Volume 15 Issue 1/2 Jan/Feb 2015 www.thefriars.org.uk Carmelite News... Father Gerard (Ged) Walsh was ordained priest by the Rt. Rev. Terence Drainey, Bishop of Middlesbrough, at Our Lady’s Church in Acomb on Saturday 25th January, during the parish celebration of Mass. Father Ged is Catholic Chaplain at the University of York, and his ordination was attended by many past and present students and staff, as well as his ecumenical colleagues. Father Ged (37) is originally from The Wirral, and his family and friends were among the large congregation. Prior to entering the Carmelite Order, Ged was a radiographer in Liverpool but gave up this promising career when he felt called by God to enter the religious life. He studied for the priesthood in Dublin. In January we also welcomed Richard Green and Robert February Calendar Hunt to community for a pre-novitiate year. Please make them welcome and keep them in your prayers. Thurs 5 Prayer & Praise, 7pm St Joseph’s Chapel Christmas Offerings The community would like to thank everyone for their Christmas offerings. The Crib offerings raised a tremendous £615 for Mary’s Meals. This means that we are now feeding 50 children every day for a whole school year! Thank you very much. Wed 18 Ash Wednesday 7.30am & 12 noon Masses Sat 14 Third Order Meeting 10.30am onwards Thurs Choir Practice, 7.30—8.30pm. RETREATS DIARY Fully Human, Fully Alive A Lenten series of five Wednesday evening sessions (7.009.00pm), each complete in itself, on how the sacraments enable us to experience the fullness of Christian living. There will be an input on each theme with an opportunity for reflection. You are invited to join the Carmelite community for Evening Prayer at 6.30pm. Soup and rolls will be served at 7pm and the talks will begin at 7.30pm in the Gatehouse. Donation only Sacrament Baptism Reconciliation Eucharist Easter People Bernard Hoose Francis Kemsley, O.Carm. Maggie Cascioli &Trish Murphy Paul Jenkins, O.Carm. Elena White and team 25 Feb 4 Mar 11 Mar 18 Mar 25 Mar Lent Retreat—Jesus the Wounded Healer 20—22 March This residential weekend retreat will reflect upon the healing stories in Mark’s Gospel. As we begin Lent, it will be an occasion to ponder upon the love, mercy and healing of God. Francis Kemsley, O.Carm. Cost: £144 single, £140 shared, £136 senior citizen Mass Collections No. of People Amount Received Average per person 8.00 am 134 £505.85 £3.78 10.15am 404 £1112.38 £2.75 January 8.00 am total to date 10.15am 148 £550.14 £3.72 100 + Club The winner of the January draw 441 £1004.75 £2.28 was Anne Hayden from Bearsted. December total Mass Time Do take a look at the display in the Carmelite Saints chapel which is part of the celebrations for the 500th Anniversary of Teresa of Avila. The Teresian Year ends on 17th October 2015 when there will be a special celebration here. Also of note this year is the 750th Anniversary of St Simon Stock and there will also be a special celebration for this on Saturday 16th May. 2015 Events Calendar A DAY OF RAYER FOR AFRICA Saturday 28th February At St Peter & St Paul’s Church, Aylesford 10am—4.00pm Do pop in for as long or short a time as you wish Hear first hand from organisations directly involved in Africa. A light lunch will be provided at the back of the church between 1.00 and 2.00pm. For more details see the church website: www.aylesford-church.org.uk or email [email protected] EDITH STEIN STATUE It has been decided to move the beautiful Edith Stein statue which used to sit in the North Barn but that meant very few people were able to see it. The statue has now been found a new home in the Prior’s Hall. The statue was hand carved by Geoff Lucas and gifted to the Priory in 2005 when the North Barn restoration work was completed. Sat 14 Feb Valentine’s Evening 7.30pm North Barn Sat 7 Mar Irish Evening with music by Mullac a Boo 7,30pm North Barn Sat 28 Mar Born For This A powerful and moving presentation of the Stations of the Cross using drama, movement and song on the Main Shrine. Free Sat 26 Apr Kent’s All Ford Show Sun 31 May Summer Fayre 11am—4.30pm 5 - 13 July Woodturners Exhibition Sun 19 July Kent’s Kit, Custom & American Car Show Fri 24 July Shakespeare’s The Two Gentlemen of Verona Sun 26 July Rolls Royce Car Show Sun 2 Aug Vintage Motorbikes Open Day Sat 29 Aug Bexley Phoenix Choir Concert Sun 13 Sept Heritage Week Gatehouse Open Day Kent’s Classic Car Show 7-22 Nov Woodturners Exhibition Sat 21 Nov Magpie—a one woman play followed by dinner 28 & 29 Nov Christmas Fayre Sun 6 Dec Light Up A Life Fri 12 Dec Carols by Candlelight Farmers Market Dates: 15 Feb, 15 Mar, 19 April, 17 May, 21 June. 19 July, 16 Aug, 20 Sept, 18 Oct, 15 Nov, 20 Dec