2nd Before Lent Confirmation Mass News

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

          A very warm welcome to Luke, Bishop of Richborough, who is with us this morning to Celebrate
          Mass and administer the Sacrament of Confirmation.

          And a special welcome to our candidates Josh, Eva and Martha and their families and friends.

          You are warmly invited to stay for Parish Lunch in the Vestry Hall – to celebrate with our
          Confirmation candidates and their families, and to meet with Bishop Luke.

PARISH PILGRIMAGE TO WALSINGHAM 26th – 29th May, coinciding with School Holidays.

             A list for you to book your places on this Parish Pilgrimage is at Back of Church. Please add your
             name if you wish to go.

             Walsingham, a shrine to the Virgin Mary set in a quiet Norfolk village, has been a place of
             pilgrimage since 1061. Pilgrimage to Walsingham is a unique and joyful mix of inspiring worship of
             the highest quality, opportunities for quiet reflection and healing ministry, and fun and laughter with
             fellow pilgrims from parishes across the UK set amidst beautiful countryside.

             It is a place richly blessed by God, and a good way of deepening friendships with others from St
             Michael’s congregation.

If you want to know more about Walsingham, please see the information at the back of church or ask Fr John.

FLOWERS IN CHURCH: Also at Back of Church is a list for you to indicate if you wish to sponsor flowers in church sometime during 2026 – perhaps in memory of a loved one, or perhaps to give thanks on a birthday or other significant date for you. Nearer the time please let Margaret have your donation and perhaps indicate if you have a preference for colour or type of flower (subject to availability and cost).

ST MICHAEL’S GREETINGS CARDS / NOTECARDS are now available at Back of Church, cost £1.50 ea in aid of church funds. The illustration is a beautiful watercolour of St Michael’s church by Catherine Garland. The cards are blank inside to use for any occasion. You can use the card machine at Back of Church to make your payment.

FOR OUR PRAYERS: For Bishop Luke and all clergy and parishes under his care; for Josh, Eva and Martha on the occasion of their Confirmation. For a deepening in our own faith and discipleship as we recall our own Baptism and Confirmation. For our Churchwardens and PCC and for our ministry of Welcome – especially for those who welcome us into church for our services and other events.

We pray for those in need, and especially Glynis Reynolds, Yvonne Young, Lindsay Wheeler, Martyn Nash, Fran, David Green, Norman Farrington, Phil and Marion, Jacqui Barlow, Joe, Keira, Freya and Isaac, and for those who mourn the loss of a loved one at this time.

We pray for the recently departed, and among them Trevor Gatehouse. 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: Gladys Colyer, Mike Thresh, Lilian Gilbert.

FROM THE BELLTOWER: Sunday, 1 February. 1260 Stedman Triples 1 Stuart Cox 2 Nigel Pointer 3 Mike Birkbeck 4 Emma Jarvis 5 Paul Barton 6 Philip Jarvis 7 Neil Jones (C) 8 Mark Elvers Rung for Candlemass. 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/