Welcome to
The Sacred Heart of Jesus, Sittingbourne
63 West Street,
Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 1AN
Office Opening Hours
Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9am – 1pm
When the office is closed please use the following contacts
Email address – sittingbourne@rcaos.org.uk
Telephone 01795 555708
Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9am – 1pm
When the office is closed please use the following contacts
Email address – sittingbourne@rcaos.org.uk
Telephone 01795 555708
WHAT’S ON THIS COMING WEEK?
Dear parishioners, below is the Mass times for the coming week. Thanks to our generous stewards from this week it will be possible to participate at the Mass also on Tuesdays. Monday 26th October NO MASS Tuesday 27th October Mass 6pm - Volunteers of the Parish RCIA – 6.30pm in the Parish Office Wednesday 28th October Mass 10am - Wellbeing of Michael Clarke Thursday 29th October Mass 10am - Wellbeing of Evie & Lily Friday 30th October Mass 10am - Wellbeing of Chris & Jim *** Followed by Adoration and Divine Mercy Chaplet*** Saturday 31st October Mass 5pm - James & Judith Heyes Wedding Anniversary Sunday 1st November - All Saints Day Mass 9.30am - People of the Parish Mass 11am - Vicky Prada RIP |
PARISH NEWS WELCOME BACK TO MASS We would like to reassure you that every effort has been made to make the Church covid safe. I am delighted to see so many people returning to Mass and would like to remind everyone that the obligation to attend Mass on a Sunday has been relaxed. The weekday Masses are quieter and therefore where possible please attend during the week. Remember to book your place by emailing or telephoning the office as we are restricted by government regulations as to how many people we can have at each Mass. CONFESSION Just to remind you, Confession takes place on Saturdays at 4pm in the Church ST SIMON STOCK CATHOLIC SECONDARY SCHOOL – MAIDSTONE St Simon Stock Catholic School has created a ‘Virtual Open Event’ to replace the customary open events which are usually held in the Autumn Term, together with welcome messages from the Academy Principal, Executive Principal and other useful information for you to look at. Please visit: https://stsimonstock.theschooltour.co.uk/ For more information, please telephone Cathy on 01622 754551 MASS INTENTIONS If you would like a Mass said for the repose of the soul of a loved one or the wellbeing of family or friends, please contact the Parish Office. JEFF CAVINS’ WORLDWIDE-FAMOUS CATHOLIC BIBLE STUDY. A 7-session course on Wednesdays, starting on Wed 4th November, 2020 @7pm Delivered by Catholic speaker Mauro Iannicelli through live-streamed talks which will include stimulating interaction. Grasp the Big Picture of the Bible from start to finish, the Old and New Testament, once and for all! A 7-session course on Wednesdays, starting on Wed 4th November, 2020 @7pm Course Information & Registration at: www.comeandsee.org |
LIFE OF BLESSED CARLO ACUTIS
Born in London, in 1991, Carlo and his family soon moved back to Italy, where he grew up as an ordinary only child. He loved football, Pokémon, action films, and all animals (he had four dogs, two cats and many goldfish as pets). From early childhood, his first love was Our Lord in the Eucharist.
Neither of his parents were religious, yet from an early age Carlo never wanted to pass a church without going in to “say hello to Jesus.” As a result, his mother came back to faith, then his father. Carlo received his First Holy Communion early, at his own request, in a local convent, entering under a doorway that said “God is enough.”
Carlo’s love, appreciation and reverence for the Eucharist were exceptional. “The Eucharist is my highway to Heaven!” he would say. And, “If we get in front of the sun, we get sun tans, but when we get in front of Jesus in the Eucharist, we become Saints.”
He never missed daily Mass, even when (from the age of eleven) he began visiting Eucharistic miracles all over the world with his parents, documenting them. A “computer genius” and possible future patron saint of the internet, by age fourteen he had created a Eucharistic Miracle display that would tour the world, along with a website. He believed that if people knew that Jesus was truly in the Eucharist, they would turn to God.
Carlo knew he would die young, even predicting the cause of his death and his weight at the time. His mother said, “Carlo always had a sense that he couldn’t waste time.” He hated to be enslaved by anything, so although he loved computer games, he allowed himself to play for only one hour a week, and gave the rest of his time to good works helping children, the elderly, and the poor. As soon as he was confirmed, age eleven, he became a catechist. He met and chatted with many migrants, standing sponsor for one when he got baptized. He was popular at school, but also befriended children who were unhappy at home, defended the disabled, and treated girls with an old-fashioned purity that challenged everyone. He would defend his Catholic faith — including his pro-life views — fearlessly in class.
Then, in early October, 2006, Carlo became ill with flu — so it was thought, until his condition deteriorated. He was admitted to hospital, receiving a terrible diagnosis: “It is a devastating leukemia.” The fifteen-year-old boy who loved to laugh had days to live. Carlo took the news calmly, immediately offering all his sufferings for the Pope, the Church, and his own direct entry into heaven (he had a horror of purgatory). “I am happy to die,” he said, “because I have lived my life without wasting a minute on those things which do not please God.”
“I would like to leave this hospital,” he told his mother, “but I know I will not do so alive. I will give you signs, though, that I am with God.” He died on October 12. Some of his last words were to a nurse who offered to wake his mother, since he was suffering. He refused: “She is very tired as well and she will only worry even more.”
Exactly four years later, on the anniversary of Carlo’s death, at the age of forty-four, his mother gave birth to the promised ‘signs’—Carlo’s twin brother and sister.
Carlo’s mother has said that God chose Carlo to be “an example for the young people of this period in history.” On Saturday the Church gains a truly inspiring new Blessed to walk alongside our young people and lead them on the highway to heaven. Blessed Carlo Acutis, pray for us.
Born in London, in 1991, Carlo and his family soon moved back to Italy, where he grew up as an ordinary only child. He loved football, Pokémon, action films, and all animals (he had four dogs, two cats and many goldfish as pets). From early childhood, his first love was Our Lord in the Eucharist.
Neither of his parents were religious, yet from an early age Carlo never wanted to pass a church without going in to “say hello to Jesus.” As a result, his mother came back to faith, then his father. Carlo received his First Holy Communion early, at his own request, in a local convent, entering under a doorway that said “God is enough.”
Carlo’s love, appreciation and reverence for the Eucharist were exceptional. “The Eucharist is my highway to Heaven!” he would say. And, “If we get in front of the sun, we get sun tans, but when we get in front of Jesus in the Eucharist, we become Saints.”
He never missed daily Mass, even when (from the age of eleven) he began visiting Eucharistic miracles all over the world with his parents, documenting them. A “computer genius” and possible future patron saint of the internet, by age fourteen he had created a Eucharistic Miracle display that would tour the world, along with a website. He believed that if people knew that Jesus was truly in the Eucharist, they would turn to God.
Carlo knew he would die young, even predicting the cause of his death and his weight at the time. His mother said, “Carlo always had a sense that he couldn’t waste time.” He hated to be enslaved by anything, so although he loved computer games, he allowed himself to play for only one hour a week, and gave the rest of his time to good works helping children, the elderly, and the poor. As soon as he was confirmed, age eleven, he became a catechist. He met and chatted with many migrants, standing sponsor for one when he got baptized. He was popular at school, but also befriended children who were unhappy at home, defended the disabled, and treated girls with an old-fashioned purity that challenged everyone. He would defend his Catholic faith — including his pro-life views — fearlessly in class.
Then, in early October, 2006, Carlo became ill with flu — so it was thought, until his condition deteriorated. He was admitted to hospital, receiving a terrible diagnosis: “It is a devastating leukemia.” The fifteen-year-old boy who loved to laugh had days to live. Carlo took the news calmly, immediately offering all his sufferings for the Pope, the Church, and his own direct entry into heaven (he had a horror of purgatory). “I am happy to die,” he said, “because I have lived my life without wasting a minute on those things which do not please God.”
“I would like to leave this hospital,” he told his mother, “but I know I will not do so alive. I will give you signs, though, that I am with God.” He died on October 12. Some of his last words were to a nurse who offered to wake his mother, since he was suffering. He refused: “She is very tired as well and she will only worry even more.”
Exactly four years later, on the anniversary of Carlo’s death, at the age of forty-four, his mother gave birth to the promised ‘signs’—Carlo’s twin brother and sister.
Carlo’s mother has said that God chose Carlo to be “an example for the young people of this period in history.” On Saturday the Church gains a truly inspiring new Blessed to walk alongside our young people and lead them on the highway to heaven. Blessed Carlo Acutis, pray for us.
OUR CAR PARK CAMPAIGN CAN GO ON WITH YOUR SUPPORT.
CLICK DOWN BELOW FOR DONATIONS
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sacredheartsittingbourne
CLICK DOWN BELOW FOR DONATIONS
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sacredheartsittingbourne
Click HERE for Angelcam live stream of Mass
(remember to switch volume on as default is mute)
Alternatively to the angelcam you can follow the live streaming also on Facebook:
Sacred Heart of Jesus RCC Sittingbourne page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/SittingbourneSacredHeart/photos/?tab=album&album_id=110411620602636
Or on the personal account of Graziano de Palma
IF OUR ANGELCAM DOESN'T WORK, HERE OTHER LIVE-STREAMING MASS
Link to Southwark parishes that live-stream Mass
Several Parishes within the Archdiocese live-stream Mass each weekend.
Externally to the Diocese, The Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham offers a 12 noon Mass each day, whilst Church Services TV and MCN Media also offer Masses from around the country, and indeed, Europe.
(remember to switch volume on as default is mute)
Alternatively to the angelcam you can follow the live streaming also on Facebook:
Sacred Heart of Jesus RCC Sittingbourne page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/SittingbourneSacredHeart/photos/?tab=album&album_id=110411620602636
Or on the personal account of Graziano de Palma
IF OUR ANGELCAM DOESN'T WORK, HERE OTHER LIVE-STREAMING MASS
Link to Southwark parishes that live-stream Mass
Several Parishes within the Archdiocese live-stream Mass each weekend.
Externally to the Diocese, The Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham offers a 12 noon Mass each day, whilst Church Services TV and MCN Media also offer Masses from around the country, and indeed, Europe.
CHURCH OPENS FOR HOLY MASS
I am so delighted to welcome all our beloved parishioners back to Holy Mass commencing on Wednesday 15th July 2020, 10.00 am.
Please be aware that, following the rule of social distancing (one meter), the capacity of our Church is 40 people only. With the obligation to attend Sunday Mass which remains suspended, you are invited to consider the possibility of attending on a weekday. This is to give the opportunity to all parishioners to receive the Holy Communion at least once a week. This will ease the pressure of numbers for Sunday celebrations. Those who come must comply with the following mandatory requirements:
- Parishioners will need to register by contacting the Parish Office with an email or telephone call on a Friday when the office is staffed.
- Everyone is required to give their name and either a mobile or landline number or email address or postal address which will be kept for 21 days to facilitate the NHS “Track and Trace” to manage the risk of the virus re-emerging.
- It is mandatory to wear a face covering mask at Mass. Please bring your own mask.
- If anyone objects to either wearing a face covering or giving their details to the steward they will be invited to leave.
- Everyone is to sanitise their hands on entering and leaving the church.
- There will be a “one-way system”: parishioners must enter by the main doors and exit by the side door.
- Observe distancing of one meter by only sitting on a spot marked by the green sticker. Members of the same household can occupy also the spot with the red sticker as long as they are on the same bench.
- The Mass will be in a short format with: no singing, no bidding prayers, no offertory procession and a brief homily.
- There will be no collection. You can place your offering or gift aid envelop at any Mass in the box at the entrance to the church or in the basket near the exit door.
- The priest will be distributing Holy Communion to parishioners in their hands at their seat.
- Weekly Mass time is Wednesday – Friday 10.00 am.
- Sunday Mass time are: Saturday 5.00 pm and Sunday at 9.30 am, 11.00 am.
- Everyone must remain seated after the final blessing so that the stewards can lead people out row by row.
- Everyone must leave the church immediately after Mass to allow cleaning to take place.
- There are no toilets in use.
- Candles are permitted to be lit without sharing lighter or matches.
I am very much looking forward to seeing you attending Holy Mass and I extend my special thanks to our splendid team of stewards without whom we cannot have Mass. God bless you all.
Fr Graziano de Palma Sunday 5th July 2020
Starting this week we will pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet during Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, on Tuesdays and Fridays.
This is a powerful prayer with which to plead for special graces.
This is a powerful prayer with which to plead for special graces.
Dear husband and wife! During the lockdown period an online ‘Build a Better Marriage’ opportunity is being held on May 2nd 2020 running from 10am -1pm.
The course offered means that you can attend the course from your own living room and there is no group sharing!
A recent Build a Better Marriage course held on April 4th 2020 received the following comments from married couples who logged on …
‘The topics were chosen well and we could really relate to them. The personal stories you shared were very insightful and helped us to reflect on our own relationships more deeply… It was relaxed and you put us at ease, being friendly and personable...’
‘We thoroughly enjoyed attending the course and have certainly been practicing a few of the things we learnt already. It puts a smile on our faces when we do because we know that we are certainly richer from participating in the course.’
For further information contact: Carole - Tel: 07983524727 - email: mflkent@rcaos.org.u
Kent Pastoral Area
The course offered means that you can attend the course from your own living room and there is no group sharing!
A recent Build a Better Marriage course held on April 4th 2020 received the following comments from married couples who logged on …
‘The topics were chosen well and we could really relate to them. The personal stories you shared were very insightful and helped us to reflect on our own relationships more deeply… It was relaxed and you put us at ease, being friendly and personable...’
‘We thoroughly enjoyed attending the course and have certainly been practicing a few of the things we learnt already. It puts a smile on our faces when we do because we know that we are certainly richer from participating in the course.’
For further information contact: Carole - Tel: 07983524727 - email: mflkent@rcaos.org.u
Kent Pastoral Area
ACT OF SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
(Prayer to be said before watching the Holy Mass on streaming)
My Jesus, I believe that You are Present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from you.
Amen
(Prayer to be said before watching the Holy Mass on streaming)
My Jesus, I believe that You are Present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from you.
Amen
A Faith Worshipping Community in Christ, in Church and Family
The Sacred Heart of Jesus is part of the Archdiocese of Southwark covering South London and Kent.
The Sacred Heart of Jesus is part of the Archdiocese of Southwark covering South London and Kent.
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MISSION
We, the Parish community of the Sacred Heart, nurtured by the presence of God, and empowered by the Spirit of servant leadership, are committed to grow as a living Church of the poor responding to the spiritual and temporal needs of people to attain the fullness of life. VISION The Sacred Heart Parish, Under The Guidance Of The Sacred Heart Of Jesus, Her Patron, Is A Vibrant Community Of Faith, Hope And Charity, Ever Growing With Clear And Effective Programmes To Enhance The Spiritual And Temporal Lives Of Its Parishioners, Especially The Poor. 
Click on Logo for Diocese of Southwark News Update (Incl Rosary & Benediction around the Coast) 
Click on logo to visit Divine office website 
Click on logo to visit the Vatican Website 
Click on logo to visit Universalis Website |
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If you have any news articles or information that you feel will be of interest to our Parish, then please contact us through the contact page.
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