Sunday: February 27th
EIGHTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME
MASS (OLHoC): 6.00pm (Sat.) (Pro Populo)
MASS (OLHoC): 9.00am (Bob & Shirley Hart RIP)
X Refreshments in the hall after
Mass
MASS (OLHoC): 11.00am (Birthday Blessings for Ema Deba)
X Refreshments
in the hall after Mass
• MONDAY, February 28th - Feria
MASS (OLHoC):
9.00am (Paddy Clarke RIP)
X Catechism Class (OLHoC Hall): 7.30pm
• TUESDAY, March 1st – St David
NO MASS TODAY
• ASH WEDNESDAY, March 2nd
Day of fasting and Abstinence
MASS & ASHING (OLHoC): 9.30am
MASS & ASHING (St Joseph’s):
12.00 noon
MASS & ASHING (OLHoC): 7.00pm
X UCM Meeting in the Hall after 9.30am Mass
• THURSDAY, March 3rd – Feria
MASS
(OLHoC): 9.00 am
(Frank & Else McSwiggan RIP)
• FRIDAY, March 4th - Feria
Mass (OLHoC): 9:00am (Margaret Taroni RIP)
Stations of the Cross (OLHoC):
12.00 noon
X World Day of
Prayer Services at (All Souls): 2.30pm and (Sandgate Rd Methodist Church):
8.00pm
• SATURDAY, March 5th – Feria
MASS (OLHoC): 10.00am (Blessings for a London family)
Confessions & Exposition
(OLHoC): 11.00am to 12 noon
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Following Sunday: March 6th
FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT
MASS (OLHoC): 6.00pm (Sat.) (Pro Populo)
MASS (St Joseph’s): 9.00am (Mary Wheaton RIP)
X Tea/Coffee in the hall after Mass
MASS (OLHoC): 11.00am (Terry Paget RIP)
X Tea/Coffee in
the hall after Mass
X COLLECTIONS IN JANUARY – an update on our finances. In January we received £1,968.25 in Gift Aid envelopes, £1,534.40 in the loose cash collection, £1,647 in standing orders and £308.40 from the card machine at OLHoC. Retiring collections raised £218.12 for the SPUC White Flower Appeal and £47.32 for Pax Christi.
I thought it would be useful to parishioners to provide a comparison in our offertory income for January over the past five years with the weekly average depending on whether there were four or five Sundays in the month.
- 2017 - £6,071.60 (£1,214.32 weekly)
- 2018 - £5,615.21 (£1,403.80 weekly)
- 2019 – £4,572.53 (£1,143.13 weekly)
- 2020 - £5,094.13 (£1,273.53 weekly)
- 2021 - £3,794.35 (£758.87 weekly)
- 2022 - £5,458.05 (£1,091.61 weekly)
As the figures demonstrate, we are gradually making a slow recovery as we come out of Covid-19 and the impact it had on the life of our Parish. This is also at a time when we have faced increased costs with repairs and price rises on times such as water, gas and electricity. We have risen to the challenge and reduced staff hours and cut back on all unnecessary waste or costs. Thank you for your continued generosity in supporting the work of the Church and our ministry here in the Parish.
The Gift Aid envelopes for 2022/23 are being prepared and will be available for collection from OLHoC and St Joseph’s on the weekend of Sunday 6th March. If you would like to join the Gift Aid scheme, where we claim an additional 25% back from the Government on every donation amount made, please contact the Parish Office, see Dylan or complete one of the forms at the back of the church. You must be a UK taxpayer and the amount claimed on your behalf must not exceed the tax you have paid in that year. Alternatively, please complete one of the Standing Order forms, found at the back of the church, which enables a regular offering to be made to the Church direct from your bank account on a weekly or monthly basis.
Your support is critical as we have exhausted
most of our reserves during the pandemic and need your continued support at
this critical time. Please also do consider making a small legacy to the parish
in your will or considering options for a Foundation Mass, that is a Mass which
is said for the next 25 years. Talk to Fr Alex or Dylan for more information.
X PRAY FOR UKRAINE – A message from Archbishop John Wilson.
“The shocking news of the invasion of Ukraine is an outrage before God and all right-thinking nations and peoples. We stand in solidarity with Ukraine and unite in responding to the call of Pope Francis for a day of prayer and fasting this coming Ash Wednesday, 2nd March. We will fall on our knees before Christ, the Prince of Peace, praying for an end to this act of warfare. We welcome anyone to join us in St George’s Cathedral, Southwark for Mass followed by Eucharistic Adoration to pray for peace. I also ask Catholics across the Archdiocese to please pray the rosary for peace on Ash Wednesday. God’s plan for the world is peace, not disaster. We pray for Ukraine and her people, and for the world’s leaders. No one wins in war. Everyone wins in peace.”
X WORLD DAY OF PRAYER 2022 (formerly the Women’s World Day of Prayer) – The theme this year is ‘I know the plans I have for you’ and this is an exciting year as, for the first time since 1945, the World Day of Prayer service originates from England, Wales and Northern Ireland (Scotland has a separate committee). Do come along and share in this special service, which is ecumenical and welcomes both women and men, young and old.
Friday 4th March,
2022 at:
·
All Souls Church, Cheriton at 2.30pm and
·
Sandgate Road Methodist Church at 8.00pm
X LENT – REFLECTION AND RENEWAL – Starting on 11th March, five sessions on Our Lady’s desire that we get to know her Son better. We’ll use Let it be, a Catholic Faith Exploration series of five 25-minute films, followed by reflection and discussion.
Sessions begin at 7.30pm and finish at 9pm. All are welcome. Need a lift? Ring John Philpott (01303 258962). Not sure if it’s for you? Give the first session a try and then decide! Our team look forward to welcoming you!
·
Friday
11th March: Chosen by God – St Joseph’s hall at 7.30pm
·
Thursday
17th March: The First Disciple – OLHoC hall at 7.30pm
·
Thursday
24th March: Mother of All – St Joseph’s hall at 7.30pm
·
Thursday
31st March: Queen of Heaven – OLHoC hall at 7.30pm
· Thursday 7th April: Help of Christians – St Joseph’s hall at 7.30pm
X CATECHISM CLASSES have resumed on Monday nights at 7.30pm in OLHoC Hall. Classes are open to all who want to explore their Catholic faith further. Please come along and join in this amazing experience if you are free.
X RETROUVAILLE – (pronounced retro-vi with a long i) is designed to help troubled marriages regain their health. It helps spouses uncover or re-awaken the love, trust and commitment that originally brought them together. The programme is highly successful in saving hurting marriages, even bringing reconciliation to couples that have already separated or divorced. There is no group therapy or group work. For confidential information about ‘Retrouvaille’, or to register for the programme commencing with a ‘Virtual weekend on 3rd – 6th March 2022. Call or text +44788 7296983 or Email retrouvailleukinfo@gmail.com or visit www.retrouvaille.org.uk
X PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE WHO ARE SICK OR IN HOSPITAL including Margaret Woolley, Lilian Orfila, Yenny Marcela Torres and Margaret Foster.
X BREAKFAST IS SERVED – Bacon/egg rolls served after 9.00am & 11.00am Mass this Sunday.
X VACANCIES – We currently have a vacancy for a Priests’ Welfare Officer responsible for the health and social welfare of all sick and retired / sick priests within the Diocese. The jobs are home based with travelling within the Diocese for 2 people working 2 days per week (14 hours) each. Salary (based on 14 hours) is £12,800 - £14,000 per annum depending upon skills and experience. To apply, please email your CV and a covering letter to HR@rcaos.org.uk and note the closing –ate is Wednesday 2nd March 2022. More details can be found on the Diocesan Website – www.rcsouthwark.co.uk
X PARISH RECONCILLIATION SERVICE FOR EASTER is on Saturday 26th March at 4.30pm.
X PLEASE PRAY FOR THE REPOSE OF THE SOULS of those who have died recently, and for all those whose anniversaries
fall at this time, including: Aristhea Poile, Walter
Borucki, Martin Morgan (27th Feb); Freda Spencer (28th Feb); John Zabrocki,
Mary Rowe, Joan Fitzgerlad (1st Mar); Frank McSwiggan, Gwen Plunkett (2nd Mar);
Sheila Booth, Francis McGurran, Albert Clover (3rd Mar); Hazel McCann, Edith
Gilbert, Bernard Gibbens, John Byrne (4th Mar); Brian Hamer, Philip Townsend
(5th Mar).
PARISH INFORMATION
Presbytery and Parish
Office:
41
Guildhall Street, Folkestone, Kent CT20 1EF
Tel:
01303 252823 e-mail:
folkestone@rcaos.org.uk
Parish Secretary: Mr Dylan Jeffrey BA,
PGCE, MSc
Clergy
Parish Priest: Fr Alex Saba MA,
MSLR, MCL, JCL
Priest: Fr Francis Capener MA
