1st Sunday of Lent
Lent at Home
We find ourselves in the season of Lent and as many of our parishioners struggle to come to church these days for a variety of reasons, which we fully understand and respect, they are still an important part of our parish family.
Fr. Patterson would like to reach out to everyone during Lent and invite you to engage in a “Personal Pilgrimage” in your own homes knowing that your fellow parishioners are doing the same.
It is a time for us all to reflect and identify with Christ’s forty days of solitude in the wilderness; his personal journey to Jerusalem, then on to his death on the Cross from which he would rise to offer us the gift of the new life of the Resurrection. Our “Personal Pilgrimage” will prepare us to celebrate and enjoy that new life at Easter.
Try to set aside some extra time each day for prayer and reflection in the “solitude” of your own home or room, knowing that we do so as a parish family and that praying apart can help to bring us together.
You may also like to “Share a Prayer” with other members of the parish, so that although we pray and read in private, we know we share our prayers with one another. If you would like to share a prayer with other parishioners please email your prayers to adventcafe@icloud.com or drop them through the letterbox of St. Patrick’s presbytery by Thursday of each week of Lent. We will produce our own prayer sheet based on the prayers that you send us which will be published on line and also included as printed copies with the Parish Newsletter in our churches.
Please do not include the names of individuals in your prayers, as the data protection act prevents us from publishing personal details, initials would be acceptable.
Could you try to complete a selfless act of kindness each week that interacts with someone in your family or neighbourhood as a visible sign of your wish to follow Christ. Give it some thought and perhaps make it different every week.
So it’s over to you. Pease let us have your prayers for the Second Sunday of Lent by Thursday of this week.
All are welcome
Everyone is welcome to join us for the celebration of Mass in St. Patrick’s and St. Alban’s churches. It is a joy to welcome people of other faiths or none who 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.
Covid 19
Fr. Patterson is still indisposed due to Covid-19 symptoms. As such there is a modified weekly schedule printed below. Father continues to be grateful for the kind wishes, prayers and numerous offers of support he has received in recent days and looks forward to being able to rejoin you all soon.
Mass Intentions
- Monday: No Mass
- Tuesday: 10am in St. Patrick’s parish centre: Service of the Word with Holy Communion
- Wednesday: No Mass
- Thursday: 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s parish centre
- Friday: No Mass
- Saturday: 6pm in St. Alban’s Church: For the Intentions of all our parishioners
- Sunday: 10am in St. Patrick’s Church: Private Intention
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 and,
- all those near and dear to us whose memories we cherish at this time especially Joan Makepeace and Andrew Sloan
A Prayer for Ukraine on the first anniversary of the invasion
Loving God, we pray for the people of Ukraine, for all those suffering or afraid, that you will be close to them and protect them. We pray for world leaders, for compassion, strength and wisdom to guide their choices. We pray for the world that in this time of crisis, we may reach out in solidarity to our brothers and sisters in need. May we walk in your ways so that peace and justice become a reality for the people of Ukraine and for the whole world. Amen
The Sacrament of Confirmation
Fr. Patterson is hoping to arrange the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation later in the year in St. Patrick’s Church.
It will be open to young people from St. Alban’s and St. Patrick’s who will be in Year 8 and above from September, 2023 and to any adults who may wish to receive the Sacrament. Prospective candidates should be regularly attending Mass and will need to take part in a period of preparation which will be organised in the months ahead. Please keep an eye on the Newsletter for more details. Those who may be interested, are invited to email the parish office at felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk.
Lenten Booklet of Reflections
The Diocesan Vicariate for Faith & Mission has produced the first booklet of Lenten reflections for this year. The reflections have been contributed by a range of clergy, religious and lay people to express the richness and variety of our Diocesan community. Unfortunately the booklet is only available online.
Friday is Family Fast Day.
Donations you may choose to make to Cafod’s Appeal will help families fighting the climate crisis and ensure that our Church network can quickly respond to emergencies, like the recent earthquake in Syria and Turkey. Envelopes are available at the entrances to both of our churches. Thanks to those who have already made donations to Cafod’s Earthquake Appeal which raised a total of £60.00 from our churches. This will be sent to Cafod following the Fast Day Appeal.
Your Weekly Offering by Standing Order
Fr. Patterson has had several requests recently for the details required to make your weekly offering by Standing Order. They are set out below:-
The details you require to set up a Standing Order are set out 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
You are still able to Gift Aid your offering by Standing Order. If you are not already in the Gift Aid scheme and would like to join, please email John, the Gift Aid organiser for both of our churches who will send you the necessary form. You must be a tax payer to Gift aid you contribution. John’s email is stpatrick.giftaid@outlook.com.
Parish Social evening (17th February)
Fr. Patterson has received the following email relating to the above event:-
“We had a lovely evening last night, with lots of connection and laughter! Everyone present was very appreciative and definitely want more! On top of the food and coat donations, £170.00 was raised in cash to support the Diocesan Justice and Peace Refugee Project.”
Fr. Patterson wishes to thank those who organised the evening and those who felt able to support it.
News from our School
The Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust are advertising for a Headteacher for our school from September, 2023. For more details, please visit their site.