Parish newsletter

22nd Sunday of the Year

Dear Parishioners

As many of you will already be aware, St. Patrick’s Church was risk assessed by the Diocese on Wednesday, 19th August, the result of which led to Bishop Robert giving us permission to begin the process of a phased reopening. I am sure many of us will be delighted to hear this news.

A team of nineteen parishioners came along last Monday evening to deep clean and sanitise the Church to ensure the hygiene requirements specified for a Covid-19 secure environment were fulfilled. I would like to take this opportunity to thank those volunteers for their tireless efforts.

On Friday evening and Saturday morning there were two training sessions for those parishioners who have volunteered to act as stewards. Their role is to make you feel welcome and safe when you choose to return to Church and to ensure the Government guidelines are being followed. As you are aware, without stewards, no Church can open. I am grateful to them for their support and advice.

Let us once again recall these words of our Metropolitan Archbishop Malcolm McMahon:  “As we begin to return to Mass we have to provide guidelines to ensure a safe and reverent environment. We all have a role to play in keeping each other safe and healthy. We are not going back to normal. It is not going back to what it was like before March. We have to think differently.” We must all take his words to heart.

To maintain social distancing there will be a maximum of 70 people allowed in St. Patrick’s Church at any one time for a parish Mass. Any other services which we may be able to accommodate in the future, subject to the availability of stewards, will be limited to the current Government restrictions of a maximum of 30 people.

Thanks to the agreement of our volunteer stewards, St. Patrick’s Church will be open for the celebration of Mass on Tuesday, 1st September at 10.00 and on Thursday evening, 3rd September at 18.30 The Church will open 20 minutes before each Mass. Please do not arrive any earlier. There will be no need to book a place. Please bring a face covering and your Test and Trace details.

We hope to be open for Mass the following week on Tuesday, 8th September and Thursday evening, 10th September, if all proceeds as planned.

We are taking small steps to adjust to the new protocols which are in place for our safety, health and well-being.

Please continue to look after and 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.

Alternatively, you may like to follow daily Mass from the Holy Name, Jesmond celebrated live at 10.00 or which may also be viewed any time later.


Mass Intentions

With the exception of Tuesday and Thursday, when there is a public Mass is in St. Patrick’s Church, I will continue to celebrate Mass privately. These Intentions will be remembered this week.

  • Monday – Lucy Rowlands
  • Tuesday: 10.00 in St. Patrick’s Church –  The Parishioners of St. Alban’s and St. Patrick’s
  • Wednesday: Peter Sloan
  • Thursday: 18.30 in St. Patrick’s Church: The sick, their families, NHS staff & Care Workers
  • Friday: William Pearson
  • Saturday: Fr. “P’s” Intentions
  • Sunday: For the intentions of all our parishioners

As 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 and,
  • all those near and dear to us whose memories we cherish at this time especially William Pearson

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 you are very susceptible to an adverse reaction to Covid-19 and you would have been advised to take extra precautions during the peak of the pandemic in England. This is known as ‘shielding’. The government is advising that you do not need to shield at the moment, because the rates of transmission of the coronavirus in the community have fallen significantly, although they are now on the increase in some parts of our country. If you are in this category, you should still try to keep your overall social interactions low. Please read HM Government Guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from Covid-19 at the reference below.

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 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.

Needless to say, 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 contact the online 111 service to arrange for testing. You must not come to Church.

It is also important to note, that while we will attempt to take 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.


Are you thinking of coming to St Patrick’s Church this week?

Please bring :

  • a face covering
  • your name and telephone number in an envelope for Test and Trace purposes
  • read what to expect when you attend St Patrick’s Church. This document explains the procedures we must follow in order to stay as safe as possible when you arrive at Church.

Sunday Mass in St. Patrick’s Church

We are unable to offer a Sunday Mass in St. Patrick’s at present, but when we are ready, we will be adopting the Diocesan Policy of introducing a Telephone booking system for you to reserve a place to ensure our maximum capacity is not exceeded and that we do not have to turn anyone away. It will be a dedicated telephone number and will only be available at certain times.

More information will be available in the Newsletter next weekend.


Your generous Offerings are greatly appreciated

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 have dropped their weekly offering envelopes through the presbytery letterbox  This all helps to meet our day to day financial commitments.

However, 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 once we can reopen our doors.

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


Diocesan Website

More information and support may be found on our Diocesan website.


Parish newsletter

21st Sunday of the Year

Dear Parishioners

As many of you will already be aware, St. Patrick’s Church was risk assessed by the Diocese last Wednesday and we have been given permission to begin the process of a phased reopening. I am sure many of us will be delighted to hear this news.

At the same time, following advice and guidance from the Bishops, I am afraid we are not in a position to be able to reopen St. Alban’s Church at present. I appreciate that this will be disappointing news for some of you, but I hope you will continue to be patient and understanding in what are still difficult and challenging times.

It is perhaps helpful to recall these words of our Metropolitan Archbishop Malcolm McMahon:  “As we begin to return to Mass we have to provide guidelines to ensure a safe and reverent environment. We all have a role to play in keeping each other safe and healthy. We are not going back to normal. It is not going back to what it was like before March. We have to think differently.

We must all take his words to heart.

To maintain social distancing there will be a maximum of 70 people allowed in St. Patrick’s Church at any one time for a parish Mass. Any other services which we may be able to accommodate, subject to the availability of stewards, will be limited to the current Government restrictions of a maximum of 30 people.

The Church will be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized on Monday.

Later in the week there will be two training sessions for those who have volunteered to act as stewards. Their role is to make you feel welcome and safe when you choose to return to Church and to ensure the Government guidelines are being followed.

If all goes according to plan, we hope to open St. Patrick’s Church for the celebration of Mass on Tuesday, 1st September and on Thursday evening, 3rd September. These dates will be confirmed in next weeks Newsletter along with the times of Mass. 

I am aware that some of you may not be ready to return to Church at the moment and you are under no obligation to do so. Please see the item on page two of this newsletter for more details. Remember too, Sunday obligation is still suspended.

Please continue to look after and 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.

Alternatively, you may like to follow daily Mass from the Holy Name, Jesmond celebrated live at 10.00 or which may also be viewed any time later.


 Mass Intentions

I continue to celebrate Mass privately every day. The following Intentions will be remembered this week.

  • Monday – A Special Intention (ID)
  • Tuesday – Maurice Brown
  • Wednesday – Kathleen Harland
  • Thursday – The sick, their families, NHS staff & Care Workers
  • Friday – Isabella Taylor
  • Saturday – Fr. “P’s” Intentions
  • Sunday – For the intentions of all our parishioners

As 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 and,
  • all those near and dear to us whose memories we cherish at this time

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 you are very susceptible to an adverse reaction to Covid-19 and you would have been advised to take extra precautions during the peak of the pandemic in England. This is known as ‘shielding’. The government is advising that you do not need to shield at the moment, because the rates of transmission of the coronavirus in the community have fallen significantly, although they are now on the increase in some parts of our country. If you are in this category, you should still try to keep your overall social interactions low. You can read the HM Government Guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from Covid-19 on the Government website.

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 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.

Needless to say, 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 contact the online 111 service to arrange for testing. You must not come to Church.

It is also important to note, that while we will attempt to take 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.


A Pastoral Message from Bishop Robert

Church at Home – A Pastoral video Message from Bishop Robert Byrne. Bishop Robert offers all of us some pastoral support in what are still very challenging times.


Your generous Offerings are greatly appreciated

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 have dropped their weekly offering envelopes through the presbytery letterbox  This all helps to meet our day to day financial commitments.

However, 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 once we can reopen our doors.

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


Diocesan Website

More information and support may be found on our Diocesan website


Parish newsletter

The Feast of the Assumption

Dear Parishioners

God gave Moses ten commandments to enable his people to live life to the full as the people he made us to be. Of course we know it isn’t always easy to keep the commandments, which is one of the reasons Jesus introduced into the life of his Church the nature of a loving God who is all forgiving.

Governments and political leaders throughout the world have provided their people with guidelines to follow in order to protect us from the coronavirus.  Like the ten commandments, it isn’t always easy to follow these guidelines, perhaps because sometimes they involve putting other peoples’ needs before our own.

There seems to be some confusion in England about what those guidelines are when it comes to socialising. Let us review the latest update from 14th August:-

“In order to keep you and your family and friends safe, it remains very important that you stay alert when meeting them. At all times, it’s important to maintain social distancing from people you do not live with to reduce the risk of spreading the virus. You should only have close contact with people outside of your household if you are in a support bubble with them.

Members of 2 different households can meet in any indoor space, including a private home. Even so, you should, wherever possible, socially distance from people you do not live with or who are not in your support bubble

When eating or drinking in pubs or restaurants with people you do not live with, you should only meet with one other household if you are seated indoors. If you are eating or drinking outdoors, including private gardens, you can do so with one other household or in a group of up to 6 people from different households. You should take care to limit your interactions with anyone outside the group you visit these places with.

In all cases, people from different households (unless in support bubbles) should ensure they socially distance as much as possible. Premises should also take reasonable steps to help you do so in line with COVID-19 secure principles

You should try to limit the number of people you see, especially over short periods of time, to keep you and them safe, and save lives. The more people with whom you interact, the more chances we give the virus to spread”

Please continue to look after and 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.

Alternatively, you may like to follow daily Mass from the Holy Name, Jesmond celebrated live at 10.00 or which may also be viewed any time later.


Mass Intentions

I continue to celebrate Mass privately every day. The following Intentions will be remembered this week.

  • Monday – A Special Friend (RK)
  • Tuesday – A successful operation (AGW)
  • Wednesday – Joan Dolan
  • Thursday – The sick, their families, NHS staff & Care Workers
  • Friday – Agnes and Billy McStea
  • Saturday – Fr. “P’s” Intentions
  • Sunday – For the intentions of all our parishioners

As 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,
  • Fr. Tony Duffy 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.


The People of Beirut

Amidst their own country’s struggle with the coronavirus, Pope Francis asks us to join him in praying for Lebanon, “So that with all of its social components, political and religious, it can face this tragic and painful moment, and with the help of the international community, overcome the serious crises it is undergoing.”

£250.00 has been sent to Cafod’s Beirut Emergency Appeal from St. Alban’s Charity Box. A prayer for the people of Beirut may be found on the CAFOD website.


A Prayer for this Current Time

Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we pray to you through Christ the healer for those who suffer from the Coronavirus across the world. We pray for all who reach out to those who mourn the loss of each and every person who has died as a result of contracting the disease.

Give wisdom to our policymakers, skill to healthcare professionals and researchers, comfort to those in distress and calm to us all in these days of uncertainty and distress. This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


Reopening our Churches – Latest News

As you will be aware from last week’s Newsletter, we have now been given leave by Bishop Robert to be risk assessed with a view to a phased reopening of St. Patrick’s Church. We are awaiting a date for that assessment.

As Fr. Patterson is in the clinically vulnerable category and on the advice of the bishops, St. Alban’s Church will remain closed for the time being.

Once St. Patrick’s has been risk assessed it will have to be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized to ensure it is a Covid safe environment.

The number of volunteers who are willing to act as stewards and to clean the church after every celebration will determine when we can reopen and the number and times of services we will be able to offer.

Things will be very different. The Archdiocese of Liverpool have put together a video which gives us an idea of what to expect when you can return to Church.

As you are aware the Government Guidelines for the reopening of churches are very demanding to ensure they are Covid-19 secure.

A minimum of two stewards must be in attendance at every celebration to ensure the guidelines are met and the church must be thoroughly sanitized after each service.

The more volunteers we have, the easier it will be to fulfil these requirements and the less burdensome it will be on those who have volunteered.

If you can volunteer as a steward and/or help with cleaning the church, please send Fr. Patterson an email stating your availability weekday/weekend and in what way you would be able to help.  Volunteers should really not be in the vulnerable categories.


Your generous Offerings are greatly appreciated

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 have dropped their weekly offering envelopes through the presbytery letterbox  This all helps to meet our day to day financial commitments.

However, 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 once we can reopen our doors.

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


Diocesan Website

More information and support may be found on our Diocesan website


Parish newsletter

19th Sunday of the Year

Dear Parishioners

Across the world and here at home we witness the number of cases of Covid-19 on the rise leading to the introduction of restrictions, quarantines and lockdowns having to be imposed.

Many commentators put the rise in Europe down to a growing number of people choosing to ignore the call to keep social distancing, wear face coverings and to observe basic hygiene requirements.

I share with you today the following comments of Professor Chris Whitty, the Chief Medical Officer in the UK and Doctor David Nabarro, the World Health Organisation’s special envoy for coronavirus, which I feel are worthy of consideration.

“We have all known that what we have to try and do is get to the absolute edge of what we can do in terms of opening up society and the economy without getting to the point where the virus starts to take off again. I think what we are seeing from the data…. is that we have probably reached near the limit or limits of what we can do in terms of opening up society. So what that means potentially, is if we wish to do more things in the future we may have to do less of some other things and these will be difficult trade-offs, some of which will be decisions of government, some of which are for all of us as citizens to do. So we have to be realistic about this. The idea that we can open up everything and keep the virus under control is clearly wrong and what we are seeing (now) is that we are at the outer edge of what we can do and therefore choices will need to be made.” (Chris Whitty, 31st July, Downing Street Briefing.)

“I hear about people in many parts of other European countries saying we have had enough of (restrictions and lockdowns) and I so understand it. I think all of us are just thinking when is this going to end and I have to be this person who comes out with (the fact that) this virus is not going away, this virus is really dangerous, this virus doesn’t get bored, it really relishes when we get bored because then it can cause more trouble. This virus only has one purpose and that is to multiply and multiply and it is doing so all over the world. So… we have absolutely no choice but to take it seriously and we mustn’t compete with each other about it. We’ve got to have everybody working together on this agenda because we are all experiencing the same problem all over the world.”

(David Nabarro, The Today Programme, 4th August). The full interview can be heard at 2 hours 14.45 minutes into the programme

Please continue to look after and 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.

Alternatively, you may like to follow daily Mass from the Holy Name, Jesmond celebrated live at 10.00 or which may also be viewed any time later.


 Mass Intentions

I continue to celebrate Mass privately every day. The following Intentions will be remembered this week.

  • Monday – Knock, Hughes and Kelly Families
  • Tuesday – Allan Neil
  • Wednesday – Lawrie Hindes
  • Thursday – The sick, their families, NHS staff & Care Workers
  • Friday – Jim McErlane
  • Saturday – Fr. “P’s” Intentions
  • Sunday – For the intentions of all our parishioners

As 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,
  • Allan Neil 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.


The People of Beirut

Amidst their own country’s struggle with the coronavirus, I feel sure we can do no other than to pray earnestly for the people of Beirut following the explosion in their city last Tuesday and the ensuing deaths, injuries and devastation.


Reopening our Churches – Update

We have now been given leave by Bishop Robert to be risk assessed with a view to a phased reopening of St. Patrick’s Church.

As Fr. Patterson is in the clinically vulnerable category and on the advice of the bishops, St. Alban’s Church will remain closed for the time being.

Once St. Patrick’s has been risk assessed it will have to be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized to ensure it is a Covid safe environment.

It will then depend on the number of volunteers we have who are willing to act as stewards and to clean the church after every celebration before we can determine when we can reopen and the number and times of services we will be able to offer.

As you are aware the Government Guidelines are very demanding to ensure our churches are Covid-19 secure.

A minimum of two stewards must be in attendance at every celebration to ensure the guidelines are met and the church must be thoroughly sanitized after each service.

The more volunteers we have, the easier it will be to fulfil these requirements and the less burdensome it will be on those who have volunteered.

If you can volunteer as a steward and/or help with cleaning the church, please send Fr. Patterson an email stating your availability weekday/weekend and in what way you would be able to help.  Volunteers should really not be in the vulnerable categories.


What to expect when we can return to Church

As we patiently await the reopening of our churches, this video from the Archdiocese of Liverpool gives an idea of what to expect when you can come back to Church:


Your generous Offerings are greatly appreciated

In these financially challenging times, Fr. Patterson continues to be grateful to those parishioners who contribute 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 have dropped their weekly offering envelopes through the presbytery letterbox  This all helps to meet our day to day financial commitments.

However, 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 once we can reopen our doors.

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


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 drop your intention and offering through the letterbox of St. Patrick’s Presbytery, so long as you follow Government guidelines about leaving your home or 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.


Help Control the Virus

To protect yourself and others, when you leave home you must:

  • Wash hands – keep washing your hands regularly
  • Cover face – wear a face covering over your nose and mouth in enclosed spaces
  • Make space – stay at least a metre away from people not in your household

If you are feeling unwell, get a test and do not leave home for at least ten days.

You can read more about what you can and can’t do on the government website.


Diocesan Website

More information and support may be found on our Diocesan website


Parish newsletter

18th Sunday of the Year

Dear Parishioners

Last weekend it was face coverings.  This week, the major topics of conversation have been the reintroduction of the need to quarantine for fourteen days if you are returning from Spain and Luxembourg due to a rapid increase of reported new cases in those countries; the extension of the self-isolating period if you test positive or show symptoms of Covid-19 from seven to ten days; and local restrictions.

It is not for me to enter into the politics of the Government having made these decisions, but I do remember the Prime Minister saying on the day he announced the introduction of the travel corridors, that he would be prepared “to slam the door shut at a moments notice” should the situation change from the time the decision to relax the travel restrictions took place and that is what has happened.

Indeed this policy has been at the heart of all the easements that have been made in recent weeks. They are all made based on the science at the time and are subject to review should there be a change in circumstances. We are witnessing this currently in areas of Greater Manchester, East Lancashire and West Yorkshire and in the suspension on further easements due to take place on 1st August.

The responsibility has been placed on the shoulders of us all to make our own risk assessments in the way we choose to live from day to day in the light of the Government guidelines active at the time, aware that they may change at a moment’s notice.  Hopefully in making our decisions, we take into account not only our own needs, hopes and desires, but the effect our actions and behaviour may have on others—for the sake of the common good.

It appears that a lack of respect for the social distancing rule has been a major cause of recent outbreaks. Here at home, our Government advice is still 2 metres  unless it is impossible in which case it is 1 metre plus with other measures being put in place to prevent the spread of Covid-19. In the more relaxed social settings that we may now enjoy, this appears not always to be happening, as some people seem to think the virus has gone away or, worse still, that they are invulnerable.

Which is why I urge you once again to keep in mind the advice of Professor Chris Whitty, the Chief Medical Officer for England who has said “Covid-19 is still in general circulation. If we do not follow social distancing guidance then cases will rise again. It is absolutely critical people stick to the guidance that has been given.”

Please look after one another, pray for each other 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 daily Mass from the Holy Name, Jesmond celebrated live at 10.00 or which may also be viewed any time later.


Mass Intentions

I continue to celebrate Mass privately every day. The following Intentions will be remembered this week.

  • Monday – Hilda McDonald and LDM McDonald and Coffell Families
  • Tuesday – In Thanksgiving for 60 years of Marriage (R&V)
  • Wednesday – Fr. Owen Grant
  • Thursday – The sick, their families, NHS staff & Care Workers
  • Friday – Fr. “P’s” Intentions
  • Saturday – Susan Harland
  • Sunday – For the intentions of all our parishioners

As 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

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.


Reopening our Churches

We continue to patiently await Bishop Robert approaching us to enquire if we are prepared  to be risk assessed with a view to reopening our churches.

As Fr. Patterson is in the clinically vulnerable category and on the advice of the Bishops, initially we may only be able to open St. Patrick’s Church.

Until such time as our own churches have been risk assessed and we are able to fulfill all the requirements for stewarding and cleaning, we will remain closed. So please be patient, prayerful and understanding.


We require a further 5 Volunteers please

If you are able to volunteer as a steward or to help with cleaning our churches please send Fr. Patterson an email stating your availability weekday/weekend and in what way you would be able to help.  Your help could make the difference between being able to open our churches or not! Volunteers should really not be in the vulnerable categories.


What to expect when we can return to Church

As we patiently await being approached by Bishop Robert to consider the reopening of our churches, this video from the Archdiocese of Liverpool gives an idea of what to expect when you can come back to Church.


Your generous Offerings are greatly appreciated

In these financially challenging times, Fr. Patterson continues to be grateful to those parishioners who contribute 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 have dropped their weekly offering envelopes through the presbytery letterbox  This all helps to meet our day to day financial commitments.

However, 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 once we can reopen our doors.

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


Thank you

Fr. Patterson is most grateful for a donation of £100.00 received during the week for St. Patrick’s parish funds.

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 drop your intention and offering through the letterbox of St. Patrick’s Presbytery, so long as you follow Government guidelines about leaving your home or 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.


Help Control the Virus

To protect yourself and others, when you leave home you must:

Wash hands – keep washing your hands regularly

Cover face – wear a face covering over your nose and mouth in enclosed spaces

Make space – stay at least a metre away from people not in your household

If you are feeling unwell, get a test   and do not leave home for at least ten days.

You can read more about what you can and can’t do on the government website.


Diocesan Website

More information and support may be found on our Diocesan website