Parish newsletter

22nd Sunday of the Year (B)

The following celebrations will take place during the days ahead.

  • Saturday: (31st Aug) 6pm Mass in St. Alban’s Church: The Parishioners Intentions
  • Sunday: (1st Sep) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s Church:  Fr. Patterson
  • Monday: (2nd Sep) 10am Funeral Mass in St. Alban’s Church:  Olive Diston (This Mass will be celebrated by Fr. Shaun Purdy)
  • Saturday: (7th Sep) 6pm Mass in St. Alban’s Church: Celebrant’s Intention
  • Sunday: (8th Sep) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s Church:  Celebrant’s Intention

Please note, that with the exception of Monday, 2nd September, there will be no other Masses celebrated for the remainder of  the week.


Mass to view on line

Mass is live streamed from the Holy Name, Jesmond. Visit their parish website to discover the times for the coming 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 William Pearson
  • and Olive Diston who has died. May she rest in the peace of the Risen Lord

Prayer for our Country

Almighty God, Ruler of all the peoples of the earth, forgive our shortcomings as a nation, purify our hearts  to see and love the truth, give wisdom to our leaders, and steadfastness to our people, and bring us at last to that city of peace whose foundations are mercy, justice, and goodwill, of which you are the designer and builder; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen


Mass Intentions

Fr. Patterson is very grateful for the generous Mass Offerings you have been and continue to hand in. 

Unfortunately he will be unable to celebrate all of the Masses that have been handed in over recent weeks before he leaves us. Rest assured, Fr. Stempczyk will celebrate them in due time after his arrival.


With an eye to the future and beyond…….

Fr. Patterson will be leaving us on Tuesday, 3rd September after almost 32 years – 11,592 days to be exact! He hopes to be able to take advantage of his retirement residing in the Sacred Heart Presbytery, Great North Road, North Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 5EB.  He will celebrate his final Masses with us this weekend, 31st August/1st September.


A little message from Fr. “P”

“I am so grateful to everyone over the years, in both St. Alban’s and St. Patrick’s, and have many memories that will always remain with me. I will continue to pray for you all and Fr. Martin and I hope you will remember me in prayer too.

I also wish to renew my thanks for your cards and gifts which have continued to arrive during the past few weeks. The sentiments contained in many of your cards are both humbling and uplifting.

May the Lord continue to bless us all.

À bientôt!     Fr. “P”


A very warm welcome

We look forward to welcoming our new parish priest Canon Martin Stempczyk during the course of the week. As the new parish priest of St. Alban’s, Pelaw and St. Patrick’s, Felling, he will reside in St. Patrick’s Presbytery.

Please keep him and one another in prayer in the weeks ahead so that we may be truly open to the guidance of the Spirit of the Living Lord.


Work on the Presbytery roof

Investigative work is due to begin on St. Patrick’s presbytery roof to determine the cause of water ingress into an attic room. This work was identified some time ago, but requires the use of “a Spider” to access the roof which Fr. Patterson is advised will be arriving on Monday, 2nd September!


Cleaning of St. Alban’s Church

We would be very grateful for volunteers who would be able to help with the cleaning of St. Alban’s Church on Friday, 6th September at 9am.


Education Sunday

Next weekend we celebrate the important role of Catholic Education in the life of the Church. There will be an opportunity, for those of you who wish, to contribute towards the work of the Catholic Education Service. Donations may be placed in an envelope marked “Catholic Education” and deposited in the collection boxes at our church doors. Those of you with boxes of envelopes should have an envelope in your box.


Are you interested in finding out more about the Catholic Faith?

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) supports adults who want to explore their spirituality and if they wish to become a Catholic. It is an informal system of regular meetings to explore what it means to be a Catholic. Meetings are generally held on Tuesday evenings at St. Patrick’s Parish Centre, Felling at 18.30 for one hour during school term times. These meetings allow participants to talk about topics in an open, non-judgemental way. Topics look at the history of the Church, the Bible, the Sacraments of the Church and prayer. You can suggest topics too. The meetings are based around the Sycamore Course approved by the Church. Participants do not have to make their mind up straight away but can decide as the course progresses. This decision is yours alone. An initial meeting is to take place on Tuesday 17th September at 18.30 in St Patrick’s Parish Centre, Felling. Please feel free to come along for a short introduction to the Programme and a chance to ask any questions you may have. The parish centre is situated beneath St. Patrick’s Church in Felling High Street. For more information you may choose to call Alan Edgell who leads the course on 07976 402023.


Vocations Discernment

Men aged 18+, who think God might be calling them to serve in the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle as a Priest, are invited to explore their vocation with the Diocesan Priestly Vocations Team. Meetings take place each month  between 6pm and 8pm at St Joseph’s Church, Thorneyholme Terrace, Stanley. The next meetings will be on: Tuesday, 3rd September, Tuesday 1st October, Tuesday 5th November and Tuesday 3rd December. If you would like more information, please contact the Vocations Promoter, Fr Shaun Purdy by email: vocationspromoter@diocesehn.org.uk or by telephone: 01207 299012.


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


Safeguarding

The Parish operates in accordance with Statutory Safeguarding Guidance and the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) and Diocesan policies and procedures at all times. Each of our churches has a Parish Safeguarding Representative indicated on the Safeguarding posters displayed  in each church.

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