1ST SUNDAY OF LENT (A)
Christ, The Second Adam. Today we celebrate Christ, the Second Adam, who overcame temptation and sin, and by his obedience won back the world to God.
Readings: Genesis 2:7-9. 3: 1-7, St Paul 5:12-19, Gospel Matthew 4:1-11
Please click above to hear Fr Doug’s sermon.
MASS INTENTIONS FOR WEEK 29 Feb – 8 March 2020
Sat 29 Feb 6pm Rose McCaughey RIP (Keenan)
Sun 1 Mar 8.30am David Brailsford RIP (Hughes)
10.30am Jim Henry RIP (Moffat)
Mon 2 Mar 9.30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
10am Family & Friends (Mantle)
Tues 3 Mar 7pm Hazel Birch in memoriam (Geoff)
Followed by Exposition and Our Lady & St. Pio Prayer Group
Wed 4 Mar 9.30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
10am Intentions of Tony Frake (Almeida)
Thur 5 Mar 9.00am Eucharistic Service
Fri 6 Mar 9.30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
10.00am Ed Jones RIP (Sheila & Family)
11.00am World Day of Prayer
7.30pm Stations
Sat 7 Mar 9am Intentions of Anne Fitzpatrick (Maureen)
6pm Joan John-Lewis (Depaul)
Sun 8 Mar 8.30am Terence Connors RIP (Kennedy)
10.30am John Hughes RIP (Carole & Family)
Reconciliation Times: Sat 9.30 am (after Mass) and 5.30pm (before Mass)
Prayers for the Sick: David Latimer, Colin Anderson, Joe Reape, Giulio Venturi, Bridie Cripps, Ray Blackman, Krystyna Witulska, and all those with ongoing poor health.
OFFERTORY COLLECTION – 23/2/20
First Collection £803.15
Retiring Collection: Bexley Deanery £118.22
This week’s retiring collection is for Poor Parishes
Next week’s 2nd collection is for CAFOD
BEXLEY DEANERY DEVELOPING WORLD GROUP: Thank you for your kind donations for January of £150.30 and February of £118.22. We have now completed 4 projects. The fourth projects is for the provision of wheelchairs. If you have any queries or information regarding the group, please contact our parish representative, Maria Ward on 01322 555 553/07802 623 571.
GIVING SOMETHING UP FOR LENT? DOING SOMETHING EXTRA? Why not be sponsored for it and raise funds for our local hospice and our church? Sponsorship forms available in the Church Porch. Contact Carol Anderson on 07913698912 for information.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS: During Lent will be held each Friday at 7.30pm. Please see the Volunteers List in the Sacristy if you would like to be one of the readers.
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER – FRIDAY, 6th MARCH 2020 (formerly Woman’s World Day of Prayer) to be held at 11am at St John Fisher Church, Thanet Road. This Service is celebrated throughout the world each year and involves those of all Christian denominations. This year it is written by the women of Zimbabwe. All Bexley churches are involved and this year it will take place at our Parish. There will be refreshments afterwards in the church hall. You are all warmly invited. Please join us if you are able.
WHAT BIBLICAL TEXT SETS YOUR HEART ON FIRE? This question is central to our Lent course with Churches Together in Old Bexley for 2020. Like St John Fisher, many churches in Britain and Ireland are keeping 2020 as ‘the Year of the Word’, and CTIOB’s Lent course, ‘Opening the Scriptures: Setting our Hearts on Fire”, will help your Lenten reflections. Join old friends and new at Baldwyns Park Baptist Church, Tuesday mornings, 10am for a 10.30am start, from 3 March, and URC Hurst Road, Thursday evenings, 7pm for a 7.30pm start, from 5 March. Free course booklet available for download at https://ctbi.org.uk/lent (text-only sheets available on the day). Questions? Kathy Fogarty, Parish Unity Contact, 07963 454480 or k.fogarty@ntlworld.com
INTER-FAITH FORUM – Social Justice, Wednesday 5th March 2020 7.30pm. We, at St John Fisher will be hosting a meeting where representatives of each of the main Faith Traditions will be making a brief presentation of their Faith’s teaching on Social justice. The catholic teaching in this area is very rich and it will be interesting to see it in the wider context or forum. Please make it an event you can commit to. Fr Doug.
TERESA FAN MEMORIAL: This weekend we are blessing and dedicating a number of items on the sanctuary that will be a wonderful memorial to Teresa Fan who died last February. We thank her family for this generous donation in her memory that has funded: Free standing altar candles, candles for the tabernacle plinth, acolyte candles, glass cruets, tabernacle covers, a red cope, the seasonal banners and the restoration of a damaged chalice. We trust that Teresa is in heaven looking down with pride!
ST JOSEPH’S – ALMS-HOUSE: Situated in Brook Green, Hammersmith in west London, the St Joseph’s Society was established in 1708 as The Aged Poor Society and is the only Catholic Alms-house in the UK. Occupation is by Trustees’ approval and a monthly maintenance contribution is payable. Residents are responsible for Council Tax and utilities. Eligibility Criteria: Aged 60 and over, of limited means, of Roman Catholic faith, able to live independently. For an inquiry form or further information, contact 0207 603 9817, email stjosephssociety@yahoo.co.uk
AN EASTER CELEBRATION: Come and enjoy a fun evening and hear the latest news. We will have uplifting worship and the team will perform their latest play. Monday 30th March 2020, doors open at 7pm, Iona Theatre, St Columba’s School Boys’ School, Halcot Avenue, DA6 7QB. 01322 330 730 to book your seats.
CAR PARKING ON ASH WEDNESDAY: Several people received parking tickets from the public car park due to it being “apparently” closed. If anyone is going to appeal their fine, I am happy to write a supporting letter. Fr Doug.
PARISH WORD OF LIFE GROUP SUNDAY MARCH 1ST AT 4 PM.
We welcome parishioners of all ages to join our new Parish Word of Life Group. We will meet monthly to read the words of the Gospel and share experiences on how we have been inspired to put ‘Faith into action’ and live out Jesus’s commandment to love one another, in a spirit of family and unity. The first meeting is scheduled for Sunday 1st of March at 4 pm in the presbytery.
If you wish to join a group or have any questions, please contact Fr Doug or Elisa Puzzolo on Mob: 0756-561-3867 or email: elisapuzzolo@gmail.com
CAFOD: Next Friday, March 6th, is FAMILY FAST DAY and the CAFOD collection will be taken as the second collection at all Masses next weekend. Envelopes for your contributions will be available this weekend and hopefully they will act as a reminder. Hopefully you will also fill in the gift aid section if you are a taxpayer. The envelopes will also be available next weekend! In the talk last year, we heard about Mahinur and her family in Bangladesh. Sadly her son Rabiul has died of a fever and Mahinur asks us to pray that he may rest in peace and for her family. John Rayer, CAFOD Parish Representative
stjohnfisherbexley.org 