St Bartholomew News

Priest-in-Charge Fr John Ainslie (revjohnainslie@gmail.com; 01628 629827)

There is no service on Thursday this week, as there will be the Funeral Requiem of Paul Jones at Yalding.

THIS SUNDAY there will be a collection of dried and tinned foods and toiletries for Maidstone Homeless Care. Please place your offering in the basket, which will be brought forward and blessed during Mass this morning.

THE REQUIEM FUNERAL MASS OF PAUL JONES will take place at St Peter’s and St Paul’s Church, Yalding, Maidstone, ME18 6HU, on Thursday 28th August at 10.30am and afterwards at The Chequers Inn, The Street, Laddingford, Maidstone, ME18 6BP. All Paul’s friends from St Michael’s are warmly encouraged to attend the Funeral, or the Wake, or both. The family have asked that you let them know (at pius.gallagher@sky.com) if you will be attending so they can judge numbers.

AYLESFORD PRIORY SATURDAY 30th AUGUST – Catholic Parishes pilgrimage day, organised by The Society, Rochester Diocese. Mass at 11am, Preacher Fr Ben Eadon from Walsingham, followed by picnic lunch and Rosary Walk at 2pm. Please bring your own picnic, and it is suggested a picnic chair so all pilgrims can gather as a group for lunch on the grass. I would appreciate knowing if you intend going to what should be a wonderful celebration together of our faith.

The TESTON FLOWER FESTIVAL is this weekend, Saturday 23rd – Monday 25th 11am to 5pm.

SCHOOL GOVERNOR – ST MICHAELS PRIMARY AND JUNIOR. There is an opportunity for a committed Christian to join the Governing Body of our St Michael’s schools as a Foundation Governor. If you might be interested, please speak to me. This is a very important role for our schools and for local children. Fr John.

FOR OUR PRAYERS: For peace in Gaza and the Middle east; and in the Ukraine. For all refugees and asylum seekers, and for Governments that they may seek compassionate and just solutions to the refugee crisis. For the Church of England, that it may stand four-square on the faith handed down from the Apostles, and for Bishop Luke and all clergy and parishes under his care; for the Churches proclamation of the Gospel in word and in deed. For the well-being of all who live or work in our Parish.

We pray for those in need, and especially Glynis Reynolds, Yvonne Young, Jessica O’Sullivan, Lindsay Wheeler, Martyn Nash, Fran, Ellie Tomlinson, David Green and Norman Farrington.

We pray for the recently departed, especially Paul Jones. We remember those who have faithfully served God in this Church in previous generations, and we pray for those whose year’s mind occurs this week: Paul Gibbons (Pr), Emily Aldous.

FROM THE BELLTOWER: Sunday, 10 August 1280 Spliced Surprise Major 352 Cambridge, Yorkshire; 288 Rutland, Superlative; 36 com. 1 Emma Jarvis 2 Philip Jarvis 3 Jacqueline Barlow 4 Nigel Pointer 5 Jane L Kostelnyk 6 Mark Elvers 7 Callum Clark 8 Neil Jones (C) A 70th Birthday Compliment on the 2nd August to Theresa Higgins (nee Bourke), who learnt to ring in our tower.

SUPPORT ST MICHAELS: to make a donation towards the work and worship of St Michael’s Church go to: www.parishgiving.org.uk/donors/find-your-parish/maidstone-st-michael-and-aa-maidstone/