St Simon Stock Catholic Church

Brookfield Road, South Ashford, Kent TN23 4EU

15th MARCH 2009
Tel: 01233 622399
Parish Priest: Fr John Boyle THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT
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

th
Sunday 15 Entrance Antiphon: Ps 24:15-16
Third Sunday of Lent (B) My eyes are ever fixed on the Lord, for he releases my feet
10.00am Mass (Intentions and welfare of Archbishop from the snare. O look at me and be merciful, for I am
McDonald) wretched and alone.
5.15pm Stations of the Cross First Reading Exodus 20:1-17
6.00pm Mass (For the people of the parish) The law was given through Moses.
th
Monday 16
6.45pm Mass (Patrick Tracey RIP) Responsorial Psalm: Ps 18
Tuesday 17
th R: You have the message of eternal life, O Lord.
St Patrick, bishop of Ireland, feast The law of the Lord is perfect,
9.30am Mass (Tony Shanny RIP) it revives the soul.
followed by Divine Mercy Chaplet & Exposition of The rule of the Lord is to be trusted,
the Blessed Sacrament until 10.30am. it gives wisdom to the simple. (R)
th
Wednesday 18 The precepts of the Lord are right,
9.30am Mass (Rita Redman) they gladden the heart.
th
Thursday 19 The command of the Lord is clear,
St Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Patron of it gives light to the eyes. (R)
the Universal Church, Solemnity The fear of the Lord is holy,
6.45pm Mass (Latin, 1962 Missal) (Jacques Molero RIP) abiding for ever.
th
Friday 20 The decrees of the Lord are truth
9.30am Mass (Harry and Agnes McNicoll) and all of them just. (R)
followed by Stations of the Cross
Saturday 21
st They are more to be desired than gold,
than the purest of gold
9.00am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
and sweeter are they than honey,
10.00am Mass (Ray Hook RIP)
Sunday 22
nd than honey from the comb. (R)
Fourth Sunday of Lent (B) Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:22-25
Laetare Sunday (Mothering Sunday) Here we are preaching a crucified Christ, an obstacle to men, but
10.00am Mass (Mary McGinty) to those who are called, the wisdom of God.
12.00 noon Mass (Extraordinary form Latin, 1962 Missal) Gospel Acclamation: John 11:25-26
(Mary Morgan) Praise to you, O Christ, king of eternal glory! I am the
5.15pm Stations of the Cross resurrection and the life, says the Lord, whoever believes in
6.00pm Mass (For the people of the parish) me will never die. Praise to you, O Christ, king of eternal
glory!
CONFESSIONS/CONSULTATIONS
Saturday: 10.30am, Sunday 9.30am, 5.30pm. Gospel: John 2:13-25
Weekdays: before or after Mass upon request. Destroy this sanctuary, and in three days I will raise it up.
During Lent we shall use the Apostles’ Creed
CHURCH CLEANING (p.9 in The Simple Prayer Book)
th th rd th th
20 Sheila; 27 Sue; April 3 Sue; 10 Tara; 17 Bridie
Preface of Lent 2, Eucharistic Prayer I
COLLECTIONS LAST SUNDAY
Offertory: £489.72, (Gift Aid: £227.65, loose plate: £262.07) + Communion Antiphon: Ps 83:4-5
The sparrow even finds a home, the swallow finds a nest
£99 approx by standing order. To contribute by regular standing
wherein to place her young, near to your altars, Lord of
order please ask for a form. If you are a tax payer and are not
hosts, my King, my God! How happy they who dwell in hour
already using the Gift Aid scheme, please ask for a Gift Aid form.
Second collection: Pontifical Council ‘Cor Unum’: £220.02. house! For ever they are praising you.
Thank you. Second collection today and next Sunday: Parish
Maintenance & Development Fund. ** THIS FRIDAY : TALK ON OLD ASHFORD : THIS FRIDAY **
STATIONS OF THE CROSS IN LENT Mr Richard Filmer, author and speaker, will give an illustrated
On Sunday evenings at 5.15pm and after the Friday morning presentation about Old Ashford this Friday at 7.30 pm in our
Mass. Why not make an effort to participate in this devotion in hall. Tickets at the door or from Shirley Hook (07873 136605) or
Lent? Thereza Baker (07733 064403), priced £2.50 which includes a
glass of wine or tea/coffee; interesting and nostalgic evening
PRAYERS FOR THE SICK guaranteed. Get your tickets now to avoid disappointment.
Please pray for all our sick parishioners. If you know of anyone
who needs our prayers at the present time please place their THANKS FROM THE SORRELL FAMILY
names in the box in the Church foyer. All our sick parishioners, The family have asked that their thanks be conveyed to all who
named and un-named, are remembered in our prayers. supported and prayed for them and their late mother Kathleen
th
and particularly those who attended Kathleen’s funeral on 6
March.

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
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! PARISH BEREAVEMENT MINISTRY TRAINING
DIVINE MERCY PRAYER GROUP For many the loss of a loved one is very difficult to come to terms
after the 9.30am Mass on Tuesdays. Prayers of with. If you think you might have the aptitude to become involved
intercession for various needs and silent in supporting those suffering as a result of bereavement and
adoration of the Blessed Sacrament till 10.30am. would like to take part in a training course, please see Fr John.
MUSIC PRACTICE TUESDAYS 7.30PM PRAYERS FOR OUR ENGAGED COUPLES
Newcomers always welcome. We have seven couples preparing for marriage at the present
time; Paulina Witkowska and Lukasz Wasielczyk (11th July in
BIBLE STUDY THURSDAYS 7.30PM
Poland), Massimo Deidda and Justyna Jaworska (31st July in
Studying St Paul’s letters to the Corinthians. Why
Poland), Agnieszka Hrabka and Grzegorz Koropczyk (15th
not consider joining us for Lent?
August in Poland), Andrew Chapell and Natalie Edy (4th
EVANGELIUM – CATHOLIC FAITH ENQUIRY September in Horley, Surrey), Joanne George and John Frazier
For all, Catholic or not, who would like to deepen their (12th September at St. Simon’s), Kamila Borejsza and Mical
th
knowledge of the Catholic faith. Next meeting: Friday 27 Bednarczyk (12th September in Poland), and Annelize Dawkins
March. Topic: Baptism and Confirmation. and Barry Kersley (12th September at St. Simon’s). Please keep
**NEW** STATIONS OF THE CROSS BOOKS **NEW** them in your prayers. Last Saturday we had a wine and cheese
party in the priest’s house at which married couples with
Two very attractive editions of the Stations of the Cross, one by
experience of marriage ranging from 1 to 57 years joined our
the Venerable John Henry Cardinal Newman and the other by
engaged couples. You can see photos etc. on the parish blog
Father Dominic Allain (a priest of our diocese) are on sale in the
(http://st-simon-parish.blogspot.com/). I made a selection of
repository price £2.50. Excellent aids to your Lenten observance.
married couples to
‘THE EVANGELIST’ invite this year to see
A review of St John’s Seminary, Wonersh, produced by its how the event would
students and free to a good home thanks to donations received. work. All thought it
A number of copies are available in the church foyer, particularly was a great success.
for young lads who might consider a vocation to the priesthood If you did not get an
and for those who would like to commit to prayer for vocations. invitation this year,
AN AUSTRALIAN EVANGELIST TO VISIT ST SIMON’S you might be on the
th list next time round.
This is advance notice of a visit by Raymond de Souza on 12
May. Raymond travels the world giving lively and engaging talks If you would like to
about the Catholic faith, able to inspire old and young to a be involved in any
renewed engagement with their faith. Put this date in your diary way in pre-marriage
as we prepare for his visit. You can find out more about instruction or ‘engagement’ in other ways with couples preparing
Raymond de Souza at his website: for marriage, just let Fr John know. Some of the ‘old hands’
http://www.raymonddesouza.com/. For a preview, visit passed on some excellent tips (with the necessary humour
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXseS_CbK6o on the web. thrown in) to the young enamoured ones. Anything we can do as
a parish community to promote the institution of marriage for the
THE PASSION IN RAP sake of the family will be well worth the effort. Fr John.
Rap may or may not be your thing. Kline is a Christian rapper ST
who has produced a short video on the Passion with shots from FAMILY AND YOUTH DAY, SATURDAY 21 MARCH
Mel Gibson’s The Passion. It might (repeat might) appeal to At Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Blackfen, including a talk by
some. Go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8WdXXHH0T8. Margaret Mizen, the mother of the 16 year old Jimmy Mizen, an
altar server at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Lee, who was
LADIES, DO YOU ARRANGE FLOWERS? murdered in May last year. The day also includes Mass,
Why not join our small team and help with the floral decorations confession, talks and workshops for children, youth and adults.
in our Church, starting at Easter, and possibly be on our rota. If Commences 10.30am, concludes 3.45pm. All welcome. Even if
you would like to help please contact one of the flower ladies, you can’t make it for all the day, arrive when you can and stay as
their names are on the rota on the notice board. The flower long as you can. See notice board for details.
ladies are appealing for Eleagnas variegated, Ivy Hedra,
Rhododendrum, Hypericum tricolour, Mahonia, Phormium and PRO-LIFE HOME COLLECTION BOX
Skimia required for the Easter weekend, but would need to know The season of Lent is a time of penance and alms giving. The
if you can supply any of this foliage by next weekend. Thank most vulnerable and defenceless in our midst are the 600+
you. unborn children aborted daily in our country. To help combat this
grave injustice take home one of the collection boxes that are on
VACANCY AT ST. SIMON OF ENGLAND SCHOOL the table in the church entrance and put in your small change
Our parish primary school has a vacancy for a caretaker. Please during the rest of Lent. All proceeds with go to the Society for
see notice board for full details. 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/