our school website, cleck here: Mosaic magic!
Wishing you all a very happy and joyful Easter and we look forward to being in touch in the summer term
Places available in our Nursery
Please spread the word to all families with young children that we have a few places left in our lovely nursery for children who are 3 or 4 years old. Arrange a visit by contacting the school office on 0191 469 3251 and find out why we are the best school in Pelaw!
Recent Ofsted Report
You may wish to read the latest Ofsted Report from our school by clicking Ofsted Report. Congratulations to the entire school community.
Thank you for recent donations
- Fr. Patterson wishes to express his gratitude to the family of the late John Johnson for inviting donations towards St. Patrick’s Church funds, on the occasion of his Funeral Mass. A most generous sum of £472.50 was donated. Thank you.
- He is also grateful for a donation of £40.00 recently received for St. Patrick’s parish funds.
- Fr. Patterson wishes to thank those families who attended the Lenten Liturgies in St Alban’s Church and donated a generous sum of £113.91 towards the running costs of our church.
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.
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.
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.
New envelopes for those who require them will hopefully be available for you to collect next weekend.
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
Please remember the clocks go forward this weekend.
