Sunday December 25th
THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD
CHRISTMAS DAWN MASS (OLHoC): 9.00am (Private Intention)
X Refreshments in the Hall after Mass
CHRISTMAS DAY MASS (OLHoC): 11.00am (Pro Populo)
• MONDAY, December 26th – St
Stephen
MASS (OLHoC): 9.00am
• TUESDAY, December 27th – ST JOHN
NO MASS TODAY
• WEDNESDAY, December 28th – THE HOLY INNOCENTS
MASS (OLHoC): 10.00am (Dorothy Wrigley RIP)
X No refreshments after Mass until 11th January
• THURSDAY, December 29th – ST THOMAS OF CANTERBURY
MASS (OLHoC): 9.00am (Dr Nicholas Rozario RIP)
No
Parish Open Office this week
•
FRIDAY,
December 30th
THE HOLY FAMILY of JESUS, MARY and JOSEPH
• SATURDAY, December 31st – 7th day of Christmas
MASS (OLHoC): 10.00am (Dorothea Duff RIP)
Confessions & Exposition
(OLHoC): 11.00am to 12 noon
Next Sunday:
January 1st, 2023
MASS (St Joseph’s): 9.00am (Martin & Catherine Murray RIP & family living & deceased)
X Refreshments in the Hall after Mass
MASS (OLHoC): 11.00am (Pro Populo)
X CHRISTMAS END OF YEAR AND NEW YEAR GREETINGS FROM THE DESK OF THE PARISH PRIEST
With the Christmas and New Year celebrations, 2022 will soon be behind us. This has been another difficult year due to the loss of our beloved priest and friend Fr Capener and some hurdles that we are working to overcome completely, so that we can give ourselves and our time completely to the preaching of the Gospel.
For the first time, as a parish, we have introduced some new ways of governing, teaching and sanctifying in our parish. This has included the introduction of the new institutions of:
1. Liturgy Committee, to coordinate the liturgical life of the parish, inviting and organising people to participate as readers, welcomers, singers, collectors, at Mass. Their role is also to supervise celebrations such as the Parish Reconciliation Service, our annual celebration of the two saints of our parish on the first Sunday of May which was inaugurated with our first successful Open Air Mass which took place at Stella Maris school.
2. Catechetical, Evangelical and Formation Committee, to cover all that is involved with evangelisation, sacramental preparations and ongoing formation, side of the parish.
3. Pastoral Care and Social Committee, regrouping groups such as the UCM, SVP, Winter Shelter, Young Mothers’ Group, the Social Club and any individuals who have a particular talent that can be helpful; the purpose of this committee is to determine the needs of people in the parish and wider community, identify the resources to meet those needs, coordinate the social activities within the parish, organise some fundraising opportunities in support of the parish through Bazzars, Parish Summer Fair, Coffee after Mass, Dinner Dance, Lunch, and social celebrations within the parish such as the Summer Club for young people, and the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations - some of the activities this committee has successfully coordinated.
4. The Parish Finance and Property Committee is tasked to look after the finances and the buildings of the parish including the management of our two halls in Folkestone and Cheriton.
5. The Parish Representatives’ Group is made up of the Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary and some parishioners appointed by the parish priest due to their expertise. This is the equivalent of a Parish Council.
In the Course of the New Year, each one of these committees will be placing notices inviting volunteers to join them, thank you in advance for your willingness to join the volunteers.
With these parish committees, we learn there are new ways of doing things; they are not meant to put anyone out of a job, but to encourage all synodal people to bring their little contribution to the building of the parish.
Christmas calls to mind the greatest change in our human history.
This is exactly what the birth of our Lord is all about. When he entered our human society from conception, through to his birth, he changed the way of doing things and the way in which things have their being. People of his time adjusted themselves to the new situation and adapted to things that we have done since, and will continue to do so.
As disciples of Jesus today, we know that change can bring growth and it can also bring difficulties which are part of life’s problems; yet, with our faith, we know very well that these will not have the last word. We trust and hope in the God Who is with us to take care of everything, by using us and granting us the insight, wisdom and understanding we need to let His will and purpose triumph through our effort and readiness to work together.
We have a lot of ground to cover to bring the parish to the fulfilment of its mission in this area. I thank all the people who have been supportive with their time, finances, and skills, to bring some of the building projects to their completion, despite the fact that there are still some finishing touches needed here and there. You know who you are, and I do not need to mention your name here, but I want you know that I am grateful for all you have done, and for what you will do. Remember, your parish needs you.
In 2015, the Church Heating Boiler in Cheriton had problems, and when the engineer investigated, his advice was a new boiler, which at the time would cost in the region of £15,000.00, so lots of fundraising was needed to replace it. It has not been replaced because the funds were not there. Even in 2022, as a parish we are not able to fund a new boiler, so we are trying to repair this old boiler again- so far we have not been successful. It will take some time to source the relevant parts. After the festive period, St Joseph’s Church will be temporarily closed after 2nd January 2023 until we have warmer weather, unless the boiler has been fixed before such period. Thank you all for your understanding and patience.
I wish to thank you individually for the contribution you have given to build the parish this year. I thank all those who have worked hard and quietly to enable us to continue as a parish.
On behalf of the Sisters and Chairs of our various Committees, I wish you all a joyful Christmas and a peaceful year 2023.
Merry Christmas and a happy New to you all, let the
new-born Jesus enter your heart and bring you all the blessings you need to
continue your pilgrimage.
Fr
Alex Saba
Parish
Priest of Our Lady and St Joseph
X COLLECTION FOR SUNDAY 25TH DECEMBER – today’s collection is for the parish priest. If you miss the collection, there are envelopes at the back of the church marked Christmas Collection in which you can put your offering and post through the presbytery letterbox at 41 Guildhall Street. Thank you for your generosity and all your Christmas gifts and cards.
X WELCOME BACK TO FR LOUIS for a week from Wednesday 28th December whilst Fr Alex takes a well earned rest. There will be no open office this Thursday but Fr Louis will be available for all parish priest duties and responsibilities whilst Fr Alex is away. As always, please make him very welcome in our parish.
X SECOND COLLECTION DATES IN 2023 – please be advised of some of the second collections taking place in our parish during 2023.
15 January – SPUC White
Flower Appeal
22 January – Parish
Building Fund
5 February – Racial
Justice Sunday
19 February – Parish
Building Fund
5 March – CaFOD Lent Fast
19 March – Parish Building
Fund
7 April – Holy See (Holy
Places of Palestine)
16 April – Parish Building
Fund
14 May – Parish Building
Fund
21 May – Catholic
Communications Network
18 June – Bishops’
Conference (Day for Life)
25 June – Parish Building
Fund
2 July – Holy See (Peter’s
Pence)
9 July – Stella Maris
Apostleship of the Sea (Sea Sunday)
16 July - Parish Building
Fund
3 September – Parish
Building Fund
10 September – Catholic
Education Service
17 September – Bishops’
Conference (Evangeliii Gaudium)
8 October – CaFOD Harvest
Fast
15 October – Parish
Building Fund
22 October – Mission
(World Mission Day)
19 November – Parish Building Fund
X RECEPTION OF COMMUNION AT MASS – those not in Full Communion with the Roman Catholic Church and Roman Catholics not able to receive Holy Communion are always welcome to come forward to receive a blessing.
Those wishing to receive a blessing are asked to approach the Priest with their arms crossed over their chest and their hands touching each shoulder.
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
For those in hospital
- people who are seriously ill
or undergoing operations may ask for the Anointing of the Sick. Those who are
going into hospital should remember to ask for a visit from the hospital’s Catholic
Chaplain: If not a priest, they will arrange for a Catholic minister or an
extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion to visit them, or - if anointing is
required - for a priest to visit (but, hopefully, you will have already asked
for anointing before you go in). Catholic chaplains are often clergy or
laypeople from the hospital’s local parish. Contact the parish
office 01303 252823 or email folkestone@rcaos.org.uk
A very Merry Christmas
and
a Happy New Year to you all
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.
PRAYER TO ST JOSEPH
Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer,
Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
To you God entrusted his only Son;
in you Mary placed her trust;
with you Christ became man.
Blessed Joseph, to us too,
show yourself a father
and guide us in the path of life.
Obtain for us grace, mercy, and courage,
and defend us from every evil.
Amen.
X RECRUITMENT OF VOLUNTEERS TO HELP WITH THE HALLS AT ST JOSEPH’S AND OUR
LADY, HELP OF CHRISTIANS:
We
are recruiting for the newly established Halls Management Team. What does this
involve?
·
Looking after the Halls on both sites at St Joseph’s and OLHoC.
·
General Maintenance and cleaning of both halls.
·
Looking after the booking of both halls using our new
electronic online booking system
·
Opening and locking up both halls
·
Helping to manage the overall use and condition of the
halls on behalf of the Parish Finance and Property Committee.
Will
it involve lots of time?
- No, it is expected to be undertaken by a team of 3-6
people and should only involve your occasional time commitment to help out
Will
I be liable for any of the work?
- No, the halls are the property of the Diocese and
there is no financial or personal liability. Both halls are insured by
Catholic Mutual Insurance and hirers are responsible for their own
insurance for non-parish events.
What
qualifications are required?
- None, just a willingness and physical ability to
undertake the tasks required and to serve. The only requirement is that
you are a parishioner of Our Lady and St Joseph and regularly attend Mass.
How
do I get involved?
·
Please talk to Fr Alex or to the Co-Chairs of the Parish
Finance and Property Committee, John Devine and Andre Kleinman.
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