SUNDAY 29TH MAY 2022

 

Sunday: May 29th

THE SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

Second collection: Catholic Communications Network

 

MASS (OLHoC): 6.00pm (Sat. 28th May) (Pro Populo)

 

MASS (OLHoC): 9.00am (Wedding anniversary thanksgiving of Julia & Josh)

X Refreshments in the Hall after Mass

 

MASS (OLHoC): 11.00am (Cecil & Brigitte Crofts RIP)

X Refreshments in the Hall after Mass

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• MONDAY, May 30th – Feria

Rosary (OLHoC): 8.30am

MASS (OLHoC): 9.00am (James and Agnes Gilbert RIP)

 

• TUESDAY, May 31st – The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

NO MASS TODAY

X UCM Annual Pilgrimage to Aylesford

 

• WEDNESDAY, June 1st – St Justin

MASS (OLHoC): 10.00am (Well-being of Mr & Mrs Abraham)

X Tea/coffee and cake after Mass

 

• THURSDAY, June 2nd – Feria

MASS (OLHoC): 9.00am (Joquim Rodrigues RIP)

X Platinum Jubilee celebrations with Film of the Coronation, Cream Tea, table quiz and children’s make a crown competition (OLHoC Hall): 2.00pm

 

• FRIDAY, June 3rd

– St Charles Lwanga and Companions

 MASS (OLHoC): 9.00am (Birthday blessings for Andrew Wright)

 

• SATURDAY, June 4th – Feria

MASS (OLHoC): 10.00am (Fr Lawrence Roskilly RIP)

 

Confessions & Exposition (OLHoC): 11.00am to 12 noon

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 Next Sunday: June 5th

PENTECOST SUNDAY

 

MASS (OLHoC): 6.00pm (Sat. 28th May) (Pro Populo)

 

MASS (St Joseph’s): 9.00am (John William Wrigley RIP)

X Refreshments in the Hall after Mass

 

MASS (OLHoC): 11.00am (Giving thanks for the successful operation on James Deeney)

X Refreshments in the Hall after Mass

 

X Platinum Jubilee Lunch (St Joseph’s Hall): 12.30pm

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

(Office: 8am-4pm [Mon & Tue] & 8am-12 noon [Fri])

 

Clergy

Parish Priest: Fr Alex Saba MA, MSLR, MCL, JCL

 

Priest: Fr Francis Capener MA

 

Our Lady Help of Christians Hall Bookings: 

Dylan Jeffrey (Tel:01303 252823)

 

St Joseph’s Church Hall Bookings:

Mrs M. Irving (Tel: 01303 278435)

 

PARISH SVP HELPLINE

(please note the new number) 07864 581191 

X PARISH OFFICE HOURS – we will be open from 8.00am until 4.00pm on Mondays and Tuesdays and from 8.00am until 12.00 noon on Fridays. Any notices for the newsletter need to be with the office by noon on the Tuesday before the weekend of publication. 

Please note the office is closed this Friday, as it is a bank holiday for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. 

X PLEASE PRAY FOR THE REPOSE OF THE SOULS of Thomazina Dumper, known as Zina, who died on 18th May and Pauline Forshew, who died on 21st May.   

X PARISH SUMMER FAYRE - The Parish Summer Fayre will be held on Sunday 12th June in the OLHoC Hall immediately after the 9.00am and 11.00am Sunday masses.

X CONGRATULATIONS to some of our young people who celebrated their First Holy Communion last Sunday, namely Alexander Michael, Benjamin Adam, Benjamin Peter, Bethany Rose, Lluis and Thomas. We look forward to those who will celebrate theirs on Sunday 19^th June 2022, the Feast of Corpus Christi. Let us keep these young people and their families and relatives in our prayers. May they grow to love the Lord, day by day, and have him as their inspiration throughout their pilgrimage. 

My very special thanks to their parents, relatives and adult helpers for all their support and guidance. May the Lord bless them all. 

On Sunday 3rd July, there will be special First Holy Communion celebrations with families and friends at the 9am Mass at St Joseph’s and the 11.00am Mass at Our Lady, Help of Christians. Children will again have the opportunity to wear the First Holy Communion outfits and receive their certificates at these Masses when they will celebrate at the place where they usually worship on Sundays with their families. 

X SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION PROGRAMME FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2022-2023

If you, or one of your family, relatives of friends, is thinking about enrolling for any of the sacramental programmes, which will begin in October 2022 for the celebration of the Sacrament in 2023, the time has come for enrolment. Please collect the necessary form at the back of the Church and return it before 16^th September 2022. 

The Sacraments in question are: 

·         First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion for children in School Year 4 and above 

·         Confirmation for young people who are from School Year 9 and above 

Rite of Christian Initiation for:

i) Adults who are baptised but have not celebrated their First Holy Communion and Confirmation

ii) Baptised non-Catholics who are thinking of joining the Catholic Church

iii) Non-baptised Adults who are thinking of joining the Catholic Faith through Baptism, Confirmation and First Holy Communion. 

Each category will have its preparation sessions covering the period from October 2022- May/June 2023. Forms for enrolment are now at the back of the church. 

THE DEADLINE FOR ALL THESE ENROLMENTS IS FRIDAY 16^th SEPTEMBER 2022.

X CELEBRATION OF INFANT BAPTISM IN OUR PARISH - For the attention of all those who have children aged from newly born up to seven years old and who are not yet baptised. Please note that infant baptism in our Parish takes place at Our Lady, Help of Christians on the 1^st or 3^rd Sunday of the Month at 1pm. This celebration is preceded by a period of preparation, and I ask you to please contact the parish office and myself for further information. 

X QUEEN’S PLATINUM JUBILEE EVENTS 

THURSDAY 2ND JUNE (OLHoC HALL) 2.00PM UNTIL 4.30PM: 

A film of the coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will be shown with 

• A cream tea
• A table quiz
• A children’s make a crown competition 

Tickets £5 for adults and £1 for children available from Ann Berry, Margaret Irving or Dylan in the Parish Office. 

SUNDAY 5TH JUNE (ST JOSEPH’S HALL) 12.30PM ONWARDS

A Platinum Jubilee lunch with a sherry reception, roast beef with all the trimmings followed by apple pie and custard/ice cream. 

Tickets are £8 for adults and £4 for children and can be purchased from Ann Berry, Margaret Irving or Dylan in the Parish Office. 

X ARCHDIOCESE OF SOUTHWARK 2022 SPRING ASSEMBLY BY THE JUSTICE AND PEACE COMMISSION on Saturday 25^th June 2022 at St Paul’s Catholic Church, 103 Maison Dieu Road, Dover, Kent CT16 1RU.  Preceded by Mass at 10.00am at St Edmunds Chapel, Priory Road, Dover CT16 1BB. Registration 10.40am.  Programme 11am to 4pm.  Entitled: Caught in the Act: Tackling the injustice of the Nationality and Borders Act: removal to Rwanda and difficulties for Ukrainians in the UK.  Everyone welcome.  Entrance is free.  Lunch provided. Donations suggested.  Email: jpiccontact@rcaos.org.uk or just turn up on the day.  Finishing with a prayer service at the sea front and ice-creams on the beach. 

X THANK YOU to everyone who attends coffee after Mass on Wednesday at OLHoC and Sunday Masses at OLHoC. During the past few months, your efforts have raised over £400 for the parish building funds. The coffee at St Joseph’s on Saturdays and Sundays has raised over £100 for the St Joseph’s Social XClub during the same period.

SUNDAY 22ND MAY 2022

 

Sunday: May 22nd

THE SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

Day of Prayer for Eastern Christians 

MASS (OLHoC): 6.00pm (Sat. 21st May)

(Members of the Orfila Family living and dead)

 

MASS (OLHoC): 9.00am (Pro Populo)

X Refreshments in the Hall after Mass

 

MASS (OLHoC): 11.00am (Stephen and Agnes Ng RIP)

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION CELEBRATION

X Refreshments in the Hall after Mass

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• MONDAY, May 23rd – Feria

Rosary (OLHoC): 8.30am

MASS (OLHoC): 9.00am (Alice Reynolds-Peyton RIP)

X Pastoral & Social Cttee (St Joseph’s Hall): 7pm

 

• TUESDAY, May 24th – Feria

NO MASS TODAY

 

• WEDNESDAY, May 25th – St Bede the Venerable

Rosary (OLHoC): 9.30am

MASS (OLHoC): 10.00am (Anne Rajah RIP)

X Tea/coffee and cake after Mass

 

MASS (VIGIL of the ASCENSION)

(OLHoC): 7.30pm (Priest’s Intention)

 

• THURSDAY, May 26th

THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD

MASS (St Joseph’s): 9.00am (Well-being of Anne Houlahan)

 

MASS (OLHoC): 10.45am (Well-being of Sr Sophie Pepper)

 

MASS (OLHoC): 7.30pm (Charles Orfila RIP)

 

• FRIDAY, May 27th – St Augustine of Canterbury

 Rosary (OLHoC): 8.30am

MASS (OLHoC): 9.00am (Holy Souls)

 

• SATURDAY, May 28th – Feria

Rosary (OLHoC): 9.30am

MASS (St Joseph’s): 10.00am (Catherine Murray RIP)

X Confessions after Mass (St Joseph’s)

 

Confessions & Exposition (OLHoC): 11.00am to 12 noon

 

  Next Sunday: May 29th

THE SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

Second collection: Catholic Communications Network

 

MASS (OLHoC): 6.00pm (Sat. 28th May) (Pro Populo)

 

MASS (OLHoC): 9.00am (Wedding anniversary thanksgiving of Julia and Josh)

X Refreshments in the Hall after Mass

 

MASS (OLHoC): 11.00am (Cecil & Brigitte Crofts RIP)

X Refreshments in the Hall after Mass

 

X SECOND COLLECTIONS – £136.22 for the maintenance of St George’s Cathedral and £124.91 for the Priest’s Training Fund. Thank you for your generosity. 

X ROSARY IN MAY – May is the month when Catholics show their devotion to Our Lady, Jesus' blessed mother. Pope Francis asks that we pray the Rosary to ask Our Lady to intercede for us during these difficult times.

X CONGRATULATIONS to some of our young people who will celebrate their First Holy Communion this Sunday 22^nd May 2022 and those who will celebrate theirs on Sunday 19^th June 2022. Let us keep these young people and their families and relatives in our prayers. May they grow to love the Lord, day by day, and have him as their inspiration throughout their pilgrimage. 

Special thanks to their parents, relatives and adult helpers for all their support and guidance. May the Lord bless them all. 

X CELEBRATION OF INFANT BAPTISM IN OUR PARISH - For the attention of all those who have children aged from newly born up to seven years old and who are not yet baptised. Please note that infant baptism in our Parish takes place at Our Lady, Help of Christians on the 1^st or 3^rd Sunday of the Month at 1pm. This celebration is preceded by a period of preparation, and I ask you to please contact the parish office and myself for further information. 

X PROVISION FOR THE CELEBRATION OF THE FEAST OF THE ASCENSION - Thursday 26^th May is the Feast of The Ascension of the Lord, a Holy Day of Obligation for Catholics to attend Mass. 

Therefore, please note that we will be using our Mass schedule for Holy Days: 

On Wednesday at 7.30pm our Vigil Mass will be at 7.30pm at Our Lady Help of Christians. 

On Thursday there will be 9.00am Mass at St Joseph, with 10.45am and 7.30pm Mass at Our Lady, Help of Christians. 

Please use any of these Masses to fulfil your Obligation as it is a working day. 

X PARISH OFFICE HOURS – following a review of the running of the Parish Office, We are pleased to confirm that from now on, the Parish Office will be open from 8.00am until 4.00pm on Mondays and Tuesdays and from 8.00am until 12.00 noon on Fridays. 

Any notices for the newsletter need to be with the office by noon on the Tuesday before the weekend of publication.

X THIS SUNDAY IS THE DAY OF PRAYER FOR EASTERN CHRISTIANS – This day of prayer is an opportunity to give thanks to God for all that we owe the Oriental Churches: the first preaching of the Gospel, the origins of the monastic tradition, many of the early Church Fathers, and, above all, the witness of the Eastern Christians down the centuries - an inspiration to our faith. 

As we come to rejoice with renewed faith in the power of the Risen Lord during this season of Easter, please pray for Eastern Christians, many of whom are suffering from the effects of war and discrimination, especially those in Ukraine who are dispossessed and displaced. May the joy and blessings of Easter fill their hearts – and ours – with hope, so that together we may all come to rejoice with renewed faith in the power of the Risen Lord! 

X SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION PROGRAMME FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2022-2023

If you, or one of your family, relatives of friends, is thinking about enrolling for any of the sacramental programmes which will begin in October 2022 for the celebration of the Sacrament in 2023, the time has come for enrolment. Please collect the necessary form at the back of the Church and return it before 16^th September 2022.

The Sacraments in question are: 

·         First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion for children in School Year 4 and above 

·         Confirmation for young people who are from School Year 9 and above 

Rite of Christian Initiation for:

i) Adults who are baptised but have not celebrated their First Holy Communion and Confirmation

ii) Baptised non-Catholics who are thinking of joining the Catholic Church

iii) Non-baptised Adults who are thinking of joining the Catholic Faith through Baptism, Confirmation and First Holy Communion. 

Each category will have its preparation sessions covering the period from October 2022- May/June 2023.

THE DEADLINE FOR ALL THESE ENROLMENTS IS FRIDAY 16^th SEPTEMBER 2022.

 

X THANK YOU FROM CAFOD - Thank you so much for your generosity this Lent Fast Day, and special thanks to those who took part in the Walk Against Hunger.  All your efforts really make a difference, and in fact, with your help, we were able to raise over £300,000 to help those struggling with hunger.  We also deeply appreciate your contribution to our Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, and your continued support for the people affected by the war. 

We’ve raised over £2.7 million for the Appeal so far.  You can read about how the funds are being used by Caritas and other CAFOD Partners on our Ukraine webpage at https://cafod.org.uk/News/Emergencies-news/Ukraine-crisis

Thank you again from CAFOD!

Over 800 million people go hungry each day. Yet the world produces over 4 billion tonnes of food and we only need 3.7 billion tonnes to feed everyone. From all this food produced, a third is wasted. St John Paul II called this ‘the paradox of abundance.’ Clearly the currently global food system is not working. But as Pope Francis said, "Each of us has a role to play in transforming food systems for the benefit of people and the planet." Let’s respond to his call! CAFOD’s new campaign is called Fix the Food System. 

More can be found on our CAFOD Summer campaign page at www.cafod.org.uk/food 

X PARISH SUMMER FAYRE - The Parish Summer Fayre will be held on Sunday 12th June taking place in the OLHoC Hall immediately after the 9.00am and 11.00am Sunday masses. 

X VOCATIONS WEBINAR: 'HERE I AM LORD, SEND ME' – TUESDAY 24TH MAY 7.00PM. God has a definite plan and purpose for all of our lives. The Archdiocese of Southwark will be holding a Zoom webinar of Tuesday 24th May between 7.00pm – 8.00pm with the theme 'Here I am, Send Me'.

Some men receive a unique call to be a Catholic priest or deacon, and some women are also called to religious life. Join Fr Paul Kyne, seminarian Stephen Trafford, Sister Aelred and Fr Stephen Morrison to hear about vocations and following a religious life. If you feel you may have a vocation or would simply like to find out more, please email Laura Dudhee in order to attend: lauradudhee@rcaos.org.uk 

X DIOCESAN VACANCIES – There are three vacancies this week: 

Secretary to Episcopal Vicar for South East London and Commissions for Racial Equality and Education - This is initially a 12-month contract for 3 days per week, based in Blackheath to support the newly created Episcopal Vicar function.  This is a senior secretarial position that requires someone with considerable previous secretarial experience and excellent organisational skills.  Must be very self-motivated. 

Diocesan Central Services Administrator - Based in Bowen House, SE1 this is a full time administrative position that will provide support for a variety of functions as well as covering reception duties.  Must have previous admin/secretarial experience and be very adaptable to changing priorities. 

Parish Secretary at Parish Secretary St Osmund’s, Barnes - Experienced parish secretary needed on a part-time basis for busy parish in Barnes.  Must have previous parish secretarial experience and a good working knowledge of the Catholic church.  

Full details are on the website at https://www.rcsouthwark.co.uk/get-involved/vacancies/vacancies-in-southwark/

 

X QUEEN’S PLATINUM JUBILEE EVENTS IN OUR PARISH: 

THURSDAY 2ND JUNE (OLHOC HALL) 2.00PM UNTIL 4.30PM: 

A film of the coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will be shown with 

• A cream tea
• A table quiz
• A children’s make a crown competition 

Tickets £5 for adults and £1 for children available from Ann Berry, Margaret Irving or Dylan in the Parish Office. 

SUNDAY 5TH JUNE (ST JOSEPH’S HALL) 12.30PM ONWARDS 

A Platinum Jubilee lunch with a sherry reception, roast beef with all the trimmings followed by apple pie and custard/ice cream. 

Tickets are £8 for adults and £4 for children and can be purchased from Ann Berry, Margaret Irving or Dylan in the Parish Office. 

X MASS IN CELEBRATION OF THE SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE - July 9th at St George’s Cathedral at 3pm. 

If you are celebrating your 1st/10th/25th/40th/50th/60th + wedding anniversary this year, please apply as soon as possible, and no later than May 31st. Get in touch with us at mflkent@rcaos.org.uk so you can receive an invitation from the Archbishop. Spaces are limited. As the title of your email, please write your parish location, e.g. Maidstone, and give us the following details: your names in the format John and Mary Smith, your home address, and the anniversary you are celebrating.

X Volunteers – we still need volunteers to put themselves forward or to come and help in our parish.

Catholic Shop (outside OLHoC) – can you help in the shop for a few hours a week after Mass? If you are available, please speak to Eileen Taylor who will run through how you can assist in helping to run our very own Catholic Book and Gift shop in the Parish.

Cleaning at OLHoC on a Friday morning every week after Mass. If you are free, please come along and help.

Serving on the Parish Committees. If you are interested, please speak to the Committee Chairman, the Parish Office or Fr Alex.