THE PARISH OF ST.THOMAS MORE, KIDLINGTON & ST.HUGH OF LINCOLN, WOODSTOCK

http://www.catholicparish.kidlingtonandwoodstock.uk

Parish Priest: Fr. (Dr) Prem Fernando Email: frpjfernando@gmail.com

142, Oxford Rd, Kidlington, OX5 1DZ, Tel: (01865) 377093 Part of the Arch Diocese of Birmingham, Registered Charity Number 234216

Parish School: Temp. Headteacher: Mrs.Breda Bowles Tel & Fax: 01865 373674 Parish Safeguarding Reps.: Sandra Lenagan (01993 812973)

St Thomas More Parish Hall Contact: Ian Drury, 01865 371086 St Hugh’s Church Hall Contact: Ruth Fiddy, 01993 812860

1st– 9th Apr‘17 5th Sunday of Lent Weeks 1

Fr Prem’s message - RELATIONSHIP OF THE PARISH AND THE SCHOOL. This was one of the reflections I wished to raise in our parish assembly. I have heard many referring to it. I would wish to bring all our parents, teachers, governors and parishioners to our own thought and reflection. Of-ten it can end up in defining tasks for the priest or others to do, but the right thing to do is to reflect our-selves as to where do we stand ourselves. What is the contribution I make to build up this relationship. Probably you might not hear much about what the parish does as against things not done and could be do, according to ones own thought. To begin with, here in our parish we have the Holy Mass for the whole school at the beginning and end of each term and at every important feast or solemnity, including St Thomas’ feast. In addition we also have mass most, if not every Thursday. At every mass I make an ex-tra effort to speak to the Children, that is at least every week and as you know it is not without much preparation and thought as I always do in all celebrations. In the seasons of Advent and Lent, that is twice a year, confessions are heard of every child individually, non Catholics will receive a blessing and a chat. At each of these I make it a point to speak to the children before they make their confession. The preparation for the First Holy Communion and Confirmation is done almost entirely by the parish. Even the printing of the booklets, except for the cake, photographs and the party which is to be organised by the parents and the school. I am sure if you look at the programme it is one of the best preparations in town, thanks to the very dedicated voluntary Catechists of the parish who are so generous with their time and gifts. I am sure you will always acknowledge this, with a warm welcome to them to school whenever they have to come. As you gather reading this newsletter we are also launching an exploration of our faith ‘Catholicism’ geared towards the parents. I suspect that there would be no other parish or school that has such a relationship, even if there was, we cannot be too far away. I would like you to first appreciate all these efforts of the parish, and the quality of what is being done, for absolutely zero cost to the school. I am sure you would not hesitate, be reluctant or forget to acknowledge it and so say at least a ‘Thank you’ The crunch is here though; what role do we play in our parish as parents, teachers and governors. Many ask me to sign forms that they are faithful Catholics when I have not seen them in the church nor are they registered in the parish, bringing to task my own conscience. I suppose you as parishioners have a bounded duty to not to put your priest to such a test of acting against his own conscience. Undoubtedly, the single important thing and the most important thing is to come to church on Sundays with your chil-dren and so become a part of the parish community. It would be very sad to the church if you simply baptise your child to get into the school, it shouldn’t be the case, and trust it is not. My blessings.

PRAYER TO THE HOLY TRINITY FOR THE PREPARATION OF MASS Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, come to us and renew us as we gather to celebrate this Sunday Mass. As we continue our pilgrimage of life, help us to-

become better Christians on earth so that we may rejoice with you for ever in Heaven. To the Holy Trinity be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Woodstock Hall Update ~ Further to your interest in the Hall project and queries received, I am pleased to let you know that a builder has been appointed and demoli-tion of the old Hall should take place in April. You are invited to be in the Parish photo at the old Hall on Sunday 9th April after Mass. Fr Prem will provide further information about the project in due course , but we now are on our way to realise our hopes for a state of the art new Hall. Of necessity , the project has had to make slow but steady progress, due to Planning re-quirements, Tendering , and liaison with the Archdio-cese who set our overdraft. However, now Commit-tees set up at the start of the project, can get into ac-tion. Lists can be updated at the back of the Church and all are invited to join in and make a contribution to our project. All skills and enthusiasm will be warmly wel-comed. The project belongs to the whole Parish commu-nity. We must keep up the momentum of our good fund- raising start and begin to look at practicalities now. On-ward and forward !

~ Marie Stubbs ( Team Leader Hall Project)"

Please email your news item to Fr Prem by Thursday

This Newsletter is for the parishioners and friends of the parish. It is for private circulation. Feel free to take it with you and share it with others especially the sick and the homebound.

Parish Diary

• Starting 26th April Catholicism series

• 16th—18th May Annual Parish Retreat

• 11th June 2017, at 3.30pm Confirmation Mass with Bishop William Kenney

• 18th June 2017, Corpus Christi Sunday First Holy Communion Mass 3pm

Fund Raising Events

St Hugh’s Monthly Lottery draw - 1st Sun-day of the month. All welcome.

Every Friday During Lent—Soup Lunch after Midday Mass— in aid of Cafod 6th May—Bingo Evening 8th July—French Cuisine Evening 13th August—Summer Lunch from

12.30pm 7th October—Quiz Night with Fish & Chips

There are many pilgrimages recommended by the Archbishop that seek advertising in the

parish. Kindly refer the Diocesan Webpage for pilgrimages to Lourdes, Holy Land,

Fatima & Knock Ireland.

STM Church Spring Cleaning 7th April 2—4 pm,

Please lend a hand, All welcome!

The Holy Week services

in the Parish

N.B. All the services, except Easter Sunday 9.30 am Mass, will be held at the parish church in Kidlington.

Maundy Thursday - 8 pm Holy Mass of the Lord's supper

- Watch before the Blessed Sacrament

Good Friday - 3.00pm Solemn Liturgy of the Pas-sion

Easter Vigil - 9pm Easter Vigil Mass Easter Sunday

- 8.00 am Kidlington - Easter Dawn Mass

- 9.30 am Woodstock - Easter Morning Mass

- 11.00 am Kidlington - Late Morning Mass

Job Vacancies in the Archdiocese - there are a series of jobs advertised for the

Archdiocese. Kindly refer to the poster. Cafod Lent Fast Soup Lunches will be held every Friday through lent (3rd Mar-7th Apr) after the midday Mass. All proceeds are in aid of Cafod.

The Annual Parish Retreat will take place from 16th - 18th May at Carmelite Priory, Boars Hill, Oxford. The theme is Jesus, Son of God, Son of Mary and will be led by Sr Margaret Crinyion. There will be Holy Mass each day, inspirational talks and prayer times with the Community.

Please contact Jane Lemon for further details on janemcgrathlemon@gmail.com or ring 01865 370039

You can also come just for the day s retreat on Wednesday 17th May. Ask Jane Lemon!!

Please Join Signing the Life & SPUC petition to Strip Marie Stopes licence

to carry out abortions!!

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE WHO ARE SICK: Dermot Strahan, Baby David Ruth, Jim Foley, Jane Lemon, Iris Ative, Lisa Crisp, Eileen Groom, John Pollard, Mark Sel-wood, Rebecca Lambert, Jonathan Fitzpatrick, William Hayes, Derek and Ella Osborne, Kit Murphy, Mary Couchman, Tina & Ray Hazell, Anne Howard, Sue Rugman, Fr Donald Cahill, John Morris, June O Leary, Tracy Richards, Bridget Spark, Jean Neale, Margaret Clancy, Pat Hornsby, Ambrose Hargreaves, Lord John Kerr, Rosemary Brown, Pauline

Lilley, Mona & Jimmy Doherty, Christopher Browne, Rosemary Hardwick, Joan Knatt, Zoe Kamen, Pat Barfield, Agnes Pomfret, Amanda Ellington, Carmina, Rosa Liggins & Esther Denney.

(Kindly keep us updated to remove names from the sick list as and when required) WE PRAY FOR ALL THOSE WHOSE DEATH ANNIVERSARIES OCCUR DURING THIS TIME

Patrick Horgan, Christina Fagan, Paddy Austin, Christina Grant, Tony Davey, Eleanor Nieman, Charlotte Ellul, Jeanne

Hart, Nashwan Asnan, Bridie Coyne, Timothy Riordan, Michael Hartnett, Kathleen Riordan, Barbara Loughran and Kate Lee.

First Holy Communion 2016/2017 Programme PARENTS MEETINGS

Tuesday September 20th, 7.30pm Tuesday March 28th , 7.30pm

Wednesday, 24th May 7.30pm (Note the change of date please)

Celebration Masses Sunday 11.00am 2nd October, 27th November –Giving Mass,

29th January 2017, 5th March, 2nd April, 30th April, 21st May

First Confession– Catechist Session

2nd Oct—Pages 8-13 19th Oct—Pages 14-19, 30th Oct - Pages 20-25

6th Nov—Pages 26-30, 20th Nov—Pages 31-39,

27th Nov—Pages 40-46

First Confession Tuesday 6th Dec 1.45pm

First Holy Communion-Catechist Sessions

15th Jan 2017, 29th Jan, 19h Feb, 5th Mar,

19th Mar 2nd Apr 30th Apr 14th May 4th Jun

*Catechists sessions exact days, times and place will be arranged after the first parents meeting

First Holy Communion Mass,

Sunday 18th June 2017, 3 pm

Coordinator: Sr Norbert Tel: 01865 433143Email: quinnzita@gmail.com

May the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen

Last Sundays Collections: STM £346.20 STH £189.54. Retiring Collection: Africa emergency Appeal £516.83

This Weeks Retiring Collection is for: Easter Flowers

14/04/17 (Good Friday) — Holy Places. Thank you.

This Week we Ask for your help with signing up for becoming an

Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist Please be generous in signing up for this

important ministry

Beautiful Easter Cards are on Sale in the Parish

Piety Stall Purchase them to

support parish

Parish Silent Auction

All monies are now in and the final total raised is £673.00. Thank you to all who helped & Contributed.

Confirmation Programme—2016/2017 27/09/16—Tuesday , 7.30pm, Parents Meeting

Presentation of the Bibles 1/10/2016 -Sat 6.00pm Mass,

16/05/2017- Parents Meeting 19/05/2017 Adoration & Bendition

Meeting with Fr Prem & Confessions of chil-dren 06/06/2017 (NB. date changed)(3.15–4.30)

Catechist’s sessions, Week Starting: 9/10/2016 , 13/11/2016, 15/01/2017, 19/02/2017, 12/03/2017, 02/04/2017,

14/05/2017

Organising Mass—Saturdays 6.00 pm 15/10/2016, 26/11/2016, 28/01/2017, 04/03/2017, 01/04/2017, 29/04/2017,

20/05/2017

8th June ( Thursday, 7pm) Rehearsals 11th June (Sunday 3.30pm)Confirmation

Coordinator: Contact: Mrs Lena Shams Email: Lena.Shams@physics.ox.ac.uk

‘Tea/ Coffee - chit chat’ at the Hall after 9.30 and 11 Masses. Stop by for a sip!

ST THOMAS MORE, KIDLINGTON Week 1

MONDAY 03rd Apr

Lent Feria 9.30 am

Agnes & Bobby Pomfret

Daniel 13:1 - 62,Ps 22

John 8:1-11

TUESDAY 04th Apr

Lent Feria 7.00 pm

RIP Terry Walden

Num 21:4-9, Ps 101

John 8:21-30

WEDNESDAY 05th Apr

Lent Feria 11.00 12.00

Way of the Cross & Holy Mass at Woodstock

Daniel 3:14-28 Daniel 3, Joh 8:31-42

THURSDAY 06th Apr

Lent Feria

9.30 am

12.00 Noon

School End of Term Mass

Requiem of Mrs Mary Hardy

Genesis 17:3-9

Psalms 104

John 8:51-59

FRIDAY 07th Apr

Lent Feria

11.30 ——

12.00 Noon

Stations of the Cross

RIP Terry Walden

Jeremiah 20:10-13

Ps 17

John 10:31-42

SATURDAY 08th Apr

Sunday Vigil Mass

6.00 pm

-

Isaiah 50:4-7 Psalms 21

Philippians 2:6-11 Matt 26:14--27:66

SUNDAY 09th Apr

Palm Sunday of the Passion

11.00 am

RIP Deacon John Brockman

SUNDAY 02 Apr

5th Sunday of Lent

9.30 am

Golden Wedding Anniversary

Gay & Peter Luff

WEDNESDAY 05th Apr

Lent Feria 11.30 noon

Stations of the Cross Special Intention

SUNDAY 09th Apr

Palm Sunday of the Passion

9.30 am

RIP Michael Kennedy

ST HUGH’S, WOODSTOCK (Morning Prayer daily at 11.30)

SATURDAY 01st Apr

Sunday Vigil Mass

6.00 pm

-

Ezekiel 37:12-14 Ps 129

Romans 8:8-11 John 11:1-45

SUNDAY 02nd Apr

5th Sunday of Lent

11.00 am

Jummun Family

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

Saturdays 5-5.30 pm

BAPTISMS & MARRIAGES by appointment with

Fr Prem Please make sure

you attend the parish regularly to ask for

sacraments