Parish of St Teresa of Avila, Ashford
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Southwark
NOTICEBOARD
MONTH OF MARY The month of May is a time when the people of God express with intensity their love and devotion for the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is traditional in this month to pray the Rosary at home within the family. May is dedicated in a special way to honouring and seeking the intercession of Mary as the mother of God and Mother of the Church. This month of May which the faithful has especially dedicated to Our Blessed Lady, and it is the occasion for a “moving tribute of faith and love which Catholics in every part of the world pay to the Queen of Heaven. Christians, both in church and in the privacy of the home, offer up to Mary from their hearts an especially fervent and loving homage of prayer and veneration. In this month, too, the benefits of God’s mercy come down to us from her throne in greater abundance.
Friday evening Masses Please note that these will now be the First Friday of the month and not every Friday.
SECOND COLLECTION THIS WEEKEND St George’s Cathedral is entirely reliant upon the generosity of its parishioners, volunteers and the Archdiocese of Southwark to keep its doors open. It does not receive Vatican or government funding, nor has an endowment to rely on. Your support can enable the Cathedral to remain open daily to those seeking a place of peace, prayer and worship. There will be a second collection after all Masses this weekend.
CELEBRATING MIGRANTS MONDAY 6TH MAY Anyone who has moved from one country to another, from one part of the country to another, one city to another, one town to another, one street to another is a migrant whether travelled by bus, train, car, taxi, aeroplane, boat, ship or any other means of transport. Bring one another to celebrate the valuable contribution the stranger makes to every structure of society in life across our city and beyond. Principle celebrant Archbishop John Wilson. The Mass will be celebrated on Monday 6 May at 12.30pm at St George’s Cathedral, London.
PILGRIMAGE TO WALSINGHAM a journey filled with spiritual enrichment and community bonding. The trip promises a day of reflection, prayer, and camaraderie as we explore this significant pilgrimage site together. We will be joining the Union Catholic Mothers Mass when we arrive.
Date: 2nd July, Departure: 6:00 am by coach
Return: 8:00 pm, Coach Cost: £35 per person
You will need Badges for the day to enter the shrine they cost £8 this needs to be in by 15th May. The coach money needs to be in by 1st June. Please pay at the Parish Office.
We need a minimum of 50 people to make this trip possible, so please consider joining us for this memorable experience. Your participation will not only enrich your spiritual journey but also strengthen the bonds within our community. To secure your spot, kindly sign up using the form available at the back of the church. Your commitment is crucial, so please ensure you’ve signed up by 12th May.
If you have any questions or need further information, feel free to reach out to Anne Urgohide or contact the Parish Office/Louise.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2023/2024: The next meeting for Parents and Children will be Saturday 4th May at 11.00am in the Church.
CONFIRMATION 2023/2024: The next meeting for Candidates will be Thursday 9th May at 7.30pm in the Parish Hall.
POST CONFIRMATION/YOUTH CARITAS Meeting on Thursday 23rd May at 7.30pm in the Parish Hall. All young people are invited to come along aged 14 years upwards.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:
Confirmation Mass with the Auxiliary Bishop for Kent Bishop Paul Hendricks on Sunday 19th May at 3.00pm.
First Holy Communion Masses Saturday 25th May at 10.00am and Saturday 1st June at 10.00am. Please keep our young people in your Prayers.
Next CAFÉ Caritas – Saturday 27th April and 11th May at 10.30am. Please come along for a chat and cuppa and make friends. You are very welcome to invite someone (not required to be a Catholic or of any faith) and share time together.
Next CARITAS GROUP FORMATION MEETING will be on Tuesday 7th May at 7.30pm.
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 01233 624 771 or email (ashford@rcaos.org.uk) us. 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.
Help us to keep the church beautiful and safe! Donate to our Church Maintenance Fund
Parish of St Teresa of Avila, Ashford 