Archives

7 December 2024

Christmas Services in our Parish 2024

Christmas Eve – Tuesday 24th December

6.00 pm – Christmas Vigil Mass
9.00 pm – Christmas Vigil Mass in Polish
11.15pm – Christmas Carol Service
12.00 am – Midnight Mass

Christmas Day – Wednesday 25th December

9.00 am – Mass of Christmas Morning
11.00 am – Mass of Christmas Day

Download the leaflet with a detailed list of Christmas services.

30 November 2024

25 October 2024

Oppose Assisted Suicide On Fri 29 Nov, the House of Commons will hear the 2^nd  Reading of a bill on assisted suicide tabled by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater. We need you to contact your MP to voice your opposition. The charity Right to LifeUK has a simple online mechanism to do this: https://righttolife.org.uk/ASthreat

14 Augst 2024

John Caruana R.I.P.
‘A truly lovely gentleman with a strong commitment to do the right thing’
Full Indipendent Catholic News article available here.

Funeral arrangements available here.

If any one would like to attend the funeral and reception afterwards at the Holiday Inn Maidstone Road Rochester can they please contact me or Tanya in the office.
Many Thanks
Love Josie

18 July 2024

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

‘Knitted Miniature Teddies for Womens’ Refuge – To those who kindly took a Pattern from the UCM Ladies earlier in the year, please bring completed Teddies to Helen Appleby, any UCM Member or to the Parish Office as soon as possible so that we can send them off. Thank you.’

3 July 2024

UCM pilgrimage to Walsingham, please click here.

7 May 2024

Minutes of the Finance Committee Meeting held on 25th April 2024, please click here

6 May 2024

Congratulations for our Altar Servers!

Today, 6th of May 2024 in Aylesford Priory during the Guild of St Stephen’s 46th Annual Rally for Altar Servers nine of our altar servers have been enrolled with Bronze Guild of St Stephen medals.Thank you to Deacon Martin for being with our altar servers on this special day.

If you wish became an altar server in our parish ask your parents to speak to Fr Pawel or Deacon Martin.

30 March 2024

Alleluia! Christ is Risen, He is Risen indeed, Alleluia!

I want to extend wishes of a beautiful and happy Easter to all parishioners and visitors who celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. May we all celebrate with great joy the promise of our new life in Christ, our Risen Lord. The Lord Jesus, through his cross and resurrection, has destroyed the power of sin and death and brought us into His life.

I would like to express grateful thanks to all who made our Liturgy over Easter Triduum so prayerful and beautiful. Thank you very much!

       This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.

                                                                                                  Fr Pawel Sobol

7 March 2024

Please click here for the latest update on the 100 Club (Parish Lottery). Thank you.

Please click here for the UCM Fun Quiz Answers. Thank you

5 February 2024

Minutes of the Finance Committee Meeting held on 25th January 2024, please click her

5 November 2023

Minutes of the Finance Committee Meeting held on 28th September 2023, please click here.

Minutes of the Parish Pastoral Council Meeting held on 26th November 2023, please click here.

9 December 2023

4^th Sunday of Advent

           6.00pm Vigil Mass of Sunday (Sat 23rd Dec)

       !!! NO 9.00am Sunday Mass !!!                      

11.00 am Sunday Mass

Christmas Services in our Parish 2023

Christmas Eve – Sunday 24th December

6.00 pm – Christmas Vigil Mass
9.00 pm – Christmas Vigil Mass in Polish
11.15pm – Christmas Carol Service
12.00 am – Midnight Mass

Christmas Day – Monday 25th December

9.00 am – Mass of Christmas Morning
11.00 am – Mass of Christmas Day

Download the leaflet with a detailed list of Christmas services.

1 December 2023

Paragraph

UCM Family Fun Christmas Quiz – Thank you to all those who took part in our Quiz and helped to raise £160 for the Westminster Catholic Children’s Society. Our donation will be forwarded to the Southwark branch. We had 1 winner who had a full house (Claire Boarer & family) and 4 winners who all got 1 answer wrong (Chantel Withey, Jennie Morris, Josie Ryder & Sandra Rocco). Well done all, as they were much harder than I originally thought! Many thanks to parishioner Marilyn Weiss who compiled the quiz.
To see the answer sheets please click here.

28 Nov 2023

6th October 2023

KSC Chatham’s October Rosary Evening

Every Tuesday in October from 7.30pm to 9pm. Deacon Martin Smith will be the celebrant. All parishioners welcome. Please use the link below:

Join on your computer, mobile app or room device

Click here to join the meeting

Meeting ID: 354 700 826 81
Passcode: 8PHZdg

Download Teams | Join on the web

Learn more | Meeting options

18 October 2023

17 July 2023

Minutes of the Finance Committee Meeting held on 13th July 2023, please click here.

13 July 2023

Please click here to access the UCM dedicated page for the latest update.

12th June 2023

RECONCILIATION & HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME 2023/2024

We will be starting the next preparation in September for those children who are baptised Catholic and our parishioners, in Year 3 and above in September.  Please ask for an application form after weekend Masses. Each application is numbered and it is one per child.   Please do not take an application for any other family but your own.  The Meeting for parents to hand in the applications forms is Monday 17^th July at 7pm and IS THE ONLY TIME YOUR APPLICATION CAN BE HANDED IN.

8th June 2023

20th May 2023

Minutes of the Finance Committee Meeting held on 27 April 2023, please click here.

19 April 2023

Please visit UCM page here to see the latest News. Thank you

5th May 2023

9 April 2023

Alleluia! Christ is Risen, He is Risen indeed, Alleluia!

I want to extend wishes of a beautiful and happy Easter to all parishioners and visitors who celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. May we all celebrate with great joy the promise of our new life in Christ, our Risen Lord. The Lord Jesus, through his cross and resurrection, has destroyed the power of sin and death and brought us into His life.

I would like to express grateful thanks to all who made our Liturgy over Easter Triduum so prayerful and beautiful. Thank you very much!

       This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.

                                                                                                  Fr Pawel Sobol

25 March 2023

17 March 2023

15 March 2023

Please visit the Medway Foodbank Page for an update. Thank you

Stations of the Cross during Lent

We will be having Stations of the Cross during Lent on Fridays during Lent at 7.15pm before 8pm Mass and on Mondays straight after 10am Mass. 

15 March 2023

‘UCM Family Fun Quiz’ – The results are in! (Please click here).
We had 8 correct answers from 27 returned sheets. As there was a number of winners the UCM decided to put all the 8 names in a hat and took out one who will receive the hamper. All the other winners will receive a small selection. The Answer Sheets are available at church in the porch and on the UCM noticeboard. All the winners have been notified. Thank you to all those who have helped raise £172.40 for the Society of Our Lady of Lourdes in memory of Sylvia Berko.’
Thanks Helen

10th February 2023

GRAND AUCTION 12TH MARCH AT 3PM

Paragraph

Thank you for the fantastic support you’ve given to our forthcoming auction. We have had some marvellous items donated and are overwhelmed by your generosity. A brochure is now available.

click to see THE AUCTION BROCHURE

click to see THE LIST OF LOTS

There’ll also be some available in the entrance hall. You can come and view the goods on 11 March from 3 pm – 5.45 pm (and a quick view after the 6 pm Mass if required) and on Sunday, 12 March from 9.45 am – 10.45 am. There will not be any tea and coffee after the 11 am Mass on that day as we will be doing the last minute setting up for the afternoon. Doors open at 2 pm so that you can get a bidding number and settle down for a great afternoon.  We hope to see you there.

HIRE OF PARISH HALL

At the recent Parish Finance Team meeting, it was unanimously agreed that the parish hall will no longer be available to hire for private events, but only for parish groups to use. The reasons for this decision included rising energy costs and the need for somebody to be available to open/close the hall and respond in the event of an emergency. There were also concerns raised about insurance, and potential claims against the parish should something happen during the hire.

1st February 2023

Minutes of the Finance Committee Meeting held on 26 January 2023, please click here.

Reconciliation Meeting for Parents only in the church on Monday 9th January

25 December 2022

“The Word became flesh, he lived among us, and we saw his glory, the glory that he has from the Father as only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.“ (John 1:14)

I would like to take a moment to wish you a very Merry Christmas. During this season, we are celebrating Hope, Peace, Love and Joy; I pray that all four of these would fill your life in every way this Christmas and beyond.  I am grateful to God that again I can celebrate Christmas with you in this Parish. Thank you for all your support and prayers. This Christmas, as in all previous years, we celebrate “Immanuel” (God with us). Without Christ’s presence among us we would be lost. Through God’s presence working within us we are being healed, transformed, reconciled and made whole. I pray you have a Blessed Christmas.

        Fr Pawel Sobol

15 December 2022

Christmas Services in our Parish 2022

Christmas Eve – Saturday 24th December

6.00 pm – Christmas Vigil Mass
9.00 pm – Christmas Vigil Mass in Polish
11.15pm – Christmas Carol Service
12.00 am – Midnight Mass

Christmas Day – Sunday 25th December

9.00 am – Mass of Christmas Morning
11.00 am – Mass of Christmas Day

Download the leaflet with a detailed list of Christmas services.

The BBC are unable to televise a Catholic Mass this year (but one will be available on BBC Radio 4). If you struggle to get out through age, infirmity or for whatever reason; that you are warmly invited to join Archbishop Wilson at St George’s Cathedral for live-streamed Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve at 11.30 pm:

https://bit.ly/SouthwarkMidnightMass2022

or

 https://youtu.be/OHB_dWGWNV8

Please note that the service will take place at Midnight but be preceded by Christmas Carols.

Adoration Cancelled
Wednesday 14th December

Due to the icy conditions we have decided to cancel Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament this week.

27th November 2022

Enormous thanks to everyone who has helped with the Christmas Fayre today – the volunteers who helped to set up, sort and man the stalls, those who donated handmade goods, bottles, baked cakes and not forgetting those who came and spent their money.To see more pictures from that special day ->Click on the link below https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/18AVGtbQXcOSiJaF9-FY5WB6sJwjIvHao

27th November 2022

14 October 2022

Minutes of the Parish Pastoral Committee Meeting held on 26th September 2022, please click here.

29th September 2022

Minutes of the Finance Committee Meeting held on 8 September 2022, please click here.

17th August 2022

Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies

The CCRS is a knowledge-based, internationally recognised qualification that provides participants with an understanding of the teachings of the Catholic faith.  It enhances the understanding that education within the Church is a life-long process which leads to greater intimacy with Jesus Christ.  This course presents the basic foundational teachings of the Catholic Church in a manner that is captivating, inspiring, and applicable.  The CCRS is designed and intended to support the Archbishop’s vision of missionary parishes and schools by cultivating an evangelistic spirit.  Participants will be equipped to make an informed and practical contributions to their chosen field of ministry within the Church. Please visit aec.rcaos.org.uk/ccrs for further information.  Modules begin 13 September.

09 July 2022

Union of Catholic Mothers

‘A lovely evening was had by the Ladies of UCM, as we had a demonstration of Flower Arranging by Josie Ryder. She then guided us through our own efforts, which, thanks to her, resulted in some lovely looking displays. Good enough for the flower arranging group I reckon! If you want to join the UCM & have fun with us, you are most welcome. First Tuesday of the month. Helen Appleby, President ‘

29 June 2022

Minutes of the Finance Committee Meeting held on 23 June 2022, please click here.

21 June 2022

Summer Fete!!!

This year’s fete will be on Saturday 2^nd July from 11am. Please make a note in your diaries to come along and support us.  As always we need help for this to go ahead, and a list has been put at the back of the church showing where help is needed.  PLEASE SIGN UP  We also need volunteers to help on Friday 1^st July at 10.30am.

DONATIONS: We are in need of donations for the following stalls:

Bottle Tombola – bottles of all sorts (drinks, toiletries, ketchup etc); Toy Stall – any toys, games, puzzles etc.; Cuddly Toys – Teddies/soft toys; Water into Wine – bottles of wine. All donations to be left in the hall by 26^th June please.  As always your generosity is greatly appreciated. 

If anyone has a gazebo we can borrow can you please bring them to church by Thursday 31^st June.  We will be putting them up on Friday 1^st July.

16 May 2022

Congratulations for our Altar Servers!

On the 2nd of May 2022 in Aylesford Priory during the Guild of St Stephen’s 44th Annual Rally for Altar Servers three of our altar servers have been enrolled with Bronze Guild of St Stephen medals.

If you wish became an altar server in our parish ask your parents to speak to Fr Pawel or Deacon Martin.

17 April 2022

Alleluia! Christ is Risen, He is Risen indeed, Alleluia!

I want to extend wishes of a beautiful and happy Easter to all parishioners and visitors who celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. May we all celebrate with great joy the promise of our new life in Christ, our Risen Lord. The Lord Jesus, through his cross and resurrection, has destroyed the power of sin and death and brought us into His life. 

I would like to express grateful thanks to all who made our Liturgy over Easter Triduum so prayerful and beautiful. Thank you very much!

       This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.

                                                                                                  Fr Pawel Sobol

10 April 2022

05 April 2022

The Universe Catholic Weekly is thrilled to announce that we have launched our new online newspaper with the full support of our first subscriber none other than His Eminence Cardinal Vincent Nichols.

Order your Digital 4 weeks FREE trial supply by calling Michelle
on 0743 661 7650 or
email:michelle.jones@universecatholicweekly.co.uk

Regards, Michelle Jones, Circulation Sales Manager
Universe Catholic Weekly
2nd Floor Oakland House, 76 Talbot Road, Old Trafford
Manchester M16 0PQ
Website: www.universecatholicweekly.co.uk

18 March 2022

Synodal Survey – Synthetic Document

Our parish delegates for the Synodal Survey were at a Diocesan Zoom meeting last night. They have been given the slides from the meeting and the synthetic document for comments from the parish. You can access these documents here:

Diocesan Synthesis

Synod SLIDES

Please send any comments on the synthetic document to either Mavis (mavisjoy@blueyonder.co.uk) or Lynne (Lmp2409@outlook.com) by Wednesday evening, 23 March 2022, so that the online form for the Diocese can be processed. Thank you.

11 March 2022

Please visit the “Medway Foodbank” page for current list of items to donate. Thank you

07 March 2022

Minutes of Parish Council Meeting, please click here

02 March 2022

Minutes of the Finance Committee Meeting held on 27 January 2022, please click here.

Minutes of the Liturgy Committee Meeting held on 13 February 2022, please clock here

26 February 2022

Praying for Peace in Ukraine

Statement of Friday 25 February by 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, 2 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.”

Invasion of Ukraine is an “outrage before God,” says Archbishop

22 January 2022

Summary of Synod Survey – St Simon Stock Parish, Walderslade

61 adults and 32 children returned their survey forms. Thank you to those who returned their survey forms and the Headteachers of both our primary schools, who enabled the children to do so. Not everyone put their age on the survey forms but, the majority of those who did, were in the 60+ age group.

The information in the Summary of Synod Survey for Parish document is a snapshot of what was found in the survey forms. You  can reflect on what has been seen to be positive in our Parish and what it is hoped will be improved in the future.  You will have a part to play in that. The comments suggesting further work is needed have been referred to the Parish Pastoral Council for consideration of future action.

See the full document, which has been sent to the Diocese here: Summary of Survey with all the comments

9 January 2022

There will be no Masses  from Monday 17th to
Thursday 20th January as the workmen will be in the church
installing the new heating system.

No Wednesday Adoration on 12th and 19th January.

15 December 2021

Christmas Services in our Parish

Christmas Eve – Friday 24th December 2021

6.00 pm – Christmas Vigil Mass
9.00 pm – Christmas Vigil Mass in Polish
11.15pm – Christmas Carol Service
12.00 am – Midnight Mass

Christmas Day – Saturday 25th December 2021

9.00 am – Mass of Christmas Morning
11.00 am – Mass of Christmas Day
NO 6.00 pm on Saturday

Holy Family Sunday 26 th December 2021

9.00 am – Mass
11.00 am – Mass

Download the leaflet with a detailed list of Christmas services.

If you can’t come to the church
WATCH The Christmas Mass livestreams from St George’s Cathedral celebrated by Archbishop John Wilson

Midnight Mass of the Nativity of the Lord (24^th December):
Livestream: https://youtu.be/NB207YBhxF8
(This will commence from 11.45 pm onwards)
Christmas Day Mass Saturday 25^th December 2021 at 10 am
Livestream: https://youtu.be/wJgG_JMUyoc (from 9.45 am onwards)

27 November 2021

Advent sessions with the Bible

 6^th  December at 7.30pm – The Messiah in The Old Testament

13^th  December at 7.30pm – The Nativity of Jesus in the Gospels

                    led by Fr Pawel Sobol

Rev Deacon John Newman R.I.P.

Deacon John was born on the 8^th June 1943, in Woolwich, just as the hospital received a direct hit on the Labour Ward, causing a bit of consternation and lots of damage, he was immediately baptised by the midwifery sister and registrar. Two days later the hospital had the unfortunate luck of being hit again, this time destroying the labour theatre and half the ward. Had both a catholic education at primary and secondary schools.

On leaving school was given an apprenticeship as an Engineering Cadet with Royal Mail Lines, however after four years engineering practice with Vickers Armstrong at Barrow, and at sea, decided to transfer to the Royal Navy.In 1966 met a nursing cadet, it so happened on 14^th Feb, in June of that year thet got engaged, however two days later John flew to Singapore for an 18-month commission. He and Janice finally got married in June 1969 at Our Lady of the Angles, Erith. After a brief honeymoon they moved to Portsmouth, and 6 months later moved to Chatham. After a couple of months Jan decided that while John was serving in the West Indies, she would train as a midwife.

In 1997 John entered formation training at Wonersh Seminary and was Ordained by the then Auxiliary Bishop for Kent Bishop John, he had the pleasure of being his first ordained for the Diaconate, in 2001. Whilst being in formation he was also working for the Egyptian Government, acting as a Consultant in Water Treatment (Project Nile) flying in and out of Egypt once a month to continue with his studies for the Diaconate.

Since being ordained his ministry took him to do many things, one of them being a Police Chaplain looking after the Operations Dept of Kent Police, and a Chaplain to the Knights of St. Columba.

It is with much sadness that we inform you of the death of Deacon John Newman who died this morning 8th July 2021 in Medway Maritime Hospital, Gillingham.

May he rest in peace and rise in glory.

You must provide a copy of your Baptism Certificate (or proof of Baptism).

25th September 2021

Saturdays evenings with the Holy Rosary Prayer

The month of October is dedicated to the holy Rosary, one of the best known of all Catholic devotions. On all Saturdays in October in the church at 8 pm there will be the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and we will say the Holy Rosary Prayer for the following intentions:

2^nd October – For the families of our parish. 9^th October –   For peace in the world. 16^th October – For healing from spiritual and physical diseases. 23^rd October – For the missions and for the evangelization of the world. 30^th October – For all the deceased from our families and our parish.

We sincerely invite you to join us in this powerful prayer in October.

 

12th September 2021

We  invite you

for Holy Mass celebrated by Monsignor John O’Toole

at 12 NOON on Sunday 12^th September 2021

followed by a reception

as we celebrate our 50^th Anniversary

of the opening of the church building

& 10^th Anniversary of the consecration of the Church

& Induction of Fr PAWEL SOBOL

as Parochial Administrator of WALDERSLADE

See photo galery from the last 50 years

7th August 2021

 No Sunday Masses in  St Benedict’s School

After several consultation with parishioners who were originally attending Mass at St Benedict’s, and following the Parish Council meeting last month it was agreed that 9 am Mass has been permanently transferred from St Benedict’s School to St Simon’s Church. In the future all Sunday Masses will be held at St Simon Stock church.  On Holydays of Obligation, the 2 pm School Mass would continue to be celebrated at St Benedict’s, and parishioners would always be welcome to attend (assuming no other restrictions are in place).

2nd August 2021

The Minutes of the Parish Council held on 14th July 2021 are available here.

24th July 2021

Deacon John Newman RIP

8th June 1943 -8th July 2021

It is with much sadness that we inform you of the death of Deacon John Newman who died this morning 8th July 2021 in Medway Maritime Hospital, Gillingham.

As a Parish we offer our deepest condolences to his dear wife Janice, family and friends.

Read the Obituary preperd by The Archdiocese of Southwark

His Requiem Mass will take place at St Simon Stock Parish Church in Walderslade on Thursday 5th August at 11 am.

Clergy wishing to concelebrate and deacons are asked to please email the parish office: walderslade@rcaos.org.uk.

May he rest in peace and rise in glory.

16th July 2021

Please visit the Medway Foodbank page to contribute to their appeal.

Thank you

28th May 2021

RECONCILIATION & FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME

We are preparing to start this again now that restrictions have been lifted a little.  Therefore If your child is in Year 3 (or will be year 3 from September 2021) or above and is a baptised Catholic and at least one parent is also a baptised Catholic, and you would like your child to attend this preparation, can you please email the parish on walderslade@rcaos.org.uk  Please give your child’s name and age, the date they were baptised and the school they attend. Sadly, due to the restrictions and the high numbers expected due to having to combine 2020/21 and  2021/22  cohorts, if you are not a parishioner or do not live within the parish boundaries we will not be able to include your child on this year’s course. Once we have an idea of numbers of children applying, we will send out application forms in the normal way.

14th May 2021

Church Heating update! More good news about replacing the heating in the Church Hall!! We have secured a grant of £2,159.98 from the Whitehead Monckton Charitable Foundation; a local charitable trust based in Kent that has recognised the need for a warm and safe environment for the activities which take place in our Hall. We are very grateful for their help. Around £8, 000 left to find, so any donation you might like to give would be greatly appreciated. The Bible says that the Lord loves a cheerful giver. And so do we! Thanks in advance for your kind donation towards the new church heating.

 

1st May 2021

Church Heating

As you know, the heating in our Church has been a major concern for quite a while.  The boiler has been condemned and is extremely temperamental.  We have invited various firms in to give us quotes for new heating with a lower carbon footprint, so that we can install a new system before we have another winter. To heat the Church, Church Hall and Parish Office will cost just over £20,000 after VAT has been added.  This is a substantial amount but it is something that we have to do. Our Good News, I am delighted to say, is that we have been able to obtain a grant for £10,000 from the National Lottery Awards for All Grant. We will still have to put £10,000 towards the installation of new heating so would be grateful for any donations towards this.  Having up to date heating throughout our building means that all people who come to our Church and all who use our facilities will be able to pray and/or take part in the activities which are on offer in our Church Hall in a safe and warm environment.

25th April 2021

Sunday – Day of the Lord

The Catholic Bishops of England and Wales have issued a reflection on post-pandemic recovery and the challenges faced by the Church in encouraging people back to the Church and her Sacraments. The Bishops met for their Spring plenary meeting from 19 – 22 April 2021. To read it click on the link below.

The Day of the Lord

13th March 2021

THE EASTER TRIDUUM SERVICES BOOKING

Because of COVID-19 restrictions we are forced to ask all the parishioners and visitors at St Simon’s Church in Walderslade to book in advance the space at the Good Friday, Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday services they would like to attend.

Maundy  Thursday 1^st April 

8.00pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper

Good Friday 2^nd April 

     9.00am Morning Prayer

      3.00pm The Celebration of the Passion of The Lord

      7.00 pm Station of the Cross

Holy Saturday 3^rd April

      9.00am Morning Prayer

     12.00 noon Easter Blessing of the Food in Polish (outside the church building)

     8.00 pm The Easter Vigil  

Easter Sunday 4^th April

 9.00am Easter Mass

11.00am Easter Mass

        12.30 pm Easter Mass in Polish

TO DO SO, PLEASE PHONE THE PARISH OFFICE (TEL. 01634 862910)

ON WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS FROM 10 AM to 3 PM. 

It is necessary to avoid overloading the church, which has a limited capacity. Please remember that the experience of Mass at Easter is going to be different – we are still very much in COVID 19 times – so there will be no congregational singing. We are aware that we cannot meet the expectations of all our parishioners in this particular matter. That is why we ask you to be thoughtful, patient and flexible in choosing the Easter Triduum services.  Please do not hesitate to contact the Parish Office (ON WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS FROM 10 AM – 3 PM).

The last chance for booking is on Wednesday 31st March from 10 am till 3 pm.

Thank you for your understanding. 

Download the leaflet with a detailed list of the Easter Triduum services.

14th February 2021

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (17^th February)

Lent is a traditional season of renewal and repentance in Christ. It begins on Ash Wednesday up to the Holy Triduum and  preppers us for celebration of Easter. During this year’s celebration of Ash Wednesday Feb. 17, we will be following the Vatican’s recommendation of a modified method for distributing ashes: sprinkling them on the top of the people’s heads rather than using them to make a cross on people’s foreheads. The sprinkling of ashes on individual heads would take place without any words said to each person. At this time the reception of ashes is not mandatory nor required. We must remember that our own internal disposition and intention to repent and start over is the key to Ash Wednesday and ashes are only an external sign of that internal reality. You may enter into Lent with a repentant heart even if you decide that receiving ashes is not the right thing for you this year.

Ash Wednesday Masses at 10am and 8 pm.

FAST AND ABSTINENCE

On Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all Fridays: Everyone of age 14 and up must abstain from consuming meat. On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday: Everyone of age 18 to 60 must fast, unless exempt due to usually a medical reason. Fasting means a person is permitted to eat one full meal. Two smaller meals may also be taken, but they are not to equal that of a full meal.

Station of the Cross

The Stations of the Cross are a 14-step Catholic devotion that commemorates Jesus Christ’s last day on Earth as a man. The stations are most commonly prayed during Lent. In our Parish Station of the Cross will be every Tuesday at 10.30 am and every Friday at 7.15 pm. This will also be livestreamed.  

Online Lent Retreat  + Lent Zoom Meetings

The Archdiocese of Southwark is offering a retreat experience for people and parishes during Lent 2021, beginning on the first Sunday of Lent and ending in Holy Week. For each week of Lent, the Spirituality Commission will provide a video exploring themes connected with the Sunday Gospel. For more details and to register visit: http://www.southwarkdsc.org.uk/followme .

As a part of this Lent Retreat in our Parish we will have Zoom meetings on Wednesdays at 8pm. The purpose of the group is to share rather than to discuss. Each person’s offering is important. Listening carefully to one another is enriching. Time in the group also provides an opportunity for us to pray together and in this way support one another.  If you would like to attend our Wednesday meetings, to enrol please email Deacon Martin Smith: martinsmith@rcaos.org.uk. Then the necessary invitation for Zoom meetings will be sent to you. We start on Wednesday 24^th February at 8 pm.

4th February 2021

Finance minutes

To all Parishioners : – I have asked Alfredo to place the Finance minutes on the Parish Website as this is the best means of circulating them, they have been vetted by each member of the team as being a ‘true account of what was discussed.’ Our next meeting has been booked for early March, this will be advertised nearer the time as the date may have to be altered.

Mavis Westbrook [chair.]

To read the minutes click here, to read the update on the church heating system project click here.

4th January 2021

NATIONAL LOCKDOWN 2021

As you probably heard the PM have announced the next National Lockdown. You must stay at home and go out only for essentials.

The National Guidelines from 4th January 2021 state in the point about Communal worship and life event​s: ​You can leave home to attend or visit a place of worship for communal worship, a funeral or event related to a death,​​ a burial ground or a remembrance garden, or to attend a wedding ceremony. ​​You ​should follow the guidance on the safe use of places of worship​ and ​must not mingle with anyone outside of your household or support bubble when attending a place of worship.

Until the furthert notice the Church WILL REMAIN OPEN for public worship (including Masses and Special Events) according to the Tier 4 restrictions. Please, follow our website to stay updated.

To participate in Masses via live-stream from our church click here.

Please note that the Sacrament of Reconciliation is available on Wednesdays from 10.30 am till 11.30 am during  the Adoration, also outside this time by appointment. 

Call Fr Pawel on 07305 831925. Thank you.

24th December 2020

Merry Christmas!

May the humility of the Shepherds,

the faith of the Wise Men,

the joy of the Angels

and the peace of the Christ Child

be God’s gift to us,

this Christmas and always.

from Fr Pawel

Download the leaflet with a detailed list of Christmas services.

20th December 2020

CAROL SERVICE

This is what you have all been waiting for – a chance to join in with some traditional carols from the safety of your own home. Please join us (online only!) in singing out to fill the skies of Walderslade with your voices on Sunday 2o^th December at 3pm.

This event is being live-streamed from St Simon Church as we are not allowed to gather together in the church.

Join us and sing – download the booklet for Carol Service .

PUBLIC WORSIP TO CONTINUE IN TIER 4

As you know Kent in now in Tier 4 Covid-19 restrictions from Sunday 20th December. Effectively it means that most of the non-essential shops must close and you must not leave your home except for essentials.

Fortunately Public worship will continue and you can attend all Christmas Masses as planned as well as Sunday and weekday services.

Sadly Tier 4 means that families will not be allowed to meet over Christmas and weddings must be postponed. Let us surround in prayer those who are affected the most and be a messenger of joy to one another this Christmas Season.

5th December 2020

CHRISTMAS MASS BOOKING

Because of COVID-19 restrictions we are forced to ask all the parishioners and visitors at St Simon’s Church in Walderslade to book in advance the space at a particular Christmas Service they would like to attend.

Christmas Eve – 24th December 2020

6.00pm – Christmas Vigil Mass (There is no children’s Nativity performance.) 8.00pm – Christmas Vigil Mass 12.00am – Midnight Mass

Christmas Day – 25th December 2020

9.00am – Mass of Christmas Morning 11.00am – Mass of Christmas Day 12.30pm – Mass of Christmas in Polish

TO DO SO, PLEASE PHONE THE PARISH OFFICE (TEL. 01634 862910)

ON WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS FROM 10 AM to 3 PM. 

It is necessary to avoid overloading the church, which has a limited capacity. Please remember that the experience of Mass at Christmas is going to be different – we are still very much in COVID times – so there will be no congregational singing of your favourite carols. There is no children’s Nativity performance. We are aware that we cannot meet the expectations of all our parishioners in this particular matter. That is why we ask you to be thoughtful, patient and flexible in choosing the Christmas Mass.  Please do not hesitate to contact the Parish Office (ON WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS FROM 10 AM – 3 PM). Thank you for your understanding. 

Download the leaflet with a detailed list of Christmas services.

See you at Christmas!

To enable as many parishioners as possible to attend Christmas masses it is necessary to expand the team of stewards and cleaners. If you are willing to volunteer please contact Deacon Martin martinsmith@rcaos.org.uk / 07306283624. Full training will be given – and remember “Many hands make light work”. Thanks again to the current volunteers and in anticipation of other offers of help.

---

5th December 2020

Watch Christmas 2020 – the 100 Club Draw.

---

 

1st December 2020   

 

ADVENT  RESOURCES

As we enter the Season of Advent, Southwark Diocese is pleased to offer a range of resources that our parish may welcome.

A Daily Advent Retreat

26-day retreat developed by Cardinal-elect Raniero Cantalamessa and Chris Stefanick to which you can sign up at the following link: coaching.reallifecatholic.com/unshakeable-joy as we move towards Christmas.

29th November 2020

From Thursday 3 December our church will be open for public worship.  Please, find below the poster with the Mass times and basic rules for St Simon’s Church.

To participate in Masses via live-stream from our church click here.

Please note that the Sacrament of Reconciliation in Advent will be available on Wednesdays from 10.30 am till 11.30 am during  the Adoration, also outside this time by appointment. 

Call Fr Pawel on 07305 831925. Thank you.

---

26th November 2020    

MEDWAY FOODBANK ADVENT APPEAL 2020

At this time of the year our parish usually supports the Medway Foodbank with donations of food and essential items. This Advent, our almsgiving has to be done in a different way because of Covid 19. Please click on Medway Foodbank  to see how you can support and help the many people in Medway who are finding themselves in a time of crisis this year.

 

14th November 2020

 The words of thanks from Fr Bart Dudek

 

18th November 2020

A big THANKYOU!

The liturgy group would like to express grateful thanks to the safety team, stewards, cleaners, Deacon Martin and Fr Pawel (and previously Fr Bart) for all the hard work they have put in to enable us to participate in public worship. Unfortunately, of course, we are currently unable to have public Masses due to the current lockdown, but we hope that this will be lifted in time to have services for Christmas and thereafter.

5th November 2020

NO PUBLIC WORSHIP UNTIL DECEMBER

MASS ONLY via LIVESTREAM

The Prime Minister has indicated that churches will be required to forgo public worship between Thursday 5th November – Wednesday 2nd December 2020.

There will be no public services (including Masses) in the Church until the end of the National Lockdown.

For full details regarding the national autumn lockdown and worship visit the CBCEW website or to find out more about the wider situation with regard to the pandemic in England visit GOV.UK

To participate in Masses via live-stream from our church click here.

Please note that the Sacrament of Reconciliation is available by appointment only. Call Fr Pawel on 07305 831925. Thank you.

---

5th November 2020

Medway Foodbank’s Harvest Appeal 

A huge thank you to all our parishioners who supported Medway Foodbank’s recent Harvest appeal. £331 was donated and this money will be used to buy much needed foodstuffs which are in short supply in the warehouse. As you can imagine the Foodbank team are working flat out during these difficult times to support individuals and families who find themselves in a time of crisis. They are very busy providing them with 3 days of emergency food and everyday essentials. Lorraine Schultze, the Foodbank’s project manager wants to thank you all for your continued kindness and generosity. Without the help of churches in Medway, the Foodbank would not be able to continue to do their important work.

Watch this month’s 100 Club Draw.

The government has introduced a new NHS COVID-19 Mobile App to help with Test and Trace, which allows you to register your details through scanning an NHS QR code. St Simon Stock’s QR code is displayed on the doors of the church and on the Noticeboard in the Porch for you to use each time you visit us.  These details are securely held for 21 days and then deleted – full details about the App are available at: covid19.nhs.uk You must, however, continue to use the paper based system to register your details, a slip is available from one of the Stewards or you can download it from here. It will be kept securely for 21 days and then destroyed.  One slip needs to be completed for each visit by every individual or household group. Registering details is not compulsory for places of worship but everyone is encouraged to register their details in order to help society beat this life-threatening virus. To read Fr Pawel’s letter regarding all the new arrangements for attending Weekend Masses inside the church, please click here. To follow a daily Mass online at any time from different Catholic churches in England please click here.

---

 

NO PUBLIC WORSHIP UNTIL DECEMBER

The Prime Minister has indicated that churches will be required to forgo public worship between Thursday 5th November – Wednesday 2nd December 2020.

There will be no public services (including Masses) in the Church until the end of the National Lockdown.

For full details regarding the national autumn lockdown and worship visit the CBCEW website or to find out more about the wider situation with regard to the pandemic in England visit GOV.UK

Live-stream from Fr Pawel

Hello Everyone. I aware of some of us who still need to stay at home. Above I am presenting to you the schedule of live-stream Masses and prayer sessions which I am hoping to share with everyone. If you would like to join in just click the name of the event 3 minutes before the beginning of it. Everything else that already happened is available straight away from this page. Any feedback and your ideas text me on 07305831925  May God bless you all. Fr Pawel

Live stream Mass

Due to the current Coronavirus crisis, the celebration of the Mass is live-streamed from our church every day.  If we experience some interference and connection faults we are unable to fix this as Fr Pawel will have already started celebrating Mass. Should this happen, hopefully, anyone will managed to find another Mass by accessing Church Services TV here where live Masses are celebrated every day throughout the day in churches in the UK and Ireland.

To participate at Mass online from our church, please click on the link with the name of the listed service 3 minutes before the said time to be directed to the adequate YouTube channel. You can text Fr Pawel on the parish mobile (07305831925) to give a feedback about the connection and problems you may experience. Fr Pawel will try to respond at around lunchtime. If the connection doesn’t work try to refresh the screen with the F5 button on your keyboard or log in again from this website. Also, some people say that the connection is better if you participate in the Mass using your mobile rather that a PC or a laptop. Check it yourself.

Films and poster about Masses

Participation at Mass in every church requires a basic awareness of the COVID-19 regulations. Please, find below the poster with the Mass times and basic rules for St Simon’s Church as well a short film about the way those rules are put into practice in our church. Mass poster 29-11-20 Indoor Mass Film Wednesday – 4 November – St Charles Borromeo, Bishop IC – 10.00 am Mass offered the Blessings for Renata on her birthday followed by Adoration till 11.30 am Thursday – 5 November LS only – 8.00 pm Mass offered for James McDonald RIP Friday – 6 November LS only- 10.00 am Mass offered for Pasquelina Scalera RIP Saturday – 7 November LS only  – 10.00 am Mass offered for Concettina Rocco Sunday – 8 November – Remembrance Day Thirty Second Sunday of Year A LS only – 10.00 am Mass offered in Thanksgiving – the Eesuola Family Monday – 9 November – FO The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica LS only–  10.00 am  Mass offered for the Staff and Pupils of St John Fisher School LS only – 8.00 pm Holy Rosary Prayer Tuesday – 10 November – St Leo The Great, Pope & Dr of the Church LS only – 10.00 am Mass offered for Blessings for Grzegorz & David on their birthdays Wednesday – 11 November – St Martin of Tours, Bishop LS only  – 10.00 am Mass offered Our Lady’s help & protection for Fr Pawel Thursday – 12 November – St Josaphat, Bishop & Martyr LS only – 10.00 pm Mass offered for the Holy Souls who have no one to pray for them LS only 7.00pm – Prayer for Holy Souls Friday – 13 November LS only- 10.00 am  Mass offered for the wellbeing of Fr Bart Saturday – 14 November LS only – 10.00 am Mass offered for Paddy McCarthy RIP Sunday – 15 November – Thirty Third Sunday of Year A LS only – 10.00 am Mass offered for Margaret Ridgewell’s Intentions Monday – 16 November LS only–  10.00 am  Mass offered for Michal RIP LS only – 8.00 pm Holy Rosary Prayer Tuesday – 17 November  LS only – 10.00 am Mass offered for Stan Ridgewell RIP Wednesday – 18 November  LS only – 10.00 am Mass offered in Thanksgiving for the Pearson Family Thursday – 19 November LS only – 10.00 am Mass offered for Malgorzata & the conversion of priests and people devoted to God LS only 7.00pm – Prayer for Holy Souls Friday – 20 November LS only- 10.00 am  Mass offered for Anne O’Farrell RIP Saturday – 21 November LS only – 10.00 am Mass offered for deceased members of the Martin & Woods families Sunday – 22 November – Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe A LS only – 10.00 am Mass offered for Angela Woodland-Wallis RIP Monday – 23 November LS only–  10.00 am Mass offered for Jackie Bogyle RIP                                                                                                      LS only – 8.00 pm Holy Rosary Prayer Tuesday – 24 November Memorial of Saints Andrew Dũng-Lac, Priest, and Companions Martyrs LS only – 10.00 am Mass offered for wellbing of Rebbeca Jerstice Wednesday – 25 November  LS only – 10.00 am Mass offered for Malgorzata & private intention IC – 11.00am  – Private Prayer time with the Blessed Sacrament exposed untill 1.00 pm Thursday – 26 November LS only – 10.00 am Mass offered in reparation for our sins & the sins of the whole world LS only 7.00pm – Prayer for Holy Souls Friday – 27 November LS only- 10.00 am Mass offered for happy birthday Andy Berko IC – 7.00pm  – Private Prayer time with the Blessed Sacrament exposed untill 9.00 pm Saturday – 28 November LS only – 10.00 am Mass offered for conversion of sinners & private intention Sunday – 29 November – The First Sunday of Advent LS only – 10.00 am Mass offered for Dorothy & William Searle RIP IC – 2.00pm– Private Prayer time with the Blessed Sacrament exposed untill 6.00 pm Monday – 30 November – Feast of Saint Andrew Apostle LS only–  10.00 am Mass offered for Fr Bart intention                                                                                               LS only – 8.00 pm Holy Rosary Prayer Tuesday – 1 December  LS only – 10.00 am Mass offered for wellbing of Frances Jerstice Wednesday – 2 December  LS only – 10.00 am Mass offered in reparation for our sins & the sins of the whole world IC – 11.00am  – Private Prayer time with the Blessed Sacrament exposed untill 1.00 pm

---

Thank you on my departure – 29/30 August 2020

In case the weather prevents anyone from hearing my thanks Ii am publishing them hear 🙂 It’s been four year and four months since I arrived to St Simon’s in April 2016. It was an experience of a very joyful and encouraging parish family for me, where I always felt supported and listened to. I am not going mention any individuals now in case I could miss someone but I would like to say ‘Thank you’ for who you are and the way you treated me. When I was arriving to Walderslade I didn’t really know what was required to be a parish priest. Now, you can be pleased that as the parish you trained another priest to be a parish priest 🙂 Particularly I am grateful to you for being responsive to prayer, the Word of God and so many initiatives we did together and they still last. I am not going to cheer up anyone if you are sad that I am leaving the parish (I think it’s better if anyone is upset because of me going rather that being cheerful that I go 🙂 ). However, I wanted to quote 4-years-old Ben who last week said to me that he was upset because I was leaving. When replied that I am only trying to do what is expected of me he said: ‘But Jesus is staying with us’. I wanted to appreciate Ben’s wisdom and dedicate his words to anyone who is upset now.  I am aware that I can do ‘show off’ sometimes so I wanted to apologise for the times when it was more about me and less about Jesus. But it is all about Jesus and it should be. So please, receive from me a little picture of Jesus that someone gave me a few months ago as my little thank you for your goodness and assurance of God’s presence in your lives. I promise I will remember you in my prayer. God bless. Fr Bart

---

Sunday 30 August 2020 NQD163 – Notices

1. I would like to cordially thank the Catechists of the Reconciliation and Eucharist Programme for their hard work in leading and finishing the preparation in a very difficult circumstances, as well as a great help in preparation and stewarding the First Holy Communion Masses. Once again I would like to congratulate he children and thank the parents for the gifts the Catechists, Dc Martin and myself received. I am very grateful to Dc Martin who was present at every Mass, not only ministering but also taking the photos. Those children who haven’t received Jesus for the first time yet will be able to do so after the consultation with Fr Paweł and the Catechists
2. I am very grateful to all those who were working as Stewards, Cleaners and Helpers in preparation for the Mass, leading and clearing up afterwards. Your help was and is inevitable these days. Thank you. I am particularly grateful to the Safety and Maintenance Team who were working hard for the last two months in making sure that all our celebrations and gatherings may happen safely.
3. Fr Paweł would like to announce that during the week commencing on the 31 August all the weekday Masses he will be celebrating privately. First public Masses will happen on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 September. In the same time he would like to ask for the support of the Stewards, Cleaners and Helpers on the celebration of those Masses as well as the public Masses on Tuesdays at 10.00 am, Wednesdays 10.00 am followed by an hour quiet Adoration and Thursdays 8.00 pm that he plans to start offering from the week commencing on 7 September.
4. I would like to give my heartfelt thanks to everyone who gave and sent me cards, contacted me and send messages on the occasion of my departure from St Simon’s Parish. I am very grateful for your prayers, kindness and constant support. I am also grateful for all the gifts that I have received recently. Thank you for your generosity.
5. On my way out from Walderslade I would like to say ‘Thank you’ for all your goodness to me and promise to pray for you as the parish community and individuals and for Fr Paweł that God might bless his pastoral ministry amongst you. Fr Bart

---

Sunday 23 August 2020 NQD156 – Notices

1. Another 6 children from our parish on Saturday afternoon received Jesus for the first time. Another group of 7 children is going to receive Holy Communion for the first time this Sunday afternoon. I would like to congratulate them and their families and thank the Catechists of the Reconciliation and Eucharist Programme for their effort in preparing the children and supporting them during their First Holy Communion Masses.
2. This coming week there will be no public Masses from Monday to Friday. Weekend Masses will be celebrated as normal. Next weekend the parish will be presented with the rota of Masses given by Fr Pawel.
3. The Funeral Service for Stanley Ridgewell is going to take place in Medway Crematorium on Wednesday 26 August at 3.00pm. Please, pray for the repose of his soul. Attendance at this service is possible only by the family invitation due to the limited number of people allowed to take place in this ceremony.
4. Next weekend 29/30 August I will be celebrating my last Masses as the Parish Priest of St Simon’s. I am not planning to organise any special ‘Good bye’ celebrations afterwards for various reasons.
5. This week I am going to be available only to minister the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick. I will be offering Masses privately in the church. With any requests, please, wait until Fr Pawel arrives to the parish on 1^st of September.

Fr Bart Saturday – 15 August CD 2.00 pm – First Holy Communion Mass FG 6.00 pm – Mass offered for the Parish Family  Sunday – 16 August – Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary FG 10.00 am – Mass offered for Tracey Holland RIP FG 11.00 am – Annual General Meeting of the parish, part 2. For Mass Antiphons week commencing 17/08/2020 please click here. From Monday – 17 August to Thursday – 20 August  NO MASS Friday – 21 August NO PUBLIC MASS CD 6.00 pm – First Holy Communion Rehearsal 

Sunday 16 August 2020 NQD149 – Parish AGM part 2

Results of the Parish Pastoral Council voting: Lydia Burchell 79 James Carmichael 40 Connie Cousins 31 Emanuele Rao 13 April Redding 20 Not valid 3 Total votes 186 New personnel of the Parish Pastoral Council

1. Representative of the Parish Finance Team – awaiting appointment
2. Finance Clerk – Tanya Wilkins
3. Representative of the Safety and Maintenance Team – Bernadette Long
4. Representative of the Social and Fundraising Team – Christine Flood
5. Representative of the Union of Catholic Mothers – Helen Appleby
6. Representative of the Knights of St Columba – awaiting appointment
7. Representative of the Liturgy Team – awaiting appointment
8. Parish Deacon – Dc Martin Smith
9. Elected Member – Lydia Burchell
10. Elected Member – James Carmichael
11. Elected Member – Connie Cousins
12. Elected Member – April Redding
13. Fr Bart/Awaiting coming of Fr Pawel Sobol

New Personnel of the Finance Team

1. Finance Clerk – Tanya Wilkins
2. Parish Deacon – Dc Martin Smith
3. Mavis Westbrook
4. Peter Machin
5. Steve Pike
6. Lynne Pearson
7. Sylvia Berko
8. David Redding
9. Fr Bart/Awaiting coming of Fr Pawel Sobol

Sunday 16 August 2020 NQD149 – Notices

Dear Sister and Brothers in Christ, Notices:

1. Another 4 children from our parish on Saturday afternoon received Jesus for the first time. I would like to congratulate them and their families and thank the Catechists of the Reconciliation and Eucharist Programme.
2. This coming week there will be no Masses from Monday to Friday due to my short annual break. Weekend Masses as normal.
3. Finance Team would like to present everyone with the: a) Offertory for the recent months

Cash             S/O January 2020      £2743.06      £2397.10 February 2020    £2111.10        £1993.10 March 2020         £1797.60       £2906.10 April 2020            –                      £3352.10 May 2020             £ 797.00       £4572.10 June 2020            –                      £4624.10 July 2020             £2353.34      £3990.10            b) Parish account statements until July 2020 Current Account              £ 2500.00 First Reserve Account    £21929.75 Development Account    £ 8859.60  (17/7/20) 100 Club                            £ 4177.03  (27/7/20) I would like to thank you all for your extreme generosity in these difficult times.

4. I would like to thank the Members of the Parish Pastoral Council and Finance Team for their 4-year service while I was a Parish Priests in St Simon’s, namely: Barbara Morisson, Lynne Pearson, Janet King, Alfredo and Tricia De Vergori, Helen Appleby, Teresa Daley, and Jose Smallcombe, Dc Martin Smith, Tanya Wilkins as well as Mavis Westbrook, Peter Machin, Margaret Whitworth, Steve Pike, Mike Griffin and again Tanya Wilkins and Dc Martin Smith.
5. New personnel of the Parish Pastoral Council and Parish Finance Team will be announced during our Parish Annual General Meeting this Sunday, 16 August at 11.00 am on the football grounds (and live-stream).

Fr Bart Sunday – 9 August – Eighteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time FG 10.00 am – Mass offered for God’s Love, Guidance, Protection & Good Health all the days of her life for Claire Ogwueleka on her 15th Birthday CD 2.00 pm – Easter Sacraments Mass for RCIA Monday – 10 August – Feast of St Lawrence, Deacon & Martyr LS 8.30 am – Mass offered for Les & Kim Boulton 2.00 – 4.00 pm – Outdoor ‘Thank You’ Social time (bring your own snacks and refreshments, please – no sharing) LS 6.30 – 7.30 pm – Adoration and Rosary Tuesday – 11 August – Memorial St St Clare IC 10.00 am – Mass offered for Tanya & Mick Wilkins on their 30th Wedding Anniversary Wednesday – 12 August IC 10.00 am – Mass offered for Stanislawa Dudek RIP followed by 10.30 – 11.30 Adoration 7.00 – 9.00 pm – Outdoor ‘Thank You’ Social time (bring your own snacks and refreshments, please – no sharing) Thursday – 13 August  IC 8.00 pm – Mass offered for Robert & Tina Alston RIP Friday – 14 August – Memorial St Maximillian Kolbe, priest & martyr LS 10.00 am – Mass offered for John Kyne RIP CD 6.00 pm – First Holy Communion Rehearsal 

Sunday 9 August 2020 NQD142 – Notices

Dear Sister and Brothers in Christ, Notices:

1. I am very grateful to the Catechists of Reconciliation and Eucharist Programme for their effort in preparing and helping to lead another Mass with First Holy Communion of another 6 children this Saturday afternoon.
2. I am very grateful to the Catechists of RCIA Programme for helping in organising the Mass with the reception of Easter Sacraments which is going to happen this Sunday afternoon. Please, pray for Grace, Aimee, April, David and Aida who are going to meet Christ in different Sacraments that they might grow in their relationship with God.
3. The Outdoor ‘Thank You’ Social time this Monday 10 August 2.00 – 4.00 pm and Wednesday 12 August 7.00 – 9.00 pm needs to be run on the social distancing measures. The seats are going to be prepared exactly like for the Mass and, please, don’t move them, unless you will be sitting with someone from your household. You will be also expected to sanitise the chairs on which you were sitting (wipes will be accessible). In every zone, please follow the arrows. There will be only soft refreshments prepared so might want to bring your own. If you are going to bring any snacks there will be no sharing.
4. The Parish Annual General meeting is going to happen next Sunday 16 August at 11.00 am. If any of the group leaders hasn’t done the report yet, please do it by Wednesday 12 August. The reports will not be presented apart from the finance report. There will be a possibility of asking questions. The new Terms of references for the Parish Council and Finance Team will be ratified and the new members of those groups announced.
5. Apart from the weekend Mass celebrations, Sacrament of Confession and Holy Anointing I will not be available from the 16 August. The last Mass as the parish Priest I will be celebrating on 30 August 2020. Fr Bart

For Mass Antiphons week commencing 20/07/2020 please click here. Saturday – 1 August CD 10.00 am – First Holy Communion Rehearsal CD 2.00 pm – First Holy Communion Mass FG 6.00 pm – Mass offered for Michael Machin RIP For Mass Antiphons week commencing 02/08/2020 please click here.  Sunday – 2 August – Eighteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time FG 10.00 am – Mass offered for Brian McCabe RIP CD 2.00 pm – First Holy Communion Mass Monday – 3 August LS 10.00 am – Mass offered for Theresa Stone RIP LS 6.30 – 7.30 pm – Adoration and Rosary Tuesday – 4 August – Memorial St John Vianney IC 10.00 am – Mass offered for God’s Protection from Evil Wednesday – 5 August IC 10.00 am – Mass offered for Anne O’Farrell RIP followed by 10.30 – 11.30 am Adoration Thursday – 6 August –  Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord IC 8.00 pm – Mass offered for Peace of Heart for the Warriors of Mary from London Friday – 7 August LS 10.00 am – Mass offered for well-being of Fr Malachy CD 6.00 pm – First Holy Communion Rehearsal  Saturday – 8 August CD 2.00 pm – First Holy Communion Mass FG 6.00 pm – Mass offered for the Parish Family RIP

Sunday 2 August 2020 NQD135 – Notices

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ. Notices:

1. I am enormously grateful to the Catechists of the Reconciliation and Eucharist Programme in our parish along with Dc Martin for their great effort in preparing the celebration of 6 Masses of Holy Communion in August. Yesterday 8 children from 6 families received Jesus in Holy Communion for the first time and today another 6 is receiving this Greatest Gift. Next week another 6 children is celebrating their First Holy Communion on Saturday at 2.00 pm.
2. Long awaited moment of receiving Easter Sacraments by the members of our RCIA Group is happening next Sunday at 2.00 pm. We are sorry that the parish cannot participate fully in this wonderful celebration but the number is limited by the national guideline to 30 participants.
3. For the next two weeks the Mass on Wednesday morning will be a public Mass with extended 1-hour quiet Adoration time.
4. A couple of weeks ago Abp John Wilson requested me to move to a different parish. According to the letter of appointment I will take the duty as the Parish Priest in St Thomas More Parish in Dulwich East on the 1 September 2020. As Parochial Administrator of St Simon Stock Parish in Walderslade from 1 September 2020 Abp John appointed Fr Paweł Sobol, who is currently the Assistant Priest in St Francis Parish in Maidstone.
5. As a result of me finishing the ministry in our parish I would like to invite you to an outdoor ‘Thank you’ Social Time on Monday 10 August from 2.00 – 4.00 pm and Wednesday 12 August from 7.00 – 9.00 pm. More details next week.
6. In the current circumstances I would like to organise the second part of the AGM of our parish to happen outdoors on 16 August at 11.00 am. More details next week.

Fr Bart Saturday – 25 July CD 4.30 pm – Eucharist Programme Session FG 6.00 pm – Mass offered for Robert & Tina Alston RIP Sunday – 26 July – Seventeenth Sunday of Ordinary Time FG 10.00 am – Mass offered for Angela Woodland-Wallis RIP CD 11.15 am – Eucharist Programme Session For Mass Antiphons week commencing 27/07/2020 please click here. Monday – 27 July LS 10.00 am – Mass offered for Anna & Adam on their 40th Wedding Anniversary LS 6.30 – 7.30 pm – Adoration and Rosary Tuesday – 28 July IC 10.00 am – Mass offered for Stan Ridgewell RIP and well-being of Margaret Ridgewell Wednesday – 29 July –  Memorial of St Martha LS 10.00 am – Mass offered for Elaine Cartmell RIP Thursday – 30 July IC 8.00 pm – Mass offered for David Redding & Family Friday – 31 July – Memorial of St Ignatius Loyola LS 10.00 am – Mass offered for the well-being of Fr Bart CD 6.00 pm – First Holy Communion Rehearsal Monday – 20 July LS 10.00 am – Mass offered for Jane Roper RIP Tuesday – 21 July IC 10.00 am – Mass offered for Mary Dunn RIP LS 7.00 pm – Requiem Mass for Giovanni Pietrunti RIP Wednesday – 22 July Feast of St Mary Magdalene LS 10.00 am – Mass offered for the well-being of Rose Goldsbury Thursday – 23 July –  Feast of St Bridget, Patron of Europe IC 8.00 pm – Mass offered for Kacper & Family, God’s Blessing and help in difficult experience of illness Friday – 24 July LS 10.00 am – Mass offered for Robert & Tina Alston RIP LS 6.30 – 7.30 pm – Adoration and Rosary Sunday – 12 July – Fifteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time FG 10.00 am – Mass offered for the parish For Mass Antiphons week commencing 13/07/2020 please click here. Monday – 13 July LS 10.00 am – Mass offered for the Health and Wellbeing of Antonia Rutkowska Tuesday – 14 July LS 9.00 am – Amazing Friend for children small and big IC 10.00 am – Mass offered for the Wellbeing of Ian Baker Wednesday – 15 July LS 10.00 am – Mass offered for Sylvia White RIP Thursday – 16 July –  Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel LS 7.00 pm – Once upon a time… for youngsters and adults IC 8.00 pm – Mass offered for Tony Healey RIP and his wife Maria and children James and Laura Friday – 17 July LS 10.00 am – Mass offered for Alessandra Rocco Saturday – 18 July FG 6.00 pm – Mass offered in Thanksgiving on the 40th Wedding Anniversary of Les and Kim Boulton LS 8.00 – 9.00 pm – Adoration and Rosary Sunday – 19 July – Sixteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time FG 10.00 am – Mass offered for Fr Bart on his Birthday

Sunday 19 July 2020 NQD121 – Notices

1. I would like to thank all of you for your prayers, good wishes and gifts on my birthday. I am very grateful for that.

2. The celebration of the Sacrament of Baptism is possible now. Anyone wishing to have their children Baptised can now approach or re-approach the parish about it. The main person responsible for the preparation and celebration of the Sacrament of Baptism until September will be Deacon Martin.

3. We can also recommence the preparation for the Sacrament of Eucharist. The families who were having their children on the Eucharist programme will be contacted this week in order to give the details of the outstanding sessions and we will try to do the effort to make the First Holy Communion possible to be celebrated over several weekends in August.

4. The celebration of the Easter Sacraments seems to be possible to be celebrated in August as well. We are waiting now for the last guidelines from the Bishops’ Conference in order to celebrate them in the safe way.

5. I am very grateful for your continuous prayer, voluntary and financial support which you give to our parish. May God bless your efforts.

Fr Bart Sunday – 5 July – Fourteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time Opening hymn: Lord, you have come to the seashore, Recessional hymn: Dear Lord and Father of mankind LS 10.00 am – Mass offered for the parish family IC 2.00 – 3.00 pm – Private prayer (time for vulnerable) IC 3.00 – 6.00 pm – Private prayer For Mass Antiphons for week commencing 6/07/2020 please click here. Monday – 6 July LS 10.00 noon – Mass offered in thanksgiving and God’s blessing upon Fr Bart

Monday 6 July 2020 NQD108 – Return to Mass

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Jesus, We have waited for a long time to return to the celebration of Masses with everyone attending. Please, find here a video introducing us to the new regulations we need to obey while celebrating Mass and receiving Holy Communion. Another video with the info for the outdoor Masses we will hopefully be able to issue on Friday 10 July. Fr Bart Before coming to church to participate in the celebration of Mass, please download the NHS Test and Trace Card here, complete it and bring it with you. Thank you Tuesday – 7 July IC 9.00 am – Amazing Friend for children small and big LS 10.00 am – Mass offered for the parish Wednesday – 8 July LS 10.00 am – Mass offered for well-being of Matthew and Tina Thursday – 9 July LS 7.00 pm – Once upon a time… for youngsters and adults IC 8.00 am – Mass offered for James and Rosana O’Keeffe RIP Friday – 10 July LS 10.00 am – Mass offered for Seamus and Joan RIP

Friday 10 July 2020 NQD112 – Films and poster about Masses

Participation at Mass in every church requires a basic awareness of the COVID-19 regulations. Please, find below the poster with the Mass times and basic rules for St Simon’s Church as well as the short films about the way those rules are put into practice in weekday indoor and weekend outdoor Masses. Indoor weekday Mass Film Outdoor weekend Mass Film

Saturday – 11 July – Feast of St Benedict, Abbot, Patron of Europe FG 6.00 pm – Mass offered for God’s blessing on The Dudek Family LS 8.00 – 9.00 pm – Adoration and Rosary

Sunday 5 July 2020 NQD107 – Parish Notices

1. With joy I would like to announce that our Parish is ready to celebrate public Masses according to the national and diocesan guidelines Starting from this Tuesday 7 July. Please, see the details below or on the ‘Parish Diary’  page or here. Please, be aware that there are two sort of ‘events’ in our parish diary: those happening only online and those where participation at Mass is possible in the church.
2. Our Parish Safety and Maintenance Team worked hard on implementing the national and diocesan guidelines for the celebration of Masses publicly, for which I am enormously grateful. Having received responses from 20 volunteers who will be working as Stewards and Cleaners, we would like to present you with the regulations established for the celebration of indoor and outdoor Masses. * While making attendance at Mass possible, the main priorities for us are safety and spiritual nourishment of the largest possible number of parishioners, not comfort. * All previous precautions put in place for opening our church for private prayer, are still obligatory to follow unless stated otherwise. You can read them on our website under these notices. * The plan for the celebration of Masses which we are hoping to run for July and August will be revised at the end of July. * Masses in our church will be celebrated on: – Tuesdays – 10.00 am in the church – Thursdays – 8.00 pm in the church – Saturdays – 6.00  pm on the football grounds – Sundays – 10.00 am on the football grounds * All other Masses  during the week will be celebrated behind closed doors. There will be no periods of Adoration or private prayer in July. There will be no Masses at St Benedict’s School apart from the School Masses. * Every effort will be made that all the Masses, both public and private, might be live-streamed. * The capacity of our church at the moment is 24 seats, out of which 11 are specifically designated for the vulnerable. These are all on the left-hand side of the church, with additional 2 places for pushchair and wheelchair users. Another 10 Mass attendants above this limit will be asked to sit in the parish hall. Any person above the maximum capacity number will be asked to come to Mass on another day as we will count the number of people entering up to 36 in total on a first come first served basis, and not allow anyone else to enter over this number. * The capacity of the marked football grounds is at the moment 104, out of which 18 seats are specifically for the vulnerable (we will call this “the yellow zone”), 8 seats for those with walking difficulties (white zone) and 80 standing places for those who are capable of standing throughout the Mass. If needed in the near future, the football grounds have got the potential of being expanded to over 200 hundred places. * Coming to the church you would need to inform the Stewards that you would like to be seated in the vulnerable designated space. * In both church and football grounds the 2 metres distancing measures are in place on all occasions. There is no need to wear a face cover, but you can do so if you wish. * Everyone is required to arrive on site not earlier that 15 mins and no later than 3 mins before the above-mentioned Mass times in order to ensure that adequate sanitising procedures are observed and give the Stewards the opportunity to take your contact details for the purpose of assisting the NHS with their ‘Test & Trace’ system. * In order to come prepared for Mass with your ‘Test and Trace’ required information you can download the sample card from here, print it out and bring one copy each time with your details to every Mass you attend. Otherwise, you will be asked to give your name or e-mail to the Steward. The details will be kept sealed in the plastic bag in the parish office for 21 day from the day when the Mass is offered. * Please, refrain from talking in a loud voice when arriving on site and do not allow children to run around, not even in the car park. * Car parking is limited on the premises because the school playground cannot be used until the end of term, so please find alternative car parking in nearby roads in case of no space in the church grounds. * There is only one toilet available on site and it is used on a “one out, one in” basis so that adequate sanitising can take place after each use. * This Sunday afternoon there will be a simple introductory YouTube clip posted accessible from the front page of our parish website and Facebook with the actual look of the church, all the markings and precautions to be observed, as well as all the instructions about procession, receiving Holy Communion and leaving the church in a safe manner. On Friday a similar video clip will be issued with the look and and instructions to be followed when Mass is celebrated on the football grounds. It is very useful but not obligatory to watch these video clips or know all the regulations by heart. General awareness of the precautions and restrictions is satisfactory. * The access to the football grounds for everyone apart from the vulnerable will be through the church car park. Everyone will be asked to follow the one way system clearly marked by the arrows. * Please, mind the weather, especially coming for the weekend Masses, and be prepared in case of rain. * Due to safety reasons the ministry of the Altar Servers and the Readers at Mass will not take place and the ministry of the Eucharistic Ministers will be very limited. Any homily will be brief (5 minutes maximum) and there are no prayers of the faithful or communal exchange of the sign of peace. There will be no communal singing at any public Mass. Mass books and prayers cards/mass response sheets will not be available. * Holy Communion on one kind only has to be received with extended arms and flat hands. There will be no liturgical dialogue while receiving Holy Communion. Brief instructions will be reminded at all Masses. * Anyone distributing Holy Communion will have their hands sanitised directly beforehand. Those receiving Holy Communion might sanitise their hands, before receiving, with their own sanitiser or the one provided in the church. However this is not obligatory. * A table, kneeler or another physical barrier will be placed between the minister and any person receiving Holy Communion. Please, mind the 2 meter distance marked by the tape in the church and the arrows outdoors while processing for Holy Communion. * It will be possible to leave the church straight after receiving Holy Communion. Exiting the church will be happening in the strict order directed by the stewards. * We encourage everyone to support our parish via standing order or Bank transfer. However, the basket or box for the first collection will be available at the exit after every Mass. * Gathering after Mass on the church grounds is not permitted. Please, mind all pedestrians while manoeuvring.
3. Thanks to the kindness of Mrs Burford, the headteacher of St Benedict’s School, we can use their sound system for the Masses on the football grounds during the summer months. Mrs Lennon, the headteacher of St John Fisher School, offered to lend us plastic chairs for the celebration of the Mass. Those can be used only if we have two volunteers for Saturday afternoon to set them up for the vigil Mass, and two volunteers for late Sunday morning, who would collect them from the football pitch and store them in the parish hall. Please, contact me on the parish mobile if you would like to volunteer. I am most grateful to Mrs Burford and Mrs Lennon for their kind help.
4. I am very grateful to all the Stewards and Cleaners who confidently and faithfully served for the last three weeks so that we all had a chance to pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament. Thank you (round of applause). The majority of them will continue serving for the next two months. Please, pray for them. If you can, please, put yourself forward as a volunteer, especially for Saturday and Sunday Masses.
5. I am very grateful to everyone who has been supporting and keeps supporting our parish in this difficult time. Every standing order, bank transfer, collection offering and donation is gratefully received. Many thanks for the donations towards the food bank. Our parish keeps supporting the food stock every week.
6. If anyone would like to receive the sacrament of Confession, please, contact me directly on 07305831925 and make an individual appointment. This week I am happy to respond to every need of Reconciliation, however not directly before or after the Mass.

For Mass Antiphons for week commencing 29/06/2020 please click here. Monday – 29 June LS 10.00 noon – Mass offered for R.C.I.A Group IC 7.00 – 9.00 pm – Private prayer Tuesday – 30 June LS 10.00 am – Mass offered for Wiktoria and for Holy Souls LS 11.00 am – Amazing Friend for children small and big Wednesday – 1 July LS 10.00 am – Mass offered for Robert and Tina Alston RIP IC 11.00 am – 12.00 noon – Private prayer (time for vulnerable) IC 12.00 noon – 2.00 pm – Private prayer Thursday – 2 July LS 10.00 am – Mass offered for Tony Dunne RIP and Declan and Celcie Devereux LS 11.00 pm – Once upon a time… for youngsters and adults Friday – 3 July – Feast of Saint Thomas, Apostle LS 10.00 am – Mass offered for Maureen Gamber RIP IC 7.00 – 9.00 pm – Private prayer Saturday – 4 July LS 10.00 am – Mass offered for the conversion of sinners and consecrated religious  LS 6.30- 7.30 pm – Adoration and Rosary

Sunday 28 June 2020 NQD100 – Parish Notices

1. Long awaited moment of the possibility of being present at Mass and receiving Holy Communion is going to come soon. The Metropolitan Archbishops of England and Wales prepared a special Pastoral Letter which you can read here.
2. Archbishop John Wilson prepared an outline of the guidelines which we would like to share with everyone this Sunday. This is what he said: * It is important to reaffirm that, at present, the obligation to attend Sunday Mass remains suspended. A significant number of churches may remain closed as they are unable to meet the requirements for opening for individual prayer. Fulfilling these requirements is a precondition for any church opening after the 4th July for the celebration of Mass with a congregation. * Please be aware that there will be a limit on the number of people who can attend Mass in our churches. This will determined locally in accordance with social distancing requirements. We therefore need to reflect carefully on how and when we might be able to attend Mass. We cannot return immediately to our customary practices. This next step is not, in any sense, a moment when we are going ‘back to normal.’ * We ask every Catholic to think carefully about how and when they will return to Mass. Our priests may need to consider whether it is possible to celebrate additional Masses at the weekends. Given there is no Sunday obligation, we ask you to consider the possibility of attending Mass on a weekday. This will ease the pressure of numbers for Sunday celebrations and allow a gradual return to the Eucharist for more people. * Moving forward, there will still be many people who cannot attend Mass in person. We therefore ask parishes, wherever possible, to continue live-streaming Sunday Mass, both for those who remain shielding and vulnerable, and also for those unable to leave home because of advanced age or illness. * When we return to Mass there will some differences in how the celebration takes place. For the time being, there will be no congregational singing and Mass will be  shorter than usual. None of this detracts from the centrality of our encounter with the Risen Christ in the Eucharist. We ask everyone to respect and follow the guidance that will be issued and the instructions in each church.
3. It is quite clearly stated in the diocesan regulations that there is no obligation to open the parish church and to celebrate the Mass publicly – it is just a possibility. Thanks to the Safety and Maintenance Team of our parish and over 20 volunteers from our parish, whom I would like to thank wholeheartedly for their dedication, our church is open for private prayer 4 times a week. It will remain like this for the next week, including the weekend. Our Parish will not be ready to celebrate public Mass on weekend of 4/5 July. Only the opening time for Private Prayer in Adoration will be available. Please, see the details below or on the ‘Parish Diary’ web page or here. Please, be aware that there are two sorts ‘events’ in our parish diary: those happening online, and the private prayer time in the church.
4. Our Parish Safety and Maintenance Team works hard on implementing the diocesan guidelines for the celebration of the Masses publicly. So far we have established a couple of important points we would like to share with you as only a plan for the the restoration of the sacramental life of our parish. There are many points which will be a subject of the further discussions and mainly the availability of the volunteers. * While making the attendance at Mass possible the main priorities for us are safety and spiritual nourishment of the largest possible number of the parishioners, not comfort. * The plan for the Eucharistic celebrations which we are hoping to run for July and August (subject to revision) looks like this: – Public Masses on weekdays could be celebrated on Tuesdays at 10.00 am and Thursdays at 8.00 pm in the church, – Public Masses on weekends could be celebrated on Saturdays at 6.00 pm and on Sundays at 9.00 am and 11.00 am outside the church in the parish garden and football field. This will be regardless the weather and there will be a need of standing on the field throughout the Mass. – Only if possible, there will be a period of Adoration on Wednesday between 11.00 am and 2.00 pm. – All other Masses  during the week will be celebrated behind the closed doors. – There will be no Masses at St Benedict’s School apart from the School Masses. * Every effort will be made that all the Masses might be live-streamed. * There is a need to revise the availability of our volunteers due to the service rota change. We ask any new parishioners to come forward to help with organising of the celebrations mainly as Stewards but also as Cleaners. * Due to the safety reasons the ministry of the Altar Servers and the Readers at Mass will not take place and the ministry of the Eucharistic Ministers will be very limited. * As we will not be able to park on the school playground until the end of the academic year there will be a need to park cars on the neighbouring streets. * We would strongly like to avoid making arrangements for booking the seats for the weekday Masses. But in the same time we would like to avoid preventing anyone from coming to Mass because of the limited capacity of our church. We would like anyone to be able to attend any Mass. However, those of you who would generally prefer attending the Masses on July and August on the weekdays rather than on the weekends, please let us know by e-mail on walderslade@rcaos.org.uk, or phoning, texting or ‘whats-aping’ on 07305831925.

Sunday – 21 June – Twelfth Sunday of Ordinary Time – Day of prayer for human life Opening hymn: Father, I place into your hands, Recessional hymn: Do not be afraid LS 10.00 am – Mass offered for Josephine Long RIP IC 2.00 – 3.00 pm – Private prayer (time for vulnerable) IC 3.00 – 6.00 pm – Private prayer Monday – 22 June – Feast of Saints John Fisher and Thomas More, Martyrs LS 10.00 noon – Mass offered for well-being of The Searle Family S Reflection about St Thomas More IC 7.00 – 9.00 pm – Private prayer Tuesday – 23 June LS 8.00 am – Mass offered for the Parish LS 9.00 am – Amazing Friend for children small and big Wednesday – 24 June – Solemnity of The Nativity of St John The Baptist LS 10.00 am – Mass offered for Mavis’ family IC 11.00 am – 12.00 noon – Private prayer (time for vulnerable) IC 12.00 noon – 2.00 pm – Private prayer Thursday – 25 June LS 10.00 am – Mass offered for well-being of Joan and Richard Smith on their Wedding Anniversary LS 6.30 pm – Once upon a time… for youngsters and adults LS 7.00 – 8.00 pm – Adoracja i Rozaniec Friday – 26 June LS 10.00 am – Mass offered for Anthony Rocco IC 7.00 – 9.00 pm – Private prayer Saturday – 27 June – Memorial of St Cyril of Alexandria, Bishop and Doctor of the Church LS 10.00 am – Mass offered for the protection from the starvation in the world LS 6.30- 7.30 pm – Adoration and Rosary

‘Welcome back home’ notice!

Dear Parishioners of St Simon’s, Friends and Guests. Please, find here a video inviting you to come to our church for private prayer. Please, forgive me the language in which the instructions below are written. Our church of St Simon Stock has been opened for private prayer from Wednesday 17th June. These are the opening times for approximately 3 weeks: Sundays: from 2.00 pm to 3.00 pm – Time for private prayer only for those who are vulnerable from 3.00 pm to 6.00 pm – Time for private prayer for everyone Mondays: from 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm – Time for private prayer for everyone Wednesdays: from 11.00 am to 12.00 noon – Time for private prayer only for those who are vulnerable from 12.00 noon to 2.00 pm – Time for private prayer for everyone Fridays: from 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm – Time for private prayer for everyone

Sunday 21 June 2020 NQD93 – Parish Notices

1. Archbishop John Wilson’s letter to the you people titled ‘No place for racism’ is available here.
2. Finally there is a possibility of having our church open for private prayer. Archbishop John Wilson prepared a special pastoral letter about the opening of the churches, which I encourage you to read here. It is quite clearly stated in the diocesan regulations that there is no obligation to open the parish church – it is just a possibility. Thanks to the Safety and Maintenance Team of our parish and 20 volunteers from our parish our church is open for private prayer 4 times a week. Once again I would like to thank those members of our parish who prepared the risk assessment, who are working on obtaining and putting in the church proper posters, signs and marking, those organising the Personal Protective Equipment and those volunteers who have expressed their good will to be Door Stewards and the Cleaners. It is only because of all the people that I mentioned our church can be open from the coming week. For details look above at the top of this page.
3. The calendar for the parish events you can find here. Please, be aware that there are two sorts ‘events’ in our parish diary: those happening online, and the private prayer time in the church. This week there are a fer important things to notice. On Tuesday the Mass will be celebrated at 8.00 am, followed by a live-streamed session for children. On Wednesday we are celebrating the Solemnity of the Nativity of St John The Baptist. Next Sunday we are celebrating the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul.

LS – Events marked with ‘LS’ are live-streamed. IC – Events marked with ‘IC’ are happening in the church.

Sunday – 14 June – Solemnity of The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ Hymns and prayers for the Mass and Adoration you can download here LS 10.00 am – Mass offered in the intention of The Alston Family W oczekiwaniu na rozpoczecie mozna zciagnac lub wydrukowac teksty do Mszy Swietej LS 12.00 noon – Msza po polsku ofiarowana w intencji Parafian I apologise for 5 mins delay – I was called to hospital. LS 6.30 pm – Smovie: Miracle of Marcelino, Edges of the Lord For Mass Antiphons for week beginning 15 June 2020 please click here Monday – 15 June LS 10.00 am – Mass offered for well-being of Zoe Fuller Tuesday – 16 June LS 10.00 am – Mass offered for Malgorzata and for conversion of sinners LS 11.00 pm – Amazing Friend for children small and big Wednesday – 17 June LS 10.00 am – Mass offered for peace and well management of the country land IC 11.00 am – 12.00 noon – Private prayer (time for vulnerable) IC 12.00 noon – 2.00 pm – Private prayer Thursday – 18 June LS 10.00 am – Mass offered for well being of The Rowe Family LS 6.30 pm – Once upon a time… for youngsters and adults LS 7.00 – 8.00 pm– Adoracja i Rozaniec Friday – 19 June – Solemnity of The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus LS 9.00 am – Mass offered for St John Fisher School LS 10.00 pm – Mass offered for Antoni Telesz RIP IC 7.00 – 9.00 pm – Private prayer Saturday – 20 June – Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary LS 10.00 am – Mass offered for Margaret and Douglas Ward RIP LS 6.30- 7.30 pm – Adoration and Rosary

Wednesday 17 June 2020 NQD89 – Welcome back home!

Dear Parishioners of St Simon’s, Friends and Guests. Please, find here a video inviting you to come to our church for private prayer. Please remember to read the notice no 4 from Sunday Mass Notices. And also be advised that, if there is a need for anyone to wait before getting into the church because of the big number of people at the same time, stand outside in a proper social distance marked by the yellow lines which you can see on the attached photo. I am looking forward to see you in the church. God bless. Fr Bart When the celebration of the Mass reaches the time of Holy Communion, all participants can receive Spiritual Communion by joining Fr Bart in praying with the Act of Spiritual Communion.

Sunday 14 June 2020 NQD86 – Parish Notices

1. Celebrating Corpus Christi Sunday we are being reminded of the real presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament who wants to be with us at all times. This year celebrating the Corpus Christi with the Eucharistic procession at the end of Mass is not possible due to the pandemic but will we will have a short exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at the end of Mass.
2. On the Solemnity of The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus which we celebrate this Friday there is no obligation to abstain from meet.
3. Finally there is a possibility of having our church open for private prayer. Archbishop John Wilson prepared a special pastoral letter about the opening of the churches, which I encourage you to read here. It is quite clearly stated in the diocesan regulations that there is no obligation to open the parish church – it is just a possibility. Thanks to the Safety and Maintenance Team of our parish and a number of the volunteers our church will be opened for private prayer 4 times a week. I would like to thank those members of our parish who prepared the risk assessment, who are working on obtaining and putting in the church proper posters, signs and marking, those organising the Personal Protective Equipment and those volunteers who have expressed their good will to be Door Stewards and the Cleaners. There are 18 of them. It is only because of all the people that I mentioned our church can be open from the coming week.
4. The details about the opening of the church are as follows.
   IMPORTANT NOTICE!!!

   Please, be aware that this notice is a bit long, but I would like everyone coming to the church feeling confident, safe and well prepared already – we will be coming to the church to pray, not learn new safety policies. Forgive me the language as well, please.

    

   Our church of St Simon Stock is going to be opened for private prayer only on Wednesday 17th June. These will be the opening times for approximately 3 weeks:

    

   Wednesdays: from 11.00 am to 12.00 noon – Time for private prayer only for those who are vulnerable

   from 12.00 noon to 2.00 pm – Time for private prayer for everyone
   Fridays: from 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm – Time for private prayer for everyone
   Sundays: from 2.00 pm to 3.00 pm – Time for private prayer only for those who are vulnerable
   from 3.00 pm to 6.00 pm – Time for private prayer for everyone
   Mondays: from 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm – Time for private prayer for everyone
    
   * Those who are vulnerable for any reason, can pray in the church outside the specified time on their own responsibility. Those who were advised to be shielding, are asked to remain at home until the date specified for them.
   * If anyone has got infection symptoms like higher body temperature, new persistent cough or loss of taste or smell, please, stay at home.
   * Social distancing measures will be in place and sometimes you might be asked by a Door Steward to seat in a specific place in the church without being able to change your place. Stewards will be happy to assist anyone in need of help. * Parents coming with children will be asked to keep them in order at all time of being in the church. Children will not be allowed to wander in the church. No one under 16 is allowed to be in the church not being accompanied by an adult.
   * The capacity of our church at the moment is 24 spaces with additional two designated wheelchair and pushchair spaces. If you will come from the same household you might be asked to sit together. Some parts of the benches to sit down will be marked is a specific way – other parts of the benches will be restricted from use.
   * There is no need to put the kneelers up. There should be enough space between the benches to take your seat without touching the kneelers.
   * In the church there will be one way system with the arrow markings. We will get into the church through the main door and leave it through the emergency door.
   * The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed before the beginning of each prayer session and reposed after the end of each session. While passing in front of the Blessed Sacrament stop for a moment and bow as a sign of reverence. Getting to the sanctuary is not allowed.
   * At the moment there is no votive candle stand in the church and, please, don’t bring with you any candles, matches or lighters. Touching the statues, lectern and Baptismal font is not allowed. There is no Holy Water in the church.
   * There is no possibility of using the church prayer or reading materials, like books or booklets. Coming to the church, if you bring your own materials, keep them with you at all times. Leaving the church make sure you take all your belongings with you. The stewards have printed off materials with this information on please take it home with you.
   * Because we don’t know how much our church is going to be used throughout the time of opening, if the church gets full, the time of prayer will be limited to 30 minutes. The request to those who have been in the church for more than 30 minutes will be signalised by a gentle bell sound. This is unfortunate but it needs to observed to allow everyone who wishes to pray in the church to do so.
   * Toilets will have to remain closed at all times. They need to remain closed even in emergency. All the doors in the church building, apart from the entrance and exit, are to be shut and not used at all times.
   * It is expected that for better ventilation the front and side door of the church as well as all the windows be open at all times. Mind the air temperature coming to the church.
   * The use of hand sanitiser is mandatory at the entrance and at the exit of the church.
   * Face covering may be worn as it is not considered to be disrespectful to prayer or the sacred space. However, it is not necessary.
   * It is strongly requested that anyone being in the church remains silent and every conversation takes place outside the church with the quieter voice.
   * On Tuesday afternoon there will be a simple introductory YouTube clip posted accessible from the front page of our parish website with the actual look of the church, all the markings and precautions to be obtained. However, it is not obligatory to watch this film or know all the regulations by heart. General awareness of the precautions and restrictions is satisfactory.
   * It will be helpful if you communicate to the Door Steward that you are familiar with the safety notices. Please, stick to them.
5. The calendar for the parish events you can find here. Please, be aware that there are two sorts ‘events’ in our parish diary: those happening online, and the private prayer time in the church.
6. From this week on I will trying to take Tuesdays and Thursdays easy. I did’t have a day of rest for a long time and it’s still difficult due to the hospital commitment. However, I need to be careful about my own health, so just letting you know about those two days a week.

Sunday – 7 June – Solemnity of The Most Holy Trinity Opening hymn: Father, we adore you, Recessional hymn: On eagles wings 10.00 am – Mass offered for the children participating in Reconciliation and Eucharist Programme and their Families 6.30 pm – Smovie: The Incredibles, Erin Brockovich For Mass Antiphons for week beginning 8 June 2020 please click here. Monday – 8 June 10.00 noon – Mass offered for the Parish 3.00 pm Mass offered for Margaret Smith RIP You can print before the Adoration The plan of Lectio Divina and the prayer sheet 6.30 pm – 7.30 pm – Adoration with Lectio Divina Meditation Tuesday – 9 June – Memorial of St Columba, Abbot 10.00 am – Mass offered for Matthew Rocco 6.30 pm – Amazing Friend for children small and big Wednesday – 10 June 10.00 am – Mass offered for Michael Carter RIP You can download and print the Evening Prayer 6.30 – 7.30 pm – Adoration with Evening Prayer Thursday – 11 June – Memorial of St Barnabas, Apostle 10.00 am – Mass offered for John O’Reilly RIP 6.30 pm – Once upon a time… for youth and adults 7.00 – 8.00 pm – Adoracja i Rozaniec Friday – 12 June 10.00 am – Mass offered for God’s blessing on Mavis on her birthday Hymns and prayers for the Adoration you can download here 6.30 – 7.30 pm – Adoration Saturday – 13 June – Memorial of Anthony of Padua, Priest and Doctor of the Church 10.00 am – Mass offered for all who offered support to the Rowe Family 6.30- 7.30 pm – Adoration and Rosary

Wednesday 10 June 2020 NQD82 – Parish Notice

Conditional opening of our church for private prayer.

Dear Parishioners of St Simon’s. As we all heard on Sunday all the places of worship will be allowed to open their doors for believers for private prayer only, from Monday 15 June. However, there is no obligation for any parish to do this and before it can happens here at St Simon’s we need to put firm safety measures in place. Members of the Safety and Maintenance Group in our parish have already started working on the risk assessment, marking our church with necessary signs, and getting the PPE equipment. However, we cannot go ahead without voluntary help. I have already received messages from eight parishioners who have very kindly committed themselves to help in the  process of opening the church for private prayer. However, we need help from as many people as we can. Why is that? Every time the church is open we need to have 2 stewards at the doors and 2 cleaners to disinfect the prayer space after each person finishes their prayers and leaves. The provisional plan for the opening times will look like this: Monday 7.00 – 9.00 pm Wednesday 11.00 am – 2.00 pm Friday 7.00 – 9.00 pm Sunday 2.00 – 6.00 pm. This plan will only be viable if we have enough volunteers to secure the safety of the church. We have an additional difficulty in that we can’t ask for anyone to help  who is in a vulnerable category, namely those advised to shield themselves, people with health difficulties which put them at risk of infection and those over 70 as well as everyone living with them in one household. Therefore, I kindly want to ask for one or preferably 2 hours per week of voluntary Door Steward work  and estimate 0,5 per week of voluntary Cleaner work allocated after each prayer session on a weekly-rota system. Simple training will be provided on Sunday 14 June at 3.00 pm for the Door Stewards and 4.00 pm for the Cleaners. If you would like to volunteer as a Door Steward or a Cleaner, please, provide your name, contact number and give possible slots which you will be able to serve in a rota system. Text or Whatsapp me, please, on 07305831925 or e-mail on walderslade@rcaos.org.uk. Provisionally, we are getting ready for this system to work in the next 3 weeks. I do realise that in this request I am asking for a lot but in the same time we will not be able to open our church without this voluntary system in place. Not wanting to put any pressure on anyone I only want to say that now the spiritual and prayer life of a great number of us can be enormously enriched by the practical help of many others. Looking forward to hear from you. Fr Bart

Sunday 7 June 2020 NQD79 – Parish Notices

1. We pray for the quick opening of the churches. Our Archbishop, John Wilson, turned in this case to the Prime Minister in the open letter which you can read here if you didn’t have a chance to do it earlier. The date for the opening of the churches for private prayer in not known yet, and firstly it will be opened only for a private prayer. However, with our parish Safety and maintenance group we will be zoom-meeting this week to make the first step in preparation for this joyful moment.
2. Many thanks for your financial support to our parish, to the Charity Box. Every week I am surprised anew with your generosity.
3. Food Bank has been greatly and regularly supported by our parish, nearly every week we deliver the food over to the Food Bank hub in Rochester. If you are, or you know anyone who is in the need of food, please let me know. Any help provided will remain confidential and we don’t want anyone to suffer silently. There is a most recent update on our parish website so please, have look there.
4. The calendar for the parish events you can find here.
5. Zoom is the program and application which we are using in the parish for the greater participation in prayers and for the parish meetings. If you would like to participate, please, download Zoom to your computer or phone by choosing the appropriate option. There are several opportunities to participate in different prayer sessions using this programme.
6. Pope Francis prepared a special prayer to Our Lady for the time of pandemic. It can be found here.
7. 100 Club June 2020 Draw winners are:1st Prize £50 = No 1 Line Boyle 2nd Prize £25 = No 272 Chantal Withey

Sunday – 31 May – Solemnity of Pentecost Opening hymn: All over the world, Recessional hymn: Walk in the light 10.00 am – Mass offered for the Parishioners of Walderslade 6.30 pm – Smovie: Charlotte’s web, The Way, For greater Glory Hymns and Readings for the Adoration you can download here 7.00 – 8.00 – Adoration with prayers for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit Monday – 1 June – Memorial of Mary, Mother of the Church 12.00 noon – Mass offered for Sean o’Connell 2.00 pm – Requiem Mass offered for John Thorne RIP You can print before the Adoration The plan of Lectio Divina and the prayer sheet 6.30 pm – 7.30 pm – Adoration with Lectio Divina Meditation Tuesday – 2 June – Memorial of Saints Marcellinus and Peter, Martyrs 10.00 am – Mass offered for health and well-being of Eoin Joseph 6.30 pm – Amazing Friend for children small and big Wednesday – 3 June – Memorial of St Charles Lwanga and Companions, Martyrs 10.00 am – Mass offered for Danielle and Rose Runciman  – 1st Wedding Anniversary You can download and print the Evening Prayer 6.30 – 7.30 pm – Adoration with Evening Prayer Thursday – 4 June – Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Eternal High Priest 10.00 am – Mass offered for Canon Luke Smith – 25th Ordination Anniversary 6.30 pm – Once upon a time… for youth and adults 7.00 – 8.00 pm – Adoracja i Rozaniec Friday – 5 June – Memorial of St Boniface, Martyr 10.00 am – Mass offered for Holy Souls Hymns and prayers for the Adoration you can download here 6.30 – 7.30 pm – Adoration of the The Most Holy Trinity Saturday – 6 June 10.00 am – Mass offered for Malgorzata and conversion of Priests, Bishops and Cardinals 6.30- 7.30 pm – Adoration and Rosary

Sunday 31 May 2020 NQD72 – Parish Notices

1. We pray for the quick opening of the churches. Our Archbishop, John Wilson, turned in this case to the Prime Minister in the open letter which you can read here.
2. Many thanks for your financial support to our parish, to the Charity Box and to the Food Bank. Every week I am surprised anew with your generosity.

Sunday – 24 May Opening hymn: He is Lord, Recessional hymn: I will be with you 10.00 am – Mass offered for the Parishioners of Walderslade 6.30 pm – Smovie: Babe, Shawshank redemption, Sliding doors For the Mass Antiphons week commencing 25 May 2020 please click here. Monday – 25 May – Memorial of St Bede the Venerable 10.00 am – Mass offered for well-being of Helen Jerstice 5.30 pm – Mass offered for the health and well-being of Tony Healey You can print before the Adoration The plan of Lectio Divina and the prayer sheet 6.30 pm – 7.30 pm – Adoration with Lectio Divina Meditation Tuesday – 26 May – Memorial of St Philip Neri 10.00 am – Mass offered for well-being of Breda D’Silva 6.30 pm – Silly Circus for children small and big Wednesday – 27 May Feast of St Augustine of Canterbury 10.00 am – Mass offered in Private Intention and for conversion of priests and religious Download the poster for the Rosary with the Archbishop 7.00 – 8.00 pm – Rosary with Abp John Wilson from St George’s Cathedral Thursday – 28 May 10.00 am – Mass offered for the conversion of sinners and for the Holy Souls 6.30 pm – Once upon a time… for children 7.00 – 8.00 pm – Adoracja i Rozaniec Friday – 29 May 10.00 am – Mass offered for God’s protection for Fr Bart Hymns and prayers for the Adoration you can download here 6.30 – 7.30 pm – Adoration with prayers for the gift of the Holy Spirit Saturday – 30 May 10.00 am – Mass offered as thanksgiving for the gift of Ordination 6.30- 7.30 pm – Adoration and Rosary for vocations

Sunday 24 May 2020 NQD65 – Parish Notices

1. Novena to the Holy Spirit started on Thursday. This is one of the ways in which we ask God for the special outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon us. One of the ways to pray you can find here. Another way is being offered by Archbishop John Wilson. This is what he wrote in the letter to us: Our prayers in these days are ones of profound and renewed invitation. Come, Holy Spirit, we pray. Our prayer can only be offered genuinely if we also have faith to receive, with hearts ready and expectant. Here is my litany for these days. If you can, please join with me in praying it: Come, Holy Spirit, we pray Overcome the effects of the Covid-19 Pandemic Come, Holy Spirit, we pray Restore the life of our communities, local, national, and global Come, Holy Spirit, we pray Continue to inspire our generous and selfless service towards others, especially the weakest and poorest Come, Holy Spirit, we pray Set our clergy, religious, and laity, our parishes and schools, our entire Archdiocese, ablaze with the Gospel Come, Holy Spirit, we pray Bring us wisdom as we discern our mission together, moving forward in hope Come, Holy Spirit, we pray Call forth vocations to the priesthood, the diaconate, and the consecrated life Come, Holy Spirit, we pray Raise up husbands and wives as Christian parents who nurture holy families Come, Holy Spirit, we pray So that peace and justice might transform our lives, our society, our world, and our environment, with respect for every human life and the beauty of creation Come, Holy Spirit, we pray Breathe God’s life within us to animate and strengthen us Come, Holy Spirit, we pray With grace and healing for those in pain, in sickness, in trouble, and in need Come, Holy Spirit, we pray Help us persevere when life weighs heavy upon us Come, Holy Spirit, we pray Make hearts grow fonder in love of Christ when so many are separated from the Sacraments Come, Holy Spirit, we pray Change us to be more like Christ, to live and love like Him, to live and love for Him. Come Holy Spirit The great prayer of the Church in these in-between days, from Ascension to Pentecost, is Come Holy Spirit. Let it be our prayer together.
2. There are also several diocesan events. You can find them here.
3. The calendar for the parish events you can find here.
4. Zoom is the program and application which we are using in the parish for the greater participation in prayers and for the parish meetings. If you would like to participate, please, download Zoom to your computer or phone by choosing the appropriate option. There are several opportunities to participate in different prayer sessions using this programme.
5. Pope Francis prepared a special prayer to Our Lady for the time of pandemic. It can be found here.

Sunday – 17 May Opening hymn: Give me joy in my heart, Recessional hymn: Here I am Lord 10.00 am – Mass offered for AJ’s Nwodoh’s Intentions on his 19th Birthday 5.30 pm – Smovie: Monsters Inc., Goodnight Mr Tom, Song for Marion Christian Aid – Service order 6.00 pm – Christian Aid Zoom Prayer Evening – Ecumenical Monday – 18 May 10.00 am – Mass offered for Mary’s protection upon The Wojcieszak Family 5.00 pm – Requiem Mass for Lucia Pietrunti RIP You can print before the Adoration The plan of Lectio Divina and the prayer sheet. 6.30 pm – 7.30 pm – Adoration with Lectio Divina Meditation Tuesday – 19 May 10.45 am – Requiem Mass for Sylvia White RIP 6.30 pm – Silly Circus for children small and big Wednesday – 20 May 10.00 am – Mass offered for the gift of faith for Maria and Marcin You can download and print the Evening Prayer 6.30 – 7.30 pm – Adoration with Evening Prayer Thursday – 21 May – Solemnity of the Ascension of The Lord Opening hymn: He is Lord, Recessional hymn: I will be with you 10.00 am – Mass offered in Private Intention and for Malgorzata Czaplejewicz 6.00 pm – Once upon a time… for children 6.30 pm – Ecumenical Service led by Christian Ministers from Walderslade 7.15 pm – To register for Ecumenical Zoom Meeting click here 7.00 pm – Mass with Abp John Willson from Southwark Cathedral Friday – 22 May – Memorial of St Rita of Cascia NOVENA TO THE HOLY SPIRIT 10.00 am – Mass offered for Pat and Roger Massey RIP 7.00 – 8.00 pm – Adoracja i Rozaniec Saturday – 23 May 10.00 am – Mass offered for Sylvia White RIP 6.30- 7.30 pm – Adoration and Rosary

Sunday 17 May 2020 NQD58 – Parish Notices

1. Celebration of the Parish Patronal Feast, which we have started yesterday, we continue today. The plan to have a BBQ and a fun parish afternoon for the obvious reason needs to be postponed, but it will not be forgotten. Let us today all give thanks for the was we are the community of God’s people.
2. There will be several celebrations this week which will either change or enrich our parish diary. * On Tuesday 19 May there will be a Requiem Mass for Sylvia White RIP at 10.45 am. There will be no Mass at 10.00 am. If anyone would like to participate via the live-stream in the Funeral Service in Medway Crematorium at 12.45 pm, please, contact the family. * On Thursday 21 May we will be celebrating the Solemnity of The Ascension of the Lord. Mass as usually at 10.00 am. All Christian Ministers from Walderslade invite us for the Ecumenical Service at 6.30 pm that evening as well as the Ecumenical Zoom Meeting at about 7.15 pm. In order to participate in this meeting, please, register yourself here.
3. The calendar for the parish events you can find here.
4. Zoom is the program and application which we are using in the parish for the greater participation in prayers and for the parish meetings. If you would like to participate, please, download Zoom to your computer or phone by choosing the appropriate option. There are several opportunities to participate in different prayer sessions using this programme.
5. Pope Francis prepared a special prayer to Our Lady for the time of pandemic. It can be found here.

Sunday – 10 May Opening Hymn: Father I place into your hands, Recessional Hymn: Longing for Light 10.00 am – Mass offered for William Hand RIP W oczekiwaniu na rozpoczecie mozna zciagnac lub wydrukowac teksty do Mszy Swietej. 12.00 noon – Msza po polsku offered for the parishioners of Walderslade 6.30 pm – Smovie: Up, BillyElliot, Wonder Monday – 11 May 12.00 noon – Mass offered for God’s blessing on Zbigniew Mycka You can print before the Adoration The plan of Lectio Divina and the prayer sheet. 6.30 pm – 7.30 pm – Adoration with Lectio Divina Meditation Tuesday – 12 May 10.00 am – Mass offered for well-being of David Mycka 6.30 pm – Silly Circus for children small and big Wednesday – 13 May – Commemoration of Our Lady of Fatima 10.00 am – Mass offered for God’s blessing on Roy Fellows You can download and print the Evening Prayer. 6.30 – 7.30 pm – Adoration with Evening Prayer Thursday – 14 May – Feast of St Matthias The Apostle 8.30 am – Mass offered for the Holy Souls 6.30 pm – Once upon a time… for children 7.00 – 8.00 pm – Adoracja, Rozaniec i Majowka Friday – 15 May 10.00 am – Mass offered for God’s protection on Fr Bart Hymns and prayers for the Adoration you can download here. 6.30 – 7.30 pm – Adoration with prayers for the gift of Light Saturday – 16 May – Feast of St Simon Stock Opening hymn: Give me joy in my heart, Recessional hymn: Here I am Lord 10.00 am – Mass offered for Sylvia White RIP 6.30- 7.30 pm – Adoration and Rosary

Sunday 10 May 2020 NQD51 – Parish Notices

1. Waiting for the hopefully good news from the Prime Minister about several steps leading us to lifting up the lock down we pray for the safety of everyone. We don’t know yet any details so that the plan of this coming week looks very similar to the previous weeks. However, there are some changes to the Mass times. Due to the several funeral services on Monday 11 May the Mass will be celebrated at 12.00 noon. On Thursday 14 May The Mass will be celebrated at 8.30 am.
2. Day of Prayer for Humanity has been announced by the Holy See last week. From the Letter and the Statement we learn that this is the initiative is ‘a Day of prayers, fasting and works of charity for the good of all humanity. In this regard, the Committee invites all religious leaders and peoples around the world to respond to this call together; to beseech God, the Almighty to safeguard the entire world, to help us overcome this pandemic, to restore security, stability, health, and prosperity, so that, once this pandemic-crisis is over, our world may become a better place for humanity and for human fraternity than ever before.’
3. The calendar for the parish events you can see here.
4. Zoom is the program and application which we are using in the parish for the greater participation in prayers and for the parish meetings. If you would like to participate, please, download Zoom to your computer or phone by choosing the appropriate option. The nearest opportunity to participate in the prayer is Adoration and Rosary on Saturday evening.
5. Support in faith and prayer comes from different angles. You can find or download:

• Letter of Pope Francis for the month of May with prayers attached
• Vatican Prayer Book for the time of pandemic
• Letter of the Bishops of England and Wales – A People who Hope in Christ
• Prayer Booklet for pandemic time.

Sunday – 3 May Opening hymn: Sing it in the valleys, Recessional hymn: Shine, Jesus, shine 10.00 am – Mass offered for Venencia Mushore RIP 100 Club May Draw 6.30 pm – Smovie: Paddington, The blind side, Green Book Monday – 4 May – Feast of The English Martyrs 10.00 am – Mass offered for Malgorzata Czubska RIP You can print before the Adoration The plan of Lectio Divina and the prayer sheet. 6.30 pm – 7.30 pm – Adoration with Lectio Divina Meditation Tuesday – 5 May 10.00 am – Mass offered for Jan Dudek RIP 6.30 pm – Silly Circus for children small and big Wednesday – 6 May 10.00 am – Mass offered for God’s blessing on Grzegorz Mycka You can download the Evening Prayer for the Dead. 6.30 – 7.30 pm – Adoration with Evening Prayer Thursday – 7 May 10.00 am – Mass offered for the Parishioners of Walderslade in the time of pandemic 6.30 pm – Once upon a time… for children 7.00 – 8.00 pm – Adoracja i Rozaniec Friday – 8 May 10.00 am – Mass offered for well-being of Fr Bart Hymns and prayers for the Adoration you can download here. 6.30 – 7.30 pm – Adoration with prayers for healing Saturday – 9 May 10.00 am – Mass offered for Pasqualina Scalera RIP 6.30- 7.30 pm – Adoration and Rosary

Sunday 3 May 2020 NQD44 – Parish Notices

1. Celebrating the Good Shepherd Sunday we are praying especially for the shepherds in our Church as well as the candidates to priesthood from our Archdiocese.
2. I would like to thank for the generosity of some of our parishioners produced and donated some face masks for others as well as the hand sanitisers. They are available behind the porch door in the presbytery.
3. The calendar for the parish events you can see here.
4. Zoom is the program and application which we are using in the parish for the greater participation in prayers and for the parish meetings. If you would like to participate, please, download Zoom to your computer or phone by choosing the appropriate option. The nearest opportunity to participate in the prayer is Adoration and Rosary on Saturday evening.
5. 100 Club May Draw happened this morning and you can see the process and the results over here.
6. Support in faith and prayer comes from different angles. You can find or download:

• Letter of Pope Francis for the month of May with prayers attached
• Vatican Prayer Book for the time of pandemic
• Letter of the Bishops of England and Wales – A People who Hope in Christ
• Prayer Booklet for pandemic time.

Monday – 27 April – for this week’s Mass Antiphons please click here 10.00 am – Mass offered for health and well-being of Louisa Stone You can print before the Adoration The plan of Lectio Divina and the prayer sheet. 6.30 pm – 7.30 pm – A slice of the Word – Adoration with Lectio Divina Meditation, Benediction Tuesday – 28 April 10.00 am – Mass offered for parishioners of Walderslade – for God’s protection upon us from the pandemic 6.30 pm – Silly Circus for children small and big Wednesday – 29 April – Feast of Catherine of Siena 10.00 am – Mass offered for God’s blessing on Karol Mycka W trakcie Mszy swietej bedzimy spiewac piesn Zwyciezca smierci 1.00 pm – Msza zalobna w intencji s.p. Grazyny Lamers You can download the Evening Prayer. 6.30 – 7.30 pm – Where is Jesus? – Adoration with Evening Prayer Thursday – 30 April 10.00 am – Mass offered for God’s blessing on Fr Bart 6.30 pm – Once upon a time… for children Friday – 1 May – Memorial of St Joseph the Worker 10.00 am – Mass offered in Thanksgiving – Warren-Heys Family 11.00 am – Requiem Mass for John Reilly RIP Responses for the Stations of the Light: Save us Saviour of the World – For by your cross and resurrection you have set us free! Christ is risen. Alleluia! – Truly Risen. Alleluia! 6.30 – 7.30 pm – Stations of the Light 7.40 – 8.15 pm – Adoration with thanksgiving and petitions Saturday – 2 May 10.00 am – Mass offered for Margaret and Douglas Ward RIP 6.30- 7.30 pm – Adoration and Rosary Divine Mercy Sunday 19 April NQD30 Opening hymn: Thine be he glory, Recessional hymn: At the name of Jesus 10.00 am – Mass Special indulgence for those suffering from Corona virus and those caring for them. 3.00 – 4.00 pm – DIVINE MERCY HOUR 3.00 pm in English: Soul of my Saviour, Divine Mercy Chaplet, Litany, Act of entrustment 3.30 pm in Polish: Koronka do Bozego Milosierdzia, Litania, Akt zawierzenia 6.00 – 9.00 pm – Live-stream from Ramsgate Divine Retreat Center 6.30 pm – Smovie: The Greatest Miracle, Love and Mercy: Faustyna, Hacksaw Ridge Monday – 20 April 10.00 am – Mass 6.30 pm – A slice of the Word: Sacrifice and Atonement Tuesday – 21 April 10.00 am – Mass offered for Antoni Telesz RIP 6.30 pm – Silly Circus for children Wednesday – 22 April 10.00 am – Mass offered for John Brasinghton RIP 6.30 – 7.30 pm – Where is Jesus? – Adoration Thursday – 23 April – Solemnity of St George Opening hymn: Thine be the Glory, Recessional hymn: Praise my soul the King of heaven 10.00 am – Mass offered for Michael Heneghan RIP 6.30 pm – Once upon a time… for children Friday – 24 April 10.00 am – Mass offered for God’s protection for Fr Bart Stations of the Light will be based today on service prepared by the Columban Missionaries Britain. You can find them clicking here. 6.30 – 7.30 pm – Stations of the Light Saturday – 25 April – Feast of St Mark The Evangelist 10.00 am – Mass offered for Christina Key RIP 6.30 pm – Merry Mary – Rosary Sunday – 26 April – Third Sunday of Easter Opening hymn: Because the Lord is my shepherd, Recessional hymn: Love is his word 10.00 am – Mass offered for all the children in the parish and our schools 6.30 pm – Smovie: Shrek, Chronicles of Narnia, The scarlet and the black

Divine Mercy Sunday 19 April 2020 NQD30 – Parish Notices

1. Celebrating the Divine Mercy Sunday we are being reminded of the fact that the Mercy of God doesn’t have any boundaries. The only thing we need to do is to turn to Him asking for this Mercy and trusting in it. There are several ways to contemplate and approach Divine Marcy: The Hour of Mercy, Divine Mercy Chaplet, Divine Mercy Image, Divine Mercy Novena, and Divine Mercy Feast, which we are celebrating this Sunday. The Holy Hour we will host in our parish via the live-stream starting from 3.00 pm. On the to of this, it is worth being reminded that the Holy See for the time of pandemic issued the a Special Indulgence, giving us in the same time a greater awareness of God’s Mercy and a wider way to obtain it.
2. I would like to thank you for all the cards, good wishes, messages of appreciation and gifts I have received over before and after Easter. Thank you for your kindness and generosity. I would like to thank especially those who have supported our Charity Box giving donations which we will use to support those in need from our parish and local community. We haven’t stopped collecting items for the Food Bank. They have been left in the porch of the presbytery and will be delivered this Tuesday to the Food Bank in Rochester. I am very grateful to those who donate and organise the delivery of food and toiletries. If you are or you know anyone who is in need of the food, please, don’t hesitate to contact me, and help is available.
3. Zoom is the program and application which we are going to use in the parish for the greater participation in prayer and for the forthcoming parish meetings. If you can would like to participate, please, download Zoom to your computer or phone by choosing the appropriate option.

Easter Monday – 13 April NQD24 10.00 am – Mass 12.00 noon – Msza po polsku celebrowana w Maidstone 6.30 pm – Evening Session – A slice of the Word: The Temple Easter Tuesday 14 April NQD25 10.00 am – Mass, The Hour of great Mercy 6.30 pm – Silly Circus for children Easter Wednesday 15 April NQD26 Opening hymn: Alleluia, sing to Jesus, Recessional hymn: At the name of Jesus 10.00 am – Mass, Divine Mercy Chaplet 6.30 – 7.30 pm – Where is Jesus? – Adoration Easter Thursday 16 April NQD27 Opening hymn: Because the Lord is my shepherd, Recessional hymn: Jesus Christ is ris’n today 10.00 am – Mass, Divine Mercy Image 6.30 pm – Once upon a time… – Breaking of the Bread Easter Friday 17 April NQD28 Opening hymn: Thine be he glory, Recessional hymn: Love is his word 10.00 am – Mass, Divine Mercy Novena You can download or print out the service from here. 6.30 – 7.30 pm – Stations of the Light Easter Saturday 18 April NQD29 Opening hymn: Living Lord, Recessional hymn: Praise my soul the king of heaven 10.00 am – Mass, Feast of Mercy 6.30 pm – Merry Mary – Introduction to Rosary The Rosary of the Virgin Mary

Sunday 12 April 2020 NQD23 – Parish Notices

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, Christ is risen – truly risen!!!

1. Easter wishes: May Almighty God bless you all abundantly in peace and joy through his resurrection. Happy Easter 🙂 Because of the availability of live-stream technology I invite you all to read our Live Stream and YouTube programme and participate in Easter celebrations with me. Our Parish Diary lists all the events taking place in our church.
2. Reconciliation and Easter duties now: Archbishop John sent us the words of guidance to help us cope with the lack of possibility of receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation as well as Sacramental Holy Communion. Please, read the extract of his message here. What also might be helpful is the homily by Pope Francis which he proclaimed on the very special Urbi et Orbi Blessing in Vatican on 27 March 2020 which can be downloaded here.
3. 100 Club traditionally does the Big Easter Draw. It already happened and the results of it you can see here. Congratulations to the winners 🙂
4. Many thanks: I would like to that you all for you prayers, good wishes, and signs of appreciation throughout last week. Many thanks for the cards and gifts that I have received. Especially I would like to thank you for supporting our ‘Charity box’ (few words of explanation below). What is most amazing that we haven’t stopped receiving items to support our local Food Bank. I am most grateful for this. And if you like to continue doing this, please leave the items at porch of no.5 Bleakwood Road.
5. Easter Collection: As I said at Wednesday and Friday Mass, I am always grateful for the Easter Offertory arrangements in our Diocese allowing the priest to receive the financial support coming from the Easter collection. However, this year I would like you to support not me but our new parish fund which I provisionally called ‘Charity Box’. The reason for this is that in every parish there should be a fund called ‘Poor Box’, which we haven’t had in ours so far. Also, the time of quarantine this year will most probably challenge financially a lot of people. So, if you were ready to support me financially this Easter, instead of giving your donation to me, please, send it to our Parish Account with a reference description as ‘Charity Box’ (bank details you will find below). If you are from a different parish than ours, please, support your priests financially this Easter as normal – no one knows their financial situation. But I ask you not to talk to me or other priests about it because it might bring embarrassment to me and them. Let this alms-giving be known to God only.

From the last week you can also follow us on facebook by finding us as ‘St Simon Stock Parish in Waldeslade’. I am very grateful to everyone who supports our parish financially. If you would like to join in participation of the upkeep of our church you can use these Bank Transfer details: St Simon Stock Church Sort Code 60-50-01 Account Number 79144020 Registered Incorporated Charity Number 1173050 Thank you all for your support. Fr Bart Maundy Thursday – 9 April In preparation for the Mass download Missa de Angelis During Mass we will sing One bread one Body, The servant song, Pangue Lingua Gloriosi In case the live-stream breaks down reload in 5 minutes or participate in the Holy Father’s Mass 8.00 – Clap for our Carers outside your window or door 8.05 – 10.00 pm –  Lord’s Supper Mass and Watch  Good Friday – 10 April Download or print the Morning Prayer from here. 10.00 am – Morning Prayer of the Church Stations of the Cross for children from Ashford, move the film to 7.30 mins Stations of the Cross for adults from Ashford, move the film to 9.30 mins Stations of the Cross for self-meditation from Maidstone During the Liturgy we will sing: Were you there, O Living Water, Jesus, remember me 3.00 – 5.00 pm – Celebration of the Passion of the Lord and Veneration of the Holy Cross After the Liturgy we will sing: Father, we adore you, Amazing grace 8.00 pm – Stations of the Cross celebrated in Vatican Holy Saturday –  11 April Download or print the Morning Prayer from here. 10.00 am – Morning Prayer of the Church Before Easter Vigil, please, prepare a candle for the renewal of Baptismal Promises It can be any candle; if you have got enough, one for every member of the family. 9.00 pm – Easter Vigil Mass Easter Sunday – 12 April Before Easter Mass, please, prepare a candle for the renewal of Baptismal Promises. It can be any sort of candle; if you have got enough, give one for every member of the family. In preparation for the Mass download Missa de Angelis 10.00 am – Easter Mass Przed Msza mozna przygotowac swieczke, dla kazdego czlonka rodziny, albo jedna swieczke dla wszystkich. Uzejmy swiec do odnowienia przyrzeczen chrzcielnych. Mozna tez zciagnac sobie lub wydrukowac teksty do Mszy Swietej tutaj. Jesli macie instrumenty, szczegolnie perkusyjne przygotujcie i uzywajcie podczas dwoch ostatnich spiewow. 12.00 noon – Wielkanocna Msza po polsku I apologise if I will no be able to do the live-streaming as the connection is playing up at the moment. But I will try. 6.30 pm – Evening Session – Smovie: Rabbit School…, The Shack, Risen

Sunday 5 April 2020 NQD16 – Parish Notices

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

1. Holy Week this Year: On Friday morning we have received an e-mail from Archbishop John confirming that all the Holy Week and Easter celebrations are going to take place in every parish with no participation of the faithful – every priest is going to celebrate the liturgy on their own. Because of the availability of live-stream technology I invite you all to read our Live Stream and YouTube programme and participate in these celebrations with me. Our Parish Diary lists all the events taking place in our church and some strongly recommended celebration elsewhere.
2. Reconciliation and Easter duties now: Archbishop John sent us the words of guidance to help us cope with the lack of possibility of receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation as well as Sacramental Holy Communion. Please, read the extract of his message here. What also might be helpful is the homily by Pope Francis which he proclaimed on the very special Urbi et Orbi Blessing in Vatican on 27 March 2020 which can be downloaded here.
3. Funeral of Abp Peter Smith RIP: Last Monday 30 March 2020 the Funeral Mass of Archbishop Peter Smith RIP took place in St George’s Cathedral in London. The photos from this celebration can be viewed here and the homily by Archbishop John Wilson read here.
4. 100 Club traditionally does the Big Easter Draw. It already happened and the results of it you can see here.
5. Palm crosses: Traditionally on Palm Sunday we receive the palms which are blessed. Even though the blessing of the palms takes place today they will be ready to obtain by everyone after the regulations of the National Quarantine will have been lifted.
6. Chrism Mass postponed: This year the Conference of Bishops of England and Wales, following Holy Father, decided to postpone the Chrism Mass until it’s possible to be celebrated as a gathering of the clergy and laity in the diocesan cathedrals.
7. Holy Paschal Triduum: Several Parts of the Holy Paschal Triduum this year will be celebrated differently due to the circumstances. Please, do not be surprised when you will see traditional parts of the Liturgy omitted or changed. Also, today I have changed some of the time arrangements  for our parish celebrations. Please, make yourselves familiar with them in our Parish Diary.
8. Easter Collection: As I said at Wednesday and Friday Mass, I am always grateful for the Easter Offertory arrangements in our Diocese allowing the priest to receive the financial support coming from the Easter collection. However, this year I would like you to support not me but our new parish fund which I provisionally called ‘Charity Box’. The reason for this is that in every parish there should be a fund called ‘Poor Box’, which we haven’t had in ours so far. Also, the time of quarantine this year will most probably challenge financially a lot of people. So, if you were ready to support me financially this Easter, instead of giving your donation to me, please, send it to our Parish Account with a reference description as ‘Charity Box’ (bank details you will find below). If you are from a different parish than ours, please, support your priests financially this Easter as normal – no one knows their financial situation. But I ask you not to talk to me or other priests about it because it might bring embarrassment to me and them. Let this alms-giving be known to God only.

When the celebration of the Mass reaches the time of Holy Communion, all participants can receive Spiritual Communion by joining Fr Bart in saying the Act of Spiritual Communion. Please click here. Thank you. From the last week you can also follow us on facebook by finding us as ‘St Simon Stock Parish in Waldeslade’. I am very grateful to everyone who supports our parish financially. If you would like to join in participation of the upkeep of our church you can use these Bank Transfer details: St Simon Stock Church Sort Code 60-50-01 Account Number 79144020 Registered Incorporated Charity Number 1173050 Thank you all for your support. Fr Bart Palm Sunday – 5 April 10.00 am – Mass 12.00 noon – Msza po polsku, refleksja ks. Marka 6.30 pm – Smovie Holy Monday – 6 April For some of the responses at Mass during Holy week, please click here 10.00 am – Mass 6.30 pm – Introduction to Breviary to download click Evening Prayer.docx, Evening Prayer.pdf to pray later on with Walsingham click here Breviary for Android and Apple Holy Tuesday – 7 April 10.00 am – Mass Extra: Abp John’s Little Retreat 5.00 pm – Memorial Mass offered for Pauline Fairfax RIP 6.30 pm – Not so silly and not a circus for children Holy Wednesday – 8 April 10.00 am – Mass offered for John Reilly RIP 6.30 pm – Adoration – Where is Jesus? Benediction

Sunday 5 April 2020 NQD16 – Parish Notices

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

1. Holy Week this Year: On Friday morning we have received an e-mail from Archbishop John confirming that all the Holy Week and Easter celebrations are going to take place in every parish with no participation of the faithful – every priest is going to celebrate the liturgy on their own. Because of the availability of live-stream technology I invite you all to read our Live Stream and YouTube programme and participate in these celebrations with me. Our Parish Diary lists all the events taking place in our church and some strongly recommended celebration elsewhere.
2. Reconciliation and Easter duties now: Archbishop John sent us the words of guidance to help us cope with the lack of possibility of receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation as well as Sacramental Holy Communion. Please, read the extract of his message here. What also might be helpful is the homily by Pope Francis which he proclaimed on the very special Urbi et Orbi Blessing in Vatican on 27 March 2020 which can be downloaded here.
3. Funeral of Abp Peter Smith RIP: Last Monday 30 March 2020 the Funeral Mass of Archbishop Peter Smith RIP took place in St George’s Cathedral in London. The photos from this celebration can be viewed here and the homily by Archbishop John Wilson read here.
4. 100 Club traditionally does the Big Easter Draw. It already happened and the results of it you can see here.
5. Palm crosses: Traditionally on Palm Sunday we receive the palms which are blessed. Even though the blessing of the palms takes place today they will be ready to obtain by everyone after the regulations of the National Quarantine will have been lifted.
6. Chrism Mass postponed: This year the Conference of Bishops of England and Wales, following Holy Father, decided to postpone the Chrism Mass until it’s possible to be celebrated as a gathering of the clergy and laity in the diocesan cathedrals.
7. Holy Paschal Triduum: Several Parts of the Holy Paschal Triduum this year will be celebrated differently due to the circumstances. Please, do not be surprised when you will see traditional parts of the Liturgy omitted or changed. Also, today I have changed some of the time arrangements  for our parish celebrations. Please, make yourselves familiar with them in our Parish Diary.
8. Easter Collection: As I said at Wednesday and Friday Mass, I am always grateful for the Easter Offertory arrangements in our Diocese allowing the priest to receive the financial support coming from the Easter collection. However, this year I would like you to support not me but our new parish fund which I provisionally called ‘Charity Box’. The reason for this is that in every parish there should be a fund called ‘Poor Box’, which we haven’t had in ours so far. Also, the time of quarantine this year will most probably challenge financially a lot of people. So, if you were ready to support me financially this Easter, instead of giving your donation to me, please, send it to our Parish Account with a reference description as ‘Charity Box’ (bank details you will find below). If you are from a different parish than ours, please, support your priests financially this Easter as normal – no one knows their financial situation. But I ask you not to talk to me or other priests about it because it might bring embarrassment to me and them. Let this alms-giving be known to God only.

When the celebration of the Mass reaches the time of Holy Communion, all participants can receive Spiritual Communion by joining Fr Bart in saying the Act of Spiritual Communion. Please click here. Thank you. From the last week you can also follow us on facebook by finding us as ‘St Simon Stock Parish in Waldeslade’. I am very grateful to everyone who supports our parish financially. If you would like to join in participation of the upkeep of our church you can use these Bank Transfer details: St Simon Stock Church Sort Code 60-50-01 Account Number 79144020 Registered Incorporated Charity Number 1173050 Thank you all for your support. Fr Bart Monday 30 March NQD9 10.00 am – Mass 6.30 pm – Two slices of The Word: Messiah and The Son of Man Tuesday – 31 March 10.00 am – Mass 6.30 pm – Silly Circus Wednesday – 1 April 10.00 am – Mass 6.30 – 7.30 pm – Where is Jesus? – Adoration Thursday – 2 April 10.00 am – Mass 6.30 pm – Once upon a time… Friday – 3 April 10.00 am – Mass, Readings from Universalis 6.30 – 7.30 pm – Stations of the Cross Saturday –  4 April 10.00 am – Mass 6.30 pm – Marry Mary – Reflection and Rosary Decade

Monday 30 March NQD10 – Morning update

Sunday 22 March NQD2 10.00 am – Mass 4.00 pm – Mothers Day Coffee – Promote Masses online Monday 23 March NQD3 10.00 am – Mass (connection broke down) 6.30 pm – A slice of The Word – Listen! Video Tuesday 24 March NQD4 10.00 am – Mass 6.30 pm – Silly Circus (for children) Wednesday 25 March NQD5 – The Annunciation 10.00 am – Mass, print consecration prayer from here 6.30 – 7.30 pm – Where is Jesus? Thursday 26 March NQD6 10.00 am – Mass 6.30 pm – Once upon a time… (for children) Friday 27 March NQD7 10.00 am – Mass 6.30 – 7.30 pm – Stations of the Cross Saturday 28 March NQD8 10.00 am – Mass 6.30 pm – Introduction to Rosary Joyful mysteries download here The Rosary of the Virgin Mary about 7.00 pm –Rosary from Walsingham Sunday 29 March NQD9 10.00 am – Mass, Rededication Prayer 11.15 am – Parish AGM Introduction 12.00 noon – Mass with Rededication of England as the Dowry of Mary in Walsingham 6.30 pm – Smovie Sunday 29 March NQD9 – Morning update Today we are celebrating the Fifth Sunday of Lent. You can participate in the live-stream celebration of 10.00 am Mass by clicking at 9.57 am here. The first part of AGM will start at 11.15 am and you can watch it by clicking here at 11.12 am. The AGM presentation will last only for about 30 minutes in order to allow the participation in the live transmission from Walsingham of Rededication of England as a Dowry of Mary. Later in the evening you can watch for a moment a short review of the family film witch hopefully you will be able to find in one of the Internet channels. From this week on there will be prayer and social sessions that I am to live-stream at about 18.30 every day (after dinner for some, before supper for others) in order to connect with the whole parish and schools. What came to my mind is this: Monday – Lectio Divina – is a type of Biblical meditation happening in five simple steps. Every session is being narrated and led for a greater understanding and experience of God’s presence in his Word. Tuesday – ‘Silly Circus’ – is something very lighthearted, like a presentation of made-up social games for all the family or not necessary serious games and challenges. Wednesday – ‘Where is Jesus?’- is an introduction to the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament with a reflection on different images, statutes and objects which we have in our church. This session lasts for an hour. Thursday – ‘Once upon a time…’ – is a serious of simple stories that I read to the children. Friday – Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament with prayers in different intentions. Saturday – Adoration with the Rosary. Sunday – ‘Smovie’ – is a short review on the family film each week after which the whole household can sit together and, using different channels, switch to watching something funny, wise and relaxing. Btw. The name of the session is to reflect smoothie – something healthy, refreshing, tasty and easy-going. I would be very grateful for your comments. Please, tell me, what you think about the whole idea, the names and content of the sessions as well as the new ways in which this can be done. I am intending to stream every session for about 15 minutes (apart from Wednesday) and keep them available on this page. Please, share you thoughts with me on 07305831925 or bartdudek@rcaos.org.uk. Fr Bart

Wednesday 25 March NQD5 – The Annunciation – Live stream Mass today

Today we are celebrating the Solemnity of The Annunciation. It is a day when a lot of us, having completed the retreat called ’33 Days to Morning Glory ‘ would like to make an act of consecration to the Immaculate heart of Mary. All you need to do before Mass is to prepare for yourself this act of consecration from the book or booklet you were using or download it from here and print. To participate at online Mass click here at 9.57 am. Fr Bart

Tuesday 24 March NQD4 – We are simply locked down

Dear Brothers and sisters in Christ I am sure that last night most of us watched or heard about the appeal of our Prime Minister firmly calling everyone to stay at home. Two hours late we have received an e-mail from Archbishop John confirming the action we need to take in the parishes. This letter you can read here. Basically, as the clergy we are not allowed to open the churches even for the private prayer and the celebration of the Mass needs to happen behind the closed doors. Our church will not be opened anymore for the private prayer. However, in the emergency need I can still minister Sacrament of the Sick and Reconciliation following certain precautions ordered by the Bishops Conference. I can always be contacted on 07305831925. You can take part in our live-stream Masses and evening sessions by going to a different page on this website clicking here. In this very specific time we don’t stop supporting each other. I am very grateful for the food that has been brought to our church to support Food Bank. We are in touch with a number of people who offered help in case anyone needs shopping to be done. I am very pleased to hear about  a number of phone calls that were made in support and care for each other. We need to overcome this global crisis one day. We now, more than any other time, need to ‘overcome evil with good’. Fr Bart

Monday 23 March NQD3 – Moving Live Stream to a different link

Hello Everyone. Today quite a lot of work was done on our website. All the live stream activities will happen from a different link called Live Stream and YouTube. I invite you all to be partakers in creating our website contacting me on walderslade@rcaos.org.uk or our Webmaster on alfredotechno1@gmail.com. For now you can get ready to watching our first Live Stream Evening Session called ‘A slice o prayer’ by going to Live Stream page. Fr Bart

Monday 23 March NQD3 – Let me ask you something: does it make sense?

To continue my yesterday’s evening reflection on the need of some sort routine in live I was thinking that we can still develop our spiritual and social life by connecting together on life-stream in the evening. What I am thinking about are evening prayer or social sessions that I would be able to live-stream at about 18.30 (after dinner for some, before supper for others) in order to connect with the whole parish and potentially schools. What came to my mind is this: Monday – ‘A slice of prayer’ – a simple introduction to different types of prayer which we have in the Church, like Bible reflection session or Liturgy of the Hours (Breviary). Tuesday – ‘Silly Circus’ – something very lighthearted, like a presentation of made-up social games for all the family or not necessary serious games and challenges that we can organise later on during our parish feasts. Wednesday – ‘Where is Jesus?’- Introduction to the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament with a reflection on different images, statutes and objects which we have in our church. Thursday – ‘Once upon a time…’ – simple stories that I could be able to read to the children of our schools and parish. Friday – ‘Between Galilee and Jerusalem’ – Prayer time like ‘Stations of the Cross’ in Lent and  the ‘Stations of the Light’ in Easter. Saturday – ‘Merry Mary’ – Introduction to the Marion devotions with the short prayer time, presenting Mary a person of great faith, hope and joy. Sunday – ‘Smovie’ – a review on the family film each week after which the whole household can sit together and, using different channels, switch to watching something funny, wise and relaxing. Btw. The name of the session is to reflect smoothie – something healthy, refreshing, tasty and easy-going. I would be very grateful for your comments. Please, tell me, what you think about the whole idea, the names and content of the sessions as well as ways in which it can be done. I am intending to stream every session for about 15 minutes and keep it available on the website. Please, share you thoughts with me on 07305831925. Fr Bart P.S. For tonight we have had our Bible Session planned before the quarantine was introduced. I am still planning to live-stream this session and you will be able to participate in it at 18.30 pm. Simply visit the website at 18.27 and click here.

NQD2 – Does it sound like a plan? – evening reflection

Hello Everyone. Today we have celebrated The Sunday of Joy and Mothers Day. For me it was the first Sunday for a couple of years when I actually rested a bit. I allowed myself to think more freely about what is happening around us and I was listening to a couple of pieces of advice of how to survive this time of quarantine. I came to an understanding that I need to find a new routine in my days to use this time of quarantine in the most positive and constructive way. Otherwise, boredom or silliness is likely to catch me. In the morning I will come up with with some sort of plan on how we can spend this time in a positive and joyful way. Have a good night 🙂 Fr Bart

National Quarantine Day Two (NQD2) – 22 March 2020 – Laetare Sunday – Mothers Day

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ. Today we are celebrating in the Church Laetare Sunday, from Latin The Sunday of Joy. We rejoice for the fact that Our Lord came to this world and suffered to save us. In this time of coronavirus plague Jesus is the source of joy and hope for us that one day it will be over. We are celebrating today as well Mothers Day. Maybe every mom will not be able to receive a nice bouquet of flowers, chocolate box or card, not mentioning being taken out, but I am sure that a lengthy telephone chat will be much appreciated. For those mothers who are not longer with us we pray to the Lord for the eternal joy. I invite you today to come for the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Our Lord is always with us preserved in the tabernacle but today we will have the Exposition between 11.00 am – 1.00 pm and between 7.00 pm and 9.00 pm as the church regulations allow it. Remember though to keep the safe distance of about 2 meters from each other. Have a blessed and joyful Day of the Lord. Fr Bart

National Quarantine Day One (NQD1) – 21 March 2020

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, Today we have had the first experience of ‘stay at home’. I would like to thank all of you participating at Mass online. Tomorrow the Mass is going to be celebrated at 10.00 am as well. Dc Martin is going to be serving at Mass at preaching. You are welcome to join in through this website from 9.57 am. Also, it was announced last weekend that we are going to be supporting Food Bank this weekend. You can simply come between 11.00 am and 1.00 pm or between 7.00 pm and 9.00 pm for a prayer time and leave your alms-giving in the red Food Bank containers. Hopefully, see you at live-stream Mass. Fr Bart

National Quarantine Day Zero (NQD0) – 20 March 2020

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ. Situation: Corona Virus has recently disturbed so many parts of our life. It has  disrupted also our parish gatherings, the way we pray and participate in the sacraments. Letters from the Conference of Bishops of England and Wales and from Archbishop John Wilson as well as other useful and updated daily information you can find on our Parish website: stsimonwalderslade.co.uk. Encourage others by text and e-mail to use it. Sacraments and prayer: Until we are told otherwise we cannot provide any preparation and celebration of the Sacrament of Baptism, Confirmation, First Reconciliation, Holy Communion and Marriage. The Mass is going to be celebrated daily at 10.00 am, with no participation of the faithful – just one person allowed to participate occasionally. However, I will do every effort to live-stream our Mass which will be accessible on our parish website. To receive the Sacrament of the Sick (Holy Anointing) and Reconciliation (Confession) please ring 07305831925. Our church will be opened daily from 21 to 29 March 11.00 am – 1.00 pm and 7.00 pm – 9.00 pm. Parish office: The normal way of contacting me will be by calling or texting me on 07305831925. Any office queries can be answered by Josie on Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 10.00 am and 3.00 pm and finance queries by Tanya on Tuesday and Thursday between 10.00 am and 2.00 pm. Ring them if you know their mobile number or contact me, please. Stay in touch: This difficult situation makes everyone of us very fragile. It is particularly important that those of us who can, may give a ring to the people who you know about that are in self-isolation, especially if you know they don’t have Internet at home. You might be their only source of the local news. Use our parish website stsimonwalderslade.co.uk, parish mobile 07305831925 and your own creativity to help yourself and others to stay at home but also to stay in touch with others. Help provision: I decided to allow the baskets for the Food Bank donations to be kept in the porch. I will be securing any donations daily and they will be taken to the Food Bank weekly. I have already received offers from our parishioners to help other people to do the shopping for them. If you want to offer your help or you are in need of this sort of help or you know someone who needs this sort of help let me know. We will do every effort to others needs. Need of prayer: In this difficult time every minute we spend praying is precious. Please, spend this time joining us for the live-streamed Masses and occasional services (access our website or subscribe our Parish channel on YouTube: St Simon Stock Parish Walderslade), pray with the Bible and Rosary or maybe you will make yourself familiar with the Liturgy of the Hours (breviary). If you have or will have any prayer intentions send them to me and I will turn them in the bidding prayers during our life-stream Masses. Archbishop John encouraged us as well ‘to create a simple shrine in our homes, with crucifix and religious images, to provide a focus until that blessed day when we are able to gather in our churches once more’. May the peace and blessing of the Lord be with us all: in the name of the Father + and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Fr Bart

Update on 20 March 2020 – News for St Simon’s

Trying to support Chatham Deanery Clergy and Parishes I am trying in the same time to organise the live of our parish. The challenging news I need to share with you is that the last public service in our church before we start the new way of existence as a parish in the national quarantine is going to happen this morning: Adoration at 9.00 am and Mass at 10.00 am. I will provide another update of the news at 6.00 pm tonight. God bless and protect you all. Fr Bart

New ways of being the Church in the COVID-19 pandemia – update on Wednesday 18 March 2020 at 8.00 pm

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ This afternoon The Conference of Bishops of England and Wales have issued a special letter giving us the guidelines for the existence of the Church in parishes in the circumstances of pandemia. Please, read this letter having clicked here. Our Archbishop, John Wilson, also turned to us with the words of hope and encouragement in this very specific and massively difficult situation. Please, read this letter having clicked here. In these circumstances we have got 2 days to prepare ourselves as the Walderslade Parish and Chatham Deanery for a number of weeks of existence without a physical contact. As much as possible we will be trying to stay in touch using the Internet, our phones and helping each other by providing the shopping and medicines. If you have a need to be helped with this or you are willing to help, please let me know on 07305831925. For now I am able to let you know that we will have the celebration of the Eucharist on Thursday and Friday at 10.00 am and the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament with the possibility of receiving Reconciliation on Friday 9.00 am. I am hoping to live-stream these two Masses and Exposition on YouTube. The link will appear in both of these two days 5 minutes before the celebration on this website. I will be grateful to those who will participate in these celebrations via the Internet to send me your feedback on the mobile numer given above. The new ways of pastoral care in our Parish and Deanery will be presented on Friday 20 March at 8.00 pm. In the meantime I will try to contact everyone who had any previous arrangements for various Sacraments and meeting to inform you about the details. I ask Everyone of you to support each other in prayer, telephone contact, and shopping support, if you can. I treat this coming time as a battle for life and death which strengthen by God we need to win. But also, this is the only opportunity in a lifetime when we can save the nation and the world sitting in front of the TV doing nothing 🙂 Let’s not waste this opportunity. Yours in Christ, Fr Bart.

Supporting Chatham – St Michael’s Parish

Because St Michael’s Parish in Chatham doesn’t have currently easily updated parish website they are going to be using our website as the way to keep in touch between Fr Christopher Baker and parishioners. For the first news of St Michael’s, please, click here.

Supporting Parkwood – St Augustine’s Parish

For the first news of St Augustine’s, please, click here.

First cancellations in our parish calendar – update on Wednesday 18 March 2020 at 9.00 am

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Having reflected carefully on the message of the Prime Minister, asking everyone over 70, pregnant woman and those with health conditions to avoid unnecessary contact with others I have decided to cancel two sessions of the Eucharistic Adoration planned for this week:  Wednesday Adoration (18 March 2.00 – 10.00 pm) and Friday/Saturday 24 Hours for the Lord (from 20 March 6.00 pm until 21 March 6.00 pm). The reason for this is that don’t want to create unnecessary pressure and moral dilemma for those of you who are committed Adorers. Also, being in contact with Fr Joseph Edattu from Divine Retreat Center in Ramsgate we have decided to cancel First Saturday Vigil on 4 April. If anyone wished to conduct private contemplations and prayers at home for the “24hrs Before the Lord”, please click here to follow a suggested structure of prayers. Regards to all and keep safe and healthy.  Alfredo We are expecting to receive the guidelines from either Archbishop John Wilson or the Conference of Bishops of England and Wales on the ways of operation of all parishes in the near future. As soon as I know the details of it I will inform you on this website. Please note, that from today, which is Wednesday 18 March, we operate in the Parish Office only remotely until it will be announced otherwise. In practice it means that the only way of contacting us is via landline 01634862910, mobile/whatsap 07305831925 or e-mail walderslade@rcaos.org.uk. There is no possibility of a personal contact with any of our Parish Secretaries. However, don’t hesitate to contact the parish office or me personally, especially in emergency. Yours, Fr Bart

St Simon Stock Parish precautions – update on Tuesday 17 March 2020

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ. I am sure that you are all aware of the Prime Minister’s Monday afternoon update on Corona Virus. I have been informed by Canon John O’Toole, our Episcopal Vicar for Kent, that Archbishop John Wilson is going to issue an update on the guidance we have received recently. We can be quite sure that some of our parish activities will be cancelled but it is to early for me to say which services and meetings are no longer going to happen. As soon as I know I will inform you on this website, through e-mails and phone calls. By Wednesday 12.00 noon we will know if we have to cancel our Wednesday Adoration and Friday and Saturday 24 Hours for the Lord. The quickest response for any questions that I am able to answer you will receive calling or texting 07305831925. On Tuesday, St Patrick’s Day I will offer the 10.00 am Mass praying to God that he might save us all in our parish, schools and Chatham Deanery from all the deceases and death as a consequence of  them. I keep praying for you all. Yours, Fr Bart Please, definitely stay at home: – if you have the symptoms of Corona Virus like cough or high temperature, – if you have a weak immune system caused by a chronic disease connected to lungs, heart trouble, cancer, diabetes, etc. – if you live with someone or you have to help or look after someone who is affected by the things listed above, – if you feel not sure or threatened by the whole social atmosphere these days. Any updates on the situation in the parish will be presented in our parish website. If you are over 70 or consider yourself being in the risk of infection but still want to take part in the church celebrations, please, avoid Saturday evening Mass and Sunday Masses, but you could come for the weekday Masses and Adoration.

On Monday 9 March 2020 Archbishop John Wilson has announced that we are now moving to Stage 2 of the CBCEW guidelines. Please, click and read here!!!

For more info from the NHS, please click here. Daily Mass online please click here.