Parish of St Teresa of Avila, Ashford
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Southwark
First Holy Communion 2021/2022
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Dear FHC Children,
Dear Parishioners,
As you know this year we have an extremely large number of aplications for First Holy Communion 2021/2022, reaching at present 75 children.
We are confident, that we are able to do all the planned Saturday preparation sessions and rehersals.
Unforunately, due to the high numbers and Healt & Safety space limits we are not able to hold the planned events which involve mixing with the public Weekend Masses. Therefore, please note, that the Initiation Masses on 24th October 2021 (10.30am) and 5th December 2021 (10.30am) are cancelled. Please join the Mass at those weekends at any time convenient (Saturday 5.30pm, Sunday 8am, 9am/Wye/, 10.30am or 12.15/Polish/, or any Sunday Catholic service elsewhere).
Those who suppose to bring the last-minute Application Form, must bring it to the Parish Office by Wednesday 20th October by 12noon or they will lose their space. This is the final call and after this date the Application Forms will not be accepted.
SUMMARY
1. Initiation Masses are cancelled; please go to any of the Weekend Masses.
2. Wednesday 20th October until 12noon is the final call for the late Application Forms (please, use the letter box).
3. Parents, please check your email for details.
Parishioners, who were concerned about the Church oveloaded on Weekend can now take a deep breath and attend the services as normal.
SYNODAL CHURCH
The Holy Father has called for the Synodal Process to begin in the Dioceses of the world on 17th October 2021. It’s not a novelty! It was the way our Holy Mother Church worked throughout the centuries. The word ‘synod’ comes from two Greek words ‘sun’ meaning together and ‘hodos’ meaning way. The English word synod therefore mean making our way tougher, journeying together along the way, united in Christ, the Way, the Truth and the Life. Now a new synodal process is about to begin, a journey in which the whole Church is engaged around the theme: “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission.”
The Synodal Process in the Archdiocese of Southwark
At heart, the Synod is about listening to the Lord and then sharing and listening with each other about how we are to fulfil the mission entrusted to us by Christ. The process is intended to be as inclusive as possible in our parishes and communities, and to include schools and other Catholic groups wherever possible.
Key documents from the Synod Office in Rome can be found at: www.synod.va/en.html
Resources prepared by the Agency for Evangelisation and Catechesis, together with a Frequently Asked Question document from the Bishops’ Conference: http://www.cbcew.org.uk/synodal-church/
Alongside the parish and diocesan process, it is also possible for anyone to make a direct contribution. This can be done via: synod@rcaos.org.uk or via post to Synod Submissions, c/o Archbishops’ House, 150 St George’s Road, SE1 6HX.
See the Pastoral Letter of Archbishop John Wilson …
Read MoreOctober – the month of the Holy Rosary
Daily Rosary
The month of the Holy Rosary each October invites us to pray with this beautiful prayer with Our Lady and the mysteries of Jesus’ life. In our parish with the celebration of the Rosary Sunday we will begin our daily Rosary prayer after each Mass led by different people. If you would like to help and lead a prayer one day of the week, or just one time, please speak to the priest.
Celebration of the Feast of the Holy Rosary
The 7th October is the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. This year it marks a special anniversary of the 450th Anniversary of the Feast, which was established after the victory at Lepanto.
WHY PRAYEING ROSARY?
In Fatima, during the apparitions, Our Lady told Lucia on June 13th 1917 that:
“Jesus wishes to make use of you to make me known and loved. He wants to establish in the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart. I promise salvation to those who embrace it, and those souls, will be loved by God like flowers placed by me to adorn His throne.”
Our Lady then assured Lucia as she does us today:
“Do not lose heart, I will never forsake you! My Immaculate Heart will be your refuge and the way that will lead you to God.”
In these unsettled times across the world, Catholics are invited to rediscover Our Lady of Fatima’s appeal for the Rosary and First Saturdays Devotion to pray for the conversion of the world and peace on earth. The First Saturdays are an appeal to return to the Sacrament of Confession, to attend Holy Mass in a state of grace, to pray the Rosary – the spiritual weapon for these times – and to Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and meditation on the Sacred Scriptures.
If you find hard to pray rosary on your own…
Sometimes it is hard to pray Rosary on your own, or be available to come to church and join the parish community. But you may pray the Rosary daily via the following links:
| Sundays | Bishop John Keenan, Bishop of Paisley @9pm Facebook |
| Mondays | Fr. Gerard Hatton, St. Hugh of Lincoln, Knaphill @ 8pm Facebook YouTube |
| Tuesdays | From EWTN Chapel in Walsingham @8pm Facebook YouTube |
| Wednesdays | Cardiff Oratory @ 8pm: 6th October – YouTube 13th October – YouTube 20th October – YouTube 27th October – YouTube The homepage to the Oratory’s YouTube is also on this link. |
| Thursdays | Dominican Sisters of St. Joseph, Lymington @8pm Facebook ChurchServices.tv |
| Fridays | Fr. Lawrence Lew, London Rosary Shrine @ 8pm YouTube |
| Saturdays | Fr. Derek Hyett, Our Lady & St. Joseph in Dalston, @8pm YouTube |
Saints about the rosary
Saint Louis de Montfort promised that never will anyone who says the daily Rosary be led astray. This is a statement that I would gladly sign with my blood.
St. Padre Pio said the Rosary is the weapon for these times.
Saint Dominic promised that one-day, through the Rosary and the Scapular, Our Lady will save the world.
Let us celebrate the Holy Rosary month with great joy and love in the sure Refuge of Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart.
COVID-19 GUIDELINES UPDATE
As we all know, Monday 19th July is so called FREEDOM DAY from the Covid-19 restrictions. But the fact is that the Covid-19 virus is still circulating in society and the pandemic is not over! Even without legal restrictions the Church in England and Wales will be adopting a cautious approach to capacity and activity within our buildings.
After 19th July the church REMAINS OPEN for MASSES.· Please do not enter the church if you have high temperature or/and persistent cough.
St Teresa’s church has allocated seats – max. capacity approx. 142 seats. St Ambrose, Wye has 20 zones available for households or individuals.
1) Please continue to use QR T&T system, or our online system to tell us you are coming.
2) Sanitise your hands at the entrance to the church.
3) Please wear a face cover at all time, unless you are medically exempt, in which case please sit in the less crowded part of the church.
4) Please follow our sitting rules and keep 2x50cm distance between households. Please do not be selfish in choosing the place so we can accommodate everyone.
5) Congregational singing is permitted, but you can join in singing only if you are wearing a face mask.
6) Holy Communion will continue to be given on hand as before. Should you wish to receive on tongue, please come at the end of the queue and directly to the priest.
- At the moment only the disabled toilet is available.
- We will make sure the church is clean and sanitised regularly, but please mind it is still a building site and some areas may have to be excluded for the public use.
Live stream issue
We are sorry but there is work being held on the network antenna near us, causing lack of internet for our live stream. This may take up to few days. We are very sorry and will keep you informed.
Tell us you are coming
We would be grateful if you let us know you are coming by completing the online form
You can as well use the new Covid-19 NHS App & QR Code presented at the entrance to the church/chapel.
EASY FUNDRAISING
Did you know that whenever you buy anything online-from your weekly shop to your annual holiday-you could be raising free donations for St Teresa of Avila Church Roof Fund with easy fundraising. There are over 4,000 shops and sites on board ready to make a donation-including eBay, Argos, John Lewis, ASOS, Booking.com and M&S-and it won’t cost you a penny extra to help us raise funds.
Simply click the link below:
www.easyfundraising.org.uk/
Every time you shop online go to easy fundraising first to find the site you want and start shopping. After you have checked out, the retailer will make a donation to St Teresa of Avila Church Ashford Roof Fund at no extra cost to you whatsoever. There are no catches or hidden charges and we would be really grateful for your donations.
How to book a Mass?
Masses can be celebrated for deceased members of family or friends, thanksgiving, anniversaries, vocations, for the sick and for any particular need. If you would like a Mass said please fill in the Mass envelope at the back of Church and give it to a priest or drop it into the Parish Office.
NOW YOU CAN BOOK A MASS WITHOUT LEAVING HOME
Simply call us or email us about the availability. We will confirm and send you the DONATION link.
There is also an old tradition of Gregorian Masses. Gregorian Masses are a series of Holy Masses traditionally offered on 30 consecutive days as soon as possible after a person’s death. They are offered for an individual soul. The custom of offering Gregorian Masses for a particular soul recognises that few people are immediately ready for heaven after death, and that, through the infinite intercessory power of Christ’s sacrifice, made present in Holy Mass, a soul can be continually perfected in grace and enabled to enter finally into the union with the Most Holy Trinity – our God, Who is Love Itself.
Just to avoid confusion, Gregorian Intention is not a Mass said in the Old Latin Rite but 30 consecutive Masses offered for one soul and must be said each consecutive day.
History of Gregorian Masses.
Gregorian Masses take their name from Saint Gregory the Great, who was sovereign Pontiff from 590 to 604. St. Gregory the Great contributed to the spread of the pious practice of having these Masses celebrated for the deliverance of the souls from purgatory. In his Dialogues, he tells us that he had Masses on thirty consecutive days offered for the repose of the soul of Justus, a monk who had died in the convent of St. Andrew in Rome. At the end of the thirtieth Mass, the deceased appeared to one of his fellow monks and announced that he had been delivered from the flames of Purgatory.
Donate to our Church Roof Fund
