4th Sunday of the Year

The following celebrations will take place during the days ahead.

• Saturday: (27th) 6pm Mass in St. Alban’s Church: The Parishioners Intentions
• Sunday: (28th) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s Church: Mary Eleanor McWilliams
• Tuesday: (30th) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s parish centre: Ellen Farrell
• Thursday: 10am Funeral Mass in St. Patrick’s Church: Agnes Swinhoe
• Saturday: (3rd Feb) 6pm Mass in St. Alban’s Church: George Burrell
• Sunday: (4th Feb) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s Church: The Parishioners Intentions
• Tuesday: (6th Feb) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s parish centre: Lindsay Bradley

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Mass to view on line

Mass is live streamed from  the Holy Name, Jesmond. Visit the website for Mass times this week.

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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

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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 Denis Patrick Lenehan, Mary Eleanor McWilliams, Patsy Rafferty and Lindsay Bradley and,
• and Agnes Swinhoe and John Brown who have died. May they rest in the peace of the Risen Lord

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A Prayer for the troubled world

Prince of peace, in a world of conflict and violence we pray that the peace you came to bring may become a reality in the world of our own time. Amen.

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School News from Mrs Robinson

In school this year, we are trying to take care of the little things. This is really helping us focus on just small acts of kindness that, when put together, build up to have a bigger impact on the world. We hope you will also be inspired to take care of the little things and, as St David once said, to “be joyful, keep the faith, and do the little things”.

We currently have spaces in our nursery for children who are 3 or 4 years old. If you are interested in either a 15-hour place or a 30-hour place in our teacher-led nursery, please contact the school office on 0191 4693251 for an application pack.

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Annual White Flower Appeal

The Annual White Flower Appeal for the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children will be taken next weekend 3rd/4th February, by means of a basket as you leave our churches.

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Your offerings are our sole source of income

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.  Alternatively you may consider making your offering by Standing Order the details of which are below.

For St. Alban’s: Account name: DHN Pelaw St Alban: Sort code: 40-34-18 Account No: 92010984

For St. Patrick’s: Account name: DHN Felling St Patrick: Sort code: 40-34-18 Account No: 52010453

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The path to Jerusalem

Following a discussion at the Think Tank meeting held on 19th January, we offer the following approach to Lent this year. If you would like to help us with further planning please contact Kevin Rhodes, Trisha McGinley or any of our welcomers.

The dates and times of each step will vary.

Feel free to join in as many steps of our Journey as you can manage or suits
your circumstances and remember whatever steps you take you will be sharing in
the journey.

3rd Sunday of the Year

The following celebrations will take place during the days ahead.

• Saturday: (20th) 6pm Mass in St. Alban’s Church: Peter Sloan
• Sunday:  (21st) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s Church: The Parishioners Intentions
• Tuesday: 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s parish centre: George Owens
• Thursday: 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s parish centre: Vincent Dolan
• Saturday: (27th) 6pm Mass in St. Alban’s Church: The Parishioners Intentions
• Sunday: (28th) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s Church: Mary Eleanor McWilliams
• Tuesday: (30th) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s parish centre: Ellen Farrell

---

Mass to view on line

Mass is live streamed 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 Mary Eleanor McWilliams,  Patsy Rafferty and Peter Sloan.

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Weekly Offering Envelopes  for 2024/25 – Gift Aid Contributors

We will be ordering boxes of envelopes for the new year, beginning 1st April, 2023 this week. These envelopes are becoming very expensive, so we would urge you, if you do not already do so, to consider making your offering by Standing Order. This not only reduces the cost on the parish and our carbon footprint, but also eases the burden on our limited teams of counters who count the collections.

The details you require to set up a Standing Order are set out below:

For St. Alban’s:   
Account name: DHN Pelaw St Alban
Sort code: 40-34-18   
Account No: 92010984

For St. Patrick’s:   
Account name: DHN Felling St Patrick
Sort code: 40-34-18
Account No: 52010453

If you prefer an envelope please take note:

If you would prefer to continue to receive a box of envelopes for your Gift Aided contributions please place a note to that effect with your name and address in the collecting boxes at the front and back of our churches by next weekend, or email the parish office at felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk as soon as possible. Thank you.

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A Prayer for the troubled world

Prince of peace, in a world of conflict and violence
we pray that the peace you came to bring
may become a reality in the world of our own time. Amen.

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Sunday of the Word of God

This Sunday, is a day on which Pope Francis encourages us to deepen our awareness of the importance of the Word of God in our lives so that we can experience anew how the risen Lord opens up for us the treasury of his word and enables us to proclaim its unfathomable riches before the world.

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New readers

On this day when Pope Francis highlights the importance of  the Word of God for people of faith, it may be that some of you may value the opportunity to read the Word of God at Mass.  You would be welcome to join our readers rota. This invitation is open to parishioners of all ages. If you would like to take part in our liturgies in this way please speak to Fr. Patterson or email the parish office at felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk.

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Can you play a musical instrument?

If you would like to join St. Patrick’s musicians and help with the music at Sunday Mass, please speak to Jessica or Dylan whom you will find at the front of the church after Mass.

More parishioners would be welcome to join the very small singing group to help sustain the singing. If you are interested simply sit at the front of the church behind our musicians and “sing your heart out!”

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Soup and Sandwich Lunch

During the cold weather a soup and sandwich lunch will replace the “Afternoon Tea.”

Why not join us in St. Patrick’s parish centre on Saturday, 27th January from the slightly earlier time of 1pm. This event is open to everyone from St. Alban’s and St. Patrick’s, along with friends and neighbours.

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Are you new to our Parishes?

If you have recently moved into Bill Quay, Felling, Pelaw, Heworth, Windy Nook and the surrounding area you are more than welcome to come along to worship with us in either St. Alban’s Church, Queen Victoria Street, Pelaw or St. Patrick’s Church on the High Street in Felling. Mass times are Saturday evening at 6pm in St. Alban’s and 10am on a Sunday in St. Patrick’s.

If you would like to offer your talents to the parish – and we all have God given talents – then please approach Fr. Patterson or any of our welcomers and provide us with your details. You would also be most welcome to join us for refreshments after Sunday Mass in St. Patrick’s parish centre which is located directly underneath the Church. We look forward to seeing you.

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A Year of Prayer and a Jubilee Year to come

Pope Francis has called a Jubilee Year for 2025, the theme of which is “Pilgrims of Hope’.

In preparation for the Jubilee Year, he has  designated 2024 as a Year of Prayer, with a particular focus on the Our Father. This, he hopes will be a great opportunity to go back to the basics of prayer. He encourages every Catholic to reflect on their life of prayer: what they pray, how they pray and why they pray.

He speaks of “Prayer that comes from the heart, not like parrots. Prayer which renews our desire to be in the presence of the Lord, to listen to him and to adore him. Prayer which thanks God for the many gifts of his love for us and praises his work in creation, which summons everyone to respect it and take concrete and responsible steps to protect it.

The Pope speaks of Prayer that makes it possible for every man and woman in this world to turn to the one God and to reveal to him what lies hidden in the depths of their heart; of Prayer as the road to holiness, enabling us to be contemplative even in the midst of activity.

Pope Francis hopes that 2024 may be an intense year of prayer in which hearts are opened to receive the outpouring of God’s grace and to make the “Our Father,” the prayer Jesus taught us, the life programme of each of his disciples.

We hope to offer some opportunities to make this Year of Prayer special for St. Alban’s and St. Patrick’s. Your ideas would be welcomed.

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School News from Mrs Robinson

We currently have spaces in our nursery for children who are 3 or 4 years old. If you are interested in either a 15-hour place or a 30-hour place in our teacher-led nursery, please contact the school office on 0191 469 3251 for an application pack.

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School Chaplaincy Vacancy

St Thomas More School, Blaydon is looking to recruit a School Chaplain. For further information, supporting documents and to download an application pack, please visit the Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust website. Closing date for applications is Monday 22nd January, 2024.

2^nd Sunday of the Year

The following celebrations will take place during the days ahead.

• Saturday: (13th) 6pm Mass in St. Alban’s Church: The Parishioners Intentions
• Sunday:  (14th) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s Church: In Thanksgiving (Linda)
• Tuesday: (16th) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s parish centre: Norman Foster
• Wednesday: (17th) 10am Funeral Mass for Vona Wood in St. Alban’s Church
• Thursday: (18th) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s parish centre: Bishop Hugh Lindsay
• Saturday: (20th) 6pm Mass in St. Alban’s Church: Peter Sloan
• Sunday:  (21st) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s Church: The Parishioners Intentions
• Tuesday: (23rd) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s parish centre: George Owens

---

Mass to view on line

Mass is live streamed 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 Annie Donald, Bishop Hugh Lindsay, Patsy Rafferty and Peter Sloan and’
• George Burrell  and Vona Wood who have died. May they rest in peace. The Funeral Mass for George Burrell will take place in St. Augustine’s Church, Leam Lane on Friday, 19th January, 2024 at 10am.

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Weekly Offering Envelopes  for 2024/25 – Gift Aid Contributors

We will soon be ordering boxes of envelopes for the new year, beginning 1st April, 2023. These envelopes are becoming very expensive, so we would urge you, if you do not already do so, to consider making your offering by Standing Order. This not only reduces the cost on the parish and our carbon footprint, but also eases the burden on our limited teams of counters who count the collections.

The details you require to set up a Standing Order are set out below:-

For St. Alban’s:   
Account name: DHN Pelaw St Alban
Sort code: 40-34-18   
Account No: 92010984

For St. Patrick’s:   
Account name: DHN Felling St Patrick
Sort code: 40-34-18
Account No: 52010453

If you prefer an envelope please take note:

If you would prefer to continue to receive a box of envelopes for your Gift Aided contributions please place a note to that effect with your name and address in the collecting boxes at the front and back of our churches by next weekend, or email the parish office at felling.stpatrick@rcdhn.org.uk as soon as possible. Thank you.

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 A Prayer for the troubled world

Prince of peace, in a world of conflict and violence
we pray that the peace you came to bring
may become a reality in the world of our own time. Amen.

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Think Tank Meeting

Sorry, but Lent is just round the corner. Ash Wednesday is 14th February, 2024!

Fr. Patterson would like to invite all parishioners from St. Alban’s and St. Patrick’s to a Think Tank meeting on Friday of this week, 19th January to discuss how we might celebrate Lent this year and “other things.” Everyone has something to offer, so please try to come to St. Patrick’s parish centre at 615pm.

We might also consider the item below on Pope Francis decision to make 2024 a “Year of Prayer.”

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A Year of Prayer and a Jubilee Year to come

Pope Francis has called a Jubilee Year for 2025, the theme of which is “Pilgrims of Hope’.

In preparation for the Jubilee Year, he has  designated 2024 as a Year of Prayer, with a particular focus on the Our Father. This, he hopes will be a great opportunity to go back to the basics of prayer. He encourages every Catholic to reflect on their life of prayer: what they pray, how they pray and why they pray.

He speaks of “Prayer that comes from the heart, not like parrots. Prayer which renews our desire to be in the presence of the Lord, to listen to him and to adore him. Prayer which thanks God for the many gifts of his love for us and praises his work in creation, which summons everyone to respect it and take concrete and responsible steps to protect it.

The Pope speaks of Prayer that makes it possible for every man and woman in this world to turn to the one God and to reveal to him what lies hidden in the depths of their heart; of Prayer as the road to holiness, enabling us to be contemplative even in the midst of activity.

Pope Francis hopes that 2024 may be an intense year of prayer in which hearts are opened to receive the outpouring of God’s grace and to make the “Our Father,” the prayer Jesus taught us, the life programme of each of his disciples.

We hope to offer some opportunities to make this Year of Prayer special for St. Alban’s and St. Patrick’s. Your ideas would be welcomed.

---

Soup and Sandwich Lunch

During the cold weather a soup and sandwich lunch will replace the “Afternoon Tea.”

Why not join us in St. Patrick’s parish centre on Saturday, 27th January from the slightly earlier time of 1pm. This event is open to everyone from St. Alban’s and St. Patrick’s, along with friends and neighbours.

---

Can you play a musical instrument?

If you would like to join St. Patrick’s musicians and help with the music at Sunday Mass, please speak to Jessica or Dylan whom you will find at the front of the church after Mass.

More parishioners would be welcome to join the very small singing group to help sustain the singing. If you are interested simply sit at the front of the church behind our musicians and “sing your heart out!”

---

All are welcome

Everyone is welcome to join us for our celebrations 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.

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School News from Mrs Robinson

Happy New Year to you all in our parish churches of St Alban’s and St Patrick’s. The children have returned to school with enthusiasm and energy, full of exciting tales of their Christmas holidays. We look forward to meeting up with you during this spring term and continue to appreciate the prayers being offered for our school community.

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Thank you

Father Patterson wishes to thank those families who attended the Advent Liturgies in St Alban’s Church and very generously donated  £137.68. towards the running costs of our church.

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Children’s Liturgy of the Word

We had hoped to reintroduce the Children’s Liturgy this year but unfortunately there has been insufficient interest shown to do so at present.

However there are several children’s prayer books available for use during Mass in our churches. They may be found at the back of both churches. Parents and carers are invited to make use of these and help their children follow the Mass.

The Feast of the Epiphany

The following celebrations will take place during the days ahead:

• Saturday: (6 Jan) 6pm Mass in St. Alban’s Church: The Parishioners Intentions
• Sunday:  (7 Jan) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s: Rosie Cullen
• Tuesday: 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s parish centre: Lavinia Webber
• Thursday: 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s parish centre: Sadie Nelson
• Saturday: (13 Jan) 6pm Mass in St. Alban’s Church: The Parishioners Intentions
• Sunday:  (14 Jan) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s: In Thanksgiving (Linda)
• Tuesday: (16 Jan) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s parish centre: Norman Foster

---

Mass to view on line

Mass is live streamed 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 Rosie Cullen and,
• George Burrell and Vono Wood who have died. May they rest in peace

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We saw the star as it rose and have come to do the Lord homage

On the Feast of the Epiphany, we hear the account in the gospel of wise men from the east who observed the light of a new star and tried to discover meaning in this extraordinary event.

Wise men and women are still searching the heavens for a greater understanding of the mysteries of life. How did it all happen? Where did it all begin? Where are we all going?

But the wise men of the gospel associated their experience with an even deeper mystery: the entry into human history of a God who would be a king and who would suffer and die.

The prayerful attention of the wise ones can help us to discover the unfolding mystery of God’s purpose for each one of us. It is a mystery of love that has created us inlove, for love, to love: to love God, to love our fellow human beings and to love the world in which we live. If we are wise, we will sit up and take notice.

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 A Prayer for the troubled world

Prince of peace, in a world of conflict and violence
we pray that the peace you came to bring
may become a reality in the world of our own time.
Amen.

---

A Year of Prayer and a Jubilee Year to come

Pope Francis has called a Jubilee Year for 2025, the theme of which is “Pilgrims of Hope’.

In preparation for the Jubilee Year, he has  designated 2024 as a Year of Prayer, with a particular focus on the Our Father. This, he hopes will be a great opportunity to go back to the basics of prayer. He encourages every Catholic to reflect on their life of prayer: what they pray, how they pray and why they pray.

He speaks of “Prayer that comes from the heart, not like parrots. Prayer which renews our desire to be in the presence of the Lord, to listen to him and to adore him. Prayer which thanks God for the many gifts of his love for us and praises his work in creation, which summons everyone to respect it and take concrete and responsible steps to protect it.

The Pope speaks of Prayer that makes it possible for every man and woman in this world to turn to the one God and to reveal to him what lies hidden in the depths of their heart; of Prayer as the road to holiness, enabling us to be contemplative even in the midst of activity.

Pope Francis hopes that 2024 may be an intense year of prayer in which hearts are opened to receive the outpouring of God’s grace and to make the “Our Father,” the prayer Jesus taught us, the life programme of each of his disciples.

We hope to offer some opportunities to make this Year of Prayer special for St. Alban’s and St. Patrick’s. Your ideas would be welcomed.

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Joe’s Place

Joe’s Place is a project supported by the parishes of the John Ingram Partnership. It supports some of the many vulnerable people in the local area. It was founded in 2014 and takes place every Wednesday in the Parish Hall of St Joseph’s Church, Gateshead. Guests are served freshly prepared hot or cold food at their tables. Food is prepared in the kitchen using donated tinned and dried foods, together with fresh and frozen food purchased using donations from local schools, businesses, parishes, and individuals. During the past five years the parishes in the Partnership have made financial contributions to the project, according to their means, to help cover the cost of renting St. Joseph’s Hall and the cost of utilities. This coming year the proceeds of the Charity Box in St. Alban’s Church will go to Joe’s Place and a box at the front of  St. Patrick’s Church marked “Joe’s Place” will be available for donations.

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The Diocesan Justice and Peace Refugee Project…….

…….which supports people who are seeking asylum in our area, continue to appeal for donations of sugar, biscuits, tinned fish in oil, tins of tomatoes, chick peas, toiletries and shampoo. If you feel able to support this project, donations may be left on the tables at the entrance to our churches and at our school.

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 All are welcome

Everyone is welcome to join us for our celebrations 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.

---

Your offerings are our sole source of income

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.  Alternatively you may consider making your offering by Standing Order the details of which are below.

For St. Alban’s: Account name: DHN Pelaw St Alban: Sort code: 40-34-18 Account No: 92010984

For St. Patrick’s: Account name: DHN Felling St Patrick: Sort code: 40-34-18 Account No: 52010453