Newsletter Sunday April 19th, 2020

SUNDAY 19th April, 2nd Sunday of Easter

“Eight days later…”

Readings: Acts 2:42-47, Psalm 117, 1st Peter 1:3-9, John 20: 19-31

SERVICES FOR WEEK 19- 26 April 2020

Sun 19 Apr 2nd SUNDAY of EASTER
Parish Mass – available to engage with via website at any time of day
Jim Henry RIP (OLPG)

8.30 a.m. David Brailsford RIP (Hyde)

Mon 20 Apr 8.30 a.m. D & J Harrington and P & M Sheehan RIP (Sheehan)

Tues 21 Apr 8.30 a.m. Margaret McQuaid RIP (Patricia, Seamus & Siobhan)

Wed 22 Apr 8.30 a.m. Maureen Watkins (Hughes)

Thur 23 Apr 8.30 p.m. Jean Barron RIP (Burt)

Fri 24 Apr 8.30 p.m. Derek Botterill RIP (Botterill)

Sat 25 Apr 8.30 p.m. Private Intention (Sullivan)

Sun 26 Apr 3rd SUNDAY of EASTER
Parish Mass – available to engage with via website at any time of day
Flordeliza Valdez RIP (Bernarte)

8.30 a.m. Margaret Kyne and Family (Haylett)

Additionally, Fr Doug prays a Holy Hour between 5.30 and 6.30 each evening and all are encouraged to pause for prayer sometime during that hour and participate knowing others are doing so too.

Please pray for the souls of :
Alice Howie Funeral 29th April
Rommel Bernarte Funeral 5th May

Please pray for those who are suffering from Corona virus and for the NHS workers who care for them

Prayer of St. Alphonsus
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in this Most Holy Sacrament of the altar.
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 spiritually into my soul so that. I may unite myself wholly to You now and forever. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.
Happy Easter Everyone – yes, it is still Easter!

Dear Parishioner,
Just as Easter continues, so does our ‘Lock-Down’. While in 3 weeks there MAY be some easing of the restrictions, it doesn’t seem likely that large gatherings of people in one place like a church will be allowed. So our ‘virtual’ parish looks set to continue for some time and we need to come to terms with that and move on from keeping everything ‘on hold’. It does at least seem likely that daily exercise outside the house will continue to be allowed. Some of you will therefore feel able to post things through the presbytery letter box.
If you need documents signed for instance, drop them in and I will reply by post.
If you want a mass to be offered for one of your intentions then use the normal process, just with your own envelope, not one of the pre-printed ones you normally pick up in church. Availability for masses to be offered starts in a week or two.
The postal system itself seems to have continued well during the crisis so far, so feel free to use it.

Anyway despite the seriousness of the situation life must go on and does go on.
Didn’t the church look impressive on Easter Day? What with Sue Murphy’s flowers and the brass work and banners from the Teresa Fan Memorial, the sanctuary looked terrific, even if the pews were eerily empty. Peter Murphy’s productions of the Easter Services were widely admired, not just in Bexley but in many locations beyond, even in different parts of the world! If you haven’t found the services, then on the website: http://www.stjohnfisherbexley.org there are several ways to get there. I usually go to the Sunday Mass button and click on there. We are all grateful to Peter.

I am grateful too, to many who used their daily exercise to pass by the presbytery and drop in Easter Greetings – and a few Easter gifts as well; thank you so much.
If you are on my email list you will have received this newsletter in that way, and you also receive my mid-week “Ramblings”. If you would like to endure such torment and do not yet do so just email me at douglasbull@rcaos.org.uk.
God Bless,
Fr Doug
Finances
From the Diocesan and Parish finance teams –
A number of parishioners have asked what do with collections not taking place. The advice is:
• For those using envelopes, please put your donation into the envelope and hold onto it until the lockdown ceases.
• For those who put loose money in the plate, please try to put that money aside and donate it after lockdown
• If you are experiencing financial difficulty during this crisis please look after yourself first.
Should you wish to contribute to the parish directly from your bank account that would be very helpful. Our details: St John Fisher Church, Sort code 51 70 14, Account 01831763
So sorry to have typed the wrong sort code number last week. It really is 51 70 14
Please ensure you put your name on the transaction code so that we can thank you later.

LINKS AND CONTACTS.
The number of links and contacts many of us are receiving can be overwhelming, though all are well-meant. We offer a limited number below that we hope may be of use:

‘Pray As You Go’ http://www.pray-as-you-go.org for a daily prayer.
Our Diocese of Southwark: http://www.rcsouthwark.co.uk Lots of information and further links.
Bexley Council Helpline: 020 3045 5398. The helpline is open from 8am to 6pm.

Please print off this newsletter and post it through the door of any parishioner you know without electronic access and make sure everyone feels okay and feels connected.