1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity
3. catholicism

First Sunday of Advent (A)
1st December 2013
Vol. 20 Issue 44
First Sunday of Advent (A)
NEW YOUTH GROUP
FEED THE HUNGRY
A new Youth Club for 11 to 14 year olds has
begun meeting on Saturday evenings in the
Parish Hall between 6 and 9 pm. There is
still room to accommodate more young
people in a group, which is already very
active. Come along and join us this
Saturday or speak to Father Peter for more
details.
Food bags for this project to provide food
for the needy at Christmas will be distributed at all Masses this weekend, and will be
collected at Masses on 14/15 December.
Some bags will be distributed this weekend
and the remainder will be ready next weekend. Any contributions of tinned food, jars,
biscuits, chocolates, toiletries etc. will be
much appreciated.
WINTER APPEAL
With the onset of the colder weather we
have had requests for blankets, sleeping
bags and warm clothing, particularly coats
and jumpers. If any one can help, please
leave items at the Presbytery as soon as
possible.
REPOSITORY
NEW STOCK IS NOW AVAILABLE IN THE
REPOSITORY: Advent Calendars, Candles,
Christmas Cards, Cribs, Catholic Diaries,
Calendars, plus the usual supply of rosaries
and prayer cards etc.
A very big Thank you
A message from Erlinda Curioso Bedford
As a Filipino member of St Francis Parish for
many years, I would like to express my sincere
thanks to all parishioners who have helped my
people back home with their prayers and
generous support since the devastating
disaster. I am in frequent contact with my family
there, and I am able to pass on to you their
deep gratitude for all the help that has been
offered.
We pray that the good Lord will bless you
always.
THE PARISH WEB SITE:
www. stfrancisparish.org.uk
CHILDREN’S NEWS
Children - have you brought a picture/
measurement for your Seed of Faith? The results will be published next week and the tallest plant will win a prize. Your plant may even
be taller than Fr Bartlomiej’s! Today, the 1 December, is the first Sunday of Advent and the
time when all families can begin lighting the
Advent wreaths. Advent calendars will be given out at Mass - one per family.
The next Children’s Day will be on Sunday, 15
December, following the 10.30am Mass and
will finish with a joint carol service with St
Francis School. If your child does not attend
St Francis School and would like to attend,
please fill in a form obtainable from the clergy,
one of the musicians or the Presbytery (Grove
House) as soon a possible. This will help with
planning arrangements for the day.
Holidays!
Canon John is on holiday, and will be returning on Monday, 9 December.
Fr Bartlomiej is acting Parish Priest.
THE DIOCESAN WEBSITE:
www.rcsouthwark.co.uk
NOTICEBOARD
Page 2
NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER AND
FASTING FOR LIFE
On Saturday 7 December, please pray and fast for
the end of abortion and euthanasia. You can pray a
rosary (or an extra one) and fast on bread and
water, or offer whatever you can. FFI see http://
www.goodcounselnet.co.uk/Prayer-and-FastingDays.html
A CALL FOR
CHRISTMAS
FLOWER HELPERS
Have you ever thought that you would like to
help with our Church flowers? As you know we
try to make them extra special at Christmas and
this needs a lot of work and helpers. Not all jobs
are arranging live flowers, and there are many
ways to help. If you are interested, come to the
Presbytery (Grove House) at 1.30pm on 11
December for a cup of coffee and a bit more
information or contact Lyn Coyle for more
information.
The Friendship Group
Dates for your Diary
Wednesday, 4 December: Line dancing
in Parish Hall (11am - 12 noon) followed
by coffee in Society Rooms.
Monday, 9 December (12 noon):
Christmas Lunch at Nolan’s Cafe (FULLY
BOOKED).
Wednesday,
11
December:
Line
dancing in Parish Hall (11am - 12 noon)
followed by Christmas Celebrations with
a shared table.
NOTE: End of Sessions for Holiday period. Recommences 8 January, 2014.
The Phoenix Youth Club
The Phoenix Youth Club are thrilled to have been
chosen by Waitrose at Allington to be one of the deserving organisations, for the month of December,
to benefit from the ‘Community Matters Scheme’. We
would be so grateful if you would be kind enough to
consider supporting the Parish Youth Club, when you
shop at Waitrose, by putting your green token into
the box for Phoenix Youth Club. Thank you so much
for your support
Lydia
ASCENT GROUP
The next meeting will be this coming Wednesday (4
December) at 10.45am in the Parish Centre, and the
subject will be “Light of the World”. Tea and biscuits
will be served - plus a raffle.
Any retired parishioners wishing to attend, please
contact Angela Hunter.
DEW ASSOCIATION
Thanks to everyone for the $506 - 90 collected this
month for Fr Alfred Kotol of the Comboni Missionaries in Uganda.
He runs a Parish Health Centre, provides access to
clean water and promotes education among the
young - for Catholics and non Catholics alike.
Again, our thanks for your kindness.
Parish Website
As you will know, the parish has its very own website:
www. stfrancisparish.org.uk . On it you can find
information about:
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Mass & service times
Parish structure
Directions to the church
Catholic schools
Links to websites of the Diocese & The Friars
Links to other Catholic & Maidstone WebPages.
Why not check it out?
PARISH COLLECTIONS AND LOTTERY
Last Weekend - All Masses:
1st Collection: *£1,487 - 17
This Sunday’s 2nd Collection: St. George’s
Cathedral
2nd Collection:
£612 - 55
Catholic Youth Services
Next Sunday’s 2nd Collection: Area Bishop’s
Fund
*This figure does not include standing orders
etc. which average £330 a week. Many
thanks for your generosity.
Parish Lottery Winner Week 22:
No. 62 — Mrs J Boyce — £10
NOTICEBOARD
Page 3
Helpers of God’s Precious Infants The next vigil
at Marie Stopes Abortion Centre, Brewer Street,
will be held on Wednesday, 11 December. It will
commence with Holy Mass at St Francis at 10am
and followed by prayerful and peaceful procession to the Abortion Centre with holy rosary,
prayers and hymns. Return procession for blessing and refreshments in the Parish Centre.
RED MISSION BOXES: Now is the time to bring your
boxes in for counting. If you cannot manage this, please
let Lorna Feltham know so she can arrange collection.
Voluntary Action Maidstone: Do you care for a family
member or friend? Are you aware of the range of support,
benefits and services which may help you? FFI see poster
and leaflet in Church Porch or contact Maidstone and
Malling Carers Project (01622) 685276; carers@vamonline.org.uk or www.vam-online.org.uk
Life in Christ is an exciting new resource from the
Southwark Catholic Youth Service. It is being launched on
Saturday, 7 December at Amigo Hall, Southwark Cathedral 2pm - 4pm and consists of 43 sessions over 3 DVDs
exploring the key themes from the Catechism. FFI go to
scys.org.uk/#resources
Prayer & Praise We meet on Thursday, 5 December
(7.30pm) in St Joseph’s Chapel, Aylesford Priory. Mass at
8.15pm followed by Prayer Ministry. All welcome.
Advent lunch talks, St Faiths Church, Brenchley Gardens 4 December, 12.30pm for soup and sandwich lunch
followed by a talk by Neville Emslie, of the Canterbury
Diocese, entitled Joseph’s Dream of a Saviour.
VACANCY Class teacher required for two terms commencing January at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School,
Stanford-le-Hope. FFI contact Mrs Jackson (Office Manager) on 01375 672217.
Catholic Singles is an organisation which helps single
adult Catholics of all ages meet, either one to one or
through social events. Please tel. 010 941 3498, visit the
website www.catholicsingles.org.uk or email info@catholic singles.org.uk
ORDER OF SERVICE - Sung Liturgy
9.00am Mass 10.30am Mass
Entrance
Hymn
118
63
459
Kyrie
366 v.1 only
Psalm
Gospel
Acclamation
Offertory
Hymn
Sanctus
Memorial
Acclamation
Great Amen
Our Father
Agnus Dei
Communion
Recessional
Hymn
sung (Psalm 121)
Advent Alleluia v.1 Advent Alleluia v.1
7
sung (433)
243
sung (422)
sung
585
St Francis’ Mass
424
952
sung
684
805
535
368
684
Phoenix Youth Club for young people, School Years 10
to 13, meet Fridays, 6.30pm to 9.00pm in Youth Room.
Get to know the Bible with Father Paul: On Mondays at
the Presbytery (Grove House) after the 10.00am Mass.
Come along and join Father Paul in exploring the bible to
help it come alive for us.
A New Catholic web site examining the relationship
between faith and culture has been launched.
The Jericho Tree brings together articles and videos
about faith, culture, lifestyle and news. Edited by Fr
Stephen Wang, a Priest in Westminster Diocese, the
site aims to provide a Catholic perspective on modern life and culture.
Recent articles have explored topics such as Pope
Francis’ vision of social justice; the niqab and the religious veil; the meaning of love; and the Christian
presence in the mass media.
www.jerichotree.com
PRAYER INTENTIONS For all who have been bereaved and for the sick of our parish: Andy Cripps, Mark Pearson, Enid Swan, John Ratcliffe, Jean Carley, Cody Barker, Lars Fare, Luke Collins, Dolly Thompson, Mary Bowles, Pat Green, Monica Banyard, Josephine Ga , Liz Turner, Margaret O’Kill, Andre McKnight, Bridget Buckley, Shirley Wallace, Valerie Hoskins, Ged Woodham, Maria Jackson, Ann Skelton, Menola Romero, Doris Nicklin, Sadie Grace, Marie Shandley, John Folle
, David Henstridge and all those in our local hospitals, hospice and nursing homes. For recently dead: Helen Cook (nee O’Shea) For those whose anniversaries occur at this me: Ellen Startup, Mary Kenward, John Booth, Elizabeth Co , Moira Hughes, Barbara Power, Anastasia Agnes, Mary Bishop, Alice Lay, Victoria Flynn, James McKinley, Teresa Harding, Tina Gilloway, Ethel Thomas, Teodor Klekot, Rosellin Gallagher, Baby Archie Morris, Maude Springe , Mary Weston, Carmina Sammut, Kathleen Waters, Elaine George, Bunty Nolan, Joan Carr, Christopher Brewer, Mary Dray, Kathleen Sturla, Cavan Buckley and Derek Jones. Mass Times and Intentions
Sunday, 1st December 2013 St Francis 6.00pm (Sat) Holy Souls 9.00am Robert Cordwell RIP 10.30am Mary Kenward RIP 4.00pm Mother Superior, Kinga Jo’zefowicz RIP 6.00pm Alan Fleming’s Birthday Preston Hall 8.30am Patrick Thompson RIP 11.30am In reparation for abortions carried out this week in Brewer Street Nettlestead 10.00am Donor’s intention Wateringbury 11.00am Ordinariate Mass Monday, 2nd December 10.00am Harkin family 12.30pm Joan Cordelia White RIP Tuesday 3rd December 10.00am Holy Souls 12.30pm Reginald Frake RIP Wednesday 4th December 10.00am Russell Coatsworth RIP 12.30pm Victor Vokes RIP Page 4.
Thursday, 5th December 10.00am Holy Souls and Sonia Heyward RIP 12.30pm Donal & Carmel O’Harte and their parents Patrick & Annie RIP Friday, 6th December 10.00am Encarnacion Bernardo RIP 12.30pm Lawrence Tall RIP Saturday, 7th December 10.00am Ann & Bob Barker RIP Sunday, 8th December St Francis’ 6.00pm (Sat)Rachel Martin RIP Holy Souls 9.00am For the successful pregnancy and f ortunate delivery 10.30am Grace & Arthur Collins RIP 6.00pm Clergy of St Francis’—their intentions Preston Hall 8.30am Doris & Charles Shepherd RIP 11.30am Norrie & Theo de Jong Nettlestead 10.00am Rose Joanna Brook RIP SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION Confessions are heard: Monday ‐ Friday: 12 noon. Saturday: 10.30 — 11.15am; 5.00 — 5.30pm There will be EXPOSITION of the BLESSED SACRAMENT Friday: between Masses 10.30—12.30pm The Parish of St Francis
Grove House, 126 Week Street, Maidstone, Kent ME14 1RH Telephone: (01622) 756217 Fax: (01622) 690549 Email: stfrancis_parish@yahoo.co.uk Web Site: www.stfrancisparish.org.uk Parish Priest: Canon John S Clark M.A. Ordinariate Priest: Fr Paul Gibbons Assistant Priests: Fr Bartlomiej Dudek and Fr Peter Kucharski Parish Deacon: Rev. Tom Coyle Schools St Francis’ Catholic Primary School. Headteacher: Queens Road, Maidstone, ME16 0LB. Telephone: (01622) 771540 St Simon Stock Catholic Secondary School. Headteacher: Mr Brendan Wall Oakwood Park, Maidstone ME16 OJP Telephone: (01622) 754551