Margate Parish News St Austin and St Gregory, Margate, with St Anne, Cliftonville 33rd Sunday Year A 16 November 2014 The Eternal Truths and our life here on earth “The day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.” (1 Thess 5.2) The Day of the Lord for us individually may be the end of the world or, more likely, our own death. At this time of the year, we are reminded of the four last things, also called “the eternal truths”: death, judgement, hell and heaven. Very many of the saints left us powerful sermons and writings on these important truths. Our culture shuns talk of death and eternal life. Yet since our life on earth is short and we face eternity, it is only sensible that we take time not only to ponder these things prayerfully, but also to order our lives prudently in the light of eternity. St Augustine said “God promises us His grace, he does not promise us tomorrow.” If we are in a state of grace, we do not need to fear death; that is why St John Bosco said that his principal aim in life was “To remain in a state of grace.” This attitude is not simply “other-worldly,” since remaining in a state of grace requires avoiding sin which harms ourselves and others, and carrying out works of charity by which we make this world a better place. Awareness of our death is embedded in our faith and prayers. At the Mass, we “look forward to the resurrection of the dead,” pray to be delivered from eternal damnation, ask to share in eternal life with the saints, and await the blessed hope of the coming of Christ. Every day, we ask our Lady to pray for us sinners, “now and at the hour of our death.” Let us deepen our awareness of the eternal truths so that we live better lives here on earth and enjoy God’s presence for eternity. Passiontide Prayer to Saint Joseph Veiling for a Happy of theDeath statues At both St Austin’s and St Anne’s, there are statues of Saint Joseph. As he was accompanied at his death by Our Lord and Our Blessed Lady, he is traditionally invoked as the patron of the dying and an intercessor for a happy death. Here is a traditional prayer to St Joseph for a happy death: O Glorious St. Joseph, behold I choose thee today for my special patron in life and at the hour of my death. Preserve and increase in me the spirit of prayer and fervour in the service of God. Remove far from me every kind of sin; obtain for me that my death may not come upon me unawares, but that I may have time to confess my sins sacramentally and to bewail them with a most perfect understanding and a most sincere and perfect contrition, in order that I may breathe forth my soul into the hands of Jesus and Mary. Amen Mass and Induction Thank you Many thanks to our Deacons, altar servers, and choir for their assistance at the Mass and Induction on Tuesday. Special thanks also to all those who helped prepare and serve the buffet afterwards, and thanks to all of you who welcomed Fr Paul Mason and our guests from the other Christian Churches and communities in Margate. Christmas Fair at Cliftonville Sunday 30 November The Christmas Fair at St Anne’s, Cliftonville, will take place on Sunday 30 November after the 10am Mass. Raffle tickets are on sale after Mass at £1 a strip. Volunteers are needed for the stalls. Please sign the list at the back of the Church. Christian and Marjorie will be at the back of the Church and in the Hall if you have any questions. Items are needed for the raffle, tombola, and bottle tombola, as well as books, toys and fancy goods. These will be collected at the back of the Church. For the Faithful Departed After weekday Mass during November, there will be prayers at St Joseph’s altar for the Faithful Departed. Donations in the Holy Souls box are used for Masses for the Holy Souls in general. This is a good way to remember the forgotten souls in purgatory who have nobody to pray for them. For particular intentions, please use the ordinary Mass envelopes provided. There are forms available for you to write the names of your deceased relatives and friends. These will be placed on the High Altar during November. Visits to the sick and housebound If a family member or a parishioner is ill, housebound, or in hospital or the hospice, and would appreciate a visit, please let us know. Fr Godfrey Holdstock (07913 774 327) oversees the visits in the St Anne’s part of the parish; for the rest of the parish, please contact Fr Finigan (220 825 or info@margatecatholic.org) Please do not assume we know. We would rather be told several times than overlook someone. News and Events Out and about Francis Griffin RIP Readers’ Rotas Catholic Herald The Requiem Mass will be at 10am at St Austin’s, Margate on Tuesday 18 November, followed by burial at Margate cemetery. (There will be no 9am Mass that day.) If you are a Sunday reader, please take the envelope marked with your name. This includes a revised rota until 10/11 January. A good way of keeping up with news about the Church and good articles on spiritual, moral and theological issues, is to take a Catholic newspaper for your home. Mass at St Gregory’s School Wednesday 19 November This Wednesday, Fr Finigan will celebrate Mass at St Gregory’s school at 9.10am for the classes in Key Stage 1. Parents and Grandparents are welcome to attend the Mass. Fr Godfrey Holdstock away Fr Godfrey Holdstock will be away this week from Wednesday to Friday. Please do not ring his mobile telephone during this time. In an emergency, contact Fr Finigan instead. Apologies, but there will be no Mass at St Anne’s this Wednesday 19 Nov. Of your charity, pray for the repose of the soul of Francis Griffin who died recently. Requiescant in pace MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE COMING WEEK St Austin & St Gregory, Margate Saturday 15 Nov 5.00 pm DRF Millie Hayden Sunday 16 Nov 9.30 am Pro populo 11.30 am Private intention Monday 17 Nov 6.30 pm Richard Collins RIP Tuesday 18 Nov 10.00 am Funeral of Francis Griffin Wednesday 19 Nov 12.00 pm Kathleen Dolan Anniv Thursday 20 Nov 9.00 am Margaret Mary Locke Friday 21 Nov 6.30 pm Val McLusky RIP Saturday 22 Nov 9.00 am Private intention 5.00 pm Healy family DRF Sunday 23 Nov 9.30 am Mary & Tom Murray RIP 11.30 am Pro populo St Anne, Cliftonville Sunday 16 Nov 10.00 am Gabriel Falade RIP Monday 17 Nov 10.00 am Gabriel Falade RIP No Mass at St Anne’s on Wednesday Friday 21 Nov 10.00 am Michael Carr RIP Sunday 23 Nov 10.00 am Joan Whitty RIP The rota for weekday readers, is posted on the noticeboard in the Hall next to the sacristy. If anyone would like to read at Mass, please drop a note to Fr Finigan or email info@margatecatholic.org Advent Wreaths (St Austin’s) Sat 29 November 2-4pm A Family Workshop. Bases, candle-holders, candles and evergreens will be provided at a total cost of about £7.50. Bring along your own decorations to add. You will need to bring aprons, kitchen scissors, and secateurs. Help can be given to start you off. Children must be accompanied by an adult who will be with them at all times. Catholic Dilemmas Fr Finigan writes a column each week for the Catholic Herald called “Catholic Dilemmas” (published just under the leader article on the Letters page.) He would be happy for you to propose a “Catholic Dilemma” of your own which may then be answered in the newspaper. New format soon The Catholic Herald will soon be changing to a weekly magazine with more emphasis on feature articles, since many people now access “breaking news” via the internet, and a weekly newspaper can easily lag behind. Watch out for the new format Catholic Herald in December. Advent Wreaths (St Anne’s) sing to Our Lady is the Alma Redemptoris Mater (“Loving Mother of the Redeemer.”) This beautiful chant, dating back to the 11th century, is mentioned in the Canterbury Tales. There are copies available with translation. Wednesday 26 November at 10.30am Volunteers will be making Advent wreaths in the Church. If you are interested, see Chris Barnes or Marjorie McGeown for information. If you would like to hear the melody, check the parish website where there is a YouTube video in which you can hear the anthem sung by the Benedictine monks of Ganagobie in France. If you are able to donate greenery from your garden, that would be appreciated. St Austin’s Thursday Fellowship club The Advent Wreaths will be blessed by Fr Finigan at the 9.30am Family Mass on Sunday 30 November. Marian Anthem for Advent Alma Redemptoris Mater From the first Sunday of Advent until Candlemas (2 February) the anthem that we This friendly club for the over 50s meets on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month. 20 Nov Visit to St Gregory’s School with entertainment by their bell ringers. Catholic Church of Ss Austin and Gregory with St Anne, Margate St Austin & St Gregory: Victoria Road, Margate St Anne: Eastern Esplanade, Cliftonville Parish Website — margatecatholic.org Parish Priest: Fr Timothy Finigan MA STL 38 Charlotte Place Margate CT9 1LP. 01843 220825. info@margatecatholic.org Assistant Priest: (St Anne’s & OL Star of the Sea): Fr Godfrey Holdstock. 07913774327 10.15am; 4-4.45pm Devotions: Lauds (Morning Prayer) Tuesday 8.40am; Rosary, Wednesday 11.30am; Eucharistic Adoration, Thursday 8am-8.45am; Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, Saturday after 9am Mass. St Anne, Cliftonville Sunday Mass: 10am Weekday Masses: Mon, Wed, Fri 10am Parish Deacons: Rev. Neville Gascoigne; Rev. Ambrose Tuckell Confessions: 9.30am Friday; 9.30am Sunday St Austin & St Gregory, Margate Eucharistic Adoration: Mon, Wed, Fri 9.30am Sunday Masses: 5pm (Saturday) 9.30am, 11.30am Schools St Gregory’s RC Primary School & Nursery, Nash Road Margate. 01843 221896 Weekday Masses: Mon 6.30pm (Latin); Tue 9am; Wed 12noon; Thur 9am; Fri 6.30pm; Sat 9am Confessions: Fri after 6.30pm Mass; Sat 9.45- Ursuline College (RC Secondary School) 225 Canterbury Road, Westgate. 01843 834431
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