Newsletters
Easter Prayer Sheet Year A 10 April 2020
CATHOLIC PARISH OF ST THOMAS MORE & ST THOMAS OF CANTERBURY, WEST MALLING
EASTER PRAYER SHEET (YEAR A)
(A) LIVING THE EASTER DAYS
The 40 Days of Easter are as important as the 40 Days of Lent as they help us to make the new life we have been given through this Lent, Holy Week and Easter real in our lives. In these Easter Days the Risen Lord walks closely with us, as he did with the Apostles after the first Easter, to help us, with continued prayer and love, to build his new life and resurrection in our lives. This Prayer Sheet is offered as a help for us to do this as individuals and as families.
(B) THE EASTER CANDLE
The idea is for each Home in the Parish to have its own “Easter Candle” which will be blessed and lit from the Easter Candle in Church at Mass on Easter Sunday (or on a subsequent date if you were unable to get a candle or be at Mass here at Easter). The Easter Candle is the symbol of the Risen Lord’s special presence among us in the 40 days of Easter both in Church and at Home. It should be lit daily and become a focal point for prayer at home as it will be lit daily in the Church
(C) A FORM OF SERVICE FOR THE HOME (for families and individuals)
- Light the candle saying:- ‘MAY THE EASTER LIGHT OF JESUS BE WITH US HERE TODAY’
- Read through or sing one of the Hymns and Songs overleaf.
- Read the Theme and Prayer for the week below.
- Bring your day and yourself to the Risen Jesus – the day that is past and the day that is coming – thank him for the good things and ask his help where you need it (the children can say prayers here).
- Pray for anyone or anything that needs help.
- Read the ‘Covenant Prayer’ overleaf (F).
- Prayer (together): DEAR LORD, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US IN THESE EASTER DAYS. HELP US TO KEEP CLOSE TO YOU UNTIL WE PRAY AGAIN, AMEN.
- Read or sing one of the prayers and songs overleaf.
(D) THEMES AND PRAYERS FOR EACH WEEK
Easter Week The first Easter morning where Mary of Magdalen met Jesus outside the tomb “I am Risen and am with you”
LORD, THIS IS THE GREAT EASTER WEEK OF YOUR RISING. HELP US TO BE HAPPY WITH YOU AND TO GIVE THIS HAPPINESS TO OTHERS. AMEN.
Week 2 The story of Thomas who doubted the Resurrection but who then believed – “Blessed are you who believe in Me”.
LORD, HELP US TO MAKE OUR BELIEF IN YOUR RESURRECTION STRONGER DURING THE WEEK AND TO KEEP CLOSE TO YOU. AMEN.
Week 3 The story of “Emmaus” where Jesus shared bread with the disciples and helped them to see that He has risen – “They knew him in the breaking of bread”.
LORD, HELP US TO MEET YOU THIS WEEK IN THE BREAKING OF BREAD – THE BREAKING OF BREAD AT MASS AND THE BREAKING OF BREAD WHEN WE PRAY. AMEN.
Week 4 Jesus as the Good Shepherd – “I have come to give you life”.
LORD, HELP US TO MAKE OUR FAITH AND LOVE FOR YOU AS OUR GOOD SHEPHERD STRONGER DURING THIS WEEK, SO THAT YOU CAN GUIDE AND LEAD US. AMEN.
Week 5 Jesus tells us he is the Way, the Truth and the Life – “Trust in Me”.
LORD, HELP US TO DEEPEN OUR TRUST IN YOU AS OUR WAY, OUR TRUTH, AND OUR LIFE, DURING THIS WEEK. AMEN.
Week 6 Jesus prepares us for the Ascension where he will go to Heaven to send the Holy Spirit to us again – “I shall ask the Father to send you the Spirit of Truth.
LORD, WE THANK YOU FOR THESE EASTER DAYS WHEN YOU HAVE WALKED SO CLOSELY WITH US. HELP US TO PREPARE TO REJOICE AT THE ASCENSION, AND GET READY FOR THE NEW GIFT OF YOUR SPIRIT. AMEN.
(E) THE EASTER SONGS
(1) LORD OF THE DANCE
-
I danced in the morning when the world was begun. And I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun. And I came down from Heaven and I danced on the earth. At Bethlehem I had my birth.
Dance then, wherever you may be I am the Lord of the dance, said He, And I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be and I’ll lead you all in the dance, said He. - I danced for the scribe and the Pharisees, but they would not dance and they wouldn’t follow Me. I danced for the fishermen for James and John. They came with Me and the dance went on.
- I danced on the Sabbath and I cured the lame. The holy people they said it was a shame. They whipped and they stripped and they hung Me on high, and they left me there on a cross to die.
- I danced on a Friday when the sky turned black. It’s hard to dance with the devil on your back. They buried my body and they thought I’d gone, but I am the dance and I still go on.
- They cut Me down and I leapt up high. I am the life that’ll never, never die. I’ll live in you if you’ll live in me. I am the Lord of the Dance, said He.
(2) ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR, FIVE
One, two, three, four, five – our friend Jesus is alive.
Six, seven, eight, nine, ten – yes He has come back again.
(3) ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA, GIVE THANKS TO THE RISEN LORD
ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA, GIVE THANKS TO THE RISEN LORD
ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA, GIVE PRAISE TO HIS NAME.
- Jesus is Lord of all earth. He is the King of creation
- Come, let us praise the living God, joyfully sing to our Saviour
(4) SING ALLELUIA
- Sing Alleluia, Sing Alleluia, Sing Alleluia, You are my Lord.
- Jesus is risen, Jesus is risen, Jesus is risen, He is my Lord.
(5) THE LIGHT OF CHRIST
The light of Christ has come into the world.
The light of Christ has come into the world.
(6) EASTER SONG TO OUR LADY – the ‘Regina Caeli’
Joy fill your heart, O Queen most high, Alleluia!
Your Son who in the tomb did lie, Alleluia!
Has risen as he did prophesy, Alleluia!
Pray for us to our God on high Alleluia!
Alleluia!, Alleluia!, Alleluia!
(F) COVENANT PRAYER
Jesus, our Risen Lord and King, we gather in your presence, in these Easter Days, as one people, one family, and one body, young and old. We bring you the journey we have made in Prayer and Love through Lent and Holy Week to this Easter. We ask you to help us to continue to use this to walk with you in these Easter Days and build our new life, with faith and love, patience and wisdom and enthusiasm and hope and make your resurrection real in our lives for ourselves and others. Amen.
Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord (A) 10 April 2020
ST. THOMAS MORE CHURCH , LUCKS HILL, WEST MALLING
PRIEST: Fr. Peter Soper, The Priest’s House, More Park, West Malling, ME19 6HN
Tel: 01732 843302 email: westmalling@rcaos.org.uk Website: www.westmallingrc.org.uk
St. Thomas More Pre-School, St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre, Lucks Hill, West Malling. ME19 6HN.
Tel: 01732 874559
Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord (A)
A “CORONAVIRUS” EASTER WITH THE RISEN LORD
12th April 2020
My Dearest Parishioners,
LET US WALK THIS CORONAVIRUS EASTER WITH OUR RISEN LORD
In the words of the poet, George Herbert,
“Rise heart; your Lord is risen. Sing His praise without delays, who takes you by the hand, that you likewise with Him may rise…..”
This Easter the Risen Lord comes to take each of us by the hand and raise us up with His risen love, strength, light and life to face and walk with Him through the challenges, difficulties, loss and darkness in our lives and faith in these Coronavirus days. He asks us to meet Him and each other in increased Prayer and Love so that He can do this and bring us the healing, strength and life that He brought to His broken Apostles in the first Easter Days. So, as they did, let us open ourselves to Him.
LET US WALK THESE EASTER DAYS WITH OUR QUEEN AND EACH OTHER
In her moving and inspiring Broadcast on Palm Sunday evening the Queen said:- “ ….. though self-isolating may at times be hard, many people of all faiths, and of none, are discovering that it presents an opportunity to slow down, pause and reflect, in prayer and meditation……” She also said : “…..many will feel a painful sense of separation from their loved ones. But…..we know, deep down, that it is the right thing to do…..We should take comfort that while we may have more still to endure, better days will return: We will be with our Friends again; We will be with our Families again; We will Meet again…..”
Better Days will return and, when they do, what a massive “Hug” we will be able to give each other then. But, as the Queen points out, these Easter Days give us “better days” to “hug” the Risen Lord and each other “spiritually” through increased Prayer and Love, so let us help each other to do this. I think of this specially with those who are suffering and facing challenges with the Coronavirus and those who have lost, and will lose, loved ones during these Easter Days, and pray that Prayer and Love will enable them to be united to the Risen Lord and their loved ones in Heaven and here on Earth and be “hugged” in this way in these days.
SO LET US PRAY, SING AND WALK TOGETHER
Attached to this Newsletter is the Easter Prayer Sheet for this Year (A) with Prayers and Hymns and a “Form of Ser-vice for the Home”. In the light of these Coronavirus days, perhaps the Prayer for this week could be: -
LORD, THIS IS THE GREAT EASTER WEEK OF YOUR RISING. HELP US TO OPEN OURSELVES TO YOUR RISEN LOVE, STRENGH, LIGHT AND LIFE IN THESE DAYS AND TO HELP EACH OTHER TO DO THIS, AMEN.
I ask you to join with me “in spirit” in this Prayer and Service at the following times: -
| Monday 13th at 10.30am ( an hour later as it’s Bank Holiday!) |
| Tuesday 14th to Friday 17th at 9.30am. |
| Saturday 18th at 5pm. |
| Sunday 19th at either 10am or 5.30pm. |
I will also be celebrating Mass on my own in the House for the following intentions: -
| Monday 13th | For Easter strength, Light and Hope for All. |
| Tuesday 14th | Lindsay Corette R.I.P. and Family (with his funeral today). |
| Wednesday 15th | Loretta Ruddick R.I.P. (Chris and Ant Gobel). |
| Thursday 16th | Peter Avery -welfare (the Breakfast Club). |
| Friday 17th | Paddy Griffin R.I.P. and Family (with his funeral today). |
| Saturday 18th | Tony Brewer R.I.P. (Alice and John). |
| Sunday 19th | The Parishioners. |
Photos – I would also like to thank very much those of you who have sent me photos of yourselves to put on my Mass Room wall which is a real help to connect with you when I’m saying Mass – and please keep them coming!
MASS ON LINE
Continue to go to Fr. Geoff at catholic-bearsted.org.uk -or Walsingham.org.uk -or the Diocesan Website – www.rcsouthwark.co.uk
LEGION OF MARY (MOTTINGHAM PARISH) At 3pm every day we are praying for all people in the world suffering as a result of the coronavirus and for the frontline and key workers who are doing a wonderful job in these difficult times. Please join in if you can:
| Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be to the Father. |
| Our Lady Help of Christians - pray for us. |
| Our Lady of the Sacred Heart - pray for us. |
| St. Thomas More - pray for us. |
| St. Thomas of Canterbury - pray for us. |
FUNERALS
Please pray for Lindsay Corette and for Fiona, Ethan, Liam, Emily and Kirsty with his funeral at Tonbridge Cemetery this Tuesday (14th).
Also for Paddy Griffin and his son, Joseph, and family with his funeral at Vinters Park Crematorium this Friday (17th) .
And we pray for Mary Wilmot and her daughters and family as they prepare for her funeral at Vinters Park Crematori-um on Wednesday 22nd April and Trevor Lingham and his family esp. David & Jenny & family as they prepare for his funeral.
We offer our love, prayers and support to them all.
PLEASE PRAY FOR: Betty Ward; Moira Stevens; Peter and Dee Avery; Fiona Evans; Roy & Heather Lewis; Frank Ostridge; Jacky Seeds; Archie & Arrison Sullivan; Sheila Koster; Caroline Walker; Margaret Edwards; the Orlando Family; Ross, Philip, Niki & Freya; Betty Hatton; John Stevens; Meg Brewer; Natalie Walker; Jean Clifford; Adrian Atmore; James Bryant; Paula Thornton; Lynda Pitt (Betty Hatton’s daughter); carers of the sick; our housebound and all at Maidstone Hospital, Hospice and local Nursing Homes. Please pray for all affected by cutbacks, illnesses and other challenges in our country and world.
RECENTLY DEAD: Mary Wilmot; Trevor Lingham; Paddy Griffin; Beverley Heasman; Lindsay Corette; also Arch-bishop Peter Smith and Fr. Henry Reynolds (month’s mind). Please keep in your prayers all who have died from the Coronavirus this week and from conflict in our world especially the innocent civilians.
ANNIVERSARIES: Peter Whinfield; Kevin Cunning (Snr); Francis Micallef (& Lonza); Jennifer Weller; Susan Walkling; Peggy Lawrence; Elizabeth Kerr; Bridget Tenters; John Kibble; Jan Jablonski; Nora Edward-Roy; Danuta Jordan.
Let us now help each other to walk this Great Week of Easter well and find all the strength, healing, love and life - & “Hugs”! – that the Risen Lord wants to bring us in it.
And CHILDREN – try and sing your Easter Song -“One, Two, Three, Four , Five – our friend Jesus is alive…” (no (2) on the Easter Prayer Sheet) each day - AND ENJOY YOUR EASTER EGGS!
Continued Prayers and Love to you all especially those who are suffering and in difficulties – Easter Blessings and God Bless,
Fr. Peter.
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord (A) 3 April 2020
ST. THOMAS MORE CHURCH , LUCKS HILL, WEST MALLING
PRIEST: Fr. Peter Soper, The Priest’s House, More Park, West Malling, ME19 6HN
Tel: 01732 843302 email: westmalling@rcaos.org.uk Website: www.westmallingrc.org.uk
St. Thomas More Pre-School, St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre, Lucks Hill, West Malling. ME19 6HN. Tel: 01732 874559
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord (A)
A “CORONAVIRUS” HOLY WEEK OF PRAYER AND LOVE FOR EVERYONE
5th April 2020
My dearest Parishioners,
Every Holy Week is important to us but this Holy Week is even more so. Through this week the Lord wants to bring the Love, Healing, Strength, Light and Life He brought us in the first Holy Week into our lives and the challenges, darkness and pain of these coronavirus days. So let us help each other to walk this week in the following ways -:
LET US WALK TOGETHER
I would like to walk this week very much with you but miss your presence. I saw a picture on the T.V. of a Church in Italy where the priest had photos of his parishioners put on the benches of the Church. I would like to do the same in the room in the house where I’m celebrating Mass so would be grateful if you could email me a photo of you and your family which I can then put on the walls of the room and so have you more with me. Thanks for this and let us help each other as families at home, and with those who are isolated on their own, to walk this week together.
LET US SING TOGETHER
Let us as priest and people sing together with the following Holy Week hymns :-
- (Solo) Brother, Sister, let me serve you/ let me be as Christ to you/ pray that I may have the grace to/ let you be my servant to.
- We are pilgrims on a journey/ fellow trav’llers on the road/ we are here to help each other/ walk the mile and bear the load.
- I will hold the Christlight for you/ in the night-time of your fear/ I will hold my hand out to you/ speak the peace you long to hear.
- I will weep when you are weeping/ when you laugh, I’ll laugh with you/ I will share your joy and sorrow/ ‘til we’ve seen this journey through.
- When we sing to God at Easter/ we shall find such harmony/ born of all we’ve known together/ of Christ’s love and agony.
- Brother, Sister, let me serve you/ let me be as Christ to you/ pray that I may have the grace to/ let you be my servant too.
Give us love in our hearts to walk with you; give us love in our hearts we pray.
Give us love in our hearts to walk with you; as we journey to this Easter Day.
Sing Hosanna; sing Hosanna, sing Hosanna to the King of Kings,
Sing Hosanna; sing Hosanna, sing Hosanna to the King.
AND LET US PRAY TOGETHER using the following Prayers -:
PRAYER OF THE WEEK
I think of the wounds in your sacred hands with love so deep and true,
May every act of my hands this day be an act of love for you.
I think of the wounds in your sacred feet with love so deep and true,
May every step that I take this day be an act of love for you.
I think of the wounds in your sacred head with love so deep and true,
May every thought of mine this day be an act of love for you.
I think of the wounds in your sacred side with love so deep and true,
May every beat of my heart this day be an act of love for you.
COVENANT PRAYER
Jesus our King, we gather in your presence as one people, one family and one body, young and old. We recognise our differences and we acknowledge our need for each other and for you. We journey together as your covenant people and Parish family committed to open ourselves and our hearts to you and each other through ‘prayer’, ‘love’ and ‘service’ in this Holy Week. We ask you to grant us Faith and Love, Patience and Wisdom and Enthusiasm and Hope, so that together we may make your ‘Resurrection’ and ‘Life’ real in our lives for ourselves and others this East-er. Amen.
CHILDREN’S WORD AND SONG
| WORD: | ‘Prayer’ – Pray for Jesus’ help to love and give this week. |
| SONG: |
Pray well, Pray well, all you little children; live in love, live in love.
Pray well, Pray well, all you little children; live in love, live in love.
|
LEGION OF MARY (MOTTINGHAM PARISH) At 3pm every day we are praying for all people in the world suffering as a result of the coronavirus and for the frontline and key workers who are doing a wonderful job in these difficult times. Please join in if you can:
| Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be to the Father. |
| Our Lady Help of Christians - pray for us. |
| Our Lady of the Sacred Heart - pray for us. |
| St. Thomas More - pray for us. |
| St. Thomas of Canterbury - pray for us. |
OUR JOURNEY TOGETHER
Palm Sunday – 5th April
We celebrate Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem to begin the first Holy Week. We enter this Holy Week uniting ourselves, with Him and each other, to walk it fully in prayer and love.
I will be at prayer with you from 5 to 5.30pm on Saturday (4th) and from 10 to 10.30am and 5.30 to 6pm on Sunday. I will also celebrate the Palm Sunday Mass, offering it for all Parishioners, and will bless the Palms which will be kept here until we meet again when the restrictions are over.
Monday to Wednesday – 6th to 8th April
On these days Jesus rested at Bethany making himself ready for the “Great 3 Days” that would end the first Holy Week. We “rest” and “retreat” with Him and prepare ourselves to relive the “Great 3 Days” of this Holy Week with Him and each other.
On these days I will be at prayer with you from 9.30 to 10am and will offer Mass in the house for the following inten-tions-:
| Monday 6th | Lynda Pitt (Betty Hatton’s daughter) – welfare |
| Tuesday 7th | Paddy Griffin R.I.P. (Margaret Stone) |
| Wednesday 8th | Lindsay Corette, Trevor Lingham and Beverley Heasman R.I.P. |
Maundy Thursday – 9th April
We begin the “Great 3 Days” with the Lord and each other. On this night Jesus began His Passover Journey by cele-brating the Passover and First Mass and ordaining the first Priests and then went out to begin his Passion with the Agony in the Garden and his trial before the Sanhedrin. We join him in rededicating ourselves to the Mass and the Priesthood, with thanks for these great gifts, and then join him in his Agony and Trial and dedicate ourselves to fol-low him to this Good Friday and Easter.
I will be at Prayer with you at 8pm, celebrating the Mass of the Lord’s Supper for all of you and rededicating myself as your priest, and then from 9.30 to 10pm to join with you and the Lord in His Agony and Trial.
Good Friday – 10th April
During this day we walk with Jesus on His Way of Love and Giving. We join Him on the Cross and give ourselves to Him so that we may be filled with Resurrection, Healing, Love, Strength, Light and Life this Easter – in reading and prayer and Veneration of the Cross.
I ask you to join me and our Christian brothers and sisters for a “Spiritual Walk of Witness” (as we can’t have a physi-cal one) at 11am and am attaching to this newsletter the readings and hymns for this.
I will be at prayer with you at 3pm celebrating the Liturgy of the Passion and Veneration of the Cross in the house.
And in the evening I will be at prayer from 8.00 to 8.30pm and ask you and especially our Youth Group and Young People to join me in prayer at the time we would be celebrating the Youth Group’s Passion Play (we hope to have this in the autumn – if possible around the Feast of the Holy Cross in September).
Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday
We wait in hope on Saturday with Jesus in the tomb and prepare to celebrate the new Resurrection, Love, Healing, Light and Life that the lord wants to bring us in a special way this Easter – repeating his Passover from death to life for us and celebrating the Joy of the Resurrection which is the cornerstone of our faith.
I will celebrate the Easter Vigil in the house at 8.30pm lighting the new Easter Candle and blessing the new Easter Baptismal Water and again we will have a full celebration of this when we are able to gather together again. On Sun-day I will be at prayer from 10 to 10.30am and will celebrate the Easter Family Mass with our children specially in mind. (AND ENJOY YOUR EASTER EGGS!)
HOLY WEEK SERVICES ON LINE
Go to Fr. Geoff at catholic-bearsted.org.uk -or Walsingham.org.uk -or the Diocesan Website – www.rcsouthwark.co.uk
FUNERALS AND PRAYERS
Please pray for Mary Wilmot who died during the week and for her daughters and family and many friends in the Par-ish.
Also for Trevor Lingham who also died during the week and for his family especially David and Jenney and their fam-ily.
We continue our prayers for Lindsay Corette and his family as they prepare for his funeral at Tonbridge Cemetery on Tuesday 14th April.
Also Paddy Griffin, his son Joseph and all his family as they prepare for his funeral at Vinters Park Crematorium on Friday 17th April.
And we ask your prayers for Lynda Pitt (Betty Hatton’s daughter) who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer and pray for Lynda and Betty and their families.
To all of them we offer our love, support and prayers at this time.
PLEASE PRAY FOR: Betty Ward; Moira Stevens; Peter and Dee Avery; Fiona Evans; Roy & Heather Lewis; Frank Ostridge; Jacky Seeds; Archie & Arrison Sullivan; Sheila Koster; Caroline Walker; Margaret Edwards; the Orlando Family; Ross, Philip, Niki & Freya; Betty Hatton; John Stevens; Meg Brewer; Natalie Walker; Jean Clifford; Adrian Atmore; James Bryant; Paula Thornton; Lynda Pitt (Betty Hatton’s daughter); carers of the sick; our housebound and all at Maidstone Hospital, Hospice and local Nursing Homes. Please pray for all affected by cutbacks, illnesses and other challenges in our country and world.
RECENTLY DEAD: Mary Wilmot; Trevor Lingham; Paddy Griffin; Beverley Heasman; Lindsay Corette; Archbishop Peter Smith; Fr. Henry Reynolds; also Tony Brewer; Carol Blackmore; Bruce Costin; Fr. John Castelli (month’s mind). Please keep in your prayers all who have died in conflict throughout the world especially the innocent civil-ians.
ANNIVERSARIES: Walter Roberts; Teresa Gordon; Geoff McBride; Patrick Kelly; Maria Orlando; Hugh Beatty; Mar-garet Ingold ,Nicola Sbrocchi; Joyce Nowell; Magdalen Lobo; Esther Batt; Gus Isava (birthday); Peter Whinfield; Kev-in Cunning (Snr.); Francis Micallef (& Lonza).
Let us now help each other to walk this Holy Week well and find all the new Healing, Love ,Strength and Life the Lord wants to bring us through it.
My continued love and prayers to all of you and especially all who are suffering and in difficulty – and God Bless,
Fr. Peter.
Good Friday Walk of Witness Order of Service 3 April 2020
ST. THOMAS MORE CHURCH , LUCKS HILL, WEST MALLING
PRIEST: Fr. Peter Soper, The Priest’s House, More Park, West Malling, ME19 6HN
Tel: 01732 843302 email: westmalling@rcaos.org.uk Website: www.westmallingrc.org.uk
St. Thomas More Pre-School, St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre, Lucks Hill, West Malling. ME19 6HN. Tel: 01732 874559
Good Friday Walk of Witness Order of Service
Fifth Sunday Of Lent (A) 27 March 2020
ST. THOMAS MORE CHURCH , LUCKS HILL, WEST MALLING
PRIEST: Fr. Peter Soper, The Priest’s House, More Park, West Malling, ME19 6HN
Tel: 01732 843302 email: westmalling@rcaos.org.uk Website: www.westmallingrc.org.uk
St. Thomas More Pre-School, St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre, Lucks Hill, West Malling. ME19 6HN.
Tel: 01732 874559
Fifth Sunday Of Lent (A)
A LENT OF INCREASED PRAYER AND LOVE FOR OUR PARISH, CHURCH, COUNTRY AND WORLD
29th March 2020
My dearest Parishioners,
CORONAVIRUS AND OUR CHURCH AND PARISH
Please see the Archbishop’s Statement attached to the newsletter.
(a) MASSES - There is no public celebration of Mass or Communion Services. I will celebrate Mass on my own in the house at some point in the day for the following intentions: -
| Saturday 28th | Ann Ivell RIP (Anniv.) |
| Sunday 29th | Fr. Timothy Daly RIP (Anniv.) |
| Tuesday 31st | The Parishioners |
| Wednesday 1st April | Deceased Relatives & Friends of the Lobo Family |
| Friday 3rd | Keggy Diamond RIP |
| Saturday 4th | Tony Brewer RIP (Meg) |
| Sunday 5th | The Parishioners |
Mass intentions for the future that are not already booked should be emailed or telephoned to the office.
(b) MASS & LENT ONLINE Fr. Geoff from Bearsted will be streaming Mass each Sunday at 10.30am - go to - catholic-bearsted.org.uk. Also Walsingham are offering a 12 noon Mass each day - go to walsingham.org.uk. Also I attach an email received from the Communications Team for the Archdiocese with lots of information and ideas.
(c) LEGION OF MARY (MOTTINGHAM PARISH) At 3pm every day we are praying for all people in the world suffering as a result of the coronavirus and for the frontline and key workers who are do ing a wonderful job in these difficult times. Please join in if you can:
| Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be to the Father. |
| Our Lady Help of Christians - pray for us. |
| Our Lady of the Sacred Heart - pray for us. |
| St. Thomas More - pray for us. |
| St. Thomas of Canterbury - pray for us. |
(d) THE CHURCH The Church is now closed but I will be praying for you all in the house on the fol lowing days and times: -
| Saturday 28th | 5pm to 5.30pm |
| Sunday 29th | 10am to 10.30am & 5.30pm to 6pm |
| Monday 30th March to Friday 3rd April | 9.30am to 10am |
(e) CHURCH OFFERINGS - Please do not bring or leave money or envelopes to the Church or house. The best thing for those who can is to arrange ‘standing orders’ with their bank, which we would appreciate to keep the Church and Parish going. With self-denial envelopes, the best thing would be just to keep the money collected at home until we are able to receive them at Church. In all of this, please, only if you can afford it - your needs must come first.
(f) BAPTISMS - RECONCILIATION - WEDDINGS - FRIDAY EXPOSITION - CHILDREN’S LITURGY - PRAYER GROUPS - FIRST COMMUNION - PARISH GROUPS AND MEETINGS are all suspended for the foreseeable future. Please keep in touch with each other by email or phone.
(g) FUNERALS I ask your prayers for dear Paddy Griffin, our first parishioner to die from the corona virus whilst being treated for a severe heart and pacemaker infection at St. Thomas’ Hospital. We offer Josh, his son, and his family and all his many friends especially in the Parish all our love and support and prayers at this time.
Also to Beverley Heasman and her family following her funeral at Vinters Park Crematorium last Thursday (I offered Mass for Beverley in the house before going to the funeral and we hope to have a service in Church when the coronavirus is over), and to Lindsay Corette and his family as they prepare for his funeral at Tonbridge Cemetery on Tuesday 14th April. We keep all of them in our prayers and thoughts.
(h) THE OFFICE The office is now closed and Claire is working from home but please continue to email the office as Claire can pick this up at home.
(i) WEST MALLING VOLUNTEERS I attach an important information sheet from West Malling Par ish Council about a Volunteer Care Network they are establishing. I’ve told them we have our Ar ea Groups looking after each other, Eucharistic Ministers keeping an eye on their housebound and neighbours helping each other but ask the West Malling, Kings Hill and Larkfield Area Groups and the Eucharistic Ministers and Parishioners in the area who can help in this to contact the West Malling Volunteers and link in and join the network in this Ecumenical and Community Network. This will help many more people to be reached and helped. Many thanks.
Let us continue to keep each other in our love and prayers. The theme of this fifth week of Lent is ‘Life’ and the new light and life the Lord wants to share with us through this coming Holy Week and Easter in all the challenges, difficulties, illness and darkness we are experiencing in these bad days. So let us keep to our prayers as individuals and families so that the Lord can be with us with his love and strength as he wants to. And let us continue to look after and support each other - and keep safe! (and children - this week’s word is ‘Sharing’ [especially toys and games, help and love] and don’t forget to keep tidying your bedrooms, being patient especially with your brothers and sisters, listening [especially to Mum & Dad] and thinking of others).
My love and prayers to you all and especially all who are suffering and in difficulty - and God Bless.
Fr. Peter
PLEASE PRAY FOR: Betty Ward; Moira Stevens; Peter and Dee Avery; Mary Wilmot; Fiona Evans; Roy & Heather Lewis; Frank Ostridge; Jacky Seeds; Archie & Arrison Sullivan; Sheila Koster; Caroline Walker; Margaret Edwards; the Orlando Family; Ross, Philip, Niki & Freya; Betty Hatton; John Stevens; Meg Brewer; Natalie Walker; Jean Clifford; Adrian Atmore; James Bryant; Paula Thornton; carers of the sick; our housebound and all at Maidstone Hospital, Hospice and local Nursing Homes. Please pray for all affected by cutbacks, illnesses and other challenges in our country and world.
RECENTLY DEAD: Paddy Griffin; Beverley Heasman; Lindsay Corette; Archbishop Peter Smith; Fr. Henry Reynolds; also Tony Brewer; Carol Blackmore; Bruce Costin; Fr. John Castelli (month’s mind). Please keep in your prayers all who have died in con-flict throughout the world especially the innocent civilians.
ANNIVERSARIES: Timothy Daly; May Middleton; Gertrude Ennis; Anthony Thompson-Murray; Stanley Batchelor; Cyril Usmar; Ann Watson; Vivienne Cahill; Helena Marshall; Clive Budd; Gertrude De Wolf; Walter Roberts; Teresa Gordon; Geoff McBride; Patrick Kelly.
Statement from Archbishop John Wilson 27 March 2020
Archdiocese of Southwark
Statement from Archbishop John Wilson
To the Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Southwark following the Prime Minister’s Address to the Nation concerning the Coronavirus
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Jesus Christ
In his Address to the Nation the Prime Minister outlined the necessary steps that we must now take to combat the spread of the Coronavirus. The Government has mandated the ‘closure of all shops selling non-essential goods, including clothing and electronic stores, and other premises including libraries, playgrounds and outdoor gyms, and places of worship.’
This means that, until further notice, and with immediate effect, all the churches and chapels within the Archdiocese of Southwark, together with their associated halls, must now close their doors to the public. This policy must be implemented without exception. It is imperative that we, the clergy, consecrated religious, and laity of the Archdiocese of Southwark, comply fully with these directives. This is an essential component of our contribution to fighting the Coronavirus and living out the Lord Jesus’ commandment to ‘love our neighbour.’ (Mk 12:31)
Given that our priests live adjacent to their churches, there will still be the private celebration of Mass each day, but there must be no additional people present other than the priest himself. The doors to all our churches and chapels must remain permanently locked until these restrictions are lifted.
The Prime Minster also stated that all social events, including weddings, baptisms and other ceremonies, but excluding funerals, must cease. The Catholic Bishops of England and Wales have already put in place restrictive measures in relation to baptisms, marriages and funerals which must continue to be followed.
Although we are socially isolated from each other, we are not isolated from Christ. Now is a time to strengthen our spiritual bonds of connection through personal prayer and the intensification of our inner relationship with Christ. We will continue to use social media to sustain our communal online presence, with the live-streaming of Mass and devotions from different churches within our Archdiocese and beyond. For the time being, our buildings must close; but our hearts must open wider, expanding with love for Christ and others.
Dear friends, the yearning in our hearts for the Eucharist and for fellowship with one another must sustain us until we come, once more, to gather at the altar to offer together the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. We take inspiration from the Apostle St Paul writing to the first Christians in Rome: ‘…hardship develops perseverance, perseverance develops character, character produces hope and hope does not disappoint, since the love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit given to us.’ (Rom 5:3-5) We are people of profound hope. We will remain firm in faith and generous in charity, through Christ the ‘hope of glory,’ alive within us. (cf. Col 1:27)
Let us pray for all those working to overcome the effects of the Coronavirus and all those affected by it. Please also be sure of my prayers for you, for your families and for your loved ones. And, please, pray for me and all your bishops, priests, and deacons, who hold you in their hearts and prayers.
With every blessing
Yours devotedly in Christ
The Most Reverend John Wilson Archbishop of Southwark
Given at Archbishop’s House, Southwark, 23 March 2020
Resources of parishes during suspension of public worship 27 March 2020
ST. THOMAS MORE CHURCH , LUCKS HILL, WEST MALLING
PRIEST: Fr. Peter Soper, The Priest’s House, More Park, West Malling, ME19 6HN
Tel: 01732 843302 email: westmalling@rcaos.org.uk Website: www.westmallingrc.org.uk
St. Thomas More Pre-School, St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre, Lucks Hill, West Malling. ME19 6HN.
Tel: 01732 874559
Resources of parishes during suspension of public worship
West Malling Volunteers 27 March 2020
ST. THOMAS MORE CHURCH , LUCKS HILL, WEST MALLING
PRIEST: Fr. Peter Soper, The Priest’s House, More Park, West Malling, ME19 6HN
Tel: 01732 843302 email: westmalling@rcaos.org.uk Website: www.westmallingrc.org.uk
St. Thomas More Pre-School, St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre, Lucks Hill, West Malling. ME19 6HN.
Tel: 01732 874559
WEST MALLING VOLUNTEERS
A new volunteer Care Network is being established in West Malling to support one another during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) shutdown.
The Parish Council, local churches and other groups and societies have come tigether to create this network and offer help to anyone who may need it.
The schemes already set up by Malling Community Choir and by individuals in Norman and Offham Road, together with those run by the Baptist and Roman Catholic Church, will continue to operate as now. But we shall work together to share volunteers and best practice, and make sure our volunteers are protected by Insurance cover, and appropriate advice to keep both themselves and the people they help safe.
We want to set up a team of volunteers who can help vulnerable, elderly or isolated people:
- Collecting groceries
- Picking up prescriptions
- Posting mail or running errands
- Picking up the phone to befriend and encourage those living alone.
We don't want anyone to feel isolated and alone, even while we're all social distancing and in isolation. Please don't hesitate on get in touch to offer your help or to ask for help.
If you would like help or are offering help, then please let us know...
- By email to: wmvolunteers@westmallinggpc.org
- By phone on: 07561 111676
- Alternative, fill in the online from at https://bit.ly/WMCN-Cov19
- OR ask family, a carer or a friend to contact us for you.
We are gratful to St. Mary's Church for offering to act as the Data Controller, and providing Safeguarding and Public Liability Insurance cover to this community effort. We will ask your permission to hold your contact details for the period of time this Network is needed, and they will
only be shared with those authorised to help you.
Archdiocese of Southwark "Pastoral Letter" 20 March 2020
ST. THOMAS MORE CHURCH , LUCKS HILL, WEST MALLING
PRIEST: Fr. Peter Soper, The Priest’s House, More Park, West Malling, ME19 6HN
Tel: 01732 843302 email: westmalling@rcaos.org.uk Website: www.westmallingrc.org.uk
St. Thomas More Pre-School, St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre, Lucks Hill, West Malling. ME19 6HN.
Tel: 01732 874559
Archdiocese of Southwark
Pastoral Letter
Concerning the Measures to be put in place Regarding Public Worship and the Celebration of the Sacraments in Relation to the COVID-19 (Coronavius) Pandemic
‘Our help in is the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.’
Dear brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ
I wanted to write to you personally as we face the threats posed locally, nationally, and internationally by the COVID-19 Coronavirus. For so many people, including those in our parish and school communities, this situation brings uncertainty and fear. It has the capacity to bring out both the best and the worst of our human nature. Working together, in the strength of God’s grace, we must seek to ensure that the very best of our common humanity triumphs, especially for the health and well-being of the weakest, the poorest, and the most vulnerable.
The Lord Jesus commanded us to love one another and to serve after His example. (Jn 13: 12-15; 13:34) Now is the time for our love to be displayed more deeply and our service to find heightened expression. Our calling as disciples is to be salt and light to the world (Mt 5:13-16) in witness to the Gospel of Christ.
Few of us will have witnessed circumstances such as those we are presently experiencing. It is crucial that we take the necessary measures to maximise the welfare of every person and follow the guidance and requirements of our Government and Statutory Agencies.
The Bishops of England and Wales have implemented changes in how we are to practise our faith as we move forward. Details of this can be found on the websites of the Archdiocese of Southwark and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. I ask every member of the Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Southwark - clergy, consecrated religious, and laity – to abide by these measures until they are amended or withdrawn. They will be kept under review in the light of expert health and hygiene advice.
A major change is the cessation of public celebrations of the Mass and the dispensation of the Obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days. We will, however, endeavour to keep our churches open wherever possible so that those who wish can visit to pray before the Blessed Sacrament.
The imposition of these restrictions has not been taken lightly. As we know, the Mass is the hallmark of Catholic faith and practice. For there to be no public celebrations of the Mass, either on weekdays or Sundays, will be an immeasurable loss to all who cherish their participation in the Eucharistic Sacrifice. For now, we must draw close to Christ in other ways, taking consolation from the fact that the Mass will continue to be celebrated each day in our parish churches to ‘advance the peace and salvation of all the world.’ (EP III) It will not, however, be possible for the faithful to attend these celebrations.
To continue to mark the significance of Sunday as the Lord’s Day, I would encourage all those who are able to read the Scripture readings of the Sunday Mass and to pray the rosary. We can also make a Spiritual Communion which prayerfully expresses our faith in Christ’s presence in the Blessed Sacrament. Various forms of prayers for making a Spiritual Communion are available in prayer books and on the internet.
Our Catholic faith offers the vital spiritual support we will need to cope with all that will unfold. We can sustain our life of prayer, turning to the Scriptures, the Rosary, to novenas and litanies, using Catholic social media and internet resources to keep connected in the communion of faith. Live-stream celebrations of the Mass and other devotions are available from churches and shrines across the country and around the world. I encourage every Catholic - individuals, couples and families – to create, if there is not one already present, a simple shrine in their home, with a crucifix and religious images, to provide a focus until that blessed day when we are able to gather in our churches once more.
Thank you for everything you are doing to support your parish, school and wider community at this challenging time. Please have a special care and concern for anyone who might struggle. Be Good Samaritans to each other. Support those most in need in the best ways possible. Please shop responsibly and give to charities working with people who are vulnerable and marginalised. Speak to your families and loved ones as often as you can. Keep everyone in your prayers, especially those suffering illness, and all our NHS, emergency and social care staff.
We may be more physically separated at this time, but we remain united spiritually in Christ through the Holy Spirit in a bond of faith that cannot be broken. Our prayers strengthen our relationship with Christ, our unity with Our Blessed Lady and the Communion of Saints, and our connection with each other. No one is forgotten in the prayers of the Church.
I want to assure you of my prayers for you, for your loved ones and for your parish community. We will do our very best to provide support and information through the Archdiocesan website and social media presence. In all that we will face, individually and together, we find our hope in Christ. He is our sure foundation, today, tomorrow, and always.
With every blessing
Yours devotedly in Christ
The Most Reverend John Wilson Archbishop of Southwark
Given at Archbishop’s House, Southwark, 18 March 2020
Fourth Sunday Of Lent (A) 20 March 2020
ST. THOMAS MORE CHURCH , LUCKS HILL, WEST MALLING
PRIEST: Fr. Peter Soper, The Priest’s House, More Park, West Malling, ME19 6HN
Tel: 01732 843302 email: westmalling@rcaos.org.uk Website: www.westmallingrc.org.uk
St. Thomas More Pre-School, St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre, Lucks Hill, West Malling. ME19 6HN.
Tel: 01732 874559
Fourth Sunday Of Lent (A)
A LENT OF INCREASED PRAYER, LOVE & SELF-CONTROL FOR OUR PARISH
Mothering Sunday
22nd March 2020
My dearest Parishioners,
CORONAVIRUS AND OUR CHURCH AND PARISH
Please see the Archbishop’s Pastoral Letter attached to the newsletter and we have also received a list from him on the procedures we now have to follow. In line with this we have bringing in the following pro-cedures for the Parish: -
(a) MASSES - There will be no public celebration of Mass or Communion Services. I will celebrate Mass on my own in the house at some point in the day for the following intentions: -
| Saturday 21st | Norman Neale RIP |
| Sunday 22nd | Jurek (George) Makuch RIP (Anniv.) |
| Tuesday 24th |
Tony Brewer RIP (Dee & Peter)
|
| Wednesday 25th | Lindsay Corette RIP (Steph, Ian & Family) |
| Friday 27th | Mary Goldsmith |
| Saturday 28th | Ann Ivell RIP (Anniv.) |
| Sunday 29th | Fr. Timothy Daly RIP (Anniv.) |
Mass intentions for the future that are not already booked should be emailed or telephoned to the office on Wednesday and Fridays between 9am and 12 noon.
(b) MASS ONLINE Fr. Geoff from Bearsted will be streaming Mass each Sunday - go to catholic- bearsted.org.uk. Also daily Mass is being offered by “Word on Fire” - go to wordonfire.org/daily- mass. Walsingham are also continuing their full liturgical programme - go to Walsingham.org.uk.
(c)THE CHURCH The Church will be open for short visits for private prayer on the following days and times: -
| Saturday 21st | 5pm to 5.30pm |
| Sunday 22nd | 10am to 10.30am & 5.30pm to 6pm |
| Monday to Friday 23rd to 27th | 9.30am to 10am |
Mass leaflets, prayer candles and other sheets and booklets will be available on tables in the porch.
PLEASE DO NOT USE THE TOILETS OR LIGHT CANDLES AND PRACTICE SOCIAL DIS TANCING AND TAKE ANY SHEETS, ETC. USED BY YOU HOME. ALSO PLEASE WASH OR SANITISE YOUR HANDS BEFORE COMING TO THE CHURCH AND AS SOON AS YOU CAN AFTER YOU LEAVE.
(d) CHURCH OFFERINGS - Please do not bring or leave money or envelopes to the Church or house. The best thing for those who can is to arrange ‘standing orders’ with their bank, which we would appreciate to keep the Church and Parish going. With self-denial envelopes, the best thing would be just to keep the money collected at home until we are able to receive them at Church. In all of this, please, only if you can afford it - your needs must come first.
(e) BAPTISMS - RECONCILIATION - WEDDINGS - FRIDAY EXPOSITION - CHILDREN’S LIT-URGY - PRAYER GROUPS These are suspended for the foreseeable future. If you have prob-lems about reconciliation/confession please contact me.
(f) FIRST COMMUNION will be postponed until at least September and maybe after this depending on the coronavirus. First Communion classes are also suspended.
(g) PARISH GROUPS AND MEETINGS are all suspended for the foreseeable future. This includes the Lent Area Group Masses and the Youth Group Passion Play. Please keep in touch with each other by email or phone.
(h) FUNERALS We ask you to pray for Beverley Heasman and her family - her funeral is due to take place this Thursday at Vinters Park Crematorium. Also Lindsay Corette and his family as they pre-pare for his funeral. But all of this will be dependent on instructions we receive from the government and undertakers so please keep them specially in your prayers.
(i) LOOKING AFTER EACH OTHER Please look after and support each other in these difficult days especially the elderly and vulnerable in your neighbourhood in whatever way you can. And please look after yourselves and keep safe. We particularly thank our pre-school and school staff for keep-ing our schools open for key-worker and vulnerable children.
These are very challenging and difficult times for us all and I want you to know that I’m keeping you very specially in my prayers and thoughts. And let us use Lent to help us in this. The theme for this 4th Week of Lent is ‘light’ - the new light, love, strength and life the Lord wants to bring us in this Lent and Easter in these challenging times and that we will find through our prayer. So let us encourage each other to pray together and as individuals during this week. I attach this week’s Mass sheet and prayer sheet (with the children’s word - “thinking of others” - to this newsletter to help in this. Also, it’s Mother’s Day and we wish all our Mums here and in heaven a lovely day and let us do all we can to show them our love in the restrictions and difficulties of these days.
My love and prayers to you all - and God Bless. Fr. Peter
P.S. Please note I am only able to access the email when the office is open on Wednesdays and Fridays so, as well as emailing, can you phone me on 01732 843302 if you want or need me - thanks!
PLEASE PRAY FOR: Betty Ward; Moira Stevens; Peter and Dee Avery; Mary Wilmot; Fiona Evans; Roy & Heather Lewis; Frank Ostridge; Jacky Seeds; Archie & Arrison Sullivan; Sheila Koster; Caroline Walker; Margaret Edwards; the Orlando Family; Ross, Philip, Niki & Freya; Betty Hatton; John Stevens; Meg Brewer; Natalie Walker; Jean Clifford; Adrian Atmore; James Bryant; Paula Thornton; carers of the sick; our housebound and all at Maidstone Hospital, Hospice and local Nursing Homes. Please pray for all affected by cutbacks, illnesses and other challenges in our country and world.
RECENTLY DEAD: Beverley Heasman; Lindsay Corette; Archbishop Peter Smith; Fr. Henry Reynolds; Tony Brewer; Carol Blackmore; Bruce Costin; Fr. John Castelli; also Ann McCormack; Colm Hillan (month’s mind). Please keep in your prayers all who have died in conflict throughout the world especially the innocent civilians.
ANNIVERSARIES: John Carroll; Leonard Love; Brendin O’Doherty; Hubert Madge; Harold Taylor; Frances Chapman; Danielle Blackburn; John Brennan; Margaret Almeida; Ann Ivell; Violet Bigg; Philip Mallon; Mary Allen; Joy Whittaker; Laurence Sheldon; Reamonn Johnston; Douglas Valentine; Fr. Timothy Daly; May Middleton; Gertrude Ennis; Anthony Thompson-Murray.
Third Sunday Of Lent (A) 13 March 2020
ST. THOMAS MORE CHURCH , LUCKS HILL, WEST MALLING
PRIEST: Fr. Peter Soper, The Priest’s House, More Park, West Malling, ME19 6HN
Tel: 01732 843302 email: westmalling@rcaos.org.uk Website: www.westmallingrc.org.uk
St. Thomas More Pre-School, St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre, Lucks Hill, West Malling. ME19 6HN. Tel: 01732 874559
Third Sunday Of Lent (A)
A LENT OF INCREASED PRAYER, LOVE & SELF-CONTROL FOR OUR PARISH
15th March 2020
CORONAVIRUS ADVICE Please see the Archbishop’s Decree and other advised measures that were sent out on email this week - hard copies available in porch.
FUTURE OF THE PARISH Please see statement from Elaine and the Future Parish Group in this newsletter. We give thanks that now our Church and Pre-School have been saved.
THIS WEEKEND We continue Lent with the theme of the ‘living water of faith’ and ask for faith and dedication to our prayer, love and self-control to bring this to us and make ourselves strong in our present challenges, and during the week we have Lent Peni-tentials in St. Simon Stock School and for Key Stage 1 in the School, Stations of the Cross, the Kings Hill & Mereworth Lent Area Mass and Adoration on Friday and a new ’pink’ prayer sheet at Mass.
DURING THE WEEK There are meetings for the 1st Communion Children, Baby & Toddler Group, Youth Leaders, and St. Pat-rick’s Mass in School on Tuesday and St. Joseph’s Mass in Church on Friday. Also there is the 24 Hours with the Lord at Maid-stone on Friday - please see poster.
NEXT WEEKEND We celebrate mid-Lent and Mother’s Day when we take a ‘breather’ in our Lent with rose vestments and flow-ers in Church - and honour and pray for our mothers on earth and in heaven.
ARCHBISHOP PETER SMITH, our former Archbishop, sadly died last Friday and we offer him and his family and our Diocese all our love and prayers and support at this time.
SPECIAL PRAYERS PLEASE for Lindsay Corette who very sadly died suddenly and unexpectedly during the week - and we offer Fiona, Ethan, Liam, Emily & Kirsty all our love and support and prayers at this time.
PRAYERS PLEASE for Tony Brewer, Meg and family following his funeral last Tuesday - also Adrian Atmore, Peter Avery, and all facing illness and challenges at this time - again with our love and prayers and support.
HUMAN TRAFFICKING - especially with the agricultural sectors around Kent - please see the special note about a training day about this here in Bishop’s House on Saturday 28th March on page 3 of this newsletter. We have been asked to host this and provide tea and coffee - if you could help with this can you let the office know.
MASSES & SERVICES
| SATURDAY (Lent) | 14 |
5pm
|
Tony Brewer RIP (Parish) |
|
SUNDAY
Third Sunday of Lent (A)
|
15 |
10am
5.30pm
|
(Children’s Lent Liturgy) Archbishop Peter Smith RIP
The Parishioners
|
| MONDAY (Lent) | 16 | 9.30am |
Communion Service
|
|
TUESDAY
St. Patrick
|
17 |
9.30am
7.30pm
|
St. Patrick’s Day Mass in School
(Lent Penitentials at St. Simon Stock School)
Stations of the Cross (Dee Avery)
|
| WEDNESDAY (Lent) | 18 |
9.30am
8pm
|
(With Yr. 5 from School) Tony Brewer RIP & Meg (Steph, Ian & family)
(Key Stage 1 Penitentials in School)
Kings Hill & Mereworth Lent Area House Mass - see overleaf
|
| THURSDAY St. Joseph | 19 | 9.30am | Communion Service |
| FRIDAY (Lent) | 20 |
9.30am
6-8pm
|
(Mass of St. Joseph) Michelle Grillo RIP (25th Anniv.)
Adoration - everyone welcome to join team even for 10 minutes
12 midnight to 2am - West Malling at 24 Hours for the Lord at Maidstone
|
|
SATURDAY (Lent)
|
21 |
2.30pm
5pm
|
Baptisms - George Patrick & Jack Patterson
Norman Neale RIP
|
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SUNDAY
Fourth Sunday of Lent (A)
Mothering Sunday
|
22 |
10am
5.30pm
|
(Children’s Lent Liturgy) Jurek (George) Makuch RIP (Anniv.)
The Parishioners
|
| SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: Saturday 4.30pm to 4.45pm |
PLEASE PRAY FOR: Betty Ward; Moira Stevens; Peter and Dee Avery; Mary Wilmot; Fiona Evans; Roy & Heather Lewis; Frank Os-tridge; Jacky Seeds; Archie & Arrison Sullivan; Sheila Koster; Caroline Walker; Margaret Edwards; the Orlando Family; Ross, Philip, Niki & Freya; Betty Hatton; John Stevens; Meg Brewer; Natalie Walker; Jean Clifford; Adrian Atmore; Marie-Yvette Dennis; carers of the sick; our housebound and all at Maidstone Hospital, Hospice and local Nursing Homes. Please pray for all affected by cutbacks, illnesses and other challenges in our country and world.
RECENTLY DEAD: Lindsay Corette; Archbishop Peter Smith; Fr. Henry Reynolds; Tony Brewer; Carol Blackmore; Bruce Costin; Fr. John Castelli; Ann McCormack; Colm Hillan; also Fr. John Garrett; Enzo Argento; Anthony Gobel (cousin) (month’s mind). Please keep in your prayers all who have died in conflict throughout the world especially the innocent civilians.
ANNIVERSARIES: Vera Devlin; Nellie Harkin; Eunice Nichols; Jurek (George) Makuch; Michelle Grillo; Lucretia Kaigh; William Smith; Alison Micallef; Harold Leslie Hopson; Teodora Scalera; John Carroll; Leonard Love; Brendin O’Doherty; Hubert Madge; Harold Taylor.
MEETINGS THIS WEEK
| SUNDAY 15 | 10am | Children’s Liturgy in the St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre |
| MONDAY 16 | 5-6pm | First Communion Children’s Class in Church |
| TUESDAY 17 |
1.30pm to 3pm
8pm
|
Baby & Toddler Group in the St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre
Youth Leaders meet in Priest’s House
|
| WEDNESDAY 18 | 8pm | Kings Hill & Mereworth Area House Mass - see below |
| SUNDAY 22 | 10am | Children’s Liturgy in the St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre |
THANK YOU for your offerings which amounted to £340.11. (Standing Orders average £355 per week). The second collection for CAFOD raised £379.44.
SECURITY Anyone going into the Church alone must notify the Parish Office even if they have their own Church key and lock themselves in for safety reasons. They must also notify the Office when they leave.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION The next children’s lesson is on Monday 16th March from 5-6pm. (Fruit of the Vine - discuss chapter.) (We have taken down photos of last year’s first com-municants and they will be left on the table in the porch for parents to collect.)
FIRST COMMUNION PRAYER CARDS Please take a card and pray for the child whose name is on it as they prepare for their First Communion. The cards are in a box on the table in the porch. Thank you.
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**** Save The Date ****
SCHOOL & PARISH SUMMER FAYRE
Saturday 13th June 2020
Let’s all get together and make it our best one yet!
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MOTHER’S PRAYER GROUP The next meeting will be on Monday 23rd March at 7.30pm in the Church Porch. If you would be interested in attending please contact Steph Blackburn on 07977 458970 or email steph@bbits.co.uk.
ATTENTION ALL MISSIO RED BOX HOLDERS Along with the beginning of Lent also come the ‘MISSIO Today’ magazines and our collectors will be contacting all Red Box holders to carry out the Spring collection in the near future. Following the Extraordinary Month of Mission in Octo-ber 2019, the magazine tells us some of the work your contributions help in sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with the World.
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DONATE8 has new appeals for help for welcomers before mass, church cleaners, and flower arrangers. If you can spare some time to help please fill in a card in the church porch and post in the box or email the office with your details. Many thanks.
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SOCIAL JUSTICE From time to time people meet to discuss progress upon issues such as reducing poverty, persecution, conflict, discrimination and environmental degradation - all dear to the heart of Pope Francis. The next such meeting will be from 2pm to 4pm on Sunday March 15th at the Area Bishop’s House (“The Hermitage”, More Park, West Malling ME19 6HN - near the Catholic Church and school, entered via the driveway starting opposite Station Road North). All are welcome!
A PILGRIMAGE DAY INTRODUCING THE SAINTS AT ST BENEDICT’S CENTRE will take place on 23rd March from 9.30am to 3pm with Sister Mary John. Cost is £20 to include refreshments plus bring a packed lunch and a change of footwear in case the ground is soggy or damp! See poster on noticeboard for full details of the event.
THE REDEDICATION OF ENGLAND AS THE DOWRY OF MARY will take place on 29th March. In preparation for this we are invited to pray the Angelus every day before or after our parish Mass and personally during the day. We are also invited, over the intervening days, to begin a personal consecration to Jesus through Mary.
‘CONTEMPLATING THE WORD WITH MARY’ - England as the “Dowry of Mary” Saturday 21st March 2020, The Friars, Aylesford, 10am to 4pm. Please book direct with the Friars. Tel: 01622 717272.
JOB OPPORTUNITY AT THE FRIARS, AYLESFORD KENT, ME20 7BX, Tel: 01622 717272. Lay Sacristan responsible for the day to day running and maintenance of the Shrine and Chapels. 5 days per week to include weekends. 9am to 5pm. £11.00 per hour. For a full job de-scription and application form please contact Clare Abbotson, Prior’s PA, cabbotson@thefriars.org.uk. Closing date for applications is 12 noon on Monday 30th March 2020.
HEART OF KENT HOSPICE have a Volunteer Twilight Event on Tuesday 21st April from 5-30-7.30pm. They also have a Barn Dance & Supper on Saturday 25th April at Grove Green Community Centre. See noticeboard for details of both events.
A DAY WITH MARY will be held at The English Martyrs, Strood, Kent on Saturday 28th March. See noticeboard for full details.
ATTENTION ALL PARENTS For safeguarding reasons all children under 10 must be escorted to the toilet during Mass. Could we also remind parishioners that the doors inside Church must be accessible at all times and that prams or other items must not block them. Thank you.
CHURCH CLEANING Fiona’s group week beginning 16th March.
CHURCH FLOWERS Lent - No Flowers.
NOTICES Please see the Notice Board for more details.
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LENT HOUSE MASSES 2020
Kings Hill & Mereworth Wednesday 18th March at 8pm. 109 Discovery Drive, Kings Hill ME19 4DS. Mary Lockyear 01732 875752.
Larkfield, Ditton, East Malling & Teston Wednesday 25th March at 8pm. 2 Barrie Drive, Larkfield ME20 6UG. Eileen Scholes 01732 846844.
West Malling, Offham, Addington, Leybourne & Villages Wednesday 1st April at 8pm. 9 The Links, Addington ME19 5RX. Berna-dette & Jim Burke 01732 873392.
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MARRIAGE MATTERS
(www.twoinoneflesh.org.uk)
Third Sunday of Lent (Exodus 17:3-7, 2 Romans 5:1-2, 5-8, John 4:5-15, 19-26, 39-42)
Find our ‘living water’
Jesus’ message to the woman at the well reminds us of His first miracle at Cana where He changed water into wine. Today, He prom-ises us “living water where we will never be thirsty again … a spring inside … welling up to eternal life”. When His grace is poured into us, into our marriages, it can overflow, strengthening us, reaching out to others.
St. Joseph (2 Sam 7:4-5, 12-14, 16 Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22 Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24 [or Luke 2:41-51])
I will be with you always
Today we hear of hurt - Joseph’s (Matthew) and Mary’s (Luke). Whenever we are hurt, it is important to recall that Jesus said ‘I will be with you always’. For example, in times of difficulty, when we are struggling to make decisions, but see things differently, He is there, giving us the strength and courage to listen lovingly to each other.
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THE SANTA MARTA GROUP is an international initiative of the Catholic Bishops throughout the world working in partner-ship with the police and other agencies to bring an end to human trafficking - a form of modern-day slavery. It is a fact that human trafficking exists in every country, and probably in some form in every city and town - and, sad to say, that Kent area is highlighted as one of the many ‘Hot Spots’ in the UK. It is hard for us to comprehend that people are being tricked, deceived and traded in our part of the world. The Bishops Conference of England & Wales, through the Santa Marta Group, seeks to create awareness of the trafficking situation and abuses that go on within the agricultural sectors around Kent, but they need the help of some volunteers from our parish to achieve their aim. The Santa Marta Group is, therefore, appealing for volunteers to be trained to assist in creating awareness of the problem of modern-day slavery in our parishes. The volunteers will be commis-sioned to go to parishes to help promote the campaign against the abuses in the agricultural sector. The training will take place in areas of Kent on two different dates. Please feel free to attend any of the dates. The first will be on Saturday 28th March 2020 at The Hermitage, More Park, West Malling, Kent, ME19 6HN from 10.00am to 2.30pm and the second will be on Satur-day 4th April 2020 at St. Thomas of Canterbury Hall (entry in Canterbury Lane), Canterbury Lane, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2HJ, from 10.00am to 2.30pm. You are invited to attend any of the two training sessions. Please bring a packed lunch. The training programme is also opened to all interested parishioners. If you are interested to be a Volunteer in this project, please speak to your parish clergy. All are invited to the training programme - thank you.
|
|
FUTURE OF THE PARISH UPDATE
Thank you to everyone who attended our meeting on Monday evening to discuss the future of the Preschool. How-ever 30 minutes before the meeting started I received an email from the Diocese.
I enclose the quote from this email for you all to see.
Archbishop’s Council met earlier today to discuss matters at St Thomas More and the Hermitage. It was decided that, in order to provide sufficient time for everyone to consider the options and make plans, the Hermitage will not be marketed until Spring 2021. This allows for proper consideration of the Parish ambi-tion to retain the Stable Block / Nursery and provides a period of certainty for the Nursery.
The attendees were very pleased that the sale of the site had been postponed and that the Preschool could stay in the Stable block until end of the school year 2021.
This does now give us time to further discuss the Stable block and for the Preschool and School discuss further their future plans. Please trust in our group that we will continue to do as much as possible to safeguard our Church, the site and use of the Stable block. We must now as a Parish look to how we can use the Stable block as small groups on a regular basis with co operation from the Pre school to help us.
|
|
ADORATION IN THE PARISH OF ST THOMAS MORE WEST MALLING
As you will remember from last year, we offered an opportunity for everyone to spend some quiet time with the Lord in Adora-tion. It was decided that the best response was for a Friday evening between 6pm and 8pm. We have 2 teams and have also so had a few people join the team for a few minutes on a regular basis. To encourage you in Lent I asked for comments from our team of how taking time out from their busy lives to spend time in Adoration.
I hope this may encourage you to join our team – if you could spare 30 minutes between 6pm and 8pm on a Friday evening. Or if you and a group of friends feel you could create a new team on a different day or time. We will try our very best within cer-tain restrictions to accommodate you. If you are interested in taking part or have some ideas, please contact the Parish office by email. |
Second Sunday Of Lent (A) 06 March 2020
ST. THOMAS MORE CHURCH , LUCKS HILL, WEST MALLING
PRIEST: Fr. Peter Soper, The Priest’s House, More Park, West Malling, ME19 6HN
Tel: 01732 843302 email: westmalling@rcaos.org.uk Website: www.westmallingrc.org.uk
St. Thomas More Pre-School, St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre, Lucks Hill, West Malling. ME19 6HN. Tel: 01732 874559
Second Sunday Of Lent (A)
A LENT OF INCREASED PRAYER, LOVE & SELF-CONTROL FOR OUR PARISH
8th March 2020
CORONAVIRUS ADVICE The Bishops have advised us to sanitise our hands before coming to Mass and to ask anyone with cold or flu symptoms to refrain from receiving Communion on the tongue or from the chalice to help contain the spread of the coronavirus. Also, as a precaution, we are not shaking hands at the Sign of Peace or holding hands at the ‘Our Father’ at Mass.
FUTURE OF THE PARISH We are still awaiting a decision from the Diocese on the Parish Centre and Pre-School (Stable Block) - please keep up the prayers and listen for announcements in Church this weekend.
THIS WEEKEND We continue Lent with a Sunday of encouragement in our Lent and during the week have Stations of the Cross and Penitentials at St. Simon Stock on Tuesday, the Snodland Area Lent House Mass on Wednesday, Adora-tion on Friday (with an extra Adoration with Fr. Peter’s ‘Jesus Caritas’ group on Monday), and the Youth Group’s second Lent meeting on Friday. Please continue to use the Lent ‘Prayer Sheets’, candles and self-denial envelopes at home.
DURING THE WEEK There are also meetings for the 1st Communion Children, Mothers Prayer Group, Parish Future Group, Baby & Toddler Group, and Churches Together in Snodland.
ARCHBISHOP PETER SMITH, our former Archbishop, has recently received a diagnosis of cancer and is currently in hospital. Please kindly keep him in your prayers at this time.
PRAYERS PLEASE for Tony Brewer RIP and Meg and family and friends as they prepare for his funeral on Tuesday at 10.15am at Vinters Park Crematorium - also for Ann McCormack and Enzo Argento and their families following their fu-nerals last week - also Adrian Atmore and Peter Avery and all facing illness and challenges at this time - and we offer them all our prayers and love and support at this time.
HUMAN TRAFFICKING - especially with the agricultural sectors around Kent - please see the special note about a training day about this here in Bishop’s House on Saturday 28th March on page 3 of this newsletter. We have been asked to host this and provide tea and coffee - if you could help with this can you let the office know.
MASSES & SERVICES
| SATURDAY (Lent) | 7 |
5pm
|
Shelton Fernando RIP |
|
SUNDAY
Second Sunday of Lent (A)
|
8 |
10am
5.30pm
|
(Children’s Lent Liturgy) The Parishioners
The Parishioners
|
| MONDAY (Lent) | 9 |
9.30am
12noon-1pm
|
Communion Service
Adoration in Church with Fr. Peter’s ‘Jesus Caritas’ Group
|
|
TUESDAY (Lent)
|
10 |
9.30am
10.15am
7.30pm
|
Communion Service (N.B.)
Funeral Service for Tony Brewer at Vinters Park Crematorium
Stations of the Cross (Dee Avery)
|
|
WEDNESDAY (Lent)
|
11 |
9.30am
8pm
|
Deceased Relatives & Friends of the Lobo Family
Snodland & Halling Lent Area House Mass - see overleaf
|
| THURSDAY (Lent) | 12 | 9.30am | Communion Service |
| FRIDAY (Lent) | 13 |
9.30am
6-8pm
|
Welfare of the Diamond Family
Adoration - everyone welcome to join team even for 10 minutes
|
| SATURDAY (Lent) | 14 |
5pm
|
Tony Brewer RIP (Parish) |
|
SUNDAY
Third Sunday of Lent (A)
|
15 |
10am
5.30pm
|
(Children’s Lent Liturgy) The Parishioners
The Parishioners
|
| SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: Saturday 4.30pm to 4.45pm |
PLEASE PRAY FOR: Betty Ward; Moira Stevens; Peter and Dee Avery; Mary Wilmot; Fiona Evans; Roy & Heather Lewis; Frank Os-tridge; Jacky Seeds; Archie & Arrison Sullivan; Sheila Koster; Caroline Walker; Margaret Edwards; the Orlando Family; Ross, Philip, Niki & Freya; Betty Hatton; John Stevens; Meg Brewer; Abbey & Olly Blackmore; Natalie Walker; Jean Clifford; carers of the sick; our house-bound and all at Maidstone Hospital, Hospice and local Nursing Homes. Please pray for all affected by cutbacks, illnesses and other challenges in our country and world.
RECENTLY DEAD: Tony Brewer; Carol Blackmore; Bruce Costin; Fr. John Castelli; Ann McCormack; Colm Hillan; Fr. John Garrett; Enzo Argento; Anthony Gobel (cousin); also Norman Neale (month’s mind). Please keep in your prayers all who have died in conflict throughout the world especially the innocent civilians.
ANNIVERSARIES: Laureen McIntosh; Peter Thew; Mary Lucas; Michael Heggarty; Eric Gillespie & Family; Nellie Littlefear; Mary Still; Florence Smith; Patrick O’Neill; Jean Jackson; Harley Bernard.
MEETINGS THIS WEEK
| SATURDAY 7 | 10am to 12pm | Gardening Club |
| SUNDAY 8 | 10am | Children’s Liturgy in the St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre |
| MONDAY 9 |
5-6pm
7.30pm
7.30pm
|
First Communion Children’s Class in Church
Mothers Prayer Group in Church Porch
Parish Future Group meeting in Priest’s House
|
| TUESDAY 10 | 1.30pm to 3pm |
Baby & Toddler Group in the St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre
(Penitentials in St. Simon Stock School)
|
| WEDNESDAY 11 |
7pm
8pm
|
Churches Together in Snodland meet at The Vicarage
Snodland Area House Mass - see below
|
| FRIDAY 13 | 7-9pm | Youth Group Lent Meeting in School |
| SUNDAY 15 | 10am | Children’s Liturgy in the St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre |
THANK YOU for your offerings which amounted to £468.19. (Standing Orders average £355 per week). The second collection for Poor Par-ishes raised £339.55. Also, there is a thank you note from Pax Christi on the noticeboard for the £173.78 raised.
100 CLUB Congratulations go to Michael Puxley (No. 28) [£50] for the March draw.
SECURITY Anyone going into the Church alone must notify the Parish Office even if they have their own Church key and lock themselves in for safety reasons. They must also notify the Office when they leave.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION The next children’s lesson is on Monday 9th March from 5-6pm. (Bread to Offer - discuss chapter.) (We have taken down photos of last year’s first com-municants and they will be left on the table in the porch for parents to collect.)
FIRST COMMUNION PRAYER CARDS Please take a card and pray for the child whose name is on it as they prepare for their First Communion. The cards are in a box on the table in the porch. Thank you.
MOTHERS PRAYER GROUP The next meeting will be on Monday 9th March at 7.30pm in the Church Porch. If you would be interested in attending please contact Steph Blackburn on 07977 458970 or email steph@bbits.co.uk.
|
**** Save The Date ****
SCHOOL & PARISH SUMMER FAYRE
Saturday 13th June 2020
Let’s all get together and make it our best one yet!
|
ATTENTION ALL MISSIO RED BOX HOLDERS Along with the beginning of Lent also come the ‘MISSIO Today’ magazines and our collec-tors will be contacting all Red Box holders to carry out the Spring collection in the near future. Following the Extraordinary Month of Mission in October 2019, the magazine tells us some of the work your contributions help in sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with the World.
|
DONATE8 has new appeals for help for welcomers before mass, church cleaners, and flower arrangers. If you can spare some time to help please fill in a card in the church porch and post in the box or email the office with your details. Many thanks.
|
CHURCHES TOGETHER IN MALLING Holy Trinity Church Larkfield Quiz Night on Saturday 7th March at Larkfield Scout Hut, opposite the church. Doors open 7pm for 7.30pm start. Maximum team size 6 people. £5 per person.
A PILGRIMAGE DAY INTRODUCING THE SAINTS AT ST BENEDICT’S CENTRE will take place on 23rd March from 9.30am to 3pm with Sister Mary John. Cost is £20 to include refreshments plus bring a packed lunch and a change of footwear in case the ground is soggy or damp! See poster on noticeboard for full details of the event.
HEART OF KENT HOSPICE Bluebell Walk 2020 on Sunday 3rd May starting and finishing at Harrietsham Village Hall. See noticeboard for full details.
DIOCESAN JOB VACANCIES They currently have two job opportunities available. If you would like more information about either of them, please look on the Diocese’s website www.rcsouthwark.co.uk. (1) Marriage Tribunal Administrator - full time based on Tooting Bec, Lon-don SW17 (2) Safeguarding Office Administrator - based on the Cathedral site, London SE1.
ATTENTION ALL PARENTS For safeguarding reasons all children under 10 must be escorted to the toilet during Mass. Could we also remind parishioners that the doors inside Church must be accessible at all times and that prams or other items must not block them. Thank you.
CHURCH CLEANING Wiesia’s group week beginning 9th March.
CHURCH FLOWERS Lent - No Flowers.
NOTICES Please see the Notice Board for more details.
|
LENT HOUSE MASSES 2020
Snodland & Halling Wednesday 11th March at 8pm. 33 High Street, Snodland ME6 5AG. Eileen Calkin 01634 240069.
Kings Hill & Mereworth Wednesday 18th March at 8pm. 109 Discovery Drive, Kings Hill ME19 4DS. Mary Lockyear 01732 875752.
Larkfield, Ditton, East Malling & Teston Wednesday 25th March at 8pm. 2 Barrie Drive, Larkfield ME20 6UG. Eileen Scholes 01732 846844.
West Malling, Offham, Addington, Leybourne & Villages Wednesday 1st April at 8pm. 9 The Links, Addington ME19 5RX. Bernadette & Jim Burke 01732 873392.
|
|
MARRIAGE MATTERS
(www.twoinoneflesh.org.uk)
Second Sunday of Lent (Genesis 12:1-4a, 2 Timothy 1:8-10, Matthew 17:1-9)
Transformed by our love
Sometimes life is hard and we can get lost in the daily grind of making ends meet, of getting things done. Then, suddenly, a change occurs through a simple show of affection: a kiss, a touch, a loving glance from my beloved! In little gestures like these, we reveal again our love for each other and our relationship is transformed!
|
|
THE SANTA MARTA GROUP is an international initiative of the Catholic Bishops throughout the world working in partnership with the police and other agencies to bring an end to human trafficking - a form of modern-day slavery. It is a fact that human traffick-ing exists in every country, and probably in some form in every city and town - and, sad to say, that Kent area is highlighted as one of the many ‘Hot Spots’ in the UK. It is hard for us to comprehend that people are being tricked, deceived and traded in our part of the world. The Bishops Conference of England & Wales, through the Santa Marta Group, seeks to create awareness of the trafficking situation and abuses that go on within the agri-cultural sectors around Kent, but they need the help of some volunteers from our parish to achieve their aim. The Santa Marta Group is, therefore, appealing for volunteers to be trained to assist in creating awareness of the problem of modern-day slavery in our parish-es. The volunteers will be commissioned to go to parishes to help promote the campaign against the abuses in the agricultural sector. The training will take place in areas of Kent on two different dates. Please feel free to attend any of the dates. The first will be on Sat-urday 28th March 2020 at The Hermitage, More Park, West Malling, Kent, ME19 6HN from 10.00am to 2.30pm and the second will be on Saturday 4th April 2020 at St. Thomas of Canterbury Hall (entry in Canterbury Lane), Canterbury Lane, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2HJ, from 10.00am to 2.30pm. You are invited to attend any of the two training sessions. Please bring a packed lunch. The training programme is also opened to all interested pa-rishioners. If you are interested to be a Volunteer in this project, please speak to your par-ish clergy. All are invited to the training programme - thank you.
|
Second Sunday Of Lent (A) 06 March 2020
ST. THOMAS MORE CHURCH , LUCKS HILL, WEST MALLING
PRIEST: Fr. Peter Soper, The Priest’s House, More Park, West Malling, ME19 6HN
Tel: 01732 843302 email: westmalling@rcaos.org.uk Website: www.westmallingrc.org.uk
St. Thomas More Pre-School, St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre, Lucks Hill, West Malling. ME19 6HN. Tel: 01732 874559
Second Sunday Of Lent (A)
A LENT OF INCREASED PRAYER, LOVE & SELF-CONTROL FOR OUR PARISH
8th March 2020
CORONAVIRUS ADVICE The Bishops have advised us to sanitise our hands before coming to Mass and to ask anyone with cold or flu symptoms to refrain from receiving Communion on the tongue or from the chalice to help contain the spread of the coronavirus. Also, as a precaution, we are not shaking hands at the Sign of Peace or holding hands at the ‘Our Father’ at Mass.
FUTURE OF THE PARISH We are still awaiting a decision from the Diocese on the Parish Centre and Pre-School (Stable Block) - please keep up the prayers and listen for announcements in Church this weekend.
THIS WEEKEND We continue Lent with a Sunday of encouragement in our Lent and during the week have Stations of the Cross and Penitentials at St. Simon Stock on Tuesday, the Snodland Area Lent House Mass on Wednesday, Adora-tion on Friday (with an extra Adoration with Fr. Peter’s ‘Jesus Caritas’ group on Monday), and the Youth Group’s second Lent meeting on Friday. Please continue to use the Lent ‘Prayer Sheets’, candles and self-denial envelopes at home.
DURING THE WEEK There are also meetings for the 1st Communion Children, Mothers Prayer Group, Parish Future Group, Baby & Toddler Group, and Churches Together in Snodland.
ARCHBISHOP PETER SMITH, our former Archbishop, has recently received a diagnosis of cancer and is currently in hospital. Please kindly keep him in your prayers at this time.
PRAYERS PLEASE for Tony Brewer RIP and Meg and family and friends as they prepare for his funeral on Tuesday at 10.15am at Vinters Park Crematorium - also for Ann McCormack and Enzo Argento and their families following their fu-nerals last week - also Adrian Atmore and Peter Avery and all facing illness and challenges at this time - and we offer them all our prayers and love and support at this time.
HUMAN TRAFFICKING - especially with the agricultural sectors around Kent - please see the special note about a training day about this here in Bishop’s House on Saturday 28th March on page 3 of this newsletter. We have been asked to host this and provide tea and coffee - if you could help with this can you let the office know.
MASSES & SERVICES
| SATURDAY (Lent) | 7 |
5pm
|
Shelton Fernando RIP |
|
SUNDAY
Second Sunday of Lent (A)
|
8 |
10am
5.30pm
|
(Children’s Lent Liturgy) The Parishioners
The Parishioners
|
| MONDAY (Lent) | 9 |
9.30am
12noon-1pm
|
Communion Service
Adoration in Church with Fr. Peter’s ‘Jesus Caritas’ Group
|
|
TUESDAY (Lent)
|
10 |
9.30am
10.15am
7.30pm
|
Communion Service (N.B.)
Funeral Service for Tony Brewer at Vinters Park Crematorium
Stations of the Cross (Dee Avery)
|
|
WEDNESDAY (Lent)
|
11 |
9.30am
8pm
|
Deceased Relatives & Friends of the Lobo Family
Snodland & Halling Lent Area House Mass - see overleaf
|
| THURSDAY (Lent) | 12 | 9.30am | Communion Service |
| FRIDAY (Lent) | 13 |
9.30am
6-8pm
|
Welfare of the Diamond Family
Adoration - everyone welcome to join team even for 10 minutes
|
| SATURDAY (Lent) | 14 |
5pm
|
Tony Brewer RIP (Parish) |
|
SUNDAY
Third Sunday of Lent (A)
|
15 |
10am
5.30pm
|
(Children’s Lent Liturgy) The Parishioners
The Parishioners
|
| SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: Saturday 4.30pm to 4.45pm |
PLEASE PRAY FOR: Betty Ward; Moira Stevens; Peter and Dee Avery; Mary Wilmot; Fiona Evans; Roy & Heather Lewis; Frank Os-tridge; Jacky Seeds; Archie & Arrison Sullivan; Sheila Koster; Caroline Walker; Margaret Edwards; the Orlando Family; Ross, Philip, Niki & Freya; Betty Hatton; John Stevens; Meg Brewer; Abbey & Olly Blackmore; Natalie Walker; Jean Clifford; carers of the sick; our house-bound and all at Maidstone Hospital, Hospice and local Nursing Homes. Please pray for all affected by cutbacks, illnesses and other challenges in our country and world.
RECENTLY DEAD: Tony Brewer; Carol Blackmore; Bruce Costin; Fr. John Castelli; Ann McCormack; Colm Hillan; Fr. John Garrett; Enzo Argento; Anthony Gobel (cousin); also Norman Neale (month’s mind). Please keep in your prayers all who have died in conflict throughout the world especially the innocent civilians.
ANNIVERSARIES: Laureen McIntosh; Peter Thew; Mary Lucas; Michael Heggarty; Eric Gillespie & Family; Nellie Littlefear; Mary Still; Florence Smith; Patrick O’Neill; Jean Jackson; Harley Bernard.
MEETINGS THIS WEEK
| SATURDAY 7 | 10am to 12pm | Gardening Club |
| SUNDAY 8 | 10am | Children’s Liturgy in the St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre |
| MONDAY 9 |
5-6pm
7.30pm
7.30pm
|
First Communion Children’s Class in Church
Mothers Prayer Group in Church Porch
Parish Future Group meeting in Priest’s House
|
| TUESDAY 10 | 1.30pm to 3pm |
Baby & Toddler Group in the St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre
(Penitentials in St. Simon Stock School)
|
| WEDNESDAY 11 |
7pm
8pm
|
Churches Together in Snodland meet at The Vicarage
Snodland Area House Mass - see below
|
| FRIDAY 13 | 7-9pm | Youth Group Lent Meeting in School |
| SUNDAY 15 | 10am | Children’s Liturgy in the St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre |
THANK YOU for your offerings which amounted to £468.19. (Standing Orders average £355 per week). The second collection for Poor Par-ishes raised £339.55. Also, there is a thank you note from Pax Christi on the noticeboard for the £173.78 raised.
100 CLUB Congratulations go to Michael Puxley (No. 28) [£50] for the March draw.
SECURITY Anyone going into the Church alone must notify the Parish Office even if they have their own Church key and lock themselves in for safety reasons. They must also notify the Office when they leave.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION The next children’s lesson is on Monday 9th March from 5-6pm. (Bread to Offer - discuss chapter.) (We have taken down photos of last year’s first com-municants and they will be left on the table in the porch for parents to collect.)
FIRST COMMUNION PRAYER CARDS Please take a card and pray for the child whose name is on it as they prepare for their First Communion. The cards are in a box on the table in the porch. Thank you.
MOTHERS PRAYER GROUP The next meeting will be on Monday 9th March at 7.30pm in the Church Porch. If you would be interested in attending please contact Steph Blackburn on 07977 458970 or email steph@bbits.co.uk.
|
**** Save The Date ****
SCHOOL & PARISH SUMMER FAYRE
Saturday 13th June 2020
Let’s all get together and make it our best one yet!
|
ATTENTION ALL MISSIO RED BOX HOLDERS Along with the beginning of Lent also come the ‘MISSIO Today’ magazines and our collec-tors will be contacting all Red Box holders to carry out the Spring collection in the near future. Following the Extraordinary Month of Mission in October 2019, the magazine tells us some of the work your contributions help in sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with the World.
|
DONATE8 has new appeals for help for welcomers before mass, church cleaners, and flower arrangers. If you can spare some time to help please fill in a card in the church porch and post in the box or email the office with your details. Many thanks.
|
CHURCHES TOGETHER IN MALLING Holy Trinity Church Larkfield Quiz Night on Saturday 7th March at Larkfield Scout Hut, opposite the church. Doors open 7pm for 7.30pm start. Maximum team size 6 people. £5 per person.
A PILGRIMAGE DAY INTRODUCING THE SAINTS AT ST BENEDICT’S CENTRE will take place on 23rd March from 9.30am to 3pm with Sister Mary John. Cost is £20 to include refreshments plus bring a packed lunch and a change of footwear in case the ground is soggy or damp! See poster on noticeboard for full details of the event.
HEART OF KENT HOSPICE Bluebell Walk 2020 on Sunday 3rd May starting and finishing at Harrietsham Village Hall. See noticeboard for full details.
DIOCESAN JOB VACANCIES They currently have two job opportunities available. If you would like more information about either of them, please look on the Diocese’s website www.rcsouthwark.co.uk. (1) Marriage Tribunal Administrator - full time based on Tooting Bec, Lon-don SW17 (2) Safeguarding Office Administrator - based on the Cathedral site, London SE1.
ATTENTION ALL PARENTS For safeguarding reasons all children under 10 must be escorted to the toilet during Mass. Could we also remind parishioners that the doors inside Church must be accessible at all times and that prams or other items must not block them. Thank you.
CHURCH CLEANING Wiesia’s group week beginning 9th March.
CHURCH FLOWERS Lent - No Flowers.
NOTICES Please see the Notice Board for more details.
|
LENT HOUSE MASSES 2020
Snodland & Halling Wednesday 11th March at 8pm. 33 High Street, Snodland ME6 5AG. Eileen Calkin 01634 240069.
Kings Hill & Mereworth Wednesday 18th March at 8pm. 109 Discovery Drive, Kings Hill ME19 4DS. Mary Lockyear 01732 875752.
Larkfield, Ditton, East Malling & Teston Wednesday 25th March at 8pm. 2 Barrie Drive, Larkfield ME20 6UG. Eileen Scholes 01732 846844.
West Malling, Offham, Addington, Leybourne & Villages Wednesday 1st April at 8pm. 9 The Links, Addington ME19 5RX. Bernadette & Jim Burke 01732 873392.
|
|
MARRIAGE MATTERS
(www.twoinoneflesh.org.uk)
Second Sunday of Lent (Genesis 12:1-4a, 2 Timothy 1:8-10, Matthew 17:1-9)
Transformed by our love
Sometimes life is hard and we can get lost in the daily grind of making ends meet, of getting things done. Then, suddenly, a change occurs through a simple show of affection: a kiss, a touch, a loving glance from my beloved! In little gestures like these, we reveal again our love for each other and our relationship is transformed!
|
|
THE SANTA MARTA GROUP is an international initiative of the Catholic Bishops throughout the world working in partnership with the police and other agencies to bring an end to human trafficking - a form of modern-day slavery. It is a fact that human traffick-ing exists in every country, and probably in some form in every city and town - and, sad to say, that Kent area is highlighted as one of the many ‘Hot Spots’ in the UK. It is hard for us to comprehend that people are being tricked, deceived and traded in our part of the world. The Bishops Conference of England & Wales, through the Santa Marta Group, seeks to create awareness of the trafficking situation and abuses that go on within the agri-cultural sectors around Kent, but they need the help of some volunteers from our parish to achieve their aim. The Santa Marta Group is, therefore, appealing for volunteers to be trained to assist in creating awareness of the problem of modern-day slavery in our parish-es. The volunteers will be commissioned to go to parishes to help promote the campaign against the abuses in the agricultural sector. The training will take place in areas of Kent on two different dates. Please feel free to attend any of the dates. The first will be on Sat-urday 28th March 2020 at The Hermitage, More Park, West Malling, Kent, ME19 6HN from 10.00am to 2.30pm and the second will be on Saturday 4th April 2020 at St. Thomas of Canterbury Hall (entry in Canterbury Lane), Canterbury Lane, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2HJ, from 10.00am to 2.30pm. You are invited to attend any of the two training sessions. Please bring a packed lunch. The training programme is also opened to all interested pa-rishioners. If you are interested to be a Volunteer in this project, please speak to your par-ish clergy. All are invited to the training programme - thank you.
|
First Sunday Of Lent (A) 28 February 2020
ST. THOMAS MORE CHURCH , LUCKS HILL, WEST MALLING
PRIEST: Fr. Peter Soper, The Priest’s House, More Park, West Malling, ME19 6HN
Tel: 01732 843302 email: westmalling@rcaos.org.uk Website: www.westmallingrc.org.uk
St. Thomas More Pre-School, St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre, Lucks Hill, West Malling. ME19 6HN. Tel: 01732 874559
First Sunday Of Lent (A)
1st March 2020
CORONAVIRUS ADVICE The Bishops have advised us to sanitise our hands before coming to Mass and to ask anyone with cold or flu symptoms to refrain from receiving Communion on the tongue or from the chalice to help contain the spread of the coronavirus.
FUTURE OF THE PARISH Please see attached statement from the Parish Future Group on page 3 of this newsletter. Our thanks to the Group for all their hard work.
THIS WEEKEND is the first weekend of Lent when we begin our journey up the Lenten Ladder and have our prayer sheets and candles and self-denial envelopes for the CAFOD Fast Day on Friday 6th March. There will also be a collection during the notices for the poorer families of the Diocese to enable the Archbishop to help them. We then, during next week, begin our Lent Area House Masses (please see full list overleaf), together with Stations of the Cross which begin this Tuesday 3rd March at 7.30pm.
DURING THE WEEK There are meetings for the 1st Communion Children; Baby & Toddler Group; Friendship Group; West Malling, Offham, Addington, Leybourne & Villages Area Groups; and the Gardening Club - also an important meeting for the 1st Communion Parents on the Eucharist.
PRAYERS PLEASE for Ann McCormack and her family as they prepare for her funeral tomorrow (Monday), Enzo Argento and the Orlando family as they prepare for his funeral on Friday (details of both of these below), and Tony Brewer and Meg and family as they prepare for his funeral at Vinters Park Crematorium on Tuesday 10th March at 10.15am - also Eileen Lo-beck and her family following her funeral last Friday, and Norman Neale and Bruce Costin RIP and their families - and we offer them all our love and prayers and support at this time - also to all facing illnesses and challenges at this time.
NEXT WEEKEND We continue Lent and during the week start our Lent Area House Masses (details overleaf) and peniten-tials in the school.
HUMAN TRAFFICKING - especially with the agricultural sectors around Kent - please see the special note about a training day about this here in Bishop’s House on Saturday 28th March on page 4 of this newsletter. We have been asked to host this and provide tea and coffee - if you could help with this can you let the office know.
MASSES & SERVICES
| SATURDAY (Lent Weekday) | 29 |
5pm
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Pauline O’Toole RIP (Dee & Peter) |
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SUNDAY
First Sunday of Lent (A)
|
1 Mar |
10am
5.30pm
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(Children’s Lent Liturgy) The Parishioners
Eileen Lobeck RIP (Family)
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| MONDAY (Lent) | 2 |
9.30am
12 noon
|
Communion Service
Funeral Service for Ann McCormack RIP in Church followed by service at Aylesford Cemetery
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| TUESDAY (Lent) | 3 |
9.30am
7.30pm
|
Welfare of the Diamond Family
Stations of the Cross (Dee Avery)
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| WEDNESDAY (Lent) | 4 | 9.30am | St. David’s Day Mass in School |
| THURSDAY (Lent) | 5 | 9.30am | Communion Service |
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FRIDAY
Women’s World Day of Prayer
CAFOD Lent Fast Day
|
6 |
9.30am
12.30pm
6-8pm
|
Keggy Diamond RIP
Funeral Mass for Enzo Argento at Corpus Christi, Lyons Crescent, Tonbridge followed by service at Tonbridge Cemetery
Adoration - everyone welcome to join team even for 10 minutes
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| SATURDAY (Lent) | 7 |
5pm
|
Norman Neale RIP |
|
SUNDAY
Second Sunday of Lent (A)
|
8 |
10am
5.30pm
|
(Children’s Lent Liturgy) The Parishioners
The Parishioners
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| SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: Saturday 4.30pm to 4.45pm |
PLEASE PRAY FOR: Betty Ward; Moira Stevens; Peter and Dee Avery; Mary Wilmot; Fiona Evans; Roy & Heather Lewis; Frank Os-tridge; Jacky Seeds; Archie & Arrison Sullivan; Sheila Koster; Caroline Walker; Margaret Edwards; the Orlando Family; Ross, Philip, Niki & Freya; Betty Hatton; John Stevens; Meg Brewer; Joan Johnson; Abbey & Olly Blackmore; carers of the sick; our housebound and all at Maidstone Hospital, Hospice and local Nursing Homes. Please pray for all affected by cutbacks, illnesses and other challenges in our country and world.
RECENTLY DEAD: Tony Brewer; Carol Blackmore; Bruce Costin; Fr. John Castelli; Ann McCormack; Colm Hillan; Fr. John Garrett; Enzo Argento; Anthony Gobel (cousin); Norman Neale; also Pauline O’Toole; Eileen Lobeck; May Piddock (month’s mind). Please keep in your prayers all who have died in conflict throughout the world especially the innocent civilians.
ANNIVERSARIES: David Dadswell; Dennis Boxell; Sheila Martin; Monica Walker; Hannah Gleeson; Jean Large; Mark Hamill; Teresa Norris; Velma Smith; Patrick Kelly; Gerald Hemming; Nellie Morrissey; Ayleen Sharp; Laureen McIntosh.
MEETINGS THIS WEEK
| SUNDAY 1 MARCH | 10am | Children’s Liturgy in the St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre |
| MONDAY 2 | 5-6pm | First Communion Children’s Class in Church |
| TUESDAY 3 | 1.30pm to 3pm | Baby & Toddler Group in the St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre |
| WEDNESDAY 4 |
12.45pm
7.30pm for 8pm
|
Friendship Group meet at Jenny’s for a Soup Lunch
First Communion Parents’ Meeting in Church on the ‘Eucharist’
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| FRIDAY 6 | 7pm for 7.30pm | West Malling, Offham, Addington, Leybourne & Villages Area Group Meeting at The Bull, West Malling |
| SATURDAY 7 | 10am to 12pm | Gardening Club |
| SUNDAY 8 | 10am | Children’s Liturgy in the St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre |
THANK YOU for your offerings which amounted to £389.14. (Standing Orders average £355 per week).
SECURITY Anyone going into the Church alone must notify the Parish Office even if they have their own Church key and lock themselves in for safety reasons. They must also notify the Office when they leave.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION The next children’s lesson is on Monday 2nd March from 5-6pm. (Glory to God & The Word of the Lord - recap on Glory to God chapter and discuss The Word of the Lord.) The next parents’ meeting is on Wednesday 4th March with refreshments from 7.30pm and the meeting commencing at 8pm. (Eucharist - important that all parents attend to help you and your child prepare for this Sacrament.) (We have taken down photos of last year’s first communicants and they will be left on the table in the porch for parents to collect.)
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**** Save The Date ****
SCHOOL & PARISH SUMMER FAYRE
Saturday 13th June 2020
Let’s all get together and make it our best one yet!
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FIRST COMMUNION PRAYER CARDS Please take a card and pray for the child whose name is on it as they prepare for their First Communion. The cards are in a box on the table in the porch. Thank you.
FRIENDSHIP GROUP will be meeting at Jenny’s for a Soup Lunch on Wednesday 4th March at 12.45pm
ATTENTION ALL MISSIO RED BOX HOLDERS Along with the beginning of Lent also come the ‘MISSIO Today’ magazines and our collectors will be contacting all Red Box holders to carry out the Spring collection in the near future. Following the Extraordinary Month of Mission in Octo-ber 2019, the magazine tells us some of the work your contributions help in sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with the World.
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DONATE8 has new appeals for help for welcomers before mass, church cleaners, and flower arrangers. If you can spare some time to help please fill in a card in the church porch and post in the box or email the office with your details. Many thanks.
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ANNUAL WORLD DAY OF PRAYER This year the World Day of Prayer Service on Friday 6th March has been prepared by the Christian Women of Zimbabwe and the title is Rise! Take your mat and walk. There will be two services at 10am and 8pm both at the West Malling Bap-tist Church with refreshments served 30 minutes before each service. This promises to be a beautiful Ecumenical service and there is a poster at the back of the church advertising it. All are welcome.
CHURCHES TOGETHER IN MALLING Holy Trinity Church Larkfield Quiz Night on Saturday 7th March at Larkfield Scout Hut, opposite the church. Doors open 7pm for 7.30pm start. Maximum team size 6 people. £5 per person.
HEART OF KENT HOSPICE See noticeboard for details of their Karting Event at Buckmore Park on Thursday 7th May 2020.
ATTENTION ALL PARENTS For safeguarding reasons all children under 10 must be escorted to the toilet during Mass. Could we also remind parishioners that the doors inside Church must be accessible at all times and that prams or other items must not block them. Thank you.
GARDENING CLUB meet on Saturday 7th March from 10am to 12 noon.
CHURCH CLEANING Steph’s group week beginning 2nd March.
CHURCH FLOWERS Lent - No Flowers.
NOTICES Please see the Notice Board for more details.
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LENT HOUSE MASSES 2020
Snodland & Halling Wednesday 11th March at 8pm. 33 High Street, Snodland ME6 5AG. Eileen Calkin 01634 240069.
Kings Hill & Mereworth Wednesday 18th March at 8pm. 109 Discovery Drive, Kings Hill ME19 4DS. Mary Lockyear 01732 875752.
Larkfield, Ditton, East Malling & Teston Wednesday 25th March at 8pm. 2 Barrie Drive, Larkfield ME20 6UG. Eileen Scholes 01732 846844.
West Malling, Offham, Addington, Leybourne & Villages Wednesday 1st April at 8pm. 9 The Links, Addington ME19 5RX. Bernadette & Jim Burke 01732 873392.
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AREA GROUP MEETINGS
West Malling, Offham, Addington, Leybourne & Villages meet on Friday 6th March at 7 for 7.30pm at The Bull, High Street, West Malling for a fish and chip supper (dessert extra if required). RSVP Bernadette Burke 01732 873392
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MARRIAGE MATTERS
(www.twoinoneflesh.org.uk)
First Sunday of Lent (Genesis 2:7-9, 3:1-7, Romans 5:12-19, Matthew 4:1-11)
Avoid independence
Today, both Eve and Jesus are tempted to become independent, to turn away from the love of God. In marriage, we can think we have a right to fulfil our own desires without considering our partner, but we need to share these deepest hopes and dreams, and be prepared to hear the impact on our loved one and our relationship.
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Seventh Sunday of the Year (A) 22 February 2020
ST. THOMAS MORE CHURCH , LUCKS HILL, WEST MALLING
PRIEST: Fr. Peter Soper, The Priest’s House, More Park, West Malling, ME19 6HN
Tel: 01732 843302 email: westmalling@rcaos.org.uk Website: www.westmallingrc.org.uk
St. Thomas More Pre-School, St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre, Lucks Hill, West Malling. ME19 6HN. Tel: 01732 874559
Seventh Sunday of the Year (A)
(Last Sunday before Lent)
DAY FOR THE UNEMPLOYED
23rd February 2020
CORONAVIRUS ADVICE The Bishops have advised us to sanitise our hands before coming to Mass and to ask anyone with cold or flu symptoms to refrain from receiving Communion on the tongue or from the chalice to help contain the spread of the coronavirus.
FUTURE OF THE PARISH Adrian will speak about the outcome of the meeting with the Archbishop last Thursday at all Masses.
THIS WEEKEND is the final weekend of the pre-school and school’s holiday break and also the last Sunday before Lent. It is also a Day of Prayer for the Unemployed and we remember them and their families in our prayers and pray for new help and solutions.
LENT 2020 Lent begins this Ash Wednesday with Masses and Ashes (see below for times). It’s a day of fast and absti-nence - no meat and only one main meal and two snacks. The Youth Group also have their Lent Penitential and confes-sions in the school on Friday.
DURING THE WEEK There are also meetings for the 1st Communion Children, Parish Future Group, Mother’s Prayer Group, Baby & Toddler Group, and Deanery Pastoral Council.
NEXT WEEKEND is the first weekend of Lent when we begin our journey up the Lenten Ladder and have our prayer sheets and candles and self-denial envelopes for the Cafod Fast Day on Friday 6th March. There will also be a collection during the notices for the poorer families of the Diocese to enable the Archbishop to help them. We then, during next week, begin our Lent Area House Masses (please see full list overleaf), together with Stations of the Cross which begin on Tuesday 3rd March at 7.30pm.
PRAYERS PLEASE for Eileen Lobeck and her family as they prepare for her funeral this Friday - also Enzo Argento and the Orlando family as they prepare for his funeral at Tonbridge on Friday 6th March - also Ann McCormack RIP and her family - and we offer them all our prayers and support at this time.
MASSES & SERVICES
| SATURDAY (The Chair of St. Peter) | 22 |
5pm
|
Harry Fellows RIP |
|
SUNDAY
Seventh Sunday of the Year (A)
Day for the Unemployed
|
23 |
10am
5.30pm
|
(Children’s Liturgy) The Parishioners
The Parishioners
|
| MONDAY (Weekday) | 24 |
9.30am
|
Communion Service |
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TUESDAY
Shrove Tuesday (St. Ethelbert)
|
25 |
9.30am
|
Keggy Diamond RIP
|
|
WEDNESDAY
Ash Wednesday
|
26 |
10am
8pm
|
School & Pre-School Mass in Church
Parish Mass in Church
|
| THURSDAY (Lent Weekday) | 27 | 9.30am | Communion Service |
| FRIDAY (Lent Weekday) | 28 |
9.30am
1pm
6-8pm
|
Welfare (S.B.)
Funeral of Eileen Lobeck RIP at Medway Crematorium
Adoration - everyone welcome to join team even for 10 minutes
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| SATURDAY (Lent Weekday) | 29 |
5pm
|
Pauline O’Toole RIP |
|
SUNDAY
First Sunday of Lent (A)
|
1 Mar |
10am
5.30pm
|
(Children’s Liturgy) The Parishioners
Eileen Lobeck RIP (Family)
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| SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: Saturday 4.30pm to 4.45pm |
PLEASE PRAY FOR: Betty Ward; Moira Stevens; Peter and Dee Avery; Mary Wilmot; Fiona Evans; Roy & Heather Lewis; Frank Os-tridge; Jacky Seeds; Archie & Arrison Sullivan; Sheila Koster; Caroline Walker; Margaret Edwards; the Orlando Family; Ross, Philip, Niki & Freya; Betty Hatton; John Stevens; Tony Penfold; Tony & Meg Brewer; carers of the sick; our housebound and all at Maidstone Hospi-tal, Hospice and local Nursing Homes. Please pray for all affected by cutbacks, illnesses and other challenges in our country and world.
RECENTLY DEAD: Ann McCormack; Colm Hillan; Fr. John Garrett; Enzo Argento; Anthony Gobel (cousin); Norman Neale; Pauline O’Toole; Eileen Lobeck; May Piddock (month’s mind). Please keep in your prayers all who have died in conflict throughout the world especially the innocent civilians.
ANNIVERSARIES: Charles O’Malia; Maisie Farrow; Margaret Banfield; Margaret Wilkinson; Marco Valencia; Eileen Bolton; Bridget Vernon; Meta McKeag; James Devlin; Cyril ‘Bill’ Smith; Anne Cotter; Lucienne Crawford; Martin Lyons; Alice Slater; Dorothy Beatty; Da-vid Dadswell; Dennis Boxell.
MEETINGS THIS WEEK
| SUNDAY 23 | 10am | Children’s Liturgy in the St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre |
| MONDAY 24 |
5-6pm
7.30pm
7.30pm
|
First Communion Children’s Class in Church
Mother’s Prayer Group in Church Porch
Parish Future Group meeting in Priest’s House
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| TUESDAY 25 |
1.30pm to 3pm
7.30pm
|
Baby & Toddler Group in the St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre
Deanery Pastoral Council at Tenterden
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| FRIDAY 28 | 7-9pm | Youth Group Lent Penitential in School |
| SUNDAY 1 MARCH | 10am | Children’s Liturgy in the St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre |
THANK YOU for your offerings which amounted to £365.38. (Standing Orders average £355 per week).
SECURITY Anyone going into the Church alone must notify the Parish Office even if they have their own Church key and lock them-selves in for safety reasons. They must also notify the Office when they leave.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION The next children’s lesson is on Monday 24th February from 5-6pm. (Recap on Reconciliation and assess the books and class - discuss Glory to God in the Highest as discussed at parents meeting - check knowledge of prayers and general question time. (We have taken down photos of last year’s first communicants and they will be left on the table in the porch for parents to collect.)
FIRST COMMUNION PRAYER CARDS Please take a card and pray for the child whose name is on it as they prepare for their First Communion. The cards are in a box on the table in the porch. Thank you.
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**** Save The Date ****
SCHOOL & PARISH SUMMER FAYRE
Saturday 13th June 2020
Let’s all get together and make it our
best one yet!
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MOTHERS PRAYER GROUP The next meeting will be on Monday 24th February at 7.30pm in the Church Porch. If you would be interested in attending please contact Steph Blackburn on 07977 458970 or email steph@bbits.co.uk.
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DONATE8 has new appeals for help for welcomers before mass, church cleaners, flower arrangers and also need a team to move a shed. If you can spare some time to help please fill in a card in the church porch and post in the box or email the office with your details. Many thanks.
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ANNUAL WORLD DAY OF PRAYER This year the World Day of Prayer Service on Friday 6th March has been prepared by the Chris-tian Women of Zimbabwe and the title is Rise! Take your mat and walk. There will be two services at 10am and 8pm both at the West Malling Baptist Church with refreshments served 30 minutes before each service. This promises to be a beautiful Ecumenical service and there is a poster at the back of the church advertising it. All are welcome.
HEART OF KENT HOSPICE See noticeboard for details of their Make A Will Month 2020.
MARY’S MEALS Please see noticeboard for an appeal to feed chronically hungry children in Turkana, northern Kenya.
ATTENTION ALL PARENTS For safeguarding reasons all children under 10 must be escorted to the toilet during Mass. Could we also remind parishioners that the doors inside Church must be accessible at all times and that prams or other items must not block them. Thank you.
CHURCH CLEANING Group 4 week beginning 24th February.
CHURCH FLOWERS Elaine’s group week beginning 28th February.
NOTICES Please see the Notice Board for more details.
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LENT HOUSE MASSES 2020
Snodland & Halling Wednesday 11th March at 8pm. 33 High Street, Snodland ME6 5AG. Eileen Calkin 01634 240069.
Kings Hill & Mereworth Wednesday 18th March at 8pm. 109 Discovery Drive, Kings Hill ME19 4DS. Mary Lockyear 01732 875752.
Larkfield, Ditton, East Malling & Teston Wednesday 25th March at 8pm. 2 Barrie Drive, Larkfield ME20 6UG. Eileen Scholes 01732 846844.
West Malling, Offham, Addington, Leybourne & Villages Wednesday 1st April at 8pm. 9 The Links, Addington ME19 5RX. Bernadette & Jim Burke 01732 873392.
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AREA GROUP MEETINGS
West Malling, Offham &Addington meet on Friday 6th March at 7 for 7.30pm at The Bull, High Street, West Malling for a fish and chip supper (dessert extra if required). RSVP Bernadette Burke 01732 873392
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MARRIAGE MATTERS
(www.twoinoneflesh.org.uk)
Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (Lev 19:1-2, 17-18, 1 Corinthians 3:16-23, Matthew 5:38-48)
Finding the joy in our sacramental relationship
The joy of courting couples is obvious for all to see. Over the years, excitement can lessen, our independent attitudes strength-en; competition and jealousy creep in. Today Jesus calls us to “… turn the other cheek …”. In confidence share, in trust listen, in faith forgive, so that our spouse will grow in self-worth and the sparkle of joy will reignite.
Ash Wednesday (Joel 2:12-18, 2 Corinthians 5:20-6.2, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18)
Turn anew to each other
Our loving, compassionate, merciful and forgiving Father is always saying ‘come back to me’, ‘repent and be reconciled to me and to each other’. In our marriage, issues or hurts can result in ‘losing’ each other. It’s time to ‘come back’ to each other, be compassionate and forgiving … and back to our loving Father in the Sacrament of Reconciliation!
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Archbishop Letter 15 February 2020
ARCHBISHOP'S HOUSE,
150 ST. GEORGE'S ROAD, SOUTHWARK, LONDON SE1 6HX
Tel: 020 7928 2495 email: archbishop@rcaos.org.uk
Mr Adrian Atmore
c/o The Priest's House
More Park Lucks Hill
West Malling
Kent
ME19 6HN
9 February 2020
Dear Mr Atmore
Thank you every much for your letter of 27 January and the enclosure with it. I am very grateful to you for writing to me on behalf of the parishioners of St Thomas More PArish, West Malling.
Please let me begin by saying it was never my intention to cause any upset to the parish. Had I known that the agreements which I belived were in place were, in fact, not as firm they should have been, I would not have sent the letter to the parish. I am sorry that this was so unsettling for the parish community and I am committed to finding a way forward.
My genuine belief, based on the information I received, was that the letter I sent to the parish was requested and endorsed by Fr Peter and members of the parish finance committee. I was told that there had been a number of meetings about the various proposals for the site and that Officers of the Archdiocese had put forward a number of options. It was informed, the decision of Fr Peter and members of the parish finance committee to move forward with the proposed sale of the whole site.
I was asked to write a letter outlining this which I forwarded to Fr Peter. He acknowledged it by email to me saying: "Thank you very much for your letter to us and the work you and the Diocese have put into this. I will read the letter out at our Masses this weekend and have copies for the people to take home. I ask your prayers as I do this as it will be difficult but it will be good as it will enable me to use this Christmas to help the people with this." This response seemed to support the request for the letter and demonstrate approval of it.
I was therefore surprised to see the content of the letter described as 'devastating' in the local media. Understandably, parishioners other people in the local community were upset and angry.
The subsequent clarification I issued on 11 January attempted to address this misunderstanding:
'Since my letter of 20 December 2019 to the Catholic Community of the Parish of St Thomas More, West Malling, there has been contact from a number of individuals and media outlets, together with an online petition. The Letter never proposed the closure of the parish, but the relocation of liturgical, spiritual and pastoral provision for the Catholic community of around 250 people who attend Mass each weekend across three Sunday Masses. The has been prompted by the urgent need to address the problems of the site as a whole on which, alongside other buildings, the presbytery and church are located.
I am sorry for any upset caused by this letter. It was issued following a series of meetings, over a number of months, between Diocesan Officers, the Parish Priest, Fr Peter Soper, and representatives of the Parish Finance Committee. The proposal it contained was endorsed fully by all involved. The Letter was requested, and acknowledged gratefully, so that its content could be shared with the parish community. In the course of this there seems, sadly, to have been a breakdown in communication.
In order to move forward in a constructive manner, Fr Peter has proposed an open parish meeting from which written suggestions about how to resolve the challenges faced will be collated. These will then inform our ongoing future collaboration towards a sustainable solution in the service of the Church's mission. I would ask you to please do all you can to support this process positively as we seek to work together. With the assurance of my prayers and very best wishes.'
I was very grateful for Fr Peter's proposal that there should be an open parish meeting to try and move forward on a more collaborative basis. I appreciate the difficult situation in which Fr Peter found himself and was equally thankful when he shared with me the text he said he would read out at the beginning of that meeting on 16 January by way of explanation. This stated:
'I want to being this meeting with an apology to the Diocese and yourselves for a misunderstanding between myself and the Diocese which was my fault and affected the statement made by the Archbishop. At our meetng with the Diocese on 3rd December we discussed the selling of the property and the professional advice received that the best way achieve this would be the sale of the whole site (a) to give privacy to the site and (b) to give the developer the opportunity to offset the tremendous cost of the repairs to the house by being able to develop the other parts of the site.
The Diocese then put forward the idea of looking at "smaller packages", one of which would be keeping the church but looking at it from the point of view of selling the house with the requirements and advice listed adove. I strongly stated that, regretfully, we needed to sell the whole site to achieve this.
This led to the Diocese issuing the statement to put the whole site up for sale that we received. That gave the impression that they were not open to keeping the church - which is not the case. The Diocese want me to express to you that they will be very open to keeping the church, but need us to give them good reasons and ideas of why it should be done and how it can be done to fit in with the requirements of the development.
Following the meeting and the issue of the Diocesan statement, a grate many people came up to me and said that, while they accepted that the house, pre-school and parish centre had to go, they were against the church being sold as well. I had also come to realise after the meeting that, as the Diocese could not afford to get us a permanent site and new church at the moment, that the keeping of the church became important and thiswas reflected in my statement.
I realise now that this unfairly put the Diocese in a bad light and made the proposition more drastic and I apologise sincerely for this. Also that this may have contributed to the idea going round that this means the closure of the parish, which is definitely not the case. I apologise sincerely to the Diocese and yourselves for the way this has caused misunderstanding between us and ask you to make all this known to others.
But the positive side of this is that the Diocese is giving us new incentive in the purpose of our meeting tonight to give them reasons for keeping the church and ideas that can show how we can do this to fit in with the development of the rest of the site.'
We are now in a place where, hopefully, there is a clearer sense of both the necessity and desire to collaborate more effectively in seeking to address both the challenges and opportunities of the West Malling site and the pastoral needs of the Catholic community of St Thomas More's parish.
To be clear, there is no plan to close the parish and no action will be taken in spring regarding the future of the site as originally stated. The priority now is to look together at how we move forward.
I would be very happy to meet with you and the key members of your working group, together with Officers from the Archdiocese. In order to facilitate this, I wonder if you would be kind enough to send me your contact details - email or phone - so that we can make arrangements concering a mutually convenient date and time. This will probably be easier than we trying to work through the parish office which is the only contact information on your letter.
I very much look forward to hearing from you.
With very best wishes
Yours sincerely in Christ
John Wilson
Archbishop of Southwark
Cc. Mgr Matthew Dickens, Vicar General
Canon John O'Toole, Episcopal Vicar for Kent
Fr Peter Soper, Parish Priest of St Thomas More and Dean of Maidstone
Mr Paul McCallum, Diocesan Director of Finance
Sixth Sunday of the Year (A) 15 February 2020
ST. THOMAS MORE CHURCH , LUCKS HILL, WEST MALLING
PRIEST: Fr. Peter Soper, The Priest’s House, More Park, West Malling, ME19 6HN
Tel: 01732 843302 email: westmalling@rcaos.org.uk Website: www.westmallingrc.org.uk
St. Thomas More Pre-School, St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre, Lucks Hill, West Malling. ME19 6HN. Tel: 01732 874559
Sixth Sunday of the Year (A)
16th February 2020
FUTURE OF THE PARISH We have received the letter from the Archbishop (attached) and Adrian Atmore, the Chair of the ‘Parish Future Group’, will speak to us on this at all Masses this weekend. There will also be a meeting of the ‘Parish Future Group’ this Mon-day (17th) at 7.30pm in the Priest’s House to look at this - please keep up the prayers.
THIS WEEKEND We continue our “Breather Period” between Candlemas and Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday, 26th February. It’s also the first weekend of the Pre-School and School’s holiday break - whoopee!
DURING THE WEEK The Parish Future Group will meet on Monday, Fr. Peter will be at the Council of Priests and the Kent Clergy gathering but there are no other meetings in the Parish except for our usual Adoration in Church on Friday between 6pm and 8pm - enjoy the break!
NEXT WEEKEND is the final weekend of the pre-school and school’s holiday break and also the last Sunday before Lent. It is also a Day of Prayer for the Unemployed and we re-member them and their families in our prayers and for new help and solutions.
PRAYERS PLEASE for Enzo Argento and Eileen Lobeck who have died and their families and friends as they prepare for their funerals - and we offer them all our love and support and prayers at this time.
MASSES & SERVICES
| SATURDAY (Weekday) | 15 |
5pm
|
Deceased (Julie Bryant) |
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SUNDAY
Sixth Sunday of the Year (A)
|
16 |
10am
5.30pm
|
(Children’s Liturgy) The Parishioners
The Parishioners
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| MONDAY (Weekday) | 17 |
9.30am
|
Communion Service |
| TUESDAY (Weekday) | 18 |
9.30am
|
Pauline O’Toole RIP (Dee & Peter)
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| WEDNESDAY (Weekday) | 19 | 9.30am | Communion Service (N.B.) |
| THURSDAY (Weekday) | 20 | 9.30am | Communion Service |
| FRIDAY (Weekday) | 21 |
9.30am
6-8pm
|
Communion Service (N.B.)
Adoration - everyone welcome to join team even for 10 minutes
|
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SATURDAY
(The Chair of St. Peter)
|
22 |
5pm
|
Harry Fellows RIP |
|
SUNDAY
Seventh Sunday of the Year (A)
Day for the Unemployed
|
23 |
10am
5.30pm
|
(Children’s Liturgy) The Parishioners
The Parishioners
|
| SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: Saturday 4.30pm to 4.45pm |
PLEASE PRAY FOR: Betty Ward; Moira Stevens; Peter and Dee Avery; Mary Wilmot; Fiona Evans; Roy & Heather Lewis; Frank Os-tridge; Jacky Seeds; Archie & Arrison Sullivan; Sheila Koster; Caroline Walker; Margaret Edwards; the Orlando Family; Ross, Philip, Niki & Freya; Betty Hatton; John Stevens; Tony Penfold; carers of the sick; our housebound and all at Maidstone Hospital, Hospice and local Nursing Homes. Please pray for all affected by cutbacks, illnesses and other challenges in our country and world.
RECENTLY DEAD: Fr. John Garrett; Enzo Argento; Anthony Gobel; Norman Neale; Pauline O’Toole; Eileen Lobeck; May Piddock; also Patrick Fauklin (month’s mind). Please keep in your prayers all who have died in conflict throughout the world especially the innocent civilians.
ANNIVERSARIES: Margaret Nutbeen; Florence Maud Jukes; Eileen Kavanagh; John Smith; John McLoughlin; Natalina Jeffrey; Brian Williams; Rina Franchi; Catherine Fisher; Carmen Mifsud; Thomas Gilligan; Jan Conway-Ryle; Dennis O’Connor; Charles O’Malia.
MEETINGS THIS WEEK
| SUNDAY 16 | 10am | Children’s Liturgy in the St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre |
| MONDAY 17 | 7.30pm | Parish Future Group meet in Priest’s House |
| TUESDAY 18 | (No Baby & Toddler Group - school holiday break) | |
| WEDNESDAY 19 | (Fr. Peter at Council of Priests - London) | |
| THURSDAY 20 | (Fr. Peter at Kent Clergy Gathering) | |
| FRIDAY 21 | (Fr. Peter at Kent Clergy Gathering) | |
| SUNDAY 23 | 10am | Children’s Liturgy in the St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre |
THANK YOU for your offerings which amounted to £380.08. (Standing Orders average £355 per week). The second collection for Racial Justice raised £146.61.
SECURITY Anyone going into the Church alone must notify the Parish Office even if they have their own Church key and lock them-selves in for safety reasons. They must also notify the Office when they leave.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION The next children’s lesson is on Monday 24th February from 5-6pm. (Recap on Reconciliation and assess the books and class - discuss Glory to God in the Highest as discussed at parents meeting - check knowledge of prayers and general question time. (We have taken down photos of last year’s first communicants and they will be left on the table in the porch for parents to collect.)
FIRST COMMUNION PRAYER CARDS Please take a card and pray for the child whose name is on it as they prepare for their First Communion. The cards are in a box on the table in the porch. Thank you.
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**** Save The Date ****
SCHOOL & PARISH SUMMER FAYRE
Saturday 13th June 2020
Let’s all get together and make it our
best one yet!
|
MOTHERS PRAYER GROUP The next meeting will be on Monday 24th February at 7.30pm in the Church Porch. If you would be inter-ested in attending please contact Steph Blackburn on 07977 458970 or email steph@bbits.co.uk.
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DONATE8 has new appeals for help for welcomers before mass, church cleaners, flower arrangers and also need a team to move a shed. If you can spare some time to help please fill in a card in the church porch and post in the box or email the office with your details. Many thanks.
|
ANNUAL WORLD DAY OF PRAYER This year the World Day of Prayer Service has been prepared by the Christian Women of Zimba-bwe and the title is Rise! Take your mat and walk. There will be two services at 10am and 8pm both at the West Malling Baptist Church with refreshments served 30 minutes before each service. As usual the World Day of Prayer will be celebrated on the first Friday in March which is the 6th. This promises to be a beautiful Ecumenical service and there is a poster at the back of the church advertising it. All are welcome.
HEART OF KENT HOSPICE have a volunteer open morning on Friday 20th March from 10am to 12 noon. See noticeboard for full details.
40 DAYS FOR LIFE PRAYER VIGIL From 26th February to 5th April, you’re invited to join other Christians for 40 Days for Life - 40 days of prayer and fasting for an end to abortion. You’re also invited to stand and peacefully pray during a 40-day vigil in the public right-of-way outside Marie Stopes, 10-16 Brewer Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1RU, and also to help spread the word about this important community outreach. If you’d like more information - and especially if you’d like to volunteer to help, please contact: Rebecca Luton 07956 111909 or rebeccaluton@yahoo.co.uk
BUILDING DISCIPLES FOR MISSION Saturday 22nd February 2020, 10.30am to 4pm at Centre for Catholic Formation, Tooting Bec. A day to equip those with a passion for Evangelisation. With international speaker, Andre Regnier, co-founder of Catholic Christian Outreach (www.cco.ca/parish). Part One - What does it mean to be a Missionary Disciple? Part Two - How can we form people as missionary disci-ples in the parish context? For further information or to book a your place - www.ccftootingbec.org.uk or 020 8672 7684.
A DAY WITH MARY (1) St. Columba, Selsdon on Saturday 29th February. (2) Our Lady of the Annunciation, Addiscombe on Saturday 14th March. See noticeboard for full details together with information regarding their pilgrimages to Fatima and Italy.
PILGRIMAGE TO KNOCK - Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. Monday 16th March to Friday 20th March 2020. See noticeboard for full details.
ATTENTION ALL PARENTS For safeguarding reasons all children under 10 must be escorted to the toilet during Mass. Could we also remind parishioners that the doors inside Church must be accessible at all times and that prams or other items must not block them. Thank you.
CHURCH CLEANING Fiona’s group week beginning 17th February.
CHURCH FLOWERS Elaine’s group weeks beginning 21st and 28th February.
NOTICES Please see the Notice Board for more details.
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AREA GROUP MEETINGS
West Malling, Offham &Addington meet on Friday 6th March at 7 for 7.30pm at The Bull, High Street, West Malling for a fish and chip supper (dessert extra if required). RSVP Bernadette Burke 01732 873392
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MARRIAGE MATTERS
(www.twoinoneflesh.org.uk)
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Ecclesiasticus 15:15-20, 1 Corinthians 2:6-10, Matthew 5:17-37)
Making the right choices
Choices! How difficult sometimes to make the right choices. What to eat today, how to save money, what clothes to wear, what we or our children need. For Christians, prayer and a set of Christian values influence the choices we make. Why not ask the Lord’s help to decide what issue is uppermost for us today and dialogue about it?
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Fifth Sunday of the Year (A) 08 February 2020
ST. THOMAS MORE CHURCH , LUCKS HILL, WEST MALLING
PRIEST: Fr. Peter Soper, The Priest’s House, More Park, West Malling, ME19 6HN
Tel: 01732 843302 email: westmalling@rcaos.org.uk Website: www.westmallingrc.org.uk
St. Thomas More Pre-School, St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre, Lucks Hill, West Malling. ME19 6HN. Tel: 01732 874559
Fifth Sunday of the Year (A)
RACIAL JUSTICE DAY
9th February 2020
FUTURE OF THE PARISH The Archbishop has received our letter and we are waiting for his reply. The ‘Parish Future Group’ are meeting this Tuesday - please keep up the prayers
THIS WEEKEND is the first weekend of our “Breather Period” between Candlemas and Lent. We also celebrate our First Reconciliation Thanksgiving Mass and congratulate and pray for our 1st Communicants and families. It’s also Racial Justice Sunday with a sec-ond collection during the notices to support the work of the Catholic Church to promote Racial Justice in our schools, parishes and in wider society. This year the focus is on the travelling community - please see the special note overleaf.
DURING THE WEEK There are meetings for the Baby & Toddler Group, Pre-School Committee, 1st Communion Parents, and Youth Group (details overleaf).
NEXT WEEKEND We continue our “Breather Period” between Candlemas and Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday, 26th February. It’s also the first weekend of the Pre-School and School’s holiday break - whoopee!
MASSES & SERVICES
|
SATURDAY (Weekday)
Victims of Trafficking
|
8 |
2.30pm
5pm
|
Baptisms - Harvey & Arthur Richards
Christopher Haskins RIP (Chris & Ant Gobel)
|
|
SUNDAY
Fifth Sunday of the Year (A)
Racial Justice Day
|
9 |
10am
5.30pm
|
(1st Communion First Reconciliation Thanksgiving Mass) The Parishioners
Pauline O’Toole & May Piddock RIP (Fr. Peter)
|
| MONDAY (St. Scholastica) | 10 |
9.30am
|
Communion Service |
|
TUESDAY (Our Lady of Lourdes)
World Day for the Sick
|
11 |
9.30am
|
(With Year 3) Keggy Diamond RIP
|
| WEDNESDAY (Weekday) | 12 |
11am
|
No Mass or Communion Service at 9.30am)
Thanksgiving Mass for Pauline O’Toole RIP
(Private Cremation at Vinters Park at 9.30am)
|
| THURSDAY (Weekday) | 13 | 9.30am | Communion Service |
|
FRIDAY
Ss. Cyril & Methodius
|
14 |
9.30am
6-8pm
|
Communion Service (N.B.)
Adoration - everyone welcome to join team even for 10 minutes
|
| SATURDAY (Weekday) | 15 |
5pm
|
Deceased (Julie Bryant) |
|
SUNDAY
Sixth Sunday of the Year (A)
|
16 |
10am
5.30pm
|
(Children’s Liturgy) The Parishioners
The Parishioners
|
| SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: Saturday 4.30pm to 4.45pm |
PLEASE PRAY FOR: Betty Ward; Moira Stevens; Peter and Dee Avery; Mary Wilmot; Fiona Evans; Roy & Heather Lewis; Frank Os-tridge; Jacky Seeds; Archie & Arrison Sullivan; Sheila Koster; Caroline Walker; carers of the sick; our housebound and all at Maidstone Hospital, Hospice and local Nursing Homes. Please pray for all affected by cutbacks, illnesses and other challenges in our country and world.
RECENTLY DEAD: Norman Neale; Pauline O’Toole; Eileen Lobeck; May Piddock; Patrick Fauklin; also Luke Sullivan (month’s mind). Please keep in your prayers all who have died in conflict throughout the world especially the innocent civilians.
ANNIVERSARIES: Martha Rooney; Hugh Goldrick; Florence Berry; Thomas Jackson; Bernard Cunningham; Tony Wilmot; Duncan McIntosh; Ann O’Gorman; Joy Blye; Rene Skelton; Josie Hopson; Niall McNeice; Margaret Taylor; Anthony Plumbly; Renee Havas; Do-menico Barnaba; Christopher Taylor; Michael Daly; Peggy McBrien; Mary Rawlings; Dr. Filewitz; Annie Hoey; Emily Florence Gobel; Frank Stone; Nicola Corben; Rev. John O’Donovan; Margaret Nutbeen; Florence Maud Jukes; Eileen Kavanagh; John Smith.
MEETINGS THIS WEEK
| SUNDAY 9 | No Children’s Liturgy (Reconciliation Thanksgiving Mass) | |
| TUESDAY 11 |
1.30pm to 3pm
7.30pm
|
Baby & Toddler Group in the St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre
Parish Future Group meet in Priest’s House
|
| WEDNESDAY 12 |
2.30pm
7.30pm for 8pm
|
Pre-School Committee meet in Pre-School
1st Communion Parents Meeting in Church
|
| FRIDAY 14 | 7-9pm | Youth Group meet in School |
| SUNDAY 16 |
10am
|
Children’s Liturgy in the St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre |
THANK YOU for your offerings which amounted to £432.79. (Standing Orders average £355 per week).
100 CLUB Congratulations go to Margaret Stone (No. 59) [£50] for the February draw.
SECURITY Anyone going into the Church alone must notify the Parish Office even if they have their own Church key and lock themselves in for safety reasons. They must also notify the Office when they leave.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION The next parents meeting is on Wednesday 12th February with refreshments from 7.30pm and the meeting commencing at 8pm. (We have taken down photos of last year’s first communicants and they will be left on the table in the porch for parents to collect.)
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**** Save The Date ****
SCHOOL & PARISH SUMMER FAYRE
Saturday 13th June 2020
Let’s all get together and make it our
best one yet!
|
FIRST COMMUNION PRAYER CARDS Please take a card and pray for the child whose name is on it as they prepare for their First Communion. The cards are in a box on the table in the porch. Thank you.
YOUTH GROUP - Please see Youth Group Noticeboard for the notice of thanks for the £258.05 the Youth Group raised for Porchlight with their sleepover last November. Congratulations and well done!
MOTHERS PRAYER GROUP The next meeting will be on Monday 24th February at 7.30pm in the Church Porch. If you would be interested in attending please contact Steph Blackburn on 07977 458970 or email steph@bbits.co.uk.
|
DONATE8 has new appeals for help for welcomers before mass, church cleaners, flower arrangers and also need a team to
move a shed. If you can spare some time to help please fill in a card in the church porch and post in the box or email the office
with your details. Many thanks.
|
ANNUAL WORLD DAY OF PRAYER This year the World Day of Prayer Service has been prepared by the Christian Women of Zimbabwe and the title is Rise! Take your mat and walk. There will be two services at 10am and 8pm both at the West Malling Baptist Church with refreshments served 30 minutes before each service. As usual the World Day of Prayer will be celebrated on the first Friday in March which is the 6th. This promises to be a beautiful Ecumenical service and there is a poster at the back of the church advertising it. All are welcome.
St. BENEDICT’S CENTRE are holding a day led by the resource author Martin Henwood, Vicar of Holy Trinity, Dartford on 27th February from 9.30am to 3pm and will cost £20. Please bring your own lunch. To book, please contact: - bookings@stbenedictscentre.org.
YOU CAN HELP YOUR MARRIAGE - Do you feel alone? Are you frustrated or angry with each other? Do you argue … or have you just stopped talking to each other? Does talking about it only make it worse? Retrouvaille (pronounced retro-vi with a long i) helps couples through difficult times in their marriages. There is no group therapy or group work. This programme has helped 10s of 1000s of couples experiencing difficulties in their marriage. For confidential information about Retrouvaille, or to register for the next programme commencing with a residential weekend on 28th/29th Feb and 1st March 2020, call or text 0788 7296933 or 0797 3380443 or email retrouvailleukinfo@gmail.com, or visit www.retrouvaille.org.uk.
ATTENTION ALL PARENTS For safeguarding reasons all children under 10 must be escorted to the toilet during Mass. Could we also remind parishioners that the doors inside Church must be accessible at all times and that prams or other items must not block them. Thank you.
CHURCH CLEANING Wiesia’s group week beginning 10th February.
CHURCH FLOWERS Dee’s group week beginning 14th February. Elaine’s group week beginning 21st February.
NOTICES Please see the Notice Board for more details, including a thank you letter from SPUC thanking St. Thomas More for the wonderful generosity following their recent appeal, and a poster from the Heart of Kent Hospice promoting their Concert of Favourite Music on 25th April at Invicta Grammar School for Girls.
RACIAL JUSTICE SUNDAY This weekend, the Catholic Church in England and Wales will celebrate Racial Justice - the theme is: “You are at the heart of the Church”. It will celebrate the contribution travelling communities make to the Church in England and Wales. It is an opportunity for all Catholics to pray for, reflect on and respond to racial justice matters within the Church and wider society. Racial Justice Sunday should encourage proactive discussions on overt and covert forms of racism experienced by fellow Catholics from the travelling communities. To support the Church in its work with travellers, a second collection will be taken this weekend. Your contributions, however great or small, will help to make a difference.
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AREA GROUP MEETINGS
West Malling, Offham & Addington meet on Friday 6th March at 7 for 7.30pm at The Bull, High Street, West Malling for a fish
and chip supper (dessert extra if required). RSVP Bernadette Burke 01732 873392
|
|
MARRIAGE MATTERS
(www.twoinoneflesh.org.uk)
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Isaiah 58:7-10, 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, Matthew 5:13-16)
Unity is the key
When we married, a new flame was lit in our Church, signified by the lighting of a new candle as we made our vows and became
“Little Church” together. Now, as we think of our life up to now, we can see how our love has been reflected on to our
children, our family and our Church community.
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Fourth Sunday of the Year (A) 01 February 2020
ST. THOMAS MORE CHURCH , LUCKS HILL, WEST MALLING
PRIEST: Fr. Peter Soper, The Priest’s House, More Park, West Malling, ME19 6HN
Tel: 01732 843302 email: westmalling@rcaos.org.uk Website: www.westmallingrc.org.uk
St. Thomas More Pre-School, St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre, Lucks Hill, West Malling. ME19 6HN. Tel: 01732 874559
Fourth Sunday of the Year (A)
PRESENTATION OF THE LORD
CANDLEMAS
2nd February 2020
FUTURE OF THE PARISH Please see the letter on pages 3 & 4, prepared by our Parish Future Group on behalf of the Parish, and sent to the Archbishop this week, and let us keep this in our prayers. Also, abbrevi-ated copies of the special Parish meeting on 16th January are available in the Parish.
THIS WEEKEND - CANDLEMAS The true end of our Advent and Christmas journey where we bring the light and love and joy we have received from the Lord this Christmas and Epiphany to ’root’ it in the temples of our hearts and especially our Parish in this challenging year. We celebrate with a special Mass and a chil-dren’s liturgy and ’Christingles’ at the 10am Sunday Mass and the Youth Group presenting the 5.30pm Mass (Youth Group meet at 4pm in the House to prepare the Mass and then have their Christmas/Candlemas party afterwards).
DURING THE WEEK There are meetings for the Mother’s Prayer Group, Baby & Toddler Group, Youth Group Leaders, and Friendship Group - details overleaf.
NEXT WEEKEND is the first weekend of our “Breather Period” between Candlemas and Lent. We also cele-brate our First Reconciliation Thanksgiving Mass and congratulate and pray for our 1st Communicants and families. It’s also Racial Justice Sunday with a second collection during the notices to support the work of the Catholic Church to promote Racial Justice in our schools, parishes and in wider society. This year the focus is on the travelling community - please see the special note overleaf.
MASSES & SERVICES
| SATURDAY (Candlemas Journey) | 1 Feb |
5pm
|
Ildefonso Bustamante RIP (Anniv.) |
|
SUNDAY (Candlemas Journey)
Fourth Sunday of the Year (A)
Presentation of the Lord
|
2 |
10am
5.30pm
|
(Children’s Liturgy & Christingles) The Parishioners
Mgr. Matthew Dickens (Welfare)
|
| MONDAY (Weekday) | 3 |
9.30am
|
Communion Service |
| TUESDAY (Weekday) | 4 |
9.30am
|
Welfare of the Diamond Family |
| WEDNESDAY (St. Agatha) | 5 |
9.30am
|
Deceased Relatives & Friends of the Lobo Family |
|
THURSDAY
(Ss. Paul Miki & Companions)
|
6 | 9.30am | Communion Service |
| FRIDAY (Weekday) | 7 |
9.30am
11am
6-8pm
|
Keggy Diamond RIP
Funeral Service for Patrick John Fauklin followed by burial at Snodland Cemetery at 12.15pm
Adoration - everyone welcome to join team even for 10 minutes
|
|
SATURDAY (Weekday)
Victims of Trafficking
|
8 |
2.30pm
5pm
|
Baptisms - Harvey & Arthur Richards
Christopher Haskins RIP (Chris & Ant Gobel)
|
|
SUNDAY
Fifth Sunday of the Year (A)
Racial Justice Day
|
9 |
10am
5.30pm
|
(1st Communion First Reconciliation Thanksgiving Mass) The Parishioners
Pauline O’Toole & May Piddock RIP (Fr.Peter)
|
| SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: Saturday 4.30pm to 4.45pm |
PLEASE PRAY FOR: Betty Ward; Moira Stevens; Peter and Dee Avery; Mary Wilmot; Fiona Evans; Roy & Heather Lewis; Frank Os-tridge; Jacky Seeds; Archie & Arrison Sullivan; Sheila Koster; Caroline Walker; Abby & Olly Blackmore; carers of the sick; our house-bound and all at Maidstone Hospital, Hospice and local Nursing Homes. Please pray for all affected by cutbacks, illnesses and other challenges in our country and world.
RECENTLY DEAD: Pauline O’Toole; Eileen Lobeck; May Piddock; Patrick Fauklin; Luke Sullivan; also Baby Francis Blackmore; Bert McLelland; Mary Gallagher (month’s mind). Please keep in your prayers all who have died in conflict throughout the world especially the innocent civilians.
ANNIVERSARIES: John Hadwin; Freddie MacQueen; Charles Harkin; Joy Corrigan; Pamela Richardson; Patrick Willoughby; Jean Brooker; Francis Gillan; Christopher Hayes; Barbara Barnes; Charles Hennessey; Emily Seymour; Jadwiga Makuch; Brendan Kilcoyne; James Reeves; Mary Palmer; Joan Barry; William Fennell; Martha Rooney; Hugh Goldrick; Florence Berry; Thomas Jackson; Bernard Cunningham; Tony Wilmot; Duncan McIntosh; Ann O’Gorman.
MEETINGS THIS WEEK
| SATURDAY 1 FEB | (Dedication of Borough Green Church at 11.30am) | |
| SUNDAY 2 |
10am
4pm
|
Children’s Liturgy & Christingles in the St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre
Youth Group meet to prepare Candlemas Mass followed by Group Party
|
| MONDAY 3 | 7.30pm | Mothers Prayer Group meet in Church Porch |
| TUESDAY 4 |
1.30pm to 3pm
8pm
|
Baby & Toddler Group in the St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre
Youth Leaders meet in Priest’s House
|
| WEDNESDAY 5 |
1.30pm
|
Friendship Group meeting - see details below |
THANK YOU for your offerings which amounted to £405.04. (Standing Orders average £355 per week).
SECURITY Anyone going into the Church alone must notify the Parish Office even if they have their own Church key and lock themselves in for safety reasons. They must also notify the Office when they leave.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION Candlemas Family Mass on Sunday 2nd February - the workshop will take place during Children’s Liturgy. Thanksgiving Mass for Reconciliation on Sunday 9th February. (We have taken down photos of last year’s first communicants and they will be left on the table in the porch for parents to collect.)
FIRST COMMUNION PRAYER CARDS Please take a card and pray for the child whose name is on it as they prepare for their First Communion. The cards are in a box on the table in the porch. Thank you.
MOTHERS PRAYER GROUP The next meeting will be on Monday 3rd February at 7.30pm in the Church Porch. If you would be interested in attending please contact Steph Blackburn on 07977 458970 or email steph@bbits.co.uk.
FRIENDSHIP GROUP The next meeting will be on Wednesday 5th February at 1.30pm. Venue: 3 Os-prey Walk, Larkfield, ME20 6JJ. RSVP: Tony & Anne Law 01732 844077.
ANNUAL WORLD DAY OF PRAYER This year the World Day of Prayer Service has been prepared by the Christian Women of Zimbabwe and the title is Rise! Take your mat and walk. There will be two ser-vices at 10am and 8pm both at the West Malling Baptist Church with refreshments served 30 minutes before each service. As usual the World Day of Prayer will be celebrated on the first Friday in March which is the 6th. This promises to be a beautiful Ecumenical service and there is a poster at the back of the church advertising it. All are welcome.
ATTENTION ALL PARENTS For safeguarding reasons all children under 10 must be escorted to the toilet during Mass. Could we also remind parishioners that the doors inside Church must be accessible at all times and that prams or other items must not block them. Thank you.
CHURCH CLEANING Steph’s group week beginning 3rd February.
CHURCH FLOWERS Dee’s group weeks beginning 7th and 14th February.
NOTICES Please see the Notice Board for more details.
RACIAL JUSTICE SUNDAY Next weekend, Sunday 9th February 2020, the Catholic Church in Eng-land and Wales will celebrate Racial Justice - the theme is: “You are at the heart of the Church”. It will celebrate the contribution travelling communities make to the Church in England and Wales. It is an op-portunity for all Catholics to pray for, reflect on and respond to racial justice matters within the Church and wider society. Racial Justice Sunday should encourage proactive discussions on overt and covert forms of racism experienced by fellow Catholics from the travelling communities. To support the Church in its work with travellers, a second collection will be taken next weekend. Your contributions, however great or small, will help to make a difference.
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MARRIAGE MATTERS
(www.twoinoneflesh.org.uk)
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13, 1 Cor 1:26-31, Matt 5:1-12)
Being human - we are human be-ings, not do-ings
With the ever-increasing pace of life, when do we get a chance ‘to be’? Today, the Word of God is intended to relate more to the deeper aspects of our humanity and the inner essence of our being, and the qualities of our personhood. It’s about the ways we relate to each other in our marriages, our families, our communities.
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Fourth Sunday of the Year (A) 01 February 2020
Catholic Parish of West Malling and Snodland
St Thomas More Church, Lucks Hill, West Malling
Parish Office: The Priest's House, More Park, Lucks Hill, West Malling. Kent ME19 6HN
Telephone: 01732 843302
Email: westmalling@rcas.org.uk
Website: www.westmallingrc.org.uk Reg. Charity No. 235468
Dear Archbishop Wilson,
We write in reply to your letter dated 20th December 2019. You will appreciate that your letter has had a profound and devastating effect on our Catholic community here in West Malling, and this was reflected in the numbers attending our recent meeting.
At this time, we feel very hurt and are struggling to come to terms with all the consequences and implications of your proposal to sell the St Thomas More site here at West Malling. We are fully aware of the ongoing structural and maintenance issues that affect The Hermitage. These have always been beyond the means and financial of St Thomas More parishioners.
To sell the whole site does allow for flexibility and financial gain from a development perspective. However, the need for these are only some aspects when making this decision.
We would ask you to consider an alternative proposal of retaining our church within its current grounds and the St Thomas of Canterbury Pre-school (stable block) where we would seek to establish the priest's accommodation and office, either within the church grounds or attached to the stable block. We also seek to retain the stable block as this is a major integral component of our community. We are passionate about this building because of the recent refurbishment to provide pre-school, baby and toddler group and children's liturgy facilities. Many sacrifices were made, including the sale of St Thomas of Canterbury Church, Snodland combined with fundraising in excess of £100,000 which has enabled us to renovate and use the building. The purpose of this was to provide a succession of future generations of Catholics in our area and we consider it an integral part of our community.
Our church has been the focal point of our faith community since 1972 and this is where we come in communion not only with God but with one another. Over the years we have established a growing Catholic presence within West Malling and surrounding areas, and we are now a close and vibrant community and fully committed to our church and one another.
We feel by selling the church, our community will be irreparable damaged and will fracture, therefore we kindly ask you, to come to West Malling and meet with us, which would allow us to make representation and discuss our future with you in person. To allay these fears and anxieties regarding our future we request a meeting with you as soon as practicable.
Yours sincerely,
Adrian Atmore. J.P.
For and on behalf of St. Thomas More Parish, West Malling, Kent.
Encl.
Appendix 1
Reasons for retaining St. Thomas More Parish buildings
The St. Thomas More Church, The St Thomas of Canterbury Pre-school and More Park Primary School are located together, in one area. These connections are invaluable as they provide continuing activity and growth within the catholic community. Without the church ans pre-school, we fear that the cycle of future generations of catholic worshippers would be broken.
We are an active and vibrant parish for all groups ans proving worship, sacraments and engagement through the following groups:
-
Sacramental groups, such as first reconciliation and communion, confimation and bereavement, Eucharistic ministers, readers, musicians and welcomers. we have a large team of altar servers (adults, boys, girls). Children's liturgy team.
-
Open parish meetings.
-
Monthly area goups meetings, where Lent and Advent masses are said in homes.
-
Adoration team. Stations of the cross.
-
Churches together representatives.
-
Donate8 scheme - encouraging parishioners to volunteer eight hours work to the parish each year.
-
APE Mission team.
-
Gardening club, flower arrangers, church cleaners and other working and social groups.
-
Friendship group. Baby and toddler group.
-
Safeguarding team, health and safety, finance and buildings groups.
-
Junior and senior youth groups.
-
Fundraising team. Twice yearly fundraising in collaboration with More Park Primary School. Parish and PTA co-ordinated events throughout the year.
Our parish database comprises of 1020 families, but this figure is not an accurate figure of our parish, as many non-catholics are involved and engaged in our community.
Further housing developments of 1700 homes are being proposed in our area and our church is needed as a focal point for spiritual and pastoral care.
Our church is open and available every day for prayer, mass, (which is attended by school children each week), communion service and adoration, to a diverse community.
The church is well established within the area and in a state of good repair. The church car park is also used twice a day during weekdays, term time to drop off and pick up school children. This allows for the safety of the children.
We have a well-established catholic presence over a large area of central Kent, with the church used for deanery confirmations, meetings and taining and ecumenical services and other collaborations.
Third Sunday of the Year (A) UNITY OCTAVE - CANDLEMAS JOURNEY 24 January 2020
ST. THOMAS MORE CHURCH , LUCKS HILL, WEST MALLING
PRIEST: Fr. Peter Soper, The Priest’s House, More Park, West Malling, ME19 6HN
Tel: 01732 843302 email: westmalling@rcaos.org.uk Website: www.westmallingrc.org.uk
St. Thomas More Pre-School, St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre, Lucks Hill, West Malling. ME19 6HN. Tel: 01732 874559
Third Sunday of the Year (A)
UNITY OCTAVE - CANDLEMAS JOURNEY
26th January 2020
FUTURE OF THE PARISH This newsletter went to press before the co-ordinating group met last Friday. We thank them for all their work - also the Youth Group who are preparing their own letter to the Archbishop, and will make further announcements about this this weekend - and keep them and all of us in our prayers.
THIS WEEKEND We begin the final week of our Candlemas journey and continue the week of prayer for Chris-tian Unity with our Masses here asking the Lord to help us to take his Christmas and Epiphany light to root it in the temples of our hearts and especially our Parish in this challenging year just as he took it to the temple in Jerusalem on the first Christmas, and with the Unity Service for the Malling area at the Baptist Church, Swan Street, which we ask you to support - thanks for this.
FIRST RECONCILIATION We congratulate our First Communion children as they celebrate their First Recon-ciliation and Second Sacrament and stage of their faith and church journey tomorrow (Monday) and ask you to keep them and their parents and families in your prayers at this important time.
DURING THE WEEK There are meetings for the Baby & Toddler Group, Kings Hill & Mereworth Area Group, and a Parish Meeting on Wednesday. More Park PTA have a Quiz Night in the school which we ask you to support on Friday, and we congratulate and pray for the parishioners of Borough Green Church as it is conse-crated on Saturday - details of all these overleaf.
NEXT WEEKEND - CANDLEMAS The true end of our Advent and Christmas journey where we bring the light and love and joy we have received from the Lord this Christmas and Epiphany to ’root’ it in the temples of our hearts and especially our Parish in this challenging year. We celebrate with a special Mass and a children’s liturgy and ’Christingles’ at the 10am Sunday Mass and the Youth Group presenting the 5.30pm Mass (Youth Group meet at 4pm in the House to prepare the Mass and then have their Christmas/Candlemas party after-wards).
MASSES & SERVICES
|
SATURDAY (Candlemas Journey)
The Conversion of St. Paul
|
25 |
2.30pm
5pm
|
Baptisms: Alivia Price & Joshua Curtis
Mary & Harry Fewtrell (60th Wedding Anniversary)
|
|
SUNDAY (Candlemas Journey)
Third Sunday of the Year (A)
Unity Octave
|
26 |
10am
4pm
5.30pm
|
(Children’s Liturgy) The Parishioners
Malling United Service at Baptist Church, Swan Street, West Malling
The Parishioners
|
| MONDAY (Candlemas Journey) | 27 |
9.30am
|
Communion Service |
|
TUESDAY (Candlemas Journey)
(St. Thomas Aquinas)
|
28 |
9.30am
|
Keggy Diamond RIP |
| WEDNESDAY (Candlemas Journey) | 29 |
9.30am
|
Welfare of the Diamond Family |
| THURSDAY (Candlemas Journey) | 30 | 9.30am | Communion Service |
|
FRIDAY (Candlemas Journey)
(St. John Bosco)
|
31 |
9.30am
6-8pm
|
Candlemas Mass in School
Adoration - everyone welcome to join team even for 10 minutes
|
| SATURDAY (Candlemas Journey) | 1 Feb |
5pm
|
Ildefonso Bustamante RIP (Anniv.) |
|
SUNDAY (Candlemas Journey)
Fourth Sunday of the Year (A)
Presentation of the Lord
|
2 |
10am
5.30pm
|
(Children’s Liturgy & Christingles) - The Parishioners
The Parishioners
|
| SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: Saturday 4.30pm to 4.45pm |
PLEASE PRAY FOR: Betty Ward; Moira Stevens; May Piddock; Peter and Dee Avery; Pauline O’Toole; Mary Wilmot; Fiona Evans; Roy & Heather Lewis; Frank Ostridge; Jacky Seeds; Archie & Arrison Sullivan; Sheila Koster; Caroline Walker; Abby & Olly Blackmore; John Stevens; Lawrence Jordan; carers of the sick; our housebound and all at Maidstone Hospital, Hospice and local Nursing Homes. Please pray for all affected by cutbacks, illnesses and other challenges in our country and world.
RECENTLY DEAD: Patrick Fauklin; Luke Sullivan; Baby Francis Blackmore; Bert McLelland; Mary Gallagher. Please keep in your pray-ers all who have died in conflict throughout the world especially the innocent civilians.
ANNIVERSARIES: Bertie Roddy; Pietro Bottiglieri; Margaret Corcoran; Annie Donohoe; Daniel Lynch; Henry Gaiger; Margaret Kelleher; Eileen Connolly; Bridget Styles; Mary Russell; Karen Fox; Barbara Ann Collins; Jim Puxley; William (Bill) Lobeck; Stanley Jones; Alexan-der Gordon; John Hadwin; Freddie MacQueen; Charles Harkin; Joy Corrigan; Pamela Richardson; Patrick Willoughby; Jean Brooker.
MEETINGS THIS WEEK
| SUNDAY 26 | 10am | Children’s Liturgy in the St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre |
| MONDAY 27 |
5-6pm
6-7pm
|
First Communion Children’s First Reconciliation in Church
(Council of Deans Meeting at Archbishop’s House)
|
| TUESDAY 28 | 1.30pm to 3pm | Baby & Toddler Group in the St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre |
| WEDNESDAY 29 | 7 for 7.30pm | Parish Meeting in Priest’s House |
| THURSDAY 30 |
8pm
|
Kings Hill & Mereworth Area Group Meeting - details below |
| FRIDAY 31 | 7 for 7.30pm | More Park PTA Quiz Night at school |
| SATURDAY 1 FEB | (Dedication of Borough Green Church at 11.30am) | |
| SUNDAY 2 |
10am
4pm
|
Children’s Liturgy & Christingles in the St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre
Youth Group meet to prepare Candlemas Mass followed by Group Party
|
THANK YOU for your offerings which amounted to £413.48. (Standing Orders average £355 per week). The second collection for Pax Christi raised £173.78.
SECURITY Anyone going into the Church alone must notify the Parish Office even if they have their own Church key and lock themselves in for safety reasons. They must also notify the Office when they leave.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION The next children’s lesson is this Monday 27th January 2020 - Reconciliation Day. We will meet in two groups in two separate sessions - each group will wait until everyone has made their sacrament to support one another. A parent must attend with their child and stay until the end of the lesson. Candlemas Fami-ly Mass on Sunday 2nd February - the workshop will take place during Children’s Liturgy. (We have taken down photos of last year’s first communicants and they will be left on the table in the porch for parents to collect.)
FIRST COMMUNION PRAYER CARDS Please take a card and pray for the child whose name is on it as they pre-pare for their First Communion. The cards are in a box on the table in the porch. Thank you.
MOTHERS PRAYER GROUP The next meeting will be on Monday 3rd February at 7.30pm in the Church Porch. If you would be interested in attending please contact Steph Blackburn on 07977 458970 or email steph@bbits.co.uk.
FRIENDSHIP GROUP The next meeting will be on Wednesday 5th February at 1.30pm. Venue: 3 Osprey Walk, Larkfield, ME20 6JJ. RSVP: Tony & Anne Law 01732 844077.
MORE PARK PRIMARY SCHOOL PTA Quiz Night on Friday 31st January (7 for 7.30pm). £5 per person. Tickets will be sold after Mass or please contact Victoria Morrissey on 07849 750272.
‘CONTEMPLATING THE WORD WITH MARY’ Saturday 21st March, 10am to 4pm, The Friars, Aylesford. See no-ticeboard.
HEART OF KENT HOSPICE are launching ‘Compassionate Neighbours’ on Thursday 30th January at West Malling Baptist Church, Swan Street, West Malling. This is a free, community-led social movement offering friend-ship and support for anyone who is lonely, at risk of isolation and nearing the end of life through age or illness. See noticeboard for session times and further information.
MARRIAGE & FAMILY LIFE (1) A Time for Mourning - 20th-22nd March 2020 A retreat/workshop for those suf-fering from the pain of loss. (2) Building a Better Marriage - Saturday 4th April 2020 Married couples! You can give each other a wonderful gift by spending a day exploring your relationship more deeply to gain valuable insights into your communication. Couples who have attended the course noted the positive changes it made to their mar-riage. There is no group sharing and this is not marriage counselling or guidance but a chance to make your mar-riage even better. Contact: Carole - Tel: 07983 524727 or email: mflkent@rcaos.org.uk.
ATTENTION ALL PARENTS For safeguarding reasons all children under 10 must be escorted to the toilet during Mass. Could we also remind parishioners that the doors inside Church must be accessible at all times and that prams or other items must not block them. Thank you.
CHURCH CLEANING Group 4 week beginning 27th January.
CHURCH FLOWERS Maria’s Group week beginning 31st January (Candlemas). Dee’s group week beginning 7th February.
NOTICES Please see the Notice Board for more details.
|
AREA GROUP MEETINGS
Kings Hill & Mereworth meet on Thursday 30th January at 8pm (Secret Santa - please bring a wrapped, new and
unwanted Christmas present). Venue: 145 Discovery Drive, Kings Hill, ME19 4DS.
RSVP Ray & Wendy Cassidy 01732 521261
|
Second Sunday of the Year (A) 17 January 2020
ST. THOMAS MORE CHURCH , LUCKS HILL, WEST MALLING
PRIEST: Fr. Peter Soper, The Priest’s House, More Park, West Malling, ME19 6HN
Tel: 01732 843302 email: westmalling@rcaos.org.uk Website: www.westmallingrc.org.uk
St. Thomas More Pre-School, St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre, Lucks Hill, West Malling. ME19 6HN. Tel: 01732 874559
Second Sunday of the Year (A)
PEACE DAY - UNITY OCTAVE
19th January 2020
FUTURE OF THE PARISH Many, many thanks to all who came and contributed to the Special Parish Meeting last Thursday and please pray for the organising group as they meet to get a statement and letter ready to send to Archbishop John and the Diocese.
THIS WEEKEND We continue our Candlemas journey and also celebrate Peace Sunday - see special notice overleaf. We also begin the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity with prayers and services at West Malling Baptist Church on Saturday 1.30-4.30pm, and St. James, East Malling on Sunday at 9.45am. There is also the Snodland United Service at All Saints, Snodland (where I will be preaching!) on Sunday at 3pm.
DURING THE WEEK We play our part in Unity Week with our Ecumenical Service here in Church on Monday (tomorrow) at 7.30pm - please support this if you can. There is also a meeting for the 1st Com-munion Children on Monday preparing them for their First Reconciliation on Monday week and I ask you to keep them and their families in your prayers. Also the Baby & Toddler Group meet on Tuesday and we have Adoration on Friday.
NEXT WEEKEND We continue our Candlemas journey and the week of prayer for Christian Unity with our Masses here asking the Lord to help us to take his Christmas and Epiphany light to root it in the tem-ples of our hearts and especially our Parish in this challenging year just as he took it to the temple in Jeru-salem on the first Christmas, and with the Unity Service for the Malling area at the Baptist Church, Swan Street, which we ask you to support - thanks for this.
MASSES & SERVICES
|
SATURDAY (Candlemas Journey)
Church Unity Octave
|
18 | 5pm | Neville & Beno Perera Thanksgiving |
|
SUNDAY (Candlemas Journey)
Peace Day
Second Sunday of the Year (A)
Unity Octave
|
19 |
10am
3pm
5.30pm
|
(Children’s Liturgy) The Parishioners
Snodland United service at All Saints, Snodland
Molly Forster RIP (Anniv.)
|
| MONDAY (Candlemas Journey) | 20 |
9.30am
7.30pm
|
Communion Service
Ecumenical Service in Church - our part in Unity Week - please support
|
|
TUESDAY (Candlemas Journey)
St. Agnes
|
21 |
9.30am
|
Communion Service |
| WEDNESDAY (Candlemas Journey) | 22 |
9.30am
|
Communion Service |
| THURSDAY (Candlemas Journey) | 23 | 9.30am | Communion Service |
|
FRIDAY (Candlemas Journey)
St. Francis de Sales
|
24 |
9.30am
6-8pm
|
Communion Service
Adoration - everyone welcome to join team even for 10 minutes
|
|
SATURDAY (Candlemas Journey)
The Conversion of St. Paul
|
25 |
2.30pm
5pm
|
Baptisms: Alivia Price & Joshua Curtis
Mary & Harry Fewtrell (60th Wedding Anniversary)
|
|
SUNDAY (Candlemas Journey)
Third Sunday of the Year (A)
Unity Octave
|
26 |
10am
4pm
5.30pm
|
(Children’s Liturgy) The Parishioners
Malling United Service at Baptist Church, Swan Street, West Malling
The Parishioners
|
| SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: Saturday 4.30pm to 4.45pm |
PLEASE PRAY FOR: Betty Ward; Moira Stevens; May Piddock; Peter and Dee Avery; Pauline O’Toole; Mary Wilmot; Fiona Evans; Roy & Heather Lewis; Frank Ostridge; Jacky Seeds; Archie & Arrison Sullivan; Christian & Yamini Chadwick; Sheila Koster; Lawrence Jordan; Abby & Olly Blackmore; carers of the sick; our housebound and all at Maidstone Hospital, Hospice and local Nursing Homes. Please pray for all affected by cutbacks, illnesses and other challenges in our country and world.
RECENTLY DEAD: Patrick Fauklin; Luke Sullivan; Baby Francis Blackmore; Bert McLelland; Mary Gallagher; also Marie Casey; David Formosa; Ewa Wszolek; Dagmar Müller; Tony Fullwood; Christopher Haskins (month’s mind). Please keep in your prayers all who have died in conflict throughout the world especially the innocent civilians.
ANNIVERSARIES: Anne Johnson; Ellen Underhill; Molly Forster; Eleanor James; Mary Stevens; Hugh Blundell-Hawkes; Tracey Cooper; Barbara McNamara; Valerie Penfold; Lorraine Peterson; Nellie Hooker; Bernard Roff; Martin Moorhead; Nick Edwards; Bertie Roddy; Pietro Bottiglieri; Margaret Corcoran; Annie Donohoe; Daniel Lynch; Henry Gaiger.
MEETINGS THIS WEEK
| SUNDAY 19 | 10am | Children’s Liturgy in the St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre |
| MONDAY 20 | 5-6pm | First Communion Children’s Class in Church |
| TUESDAY 21 |
1.30pm to 3pm
|
Baby & Toddler Group in the St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre |
| FRIDAY 24 | 7.30pm | Parish Future Organising Group meet in Priest’s House |
| SUNDAY 26 |
10am
|
Children’s Liturgy in the St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre |
THANK YOU for your offerings which amounted to £437.27. (Standing Orders average £355 per week). The second collection for SPUC raised £265.
SECURITY Anyone going into the Church alone must notify the Parish Office even if they have their own Church key and lock themselves in for safety reasons. They must also notify the Office when they leave.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION The next children’s lesson is this Monday 20th January 2020 from 5-6pm (God helps me get it right - discuss from the chapter how we all change and grow and can make things better for all). (We have taken down photos of last year’s first communicants and they will be left on the table in the porch for parents to collect.)
FIRST COMMUNION PRAYER CARDS Please take a card and pray for the child whose name is on it as they prepare for their First Communion. The cards are in a box on the table in the porch. Thank you.
FRIENDSHIP GROUP The next meeting will be on Wednesday 5th February at 1.30pm. Venue: 3 Os-prey Walk, Larkfield, ME20 6JJ. RSVP: Tony & Anne Law 01732 844077.
FOOD PARCEL DONATIONS Please see the noticeboard for a thank you letter from the Parish of Ss. Austin & Gregory with St. Anne’s Margate thanking us for our kind and generous food parcel donations.
PACT Please see the noticeboard for a thank you letter from PACT following last year’s donations amounting to £216.66.
MORE PARK PRIMARY SCHOOL PTA Quiz Night on Friday 31st January (7 for 7.30pm). £5 per per-son. Tickets will be sold after Mass or please contact Victoria Morrissey on 07849 750272.
‘CONTEMPLATING THE WORD WITH MARY’ Saturday 21st March, 10am to 4pm, The Friars, Ayles-ford. See noticeboard.
HEART OF KENT HOSPICE are launching ‘Compassionate Neighbours’ on Thursday 30th January at West Malling Baptist Church, Swan Street, West Malling. This is a free, community-led social move-ment offering friendship and support for anyone who is lonely, at risk of isolation and nearing the end of life through age or illness. See noticeboard for session times and further information.
CHRIST THE KING SIXTH FORMS are looking to recruit two new Foundation Governors to join the governing body of the College. See noticeboard for full details.
ATTENTION ALL PARENTS For safeguarding reasons all children under 10 must be escorted to the toilet during Mass. Could we also remind parishioners that the doors inside Church must be accessible at all times and that prams or other items must not block them. Thank you.
CHURCH CLEANING Fiona’s Group week beginning 20th January.
CHURCH FLOWERS Elaine’s Group week beginning 17th January. Maria’s Group week beginning 24th January.
NOTICES Please see the Notice Board for more details.
PEACE SUNDAY The work of Pax Christi is based on the gospel and inspired by faith. Their vision is of a world where people can live in peace, without fear of violence in all its forms. Rooted in Catholic Christianity, they work with all who share their values to abolish war and create communities of peace and justice.
|
AREA GROUP MEETINGS
Kings Hill & Mereworth meet on Thursday 30th January at 8pm (Secret Santa - please bring a wrapped, new and unwanted Christmas present). Venue: 145 Discovery Drive, Kings Hill, ME19 4DS.
RSVP Ray & Wendy Cassidy 01732 521261
|
Second Sunday of the Year (A) 17 January 2020
ST. THOMAS MORE CHURCH , LUCKS HILL, WEST MALLING
PRIEST: Fr. Peter Soper, The Priest’s House, More Park, West Malling, ME19 6HN
Tel: 01732 843302 email: westmalling@rcaos.org.uk Website: www.westmallingrc.org.uk
St. Thomas More Pre-School, St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre, Lucks Hill, West Malling. ME19 6HN. Tel: 01732 874559
Second Sunday of the Year (A)
PEACE DAY - UNITY OCTAVE
19th January 2020
FUTURE OF THE PARISH Many, many thanks to all who came and contributed to the Special Parish Meeting last Thursday and please pray for the organising group as they meet to get a statement and letter ready to send to Archbishop John and the Diocese.
THIS WEEKEND We continue our Candlemas journey and also celebrate Peace Sunday - see special notice overleaf. We also begin the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity with prayers and services at West Malling Baptist Church on Saturday 1.30-4.30pm, and St. James, East Malling on Sunday at 9.45am. There is also the Snodland United Service at All Saints, Snodland (where I will be preaching!) on Sunday at 3pm.
DURING THE WEEK We play our part in Unity Week with our Ecumenical Service here in Church on Monday (tomorrow) at 7.30pm - please support this if you can. There is also a meeting for the 1st Com-munion Children on Monday preparing them for their First Reconciliation on Monday week and I ask you to keep them and their families in your prayers. Also the Baby & Toddler Group meet on Tuesday and we have Adoration on Friday.
NEXT WEEKEND We continue our Candlemas journey and the week of prayer for Christian Unity with our Masses here asking the Lord to help us to take his Christmas and Epiphany light to root it in the tem-ples of our hearts and especially our Parish in this challenging year just as he took it to the temple in Jeru-salem on the first Christmas, and with the Unity Service for the Malling area at the Baptist Church, Swan Street, which we ask you to support - thanks for this.
MASSES & SERVICES
|
SATURDAY (Candlemas Journey)
Church Unity Octave
|
18 | 5pm | Neville & Beno Perera Thanksgiving |
|
SUNDAY (Candlemas Journey)
Peace Day
Second Sunday of the Year (A)
Unity Octave
|
19 |
10am
3pm
5.30pm
|
(Children’s Liturgy) The Parishioners
Snodland United service at All Saints, Snodland
Molly Forster RIP (Anniv.)
|
| MONDAY (Candlemas Journey) | 20 |
9.30am
7.30pm
|
Communion Service
Ecumenical Service in Church - our part in Unity Week - please support
|
|
TUESDAY (Candlemas Journey)
St. Agnes
|
21 |
9.30am
|
Communion Service |
| WEDNESDAY (Candlemas Journey) | 22 |
9.30am
|
Communion Service |
| THURSDAY (Candlemas Journey) | 23 | 9.30am | Communion Service |
|
FRIDAY (Candlemas Journey)
St. Francis de Sales
|
24 |
9.30am
6-8pm
|
Communion Service
Adoration - everyone welcome to join team even for 10 minutes
|
|
SATURDAY (Candlemas Journey)
The Conversion of St. Paul
|
25 |
2.30pm
5pm
|
Baptisms: Alivia Price & Joshua Curtis
Mary & Harry Fewtrell (60th Wedding Anniversary)
|
|
SUNDAY (Candlemas Journey)
Third Sunday of the Year (A)
Unity Octave
|
26 |
10am
4pm
5.30pm
|
(Children’s Liturgy) The Parishioners
Malling United Service at Baptist Church, Swan Street, West Malling
The Parishioners
|
| SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: Saturday 4.30pm to 4.45pm |
PLEASE PRAY FOR: Betty Ward; Moira Stevens; May Piddock; Peter and Dee Avery; Pauline O’Toole; Mary Wilmot; Fiona Evans; Roy & Heather Lewis; Frank Ostridge; Jacky Seeds; Archie & Arrison Sullivan; Christian & Yamini Chadwick; Sheila Koster; Lawrence Jordan; Abby & Olly Blackmore; carers of the sick; our housebound and all at Maidstone Hospital, Hospice and local Nursing Homes. Please pray for all affected by cutbacks, illnesses and other challenges in our country and world.
RECENTLY DEAD: Patrick Fauklin; Luke Sullivan; Baby Francis Blackmore; Bert McLelland; Mary Gallagher; also Marie Casey; David Formosa; Ewa Wszolek; Dagmar Müller; Tony Fullwood; Christopher Haskins (month’s mind). Please keep in your prayers all who have died in conflict throughout the world especially the innocent civilians.
ANNIVERSARIES: Anne Johnson; Ellen Underhill; Molly Forster; Eleanor James; Mary Stevens; Hugh Blundell-Hawkes; Tracey Cooper; Barbara McNamara; Valerie Penfold; Lorraine Peterson; Nellie Hooker; Bernard Roff; Martin Moorhead; Nick Edwards; Bertie Roddy; Pietro Bottiglieri; Margaret Corcoran; Annie Donohoe; Daniel Lynch; Henry Gaiger.
MEETINGS THIS WEEK
| SUNDAY 19 | 10am | Children’s Liturgy in the St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre |
| MONDAY 20 | 5-6pm | First Communion Children’s Class in Church |
| TUESDAY 21 |
1.30pm to 3pm
|
Baby & Toddler Group in the St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre |
| FRIDAY 24 | 7.30pm | Parish Future Organising Group meet in Priest’s House |
| SUNDAY 26 |
10am
|
Children’s Liturgy in the St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre |
THANK YOU for your offerings which amounted to £437.27. (Standing Orders average £355 per week). The second collection for SPUC raised £265.
SECURITY Anyone going into the Church alone must notify the Parish Office even if they have their own Church key and lock themselves in for safety reasons. They must also notify the Office when they leave.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION The next children’s lesson is this Monday 20th January 2020 from 5-6pm (God helps me get it right - discuss from the chapter how we all change and grow and can make things better for all). (We have taken down photos of last year’s first communicants and they will be left on the table in the porch for parents to collect.)
FIRST COMMUNION PRAYER CARDS Please take a card and pray for the child whose name is on it as they prepare for their First Communion. The cards are in a box on the table in the porch. Thank you.
FRIENDSHIP GROUP The next meeting will be on Wednesday 5th February at 1.30pm. Venue: 3 Os-prey Walk, Larkfield, ME20 6JJ. RSVP: Tony & Anne Law 01732 844077.
FOOD PARCEL DONATIONS Please see the noticeboard for a thank you letter from the Parish of Ss. Austin & Gregory with St. Anne’s Margate thanking us for our kind and generous food parcel donations.
PACT Please see the noticeboard for a thank you letter from PACT following last year’s donations amounting to £216.66.
MORE PARK PRIMARY SCHOOL PTA Quiz Night on Friday 31st January (7 for 7.30pm). £5 per per-son. Tickets will be sold after Mass or please contact Victoria Morrissey on 07849 750272.
‘CONTEMPLATING THE WORD WITH MARY’ Saturday 21st March, 10am to 4pm, The Friars, Ayles-ford. See noticeboard.
HEART OF KENT HOSPICE are launching ‘Compassionate Neighbours’ on Thursday 30th January at West Malling Baptist Church, Swan Street, West Malling. This is a free, community-led social move-ment offering friendship and support for anyone who is lonely, at risk of isolation and nearing the end of life through age or illness. See noticeboard for session times and further information.
CHRIST THE KING SIXTH FORMS are looking to recruit two new Foundation Governors to join the governing body of the College. See noticeboard for full details.
ATTENTION ALL PARENTS For safeguarding reasons all children under 10 must be escorted to the toilet during Mass. Could we also remind parishioners that the doors inside Church must be accessible at all times and that prams or other items must not block them. Thank you.
CHURCH CLEANING Fiona’s Group week beginning 20th January.
CHURCH FLOWERS Elaine’s Group week beginning 17th January. Maria’s Group week beginning 24th January.
NOTICES Please see the Notice Board for more details.
PEACE SUNDAY The work of Pax Christi is based on the gospel and inspired by faith. Their vision is of a world where people can live in peace, without fear of violence in all its forms. Rooted in Catholic Christianity, they work with all who share their values to abolish war and create communities of peace and justice.
|
AREA GROUP MEETINGS
Kings Hill & Mereworth meet on Thursday 30th January at 8pm (Secret Santa - please bring a wrapped, new and unwanted Christmas present). Venue: 145 Discovery Drive, Kings Hill, ME19 4DS.
RSVP Ray & Wendy Cassidy 01732 521261
|
BAPTISM OF THE LORD (A) 09 January 2020
ST. THOMAS MORE CHURCH , LUCKS HILL, WEST MALLING
PRIEST: Fr. Peter Soper, The Priest’s House, More Park, West Malling, ME19 6HN
Tel: 01732 843302 email: westmalling@rcaos.org.uk Website: www.westmallingrc.org.uk
St. Thomas More Pre-School, St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre, Lucks Hill, West Malling. ME19 6HN. Tel: 01732 874559
BAPTISM OF THE LORD (A)
12th January 2020
IMPORTANT PARISH MEETING ON THE FUTURE OF OUR PARISH - THURSDAY 16th JANUARY (this week) at 7.30pm IN THE CHURCH. Please read the attached statements from the Diocese and the Invitation/Agenda for this meeting attached to this newsletter and come with ideas for us to take to the Diocese. Many, many thanks to all those who organised and signed the petition and who have shown support in many ways. This meeting is the next step so please support us in it - thank you.
THIS WEEKEND - CANDLEMAS JOURNEY & SPUC WHITE FLOWER APPEAL This weekend we celebrate the feast of the Baptism of the Lord and end the Christmas season, and begin our journey to Candlemas, joining with Mary & Joseph tak-ing the light of the First Christmas to the Jewish people in the Temple of Jerusalem and the Wise Men taking that light back to their countries and people, to bring the light of this Christmas to root it in the temple of our hearts and Parish and Church on this Candlemas weekend (1st/2nd February). Please take the candle that will be blessed today and the special Candlemas Journey Prayer Sheet to use at home in prayer on these days. This year, again, we make the journey in a special way for our Parish.
We also have the SPUC White Flower Appeal - see special note overleaf. Cards and white flower stickers, and a basket for donations in the porch.
DURING THE WEEK There is the special Parish meeting above - also meetings for the First Communion children, Mother’s Prayer Group, Baby & Toddler Group, Children’s Liturgy organisers, and the Youth Group - details overleaf.
NEXT WEEKEND We continue our Candlemas journey and also celebrate Peace Sunday - see special notice overleaf and collect an envelope for next weekend’s collection from the back of the church. We also begin the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity with prayers and services at West Malling Baptist Church on Saturday 1.30-4.30pm, and St. James, East Malling on Sunday at 9.45am. There is also the Snodland United Service at All Saints, Snodland (where I will be preaching!) on Sunday at 3pm, and our own service here on Monday 20th at 7pm, for which I ask your support.
PRAYERS PLEASE FOR CHRISTOPHER HASKINS and his family as they prepare for his funeral Mass at Aylesford Priory this Thursday (17th) at 12 noon and we offer them all our love, support and prayers.
CONGRATULATIONS to Betty Callaghan and Betty Hatton who celebrated their 91st and 98th Birthdays respectively last weekend - and our love and prayers.
MASSES & SERVICES
| SATURDAY (Epiphany Octave) | 11 |
5pm
|
(Children’s Liturgy) Philomena Mulcahy RIP |
|
SUNDAY Baptism of the Lord
Beginning of Candlemas Journey
|
12 |
10am
5.30pm
|
The Parishioners
Matilda & Paul Perera RIP
|
| MONDAY (Candlemas Journey) | 13 | 9.30am |
Communion Service
|
| TUESDAY (Candlemas Journey) | 14 |
9.30am
|
(With Yr. R) Fr. Jim Kirby RIP |
| WEDNESDAY (Candlemas Journey) | 15 | 9.30am |
Keggy Diamond RIP
|
| THURSDAY (Candlemas Journey) | 16 | 9.30am |
Communion Service
|
|
FRIDAY (Candlemas Journey)
St. Anthony, Abbot
|
17 | 9.30am | Welfare of the Diamond Family |
|
SATURDAY (Candlemas Journey)
Church Unity Octave
|
18 |
5pm
|
Neville & Beno Perera Thanksgiving
|
|
SUNDAY (Candlemas Journey)
Peace Day
2nd Sunday of the Year
Unity Octave
|
18 |
10am
3pm
5.30pm
|
(Children’s Liturgy) The Parishioners
Snodland Unite with service at All Saints, Snodland
The Parishioners
|
| SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: Saturday 4.30pm to 4.45pm |
PLEASE PRAY FOR: Betty Ward; Moira Stevens; May Piddock; Peter and Dee Avery; Pauline O’Toole; Mary Wilmot; Fiona Evans; Roy & Heather Lewis; Frank Ostridge; Jacky Seeds; Archie & Arrison Sullivan; Diane McSharry; Leo McSharry; Oliver Young; Craig Richards; John Stevens; Louis Fissenden; carers of the sick; our housebound and all at Maidstone Hospital, Hospice and local Nursing Homes. Please pray for all affected by cutbacks, illnesses and other challenges in our country and world.
RECENTLY DEAD: Luke Sullivan; Baby Francis Blackmore; Bert McLelland; Mary Gallagher; Marie Casey; David Formosa; Ewa Wszolek; Dagmar Müller; Tony Fullwood; Christopher Haskins. Please keep in your prayers all who have died in conflict throughout the world especially the innocent civilians.
ANNIVERSARIES: Avenna Fry; Elsbeth Douse; Antonio Falcone; Carol Copland; Sarah Love; Michael Stevens; Dorothy Savage; Cor-nelius Hegarty; Brian Murphy; Eileen Jordan; Mary Spaul; Frank Dunster; Bridget Payne; Ellen Smith; Anne Johnson; Ellen Underhill; Molly Forster.
MEETINGS THIS WEEK
| SUNDAY 12 |
10am
|
Children’s Liturgy in the St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre |
| MONDAY 13 |
5-6pm
7.30pm
|
First Communion Children’s Class in Church
Mothers Prayer Group in Church Porch
|
| TUESDAY 14 | 1.30pm to 3pm | Baby & Toddler Group in the St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre |
| WEDNESDAY 15 | 7.45 for 8pm | Children’s Liturgy Organisers meet in Priest’s House |
| THURSDAY 16 | 7.30pm | Parish Meeting on the Future of the Parish |
| FRIDAY 17 | 7-9pm | Youth Group meets in School |
| SUNDAY 19 | 10am | Children’s Liturgy in the St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre |
THANK YOU for your generous offerings this week. (Standing Orders average £355 per week).
100 CLUB Congratulations go to Fr. Peter (No. 5) for the January draw.
SECURITY Anyone going into the Church alone must notify the Parish Office even if they have their own Church key and lock themselves in for safety reasons. They must also notify the Office when they leave.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION The next children’s lesson is this Monday 13th January 2020 from 5-6pm (Celebrating our Rescue - discuss chapter and how we all need other people to help us and care for us, how we should all forgive). (We have taken down photos of last year’s first communicants and they will be left on the table in the porch for parents to collect.)
FIRST COMMUNION PRAYER CARDS Please take a card and pray for the child whose name is on it as they prepare for their First Communion. The cards are in a box on the table in the porch. Thank you.
MOTHERS PRAYER GROUP The next meeting will be on Monday 13th January at 7.30pm in the Church Porch. If you would be interested in attending please contact Steph Blackburn on 07977 458970 or email steph@bbits.co.uk.
JOB VACANCY: SHRINE SECRETARY AT THE FRIARS, AYLESFORD, KENT ME20 7BX Hours: Mon-Fri 9.30am - 2.30pm with some sea-sonal weekend work to cover pilgrimages. Rate of Pay: £11.50 per hour. For a full job description and application form please contact Clare Abbotson, Prior’s PA, cabbotson@thefriars.org.uk, 01622 714148 or 01622 717272. The closing date for applications is Friday 17th January.
JOB VACANCY The governors of St Mary Magdalen’s Catholic Primary School in Mortlake, London SW14 8HE are looking to recruit a Headteacher to take up post in September 2020. For more information, please see the school website - https://www.st-marymagdalens.richmond.sch.uk/, or contact Evelyn Fernandes at admin@st-marymagdalens.richmond.sch.uk for an application pack.
FUNDRAISING VOLUNTEER ROLE Location: Finance Office, 59 Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7JE. Hours: ideally 2 days per week for 6 months - can be flexible. This role will involve tasks such as organising the legacy gifts files, inputting data onto a CRM database, mail-merging thank you letters, general administration, scanning and filing, helping to organise events, printing and mailing materials, etc. The role brings opportunities for someone to get a good idea on how a fundraising department works and its various component parts. If you would like to apply please send your CV with a cover note explaining you are interested in this role to Sarah Wood, HR Manager, via email: sa-rahwood@rcaos.org.uk.
FULLY ESCORTED PILGRIMAGE TO KNOCK SHRINE, IRELAND celebrating the feast of St. Patrick. 16th March 2020. £599 per person sharing. Price includes flight with 10kg hand luggage, all transfers, 4 nights in Knock House Hotel with breakfast and dinner. All entertainment and excursions included. Lunches on days out. Wheelchair accessible rooms. Single room supplement £100. Contact Patricia on 01268 762 278 or 07740 175557 or email: knockpilgrimages@gmail.com. See noticeboard for poster with full itinerary.
MEDJUGORJE IRISH CENTRE PILGRIMAGES APRIL - OCTOBER 2020 7 night stay and airport shuttle service from Dubrovnik or Split for €266 per person sharing. Book any flight - any time and they provide guaranteed airport shuttle service. Call for further info and book the dates that suit you. Tel: 020 3239 8662 or email reservations@med-irishcentre.com. See noticeboard for poster and further details.
ATTENTION ALL PARENTS For safeguarding reasons all children under 10 must be escorted to the toilet during Mass. Could we also remind parishioners that the doors inside Church must be accessible at all times and that prams or other items must not block them. Thank you.
CHURCH CLEANING Wiesia’s Group week beginning 13th January.
CHURCH FLOWERS Elaine’s Group weeks beginning 10th and 17th January.
NOTICES Please see the Notice Board for more details.
SPUC ‘WHITE FLOWER’ APPEAL 2020 - the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) will be holding its annual appeal this week-end. On 21 October 2019 the most extreme abortion regime in Europe was imposed on the people of Northern Ireland by the government at Westminster. Abortion will now be permitted for any reason up until at least 24 weeks, and even beyond that. The abortion lobby now wants to introduce this in England & Wales. Please be as generous as you can to help SPUC defend unborn babies and their mothers from this new at-tack.
PEACE SUNDAY The work of Pax Christi is based on the gospel and inspired by faith. Their vision is of a world where people can live in peace, without fear of violence in all its forms. Rooted in Catholic Christianity, they work with all who share their values to abolish war and create com-munities of peace and justice.
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AREA GROUP MEETINGS
Kings Hill & Mereworth meet on Thursday 30th January at 8pm (Secret Santa - please bring a wrapped, new and unwanted Christmas present). Venue: 145 Discovery Drive, Kings Hill, ME19 4DS. RSVP Ray & Wendy Cassidy 01732 521261
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MARRIAGE MATTERS
The Baptism of the Lord (Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7, Acts 10:34-38, Matthew 3:13-17)
You are my chosen one
Today, Isaiah and Matthew talk of Jesus being ‘the Chosen One’ and ‘the Beloved’. So often, we are aware of the times when our partner annoys us. We need to develop a sensitivity so that, when we are tempted to be critical, we remember that this is my ‘chosen one’ and look for ways to affirm our partner, our ‘beloved’.
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FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY (A) 04 January 2020
ST. THOMAS MORE CHURCH , LUCKS HILL, WEST MALLING
PRIEST: Fr. Peter Soper, The Priest’s House, More Park, West Malling, ME19 6HN
Tel: 01732 843302 email: westmalling@rcaos.org.uk Website: www.westmallingrc.org.uk
St. Thomas More Pre-School, St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre, Lucks Hill, West Malling. ME19 6HN. Tel: 01732 874559
FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY (A)
5th January 2020
IMPORTANT PARISH MEETING ON THE FUTURE OF OUR PARISH - THURSDAY 16th JANUARY (Thursday Week) at 7.30pm IN THE CHURCH. Please read the attached statements from the Diocese and myself on pages 3 and 4 of this newsletter and come with ideas for us to take to the Diocese. Many, many thanks to all those who organised and signed the petition and who have shown support in many ways. This meeting is the next step so please support us in it - thank you.
EPIPHANY This weekend we end the Great Days of Christmas with the Feast of the Epiphany, uniting our-selves with the Three Wise Men, our ancestors, and dedicating ourselves to be the Lord’s Kings of Faith, Priests of Hope and Prophets of Love in this year of 2020 with a special ‘Kings’ Procession’ at the 10am Mass and the Youth Group presenting the 5.30pm Mass. We ask for this Faith, Hope and Love for our journey as a Parish in this year.
DURING THE WEEK We continue to celebrate the Epiphany and prepare ourselves to begin our journey to Candlemas next weekend - there are also meetings for the first communion children and youth leaders on Mon-day, an important 1st Communion Parents Meeting on Reconciliation on Wednesday. Also the Churches To-gether in Snodland on Tuesday.
NEXT WEEKEND - CANDLEMAS JOURNEY & SPUC WHITE FLOWER APPEAL Next weekend we cele-brate the feast of the Baptism of the Lord and end the Christmas season, and begin our journey to Candlemas, joining with Mary & Joseph taking the light of the First Christmas to the Jewish people in the Temple of Jerusa-lem and the Wise Men taking that light back to their countries and people, to bring the light of this Christmas to root it in the temple of our hearts and Parish and Church on this Candlemas weekend (1st/2nd February). Please take the candle that will be blessed today and the special Candlemas Journey Prayer Sheet to use at home in prayer on these days. This year, again, we make the journey in a special way for our Parish.
We also have the SPUC White Flower Appeal - see special note overleaf.
FUNERAL OF MONICA UNTER RIP will take place this Tuesday 7th January at 12 noon here in St. Thomas More Church and we offer Monica, Charles and Angela and their family all our love and support and prayers - also to the families of Christopher Haskins, David Formosa, Dave Stapley, Mary Gallagher, and all who have died recently and all facing illness and challenges in these days.
MASSES & SERVICES
| SATURDAY (Eve of Epiphany | 4 |
5pm
|
First Mass of Epiphany for World Peace - and to drive away hunger, poverty and homelessness in the world |
|
SUNDAY The Epiphany
|
5 |
10am
5.30pm
|
Epiphany Mass (Children’s Liturgy & Kings Procession) Parishioners, Family & Friends
Epiphany Mass (Youth Group) Parishioners, Family & Friends
|
| MONDAY (Epiphany Octave) | 6 | 9.30am |
Communion Service
|
| TUESDAY (Epiphany Octave) | 7 |
9.30am
12noon
|
Holy Souls
Funeral Mass for Monica Unter RIP
|
| WEDNESDAY (Epiphany Octave) | 8 | 9.30am |
Deceased Relatives & Friends of the Lobo Family
|
| THURSDAY (Epiphany Octave) | 9 | 9.30am |
Communion Service
|
|
FRIDAY (Epiphany Octave) |
10 | 9.30am | Mary Goldsmith - Christmas (Steph & Family) |
| SATURDAY (Epiphany Octave) | 11 |
5pm
|
Philomena Mulcahy RIP |
|
SUNDAY
Baptism of the Lord
Beginning of Candlemas Journey
|
12 |
10am
5.30pm
|
The Parishioners
Matilda & Paul Perera RIP
|
| SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: Saturday 4.30pm to 4.45pm |
PLEASE PRAY FOR: Betty Ward; Moira Stevens; May Piddock; Peter and Dee Avery; Pauline O’Toole; Mary Wilmot; Fiona Evans; Roy & Heather Lewis; Frank Ostridge; Leo McSharry; Louis Fissenden; Oliver Young; Craig Richards; Diane McSharry; Billy Jones; Laurence Jordan; Dean Herrington; Jacky Seeds; carers of the sick; our housebound and all at Maidstone Hospital, Hospice and local Nursing Homes. Please pray for all affected by cutbacks, illnesses and other challenges in our country and world.
RECENTLY DEAD: Baby Francis Blackmore; Bert McLelland; Mary Gallagher; Marie Casey; David Formosa; Ewa Wszolek; Dagmar Müller; Tony Fullwood; Christopher Haskins; also Monica Unter; Margaret Mansfield; Keith Osborne; Dave Stapley; Josie Keen (month’s mind). Please keep in your prayers all who have died in conflict throughout the world especially the innocent civilians.
ANNIVERSARIES: Patrick Woods; Clementina Leonard; Daniel McMahon; Lonza Micallef; Sidney McCarthy; Lauren Cressey; Peter Smart; Sharon Barbieri; Ellen Love; Gladys Gollop; Avenna Fry; Elsbeth Douse; Antonio Falcone; Carol Copland; Sarah Love.
MEETINGS THIS WEEK
| SATURDAY 4 |
10am to 12noon
|
Gardening Club (subject to weather conditions) |
| SUNDAY 5 |
10am
4pm
|
Children’s Liturgy in the St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre and ‘Kings Procession’
Youth Group meet to prepare Epiphany Mass
|
| MONDAY 6 |
5-6pm
8pm
|
(INSET DAY IN SCHOOL)
First Communion Children’s Class in Church
Youth Leaders meet in Priest’s House
|
| TUESDAY 7 |
1.30pm to 3pm
7pm
|
Baby & Toddler Group in the St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre
Churches Together in Snodland meet at The Vicarage
|
| WEDNESDAY 8 | 7.30 for 8pm | First Communion Parents Meeting on Reconciliation |
| SUNDAY 12 | 10am | Children’s Liturgy in the St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre |
THANK YOU for your very generous offerings. (Standing Orders average £355 per week).
100 CLUB CHRISTMAS WINNERS Congratulations go to Paddy Griffin (No. 49) [£200 prize] and Terry Thorogood (No. 68) [£60 prize].
SECURITY Anyone going into the Church alone must notify the Parish Office even if they have their own Church key and lock themselves in for safety reasons. They must also notify the Office when they leave.
2020 CALENDARS Please support the Church by buying our calendars. We work an honesty box system. Please put mon-ey in the box marked “Cards” in the porch near where you get your tea. Many thanks.
MISSIO CALENDARS Please feel free to take a Missio Calendar from the back of the church.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION The next children’s lesson is this Monday 6th January 2020 from 5-6pm (Lord have mercy - read chapter and discuss being truly sorry in everyday life). The next parents meeting is on Wednesday 8th January (7.30pm for 8pm). Please remember to bring a photo of your child for the board at the back of the Church. (We have taken down photos of last year’s first communicants and they will be left on the table in the porch for parents to collect.)
MOTHERS PRAYER GROUP The next meeting will be on Monday 13th January at 7.30pm in the Church Porch. If you would be interested in attending please contact Steph Blackburn on 07977 458970 or email steph@bbits.co.uk.
PILSDON AT MALLING Please see the noticeboard for a note from the Pildson at Malling Community thanking us for our kind and generous donations made through the Reverse Advent Calendar project.
A DAY WITH MARY will be held at Our Lady of the Rosary, Brixton, on Saturday 18th January 2020 - see poster on notice-board for full details.
ATTENTION ALL PARENTS For safeguarding reasons all children under 10 must be escorted to the toilet during Mass. Could we also remind parishioners that the doors inside Church must be accessible at all times and that prams or other items must not block them. Thank you.
GARDENING CLUB meet on Saturday 4th January 2020 from 10am to 12 noon (subject to weather conditions).
CHURCH CLEANING
CHURCH FLOWERS Elaine’s Group week beginning 3rd January.
NOTICES Please see the Notice Board for more details.
SPUC ‘WHITE FLOWER’ APPEAL 2020 - the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) will be holding its annual appeal next weekend.
On 21 October 2019 the most extreme abortion regime in Europe was imposed on the people of Northern Ireland by the government at Westminster. Abortion will now be permitted for any reason up until at least 24 weeks, and even beyond that. The abortion lobby now wants to introduce this in England & Wales.
Please be as generous as you can to help SPUC defend unborn babies and their mothers from this new attack.
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MARRIAGE MATTERS
The Epiphany of the Lord (Isaiah 60:1-6 Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6 Matthew 2:1-12)
Give every fibre of our being
The gift we can give to Jesus and to one another is ourselves. No matter how long we have been married, let us still enjoy un-wrapping the gift of self. Just as, through the grace of God, the ‘wise men’ went another way, not the world’s way, so can we, by giving our whole selves, every fibre of our being.
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Fourth Sunday of Advent (A) & Feast of the Holy Family (A) 20 December 2019
ST. THOMAS MORE CHURCH , LUCKS HILL, WEST MALLING
PRIEST: Fr. Peter Soper, The Priest’s House, More Park, West Malling, ME19 6HN
Tel: 01732 843302 email: westmalling@rcaos.org.uk Website: www.westmallingrc.org.uk
St. Thomas More Pre-School, St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre, Lucks Hill, West Malling. ME19 6HN. Tel: 01732 874559
Fourth Sunday of Advent (A) & Feast of the Holy Family (A)
22nd and 29th December 2019
THIS WEEKEND We celebrate the final weekend of Advent and make our final preparations to receive Jesus and his new light and strength this Christmas, and we will also have a second opportunity to contribute to our ‘St. Nicholas Charity Collection’ with a retiring collection.
CHRISTMAS, HOLY FAMILY WEEKEND AND NEW YEAR 2020 Please see Mass & Service Times below.
EPIPHANY WEEKEND (4th/5th January 2020) Special Children’s Liturgy and ’Kings Procession’ at Sunday 10am Mass. Youth Group meet in the Priest’s House at 4pm on Sunday to prepare 5.30pm Mass.
ADORATION OF THE CHRISTMAS PERIOD There will be no Adoration evening on Friday 27th December, but we will be there on Friday 3rd January 2020.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR ALL YOU’VE DONE FOR OUR PARISH FAMILY IN THIS PAST YEAR - AND LOVE AND PRAYERS TO YOU ALL FOR THIS CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR. Fr. Peter (Please note that the Parish Office is now closed until Friday 3rd January 2020.)
MASSES & SERVICES
|
SATURDAY (Advent Day 5) (Advent)
|
21 |
2.30pm
5pm
|
Baptism - Oscar Moon
Molly & Simon Maher RIP (Alice, Margaret & Maureen)
|
|
SUNDAY (Advent Day 6)
Fourth Sunday of Advent (A)
|
22 |
10am
5.30pm
|
(Children’s Advent Liturgy) Annie Griffin RIP
The Parishioners
|
| MONDAY (Advent Day 7) | 23 | 9.30am |
Final Mass of Advent in Church - Josie Keen RIP
|
| TUESDAY (Christmas Eve) | 24 |
4.30pm
6pm
11.30pm
|
Children’s Service at the Crib
Vigil Mass of Christmas - Parishioners, Family & Friends
Vigil of Carols leading to Midnight Mass - Parishioners, Family & Friends
|
|
WEDNESDAY (Christmas Day)
(The Nativity of the Lord)
|
25 | 10am |
Christmas Family Mass - Parishioners, Family & Friends
|
| THURSDAY (St. Stephen) | 26 | 11am |
Mass of St. Stephen - Joan & Donald Hamilton RIP
|
|
FRIDAY (St. John, Apostle) |
27 |
10am
|
Mass of St. John - Anne Crunley RIP |
| SATURDAY (Holy Innocents) | 28 |
5pm
|
First Mass of Holy Family - Ruperta R. Inguito RIP (Anniv.) |
|
SUNDAY
The Holy Family
|
29 |
10am
5.30pm
|
(Children’s Advent Liturgy) Frank Hall RIP (Birthday)
The Parishioners
|
| MONDAY (Christmas Octave) | 30 | NO MASS OR SERVICE | |
| TUESDAY (New Year’s Eve) | 31 | 6pm | New Year’s Eve Mass (All deceased Parishioners, Family & Friends) |
|
WEDNESDAY (New Year’s Day)
(Mary, Mother of God)
|
1 Jan 2020 | 12noon | New Year’s Day Mass (Parishioners, Family & Friends) |
| THURSDAY (Christmas Weekday) | 2 | 9.30am | Communion Service |
| FRIDAY (Christmas Weekday) | 3 |
9.30am
6-8pm
|
Welfare of the Diamond Family
Adoration - everyone welcome to join team even for 10 minutes
|
| SATURDAY (Eve of Epiphany) | 4 | 5pm | First Mass of Epiphany for World Peace - and to drive away hunger, poverty and homelessness in the world |
|
SUNDAY
The Epiphany
|
5 |
10am
5.30pm
|
Epiphany Mass (Children’s Liturgy & Kings Procession) Parishioners Family & Friends
Epiphany Mass (Youth Group) Parishioners, Family & Friends
|
| SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: Saturday 4.30pm to 4.45pm |
PLEASE PRAY FOR: Baby Giorgio Gangemi; Nicholas Powell; Terry Barton; Betty Ward; Moira Stevens; Sarah Content; May Piddock; Baby Callie; Peter and Dee Avery; Colin Povey; Reece Reynolds; Fr. Tony Collins; Pauline O’Toole; Caroline Walker; Baby April Hayes; Sheila Koster; Jrena Beard; Eileen Calkin; Daphne Filmer; Mary Wilmot; Fr. Denis Lynch O.Carm; Dan Smith; Paul Head; John Langton; Natalie Walker; Fiona Evans; Roy & Heather Lewis; Frank Ostridge; Craig Richards; Oliver Young; Diane McSharry; Jacky Seeds; carers of the sick; our housebound and all at Maidstone Hospital, Hospice and local Nursing Homes. Please pray for all affected by cutbacks, illnesses and other challenges in our country and world.
RECENTLY DEAD: Marie Casey; David Formosa; Ewa Wszolek; Dagmar Müller; Tony Fullwood; Christopher Haskins; Monica Unter; Margaret Mansfield; Keith Osborne; Dave Stapley; Josie Keen; also Paul Horsfall (month’s mind). Please keep in your prayers all who have died in conflict throughout the world especially the innocent civilians.
ANNIVERSARIES: 22nd December: - Francis Flanagan; Emmanuel Murto; Annie Griffin; Laurence O’Connor; Margaret Hopgood; Molly Maher; Mark Nicholls; John Whelan; Hedwick Steffan; Terence Finn; Yvonne D’Agostini; Daniel O’Shea; Cecilia Sampayo; John Kilgallen; Ronald Mannerings; James Boyle; Tony Kibble; Viva Redman; Joan Hamilton. 29th December: - John Keegan; Theresa Hedderman; Maisie Lingham; John Murphy; Mary Forsythe; Catherine Sheppard; Michael Kavanagh; Mary Heggarty; Trevor Jones; Lily Feehan; Wilfred McCauley; Grace Moss; Kathleen Mortlock; Annie Thomson; Rev. Patrick Lonergan; Patrick Woods; Clementina Leonard.
MEETINGS THIS WEEK
| SATURDAY 21 |
10-11am
|
Children’s Christmas Workshop in the St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre |
| SUNDAY 22 | 10am | Children’s Advent Liturgy in the St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre |
| SUNDAY 29 | 10am | No Children’s Liturgy but children specially welcomed in the Mass |
| SATURDAY 4 JANUARY 2020 | 10am to 12 noon | Gardening Club (subject to weather conditions) |
| SUNDAY 5 |
10am
4pm
|
Children’s Liturgy in the St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre and ‘Kings Procession’
Youth Group meet to prepare Epiphany Mass
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THANK YOU for your Offerings which amounted to £438.94. (Standing Orders average £355 per week). The second collection for St. Nicholas Welfare raised £250 and the collection for Christmas Flowers raised £248.65.
CHRISTMAS RAFFLE The total raised was £440. Thank you to suppliers of goodies, ticket sellers and buyers.
RUTH TRANT Thanks to Ruth and volunteers for the great improvement to the car park.
SECURITY Anyone going into the Church alone must notify the Parish Office even if they have their own Church key and lock themselves in for safety reasons. They must also notify the Office when they leave.
CHRISTMAS CARDS AND 2020 CALENDARS Please support the Church by buying our cards and calendars. We work an honesty box system. Please put money in the box marked “Cards” in the porch near where you get your tea. Many thanks.
MISSIO CALENDARS Please feel free to take a Missio Calendar from the back of the church.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION Taking part in Advent. The next children’s lesson is on Monday 6th January 2020 from 5-6pm (Lord have mercy - read chapter and discuss being truly sorry in everyday life). The next parents meeting is on Wednesday 8th January (7.30pm for 8pm). Please remember to bring a photo of your child for the board at the back of the Church. (We have taken down photos of last year’s first communicants and they will be left on the table in the porch for parents to collect.)
SALVATION ARMY Please see the noticeboard for a ‘Thank You’ letter from the Maidstone Salvation Army thanking our parishioners for their very generous donations for the homeless.
ATTENTION ALL PARENTS For safeguarding reasons all children under 10 must be escorted to the toilet during Mass. Could we also remind parishioners that the doors inside Church must be accessible at all times and that prams or other items must not block them. Thank you.
GARDENING CLUB meet on Saturday 4th January 2020 from 10am to 12 noon (subject to weather conditions).
CHURCH FLOWERS All flower arrangers to meet on Monday 23rd December for Christmas Flowers. Dee’s Group week beginning 27th December.
NOTICES Please see the Notice Board for more details.
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MARRIAGE MATTERS
Fourth Sunday of Advent (Isaiah 7:10-14 Romans 1:1-7 Matthew 1:18-25)
Taking courage from love
The Gospel relates how Joseph overcame his serious doubts about Mary - and married her! She too had faced her own fears about the future - and said “Yes!” We too can have doubts and lack confidence in the future, but like Mary and Joseph we can take courage from our love for each other and God’s love for us too.
Christmas Day (Midnight Mass) (Isaiah 9:1-7 Titus 2:11-14 Luke 2:1-14)
Excitement and Joy
Mary knew the excitement and joy of this special day; Joseph too. He and Mary were ‘together’ beginning a new journey, and no doubt believed all was going to be well. We, too, like Mary and Joseph, need to be open to the joy and excitements of new beginnings ‘together’, especially when they involve experiences that are totally new.
The Holy Family (Ecclesiastes 3:2-6, 12-14 Col 3:12-21 Matthew 2:13-15, 17-23)
Be kind and gentle when we are making decisions
The readings today challenge us to listen sensitively to each other; to be prepared to let go of our own desires and to be deeply aware of each other’s thoughts and feelings as we make decisions together. For this we need to ask the Holy Spirit to open our hearts to the gifts of compassion and understanding, courage and hopefulness.
Mary, Mother of God (Numbers 6:22-27 Galatians 4:4-7 Luke 2:16-21
A new title
On our wedding day we received a new and special title of ‘Husband’ and ‘Wife’. These titles announce to our family and friends our unique and special place in God’s plan for us, His Church, and the world. In celebrating this Feast Day let us remember who we are and, like Mary, ‘treasure and ponder it in our hearts’.
Second Sunday of Christmas (Eccles 24:1-2.8-12 Ephesians 1:3-6,15-18 John 1:1-18)
He chose us to be holy and spotless
He chose us “to be holy and spotless and to live through love in his presence”. ‘Holy and spotless’ … with all the messiness of our lives … clothes, toys, all over the floor, washing up in the sink? Yes. ‘Holy!’ … ‘through loving’. So, whether cleaning up the mess or working to earn money, you are doing loving things. You are ‘holier’ than you think!
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Third Sunday of Advent (A) 14 December 2019
ST. THOMAS MORE CHURCH , LUCKS HILL, WEST MALLING
PRIEST: Fr. Peter Soper, The Priest’s House, More Park, West Malling, ME19 6HN
Tel: 01732 843302 email: westmalling@rcaos.org.uk Website: www.westmallingrc.org.uk
St. Thomas More Pre-School, St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre, Lucks Hill, West Malling. ME19 6HN. Tel: 01732 874559
Third Sunday of Advent (A)
15th December 2019
THIS WEEKEND We continue Advent and prepare for the Great Advent Days that will lead us to Christmas Eve and have our collection for the Christmas flowers. We also have the draw for our Christmas Raffle and thank all who have organised and worked on this. We also congratulate and pray for Holy Family Parish, South Maidstone, as they cele-brate their 50th Anniversary as a Parish. Please also collect your ‘St. Nicholas’ gift - a 2020 Parish Diary.
ADVENT SERVICES AND EVENTS THIS WEEK There is Mothers Prayer Group on Monday, the Pre-School have their Nativity Service on Tuesday, and the school have their Church services on Wednesday. There is also the end-of-term Advent Mass in school, the Advent Adult Penitential service with Adoration on Friday, and the children’s Christmas workshop on Friday - please support all these events.
NEXT WEEKEND We celebrate the final weekend of Advent and make our final preparations to receive Jesus and his new light and strength this Christmas, and we will also have a second opportunity to contribute to our ‘St. Nicholas Charity Collection’ with a retiring collection.
ADORATION OF THE CHRISTMAS PERIOD There will be Adoration on 20th December with Advent Penitential with Fr. Peter from 7.30pm. Please feel free to join the Adoration team for a quiet time of meditation with your own thoughts any Friday between 6pm and 8pm. If you would like to join the team and you need a lift, please let the Parish office know and we will be able to help. There will be no Adoration evening on Friday 27th December, but we will be there on Friday 3rd January 2020.
Let us continue to h
elp each other in this Advent to open our hearts to the Lord and the strength and life he wants to bring us in our lives and challenges this Christmas. Fr. Peter
MASSES & SERVICES
| SATURDAY (Advent - St. John of the Cross) | 14 |
5pm
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Barbara Tucker RIP (Corette Family) |
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SUNDAY
Third Sunday of Advent (A)
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15 |
10am
5.30pm
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(Children’s Advent Liturgy) Christine Griffin RIP (Anniv.)
Mother Bernadette Gastor Lufor and Marie Alix & Marie Claude Terriere
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| MONDAY (Advent) | 16 |
9.30am
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Communion Service
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| TUESDAY (Advent Day 1) | 17 |
9.30am
11am
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The Parishioners
Pre-School Nativity Service in Church
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| WEDNESDAY (Advent Day 2) | 18 |
9.30am
1.30pm & 6pm
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Mary Goldsmith (Welfare)
School Christmas Services in Church
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| THURSDAY (Advent Day 3) | 19 |
9.30am
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Communion Service
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FRIDAY (Advent Day 4) |
20 |
9.30am
7.30pm
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Advent end-of-term Mass in School
Adult Advent Penitential Service in Church with ADORATION
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| SATURDAY (Advent Day 5) | 21 |
2.30pm
5pm
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Baptism - Oscar Moon
Molly & Simon Maher RIP (Alice, Margaret & Maureen)
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SUNDAY
(Advent Day 6)
Fourth Sunday of Advent (A)
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22 |
10am
5.30pm
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(Children’s Advent Liturgy) Annie Griffin RIP
The Parishioners
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SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION - Saturday 21st December
Children 4.15pm to 4.30pm Adults 4.30pm to 4.45pm
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PLEASE PRAY FOR: Baby Giorgio Gangemi; Nicholas Powell; Terry Barton; Betty Ward; Moira Stevens; Sarah Content; May Piddock; Baby Callie; Peter and Dee Avery; Colin Povey; Reece Reynolds; Fr. Tony Collins; David Formosa; Pauline O’Toole; Caroline Walker; Baby April Hayes; Sheila Koster; Jrena Beard; Eileen Calkin; Daphne Filmer; Mary Wilmot; Fr. Denis Lynch O.Carm; Dan Smith; Paul Head; John Langton; Natalie Walker; Fiona Evans; Billy Jones; Lawrence Jordan; Jacky Seeds; carers of the sick; our housebound and all at Maidstone Hospital, Hospice and local Nursing Homes. Please pray for all affected by cutbacks, illnesses and other challenges in our country and world.
RECENTLY DEAD: Ewa Wszolek; Dagmar Müller; Tony Fullwood; Christopher Haskins; Monica Unter; Margaret Mansfield; Keith Os-borne; Dave Stapley; Josie Keen; Paul Horsfall; also Michael Gladden; Edward Torre (month’s mind). Please keep in your prayers all who have died in conflict throughout the world especially the innocent civilians.
ANNIVERSARIES: Thomas More Fulford; Anna Black; George Wellard; Christine Griffin; Vanda Poil; Francis O’Reilly; Jack Tuite; Bar-bara Corbett; Robert O’Shea; Victor Cox; James Styles; William Turner; Alfred Mifsud; Lewis Thomas; Joan Leader; Dennis Parker; Fran-cis Flanagan; Emmanuel Murto; Annie Griffin; Laurence O’Connor; Margaret Hopgood; Molly Maher.
MEETINGS THIS WEEK
| SUNDAY 15 |
10am
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Children’s Advent Liturgy in the St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre |
| MONDAY 16 | 7.30pm | Mothers Prayer Group in Church Porch |
| TUESDAY 17 | 1.30pm | School Dress Rehearsal in Church |
| SATURDAY 21 | 10-11am | Children’s Christmas Workshop in the St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre |
| SUNDAY 22 |
10am
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Children’s Advent Liturgy in the St. Thomas of Canterbury Centre |
THANK YOU for your Offerings which amounted to £349.81. (Standing Orders average £355 per week). The second collec-tion for St. Nicholas Welfare raised £194.23. Donations for flowers and welfare may be “gift aided” so please use one of your spare envelopes and mark accordingly. If you are presently not a gift aid donor and would like to gift aid your donation please use one of the white envelopes at the back of the church - again please mark “flowers” or “welfare”.
CHRISTMAS RAFFLE Many thanks to everyone who donated items, bought tickets and helped to organise. We raised £410 - thank you.
MANY THANKS for the anonymous and generous donation of board games received from a parishioner which will help us greatly with our welfare fund this Christmas - and our prayers for the donor.
SECURITY Anyone going into the Church alone must notify the Parish Office even if they have their own Church key and lock themselves in for safety reasons. They must also notify the Office when they leave.
MOTHERS PRAYER GROUP The next meeting will be on Monday 16th December at 7.30pm in the Church Porch. If you would be interested in attending please contact Steph Blackburn on 07977 458970 or email steph@bbits.co.uk.
CHRISTMAS CARDS AND 2020 CALENDARS Please support the Church by buying our cards and calendars. We work an honesty box system. Please put money in the box marked “Cards” in the porch near where you get your tea. Many thanks.
MISSIO CALENDARS Please feel free to take a Missio Calendar from the back of the church.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION Taking part in Advent. (We have taken down photos of last year’s first communicants and they will be left on the table in the porch for parents to collect.)
ATTENTION ALL PARENTS For safeguarding reasons all children under 10 must be escorted to the toilet during Mass. Could we also remind parishioners that the doors inside Church must be accessible at all times and that prams or other items must not block them. Thank you.
CHURCH CLEANING Please could all Groups note that the Big Clean will take place on Friday 20th December.
CHURCH FLOWERS Dee’s group week beginning 20th December. (If anyone has any greenery for Christmas flowers please bring to Church from Thursday 19th December.) All flower arrangers to meet on Monday 23rd December for Christmas Flowers.
NOTICES Please see the Notice Board for more details.
CONGRATULATIONS AND THANKS TO HENRY MASON who has raised £126.04 for our Parish through making and selling ‘Bookmarks’ - and a similar amount for (1) our School and (2) the homeless. Well done Henry, and thank you!
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MARRIAGE MATTERS
Third Sunday of Advent (Isaiah 35:1-6 James 5:7-10 Matthew 11:2-11)
Cherish the gift
John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus’ coming. When Jesus came, the Magi brought gifts. We are preparing gifts for family and friends. When you married, and every day since, you have gifted yourself … entrusted yourselves … to each other; do you still cherish the gift? How much has trust helped you on your journey together? Thank the Lord!
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