4th Sunday of Easter
Vocations Sunday – A message from Pope Francis
As baptised people within the Church, all of us are servants, in accordance with the variety of our vocations, charisms and ministries. Our common vocation to give ourselves in love develops and finds concrete expression:-
- in the life of lay men and women, devoted to raising a family as a small domestic church and working as a leaven of the Gospel to renew the different sectors of society;
- in the testimony of consecrated women and men who are completely committed to God for the sake of their brothers and sisters as a prophetic sign of the kingdom of God;
- in ordained ministers – deacons, priests and bishops – placed at the service of preaching, prayer and fostering the communion of the holy People of God.
Only in relation with all the others, does any particular vocation in the Church fully disclose its true nature and richness. Viewed in this light, the Church is a vocational “symphony”, with every vocation united yet distinct, in harmony and joined together in “going forth” to radiate throughout the world the new life of the kingdom of God.
“Let us pray, brothers and sisters, that the People of God, amid the dramatic events of history, may increasingly respond to God’s call to work together,” the Pope said. “Let us implore the light of the Holy Spirit, so that all of us may find our proper place and give the very best of ourselves in God’s divine plan!”
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.
A message from Fr. Patterson
Fr. Patterson is slowly recovering from post Covid symptoms and is still advised to rest as much as possible. This considerably reduces what he is able to do. He remains grateful to you for your prayers and understanding.
Celebrations during the coming week.
The following celebrations will take place during the coming week.
- Saturday:(29th) 6pm Mass in St. Alban’s Church: Brian Grace Snr and Brian Grace Jnr
- Sunday (30th) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s Church: For the Intentions of all our parishioners
- Monday: No Mass
- Tuesday: 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s parish centre for Fr. John Reid
- Wednesday: No Mass
- Thursday: 10am Funeral Mass in St. Patrick’s Church for Stephen Nee
- Friday: No Mass
- Saturday:(6th May) 6pm Mass in St. Alban’s Church: For the Intentions of all our parishioners
- Sunday: (7th May) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s Church: Catherine Palmer
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 whose memories we cherish at this time, especially Brian Grace Snr and Brian Grace Jnr and,
- Fr John Reid and Stephen Nee who have died. May they rest in the peace of the Risen Lord
Bishop Barron’s Sunday Sermons
Each week Bishop Barron offers a Sunday sermon.
The Sacrament of Confirmation – Introductory evening, 12th May, 2023
The Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated in St. Patrick’s Church on the Feast of Christ the King (Youth Sunday) , 26th November, during the 10am Mass.
There will be an introductory evening for all those who are interested in being confirmed, along with their parents, on Friday, 12th May, in St. Patrick’s parish centre at 6.30pm. This will be followed by a special celebration during Mass on Sunday, 28th May in St. Patrick’s Church which is the Feast of Pentecost.
Confirmation is open to young people from St. Alban’s and St. Patrick’s who will be in Year 8 and above from September, 2023. Prospective candidates should be regularly attending Mass and will need to take part in a period of preparation which will be outlined at our introductory gathering on 12th May. If you haven’t already registered to be part of the programme please email your details to the parish office at felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk.
Some dates for your diary – with more news to come.
Saturday, 20th May: A Parish Walk from Monkseaton to South Shields with lunch
Saturday, 27th May: A “Forget Me Not” Afternoon Tea Party from 2pm-4pm in St. Patrick’s parish centre
These events are open to everyone from St. Alban’s and St. Patrick’s, along with friends and neighbours.
More details coming soon
Thank you
Fr. Patterson wishes to express his gratitude to the family of the late Michael Connolly for inviting mourners at his Funeral Mass to consider making donations to support St. Patrick’s Church. Their generosity amounted to £155.50 which will help meet the running costs of the church. Thank you.
Further thanks…….
- to those who organised and supported the recent Bongo Bingo evening in St. Patrick’s parish centre which raised £205.06 for St. Patrick’s parish funds. A great night was had by all and,
- to those who contributed £2,416.00 to the red Mission boxes during the past twelve months. Thanks must also go to those who help empty the boxes in St. Alban’s and St. Patrick’s.
Little Sisters of the Poor
Next weekend, 29/30 April, there will be an opportunity for those of you who wish to support the work of the Little Sisters of the Poor. Donations may be placed in an envelope marked Little Sisters and put in the collection boxes at the entrances to our churches. Those of you with boxes of envelopes will have an envelope in your box.
No collection taken
Although we do not take a collection at Mass by passing round a basket, we do hope you will feel able to make an offering towards the upkeep and running costs of our churches in one of the boxes you will find at the entrances to our churches. Your offerings are our sole source of income. Alternatively you may consider making your offering by Standing Order the details of which are above.
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 Walk – Saturday 20th May, 2023
Why not join us with your family and friends for an enjoyable easy walk from Monkseaton to South Shields.
It will be a time to relax and enjoy our beautiful coast with great company.
The walk will begin either from Monkseaton or Cullercoats and end at South Shields.
We will use the Ferry to cross the Tyne.
It is a distance of about 6 miles from Monkseaton or 3 miles from Cullercoats. The choice is yours.
We propose to have lunch at North Shields Fish Quay or you may choose to bring your own picnic.
Meeting times:
If you are doing the longer walk please meet at Monkseaton Metro Station for 10.30
For the shorter walk, please meet at Cullercoats Metro Station for 11.30.
A Day-saver ticket and the Metro concessionary pass both include the ferry crossing.
Toilets are located at Whitley Bay, Cullercoats, Tynemouth and North Shields.
For more information please contact Terry Grey 07906764697.
News from our School
This summer term we have lots to look forward to. There are residential retreats for Year 4 and Year 5 children either at the Emmaus Village or Holy Island, and an outward-bound adventure course for our Year 6 class at Hawkhirst.
We will also be celebrating the Coronation of King Charles III with school activities and inviting families in for prayers. During May, we will also be praying the rosary and including the parishioners of St Alban’s and St Patrick’s in our prayers. If any parishioners are able to come into school to pray the rosary with us, we would be delighted. Please ring us on 0191 469 3251 to make arrangements.
Also during May and June, many of our children will be taking exams in phonics, times tables, reading, writing and maths. The children have been preparing well with their teachers but would appreciate your prayers to help them remain calm, have a good memory and do their best. Please ask the Holy Spirit to guide and support them. Thank you.
Coronation
To mark the Coronation of King Charles III, Mass will be celebrated in St. Mary’s Cathedral, Newcastle on Friday, 5th May at 12.05 to which you are all invited.
The Diocesan Justice and Peace Refugee Project
Thanks to your support, each month over 400 people who are seeking asylum in our area benefit from this project. Should you wish to support the project, donations of sugar, biscuits, tinned fish in oil, tins of tomatoes, chick peas, toiletries and shampoo 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 of St. Alban’s Church and in our school.
Archbishop McMahon wrote to the clergy this week with the following update:-
The Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency has confirmed it is in the process of drafting a report which will be published in due course. Similarly, after a robust and thorough process, the final interviews in the investigation for the Dicastery for Bishops took place in the last few days of March, with further submissions being received within the last week. Carol Lawrence has collated all of the information and is currently drafting a report for Archbishop McMahon. As we continue to celebrate the Easter season, we ask you to remember in your prayers those currently preparing the reports. We pray for their work and for renewal in the Diocese of Hexham & Newcastle as we move forward, learning from their findings and recommendations.
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 the parish office at felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk and you will be added to our contact list. The Newsletter may also be found on our parish website.
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.