St Simon Stock Catholic Church 22nd MARCH 2009

Brookfield Road, South Ashford, Kent TN23 4EU

FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT
Tel: 01233 622399
Parish Priest: Fr John Boyle LAETARE SUNDAY
MOTHERING SUNDAY
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 HYMN INTROIT FOR 10.00AM
nd earth, rejoice,
Sunday 22 TEXTS MASS
Praise God, and raise
Fourth Sunday of Lent (B) Entrance Antiphon: Rejoice, Jerusalem!
a joyful And come,
voice,
Laetare Sunday (Mothering Sunday) cf. Isaiah 66:10-11 All those whoSing
lovepsalms
her glorious
and face.
10.00am Mass (Mary McGinty) Rejoice, Jerusalem! Be Rejoice, distressed andname,
mournful
glorify his
12.00 noon Mass (Extraordinary form Latin, 1962 Missal) glad for her, you who souls, Give joyful praises all
(Mary Morgan) love her; rejoice with And be consoled by her embrace.
the same.
4.00pm Mass in Polish her, you who mourned
5.15pm Stations of the Cross for her, you who will Jerusalem: with what great joy
Proclaim to God,
6.00pm Mass (For the people of the parish) find contentment at her I heard them “Your
say, “Let us go
rd deeds arethere!”
Monday 23 consoling breasts. And now at last e take our stand
great,
6.45pm Mass (Holy Souls) Within her gates
th First Reading Yourtoenemies
make our areprayer.
Tuesday 24 2 Chronicles 36:14- soon dismayed.”
9.30am Mass (Betty Gogarty RIP) 16.19-23 Jerusalem: aAll
cityearth
builtreveres and
followed by Divine Mercy Chaplet & Exposition of The wrath and mercy of To be a placeworships
of unity; you,
the Blessed Sacrament until 10.30am. God are revealed in the The tribes goAdores,
up, the and
tribes of God,
th sings
Wednesday 25 To praise God‟s
exile and in the release of yourname eternally.
praises, too.
The Annunciation of Our Lord, Solemnity his people.
9.30am Mass (Jack Donohoe) Jerusalem: within your walls all the
th Responsorial Psalm: Come, witness
Thursday 26 The thrones of justice serve God‟s
Ps 136 Lord has done,
NO MASS will;
th R: O let my tongue He is the awesome
Friday 27 The ancient thrones of David‟s house
cleave to my mouth if I Holy One;
9.30am Mass (Janet Dorey RIP) Stand and unite God‟s people
remember you not! He turned the seastill.
into
followed by Stations of the Cross
th By the rivers of Babylon dry land,
Saturday 28 Jerusalem: pray
there we sat and wept, Theyforpassed
her peace:
through
9.00am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament “May all who itlove you find success;
remembering Zion; at his command.
10.00am Mass (Tony Shanny RIP) Peace be to all within you walls,
5.30pm Holy Qurbana - Mass in the Syro Malabar Rite on the poplars that grew
th there And in your towers
To God, quietness.”
the Triune
Sunday 29
we hung up our harps. One, we raise
Fifth Sunday of Lent (B) Jerusalem: for comrades‟
(R) Eternal songssakeof joyful
10.00am Mass (Emily Rumjan RIP) My prayers for you will never cease;
praise.
12.00 noon Mass (Extraordinary form Latin, 1962 Missal) For it was there that they Because God‟s house in standing
O Father, Son, and
(Edmundo Lista RIP) asked us, our captors, for here, Paraclete,
5.15pm Stations of the Cross songs, I prayer forever
Wefor you peace.
praise your name
6.00pm Mass (For the people of the parish) our oppressors, for joy.
in word and deed.
”Sing to us,” they said, All glory to the Father, Son,
CONFESSIONS/CONSULTATIONS ”one of Zion‟s songs. (R) And to the Holy Spirit be;
Saturday: 10.30am, Sunday 9.30am, 5.30pm. O how could we sing the As from the first it was, is now,
Weekdays: before or after Mass upon request. song of the Lord And will be for eternity.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS IN LENT on alien soil? © 1986 Christopher L Webber
Sundays at 5.15pm and after the Friday morning Mass. Why not If I forget you, Jerusalem, By permission.
make an effort to participate in this devotion in Lent? let my right hand wither!
(R)
**NEW** STATIONS OF THE CROSS BOOKS **NEW**
Two very attractive editions of the Stations of the Cross, one by O let my tongue cleave to my mouth
the Venerable John Henry Cardinal Newman and the other by if I remember you not,
Father Dominic Allain (a priest of our diocese) are on sale in the if I prize not Jerusalem
repository price £2.50. Excellent aids to your Lenten observance. above all my joys! (R)
CHURCH CLEANING Second Reading: Ephesians 2:4-10
th rd th th th You who were dead through your sins have been saved through
27 Sue; April 3 Sue; 10 Tara; 17 Bridie; 24 Sheila
grace.
COLLECTIONS LAST SUNDAY
Offertory: £369.16, (Gift Aid: £154.00, loose plate: £215.16) + Gospel Acclamation: John 3:16
£99 approx by standing order. Second collection today and next Glory and praise to you, O Christ! God loved the world so
Sunday: Parish Maintenance & Development Fund: £105.85. much that he gave his only Son: everyone who believes in
Thank you. him has eternal life. Glory and praise to you. O Christ!

FLOWERS FOR EASTER Gospel: John 3:14-21

The 2
nd
collection on Palm Sunday will be for the floral God sent his Son so that through him the world might be saved.
decoration of the church this Easter. Your generous Preface of Lent 1, Eucharistic Prayer 3
contributions together with the work of our florists always ensure Communion Antiphon: Ps 121:3-4
our church looks lovely at Easter. Thank you. To Jerusalem, that binds them together in unity, the tribes of
the Lord go up to give him praise.
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
On my visits to families of the children and young people preparing for First Holy Communion and Confirmation, I
learn a lot about the challenges, joys and difficulties of family life. One also learns about different cultures. Yesterday one
of our Cameroonian parishioners gave a completely different impression of the Pope‟s visit to his country to that given by
the British media which seem to be obsessed with condoms. I was told about the great welcome the Pope has received in
Africa. In both Cameroons and Angola, the Pope packed stadiums for his Masses and the streets were filled with
excitement as the Pope drove through and people made their way to the Masses. (See the parish blog for reports.)
Our parishioners also told me about the harmony that exists between the various religious groups in their countries.
(A Moslem lady was staying with the family.) Here is how the great imam of Yaoundé, Sheik Ibrahim Moussa, welcomed
the Pope to the Cameroons: "In the Koran, the prophet Mohammed recommends to welcome the foreigners, because
very often they come with peace. Therefore, for us, the coming of the Pope is a blessing." Sheik Moussa appealed to
faithful Muslims to "respect the religion of others and to unite to welcome this great man." The local press reported the
sheikh as saying: "We consider the Pope as a great imam… We pray that his stay goes well and that he returns to his
home in peace." He said: "We have a good opinion of him, above all we live peacefully with the Catholic faithful, in fact,
we pray to one God. Thus, Muslims are as happy as they are to receive the Pope here in our country." Surely there can
be hope for peace among men. Fr John
REGULAR EVENTS – COME ALONG! looks too plain. If you have a view, let me know. Fr John.
DIVINE MERCY PRAYER GROUP VISITORS’ COMMENTS
after the 9.30am Mass on Tuesdays. Prayers of Parishioners will no doubt be pleased to know that visitors
intercession for various needs and silent regularly comment on the appearance and prayerful atmosphere
adoration of the Blessed Sacrament till 10.30am. of our church. A funeral director recently remarked on what a
MUSIC PRACTICE TUESDAYS 7.30PM lovely church we have and the effort parishioners must make to
Newcomers always welcome. ensure it is clean and well kept. Visitors on their way to Rome
last Sunday said how lovely our church is and took photos.
BIBLE STUDY THURSDAYS 7.30PM
Thanks to everyone who takes pride in our parish church.
Studying St Paul‟s letters to the Corinthians. Why
not consider joining us for Lent? No meeting this LEGION OF MARY EAST KENT CURIA ACIES
week. NEXT SUNDAY
The Annual Acies Ceremony for the Legion of Mary East Kent
EVANGELIUM – CATHOLIC FAITH ENQUIRY
Curia is to take place, this year, at Virgin Mother of Good
For all, Catholic or not, who would like to deepen their
Counsel Catholic Church, Hythe, CT21 5LS next Sunday at 3.00
knowledge of the Catholic faith. Next meeting: this Friday Topic:
pm. Anyone interested in the Legion of Mary; past, present or
Baptism and Confirmation.
future is more than welcome to join us.
DIVINE MERCY HOUSE PRAYER GROUP THE GOOD COUNSEL NETWORK NATIONAL DAY OF
th
Wednesday 8 April, 23 Cleves Way. 10.00 to 11.30am. Prayer PRAYER & FASTING FOR LIFE
and social. All welcome. Contact Kathleen 625428. th
On Tuesday 24 March, the Vigil of the Annunciation, please
LEGION OF MARY PEREGRINATIO PRO CHRISTO (PPC) pray and fast for the end of abortion and euthanasia. Your prayer
Some volunteers from the Legion of Mary have offered to carry and fasting is urgently needed. See notice board.
th th
out a PPC project in the parish in the week 6 to 13 June. PPC ASSISTED SUICIDE
volunteers, in a spirit of prayer and sacrifice, spend a week in a This matter has received more media attention recently. The
parish and aim to visit all the houses in the area and present the former health secretary Patricia Hewitt MP is pressing for a
faith to everyone. They generally work a full day in three change in the law so that it would no longer be against the law to
sessions: morning, afternoon and evening. All that the parish has take a relative or friend abroad to assist them in ending their
to do is to provide accommodation. A financial contribution is lives. She has also stated publicly that she wishes the whole
payable to the host. If hosts in the parish cannot be found then matter to be debated and there will, no doubt, be further attempts
cheap accommodation will need to be arranged. As the time for to liberalise the law in the future. Ms Hewitt‟s amendment is due
the PPC approaches, we can keep this project in our prayers. to be debated in Parliament tomorrow and Tuesday. „Right to
Could you offer bed and breakfast to one or more of the Life‟ has asked that as many as possible telephone their MPs on
volunteers? If so please let Fr John or Thereza Baker know. 0207 219 3000 to ask them to vote against any amendment that
MONTHLY PRAYER REQUESTS FOR PRIESTS would legalise euthanasia or assisted suicide. Please do so.
April and May lists available from the table in the foyer. ROSARY CRUSADE FOR THE UNBORN
APF BOXES Can you commit to saying the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary on
There are still a small number of boxes that have not been the feast of the Annunciation (this Wednesday) and then every
returned for counting. Please return them by next Sunday as Saturday until Christmas Day to intercede for the lives of unborn
Eileen has to submit her return by the end of the month. Thanks babies throughout the world who have no protection under the
ANOTHER RAP VIDEO law? Details available in the church foyer.
Following last week‟s mention of a rap video about the Passion PRAYERS FOR THE SICK
of Our Lord, a young parishioner has written: “Some time ago my Please pray for all our sick parishioners. If you know of anyone
friend‟s girl friend had an abortion. I sent him a song from you who needs our prayers at the present time please place their
tube. Maybe you would like to listen to it: names in the box in the Church foyer. All our sick parishioners,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_UpcSz5DTg.” named and un-named, are remembered in our prayers.
THE IRISH POST
From next week for a trial period copies of the Irish Post will be NOEL KILROE RIP
on sale in the church. If they go we‟ll put in a regular order. Mr Kilroe, a former parishioner of South Ashford but lately of
th
PLAIN WALLS OR PICTURES? Brecon Rise (Quantock Drive) died on 13 March. His funeral
Some years ago when I put pictures of saints in the church, will take place at St Teresa‟s, Ashford, at 12 noon on Tuesday.
some parishioners welcomed them; others thought they May he rest in peace.
detracted from the simplicity of the church. Since redecoration, I
have not put the pictures back as the church looked quite nice
with just the Stations of the Cross on the walls, but some think it
To catch up on previous newsletters visit http://www.stsimon.org.uk/Newsletters/. Parish blog: http://st-simon-parish.blogspot.com/