Parish Newsletter Sunday 2nd August 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

2nd AUGUST 2009 EIGTHTEETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B

MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS nd Sunday 2 Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B) th 10.00am Mass (In thanksgiving – Tricia Coppin’s 50 birthday) followed by baptism of Henry Brown 6.00pm Mass (People of the parish) rd Monday 3 9.30am Mass (Holy Souls) th Tuesday 4 St John Mary Vianney, priest, patron of the parochial clergy 9.30am Mass (Peggie Fairess RIP) followed by Divine Mercy Chaplet & Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament until 10.30am th Wednesday 5 The Dedication of the Basilca of St Mary Major 9.30am Mass (Roman Zolna RIP) th Thursday 6 The Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ, feast 6.45pm Mass (John Ryan RIP) th Friday 7 St. Cajetan, priest 9.30am Mass (For the healing of Reg Flint) th Saturday 8 St Dominic, priest, 9.00am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 10.00am Mass (For vocations in Year of Priesthood – Mothers Group) th Sunday 9 Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B) 10.00am Mass (People of the parish) 12.00 noon Mass (Latin, 1962 Missal, 10th Sunday after Pentecost) (John Conlon) 6.00pm Mass (Catherine Jane Walkden RIP)

TODAY’S MASS TEXTS Entrance Antiphon Ps 69:2-6 God come to my help, Lord, quickly give me assistance. You are the one who helps me and sets me free: Lord, do not be long in coming.

CONFESSION TIMES Weekdays: before or after Mass upon request. Saturday: 10.30am; Sundays: ½ hour before Mass

Communion Antiphon: Wisdom 16-20 You gave us bread from heaven, Lord: a sweet-tasting bread that was very good to eat.

CHURCH CLEANING th th st th th August 7 Sheila; 14 Sue; 21 Sue; 28 Tara; Sept 5 Bridie COLLECTIONS LAST SUNDAY Offertory: £416.81, (Gift Aid: £206.89, loose plate: £209.92) + £94 approx by standing order. Second collection: Day for Life: £240.30. Thank you. Second collection today and next Sunday: Parish Maintenance & Development Fund. WELCOMERS ROTA If you would like to help distributing the parish and children’s newsletter before the 10am Mass please sign up on the notice board. READERS AND EXTRA-ORDINARY MINISTERS OF COMMUNION If you have not already received your copy by email please pick up your rota for August and September from the table in the foyer. Thank you. WELCOME BACK FATHER PETER Fr. Piotr Kaczmarek spent a number of weeks here last summer supplying for Fr John while he was away on holiday. We look forward to welcoming him back again. He is due to arrive in the th parish tomorrow and will be with us until 17 September.

First Reading Exodus 16:2-4.12-15 I will rain down bread for you from heaven. Responsorial Psalm: Ps 77 R: The Lord gave them bread from heaven. The things we have heard and understood, the things our fathers have told us, we will tell to the next generation: the glories of the Lord and his might. (R) He commanded the clouds above and opened the gates of heaven. He rained down manna for their food, and gave them bread from heaven. (R) Mere men ate the bread of angels. He sent them abundance of food. He bought them to his holy land, to the mountain which his right hand had won. (R) Second Reading: Ephesians 4:17.20-24 Put on the new self that has been created in God’s way. Gospel Acclamation: John 14:5 Alleluia, alleluia! I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, says the Lord; no one can come to the Father except through me. Alleluia! Gospel: John 6:24-35 He who comes to me will never be hungry; he who believes in me will never thirst. Preface of Sunday 6, Eucharistic Prayer 2

INTERESTED IN JOINING THE TEAM OF FLOWER LADIES? You could if you wish work with one of them before going on the rota every 3 months. If you are interested please speak to one of them, their names are on the notice board. PRAYERS FOR THE SICK Please pray for all our sick parishioners, particularly Rita Redman. Names of parishioners who need our prayers can be placed in the box in the church foyer. SPUC MEMBERSHIP DRIVE The results of last week’s drive exceed expectations. Thanks to those who signed up! If anyone else would like to enquire about membership, please see Anne-Marie Homberger or Rufina Ebenebe. Last week’s Day for Life collection was a great success too. Well done. SPUC AGM All are welcome to attend the AGM & Cream Tea at 2pm on th Friday 7 August at 11 Tanners Hill Gardens, Hythe. Proceeds to SPUC (Society for the Protection of Unborn Children). HAVE WE FORGOTTEN WHAT IT IS TO BE CATHOLIC? (7) (From Fit for Mission? Church by Bishop Patrick O’Donoghue) Those who use contraception, IVF and embryonic stem cell research forget they are Catholic.

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

FR. JOHN’S DESKTOP

The Year of prayer for priests which Pope Benedict announced would run from the feast of the th th Sacred Heart 2009 (19 June) to the same feast in 2010 (11 June) was initiated to coincide with th th the 150 anniversary of the death on 4 August 1859 of St. Jean Marie Vianney, also known as the Curé (parish priest) of Ars near Lyons in France. The feast day of a saint is normally kept on the day of his death for this day is considered the saint’s dies natalis, his/her day of birth into eternal life. St. Jean Marie’s feast day is therefore celebrated this coming Tuesday. It would be wonderful if those who are able could make it to Mass. The young Jean Marie did not have an easy path to priesthood. He was not considered very bright. Having failed his exams because of his lack of Latin he was dismissed from the seminary. His parish priest, Father Balley, did not give up on him and asked the Vicar General and the rector of the seminary to examine the young Jean Marie in the familiar surroundings of the parish presbytery. This time Jean Marie responded satisfactorily. In discerning his final decision, the Vicar General asked the following questions: “Is the young Vianney pious?” “Oh yes!” Father Balley replied. “Has he devotion to Our Lady?” “Oh yes!” “Does he know how to say his Rosary?” “Oh yes! He is a model of piety.” “A model of piety!” repeated the Vicar General. “Very well, I shall summon him to come up for ordination. The grace of God will do the rest.” Any good priest knows that he is inadequate for the task entrusted to him. It is by the grace of God that he carries out his priestly ministry. In his letter inaugurating the Year for Priests, Pope Benedict included many quotations from St. Jean Marie which illustrate how he appreciated the greatness of the treasure entrusted to him. “O, how great is the priest!... If he realised what he is, he would die… God obeys him: he utters a few words and the Lord descends from heaven at his voice, to be contained within a small host.” Those called to be priests must be humble, greatly disposed to prayer and desirous of imitating Christ the Good Shepherd. They must be vessels of love. When Father Vianney was sent to be parish priest of Ars, a small village of just 230 souls, his Bishop warned him: “There is little love of God in that parish; you will be the one to put it there.” And so he did by his dedication to catechesis, confession, the Mass, the poor. Thank you for your prayers for our priests. If you can, attend Mass this coming Tuesday. 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. This week offered for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. CHOIR PRACTICE TUESDAYS 7.30PM Newcomers always welcome BIBLE STUDY THURSDAYS 7.30PM Studying the Acts of the Apostles. Newcomers always welcome. YEAR OF PRAYER FOR PRIESTS Come and pray the Rosary for our priests 20 minutes before the morning Masses, Monday to Friday. All are welcome to join. MONTHLY PRAYER REQUESTS FOR PRIESTS August/September list now available in the church entrance. It is most important that priests be encouraged by the knowledge that they are being supported by the prayers of the faithful. YEAR OF PRIESTHOOD A Daily Prayer for Priests Heavenly Father, grant that our priests be strengthened and healed by the power of the Eucharist they celebrate. May the Word they proclaim give them courage and wisdom. We pray that all those whom they seek to serve may see in them the love and care of Jesus our eternal High Priest. Who is Lord for ever and ever. Amen. Mary, Mother of the Church, look tenderly upon your sons, our priests. WHAT HOLY COMMUNION SHOULD ACHIEVE IN US “Our participation in the Body and Blood of Christ aspires to nothing other than to become what we receive.” (St Leo the Great) ST

PARISH AUTUMN FAYRE 31 OCTOBER 12009 Clean jam jars, with or without lids, are required for this year’s Autumn Fayre. Please leave them, bagged, under the table in the church entrance. Thank you

PARISH PILGRIMAGE 2010 Although it was not possible to plan a parish pilgrimage overseas this year, it might be possible to do so next year. Some parishioners have mentioned the possibility of going to the famous Passion Play at Oberammergau in Bavaria, Germany. (See notice board.) This play is only staged every ten years. There are a number of tours possible between May and th st September but a tour from 24 – 31 September has been arranged with the Southwark Archdiocese in mind. Prices range from £975 to £1,375 for a 7-night package, with 5 nights at a mountain village near Lake Como in Italy and 2 nights in Oberammergau itself. (There is also a 3 day (2 night) tour from th th 15 – 17 September priced £650 - £990.) If you are likely to be interested in going to Oberammergau, please sign up on the notice board or let me know. I will look into other possible pilgrimages when I have a response to this enquiry. Fr. John NEW BISHOP OF THE FORCES Pope Benedict has appointed Southwark’s Vicar General, Mgr. Richard Moth, as the new Bishop of the Forces in succession to Bishop Tom Burns who is now Bishop of Menevia. Mgr. Moth’s th Episcopal ordination will take place on 29 September. Further details will be sent out in due course. Archbishop Kevin asks us to keep Mgr. Moth in our prayers as he prepares for his Episcopal ordination. VISIT OF RELICS OF ST THÉRÈSE OF LISIEUX AYLESFORD TH TH 9 – 11 OCTOBER Leaflets containing further information about the visit are available in the church foyer. It promises to be a very successful event. Do ensure you are part of it. If you would like to go by coach or can offer a lift in your car please sign up on the notice board. YOUNG CATHOLIC RETREAT AT DOUAI ABBEY, BERKSHIRE, 18-20 SEPTEMBER 2009 Young Catholic Adults is a group which helps introduce younger people to the Traditional Mass. This weekend retreat for 18.35 year olds will be led by Juventutem Ecclesiastical Assistant Fr. De Malleray. For further details see poster on notice board. Places are limited so please book early.

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