4th SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Mary’s Child: The Emmanuel
God’s choice rested on the House of David which was to bring forth the Emmanuel, the God-with-us. But Mary’s Child was to belong to all the nations. We are one of those nations who, by God’s call, belong to Jesus Christ.
1st Reading: Isaiah 7:10-14 2nd Reading: Romans 1:1-7 Gospel Matthew 1:18-25
MASS INTENTIONS FOR WEEK 21- 29 Dec 2019
Sat 21 Dec 9am Intentions of John & Eileen Stanton (Tony Frake)
6pm Dan & Julia Harrington & Patrick & Mary Sheehan RIP (Eileen Sheehan)
Sun 22 Dec 8.30am Intentions of Margaret Kyne & Family (Bridie Haylett)
10.30am Tony Sullivan RIP (Marie & Family)
3pm Nativity & Carols
Mon 23 Dec 9.30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
10am Intentions of John & Eileen Hollis (Tony Frake)
7pm Service of Reconciliation.
Tues 24 Dec Christmas Eve
6.30pm Vigil: Alison Johnson RIP (Mary Lee)
11pm Midnight: Ellen & Laurence Dowling RIP (Margaret Gillis)
Wed 25 Dec Christmas Day
8.30am Fr. Ernest Akorsou RIP (Friends)
10.30am Kit & Hugh O’Reilly RIP (Eileen Sheehan)
Thurs 26 Dec No Eucharistic Service
Fri 27 Dec Feast: St. John, Apostle and Evangalist
9.30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
10.00 am Sonny Sheehan RIP (Eileen)
Sat 28 Dec Feast: The Holy Innocents
9am Tony Crowe RIP (Marlene Burt)
6pm Bridie, Michael & Brendan Houlihan RIP (Eileen Sheehan)
Sun 29 Dec The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
8.30am James & Ellen Connolly RIP (P.Coyne)
10.30am Foundation Mass for Jamie Cowdell RIP
Reconciliation Times: Sat 9.30am (after Mass) and Sat 5.30pm (before Mass)
Prayers for the Sick: David Brailsford, Colin Anderson, Joe Reape, Giulio Venturi, Anne Newton, Bridie Cripps, Ray Blackman, Peggy Whiteside and all those with ongoing poor health.
Anniversaries: Amanda Johnson, Joseph McKinley, Bemvinda Fernandes, Dick Ritzpatrick, James Fowdell, ~Gerry Clark, Marilyn Mullins, Vernon Bunce, Elizabeth Izegbuwa Iroku
OFFERTORY COLLECTION – 14 December 2019
First Collection: Gift Aid – 430.80; Loose – £218/.01; TOTAL £648.81
Bexley Deanery: £152.63
ROTAS (week commencing Mon 23/12)
Readers: Sat 6.00 pm Andy Watson Sun 8.30 Larissa/Rob Sun 10.30 Katherine Benarte. Copying of Newsletter: Molly Hobson. Newsletter Typist: Molly Robins. Collection for 8.30 am Mass: Mr. V. Jeyaseelan. Parishioner Attending to Front of Church on Saturdays: Paul Rowland. Eucharistic Ministers: Saturday 6 pm Kath, Patricia, Sun 8.30 am Volunteer, Peter W. 10.30 am Carole, Marlene, Peter H, Mary H. Molly. Washing of Purificators: Barbara. Sue.
NOTE TO ALL VOLUNTEER GROUPS: The rotas will no longer appear in the newsletter from January 2020. Please refer to you group’s rotas regarding your slot.
SPECIAL MINISTERS: If you are able, please volunteer over Christmas time. Please sign list available in the Sacristy. Many thanks. Kathy and Patricia.
WISHING YOU PEACE FROM PADRE PIO REHABILITATION CENTRE, GHANA: Thank you to all at St. John Fisher for your generous support. The staff and residents want to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and Peace in 2020.
If you would like to read about some of the activities that Fr. Doug was involved in during his recent visit, please do take a look at this uplifting December update at www.ahoto.org/newsletters. For more information about the Padre Pio Centre click on their logo on our “links” page.
ST. JOHN FISHER NEW YEAR’S EVE FAMILY DISCO 31st DECEMBER: £12 per adult, £2 per child, 8pm to 1am. Bring your own nibbles. Licensed bar. Please contact Noel McCarthy with your ticket requirements on 07813 890556 or 020 8301 2479. Email: noel.mccarthy60@outlook.com
EASYFUNDRAISING.ORG.UK If you are shopping on the internet PLEASE use easyfundraising.org.uk. You will raise FREE donations for St John Fisher Church every time you make a purchase. It’s easy and doesn’t cost you anything extra.
VOLUNTEER TYPISTS REQUIRED: We urgently need 1 or 2 typists to assist with producing the newsletter. Commitment is only around 1-2 hours once a month. Proficiency with word and access to a pc are all that is required. If interested please contact Ruth Powers on ruthmac18@gmail.com or the parish office. Many thanks.
BEXLEY DEANERY DEVELOPING WORLD GROUP. Thank you for your generous donation of £152.63 on Sunday 15th December. For further information please contact the Parish Representative, Maria Ward, on 01322 555553/0780262351.
CHURCH CLEANING – A big THANK YOU to the small group of parishioners who give up- their free time to help keep our church clean. The rota for 2020 is now available for collection from the cupboard. More volunteers are needed to either join an existing group or make up a new one. Each group cleans once every six weeks, another group of three or four people, means that would change to once every eight weeks. If you are able to help please ring Carole Hughes on 020 8303 90703.
THE CHURCH CHRISTMAS TREE has been given in memory of Kathleen Murphy and once again her family would like all parishioners to join in decorating it with “memory stars”. Write the names of anyone you’ll be missing this Christmas on the white side of one of the gold stars and hang them on the tree. There is a tin of stars by the tree and hopefully some pens.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2020 Completed Application forms for the First Holy communion Programme 2020 (collected from the Porch) should be completed and returned no later than 22nd December 2019. Year 3 Children or above are eligible for First Communion and should attend mass regularly at St. John Fisher, Bexley. New parishioners who wish their child to join the programme please speak to Father Doug. The programme commences in January 2020 and the First Holy Communion Service will be held in June 2020. Details of the programme, relevant dates, parents meetings to follow.
MEDJUGORJE IRISH CENTRE PILGRIMAGES APRIL – OCT 2020
7 Night Stay and Airport Shuttle service from Dubrovnik or Split for £266 per person sharing. Book any flight – any time and we provide guaranteed airport shuttle service. Call us for further info and book the dates that suit you. Tel: 020 3239 8662 or email reservations@med-irishcentre.com
stjohnfisherbexley.org 
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