Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
                 Sittingbourne

DIARY FOR THE WEEK

 6th - 14th March 2010

LENT COURSE AT THE CONVENT      

This course will run on Wednesday

evenings during Lent, at the Convent,

11 London Road.  The theme will be

“Knowing God Better”

The course is a journey through Lent using seven interesting and enjoyable talks aimed at helping Catholics to understand their faith more fully and to help them become more enthusiastic about God’s action in their lives.

There will be a DVD film presentation for about 35 minutes at each session, with opportunities for discussion and prayerful reflection.

The first evening will be on Wednesday 24th February, commencing at 8.00pm with tea and coffee.  The film will start at 8.15 pm.  This should be a very interesting way of exploring our faith, and an      excellent form of spiritual preparation for Easter.

All are most welcome to attend - why not come along and give it a try?  The convent is just a short walk up from the church

FATHER MICHAEL ADAMS

We welcome Father Michael Adams from St. Augustine of Canterbury Parish, Parkwood, this weekend. He will be celebrating the 9.30 and 11.00 Mass this Sunday. The priests of our local grouping of parishes, the Deanery, have thought it appropriate during this Year of the Priest, that we should visit as many of our local parishes as possible during the course of this year.

This will hopefully give you, our parishioners, a clearer view of the different sorts of priestly ministry and identity that there are. I am sure you will notice that we are all different!

I will be at St. Augustine’s Parish this Sunday morning.  Fr. Michael.

THE YEAR FOR PRIESTS

Pope Benedict XVI has called the whole church to celebrate the Year For Priests.  His purpose for the year is to encourage priests in their “striving for spiritual perfection on which, above all, the effectiveness of their ministry depends” and to highlight “the importance of the priest’s role and mission in the church and in contemporary society”.

Please remember all priests in your prayers, especially those who serve and have served in our parish.

Prayer for Priests

6th Fr. Peter Murphy

7th Fr. Patrick Murtagh

8th Canon John Naughton

9th Fr. Phillip Nelson

10th Fr. Roger Nesbitt

11th Fr. Eric Nimmo

12th Fr. James Nolan

13th Fr. Sunith Nonis

14th Fr. Peter Norris

15th Fr. Christopher O'Brien

O Jesus, our great High Priest,

Hear my humble prayers on behalf of your priests,

Give them a deep faith

a bright and firm hope and a burning love

which will increase

in the course of their priestly life.

In their loneliness, comfort them

In their Sorrows, strengthen them.

In their frustrations, point out to them

that it is through suffering that the soul is purified,

and show them that they are needed by the Church,

they are needed by souls,

they are needed for the work of redemption.

O loving Mother Mary, Mother of Priests,

take to your heart your sons who are close to you

because of their priestly ordination,

and because of the power which they have received

to carry on the work of Christ

In a world which needs them so much.

Be their comfort, be their joy, be their strength,

and especially help them

to live and to defend the ideals

of consecrated celibacy

 Amen                                   

PARISH PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND - JANUARY 2011

Please see Fr Michael if you would like more details of the proposed trip to the Holy Land.  Further details to be published shortly.

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION DURING LENT

We will have a visiting priest available for confessions during Lent on the following dates:

Saturday 20th March 11.00– 12.00 noon

Father Michael Adams (from Parkwood)

Saturday 27th March  11.00— 12.00 noon

Canon Frank Moran (From Sheerness)

Please take this opportunity to prepare yourself for Easter by receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

NB The Sacrament of Reconciliation should not be celebrated during the Easter Triduum, that is from Maundy Thursday until Easter Sunday

except in exceptional circumstances , e.g. where death is imminent. This is because the Triduum is a period during which we should be fully focussed on the passion, death and resurrection of Our Lord and the important liturgical celebrations that take place in the Church at that time.

Therefore the Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available up to and including Wednesday of Holy Week, but not again until after Easter Sunday.

POLISH PARISHIONERS  - We have a Polish Priest, Father

Thaddaeus, with us on the afternoon of Sunday 21st March  (5th Sunday of Lent.) He will be available in the church, to hear confessions, between 4.00 pm and 5.00 pm.

WHIST DRIVE

The next Whist Drive will be on Wednesday 10th March at 7.30pm.

SERVICE OF RECONCILIATION FOR FAMILIES

Parents are invited to attend a “sorry service” at 2pm on

Saturday 13th March. This will be a service which we would like the children of the parish to participate in. There will be an opportunity for adults, and children who have received the

Sacrament of Reconciliation, to go to confession.

Younger children are welcome to attend, and with support from their parents, say sorry for the things they have done wrong.

NEW RECONCILIATION ROOM AND CHURCH PORCH  

Envelopes are available in the church, marked “confessional”, if you would like to contribute in this way to the parish fund raising effort.

JARS can be picked up from either door and taken home. Please return them when they are filled with coins - any change will do, it doesn’t matter how small.

MUMS, DADS AND CARERS

PLEASE SUPPORT THE CHURCH BUILDING

WORKS AND HAVE SOME FUN!

Easter Poster Competition

Pay a pound and collect a picture for your child to colour/design.

Pictures available after 9.30 Mass in the O’Sullivan Centre.

Three age groups – Under 5, 5-8 and 8+. The only rule is that it must be your child’s work.

Fr Michael will be the judge after 9.30 Mass on Easter Sunday. 

Three prizes – BIG EASTER EGGS - A PRIZE FOR EACH AGE CATEGORY

STATIONS OF THE CROSS - These will be each Friday of Lent at 7.00 pm.

LENTEN ALMS - Are collected throughout the Season of Lent, for the Cabrini Children’s Society.  Donations should be placed in the marked box in the wall of the church.

WALK WITH ME - A Lenten Journey of Prayer for 2010

There is an introduction by Bishop John Hine. The booklet contains a reflection based on scripture for each day of Lent.  Price £1.00

Mass in Celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage   

St. George’s Cathedral, Southwark

Saturday 12th June 2010 at 3 pm

The Archbishop invites those who are celebrating their 10th/25th/40th/50th/60th +      

Wedding anniversary this year, to attend this Mass with their families and friends. Please give your names to Fr Michael as soon as possible to receive an invitation to attend the Mass in celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage.

PRAYER GROUP

We meet every Wednesday at 8 pm in the Convent, 11 London Road. All are welcome.

ARE YOU THINKING OF JOINING THE PRIESTHOOD?

‘Fishers of Men’ - A vocations discernment retreat for young men thinking of joining the priesthood. Friday 5th—Sunday 7th March 2010,  For more information contact: Fr Stephen Langridge, 36 Nightingale Square, Balham, SW12 8QN. 

Email info@southwarkvocations.com

DISCOVERING PRIESTHOOD - a day for young men.  Held at   Ealing Abbey - Saturday 13th March - 10am-4pm.

TABLE CLOTHS

Please could the checked table cloths be returned to the Parish Centre.  There were 22 now there are only 2!

PARISH COUNCIL

The minutes of the most recent Parish Council meeting are available to read on the notice board inside the church.

FILIPINO CHOIR

We are hoping to start a Filipino Choir in the Parish, initially to sing once a month at the Saturday evening Mass. The main points to be aware of are:

The choir would be for Filipinos, but anyone can join.

The commitment is to singing once a month at Mass (Saturday 6 pm), and a monthly practice.

Anyone who can play a guitar or other instrument is also welcome.

If you are interested please contact James Heyes on  422205, or speak to Fr. Michael.

A flyer is available in the porch “Calling all Sittingbourne Filipinos!” which you are welcome to take, which contains more information.

PARISH PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND - JANUARY 2011

Please see Fr Michael if you would like more details of the proposed trip to the Holy Land.  Further details to be published shortly.

LENT

Lent is the traditional season of renewal and repentance in the church.  During Lent we are encouraged

                1) to do penance and good works;

                2) to give alms during the season of Lent

                3) to fast and abstain from meat (for non meat eaters some  other food) on Good Friday.

RECONCILIATION

Lent is an excellent time to remind ourselves that we should make regular use of the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession).  There will be extra times during Lent and visiting Priests will be available to hear confession on the 5th and 6th Saturdays of Lent.  See the newsletter closer to the time for more details.

However, there is no need to leave it until just before Easter - think about coming to the sacrament during the first weeks of Lent.

LENTEN ALMS - Are collected throughout the Season of Lent, for the Cabrini Children’s Society.  Donations should be placed in the marked box in the wall of the church.

CAFOD’S Lent Fast Day is Friday 26th February.

LENT EXTRA - 2010 - Your Journey to Easter

This excellent publication contains 47 daily reflections for Lent, helping the reader to spend “5 minutes with the Lord for each day of Lent”.  There are also numerous interesting articles and features, cost just £1.50.

WALK WITH ME - A Lenten Journey of Prayer for 2010

There is an introduction by Bishop John Hine, the booklet contains a reflection based on scripture for each day of Lent.  Price £1.00

SCHOOL ADMISSION APPEAL PANEL MEMBER

On behalf of the governing bodies of Catholic Schools in the Diocese, the Diocesan Commission for Schools & Colleges is currently seeking volunteers to sit on Appeals Panels.

School Admission Appeal Panels hear appeals from  parents who have not been offered places for their children at their preferred school.

Training will be provided during March and April to those appointed to the list.

Please contact the Commission for an application form and further information as soon as possible either by phone 01689 829331 or email office@rcsouthwark.org.uk

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION DURING LENT

We will have a visiting priest available for confessions during Lent on the following dates:

Saturday 20th March 11.00– 12.00 noon

Father Michael Adams (from Parkwood)

Saturday 27th March  11.00— 12.00 noon

Canon Frank Moran (From Sheerness)

Please take this opportunity to prepare yourself for Easter by receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

NB The Sacrament of Reconciliation should not be celebrated during the Easter Triduum, that is from Maundy Thursday until Easter Sunday

except in exceptional circumstances , e.g. where death is imminent. This is because the Triduum is a period during which we should be fully

focussed on the passion, death and resurrection of Our Lord and the important liturgical celebrations that take place in the Church at that time.

Therefore the Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available up to and including Wednesday of Holy Week, but not again until after Easter Sunday.

POLISH PARISHIONERS  - We have a Polish Priest, Father Thaddaeus, with us on the afternoon of Sunday 21st March  (5th Sunday of Lent.)

He will be available in the church, to hear confessions, between 4.00 pm and 5.00 pm.

SEAN AND VERA SMITH  - We offer sincere congratulations to Sean and Vera who are celebrating their Golden Wedding Anniversary this weekend. May God bless you both.

NEW RECONCILIATION ROOM AND CHURCH PORCH  

Envelopes are available in the church, marked “confessional”, if you would like to contribute in this way to the parish fund raising effort.

JARS can be picked up from either door and taken home. Please return them when they are filled with coins  - any change will do, it doesn’t matter how small.

MUMS, DADS AND CARERS

PLEASE SUPPORT THE CHURCH BUILDING

WORKS AND HAVE SOME FUN!

Easter Poster Competition

Pay a pound and collect a picture for your child to colour/design.

Pictures available after 9.30 Mass in the O’Sullivan Centre.

Three age groups – Under 5, 5-8 and 8+. The only rule is that it must be your child’s work. Fr Michael will be the judge after 9.30 Mass on Easter.

Sunday. 

Three prizes – NICE BIG EASTER EGGS - A PRIZE FOR EACH AGE CATEGORY

LUCKY NUMBERS DRAW

This months lucky numbers are

1st prize 148

2nd prize 11

3rd prize 100

4th prize 102

Winners’ cheques will be in the post this week.

Our Lenten Prayer Trail

The Lenten Prayer Trail this year will take the form of a path of pebbles around the church. Please join with the children by writing your prayers, Lenten promise or a message for God on a pebble/stone and put it on the wall to which will be joined with all the children’s from school and parish, uniting us all together.

SERVICE OF RECONCILIATION FOR FAMILIES

Parents are invited to attend a “sorry service” at 2pm on

Saturday 13th March. This will be a service which we would like the children of the parish to participate in. There will be an opportunity for adults, and children who have received the Sacrament of Reconciliation, to go to confession.

Younger children are welcome to attend, and with support from their parents, say sorry for the things they have done wrong.

Many Thanks to Lorna Lewis who typed the Newsletter this week, from the Webmaster

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