X LENTEN REFLECTION SESSIONS – LENT 2026
Parishioners are warmly invited to join a series of Lenten Reflection Sessions during Lent 2026.
These gatherings offer a prayerful opportunity to pause, reflect, and deepen our faith as we journey toward Easter together.
Location: Our Lady’s Parish Hall
Dates & Times:
·
Tuesday
17th March –
7:00 pm
· Tuesday 24th March – 7:00 pm
All parishioners are most welcome. The booklet accompanying these sessions, ‘We Dare To Ask’ is available at our bookshop for £3. Please come along and take part in this meaningful Lenten journey.
X SCAN THE QR CODE TO DONATE DIRECTLY TO THE PARISH, THANK YOU.
X PARISH MASS STREAMING – To watch the Mass online, you need to go to the parish website: https://catholic-folkestone.blogspot.com. Once there, click on the Parish Mass Streaming tab.
X STATIONS OF THE CROSS – During Lent, Stations of the Cross will take place at 12 noon each Friday starting on 20 February and finishing on Friday 3rd April, Good Friday.
X SCRIPTURE PASSAGE FOR YOUR
MEDITATION AND PRAYER AT HOME
This week please read and pray with: Colossians chapter 3;
Romans 16:17-27; John chapters 3, 5 and 8; Isaiah 9; Exodus 13 and Psalm 35
X INFANT BAPTISM – May only happen after undergoing a
preparation with the parish priest. Baptisms can then be celebrated at either
3pm on a Saturday or 1pm on a Sunday on the 1st or 3rd
Sunday of the month. Please note the preparation for infant Baptism will take
place every second Sunday of the month in the Hall at 13h (1.00pm).
X WE PRAY FOR THE SICK - We remember all those who are sick or housebound and that they remain in our prayers including Dylan Jeffrey, John Meers, Mrs Eileen (aka Ellen) Varrall, Catalina Fernández, Anne Sharp, Kathleen Lynch, Bernadette Pay, Blanche Ellis, Liz Willis, Stacy Rodrigues, Ann Robinson, Uzo Mbanugo, Bob & Tess Vickery, Canon Luke Smith, Beulah Blomfield, John Lodge, Veronica Poulton, Margaret Woolley, and all those who have asked for our prayers.
X WE PRAY FOR THE RECENTLY DECEASED - Please pray for the repose of the soul of Mary Kaye, Gerard Ryan, Ema Deba, and all those who have died recently, and those whose anniversaries fall at this time including: Shaun Taylor, Shaun Kelly, Stephen Cole, Patricia Ackland, Annie Hughes, Monica White, Carlton Gillman, Geri MacCrystal, Everilda Noble (15th Mar); Ethel Finch, James Gavigan, Aillen Keevil, Gwen Bourgois (16th Mar); Salvatore Sechi, Gordan Laye (17th Mar); Richard Ellis, Baroness Margaret Otto (19th Mar); Patricia Tagford, Daniel Connolly, Jean Stokes (20th Mar); Martin Hruska, Jean Ortoli (22nd Mar).
X HOW TO FILL OUT MASS INTENTION ENVELOPES – When you complete the envelope asking for a
Mass to be said, please write the full name of the person after Intention of Mass for e.g. George Smith
RIP, even if he is one of your parents, relatives and friends, do not write for
my Dad, Mum, brother, girlfriend, boyfriend and so forth. Likewise, if the Mass
is for several people e.g., do write down: for the deceased members of the
Smith family, or for the wellbeing of the members of the Smith family and so
forth. Thank you for your help with this simple and important matter.
X I WARMLY INVITE YOU TO JOIN ME ON THIS YEAR’S SOUTHWARK DIOCESAN
PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES: 21 TO 28 AUGUST 2026 –A pilgrimage is a great opportunity to
refresh and renew our relationship with the Lord Jesus, with the help of Our
Lady’s prayers.
I have also found it a
blessing to be able to accompany and to be inspired by other pilgrims, some of
whom are sick, elderly or disabled.
Last year, Deacon John
Fogarty and I did a short presentation in parishes, which we would be happy to
repeat in your parish, if it can be arranged.
Details for booking
travel and accommodation can be found at https://www.tangney-tours.com/diocese-pilgrimages/diocese-ca/
We also ask pilgrims
to complete a form with details, including medical requirements (if any) athttps://www.catholicassociation.co.uk/join2026. For more information, please contact Canon Edward
Perera (edwardperera@rcaos.org.uk) or Deacon John Fogarty (johnfogarty@rcaos.org.uk) or myself, Bishop Paul Hendricks (paulhendricks@rcaos.org.uk)
X HOLY COMMUNION FOR THE SICK OR IN HOSPITAL
For those sick at home – The parish has a team of
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, who are all commissioned by the
Archbishop and DBS checked. Their ministry is to take the Sacrament of Holy
Communion to people who are long-term sick or disabled, and who are thus unable
to get to Mass. If you know of anyone in this category who is not currently
receiving the Sacrament at home (or where they are living), please inform Fr Alex
Saba via the Parish Office on 01303 252823 or email folkestone@rcaos.org.uk
X
FORTHCOMING SECOND COLLECTIONS IN 2026.
·
Poor Parishes: 22nd March
● Holy Places of Palestine: 3rd April
X THE
PASSION OF JESUS - WINTERSHALL – for more
information on how you can experience this recommended play: https://share.google/8sZMQu1kSNgtlGvc6
HAIL HOLY QUEEN
Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy, hail, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve: to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears. Turn then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus, O merciful, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! Amen.
WE FLY TO THY PROTECTION
We
fly to Thy protection, O Holy Mother of God.
Do
not despise our petitions in our necessities, but
deliver us always from all dangers,
O Glorious and Blessed Virgin.
PRAYER TO ST MICHAEL
Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil; May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; And do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.
41 Guildhall Street, Folkestone, Kent CT20 1EF
Tel: 01303 252823
e-mail: folkestone@rcaos.org.uk
Parish Priest: Fr Alex Saba MA, MSLR, MCL, JCL
Hall
Bookings: hallbookingonline.com/folkestone/
