The rich young man in today’s Gospel wanted an answer to the question, which in a sense is deep within us all: how do we live in this life so that we might live forever in the world to come. Our Lord seeks to lead the young man to see that the heart of God’s law is not a programme of works to be performed, or certain actions to be avoided; although observing the commandments is essential to walking the path of salvation, it only gets us so far. Within the context of this Sunday’s liturgy we are reminded that the Wisdom of God is not precepts, but a person. In Our Lord we encounter Wisdom, the living and effective Word of God. He looks upon each one of us with love, as He looked upon the rich young man in the gospel; this loving gaze, is a personal invitation, to trust in Him more than any earthly or material attachment. For it is only in Christ that we have the answer to the question of how to attain eternal life; He alone is the Way. Any attachment that is more important than Christ will ultimately lead us away from that goal.

Our reading for the Letter to the Hebrews reminds us that nothing is concealed from His gaze; in His eyes, the thoughts of our hearts are exposed, and each of us must render an account of our lives. We must have the attitude of Solomon, preferring Wisdom to all else, loving Christ more than any other thing, even life itself. This preference requires us to keep our eyes fixed upon Christ, to constantly place our trust in him, despite the trials and even persecutions that may come our way ‘in this present time’ never loosing sight of the goal: ‘in the world to come, ‘eternal life.’

We need to ask ourselves the question: What are the ‘possessions’ that keep us from giving ourselves totally to God? What do we obsessively cling to: material things, comfort zones, relationships?

Pope Benedict XVI succinctly sums up the challenge: ‘If man puts his trust in the riches of this world, he will not reach the full sense of life and of true joy. If instead, trusting the Word of God, he renounces himself and his goods for the Kingdom of Heaven, apparently losing much, he in reality gains all. Jesus can truly guarantee a happy

existence and eternal life, but by a route different from what the rich young man imagines: that is, not through a good work, a legal tribute, but rather in the choice of the Kingdom of God as the "precious pearl" for which it is worth selling all that one possesses (Mt 13: 45-46).

To reach salvation one must therefore be open in faith to the grace of Christ, who, however, when addressed, places a demanding condition: "Come, follow me" (Mk 10: 21).’

Christ gazes at you with infinite love; he says: ‘come follow me’ His hand is extended to you; he is inviting you, he will not force you. Will you place your hand in His and be led in the paths of life eternal?

Canon Luke

Monday to Saturday 9.00 - 12noon Monday 4.00 - 8.00pm, Tuesday to Friday 4.00 - 6.00pm

COPIES OF THE ROTA ARE AVAILABLE AT THE BACK OF THE CHURCH

111111THTHTH OOOCTOBERCTOBERCTOBER 2015 V2015 V2015 VOLOLOL. 22 I. 22 I. 22 ISSUESSUESSUE 373737

CCC onfirmation Candidatesonfirmation Candidatesonfirmation Candidates from St Francis Parishfrom St Francis Parishfrom St Francis Parish

Greeshma AntonyGreeshma AntonyGreeshma Antony Freya BailesFreya BailesFreya Bailes Dovydas BajorinasDovydas BajorinasDovydas Bajorinas Ieesha BarnettIeesha BarnettIeesha Barnett DylanDylanDylan---John BirkbeckJohn BirkbeckJohn Birkbeck Elinor Mary BurtElinor Mary BurtElinor Mary Burt Teresa Marie CatolicoTeresa Marie CatolicoTeresa Marie Catolico Harvey CreaseHarvey CreaseHarvey Crease Abbey Elizabeth GibsonAbbey Elizabeth GibsonAbbey Elizabeth Gibson Julia GogółJulia GogółJulia Gogół Olivia Stella JestinOlivia Stella JestinOlivia Stella Jestin Niamh Molly JestinNiamh Molly JestinNiamh Molly Jestin Harvey KeatingHarvey KeatingHarvey Keating Rhys KingRhys KingRhys King EilaEilaEila---Rose McKenzieRose McKenzieRose McKenzie Patrick MariyajohnsonPatrick MariyajohnsonPatrick Mariyajohnson George MariyajohnsonGeorge MariyajohnsonGeorge Mariyajohnson

Yann MauriangeYann MauriangeYann Mauriange Gina MeeGina MeeGina Mee Elizabeth Niamh RainesElizabeth Niamh RainesElizabeth Niamh Raines Victoria Emily Charlotte RuthVictoria Emily Charlotte RuthVictoria Emily Charlotte Ruth Mia Janine RomeroMia Janine RomeroMia Janine Romero Gemm Raymond SamsonGemm Raymond SamsonGemm Raymond Samson Bartosz SzpytmaBartosz SzpytmaBartosz Szpytma India ThompsonIndia ThompsonIndia Thompson René ZokraRené ZokraRené Zokra

AAA dult Candidatesdult Candidatesdult Candidates from St Francis Parishfrom St Francis Parishfrom St Francis Parish

Loraine Monica MartinLoraine Monica MartinLoraine Monica Martin ---BrownBrownBrown Michał MilkeMichał MilkeMichał Milke Adam SzydlikAdam SzydlikAdam Szydlik

P A R I S H N O T I C E B O A R D P A R I S H N O T I C E B O A R D PAGE

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Last Weekend Last Weekend -- All Masses:All Masses:

1st Collection:£1,850 -71* 2nd Collection: £605 -47 CAFOD Family Fast Day

* This figure does not include standing orders etc. which averages £352 a week.

This Sunday’s 2nd Collection: Roof Fund Next Sunday’s 2nd Collection: Missio

Parish Lottery Winner: Week 15: No. 158 - Mr P Mack: £15

M ass Intentions for concelebrating priests at weekday Masses: In the past we have had a regular supply of Donor’s Intentions and Holy Souls Masses to be offered by any concelebrating priest at parish Masses (the main

celebrant offers the published intention) the source of Donor’s Intention Masses has now dried up and the money given for Holy Souls Masses (November & Easter lilies) has all been allocated (i.e. daily Mass for November 2015). If anyone is willing to give offerings for Holy Souls or Donor’s Intention Masses it would greatly help us to provide a daily stipend for each of the priests; simply put the donation in an envelope marked Holy Souls or Donor’s Intention Masses and hand it into the parish office. Obviously these Masses cannot be allocated a particular date as they are used as and when

CHURCH ROOF FUND Currently we have raised

£ 35,734 £ 35,734 £ 35,734 --- 16 16 16 NB the £30,000 legacy of Teresa De Franca

has been allocated to the fund

OUR ROOF IS IN A STATE! SO PLEASE BUY A SLATE!

SLATES SPONSORED TO DATE 1,567

Flyers and sponsorship can be found at the back of church or obtained from the office;

if we get sponsorship for the 6,000 tiles needed for the roof it will really boost the fund.

PROPOSED FUNDRAISING EVENTS: Pamper Evening

Grand Christmas Raffle Tiles for Christmas

Parish Christmas Cards

Many thanks for Many thanks for your generous support.your generous support.

BAPTISM PREPARATIONBAPTISM PREPARATION First Thursday of each month

(excluding August and January) 7.00-8.30pm.

To mark the month of

the Holy Rosary we gather in the Cloister Chapel at Aylesford Priory, and walk part of

the Rosary Way, praying one set of the mysteries of the rosary, then returning to the chapel for Benediction. Friday 16th, 23rd and 30th October at 8.00pm.

O C TO B E R R O S A R YO C TO B E R R O S A R YO C TO B E R R O S A R Y AT T H E F R I A R SAT T H E F R I A R SAT T H E F R I A R S

WELL DONE GIFT AIDERS!

You will be pleased to know that the Parish have just received a cheque for £31,144 - 27 from the taxman, as part of our rebate for the 2014/5 tax year. I would encourage you to try and persuade your fellow parishioners to join the scheme. Gift Aid forms are available in the Porch.

The Youth Club would like to thank all parishioners who purchased the animal buns for

St Francis Feast Day last weekend. We raised £426.41. This will greatly boost our funds for World Youth Day. Thank you also for your donations for the boot fair: we raised £14310 which was excellent. We will be attending another boot fair in the New Year and so any unwanted Christmas gifts would be most welcome!

Traditionally, November is the month of

prayer for the Holy Souls. Each year we invite members of the parish to list their family and friends who have died, and place the lists in the envelopes provided at the back of the church. The envelopes are placed in a box on the altar at each Mass throughout November. Any donations in the envelopes (in Church Porch) are used as Mass Stipends for Masses for the Holy Souls each day in November and throughout the year. Please let us have your envelope with names and donations at the Parish Office or hand them to one of the priests by 30 October. Your Gift Aid number should also be written on the envelope, if applicable.

N O V E M B E R N O V E M B E R N O V E M B E R the Month of the Holy Souls

Next Sunday (18th October) is Harvest Festival and any donations of fruit and vegetables would be

appreciated for the morning Masses. These would then be donated to families in need afterwards.

GROUPS & SOCIAL L IFE AND ALL THE REST

PRAYER INTENTIONSPRAYER INTENTIONSPRAYER INTENTIONS

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For the sick and housebound of our parish: Rachel Allen, David Amis, Cody Barker, Eric Braconnier, Pauline Brown, Robert Bedford, Kathleen Buckman, Pat Cassidy, Judy Collins, Luke Collins, Lars Fare, Zena Hales, Kath Harvey, Kathleen Homewood, Teresa Jankowska, Bridget Kierney; Mel Lacey, Xavier Lazell, John McElroy, Patrick McKee, Haley Martin, Dorothy Marne, Mark Pearson, Deidre Pennell; Mark Quijano, Keith Ryan; Alex Satre, Margarette Ruaux, Coleen Sargeant, Rebecca Sharp, Mary Wallace, Claire Watts, Bernard McDermott and for all in our local hospice, hospitals and nursing homes.

For those who have recently died: Eileen Pearce, Carole Quinn and Thomas Durling.

For those whose anniversaries occur at this time: William McInty, Dawn Chiles, Andrew Celer, Catherine Sullivan, Andrzej Kaminski, Mgr Anthony Cunningham, Albino Soares, Baby Garry Myles, Fiona Campbell, Maurice Puttock, Winifred Hynes, John Callison, Madeline B artlett, Joseph McKenna, Ronald Coles, William Gilliard, Daisy Andrews, Betty Moran, Stuart McLeod, William Roche, Jean Demeyer, Michal Parysz, Michael Ryan, Mary Green, Maria Fabris, Claudio Romero, Malcolm Jay, and Patricia Gale-Webb.

DAY OF RECOLLECTIONDAY OF RECOLLECTION EXTRAORDINARY MINISTEXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS & READERS ERS & READERS

All Extraordinary Ministers and Readers are strongly urged to attend a deanery day of recollection at St Peter's, Bearsted on Saturday, 24 October. Please put the date in your diaries.

PARISH DINNERPARISH DINNER

Raise the RoofRaise the RoofRaise the Roof Grangemore Hotel, St Michael’s Road, Maidstone

Tickets £20 are available from the musicians at 9am & 10.30 Masses (or from Parish Office).

This will be in aid of the Roof Fund and will be held on Thursday, 22 October, at St Francis Primary School.

]

Treatment prices from £8 - £20. Tickets £5 - available from this weekend.

£15 per Pitch; limited availability.

If you will like to book a pitch please speak to anyone in the Sunday 9 or 10:30am choirs, parish office or contact Abi

Folorunso 07787686782.

Donation of cakes and volunteers to help at the event will be appreciated.

Helpers of God's Precious Infants vigil led by Fr Jacob, CFR to the Marie

Stopes clinic, Brewer St. will be held on Wednesday, 14 October after the 10am Mass.

The FRIENDSHIP GROUGROUGROUPPP

First Monday (11am) of every month: Tenpin Bowling at Lockmeadow. Second Monday (10.30am) every month: Coffee morning in Society Rooms. Every Monday (1.30pm - 3.30pm): Scrabble in the Heart of Flavour, King Street. Every Wednesday (10am - 12noon): Line Dancing in St Faith’s Church Hall. Christmas Lunch has been booked for Tuesday, 8 December (12.30am), at the Heart of Flavour, King Street. Booking with non-refundable £10 p.p. Deposit by 30 September please.

FFI contact Mary Adam

meets on Mondays in the Presbytery, following 10.00 am Mass at St Francis.

The next Fledglings day is on Saturday, 17 October which will be used to prepare for the Harvest Festival Mass at 9am the next day.

the junior youth group meets this Saturday, 6pm - 8pm in the Presbytery. the 15+ youth group meets this Friday, 6pm- 8.30pm at St Simon Stock. the 18+ group meets fortnightly and will be in the Presbytery this Sunday (11 October) at 7pm.

this new English speaking evangelisation group meets fortnightly in the Presbytery. The next meeting is Thursday (15th October) at 7pm.

this Polish speaking evangelisation group meets fortnightly in the Presbytery. The next meeting is Thursday (22nd October) 7pm.

FLEDGLINGS

TOWARDS A DEEPER

FA ITH

K U W I E R Z E

POGŁĘBIONEJ

Many thanks to those who continue to bring milk for the Day Centre. Please keep it up!

MILK FOR THE MILK FOR THE DAY CENTREDAY CENTRE

No Line Dancing

on 28 October

PARISH QUIZ NIGHTPARISH QUIZ NIGHT This will be on Saturday, 7 November (7.30pm) in the United Reformed Church Hall. You are invited to make up teams of up to 8 people and book a table in good

time. Owing to a generous donation to cover the hall hire charge, we are able to reduce the entry fee to £5 per person, payable on the night. A small selection of soft drinks and nibbles will be available for a donation. All proceeds will go to the Church Roof Fund. There will also be a raffle; donations of prizes would be greatly appreciated.

Come along and have a fun evening! FFI and to book your table contact Mary

Adam.

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Sunday 11th October Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

St Francis

6.00pm (SAT) Mary Reynolds RIP

9.00am Wedding Anniversary 9.15am Mass in HMP Maidstone: People of the parish

10.30am Bernard Willis RIP

3.00pm

6.00pm Holy Souls

St Luke’S ChapeL, preSton haLL 8.30am Stuart & Michael McLeod Jane Chittlebrough RIP 11.30am People of the Parish

Nettlestead

10.00am In reparations for abortions in Brewer St.

Wateringbury

11.00am Ordinariate Mass: Donor’s Intention

Monday 12th October Saint Wilfrid

10.00am Francis Markin 12.30pm Margaret Brooks RIP

Tuesday 13th October Saint Edward the Confessor

10.00am Antonina’s Welfare 12.30pm Fr John & Sheila Slater - Wellbeing

Wednesday 14th October Saint Callistus I

10.00am Pauline Sexton RIP 12.30pm Funeral Mass of Carole Quinn RIP

SACRAMENT of RECONCILIATION

Monday - Friday: 12.00 noon & Friday 7.30pm Saturday: 10.30 - 11.15am; 5.00 - 5.30pm

EVENING PRAYER & BENEDICTION

Usually the last Sunday of the month 5.00pm

Thursday 15th October Saint Teresa of Jesus

10.00am Stewart & Lorna Mahony 12.30pm Michael Lynch RIP 4.30pm Mass HMP Maidstone: Donor’s Intention

Friday 16th October Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque

10.00am Stella Skinner RIP 12.30pm Funeral Mass of Eileen Pearce RIP 8.00pm John Rutland - Wellbeing

Saturday 17th October Saint Ignatius of Antioch

9.30am Morning Prayer

10.00am John McArdle RIP 2.30pm Baptism of Lars Stuart Pettit

Sunday 18th October Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

St Francis

6.00pm (SAT) Eric Braconnier RIP

9.00am Canon Luke - Thanksgiving 9.15am Mass in HMP Maidstone: People of the parish

10.30am Derek Wheat RIP 2.00pm Baptism of Richard Lanevskij

6.00pm Christopher & Hilda Lowe RIP

St Luke’S ChapeL, preSton haLL 8.30am In reparations for abortions in Brewer St. 11.30am In Thanksgiving

Nettlestead

10.00am Stephen Parker RIP

Wateringbury

11.00am Ordinariate Mass: Donor’s Intention

EXPOSITION of the BLESSED SACRAMENT

Wednesday evening 7.30pm - 8.30pm Friday: between Masses 10.30-12.30pm

First Fridays after 8.00pm Mass until 10.00pm

HOLY ROSARY

Prayed after the 10.00am and before 12.30pm Weekday Masses

At Aylesford Priory on Friday 16th, 23rd and 30th October at 8.00pm.

Parish Priest: Canon Luke Smith Assistant Priests: Fr Bartlomiej Dudek & Fr Peter Kucharski Ordinariate Priest: Fr Paul Gibbons

Parish Deacons: Rev. Tom Coyle & Rev. Ian Black Seminarian: Sebastian Wierzbicki

P A R I S H S C H O O L S St Francis’ Catholic Primary School: Queens Road, Maidstone, ME16 0LB. Telephone: (01622) 771540

St Simon Stock Catholic School: Oakwood Park, Maidstone ME16 OJP Telephone: (01622) 754551