Parish newsletter

4th Sunday of Easter

Dear Parishioners

Thanks to the generosity of our volunteers, we are able to open St. Patrick’s Church for Mass on Tuesday at 10.00am, when no booking will be needed, and on Sunday at 10.30 when booking will be required. Parishioners are welcome to attend both Masses.

To reserve a place for Mass on Sunday, 2nd May, please telephone 07526 232124 on

Wednesday, 28th April between 10am – 11am

Friday, 30th April between 5.30pm – 7.00pm

Please note a further change in the booking time on Wednesday

This number will be unavailable outside of the above times. Bookings cannot be made via the presbytery telephone number nor by email and can only be made for the approaching Sunday and not for any other dates. Text messages cannot be accepted as a method of booking.

You will be encouraged to provide your name and telephone number to comply with the NHS Test and Trace system and also the number in your family if you are attending as a household. Under the current restrictions you must only sit with members of your own household or bubble and not mix with people from other households. On arrival at the church you will be welcomed by a steward and your name will be checked against the booking list.

For Mass on Tuesday, where booking is not required, you are invited to bring your Test and Trace details in an envelope and place them in the box in Church.

Please remember you are under no obligation to attend Mass. The Sunday obligation is still suspended. You should not come to Church if you are experiencing any signs of Covid-19 or feeling unwell in any way.

As you will discover from our “Covid Page” in this Newsletter, there is still a need In the weeks and months ahead to look after one another, especially by complying with the restrictions and to continue to pray that the Lord will watch over us and keep us safe.

Lord God, keep us under the shadow of your protection
during this time of pandemic. Sustain and support the anxious
and fearful and lift up all who are brought low
so that we may rejoice in your comfort
knowing that nothing can separate us from your love
in Christ Jesus our Risen Lord.

God bless you all

 Fr. Patterson


Mass to view on line

Mass is live streamed from our Cathedral on Sunday at 11.30 am and on weekdays at 12.05 pm. These Masses may be viewed live or anytime later.

Alternatively, you may like to follow Mass from the Holy Name, Jesmond celebrated live at 10.00 am on Sunday or anytime later.


Mass Intentions for the coming week

With the exception of Sunday and Tuesday, I will celebrate Mass privately during the week remembering the following Intentions:

  • Monday – Evelyn May and George Craig
  • Tuesday:  10.00 in St. Patrick’s Church – Paul Hughes
  • Wednesday – Patrick and Rose Wright and Patricia Jameson                                  
  • Thursday – The sick, their families, NHS staff & Care Workers
  • Friday – Private Funeral Service                                 
  • Saturday – Fr “P’s” intentions
  • Sunday: 10.30am in St. Patrick’s Church – For the intentions of all our parishioners – booking necessary

When you are unable to celebrate Mass with me 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.

In case you are not aware, a parish priest is obliged to celebrate Mass for the “Intentions of the Parishioners” every Sunday or Holydaywhich prevents him from fulfilling personal intentions on those occasions.


 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 especially Evelyn May Craig and Paul Hughes and,
  • Joan Barrett who has died. “Receive Lord into tranquillity and peace the soul of your servant whom you have called from this life. May she 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.


A time to pray

Please join together in prayer for the 127,385 people who have died in our country from the coronavirus. (Friday’s figure)

Gracious God, as we remember before you
the thousands who have died from the coronavirus,
surround us and all who mourn with your compassion.

Be gentle with us in our grief,
protect us from despair and give us grace to persevere
and face the future with hope. We make this prayer
in Jesus Christ our risen Lord. Amen.


World Day of Prayer for Vocations

“For each one of us the Lord has a vocation, that place God wants us to live our lives, but we must seek it.” “The Lord’s call is not an intrusion into our freedom; it is the loving initiative whereby God encounters us and invites us to be part of a great undertaking.

God desires that our lives do not become banal and predictable, imprisoned by daily routine, or unresponsive before decisions that could give it meaning. The Lord does not want us to live from day to day, thinking that nothing is worth fighting for, slowly losing our desire to set out on new and exciting paths.

If at times he makes us experience a “miraculous catch”, it is because he wants us to discover that each of us is called – in a variety of ways – to something grand, and that our lives should not grow entangled in the nets of an ennui that dulls the heart.

Every vocation is a summons not to stand on the shore, nets in hand, but to follow Jesus on the path he has marked out for us, for our own happiness and for the good of those around us. (Taken from the Message of Pope Francis for the World Day of Vocations).


News from our School

Due to a number of families relocating, there are now some places available in selected year groups within our school.  If you know of any families with school aged children who are looking for a school place, please ask them to get in touch with Mrs Bridon, the Head Teacher on 0191 469 3251.


Roadmap Step 2  (from 12 April)

These are the changes that came into effect on 12th April:

  • More businesses will open, but indoor settings should be visited alone, or with household groups.
  • Outside, six people or two households can meet. We are still not permitted to meet indoors before 17th May at the earliest.
  • All shops are allowed to open.
  • Hairdressers, beauty salons and other close-contact services can open.
  • Restaurants and pubs are allowed to serve food and alcohol to customers sitting outdoors.
  • Gyms and spas can reopen, as can zoos, theme parks, libraries and community centres.
  • Members of the same household can take a holiday in England in self-contained accommodation.
  • Weddings – up to 15 people; Funerals – up to 30 people, with 15 at wakes.
  • Children may attend any indoor children’s activity.
  • Care home visitors will increase to two per resident.
  • Driving lessons can resume,  with driving tests restarting on 22 April.

Government scientist warns of summer surge in cases – BBC News

To some extent the future is in our hands

The UK will likely see a “summer surge” in Covid cases as lockdown is relaxed. Professor Adam Finn, of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, says modelling points to a rise in cases, as many adults are not immunised. He said the UK was still “vulnerable” and the dates for easing restrictions may need adjusting.

The Prime Minister has said there is nothing in the data to suggest the next step in easing lockdown cannot go ahead as planned, but he went on to say that most scientists were “firmly of the view” that there would be a third wave of the disease at some point this year. Last Tuesday, 20th April, for the first time since September, UK government figures showed fewer than 2,000 Covid patients in hospital

Professor Finn told BBC Breakfast the prime minister was right that the UK will see a further wave of Covid-19 cases.

“The models that we’ve seen on JCVI clearly point to a summer surge in cases as the lockdown is relaxed, because there are still many people in the adult population who’ve not been immunised,” he said. He went on to say that there was “quite a wide range of uncertainty” over how big the wave would be “because it depends on how quickly the vaccine rollout continues” as well as how many people come forward for vaccination. It also depends on how people behave as the lockdown is gradually relaxed.

The sense that the problem is all over, I’m afraid is a flawed one, we’re still in a vulnerable situation, and there are still significant numbers of people who potentially could be harmed by this infection if this happens.”


New Offertory Envelopes – to collect or be delivered.

The new boxed sets of Offertory envelopes, beginning Sunday, 4th April, 2021, are now available and may be collected from St. Patrick’s Church after Mass on Sunday or after Mass on a Tuesday if you could let us know you will be attending. It may be possible to deliver some boxes. If you would like your box delivered please contact Fr. Patterson at felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk.

During the course of the pandemic several parishioners have chosen to contribute by Bank Transfer or Standing Order and it is hoped they will continue to do so in the long term rather than use envelopes. This facilitates the financial administration of the parish. Please consider contributing by Standing Order. The details needed are provided below.


Your ongoing financial support is welcomed and needed

Fr. Patterson renews his thanks to you for your offerings during these difficult times especially to those parishioners who regularly contribute to parish funds by bank transfer helping to meet the regular financial  commitments of our churches.

Should you wish, you may drop your envelopes through the presbytery letterbox. For security reason, envelopes should not be put through the letterbox of St. Alban’s Presbytery.

The parish is still able to reclaim the tax from Gift Aided offertory contributions made by bank transfer. It would be helpful to enter your name and Gift Aid envelope number as the reference when making the transfer.

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


Parish newsletter

3rd Sunday of Easter

Dear Parishioners

As I mentioned last week, following the removal of the restriction to “Stay at Home” on 29th March, and thanks to the generosity of our volunteers, we are now able to open St. Patrick’s Church for Mass on Tuesdays at 10 am, when no booking will be needed, as well as on a Sunday at 10.30 am when booking will be required. Parishioners are welcome to attend both Masses.

Unfortunately a Private Funeral Service will prevent us from being able to celebrate Mass on Tuesday of this coming week, 20th April.

To reserve a place for Mass on Sunday, 25th April, please telephone

07526 232124

on Wednesday, 21st April between 10 – 11 am or 5 – 6 pm.

or Friday, 23rd April between 5.30 – 7 pm

Please note the change in the booking time on Wednesday  

This number will be unavailable outside of the above times. Bookings cannot be made via the presbytery telephone number nor by email and can only be made for the approaching Sunday and not for any other dates. Text messages cannot be accepted as a method of booking.

You will be asked to provide your name and telephone number to comply with the NHS Test and Trace system and also the number in your family if you are attending as a household. Under the current restrictions you must only sit with members of your own household or bubble and not mix with people from other households. On arrival at the church you will be welcomed by a steward and your name will be checked against the booking list.

Please remember you are under no obligation to attend Mass. The Sunday obligation is still suspended. You should not come to Church if you are experiencing any signs of Covid-19 or feeling unwell in any way.

In the weeks and months ahead it is still important to look after one another, to comply with the restrictions and to pray that the Lord will continue to watch over us and keep us safe.

Lord God, keep us under the shadow of your protection
during this time of pandemic. Sustain and support the anxious
and fearful and lift up all who are brought low
so that we may rejoice in your comfort
knowing that nothing can separate us from your love
in Christ Jesus our Risen Lord.

God bless you all

 Fr. Patterson


Mass to view on line

Mass is live streamed from our Cathedral on Sunday at 11.30 am and on weekdays at 12.05 pm. These Masses may be viewed live or anytime later.

Alternatively, you may like to follow Mass from the Holy Name, Jesmond celebrated live at 10.00 am on Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.


Mass Intentions for the coming week

With the exception of Sunday, I will celebrate Mass privately during the week remembering the following Intentions:

  • Monday – Kathleen and Bill Falconer
  • Tuesday – Private Funeral Service
  • Wednesday – Jack Durham        
  • Thursday The sick, their families, NHS staff & Care Workers
  • Friday – Private Funeral Mass
  • Saturday – Fr “P’s” intentions
  • Sunday: 10.30 in St. Patrick’s Church – For the intentions of all our parishioners – booking is necessary

When you are unable to celebrate Mass with me 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.

In case you are not aware, a parish priest is obliged to celebrate Mass for the “Intentions of the Parishioners” every Sunday or Holydaywhich prevents him from fulfilling personal intentions on those occasions.


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 Paul Hughes and,
  • Canon Michael McCoy and Jim Connolly who have died. “Receive Lord into tranquillity and peace the souls of your servants whom you have called from this life. May they 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.

A time to pray

Please join together in prayer for the 127,225 people who have died in our country from the coronavirus. (Friday’s figure).

Gracious God, as we remember before you
the thousands who have died from the coronavirus,
surround us and all who mourn with your compassion.

Be gentle with us in our grief,
protect us from despair and give us grace to persevere
and face the future with hope. We make this prayer
in Jesus Christ our risen Lord. Amen.


What do you believe? An Evening with Fr. Stephen Wang

Fr. Stephen Wang is the author of Sycamore, a programme that has grown into a resource being used throughout the world.

The Diocesan Vicariate for Faith & Mission are pleased to welcome Fr. Stephen Wang to our Diocese on Wednesday, 21st April from 7 – 8 pm for a virtual conversation about how we can make genuine human connections, share our Catholic faith and reach out for a real sense of community with a spirit of friendship. Booking is essential; please register online.


The Bookshop at St Mary’s Cathedral

The Bookshop has reopened on Thursdays and Fridays from 10 am – 3 pm, on Saturdays from 9.45 am – 3pm and on a Sunday from 8.30 am to 1pm. Check the Cathedral  website to confirm opening times.


Roadmap Step 2  (from 12 April)

These are the changes that came into effect on 12th April

  • More businesses will open, but indoor settings should be visited alone, or with household groups.
  • Outside, six people or two households can meet. We are still not permitted to meet indoors before 17th May at the earliest.
  • All shops are allowed to open.
  • Hairdressers, beauty salons and other close-contact services can open.
  • Restaurants and pubs are allowed to serve food and alcohol to customers sitting outdoors.
  • Gyms and spas can reopen, as can zoos, theme parks, libraries and community centres.
  • Members of the same household can take a holiday in England in self-contained accommodation.
  • Weddings – up to 15 people; Funerals – up to 30 people, with 15 at wakes.
  • Children may attend any indoor children’s activity.
  • Care home visitors will increase to two per resident.
  • Driving lessons can resume,  with driving tests restarting on 22 April.

Vaccines alone will not stop Covid spreading

Many of us are hoping vaccines against coronavirus will be our route out of lockdown, enabling us to reclaim our old lives. But scientists say jabs alone will not currently be enough and other measures are still needed.

Vaccines are widely regarded as the most powerful weapon in our Covid-19 armoury. Some are more than 90% effective and prevent people getting sick and dying with the disease. But no vaccine is ever 100% and there is a chance we might catch the virus or pass it on even after our jab.

Widespread testing can find people carrying the virus who are unaware they have it, but rapid turnaround, or lateral flow tests are imperfect and can miss some cases.

Contact tracing systems track down people who have been in close contact with a positive case, to advise them to isolate. But such schemes need to be fast and reach between 80%-100% of contacts to work effectively. Most countries advise people who suspect or know they have Covid to stay at home and avoid others. Some also require travellers to quarantine. But some people do not follow this advice or are unable to do so.

Masks and face coverings can block virus droplets from coughs, sneezes and speaking. But even the highest-grade masks still let some virus through. Masks also need to be worn correctly and used by enough people to make a difference.

Keeping 2m (6ft) away from someone reduces the chance of the virus passing on. But we can still catch it even from further away. Fresh air cuts the risk of infection and the ultraviolet radiation from sunlight can destroy virus left on surfaces, but the risk outside is not reduced to zero. The chance of catching the virus increases in areas that are poorly ventilated. The greater the airflow, the lower the risk, but the danger is still there. Good hygiene can help stop the spread of the virus, but the risk from particles in the air remains.

As we can see, no single measure will guarantee 100% protection. It is only by using a combination of measures that we create the best chance of protecting ourselves and our friends and family.

Australian virologist Ian Mackay, and other scientists say, even in places with widespread vaccine coverage, we need to continue using multiple measures to stop letting the virus through; they liken it to The Swiss Cheese Model.


New Offertory Envelopes

The new boxed sets of Offertory envelopes, beginning Sunday, 4th April, 2021, are now available and may be collected from St. Patrick’s Church after Mass on Sundays.

During the course of the pandemic several parishioners have chosen to contribute by Bank Transfer or Standing Order and it is hoped they will continue to do so in the long term rather than use envelopes. This facilitates the financial administration of the parish. Please consider contributing by Standing Order. The details needed are provided below.


Your ongoing financial support is welcomed and needed

Fr. Patterson renews his thanks to you for your offerings during these difficult times especially to those parishioners who regularly contribute to parish funds by bank transfer helping to meet the regular financial  commitments of our churches.

Should you wish, you may drop your envelopes through the presbytery letterbox. For security reason, envelopes should not be put through the letterbox of St. Alban’s Presbytery.

The parish is still able to reclaim the tax from Gift Aided offertory contributions made by bank transfer. It would be helpful to enter your name and Gift Aid envelope number as the reference when making the transfer.

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


Parish newsletter


2nd Sunday of Easter

Dear Parishioners

I do hope you were able to enjoy Easter, despite the weather!

I am very grateful to everyone for their kind messages about the prayerfulness of our simplified Holy Week and Easter Services and for your acknowledgement of the great efforts of our volunteer stewards whose presence makes you feel safe within St. Patrick’s Church.

Following the removal of the restriction to “Stay at Home” on 29th March, and thanks to the generosity of our volunteers, we will now be able to open St. Patrick’s Church for Mass on Tuesdays at 10 am, when no booking will be needed, as well as on a Sunday, at 10.30 am when booking will be required. The Tuesday Mass will commence this week on 13th April. Parishioners are welcome to attend both Masses.

To reserve a place for Mass on Sunday, 18th April, please telephone

07526 232124

on Wednesday, 14th April between  10 am and 12pm or
Friday, 16th April between 5.30 pm – 7 pm.

This number will be unavailable outside of the above booking times. Bookings cannot be made via the presbytery telephone number nor by email and can only be made for the approaching Sunday and not for any other dates. Text messages cannot be accepted as a method of booking.

You will be asked to provide your name and telephone number to comply with the NHS Test and Trace system and also the number in your family if you are attending as a household. Under the current restrictions you must only sit with members of your own household or bubble and not mix with people from other households.

On arrival at the church you will be welcomed by a steward and your name will be checked against the booking list.

For Masses where booking is not required please bring your Test and Trace details in an envelope and place them in the box in Church.

Please remember you are under no obligation to attend Mass. The Sunday obligation is still suspended. You should not come to Church if you are experiencing any signs of Covid-19 or feeling unwell in any way.

In the weeks and months ahead it is still important to look after one another, to comply with the restrictions and to pray that the Lord will continue to watch over us and keep us safe.

Lord God, keep us under the shadow of your protection
during this time of pandemic. Sustain and support the anxious
and fearful and lift up all who are brought low
so that we may rejoice in your comfort
knowing that nothing can separate us from your love
in Christ Jesus our Risen Lord.

God bless you all

 Fr. Patterson


Mass to view on line

Mass is live streamed from our Cathedral on Sunday at 11.30 am and on weekdays at 12.05 pm. These Masses may be viewed live or anytime later.

Alternatively, you may like to follow Mass from the Holy Name, Jesmond celebrated live at 10.00 am on Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.


Mass Intentions for the coming week

With the exception of Sunday, I will celebrate Mass privately during the week remembering the following Intentions

  • Monday – Joan Makepeace                                     
  • Tuesday:  10 am in St. Patrick’s Church – Lindsay Bradley
  • Wednesday – Brian Grace Jnr    
  • Thursday – The sick, their families, NHS staff & Care Workers
  • Friday – Private Funeral Service                                 
  • Saturday –  Private Wedding Service
  • Sunday: 10.30 am in St. Patrick’s Church – for the intentions of all our parishioners – booking is necessary

When you are unable to celebrate Mass with me 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.

In case you are not aware, a parish priest is obliged to celebrate Mass for the “Intentions of the Parishioners” every Sunday or Holydaywhich prevents him from fulfilling personal intentions on those occasions.


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 Brian Grace Jnr and,
  • Jim Connolly who has died. “Receive Lord into tranquillity and peace the soul of your servant whom you have called from this life. May she 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.


A time to pray

Please join together in prayer for the 127,040 people who have died in our country from the coronavirus. (Friday’s figure):

Gracious God, as we remember before you
the thousands who have died from the coronavirus,
surround us and all who mourn with your compassion.

Be gentle with us in our grief,
protect us from despair and give us grace to persevere
and face the future with hope. We make this prayer
in Jesus Christ our risen Lord. Amen.


Roadmap Step 2  (from 12 April)

 These are the changes that come into effect on 12th April.

More businesses will open, but indoor settings should be visited alone, or with household groups.

  • Outside, six people or two households can meet. We are still not permitted to meet indoors until before 17th May at the earliest.
  • All shops are allowed to open.
  • Hairdressers, beauty salons and other close-contact services can open.
  • Restaurants and pubs are allowed to serve food and alcohol to customers sitting outdoors.
  • Gyms and spas can reopen, as can zoos, theme parks, libraries and community centres.
  • Members of the same household can take a holiday in England in self-contained accommodation
  • Weddings – up to 15 people; Funerals – up to 30 people, with 15 at wakes.
  • Children may attend any indoor children’s activity.
  • Care home visitors will increase to two per resident.
  • Driving lessons can resume,  with driving tests restarting on 22 April.

The UK’s vaccination programme

This programme is beginning to break the link between Covid cases and death, scientists tracking the epidemic say. In the UK, Pfizer’s vaccine was the first to be administered in December, the Oxford-AstraZenca jab followed a month later and this week the Moderna vaccine started to be used. So far, more than 5.6 million people have been fully vaccinated with two doses, while 31.7 million have had a first dose.

Scientists found infections had fallen by roughly two-thirds since February, but had begun to level off. While the decline in cases has stalled – probably because people are beginning to mix more – deaths did not follow the same pattern.

This was not the case before January, when the vaccine rollout began and means scientists can identify decreases which are being driven by vaccination. The rate of decline of new cases “slowed considerably” after the first substantial relaxation of lockdown in England when schools opened on 8th March, the report says. Professor Stephen Riley at Imperial College London, one of the study’s authors, says the flattening off “probably does reflect increased social mixing”, some of that will be to do with schools opening up. It is “gratifying”, however, that rates did not go up when schools reopened, which Professor Riley says was “certainly a possibility”. Scientists and government would need to, in his words, keep a “close watching brief as the lockdown gets eased further.

Please do consider accepting your invitation to receive either your first dose or your second dose of the vaccine when it comes, not only for your own well-being, but for the greater good of all.


 New Offertory Envelopes

The new boxed sets of Offertory envelopes, beginning Sunday, 4th April, 2021, are now available and may be collected from St. Patrick’s Church after Mass on Sundays.

During the course of the pandemic several parishioners have chosen to contribute by Bank Transfer or Standing Order and it is hoped they will continue to do so in the long term rather than use envelopes. This facilitates the financial administration of the parish. Please consider contributing by Standing Order. The details needed are provided below.


Thank you

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


Your ongoing financial support is welcomed and needed

Fr. Patterson renews his thanks to you for your offerings during these difficult times especially to those parishioners who regularly contribute to parish funds by bank transfer helping to meet the regular financial  commitments of our churches.

Should you wish, you may drop your envelopes through the presbytery letterbox. For security reason, envelopes should not be put through the letterbox of St. Alban’s Presbytery.

The parish is still able to reclaim the tax from Gift Aided offertory contributions made by bank transfer. It would be helpful to enter your name and Gift Aid envelope number as the reference when making the transfer.

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


Parish newsletter


Easter Sunday

Dear Parishioners

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy and Blessed Easter.

With the slight easing of restrictions last Monday, I hope you will be able to enjoy a little time with others in keeping with the present restrictions of the rule of six or two households and observing social distancing. It is still so important whether we have been vaccinated or not.

It was uplifting to see so many of you who felt able to come along to St. Patrick’s Church to celebrate Maundy Thursday and Good Friday together. I am also grateful for your comments as to how safe you feel inside the Church and for your appreciation of the welcome and assistance you receive from our volunteer stewards. As you are aware, we are keeping to the 2 metre social distancing requirement as laid down in the Government guidelines.

I would also like to express my gratitude to our volunteer stewards for their support and for making it possible to open our Church for some parish Masses and Funerals and to our “telephone operator” for taking your calls ensuring our booking system runs smoothly. Thank you.

Following the removal of the restriction to “Stay at Home” on 29th March, and thanks to the generosity of our volunteers, we will now be able to open St. Patrick’s Church for Mass on Tuesdays at 10.00 (no booking will be needed) as well as on a Sunday, at 10.30 when booking will be required. The Tuesday Mass will commence on 13th April due to private funeral services in the Church this coming week.

To reserve a place for Sunday, 11th April please telephone:

07526 232124

on Wednesday, 7th April between 10am – 12pm or

Friday, 9th April between 5.30pm – 7pm

I am afraid Mass on Easter Sunday is fully booked.

This number will be unavailable outside of the above booking times.

Bookings cannot be made via the presbytery telephone number nor by email and can only be made for the approaching Sunday and not for any other dates. Text messages cannot be accepted as a method of booking.

You will be asked to provide your name and telephone number to comply with the NHS Test and Trace system and also the number in your family if you are attending as a household. Under the current restrictions you must only sit with members of your own household or bubble and not mix with people from other households.

On arrival at the church you will be welcomed by a steward and your name will be checked against the booking list.

Please remember you are under no obligation to attend Mass. The Sunday obligation is still suspended. You should not come to Church if you are experiencing any signs of Covid-19 or feeling unwell in any way.

In the weeks and months ahead it is still important to look after one another and to pray that the Lord will continue to watch over us and keep us safe.

Lord God, keep us under the shadow of your protection
during this time of pandemic. Sustain and support the anxious
and fearful and lift up all who are brought low
so that we may rejoice in your comfort
knowing that nothing can separate us from your love
in Christ Jesus our Risen Lord.

God bless you all 

Fr. Patterson


Mass to view on line

Mass is live streamed from our Cathedral on Sunday at 11.30 am and on weekdays at 12.05 pm. These Masses may be viewed live or anytime later.


Mass Intentions for the coming week

With the exception of Sunday, I will celebrate Mass privately during the week remembering the following Intentions

  • Monday – Pat Donald
  • Tuesday -Private Memorial Mass
  • Wednesday – Knock, Hughes and Kelly Families
  • Thursday – Private Funeral Mass
  • Friday – The sick, their families, NHS staff & Care Workers
  • Saturday – Fr “P’s” intentions
  • Sunday: 10.30am in St. Patrick’s Church – for the intentions of all our parishioners – booking is necessary

When you are unable to celebrate Mass with me 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.

In case you are not aware, a parish priest is obliged to celebrate Mass for the “Intentions of the Parishioners” every Sunday or Holydaywhich prevents him from fulfilling personal intentions on those occasions.

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 especially Pat Donald and Elizabeth Knock and,
  • Kevin Crinnion who has died. “Receive Lord into tranquillity and peace the soul of your servant whom you have called from this life. May she 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.

A time to pray

Please join me in prayer for the 126,816 people who have died in our country from the coronavirus. (Friday’s figure)

Gracious God, as we remember before you
the thousands who have died from the coronavirus,
surround us and all who mourn with your compassion.

Be gentle with us in our grief,
protect us from despair and give us grace to persevere
and face the future with hope. We make this prayer
in Jesus Christ our risen Lord. Amen.


Roadmap Step 1b:

These are the changes that came into effect on 29th March.

On 31st March, Public Health England medical director Dr Yvonne Doyle has warned in terms of the pandemic “we’re not quite out of the woods yet”.

“It is encouraging that the death rate is falling, but there are still as many people in hospital now as there were at the start of the second wave, and tens of thousands of us are getting infected every week and could become seriously ill,” she says.

“As restrictions lift and the weather improves, we cannot drop our guard. We’re not out of the woods quite yet.

“Until all of us are protected it remains essential to follow the steps we know stop the virus from spreading. Kill it by washing your hands, block it by wearing your mask, and maintain a safe social distance in the open air.

“Case numbers are still high in certain places and looking forward they are certainly not predictable. So your actions are still saving lives.


New Offertory Envelopes

The new boxed sets of Offertory envelopes, beginning Sunday, 4th April, 2021, are now available and may be collected from St. Patrick’s Church after Mass on Sundays.

Thanks to an offer of help, new Gift Aid envelopes will shortly be delivered to those parishioners who have been returning their envelopes during the pandemic and live in the Bill Quay, Wardley and Pelaw areas of our parish.

During the course of the pandemic several parishioners have chosen to contribute by Bank Transfer or Standing Order and it is hoped they will continue to do so in the long term rather than use envelopes. This facilitates the financial administration of the parish. Please consider contributing by Standing Order. The details needed are provided below.


Your ongoing financial support is welcomed and needed

Fr. Patterson renews his thanks to you for your offerings during these difficult times especially to those parishioners who regularly contribute to parish funds by bank transfer helping to meet the regular financial  commitments of our churches.

Should you wish, you may drop your envelopes through the presbytery letterbox. For security reason, envelopes should not be put through the letterbox of St. Alban’s Presbytery.

The parish is still able to reclaim the tax from Gift Aided offertory contributions made by bank transfer. It would be helpful to enter your name and Gift Aid envelope number as the reference when making the transfer.

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


Parish 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. The Newsletter may also be found on our parish website.