St Simon Stock Catholic Church

Brookfield Road, South Ashford, Kent TN23 4EU

14th DECEMBER 2008
Tel: 01233 622399
Parish Priest: Fr John Boyle THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
YEAR B
Saint Simon of England RC Primary School,
Noakes Meadow, Ashford, TN23 2RB. Tel: 01233 623199 GAUDETE SUNDAY
Head teacher: Mrs Elizabeth Willis

MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS TODAY’S MASS TEXTS

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Sunday 14
Third Sunday of Advent (B) Entrance Antiphon: Philippians 4:4.5
Gaudete Sunday Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice! The Lord is
10.00am Mass (Bill Major RIP) near.
12.00 noon Mass (Latin, 1962 Missal) (Intentions of Cecil
First Reading: Isaiah 61:1-2.10-11
Roberts)
I exult for joy in the Lord.
6.00pm Mass (For the people of the parish)
Monday 15
th Responsorial Psalm: Luke 1:46-50.53-54
6.45pm Mass (Francesco Lanzino RIP) R: My soul rejoices in my God.
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Tuesday 16 My soul glorifies the Lord,
9.00am Mass (Mr. & Mrs. F Fitzgerald RIP) followed by my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.
Divine Mercy Chaplet & Exposition of the Blessed He looks on his servant in her nothingness;
Sacrament until 10.00 henceforth all ages will call me blessed. (R)
7.00pm Advent Penitential Service with individual The almighty works marvels for me.
confessions. Holy his name!
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Wednesday 17 His mercy is from age to age,
9.00am Mass (Giuseppe Barbetta RIP) on those who fear him. (R)
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Thursday 18
He fills the starving with good things,
6.45pm Mass (Latin, 1962 Missal) (Anniversary thanksgiving)
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Friday 19
He protects Israel, his servant,
9.30am Mass (Deceased parents & brothers of Sheila Major)
remember his mercy. (R)
St. Simon’s School end of term Mass
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Saturday 20 Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
9.00am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament May you all be kept safe, spirit, soul and body, for the coming of
10.00am Mass (In thanksgiving for family & friends) the Lord.
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Sunday 21 Gospel Acclamation: Luke 4:18
Fourth Sunday of Advent (B) Alleluia, alleluia! The spirit of the Lord has been given to me.
10.00am Mass (Ashleigh Crook RIP) He has sent me to bring good news to the poor. Alleluia!
6.00pm Mass (For the people of the parish)
Gospel: John 1:6-8.19-28
CONFESSIONS/CONSULTATIONS There stands among you - unknown to you – the one who is
Saturday: 10.30am, Sunday 9.30am, 5.30pm. coming after me.
Weekdays: before or after Mass upon request. Preface of Advent I, Eucharistic Prayer 1
CHURCH CLEANING Communion Antiphon: Isaiah 35:4
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19 Sue; 26 Tara; Jan 2 Bridie; 9 Sheila; 16 Sue Say to the anxious: be strong and fear not, our God will
come to save us.
COLLECTIONS LAST WEEK
Offertory: £346.75, (Gift Aid: £175.71, loose plate: £171.04) +
£99 approx by standing order. To contribute by a regular PRAYERS FOR THE SICK
standing order please ask for a form. If you are a tax payer and Please keep in your prayers all our sick parishioners. If you know
are not already using the Gift Aid scheme, please ask for a Gift of anyone who needs our prayers at the present time, please
Aid form. Second collection: Annual Mission Appeal: £416.46. place their names in the box in the Church foyer.
Thank you. Second collection today: Flowers for Christmas.
Next Sunday: Parish Maintenance & Development Fund. TONIGHT: A CONCERT FOR
CHRISTMAS WITH THE
ANNUAL MISSION APPEAL ASHFORD INVICTA SINGERS
Thank you for your generosity following Fr. Cadwallader’s in the Church Hall, 7.00 for
mission appeal last Sunday for funds to help in the education of 7.30pm start. Tickets,
missionaries in the Democratic Republic of Congo. As Fr. available at the door and
Cadwallader stated the money raised will go directly to those from the repository: Adults
involved in mission and education. £4, Children £2, Family
FLOWERS FOR CHRISTMAS ticket £10. Seasonal
Today’s second collection will go towards the cost of the floral refreshments provided. There
decoration of our church this Christmas. Thank you. will also be a raffle.
THANK YOU NIGHT OF PRAYER LAST WEEKEND
to all who responded to the flower ladies’ call for greenery for the Many thanks – and well done – to those who spent some time in
Christmas flower displays. th
the Church during the night of Friday 5 – Saturday 6
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December praying before Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament,

an occasion of grace for them and for the parish. To be
repeated!

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
“In loco isto dabo pacem.” (In this place I will give peace.) These words from the prophet Haggai form the motto of
Pluscarden Abbey near Elgin in the north of Scotland, and it was to Pluscarden that I retreated for some days of prayer
and reflection last week. Pluscarden is a community of Benedictine monks who live perfect chastity, poverty and
obedience for the sake of the Kingdom of God. In the spirit of St Benedict they seek a perfect balance between prayer
and work. Occupying themselves with different forms of work (tending the fields that provide their food, cooking, cleaning,
painting, study, writing…) their primary duty is the celebration of the liturgy. Their first Office of the day is celebrated at
4.45am as they chant psalms and other parts of Scripture in Latin, with the central act of worship being the Conventual
Mass, again chanted in Latin (the readings being read in English). Last Sunday the first of the Bidding Prayers read at
Mass was for parish priests that, as they seek to help the busy people of their parishes in this pre-Christmas time, they
might find time and opportunity themselves to dwell on what is essential, a most appropriate prayer for me and one I
greatly appreciated.
At this time, with its gloomy weather and short days, the Christmas carols and songs being sung and played – even
in the supermarkets – communicate joy and can be a reminder to us, as we go about the necessary business of buying
those things that will help us celebrate the feast, of why we might be spending a little more than normal, and buying things
that we wouldn’t buy at a different time of the year. They can help us keep our minds on what is essential.
Three times during Advent the Church offers the following prayer after Communion: Father, you give us food from
heaven. By our sharing in this mystery, teach us to judge wisely the things of earth and to love the things of heaven. By
our wise judgement of the things of earth, which in themselves are good, we are less likely to place our hopes in them
and more likely to place our hopes in Christ for whose coming we are preparing. Our Lord comes to us particularly
whenever we are present at Mass and receive Him in Holy Communion. Our receiving of Holy Communion – the food
from heaven – is a means of grace by which God helps us to love the things of heaven. Only by loving the things of
heaven can we truly find peace.
Our reception of Holy Communion is also a call to mission, to share the heavenly love of Christ with those around
us. Our Lord, after all, came into this world so that all might know the love of the Father. We are called to remind others of
the real, deep, happiness that God wishes them to have. Perhaps we need reminding ourselves. The reading from last
Friday’s Mass from the prophet Isaiah brings a gentle fatherly reproof for the times when we forget this: If only you had
been alert to my commandments, your happiness would have been like a river, your integrity like the waves of the sea.
Your children would have been numbered like the sand, your descendants as many as its grains. Never would your name
have been cut off or blotted out before me. (Is 48:18-19) How many times in our lives have we had to say: “if only.”
For many there will be increased occasions for celebration in the coming week or so: parties, Christmas dinners,
pantomimes, carol concerts, nativity plays… All these things are good and wholesome insofar as they help people share
the joy and happiness of the forthcoming feast. But it is God our Father who affords us true happiness in this season and
always as we prepare to receive His Son more deeply in our hearts. Rejoice in the Lord always! Fr John
ADVENT PENITENTIAL SERVICE PRO-LIFE PRAYER VIGIL MAIDSTONE THIS WEDNESDAY
THIS TUESDAY 7.00PM A vigil by The Helpers of God’s Precious Infants led by Fr.
Guest preacher: Monsignor Timothy Michael Woodgate. If you wish to join, meet at St. Francis
Galligan. Visiting priests will hear Church, Week Street, Maidstone after 10am Mass for a prayerful
confessions (including in Polish). Mgr and peaceful procession to the Marie Stopes abortion facility in
Galligan, parish priest at Bearsted and Brewer Street and vigil ending at noon. Details on notice board.
Harrietsham, was for a number of years CHRISTMAS MASSES
on the staff of the Pontifical Council for Please collect a card with details of Mass times for Christmas.
Christian Unity. He continues as a The obligation to attend Mass at Christmas may be fulfilled by
Consultor to the same Council. attending the Vigil Mass on Christmas Eve evening, Midnight
Seasonal refreshments afterwards. Mass or any of the Masses on Christmas Day.
MSZA ADWENTOWA, W NAJBLIŻSZY CHRISTMAS OFFERINGS
WROTEK, O GODZINIE 19.00 The offertory collection taken during the Vigil, Midnight &
Będzie możliwość odbycia spowiedzi po polsku. Sezonowy Christmas Day Masses is traditionally your personal gift to the
bufet potem. parish clergy. A priest’s income is normally whatever he receives
from the parish (mainly Mass offerings). The collection at
REGULAR EVENTS Christmas forms an important part of his income for the year and
DIVINE MERCY PRAYER GROUP enables him to meet personal expenses, give alms to the poor,
after the 9.00am Mass on Tuesday. Prayers of save for a replacement car, etc. Envelopes are available in the
intercession for various needs and silent foyer for those who are not in the Gift Aid Scheme. If you can gift
adoration of the Blessed Sacrament till 10am. aid your offering, the parish can benefit from the tax refund. If
CHOIR PRACTICES you are not already a member of the Gift Aid scheme and wish to
Practice dates and times for Advent and gift aid your offering, please indicate your wish to Gift Aid by
Christmas: tomorrow 7.30 – 9.00 pm; Tuesday writing your name and address on the envelope provided, or use
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23 6.30pm. Newcomers always welcome (not one of the Gift Aid envelopes available in the church foyer. Gift
necessarily to join the choir; any parishioner is aided offerings made by cheque must be made payable to "St.
welcome to come along and maybe learn Simon Stock Catholic Church". If you are away at Christmas, you
something new). can always hand in your offering before you go. Thank you.
BIBLE STUDY Thursdays 7.30pm ST SIMON’S SCHOOL ADMISSIONS SEPTEMBER 2009
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Taking a break for Christmas. Next meeting: 8 January. Last date for applications for admission to our parish primary
EVANGELIUM – CATHOLIC FAITH ENQUIRY th
school in September 2009 is 16 January. See notice board for
For all, Catholic or not, who would like to deepen their dates of open afternoons for prospective parents/guardians.
knowledge of the Catholic faith. Next meeting: this Friday. ST SIMON’S SCHOOL CHRISTMAS BAZAAR
Topic: Natural Law and the Ten Commandments. The PTA would like to thank all those who supported yesterday’s
school bazaar.