27th Sunday of the Year
Dear Parishioners
There are two stories that come to mind amidst the melee of news we have been faced with during the past week.
I share them with you so that you might draw your own conclusions.
In July, an office worker booked a trip to Majorca with a friend. Days before they were due to fly out, the Government imposed quarantine restrictions on people returning from Spain. The couple decided to go anyway.
In Majorca the hotel was largely empty and reassuringly clean. The couple believed that the virus transmission rate was very low when in fact, the infection rate in Majorca had been climbing rapidly during their stay, which meant the risk of catching Covid-19 had been growing day by day.
So what happened when the couple returned home?
The office worker isolated for a couple of days before deciding she was fine. In the fortnight that followed, which is the critical period of potential transmission, she visited family, although not elderly relatives, went on shopping trips and met up with friends in their homes, or a local park.
“It probably was really selfish of me, and I probably won’t do it again,” she says, “but at the time, I guess you just think of yourself and you want a holiday – but then you don’t want to quarantine. And I don’t regret it.”
An interesting fact in her account, is that on her return from holiday, whilst visiting friends, she chose not to visit elderly relatives. What does that tell us? The full story is available on the BBC website. visit
The second story are the words of Jesus from St. John’s Gospel (21: 18).
“I tell you solemnly, when you were young you put on your own belt and walked where you liked; but when you grow old you will stretch out your hands, and somebody else will put a belt round you and take you where you would rather not go.”
Please look after each other by observing social distancing and local restrictions.
Pray for one another and please pray for me.
May God bless you all.
Fr. Patterson
Mass to view on line
Mass is live streamed from our Cathedral on Sunday at 11.30 and on weekdays at 12.05. These services may be viewed live or anytime later at
Alternatively, you may like to follow Mass from the Holy Name, Jesmond this Sunday at 10.00. There is no livestreamed Mass from 5th – 10th October.
Mass Intentions
With the exception of Tuesday and Thursday, when there is a public Mass in St. Patrick’s Church, I will continue to celebrate Mass privately each day. These Intentions will be remembered this week.
- Monday – John Clark
- Tuesday: 10.00 in St. Patrick’s Church – Vincent McCormack
- Wednesday – LDM Hollyman and Cooper Families
- Thursday: 18.30 in St. Patrick’s Church – Brian Quigley
- Friday – Fr. “P’s” Intentions
- Saturday – The sick, their families, NHS staff & Care Workers
- Sunday – For the intentions of all our parishioners.
When you are unable to celebrate Mass with me, 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 this week:
- all our parishioners who are sick, housebound or in hospital
- all those near and dear to us whose memories we cherish at this time and,
- Jack Durham who has died. “Receive Lord into tranquillity and peace the soul of your servant whom you have called from this life. May he be taken up into glory with your Son in whose great mystery of love we are all united. Amen.”
A Prayer for Carers, Nurses and Doctors
Lord Jesus, who healed the sick and gave them new life, be with doctors, nurses and carers, as they act as agents of your healing touch.
In desperate times, keep them strong yet loving; and when their work is done, be with them in their weariness and in their tears. Amen.
Should I come to church?
If you have been confirmed as clinically extremely vulnerable the government is advising that you do not need to shield at the moment, but if you are in this category, you should still try to keep your overall social interactions low, as outlined in the Government Guidance.
Some people, including those aged 70 and over, are described as being clinically vulnerable, meaning that they are at a higher risk of severe illness from the coronavirus. Individuals who fall within this group are advised to stay at home as much as possible and if they do go out, to take particular care to minimise contact with others outside their household.
If you fall into either of these categories, or if you feel unsure about returning to Mass, you need to consider the wisdom of doing so. Please remember, you are not obliged to attend Mass. Sunday obligation is suspended.
If you are feeling unwell or if you suspect that you have Covid-19, (high temperature, new persistent cough, lack of taste or smell) or if you are living with someone who has or is suspected of having Covid-19, you MUST self-isolate in accordance with HM Government guidance and arrange for testing. You must not come to Church.
Please note, that while we will attempt to take all appropriate precautions consistent with the advice of public health authorities to ensure our Church is Covid-19 safe, parishioners should understand that they assume the risk of contracting Covid-19 any time they enter a public space, since such precautions do not eliminate the risk of infection.
What to expect when returning to Church
The Archdiocese of Liverpool have put together a video which gives us an idea of what to expect when you can return to Church.
Mass in St. Patrick’s Church amidst the new local Restrictions
It had been hoped that we might have been able to offer a Mass in St. Patrick’s Church on a Sunday. However, in the light of the substantial rise in the number of coronavirus cases in our locality and the local restrictions imposed upon us, Father Patterson, after seeking advice from the Diocese and others, does not think it prudent to introduce an additional (Sunday) Mass in St. Patrick’s until the local situation improves. Sunday obligation is still suspended.
We will continue to celebrate Mass on Tuesdays at 10.00 and Thursdays at 18.30, unless additional measures are imposed which may prevent us from doing so.
A challenging month for our reduced parish finances
Fr. Patterson continues to be so grateful to those parishioners who, in these financially challenging times, are able to make their weekly offering by bank transfer directly into the parish accounts and to those who have sent cheques.
He is also appreciative of those parishioners who are bringing their weekly offering envelopes to Mass or choose to drop them through the presbytery letterbox. This all helps to meet our day to day financial commitments.
Insurance premiums
Your offerings are particularly welcomed this month when the parish insurance policies are due for renewal: St. Patrick’s renewal is £4,743.62 and St. Alban’s £2079.98.
Gift Aided Donation
Fr. Patterson is very grateful for a Gift Aided donation of £250.00 received during the course of the week for St. Patrick’s parish funds.
For security reasons, please do not put any envelopes through St. Alban’s Presbytery door. Envelopes for St. Alban’s parish should be posted through St. Patrick’s Presbytery door only.
If you Gift Aid your offertory contributions, the parish can reclaim the tax on your offering should you wish to make a bank transfer. It would be helpful to enter your name and Gift Aid envelope number as the reference when making the transfer.
If you choose to send a cheque please make it payable to the appropriate Account name below or you might wish to continue to put aside your envelopes each week and bring them along to church when you feel able to come.
The details for bank transfers and cheques are as follows:
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
News from our School
Even though the children remain in their own class bubbles, they are invited to pray the Rosary during the month of October. They will also wear their colourful clothes to brighten up the harvest and support CAFOD in their work. Please keep us in your prayers as we remember you in ours
CAFOD Family Fast Day
CAFOD Harvest Fast Day is to be marked on the 9th October. If you feel able to make a donation towards this Fast Day Appeal you can go online to make an online donation via their website.
Protect your loved ones. Download the NHS Covid-19 App
If you have downloaded the NHS App, it may be used to register your track and trace details when coming to Mass in St. Patrick’s Church. Simply scan the QR Code which is displayed in the Church and is specific to St. Patrick’s Church only. Please have your phone ready and the App open before entering the Church so that you do not create a “pinch point” by having to search for your phone in your pocket or bag.
Should you choose to “sign in” using the App, you should leave your phone switched on whilst you are in the Church, but please ensure it is in silent mode!
You may of course continue to bring your Test and Trace details in an envelope and place it in the box at the front of the Church. The choice is yours to make.
Those who choose not to download the App or are unable to, should continue to bring their Test and Trace details in the usual way by means of an envelope.
Discerning a Vocation
The Diocesan Priestly Vocations Team invite men thinking about becoming a Priest to a six week online Vocations Discernment course, beginning Monday 12 October at 19.00. For further information and to register an interest please email vocations@rcdhn.org.uk.
The Northern Cross needs your help
For more than 60 years, Northern Cross has played its part ensuring that news and views of the life of the Church are spread the length and breadth of our diocese.
The lockdown and church closures have caused its sales at Mass to cease. A new approach is needed – as is a price increase – if the newspaper is to survive. For further information please visit the Northern Cross website.
News by Email
If you are aware of parishioners who would like to receive the Newsletter and other news from the parish by email, please ask them to email Fr. Patterson at felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk and they will be added to our contact list.
Printed copies of the Parish Newsletter are available at 10.00 Mass on Tuesday mornings.
An ear to hear
As part of the pastoral care the Diocese offers during this COVID-19 lockdown, a number of qualified counsellors and listeners have generously made themselves available to anyone who may be troubled by the negative effects of the situation.
These can be contacted through St Mary’s Cathedral Listening Service on 0191 232 6953 and the Northumberland Listening Service on 07732 980740.
Mass Offerings
If you would like to have Mass offered for any particular intention, Fr. Patterson would be happy to celebrate it for you privately.
You may bring your intention along to Mass and leave it in the box at the front of the Church or drop your intention and offering through the letterbox of St. Patrick’s Presbytery. Alternatively, you may place it in the post with a cheque, or you may email your intention to Fr. Patterson and send your offering by bank transfer.
For security reasons, please do not put any intentions or offerings through the letterbox of St. Alban’s Presbytery.
Diocesan Website
More information and support may be found on our Diocesan website.
