1st Sunday of Advent
The following celebrations will take place during the coming week.
- Saturday: (2 Dec) 6pm Mass in St. Alban’s Church: Margaret and Brian Pankhurst
- Sunday: (3 Dec) 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s Church: The Parishioners Intentions
- Tuesday: 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s parish centre: Patricia Lagan
- Friday: The Feast of the Immaculate Conception 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s parish centre for George Owens
- Saturday: (9 Dec) 6pm Mass in St. Alban’s Church: The Parishioners Intentions
- Sunday: (10 Dec) 6pm Mass in St. Patrick’s Church: Joyce McTaff
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 Norah Lagan and,
- Joan Palmer who has died. May she rest in peace
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.
Christmas Services
| Saturday 23rd December | 6pm Mass in St Alban’s Church for the 4th Sunday of Advent |
| Sunday 24th December | 10am Mass in St Patrick’s Church for the 4th Sunday of Advent 5.30pm (Christmas Eve) The First Mass of Christmas with carols in St. Patrick’s Church |
| Monday 25th December | 9.30am Mass in St Alban’s Church Christmas morning Mass |
Advent Cafe
Our “Café” opened last Wednesday when we spent time together reflecting on the Advent theme of Hope over a cup of tea and rather nice cakes. We continue our reflections this coming Wednesday in St. Patrick’s parish centre at 6pm. Do come along and ”Prepare a Way for the Lord” in your life.
Advent Alms
Advent is the season when we offer our financial support to the work of St. Cuthbert’s Care in our Diocese. If you feel able to make a contribution to “Advent Alms” please place your donation in an envelope marked Advent Alms and place it in one of the boxes at the doors of our churches.
Walk with Me
The Advent Prayer Booklet “Walk with Me” which gives scripture readings and a reflection for each day of Advent is available at the back of St. Alban’s church and on the front table in St. Patrick’s, priced £1.00. First come first served.
Advent Reflections
The Diocesan Vicariate for Faith and Mission has produced an online booklet of Advent reflections, which can be found here: Advent Reflections
Mass Intentions
Fr. Patterson is very grateful for the generous Mass Offerings you are handing in. As he is currently only able to celebrate four Masses each week, one of which must be for “the Parishioners Intentions,” he is a little behind in celebrating some of your Mass requests. He tries to give priority to Anniversaries, but it is not always possible. So please be patient and understanding.
School News from Mrs Robinson
Dear Parishioners, here is a reminder of our upcoming events to which you are all invited:
- Monday 4th December 3pm in St Alban’s Church: Y3 lead our first Advent service of prayer to help us ‘Stay Awake’.
- Thursday 7th December 3.40pm The Friends of St Alban’s invite you all to a Christmas Fair in our school hall.
- Friday 8th December 3pm in St Alban’s Church: Y4 lead our second Advent service of prayer to help us ‘Prepare the way’.
- Friday 15th December 3pm in St Alban’s Church: Y5 lead our third Advent service to help us ‘Rejoice’.
- Friday 22nd December 9.15am in St Alban’s Church: Y6 lead our final Advent service to help us imitate Mary when she said ‘Let it be to me’.
Children’s’ Liturgy of the Word
We hope to offer an opportunity for a Children’s Liturgy of the Word to be held in St. Patrick’s parish centre this Sunday, 3rd December. It will initially be for children in Years 1, 2 and 3. Following the advice of our Diocesan Safeguarding Office, parents will be unable to accompany their children to the liturgy. However they will be well cared for by our catechists who all have enhanced DBS clearance.
Christmas Raffle
Have you bought your ticket for the Christmas Raffle. It is a chance to raise much needed funds for both St. Alban’s and St. Patrick’s. 1st Prize: £100.00, 2nd Prize £50.00, 3rd Prize 6 bottles of wine and various other prizes. The draw will be made on 3rd Sunday of Advent, 17th December after 10am Mass in St. Patrick’s parish centre. Tickets are available after Mass in both of our churches and in St. Patrick’s parish centre. £1.00 each.
Congratulations
Our prayerful good wishes are extended to Jemma who was received and confirmed into the fullness of the Catholic faith last weekend.
A Prayer for the Israeli and Palestinian People
Heavenly Father, we come to you as the source of all comfort asking that you send your Spirit to surround and uphold all those who are grieving, all those who are suffering, all those living in fear, and all those held in captivity. May the arms of comfort and compassion, overwhelm the arms of war. Amen.
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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