Newsletter Sunday February 21st, 2021

1st SUNDAY OF LENT (B)

Readings: Genesis; 9:8-15, Psalm 24, 1 Peter 3:18-22, Mark 1:12-15

SERVICES FOR WEEK 20th – 28th February 2021

Sat 20 Feb   11.00 Confessions
                        18.00 John Dyer RIP (Newton)

Sun 21st Feb   1st SUN OF LENT (B)
                        08.30 For the Parish
                        10.30 Norma Brooker RIP (Hughes)
                        Web – available anytime

                        Tony Moffat TG (Connolly)

Mon 22 Feb   Charlie Holland RIP (Sheehan)

Tues 23 Feb   9.30 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
                        10.00 Delia Willis RIP (Wilkes)

Weds 24 Feb   9.30 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
                        10.00 Houlihan Family (Sheehan)
                        10.30 Stations of the Cross

Fri 26 Feb   Funeral Mass for Danny Lyons RIP

Sat 27 Feb   11.00 Confessions
                        18.00 Angela Cox RIP (Wood)

Sun 28 Feb   FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT
                        08.30 For The Parish
                        10.30 Dennis Newton (Newton)
                        Web – available anytime Maureen Fitzpatrick at 90 (Choir)

FINANCES –
Please note the slight change in our bank account name. .
Direct Bank Payments to RCAS St John Fisher – Bexley, Sort code 51 70 14, Account 01831763
Please put your name and if you use envelopes, your envelope number, as the code
Extra Collection This Week: Poorer Parishes of our Diocese
Next Week: CAFOD

CATHOLIC NEWSPAPERS
The weekly Catholic newspapers can be obtained directly (postage free) by subscription:
Catholic Universe and Catholic Times Go to http://www.thecatholicuniverse.com or ring 0161 820 5722 and they will arrange for you. £99.00 per year or just £55 for the digital version
The Herald has a similar offer: Ring 0207 448 3607 or go to http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/subscribe

 

We are getting more hopeful and positive, aren’t we? The days are getting longer and brighter and the combined effects of vaccination and Lockdown are being seen in the declining rates of infection with the dreadful Covid virus. We can dare to look forward to new life, both in Spring and in our celebration of Easter. We have been greatly blessed in that the government has recognised that our gatherings for mass have not only been safe but that they have also been worthwhile, positive experiences that bring great benefit to those able to participate. The experience of this last difficult year has at least demonstrated how important it is to pay attention to our spiritual and mental health and well-being. So it is a joy each week to see more parishioners returning from isolation. Having said that, the road ahead to full social reintegration is still very uncertain and we are still some way off being able to meet after mass in our hall for a coffee or a beer, or more importantly, seeing our children off to school each morning! But we do live in hope and we should share our hopes with anyone who is downhearted at this time.

God Bless

ARCHDIOCESE OF SOUTHWARK RETREAT FOR LENT
– introduced by Archbishop John Wilson, and led by the Spirituality Commission.
This a retreat which you can follow in your own home. It has never been easier!!
Using the link below, you can watch a short video reflection each week and then download prayer materials and other resources which can help you make the best use of whatever time and opportunity you may have during your week.
If you are looking for a way to deepen your life of prayer this Lent, then click on http://www.southwarkdsc.org.uk/followme where you can also sign up to receive materials directly to your email.

If anyone wants to join a ‘zoom’ meeting to share reflections please let me know.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
With hopeful signs about Lockdown restrictions being eased in times to come, and our church being open for mass, we are confident about offering a programme of preparation for those children wishing to join more fully in Communion with God and with the Church. We will be getting underway soon so please add your name and contact details to the list in the church porch if you want your child to enrol.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS
To follow the Way of Jesus on his journey to Calvary – and to allow him to join us in our life journeys – is a popular and appropriate devotion to participate in during Lent, both in private and in public. In private, use a prayer book or follow the version Fr Doug has put on the parish website. Publicly, we will be ‘following’ the Way of the Cross after mass on Friday mornings –EXCEPT this week, when it will be on Wednesday because of the funeral on Friday.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS AVAILABLE AT ANY TIME

CHURCH CLEANING.
A big thank you to the small group of parishioners who help keep our church clean. The rota for 2021 is now available for collection from the cupboard. We would be grateful for more volunteers to either join an existing group or make up a new one. At the moment, each group cleans once every six weeks. If we had another group of three or four people, that would change to once every eight weeks. If you think you might be able to help, please ring Carole Hughes on 07762 731303.

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