The Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ
Dear Parishioners
“Follow me,” Jesus says.
Do you? If not, what is your excuse?
In the Gospel, read this weekend in our churches (Luke 9: 51-52), we hear of two excuses:-
The first man said, ‘Lord, let me go first and bury my father.’ Jesus answered him, ‘Let the dead bury their dead.’
The second follower said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family at home.’ To him Jesus said, “Once the hand is laid on the plough no one who looks back is fit for the kingdom of God”
It’s all about decisions. How decisive are you in following Jesus? That is what lies at the heart of today’s gospel and it is the question we should ask ourselves not only today but on each and every day of our lives. We have, of course, the freedom to make our own decisions; but remember, decisions bring with them consequences. Are you prepared to accept the consequences of the decisions you make?
Cases of Covid-19 rising
As news reports tell us this week of an increase in cases of Covid-19 around the UK and a number of our parishioners have also been poorly in recent weeks with the virus, if you still wish to wear face coverings in church this is perfectly acceptable, both to keep yourselves and everyone else in church safe, by restricting the spread of aerosol particles.
We do still ask everyone coming into Church to use the hand gel at the door and to be sensitive to sitting too close to someone who is already in the bench you enter who may not be comfortable if you “snuggle up to them.”
All are welcome
Everyone is welcome to join us for the celebration of Mass in St. Patrick’s and St. Alban’s churches. In recent times, it has been a joy to welcome those people of other faiths or none who have come to join us in worship.
Currently, only baptised Catholic people are able to receive Holy Communion and we ask that when you approach the altar you extend your hands towards the minister who will place the sacred host in your hand which you should then consume immediately before returning to your place.
If you are not a Catholic or are indisposed to receive Holy Communion, you are invited to come forward at the appropriate time and receive a blessing, indicating your desire by folding an arm across your chest.
Mass Intentions
Fr. Patterson will celebrate Mass for the following Intentions during the coming week.
- Monday – No Mass
- Tuesday: (Private Mass) – Fr. Harry Ryan
- Wednesday: 10am in St. Patrick’s Church: Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul – For the intentions of all our parishioners
- Thursday: 10am in St. Patrick’s Church – Funeral Mass for George Owens
- Friday: (Private Mass) – In Thanksgiving (NF)
- Saturday: 6pm in St. Alban’s Church – For the intentions of all our parishioners
- Sunday: 10am in St. Patrick’s Church – Patsy Rafferty
Mass to view on line
Mass is live streamed from our Cathedral on a Sunday. Visit the Cathedral website.
Alternatively, you may like to follow Mass from the Holy Name, Jesmond. Visit the website for Mass times this week.
When you are unable to celebrate Mass in Church, you may wish to make this act of spiritual communion:-
Lord Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most Blessed Sacrament. I love you above all things and I desire to receive you into my soul. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace you as if you were already there and unite myself wholly to you. Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.
Please keep in your prayers:
- all our parishioners who are sick, housebound or in hospital
- all those near and dear to us whose memories we cherish at this time and,
- George Owens, Connie Hullock, Kevin O’Sullivan and Ronnie Brown who have died. May they rest in peace.
A Prayer for those who have died from Covid
Gracious God, as we remember before you all those people 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.
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 Prayer for Ukraine
Father, hold the people of Ukraine deep in your heart. Protect them from violence, political gamesmanship and from being used and abused. Give the nations of the world the courage and wisdom to stand up for justice and the courage to care generously. Take from us those traits that see us pursuing our own needs and wants before those of others. Teach us to live in love, dignity and respect, following your ways. We ask this in your name and for your sake. Amen
An Invitation
Bishop Robert Byrne cordially invites you to a Mass to mark the 80th birthday of Bishop Seamus Cunningham which will be celebrated on Thursday, 30th June at 12.05 pm in St Mary’s Cathedral. All are most welcome to attend.
Bishop Barron’s Sunday Sermons
Each week Bishop Barron offers a Sunday sermon.
Are you on a rota? – please read on……..
If you have joined one of our rotas in either St. Alban’s or St. Patrick’s churches and find you are unable to fulfil your role on a particular occasion, would you please arrange a substitute. Telephone numbers of other volunteers are printed on each rota.
This is particularly important to ensure that our liturgy and parish activities flow smoothly. With reduced numbers attending our churches, it cannot be presumed that someone can just be “plucked out of the congregation” to take your place. Many thanks.
The Past Two Years – Moving On
Fr. Patterson is more than grateful to those who prepared and supported our “Moving On” evening of prayer, reflection and sharing our experiences of how our lives have changed in the past two years as a result of the pandemic last Thursday.
Mass sheets
Thanks to those of you who have expressed your appreciation at the provision of Mass sheets in both of our churches which provide the text of the prayers and readings for Mass. We will continue to make them available for the foreseeable future. Please collect one when you enter church, if you do not happen to be offered one by our welcomers. Please feel free to take them home with you. You may value the opportunity of re-reading and reflecting on the readings during the course of the week.
Refreshments after Mass
Refreshments will next be served in St. Patrick’s parish centre after Mass on Sunday, 3rd July.
Could you join the rota to help make tea and coffee?
St Joseph’s Home of the Little Sisters of the Poor, Newcastle
The Little Sisters are looking for volunteers to help throughout the Home with residents’ activities, administration duties, fundraising and other various duties. If you are interested and would like to know more, please contact Sister Evelyn or Mother Deirdre at St Joseph’s Home on 0191 273 1279 for further details.
Are you able to support the Diocesan Refugee Project?
The organisers of this project express their renewed thanks for your ongoing support of their work. The project supports over 400 asylum seekers and tries to provide them all with a bag of food. Those who are destitute also receive a supermarket voucher. Donations of sugar, biscuits, tinned fish in oil, tins of tomatoes and chick peas may be left on the table to your right as you enter the front of St. Patrick’s Church or on any table if you enter by the rear door. A basket is also available in the porch at St. Alban’s. They are particularly in need of toiletries and shampoo. Please note: baked beans and tinned meat are not required.
Peter’s Pence
The annual collection for Peter’s Pence takes place this Sunday, 26th June, 2022. Offerings are designated for the Pope’s apostolic and charitable ministry. Should you wish to support this you may put your donation in an envelope marked “Peter’s Pence” and place it in the offering boxes in both churches. Those of you with boxes of envelopes should find an envelope in your box.
Taking the collection during Mass
Although no collection is taken during Mass, by way of passing baskets along the benches, we do hope you will support our church financially by placing your offering in the boxes at the entrances to the church. Alternatively you may consider contributing by standing order the details for which are found below.
Your Offertory contributions
To reduce the demands on parish administration, we invite those of you who feel able, to consider making your weekly offering by Standing Order. The bank details you require for this are printed below.
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
If you are a tax payer and are not a member of the parish gift aid scheme please consider joining the scheme, it costs you nothing and the parish benefits by being able to reclaim the tax you have already paid on your offering. The parish receives 25p of every £1.00 you give from HMRC. All that is required, is for you to complete a simple form which does not involve you disclosing any personal financial information and is held securely by the Diocesan Finance Office. To obtain a form, or for more information, please email St. Patrick’s Gift Aid organiser at stpatrick.giftaid@outlook.com
For the time being, enquiries concerning the Gift Aid scheme for St. Albans Church should be directed to Fr. Patterson at felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk.
The Parish Newsletter by email
Could you help to offset the cost of printing paper copies of the Newsletter by having it sent to you by email? Many of you have been receiving it electronically throughout the pandemic and continue to do so. If you do not already receive it in this way and would like to receive the Newsletter and other news from the parish by email, please send your request to felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk and you will be added to our contact list.
A few printed copies will still be available from St. Patrick’s and St. Alban’s churches, on the days they are open for Mass, for those of you who do not have access to email.
Returning your call
If you telephone the presbytery and there is no-one available to take your call, you may choose to leave a message. We will do all we can to return your call. However we are only able to do so if you leave your telephone number!! For safeguarding reasons, we are unable to return anonymous calls, so please leave both your name and number for your call to be returned. For security reasons, the presbytery number is sometimes withheld for outgoing calls, so please bear this in mind if you are expecting us to return your call.
Might God be calling you to be a priest?
If you would like more information, please contact the Diocesan Vocations Team: Fr. John Bagnall 01207 502 196 vocationspriests@diocesehn.org.uk or Fr Shaun Purdy 01670 812 200 vocationspromoter@diocesehn.org.uk.
Thanksgiving Mass
A Mass of Thanksgiving for NHS Staff, chaplains and Carers will be celebrated by Bishop Robert on Thursday, 14th July, 2022 at 7pm in St. Mary’s Cathedral. This Celebration will be the opportunity to express the gratitude of the Diocese to medical, nursing and healthcare staff and chaplains as we continue to emerge from the COVID Pandemic.
Please get vaccinated
The Catholic Church continues to promote the participation of everyone in the Covid vaccination programme as part of its mitigation of virus transmission in church and ancillary buildings.
Pope Francis also urges us to do so.
ZOE Covid fortnightly update – We are in a new COVID wave
This week, Tim is talking about the new COVID wave we’re currently in driven by the Omicron BA.5 variant. He’ll take you through the data including the number of new daily Long COVID cases. Tim also discusses the symptoms trend we’re seeing in the ZOE Health Study app.
In a separate blog, the updated symptoms of Omicron are discussed.
Data from the Office of National statistics may also be of interest to you with 1 in 40 people having Covid in England.
