Parish Newsletter Sunday 26th April 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 26 Third Sunday of Easter (B) 10.00am Mass (Mary Kelly RIP) 12.00noon Mass (Extraordinary form Latin, 1962 Missal) NO POLISH MASS THIS WEEK 6.00pm Mass (People of the parish) th Monday 27 6.45pm Mass (Holy Souls) h Tuesday 28 St. Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort, priest 9.30am Mass (Mary & Michael Kelleher RIP) followed by Divine Mercy Chaplet & Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament until 10.30am. th Wednesday 29 St Catherine of Siena, virgin and doctor of the Church, Patron of Europe, feast 9.30am Mass (Tony Shanny RIP) St. Simon‟s School attending th Thursday 30 6.45pm Mass (Extraordinary form Latin, 1962 Missal, St Catherine of Siena) (Intention of Miss E. A. Peverill) st Friday 1 May St Joseph the Workman (First Friday) 6.45pm Mass (Deceased members & friends of Dunne and Roche families) nd Saturday 2 St Athanasius, bishop and doctor of the Church 9.00am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 10.00am Mass (Grzegorz Romaniuk RIP) rd Sunday 3 Fourth Sunday of Easter (B) World Day of Prayer for Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life 10.00am Mass Gabriel & Nial McAvinue RIP) followed by Crowning of Our Lady and Procession. 6.00pm Mass (People of the parish) CONFESSION TIMES Weekdays: before or after Mass upon request. Saturday: 10.30am; Sundays: ½ hour before Mass CHURCH CLEANING st th th nd th May 1 Sue; 8 Sue; 15 Tara; 22 Bridie; 29 Sheila COLLECTIONS LAST SUNDAY Offertory: £399.00, (Gift Aid: £152.88, loose plate: £246.12) + £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: Parish Maintenance & Development Fund: £133.23. Thank you. Second collection today: Parish Maintenance & Development Fund. Next Sunday: Ecclesiastical Education (helping to meet the costs of training students for the permanent diaconate and priesthood and supporting on-going formation of the clergy). MAY PROCESSION NEXT SUNDAY After the 10am Mass next Sunday we will have our annual ceremony of crowning the statue of Our Lady with a procession round the grounds of the church.

26th APRIL 2009 THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER YEAR B

TODAY‟S MASS TEXTS Entrance Antiphon: Ps 65.1-2 Let all the earth cry out to God with joy; praise the glory of his name; proclaim his glorious praise, alleluia! First Reading Acts 3:13-15.17-19 You killed the prince of life. God, however, raised him from the dead. Responsorial Psalm: Ps 4 R: Lift up the light of your face on us, O Lord. When I call, answer me, O God of justice; from anguish you released me, have mercy and hear me! It is the Lord who grants favours to those whom he loves; the Lord hears me whenever I call him. (R) “What can bring us happiness?” many say. Lift up the light of your face on us, O Lord. I will lie down in peace and sleep comes at once for you alone, Lord, Make me dwell in safety. (R) Second Reading: 1 John 2:1-5 He is the sacrifice that takes our sins away, and not only ours, but the whole world’s. Gospel Acclamation: Luke 24:32 Alleluia, alleluia! Lord Jesus, explain the scriptures to us. Make our hearts burn within us as you talk to us. Alleluia! Gospel: Luke 24:35-48 So you see how it is written that the Christ would suffer and on the third day rise from the dead. During Eastertide we recite the Apostles Creed Preface of Easter 2, Eucharistic Prayer 2 Communion Antiphon: Luke 24:46-47 Christ had to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day. In his name penance for the remission of sins is to be preached to all nations. Alleluia. THE „REGINA CAELI‟ As the Angelus reminds us of the Annunciation and Nativity of Our Lord, so the Regina Caeli reminds us of the Resurrection. The Regina Caeli is said/sung instead of the Angelus during Eastertide. We are singing it after Mass on Sundays. The English translation is found on p. 41 of The Simple Prayer Book. DAY OF PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS – NEXT SUNDAY In his message for next Sunday‟s day of prayer, Pope Benedict says: The vocation to the priesthood and to the consecrated life constitutes a special gift of God which becomes part of the great plan of love and salvation that God has for every man and woman and for the whole of humanity. This gift is not just for the person who receives the vocation but is for the whole community of believers. Please join in praying for this very important intention. The Southwark Vocations Director, Father Stephen Langridge, suggests every parish establish a Parish Vocations Team, a group of people who work together to foster a „culture of vocation‟ in the parish. It would be wonderful to have a PVT in this parish. Please give some prayer and thought to this. PRAYERS FOR THE SICK Please pray for all our sick parishioners, particularly Helen Wright, Shirley Kent and Rita Redman. Names of parishioners who need our prayers can be placed in the box in the church foyer. All our sick parishioners, named and un-named, are remembered in our prayers.

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 Last week a priest friend and I visited Istanbul. We visited many mosques which were once Christian churches, the most famous being the Hagia Sophia. On St George‟s day, however, we found ourselves at the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate where the feast was celebrated with great solemnity in a church packed with pilgrims from Greece as well as the local Greek community. The Eastern Liturgy is quite enthralling, with beautiful chant, rich vestments, incense and ceremonial in which each word and action has great significance. In the picture to the left, the Patriarch stands without his crown and divested of his splendid outer vestment, to listen in simple vestments to the Gospel being chanted by the deacon from a pulpit almost at ceiling level. The altar is hidden behind a screen covered with icons, yet there is a deep sense of participation on the part of the faithful. The chant, the actions, the church structure, speak of a profound sense of mystery, a recognition that the Sacred Liturgy accomplishes something beyond what our senses can perceive. We need to allow ourselves to be taken to a higher realm through the inherent beauty of the Liturgy. Rather than change what we do not understand, let the liturgy reveal to us through its rich symbolism the mystery of our redemption. 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. CHOIR PRACTICE TUESDAYS 7.30PM Newcomers always welcome. BIBLE STUDY THURSDAYS 7.30PM nd Studying St Paul‟s 2 letter to the Corinthians. EVANGELIUM – CATHOLIC FAITH ENQUIRY For all, Catholic or not, who would like to deepen their knowledge of the Catholic faith. Next meeting: tomorrow 7.15 for 7.30pm. Topic: The Sacraments of Confession and Anointing of the Sick ALTAR SERVERS‟ NOTICES th ALTAR SERVERS RALLY, 4 MAY, AYLESFORD This annual rally gives all altar servers in the Southwark diocese a wonderful opportunity to meet other servers, renew their Christian faith and make friends. All servers are very much encouraged to attend and should collect a letter from the sacristy. Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Paul Hendricks, one of the Auxiliary Bishops of Southwark. He will enrol new servers into the Guild of St Stephen. ALTAR SERVERS SUMMERTIME 2009 th th 11 – 14 August, for servers aged 10 – 15, Woldingham School, Surrey, a fun and prayerful few days, includes visit to Chessington World of Adventures. Cost: £129. Booking forms and further information from Fr John. Great time guaranteed! ALTAR SERVERS ROME TRIP There are still some places available on this excellent th th and popular trip. Dates: Tuesday 27 – Thursday 29 October. Cost: £209 (covers flights, bed & breakfast, insurance). Age range: 11-16. Forms available from the sacristy/Fr John. JESUS‟ PRESENCE IN THE EUCHARIST: REAL … OR JUST SYMBOLIC? The most important belief that Catholics may find difficult to explain to non-Catholics (as well as to lapsed Catholics) is the Real Presence of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist. Come and listen to the international lay apologist Raymond de Souza in our church hall at 7.30pm on th Tuesday 12 May and find out how it makes perfect sense to believe that Jesus wanted His Apostles to take him literally, not figuratively, when He consecrated bread and wine at the Last Supper. See poster on notice board and take a handbill with you.

LEGION OF MARY PEREGRINATIO PRO CHRISTO (PPC) Six volunteers (five from Ireland, one from Scotland, five male, one female) from the Legion of Mary will come to carry out a th th PPC project in the parish in the week 6 to 13 June, carrying out home to home visitations in the parish. We need to provide them with accommodation. Can you offer a bed and breakfast to one or more of these volunteers? They are coming to work for the benefit of the parish so I hope that some parishioners will be able to offer some accommodation in return. This could be a time of grace for the parish. As the time for the PPC approaches, we can keep this project in our prayers. If you can help with accommodation please let me or Thereza Baker know. Thank you. Fr John. TH

YEAR OF ST PAUL – AYLESFORD 27 JUNE “PROCLAIM THE GOOD NEWS” Aylesford is a lovely shrine for a family day out. So come with your family to celebrate the Year of St Paul as a diocese with Archbishop Kevin. Those who attended the celebration at Aylesford for the Year of the Eucharist in 2005 will remember what a wonderful occasion it was. Whilst one can use one‟s own means of transport, parking might be a problem. There will be a joint coach for the two Ashford parishes. Please indicate interest in a place on the bus by signing on the notice board. DAY TRIP TO WALSINGHAM – ENGLAND‟S NAZARETH rd 23 July. £20 for adults. £5 for youngsters. Sign up on the list on the notice board as soon as possible so we have an idea of numbers. Situated in Norfolk, Walsingham is England‟s national shrine to Our Lady with a history dating back to 1061. SUMMER ACTIVITIES FOR YOUTH th th Faith Summer Break, 17 – 20 August, for young Catholics aged 11 – 15. Woldingham School, Surrey. Faith talks, discussion, prayer, Mass, swimming & other sports, Chessington World of Adventures. Cost: £120. Brochures available from Fr John. Great week guaranteed! And for young Catholics aged 16+: rd th the Faith Summer Session: 3 – 7 August, also at Woldingham School, Surrey. This year‟s theme: Thy Kingdom Come: The Future of Religion and the Future of the World. Talks, discussions, prayer, social time, access to sports facilities (swimming pool, tennis courts, football pitches). The Summer Session is an excellent opportunity for young Catholics to make friends and to learn more about their faith through inspiring talks and plenty of opportunity to question and discuss. ST. SIMON‟S SCHOOL – VACANCY FOR KS2 TEACHER See notice board for full details of this vacancy at our parish th school to cover maternity leave. Closing date: 14 May 2009. ST LEONARDS-MAYFIELD SCHOOL This independent Catholic boarding and day school for girls aged 11 to 18 has sent information which is on the noticeboard. ACCOMMODATION IN LONDON IN JULY AND AUGUST The Westminster diocesan seminary, Allen Hall in Chelsea, is offering rooms from £35 per night. Further information from 020 7349 5600, [email protected], www.allenhall.org.uk.

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