St Simon Stock Catholic Church

Brookfield Road, South Ashford, Kent TN23 4EU

Tel: 01233 622399
Parish Priest: Fr John Boyle 10th MAY 2009
FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
Saint Simon of England RC Primary School,
Noakes Meadow, Ashford, TN23 2RB. Tel: 01233 623199 YEAR B
Head teacher: Mrs Elizabeth Willis

MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS TODAY‟S MASS TEXTS

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Sunday 10 Entrance Antiphon: Ps 97:1-2
Fifth Sunday of Easter (B) Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvellous
10.00am Mass (Titus and Lola‟s intentions) deeds; he has revealed to the nations his saving power,
12.00noon Mass (Latin, 1962 Missal) (Mary Morgan RIP) alleluia.
6.00pm Mass (People of the parish) First Reading: Acts 9:26-31
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Monday 11 Barnabas explained how the Lord had appeared to Saul on his
9.30am Mass (Holy Souls) journey.
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Tuesday 12
9.30am Mass (Geoff Thorp‟s intention) followed by Divine Responsorial Psalm: Ps 21
R: You, Lord, are my praise in the great assembly.
Mercy Chaplet & Exposition of the Blessed
Sacrament until 10.30am. My vows I will pay before those who fear him.
th The poor shall eat and shall have their fill.
Wednesday 13
Our Lady of Fatima They shall praise the Lord, those who seek him.
8.00am Mass (John Persich RIP) May their hearts live for ever and ever! (R)
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Thursday 14 All the earth shall remember and return to the Lord,
6.45pm Mass of St Erkenwald, Bishop, Confessor, (Latin, all families of the nations worship before him.
1962 Missal) (Bridget B.) They shall worship him, all the mighty of the earth;
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Friday 15 before him shall vow all who go down to the dust. (R)
9.30am Mass (Agnes McNicoll RIP) And my soul shall live for him, my children serve him.
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Saturday 16 They shall tell of the Lord to generations yet to come,
St Simon Stock, priest, parish solemnity declare his faithfulness to peoples yet unborn:
(No Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament this morning.) ”These things the Lord has done.” (R)
10.00am Sung Latin Mass (1962 Missal) (Deceased relatives
Second Reading: 1 John 3:18-24
& friends of Dan Treacy)
th His commandments are these: that we believe in his Son and
Sunday 17
that we love one another.
Sixth Sunday of Easter (B)
10.00am Mass (Grateful thanks to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Gospel Acclamation: John 15:4-5
and St. Jude) Alleluia, alleluia! Make your home in me, as I make mine in
6.00pm Mass (People of the parish) you. Whoever remains in me bears fruit in plenty. Alleluia!
Gospel: John 15:1-8
CONFESSION TIMES Whoever remains in me, with me in him, bears fruit in plenty.
Weekdays: before or after Mass upon request. Preface of Easter IV, Eucharistic Prayer I
Saturday: 10.30am; Sundays: ½ hour before Mass
Communion Antiphon: John 15-5
CHURCH CLEANING I am the vine and you are the branches, says the Lord; he
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15 Tara; 22 Bridie; 29 Sheila; June 5 Sue; 8 Sue who lives in me, and I in him, will bear much fruit.
COLLECTIONS LAST SUNDAY
Offertory: £302.90, (Gift Aid: £147.00, loose plate: £155.90) + HELEN WRIGHT RIP
£99 approx by standing order. Second collection: Ecclesiastical Please pray for the repose of the soul of Helen Wright, late of
Education: £138.16. Thank you. Second collection today and nd
Homestead, Singleton, who died on Saturday 2 May. Her body
next Sunday: Parish Maintenance & Development Fund. th
will be received into the church at 4.30pm on Monday 18 May
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with a funeral service (not Mass) at 1.30pm on Tuesday 19 .
JESUS‟ PRESENCE IN THE EUCHARIST: May. A Mass will be offered at a later date. May she rest in
REAL … OR JUST SYMBOLIC? peace.
The most important belief that Catholics may
find difficult to explain to non-Catholics (as well THE „REGINA CAELI‟
as to lapsed Catholics) is the Real Presence of As the Angelus reminds us of the Annunciation and Nativity of
Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist. Our Lord, so the Regina Caeli reminds us of the Resurrection.
Come and listen to the international lay The Regina Caeli is said/sung instead of the Angelus during
apologist Raymond de Souza in our church Eastertide. We are singing it after Mass on Sundays. The
hall at 7.30pm on Tuesday and find out how it English translation is found on p. 41 of The Simple Prayer Book.
makes perfect sense to believe that Jesus
PRAYERS FOR THE SICK
wanted His Apostles to take him literally, not
Please pray for all our sick parishioners, particularly Shirley Kent,
figuratively, when He consecrated bread and wine at the Last
Rita Redman, Catherine Boccarro, and Stephen Baker. Names
Supper. See poster on notice board and take a handbill with you.
of parishioners who need our prayers can be placed in the box in
FEAST OF ST SIMON 16 MAY
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Next Saturday the 10.00am Mass will be a Sung Latin Mass in named, are remembered in our prayers.
the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite. The St Bede‟s Schola CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR SERVERS
from Clapham Park parish will lead the singing. Mass booklets enrolled into the Guild of St Stephen last Monday at Aylesford:
will be provided to enable all to follow and participate. Antonia Baker, Nesochukwu Ebenebe, Thomson Jose, Callum
O‟Neill, Alex Shamoon, Marc & Ysabel Standish, Emeka Njoku.
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
Our parish church is dedicated to St Simon Stock whose feast day is on Saturday. We therefore rely on his
intercession from heaven to watch over our parish community and look to his life for inspiration. So, who was he?
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Simon was born in Kent around 1165 and died on 16 May 1265. So he lived about a hundred
years. As a young man he joined the Carmelite Order which had just come to England. He spent
several years on Mount Carmel in Palestine. In 1247 in Aylesford he was elected General of the
Carmelite Order. He founded Carmelite houses in university cities such as Cambridge, Oxford, Paris
and Bologna. The Carmelites were facing difficulties in gaining acceptance by the secular clergy and
the toleration of other religious orders. So they prayed to Our Lady who appeared to St Simon telling
him to apply to Pope Innocent IV for full approval, which they duly obtained. Mary presented the
Carmelite scapular to St Simon saying: “This shall be the privilege for you and for all Carmelites, that
anyone dying in this habit shall be saved.” Now all Catholics can avail themselves of this special
protection from Mary by being enrolled in the Brown Scapular.
This week we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Fatima who appeared to three little children for
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the first time on 13 May 1917 and then every month up to and including October. In the last
apparition Mary appeared as Our Lady of Mount Carmel, holding out the Brown Scapular to the world.
One of the visionaries, Sister Lucia, said that wearing the Brown Scapular is a sign of consecration to
the Immaculate Heart of Mary. As a spiritual Mother, Mary prays for the wearer so that he/she may
obtain the grace of final perseverance and the grace to resist temptations to sin.
I know that a number of parishioners already wear the scapular. If others would like to be enrolled with the Brown
Scapular, I shall do this after next Saturday‟s morning Mass. Fr John.
REGULAR EVENTS – COME ALONG! in our church hall next Sunday from 4 to 5.30pm. It would be nice
to have a number of people from St Simon‟s. It is always good to
DIVINE MERCY PRAYER GROUP
take the opportunity of getting to know our fellow Christians and
after the 9.30am Mass on Tuesdays. Prayers of
find out what they are doing. If you can help provide tea/coffee
intercession for various needs and silent adoration
etc. after the meeting, please let Fr John or Thereza Baker know.
of the Blessed Sacrament till 10.30am.
MASS TO CELEBRATE MARRIAGE
CHOIR PRACTICE TUESDAYS 7.30PM
All are invited to attend a special Mass to be celebrated by
Newcomers always welcome. This week: Monday.
Archbishop Kevin McDonald at Aylesford Priory on Saturday
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BIBLE STUDY THURSDAYS 7.30PM 30 May at 3.00pm. Couples and their families are especially
Studying St Paul‟s second letter to the Corinthians. welcome to celebrate and demonstrate the value of marriage
EVANGELIUM – CATHOLIC FAITH ENQUIRY and family life. Why not arrive early and take a picnic lunch?
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For all, Catholic or not, who would like to deepen their YEAR OF ST PAUL – AYLESFORD 27 JUNE
knowledge of the Catholic faith. Next meeting this Friday, 7.15 “PROCLAIM THE GOOD NEWS”
for 7.30pm. Topic: Scripture and Tradition. A coach has now been arranged for a joint trip with St Teresa‟s.
PARISH ADVISORY COUNCIL It will leave our church car park at 10.15am and will depart from
th Aylesford for the return journey at 4.30pm; cost £10 each.
Next meeting: Monday 18 May. Please let Thereza Baker know
Please sign up on the notice board to reserve a coach seat.
if there is anything you think needs to be put on the agenda.
RD DAY TRIP TO WALSINGHAM – ENGLAND‟S NAZARETH
DAY WITH MARY 23 MAY rd
23 July. £20 for adults, £5 for youngsters. Sign up on the list
All parishioners and their families are warmly encouraged to take
on the notice board as soon as possible so we have an idea of
part in the forthcoming „Day with Mary‟ here at St Simon‟s from
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10.00am to 5.30pm on Saturday 23 May. The day consists of numbers. Situated in Norfolk, Walsingham is England‟s national
shrine to Our Lady with a history dating back to 1061.
a programme of prayers, devotions, Mass and sermons in
honour of Our Lady. Bring a packed lunch. If you cannot come ALTAR SERVERS SUMMER ACTIVITIES
for all the day, come for part of it. See poster for details and take Full details about the previously advertised summer activities for
a handbill from the church foyer. altar servers are available from the sacristy. Please book as
PARISH VOCATIONS TEAM soon as you can for a guaranteed great time.
As mentioned last week, The Southwark Vocations Office is SUMMER ACTIVITIES FOR YOUTH
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encouraging the establishment of Parish Vocations Teams Faith Summer Break, 17 – 20 August, for young Catholics
throughout the diocese. A Vocations Team is a group of people aged 11 – 15.
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committed to ensuring that we develop a „culture of vocation‟ in Faith Summer Session: 3 – 7 August., for young Catholics
our parishes. It does this through simple ideas and initiatives to aged 16+.
help us recognise, celebrate, encourage and pray for vocations. Both at Woldingham School, Surrey. Full details and applications
If you would like to help set up a Parish Vocations Team please forms available from Fr John, the sacristy or parish office.
sign on the sheet on the notice board or speak to Fr. John.
PADRE PIO PRAYER – NEW CD RELEASE
PARISH CONFIRMATIONS Please see the handbills in the church foyer for details of a new
Please keep our young people who are preparing for CD with three choral settings of Padre Pio‟s Prayer „Stay with
Confirmation in your prayers. Bishop John Hine will be coming to Me, Lord.‟ You can listen to a very beautiful extract at
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the parish on Friday 5 June to confer the sacrament. www.thesixteen.com and order direct from the same website.
FIRST COMMUNION ARRANGEMENTS
The First Holy Communion Mass will take place at 12 noon on ACCOMMODATION URGENTLY NEEDED
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Trinity Sunday, 7 June. The following Sunday, Corpus Christi, A mother of a premature baby urgently needs accommodation (a
there will be a procession of the Blessed Sacrament after the room) for 1 month in close vicinity of William Harvey Hospital in
10am Mass followed by a celebration for all the children and order to be able to visit her baby daily in the Special Care Baby
parishioners in the Hall. Please pray for all the children and their Unit (mother does not have own transport). She can cover her
families in these final weeks of preparation. own living expenses and a small rent if required. If you are able
to help please contact Ronni or Lorraine at the Good Counsel
CHURCHES TOGETHER IN ASHFORD AGM Network on 0800 0962518 or 020 7723 1740.
Churches Together in Ashford holds its annual general meeting

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