The Parishioner - Edition 18

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THE PARISH OF ST. FRANCIS
GROVE HOUSE, 126 WEEK STREET, MAIDSTONE , KENT ME14 1RH
TEL: 01622 756217 FAX: 01622 690549
Email:stfrancis_parish@yahoo.co.uk
Website www. stfrancisparish.org.uk
Parish Priest: Canon John Clark MA.
Parishioner Editor: Denis Neale, Tel: 01622 200025
Email: denisneale@blueyonder.co.uk
E D I T O R I A L
It is time again for the Parishioner, and again I am
very grateful to Denis and Ross Neale for all their
efforts in collating and presenting this issue.
Sadly we mark the retirement of Archbishop
Kevin through ill health and we wish him well for
the future. He will continue to live in the diocese
and we hope he will be able to take an active
part in the life of the diocese after his treatments
are over. It is a significant time in the history of
our country as we approach a General Election.
Whatever our political position it is important that
we as Christian men and women take on our
civic responsibility to vote. In casting our vote we
should keep in mind the social teaching of the
Church which guides us towards the common
good. The Bishops of England and Wales have
issued a very important document identifying for
us the issues that affect us
today in society. I hope you
enjoy the current issue of the
Parishioner and I take this
opportunity to wish you all a
very happy and a holy Easter.
Canon John Clark
Parish Priest.
ST FRANCIS’ CHURCH • MAIDSTONE
Welcome
to Fr Anthony Packianathan
Fr Anthony arrived at St Francis’ Parish on February
16th. A priest from the Indian Diocese of Sivagangai
(South East), Fr Anthony will be with us until
September.
A priest for 26 years, last year he celebrated his
Silver Jubilee. Fr Anthony has served as a Parish
Priest for 8 years and for 13 years as Secretary to the
Tamilnadu Catholic Bishops’ Conference. During his
time as secretary Fr Anthony held two appointments,
youth ministry from 1992 to 1998 and ministry for
the marginalised (the Dalits) from 2002 to 2009.
While in England he will be studying for a
Doctorate in Communications at Oxford University.
Fr Anthony’s impressions of our parish is that of
a welcoming, caring and hospitable community. He
is looking forward to serving in our parish as part of
a team of international priests.
The opinions expressed in articles in the Parishioner
are those of the authors and are not necessarily the
opinions of the editorial board.
Popular headteacher to leave
St. Simon Stock School
John McParland, the headteacher of St.
Simon Stock School will be leaving at
Easter to take up a new post as Principal
Designate of the proposed new Academy for
Ashford. In his resignation letter to the school
governors he said;“I was invited to apply for this
job and the fact that it was a Christian
Academy, which is important to me, attracted
me to this challenging post. Following two days
of interviews, I was offered the job, and having
deliberated with my family and some
John McParland
Governors, including the Chair of Governors, I
have made the decision to accept it”.
The new Academy will evolve from Christ Church, Church
of England School in South Ashford and will be part of a regeneration
programme of South Ashford to give the young people
and the community life enhancing opportunities. The present
school is a ‘National Challenge’ school and Mr.McParland is looking
forward to raising the aspirations and achievement of the
students who come from an area of great deprivation.
“ It will be a huge wrench for me to leave St. Simon Stock,”
he continues,“ where I have had the opportunity to lead a great
and wonderful community of students, parents, staff and
Governors in developing our school. I am delighted with the
progress that we have made during my headship with our new
buildings, improved facilities, year on year oversubscription, year
on year improvement in examination results culminating in this
year in the best exam results at GCSE and A Level in the history
of the school. Our school is an excellent school with students
of quality and integrity and I know it will thrive under new leadership.”
Mr. McParland thanked the Governors for the support they
had given him over the past nine years and added that he had
been a very lucky teacher to have had such talented and committed
Governors with a variety of expertise and skills. He concluded,“You
have made the school the great school that it is and
please God it will continue to grow and flourish.
It has been an honour to serve this fantastic
faith community.”
In a letter to parents, Mr. Michael Powis,
Chair of the School Governors writes, “The
head was invited to apply for the post because
of the excellent work he has done over the last
nine years in St. Simon Stock Catholic School
as evidenced by the steady improvement in
examination results. That success is built on
strong foundations - good teachers, good systems
for sustained and ongoing improvement
in teaching and learning, good management and leadership and
especially important for the months ahead, two good deputy
Heads in Jon Malone and Ruth Simpson. Mr. McParland’s greatest
success is that the school will continue to provide a high
quality all-round education to our children after he moves on to
his new role. That strong foundation means we, as governors,
and you, as parents, can be confident St Simon Stock School students
will continue to thrive during the change over. Because of
the way teacher contracts work, it may well be next September
before our new Head takes up post but she or he will come into
what is and what will be then a very good school.”
Canon John adds:
Mr McParland has moved St Simon Stock School forward in
the last nine years. Building on the work of previous heads he
significantly improved the environment of the school by adding
the new sixth form centre and sports facilities together with the
science block and new canteen area. He has also raised the standards
of achievent within the school witnessed by the success
we have had this year in public examinations. He has also been
intent on supporting and developing the catholic ethos of the
school, acknowleding the value and significance of each of the
students. He will be sadly missed.We all wish him well in his next
appointment.
Parish says farewell to
Fr Perpetual
On Friday, 12th February Father Perpetual Anthony LLM MA returned home to India after three year’s ministry in our
parish of St. Francis. During those years he has had a particular ministry for the hospital and for the care of the sick
and elderly and in the hospital has been on call with the other clergy for emergencies. With Sister Kathleen he regularly
visited the sick and housebound, both in their homes and those in residential or nursing homes. He always fulfilled his
mission with kindness and with that great smile. While with us he not only worked hard in the parish but also followed a course
of studies at Kent University leading to a Masters Degree in Civil Law, gaining a distinction and an award for achievement.
We will all miss Father Perpetual, with much gratitude for all he has done for us.
Father Perpetual writes: “I would like to thank everyone in the Parish for all the wonderful help I have received, especially
from Canon John. I have really enjoyed my ministry here; the liturgy, sacraments, school, hospital and visits. I have acquired
many new skills, completed a specialised degree in criminal justice and managed some travelling. I am not sure where my ministry
will take me but by the middle of May I may have a parish and my Bishop may co-opt me for his prison ministry. Until
then I may be at home visiting family and friends. I am not able to promise anything about returning other than to say I might
come for a short break. I will miss you all very much and my prayers for you are assured. Please remember me in your prayers,
too. Goodbye and thank you all.”
Many parishioners attended a reception after 6pm Mass on
Saturday, February 6th to say goodbye to Fr Perpetual. Here, Fr
John presents him with a cheque for £1600, and a gold watch on
behalf of the parish.
Father Perpetual wrote in the weekly newsletter:
“I was very grateful and touched to see so many at Mass
and at the reception afterwards on Saturday evening. I
appreciate all your cards, gifts and good wishes and I
consider it an honour to have served at St. Francis. Thank
you very much. God bless.”
Anyone who would like to contact Fr Perpetual can do so at: Fr Perpetual, House number 13 - A1, West Lutheran Street, Nagercoll 629001, South India or by
email on: perp@rediffmail.com
Dew Association
Choir entertains Christmas crowds
Once again, the St Francis’ choir, led by
Geraldine Sowerby, pulled out all the stops
in their annual programme of Christmas
Carols in the Mall Shopping Centre, on 13
December.
Those who took part thoroughly enjoyed the
event, as did the onlookers who contributed
£177.51, which has been donated to the parish Dew
Association.
The Dew supports small charitable organisations
in India, Africa and the Philippines who are
grateful for all monies received from collections at
Maidstone Circle invites practising
Catholic men, married or
single, to come along and meet
the “Catenians” on the second Monday of
every month, except August, at the Russell
Hotel, Boxley Road, ME14 2AE. You are
assured of a warm welcome at 8.30 pm following
our meeting when we have a simple
2-course, low cost meal, good conversation
and a glass of wine.
This is an opportunity to meet like
minded Catholic men from all walks of
life. There is no obligation to join the association
nor is there any pressure to do so.
Just give Dennis Edwardes a ring (number
below) please to let us know to expect you
and enjoy a relaxing evening with us!
The Catholic faith and the family are
the bedrocks of the association. The
10,000 Catenians in the UK and overseas
enjoy a social network, helping them to
live out their vocations as husband, father,
friend, committed Christian and active
Catholic.
Welfare of members and their families
is a priority, including visiting the sick and
elderly and providing comfort and help.
Members and their families are given support
in times of difficulty or need. A bursary fund helps young
people to undertake charitable projects here and abroad.
As part of its Centenary celebrations in 2008 The
Catenians set up a charity in partnership with CAFOD, “GIVE
WATER, LIFE AND HOPE” to provide clean water in Africa,
Hugh McKearney
Iwould guess that for most Catholics the deanery doesn’t
mean very much - and the Deanery Pastoral Council even
less.Yet the Deanery is an important part of the Church and
likely to become more important in years to come.
So, what is a deanery? It’s a collection of parishes which form
part of the Diocese. Our deanery is the Deanery of Maidstone and
Canon John is the Dean. The parishes which make up the Deanery
are: Maidstone (including Aylesford), Maidstone South, Bearsted,
West Malling, Cranbrook, Tenterden and Goudhurst. As Dean,
Canon John has responsibility for these parishes, especially if problems
arise such as one of the priests being ill, and for ensuring that
Sunday Mass is celebrated.
In a large diocese such as Southwark, conditions vary so much
that it wouldn’t be possible for all policies to apply in the same way
to every parish. You can see the differences between a large inner
city parish like Brixton; or a parish in the suburbs like Woolwich; or
a large town like Maidstone or a village like Cranbrook or
Goudhurst. Dealing with the problems and the opportunities of a
diocese like Southwark depends on how we adapt to suit our own
needs.
The Maidstone Deanery is itself unusual because it is made up
our church each month, as well as from other
sources, such as donations instead of flowers for
funerals, monthly direct debit contributions and
donations from fund raising events such as Carols
in the Mall.
Next Christmas, Geraldine intends to arrange
another Carols in the Mall and also a similar event
at Fremlin’s Walk.
The Committee of the Dew Association wishes
to thank Geraldine, the singers and muscian for
their generous efforts.
Carols in the Mall by Mary Brittain
I am really no singer, but joined the group to sing carols
in the Mall on December 13th. The shoppers, even
if they did not stop to join in, smiled as they walked
past. It was, for me, what Christmas is all about and
what a good idea to include a couple of Christmas
songs with the carols - very enjoyable. I went home
with a really feel good factor within me. I do hope the
Mall invite St. Francis’ Church again for Christmas
2010. If so, I will be there as part of the backing group
for the choir!
MEET THE MAIDSTONE CATENIANS
John McElroy
Dinner to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of
Maidstone Catenian Circle at Leeds Castle`
especially in Zimbabwe. In December
2009 our Grand President handed over a
£250,000 “cheque” to Cafod. Money was
raised by Circles around the world and
Maidstone Circle raised £1,100.
Maidstone Circle is one of 19 in Kent
and the South London area. Every Circle
has a full social programme for the family,
young and old, and there are Masses for
special occasions. For Maidstone Circle’s
programme
see
www.stfrancisparish.org.uk Our Parish -
Catenian Association.
There are Catenian weekends and
functions in the UK and abroad. Catenians
can visit any monthly Circle meeting anywhere
and participate in other Circles’
social and religious events. Visiting other
Circles is an important part of being a
Catenian because it widens friendship.
Applications for Membership of
Maidstone Circle are welcome from practising
Catholic men, married or single,
over 21 years, from all walks of life. There
are no limitations on occupation or nationality.
Wives of members are not required to
be Catholics; many are not and enjoy
Catenian life to the full. To enquire about
joining the Catenians please contact Membership Officer,
Dennis Edwardes, Tel. 01622 720830.
For more information visit: www.thecatenians.com
The Deanery Pastoral Council
- and why it’s important to you.
Deacon Tom Coyle
of the ‘Maidstone parishes’ (Maidstone, Maidstone South, Bearsted
and West Malling), all of which were founded from the Maidstone
parish and all of which look to Maidstone as the principal town in
the area; and then there are the rural parishes (Goudhurst,
Cranbrook and Tenterden) which don’t have a lot to do with
Maidstone and are made up of fairly small communities.
When our former Archbishop Kevin was appointed, one of his
early initiatives was to try to get the parishes of the diocese to have
a vision for the future and we have been involved in the parish and
in the deanery in trying to put this vision into reality. It was obvious
from the beginning that in our own deanery parishes had different
qualities and different talents and it made sense to share them. In
the past we have brought the parishes together for meetings of the
catechists and for the annual Mass for the Sick at Aylesford, but we
felt that there was scope for even more co-operation. In addition
the Archbishop asked us to try to look five or ten years ahead and
see what problems we might be facing then. One of the major
problems will be the shortage of priests. Many of our priests are
getting on in years and, while we have a number of men training to
be priests at the Seminary, there will almost inevitably be a shortfall
in the number of priests in the next five to ten years - and we can’t
ASCENT GROUP-
STILL ASCENDING!
Angela Hunter
Members of the Maidstone Ascent Group have met regularly
each month during 2009, with talks on various
Saints and other spiritual reflections - not forgetting
the tea and biscuits!
In May we welcomed back Sister Eileen Keene who gave us
a most interesting talk on the Sisters of Providence. In addition
to our monthly meetings, we had a day at the Pilsdon
Community in West Malling and a coach outing to Sussex, visiting
Rye and ending in Tenterden for a cream tea. The year ended
with twenty-two members and friends meeting at the Friars,
Aylesford, for a delicious Christmas lunch. This year (2010) is an
important one for the Ascent Movement as it marks the Thirtieth
Anniversary of the forming of the Movement in England and for
our group as well.
The Southwark
Region is holding a
retreat at the Friars in
June and the Maidstone
Group will be holding its
Thirtieth Anniversary celebration
in the summer.
We also hope to arrange
a visit to the Seminary at
Wonersh and a pilgrimage
to Our Lady of
Ascent Group meeting with Sister Eileen on 6th May 2009
Consolation at West Grinstead. We shall, of course, be celebrating
in December with the Christmas Lunch at the Friars!
The Ascent Movement is for all those in their middle and later
years, so if you are interested, please contact the Group Leader,
Angela Hunter ( 01622 746792)
☺The New Hospital Wing
When a panel of doctors was asked to vote on
adding a new wing to their hospital:
•The allergists voted to scratch it and the dermatologists preferred
no rash moves
•The gastroenterologists had a gut feeling about it, but the
neurologists thought the administration had a lot of nerve
and the obstetricians stated they were labouring under a
misconception.
•The ophthalmologists considered the idea short sighted, the
pathologists yelled “Over my dead body!”, while the paediatricians
said, “Grow up!”
•The psychiatrists thought it was madness; the surgeons
decided to wash their hands of the whole thing and the radiologists
could see right through it.
•The pharmacists though it was a bitter pill to swallow - but
the plastic surgeon said, “This puts a whole new face on the
matter.”
•The chiropodists thought it was a step forward, but the urologists
felt the scheme would not hold water.
•The anaesthetists thought the whole thing was a gas and the
cardiologists did not have the heart to say no.
wait for this to happen before doing something about it.
It is against this background that the Deanery Pastoral Council
is being revamped. Each parish will have two representatives (and
two reserves in case one of the main representatives can’t manage
to come to a meeting). It will meet quarterly and will bring together
the laity with some of the clergy to look at how it can serve the
deanery. Some areas of work will be for the whole deanery, like the
Mass for the Sick, or work with young people - the possibility of a
Deanery Youth Council is being considered. Other areas like preparation
for Confirmation; training of catechists, readers and extraordinary
ministers of communion might be split, with separate courses
for the Maidstone parishes and the rural parishes. The Council
might also look at training lay people to take more responsibility in
their parishes especially in dealing with the more administrative
matters. There might be the possibility of parishes sharing facilities
such as finance expertise or in running the RCIA courses.
The main purpose of the Council will, we hope, be to help lay
members of the parishes of the deanery to realise that they have a
responsibility for the Church in this area of Kent and to give their
time and their talents to the work of spreading the Gospel of Jesus.
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