Parish Newsletter Sunday 15th March 2009

St Simon Stock Catholic Church Brookfield Road, South Ashford, Kent TN23 4EU Tel: 01233 622399

Parish Priest: Fr John Boyle Saint Simon of England RC Primary School, Noakes Meadow, Ashford, TN23 2RB. Tel: 01233 623199 Head teacher: Mrs Elizabeth Willis

MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS th Sunday 15 Third Sunday of Lent (B) 10.00am Mass (Intentions and welfare of Archbishop McDonald) 5.15pm Stations of the Cross 6.00pm Mass (For the people of the parish) th Monday 16 6.45pm Mass (Patrick Tracey RIP) th Tuesday 17 St Patrick, bishop of Ireland, feast 9.30am Mass (Tony Shanny RIP) followed by Divine Mercy Chaplet & Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament until 10.30am. th Wednesday 18 9.30am Mass (Rita Redman) th Thursday 19 St Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Patron of the Universal Church, Solemnity 6.45pm Mass (Latin, 1962 Missal) (Jacques Molero RIP) th Friday 20 9.30am Mass (Harry and Agnes McNicoll) followed by Stations of the Cross st Saturday 21 9.00am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 10.00am Mass (Ray Hook RIP) nd Sunday 22 Fourth Sunday of Lent (B) Laetare Sunday (Mothering Sunday) 10.00am Mass (Mary McGinty) 12.00 noon Mass (Extraordinary form Latin, 1962 Missal) (Mary Morgan) 5.15pm Stations of the Cross 6.00pm Mass (For the people of the parish) CONFESSIONS/CONSULTATIONS Saturday: 10.30am, Sunday 9.30am, 5.30pm. Weekdays: before or after Mass upon request. CHURCH CLEANING th th rd th th 20 Sheila; 27 Sue; April 3 Sue; 10 Tara; 17 Bridie COLLECTIONS LAST SUNDAY Offertory: £489.72, (Gift Aid: £227.65, loose plate: £262.07) + £99 approx by standing order. To contribute by regular standing order please ask for a form. If you are a tax payer and are not already using the Gift Aid scheme, please ask for a Gift Aid form. Second collection: Pontifical Council ‘Cor Unum’: £220.02. Thank you. Second collection today and next Sunday: Parish Maintenance & Development Fund. STATIONS OF THE CROSS IN LENT On Sunday evenings at 5.15pm and after the Friday morning Mass. Why not make an effort to participate in this devotion in Lent? PRAYERS FOR THE SICK Please pray for all our sick parishioners. If you know of anyone who needs our prayers at the present time please place their names in the box in the Church foyer. All our sick parishioners, named and un-named, are remembered in our prayers.

15th MARCH 2009 THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT YEAR B

TODAY’S MASS TEXTS Entrance Antiphon: Ps 24:15-16 My eyes are ever fixed on the Lord, for he releases my feet from the snare. O look at me and be merciful, for I am wretched and alone. First Reading Exodus 20:1-17 The law was given through Moses. Responsorial Psalm: Ps 18 R: You have the message of eternal life, O Lord. The law of the Lord is perfect, it revives the soul. The rule of the Lord is to be trusted, it gives wisdom to the simple. (R) The precepts of the Lord are right, they gladden the heart. The command of the Lord is clear, it gives light to the eyes. (R) The fear of the Lord is holy, abiding for ever. The decrees of the Lord are truth and all of them just. (R) They are more to be desired than gold, than the purest of gold and sweeter are they than honey, than honey from the comb. (R) Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:22-25 Here we are preaching a crucified Christ, an obstacle to men, but to those who are called, the wisdom of God. Gospel Acclamation: John 11:25-26 Praise to you, O Christ, king of eternal glory! I am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord, whoever believes in me will never die. Praise to you, O Christ, king of eternal glory! Gospel: John 2:13-25 Destroy this sanctuary, and in three days I will raise it up. During Lent we shall use the Apostles’ Creed (p.9 in The Simple Prayer Book) Preface of Lent 2, Eucharistic Prayer I Communion Antiphon: Ps 83:4-5 The sparrow even finds a home, the swallow finds a nest wherein to place her young, near to your altars, Lord of hosts, my King, my God! How happy they who dwell in hour house! For ever they are praising you. ** THIS FRIDAY : TALK ON OLD ASHFORD : THIS FRIDAY ** Mr Richard Filmer, author and speaker, will give an illustrated presentation about Old Ashford this Friday at 7.30 pm in our hall. Tickets at the door or from Shirley Hook (07873 136605) or Thereza Baker (07733 064403), priced £2.50 which includes a glass of wine or tea/coffee; interesting and nostalgic evening guaranteed. Get your tickets now to avoid disappointment. THANKS FROM THE SORRELL FAMILY The family have asked that their thanks be conveyed to all who supported and prayed for them and their late mother Kathleen th and particularly those who attended Kathleen’s funeral on 6 March.

Email: [email protected]; Web: www.stsimon.org.uk; Parish blog: http://st-simon-parish.blogspot.com/; diocesan website: www.rcsouthwark.co.uk

FROM FATHER JOHN’S DESKTOP As the liturgical year progresses, members of our parish community pass through various stages of their lives in Christ. Yesterday a group of our young parishioners made their First Confessions. Thanks to the combined efforts of their good parents, the work of catechesis carried out in the parish and the complementary education they receive at our parish primary school, they were well prepared for their first encounter with the mercy of God through the Sacrament which is known by different names, each of which manifests an essential aspect of the Sacrament: Forgiveness, Penance, Confession, Reconciliation, Mercy. All of these names indicate wonderful virtues and acts that, if more widely practised in our world, would lead to enduring peace. Whilst the search for peace and stability in our world might prove elusive, the peace that only God can give is ours for the taking, freely offered by God to all who would accept it. The recent murders in Northern Ireland came as a great shock to all in that Province and beyond. The united response of politicians and people was heart warming. The loss experienced by the families is unimaginable. Whilst we must hope that the guilty are brought to justice, let us pray that no faction may seek to take further life, whether in revenge or for further terrorisation. Here too deeds and words of repentance, reconciliation, forgiveness, mercy must be found. In his mission to Ireland St Patrick sought to bring the light of the risen Christ to a people living in the darkness of paganism. On his feast this week we can ask him to pray for a continued outpouring of Christ’s light upon the world. May St Joseph (feast Thursday), husband of Mary, foster father of Jesus, grant us a new encounter with the Light of the World. Fr John REGULAR EVENTS – COME ALONG! DIVINE MERCY PRAYER GROUP after the 9.30am Mass on Tuesdays. Prayers of intercession for various needs and silent adoration of the Blessed Sacrament till 10.30am.

PARISH BEREAVEMENT MINISTRY TRAINING For many the loss of a loved one is very difficult to come to terms with. If you think you might have the aptitude to become involved in supporting those suffering as a result of bereavement and would like to take part in a training course, please see Fr John.

MUSIC PRACTICE TUESDAYS 7.30PM Newcomers always welcome.

PRAYERS FOR OUR ENGAGED COUPLES We have seven couples preparing for marriage at the present time; Paulina Witkowska and Lukasz Wasielczyk (11th July in Poland), Massimo Deidda and Justyna Jaworska (31st July in Poland), Agnieszka Hrabka and Grzegorz Koropczyk (15th August in Poland), Andrew Chapell and Natalie Edy (4th September in Horley, Surrey), Joanne George and John Frazier (12th September at St. Simon’s), Kamila Borejsza and Mical Bednarczyk (12th September in Poland), and Annelize Dawkins and Barry Kersley (12th September at St. Simon’s). Please keep them in your prayers. Last Saturday we had a wine and cheese party in the priest’s house at which married couples with experience of marriage ranging from 1 to 57 years joined our engaged couples. You can see photos etc. on the parish blog (http://st-simon-parish.blogspot.com/). I made a selection of married couples to invite this year to see how the event would work. All thought it was a great success. If you did not get an invitation this year, you might be on the list next time round. If you would like to be involved in any way in pre-marriage instruction or ‘engagement’ in other ways with couples preparing for marriage, just let Fr John know. Some of the ‘old hands’ passed on some excellent tips (with the necessary humour thrown in) to the young enamoured ones. Anything we can do as a parish community to promote the institution of marriage for the sake of the family will be well worth the effort. Fr John.

BIBLE STUDY THURSDAYS 7.30PM Studying St Paul’s letters to the Corinthians. Why not consider joining us for Lent? EVANGELIUM – CATHOLIC FAITH ENQUIRY For all, Catholic or not, who would like to deepen their th knowledge of the Catholic faith. Next meeting: Friday 27 March. Topic: Baptism and Confirmation. **NEW** STATIONS OF THE CROSS BOOKS **NEW** Two very attractive editions of the Stations of the Cross, one by the Venerable John Henry Cardinal Newman and the other by Father Dominic Allain (a priest of our diocese) are on sale in the repository price £2.50. Excellent aids to your Lenten observance. ‘THE EVANGELIST’ A review of St John’s Seminary, Wonersh, produced by its students and free to a good home thanks to donations received. A number of copies are available in the church foyer, particularly for young lads who might consider a vocation to the priesthood and for those who would like to commit to prayer for vocations. AN AUSTRALIAN EVANGELIST TO VISIT ST SIMON’S th This is advance notice of a visit by Raymond de Souza on 12 May. Raymond travels the world giving lively and engaging talks about the Catholic faith, able to inspire old and young to a renewed engagement with their faith. Put this date in your diary as we prepare for his visit. You can find out more about Raymond de Souza at his website: http://www.raymonddesouza.com/. For a preview, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXseS_CbK6o on the web. THE PASSION IN RAP Rap may or may not be your thing. Kline is a Christian rapper who has produced a short video on the Passion with shots from Mel Gibson’s The Passion. It might (repeat might) appeal to some. Go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8WdXXHH0T8. LADIES, DO YOU ARRANGE FLOWERS? Why not join our small team and help with the floral decorations in our Church, starting at Easter, and possibly be on our rota. If you would like to help please contact one of the flower ladies, their names are on the rota on the notice board. The flower ladies are appealing for Eleagnas variegated, Ivy Hedra, Rhododendrum, Hypericum tricolour, Mahonia, Phormium and Skimia required for the Easter weekend, but would need to know if you can supply any of this foliage by next weekend. Thank you. VACANCY AT ST. SIMON OF ENGLAND SCHOOL Our parish primary school has a vacancy for a caretaker. Please see notice board for full details.

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FAMILY AND YOUTH DAY, SATURDAY 21 MARCH At Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Blackfen, including a talk by Margaret Mizen, the mother of the 16 year old Jimmy Mizen, an altar server at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Lee, who was murdered in May last year. The day also includes Mass, confession, talks and workshops for children, youth and adults. Commences 10.30am, concludes 3.45pm. All welcome. Even if you can’t make it for all the day, arrive when you can and stay as long as you can. See notice board for details. PRO-LIFE HOME COLLECTION BOX The season of Lent is a time of penance and alms giving. The most vulnerable and defenceless in our midst are the 600+ unborn children aborted daily in our country. To help combat this grave injustice take home one of the collection boxes that are on the table in the church entrance and put in your small change during the rest of Lent. All proceeds with go to the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC).

To catch up on previous newsletters visit http://www.stsimon.org.uk/Newsletters/. Parish blog: http://st-simon-parish.blogspot.com/