The Parishioner - Edition 25

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ParishionerTHE PARISH OF ST FRANCISGROVE HOUSE, 126 WEEK STREET, MAIDSTONE,KENT ME14 1RH.Telephone: (01622) 756217 Fax: (01622) 690549Email: stfrancis_parish@yahoo.co.ukWeb site: www.stfrancisparish.org.ukParish Priest: Canon Luke SmithAssistant Priests: Fr Bartlomiej Dudek, Fr Peter KucharskiOrdinariate Priest: Fr Paul GibbonsParish Deacons: Rev. Tom Coyle & Rev. Ian BlackParishioner Editors: Denis & Ross Neale.Telelephone: 01622 200025.Email: denisneale@blueyonder.co.ukA word from Canon LukeWelcome to the latest edition of the‘Parishioner’ Once again I would liketo thank our editors Denis and RossNeale for the many hours they have spenteliciting, chasing and editing the variouscontributions. Similarly I would like tothank all those parishioners who have kindlysourced and prepared articles and photographs.The ‘Parishioner’ provides a collage ourparish’s life; reflecting something of the richdiversity of people, gifts, activities, prayer,shared life and witness. The front pagehighlights our current preoccupation, whichthe replacement of our church roof. Althoughbricks and mortar, or should I say slates andstone, are not the be all and end all of theChurch’s existence, our need of a worthy houseof prayer in which the living stones making upthe Church are formed and nourished isimportant. The church building itself is asymbol of the presence and action of Christ’sChurch in the world. St Francis’ certainly hasa prime location in Maidstone and manypeople drop in throughout the day; hopefullywe provide an oasis of peace and prayerenabling all who enter our doors to open theirhearts and minds to the presence of God. The‘buzz’ created by the roof project certainlyseems to have drawn the parish together in acommon purpose and it is wonderful to see thesharing of ideas, projects and events, as well asand people working together in so many ways;this has not only borne material fruit butspiritual too as we the ‘living stones’ are drawninto deeper communion with God and witheach other. This reminds me of the challengethat the First Letter of St Peter puts before us:‘set yourselves close to Christ so that you maybecome living stones making a spiritual house.’As you peruse the articles I pray that it willinspire each member of the parish to take anactive part in parish worship and activities,which in turn deepen the bonds of faith andfellowship which knit us together as a parishcommunity and as part of the universalChurch.To those who read this on-line I hope thatit bears witness to the warmth, vibrancy offaith, and commitment to the Church I haveexperienced in the first year of my appointmenthere as parish priest. I pray that it may be notonly informative for allwho read it, but alsoinspire and strengthen youin your relationship withour Lord and his bodywhich is the Church.Canon LukeCHURCH ROOF FUND:OUR ROOF IS IN A STATE!SO... PLEASE BUYA SLATE!Leaflets are are available now in the church porch abouthow you can pay for your slates or can be downloadedfrom the parish website: www.stfrancisparish.org.ukThere are approximately 6,000 slates to be replaced onthe church roof. Please boost the roof fund by buying asmany slates as you can. Slates sponsored to date, 1,002.1 Slate = £5.00Thanks to all those who organised and contributed itemsfor the craft, cake and refreshment sale on Saturday, 13thJune which raised £395 including donations. The cake saleon Sunday, 26th July raised £82.Loose Change CollectionThanks, also, to Deacon Tom Coyle, his wife Lyn anddaughter, Katherine whoorganised a Loose ChangeCollection which raised £1570including Gift Aid.Currently we have raised£30,329.00 for the roof fund(NB the £30,000 legacy ofTeresa De Franca has beenallocated to this fund). Thank you for all recent donations;all your contributions really make a difference.TRASHED, RESCUED,NOW TREASUREDIt’s not easy to miss the Sacred Heart of Jesusstatue which was set up in the church in Juneand it has an interesting story. Spotted in Trashor Treasure, (the fascinating shop of collectiblesand vintage goods nearby the church), a couplefrom the parish (who wish to be anonymous)were saddened to see the state it was in, boughtit and donated it to Canon Luke for the church.Canon Luke happily accepted and sent it toJeanette Lewis, an expertin Liverpool who restoredthe statue to its formerdignity. On the Solemnityof the Most Sacred Heartof Jesus on June 12th, thestatue was solemnlyblessed at the 8pm Mass.Many parishioners haveThe statue used as a hat displayin the shopwelcomed this beautifuladdition to our churchbuilding.2
Keeping the Flame 2 alive in ouryoung people!!If anybody had passed St Simon Stock Catholic School on Saturday 7March 2015 they would have seen a very excited bunch of youngpeople and helpers on our way to Wembley! Was this for a popconcert or a football match? No, we were all going to Flame 2, acelebration of faith by young people.On Saturday 7 March 2015, 20 Phoenix Youth Club members andleaders together with 8 young people from St Simon Stock CatholicSchool together with Beth Reeves, the Christian Youth Worker andBrendan Wall, Head teacher. We were all gathered at St Simon Stockawaiting the coach to SSE Arena at Wembley to the CYMFED Flame 2Congress.A couple of members from Phoenix Youth Club had been to the firstFlame Congress in March 2012 but this was the first time I and most ofthe other people had been. I had no idea what to expect but I was reallyexcited to be going and had quite high expectations of the day.On arrival in Wembley immediately I wasn’t disappointed. As ourcoach pulled into the carpark there were other young people witht-shirts and hoodies with logos of the Diocese they had come with or thegroup of Catholic young people they were part of and you could reallyfeel the excitement in the air. As we entered the arena itlooked like a pop concert with large screens on each sideand a large screen in the middle, sound equipment, lighting,large inflatables advertising and welcoming, it wasbreathtaking.The show started with young people who work inyoung ministry dancing and singing followed by music fromMatt Redman which was amazing and really brought thearena to life, it is modern worship music which the youngpeople really enjoy. A couple of his more famous songs thathe sang are 10,000 Reasons and Our God, both of whichPhoenix Youth Club have sung when we have led the 6 pmMass.Lydia BurchellPhoenix Youth Club LeaderWe all really enjoyed listening to Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, theArchbishop of Manila, who had recently accompanied Pope Francisduring his trip to the Philippines. He encouraged everyone to text afriend the words “blessed are the merciful”. We also heard from FrTimothy Radcliffe, Baroness Sheila Hollins, David Wells and CardinalVincent Nichols. A group of young people told us about their yearworking overseas for CAFOD and how their faith helped in their dailylives. Along with two Cardinals, Archbishops and Bishops, there weremany Priests from throughout England & Wales.During the break we all went outside to eat our lunch and enjoy thesunshine which we were so blessed with in March, the weather couldnot have been better.After lunch we took part in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament ledby Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, we listened toreadings and prayers. Cardinal Nichols gave a homily during which heprayed for all the young people of the church. Adoration thenconcluded with 8,000 young people singing Benediction led by MattRedman.The day went so quickly, it could not have been better and I enjoyedevery moment. I met many people I know from theDiocese who are involved in youth work and it was afantastic opportunity for everyone who is involved inyouth ministry together with the young people tocome together to praise God.I would like to especially thank the CatenianAssociation for their help with the transport costs toFlame 2 and for being one of the sponsors of theevent. With 8,000 young people in Wembley Arenanobody can say that the faith is not alive in the heartsof our young people. Many of us at Phoenix YouthClub are really looking forward to going to WorldYouth Day in Krakow in 2016.We were requested by CYMFED FlameCongress to Tweet a group selfie onthe coach as you travel to WembleyArena – This is our group selfie!Travelling to Flame with Rebecca, James, Mikaela andAbigaelAn excited Phoenix Youth Club group photograph onarrival at WembleyGroup photo (inc Brendan Wall,headteacher from St Simon Stock) atlunchtime in front of the WembleyArchCardinal Tagle from the Philippinesgiving the young people at Flame aninspirational talk “Blessed are themerciful”Beautiful moment when Wembley came alive with the torches onmobiles as everyone prayed togetherWonderful rousingperformances onthe stage atWembley Arch whilewe are showered inticker tape3
Page 1: ParishionerISSUE 25 SUMMER 2015What
Page 5 and 6: What Does the Word Catholic Mean?by
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Page 15 and 16: Sing a song of 2.5pA pocket full of

The Parishioner - Edition 25

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