St Simon Stock Catholic Church

Brookfield Road, South Ashford, Kent TN23 4EU

26th APRIL 2009
Tel: 01233 622399
Parish Priest: Fr John Boyle THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER
YEAR B
Saint Simon of England RC Primary School,
Noakes Meadow, Ashford, TN23 2RB. Tel: 01233 623199
Head teacher: Mrs Elizabeth Willis

MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS TODAY‟S MASS TEXTS

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Sunday 26 Entrance Antiphon: Ps 65.1-2
Third Sunday of Easter (B) Let all the earth cry out to God with joy; praise the glory of
10.00am Mass (Mary Kelly RIP) his name; proclaim his glorious praise, alleluia!
12.00noon Mass (Extraordinary form Latin, 1962 Missal) First Reading Acts 3:13-15.17-19
NO POLISH MASS THIS WEEK You killed the prince of life. God, however, raised him from the
6.00pm Mass (People of the parish) dead.
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Monday 27
6.45pm Mass (Holy Souls) Responsorial Psalm: Ps 4
Tuesday 28
h R: Lift up the light of your face on us, O Lord.
St. Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort, priest When I call, answer me, O God of justice;
9.30am Mass (Mary & Michael Kelleher RIP) followed by from anguish you released me, have mercy and hear me!
Divine Mercy Chaplet & Exposition of the Blessed It is the Lord who grants favours to those whom he loves;
Sacrament until 10.30am. the Lord hears me whenever I call him. (R)
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Wednesday 29 “What can bring us happiness?” many say.
St Catherine of Siena, virgin and doctor of the Church, Lift up the light of your face on us, O Lord.
Patron of Europe, feast I will lie down in peace and sleep comes at once
9.30am Mass (Tony Shanny RIP) St. Simon‟s School for you alone, Lord, Make me dwell in safety. (R)
attending
th Second Reading: 1 John 2:1-5
Thursday 30
He is the sacrifice that takes our sins away, and not only ours,
6.45pm Mass (Extraordinary form Latin, 1962 Missal, St
but the whole world’s.
Catherine of Siena) (Intention of Miss E. A. Peverill)
st
Friday 1 May Gospel Acclamation: Luke 24:32
St Joseph the Workman (First Friday) Alleluia, alleluia! Lord Jesus, explain the scriptures to us.
6.45pm Mass (Deceased members & friends of Dunne and Make our hearts burn within us as you talk to us. Alleluia!
Roche families) Gospel: Luke 24:35-48
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Saturday 2 So you see how it is written that the Christ would suffer and on
St Athanasius, bishop and doctor of the Church the third day rise from the dead.
9.00am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament During Eastertide we recite the Apostles Creed
10.00am Mass (Grzegorz Romaniuk RIP) Preface of Easter 2, Eucharistic Prayer 2
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Sunday 3 Communion Antiphon: Luke 24:46-47
Fourth Sunday of Easter (B) Christ had to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third
World Day of Prayer for Vocations to the Priesthood and day. In his name penance for the remission of sins is to be
Religious Life preached to all nations. Alleluia.
10.00am Mass Gabriel & Nial McAvinue RIP) followed by
Crowning of Our Lady and Procession. THE „REGINA CAELI‟
6.00pm Mass (People of the parish) As the Angelus reminds us of the Annunciation and Nativity of
Our Lord, so the Regina Caeli reminds us of the Resurrection.
CONFESSION TIMES The Regina Caeli is said/sung instead of the Angelus during
Weekdays: before or after Mass upon request. Eastertide. We are singing it after Mass on Sundays. The
Saturday: 10.30am; Sundays: ½ hour before Mass English translation is found on p. 41 of The Simple Prayer Book.
CHURCH CLEANING DAY OF PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS – NEXT SUNDAY
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May 1 Sue; 8 Sue; 15 Tara; 22 Bridie; 29 Sheila In his message for next Sunday‟s day of prayer, Pope Benedict
COLLECTIONS LAST SUNDAY says: The vocation to the priesthood and to the consecrated life
Offertory: £399.00, (Gift Aid: £152.88, loose plate: £246.12) + constitutes a special gift of God which becomes part of the great
£99 approx by standing order. To contribute by regular standing plan of love and salvation that God has for every man and
order please ask for a form. If you are a tax payer and are not woman and for the whole of humanity. This gift is not just for the
already using the Gift Aid scheme, please ask for a Gift Aid form. person who receives the vocation but is for the whole community
Second collection: Parish Maintenance & Development Fund: of believers. Please join in praying for this very important
£133.23. Thank you. Second collection today: Parish intention. The Southwark Vocations Director, Father Stephen
Maintenance & Development Fund. Next Sunday: Langridge, suggests every parish establish a Parish Vocations
Ecclesiastical Education (helping to meet the costs of training Team, a group of people who work together to foster a „culture of
students for the permanent diaconate and priesthood and vocation‟ in the parish. It would be wonderful to have a PVT in
supporting on-going formation of the clergy). this parish. Please give some prayer and thought to this.
PRAYERS FOR THE SICK
MAY PROCESSION NEXT SUNDAY
Please pray for all our sick parishioners, particularly Helen
After the 10am Mass next Sunday we will have our annual Wright, Shirley Kent and Rita Redman. Names of parishioners
ceremony of crowning the statue of Our Lady with a procession who need our prayers can be placed in the box in the church
round the grounds of the church. foyer. All our sick parishioners, named and un-named, are
remembered in our prayers.

Email: parish@stsimon.org.uk; 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! LEGION OF MARY PEREGRINATIO PRO CHRISTO (PPC)
Six volunteers (five from Ireland, one from Scotland, five male,
DIVINE MERCY PRAYER GROUP
one female) from the Legion of Mary will come to carry out a
after the 9.30am Mass on Tuesdays. Prayers of th th
PPC project in the parish in the week 6 to 13 June, carrying
intercession for various needs and silent
out home to home visitations in the parish. We need to provide
adoration of the Blessed Sacrament till 10.30am.
them with accommodation. Can you offer a bed and breakfast
CHOIR PRACTICE TUESDAYS 7.30PM to one or more of these volunteers? They are coming to work
Newcomers always welcome. for the benefit of the parish so I hope that some parishioners will
BIBLE STUDY THURSDAYS 7.30PM be able to offer some accommodation in return. This could be a
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Studying St Paul‟s 2 letter to the Corinthians. 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
EVANGELIUM – CATHOLIC FAITH ENQUIRY accommodation please let me or Thereza Baker know.
For all, Catholic or not, who would like to deepen their Thank you. Fr John.
knowledge of the Catholic faith. Next meeting: tomorrow 7.15 TH
for 7.30pm. Topic: The Sacraments of Confession and YEAR OF ST PAUL – AYLESFORD 27 JUNE
Anointing of the Sick “PROCLAIM THE GOOD NEWS”
Aylesford is a lovely shrine for a family day out. So come with
ALTAR SERVERS‟ NOTICES your family to celebrate the Year of St Paul as a diocese with
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ALTAR SERVERS RALLY, 4 MAY, AYLESFORD Archbishop Kevin. Those who attended the celebration at
This annual rally gives all altar servers in the Southwark Aylesford for the Year of the Eucharist in 2005 will remember
diocese a wonderful opportunity to meet other servers, what a wonderful occasion it was. Whilst one can use one‟s own
renew their Christian faith and make friends. All servers means of transport, parking might be a problem. There will be a
are very much encouraged to attend and should collect joint coach for the two Ashford parishes. Please indicate interest
a letter from the sacristy. Mass will be celebrated by in a place on the bus by signing on the notice board.
Bishop Paul Hendricks, one of the Auxiliary Bishops of
DAY TRIP TO WALSINGHAM – ENGLAND‟S NAZARETH
Southwark. He will enrol new servers into the Guild of rd
23 July. £20 for adults. £5 for youngsters. Sign up on the list on
St Stephen.
the notice board as soon as possible so we have an idea of
ALTAR SERVERS SUMMERTIME 2009 numbers. Situated in Norfolk, Walsingham is England‟s national
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11 – 14 August, for servers aged 10 – 15, Woldingham shrine to Our Lady with a history dating back to 1061.
School, Surrey, a fun and prayerful few days, includes
visit to Chessington World of Adventures. Cost: £129. SUMMER ACTIVITIES FOR YOUTH
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Booking forms and further information from Fr John. Faith Summer Break, 17 – 20 August, for young Catholics
Great time guaranteed! aged 11 – 15. Woldingham School, Surrey. Faith talks,
discussion, prayer, Mass, swimming & other sports, Chessington
ALTAR SERVERS ROME TRIP World of Adventures. Cost: £120. Brochures available from Fr
There are still some places available on this excellent John. Great week guaranteed!
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and popular trip. Dates: Tuesday 27 – Thursday 29 And for young Catholics aged 16+:
October. Cost: £209 (covers flights, bed & breakfast, rd th
the Faith Summer Session: 3 – 7 August, also at
insurance). Age range: 11-16. Forms available from Woldingham School, Surrey. This year‟s theme: Thy Kingdom
the sacristy/Fr John. Come: The Future of Religion and the Future of the World. Talks,
discussions, prayer, social time, access to sports facilities
JESUS‟ PRESENCE IN THE EUCHARIST: (swimming pool, tennis courts, football pitches). The Summer
REAL … OR JUST SYMBOLIC? Session is an excellent opportunity for young Catholics to make
The most important belief that Catholics may friends and to learn more about their faith through inspiring talks
find difficult to explain to non-Catholics (as and plenty of opportunity to question and discuss.
well as to lapsed Catholics) is the Real
Presence of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the ST. SIMON‟S SCHOOL – VACANCY FOR KS2 TEACHER
Holy Eucharist. Come and listen to the See notice board for full details of this vacancy at our parish
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international lay apologist Raymond de school to cover maternity leave. Closing date: 14 May 2009.
Souza in our church hall at 7.30pm on ST LEONARDS-MAYFIELD SCHOOL
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Tuesday 12 May and find out how it This independent Catholic boarding and day school for girls aged
makes perfect sense to believe that Jesus 11 to 18 has sent information which is on the noticeboard.
wanted His Apostles to take him literally, not
ACCOMMODATION IN LONDON IN JULY AND AUGUST
figuratively, when He consecrated bread and wine at the Last
The Westminster diocesan seminary, Allen Hall in Chelsea, is
Supper. See poster on notice board and take a handbill with you.
offering rooms from £35 per night. Further information from 020
7349 5600, allenhall@rcdow.org.uk, 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/