SUNDAY 25^th April, 2021, 

 

4^th  SUNDAY OF EASTER (B)

Readings: Acts; 8:4-12 Psalm 117, 1 John 3:1-2, John 10:11-18       

 

SERVICES FOR WEEK 24^th April ^– 2^nd May 2021 

Sat      24 Apr   11.00                                     Confessions

                         18.00                                     Chris White RIP (Gillis/Connolly)

Sun  25 Apr     4^th SUNDAY OF EASTER

                       08.30                                      For the Parish   

                            10.30                                     Sarah Ward RIP (Hughes)

    Web – available anytime   

https://youtu.be/5Uq1-hvPfXM

Tony Speed RIP (Keefe)

Mon     26 Apr                                                     PKM

Tues    27 Apr       09.30                                    Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

                            10.00                                    For the Parish

Weds  28 Apr       09.30                                    Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

                            10.00                                     Iris Keefe (Truman Family)

Fri     30 Apr         09.30                              Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

                            10.00                             Marie Sullivan (Sullivan Family)

Sat   1 May          11.00                           Confessions

                            18.00                                     Colin Anderson (Keefe)              

Sun 2 May       5^th SUNDAY OF EASTER                  

    08.30                                    For the Parish

                               10.30                                     Maureen Fitzpatrick at 90 (Wheatley)

    Web – available anytime   David & Pat Latimer (Connolly) 

 

FINANCES       .

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.

 

This week there is a special collection for Training of Priests.     

       

CATHOLIC NEWSPAPERS

The weekly Catholic newspapers can be obtained directly (postage free) by subscription:

Catholic Universe and Catholic Times Go to 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

 

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.

Dear Parishioners,

Many will be looking forward to the May Bank Holiday on Monday 3^rd, the first Monday after May Day itself, May 1^st. In some countries May Day has very specific political overtones. I thought it was all about the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker, but I was mistaken! Google tells me:

 

“May Day has its roots in astronomy. We’re (about) halfway between the spring equinox and the summer solstice! It’s one of the Celtic days, which celebrated the midway points between all solstices and equinoxes of the year. As with many early holidays, May Day was significant in agriculture. Springtime celebrations filled with dance and song hailed the sown fields starting to sprout. Cattle were driven to pasture, special bonfires were lit, and doors were decorated with yellow May flowers. Later, celebrations evolved to speak more to the “bringing in the May” with the gathering of wildflowers and green branches, the weaving of floral garlands, the crowning of a May king and queen, and the setting up of a decorated May tree, or Maypole, around which people danced.” 

Nevertheless Saturday is May Day, the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker and a day of prayer for God’s blessing on human work. Here is a Prayer to St Joseph:

 

O St Joseph Guardian of Jesus most pure spouse of Mary, who spent your life in the perfect fulfilment of your duties, providing with your own labour for the Holy Family of Nazareth, protect us with favour, who with trust turn to you.  You know our desires, our anxieties and our hopes: to you we have recourse, for we are confident in your protection.  You too have experienced trial, hard work and fatigue; but your soul, filled with the greatest peace, was full of joy for the Son of God entrusted to you, and with Mary His most sweet Mother.  Help us to understand that we are not working alone, to know how to discover Jesus near us, to welcome Him by grace and to keep Him faithfully as you have done.  And grant that in our family all may be sanctified in charity, in patience, in justice and through the seeking of what is good. Amen

 

                            God Bless             Fr Doug

 

PRIEST TRAINING FUND

Our special collection this week is to support the training of priests (and deacons) to serve our parishes in the future. Envelopes are available for those who don’t have regular planned giving envelopes. 

 

THE PARISH HALL

As Covid restrictions ease we will be able to make more and more use of our marvellous parish hall. Different activities will be permitted but until June at the earliest, we cannot enjoy any social/hospitality functions. We can still hope that Sunday June 26^th will be the first day we can enjoy refreshments after mass, and if that is so then we will surely mark the occasion!

 

Meanwhile, you will be pleased to hear that we have installed a new boiler and upgraded the whole heating system.

 

FATHER FRANCIS HARTLEY RIP

Fr Francis’ anniversary is on 28^th May, and so the mass that morning will be for the repose of his soul, and will have special prayers for the occasion. The web mass that weekend will also be for him so that friends and relations elsewhere can engage. Covid restrictions prevent us from doing much else at this time.

 

ANNIE GRIFFIN RIP

Annie died on 16^th April having received the church’s sacraments. She had suffered a long illness. Her funeral will be in church on Friday 7^th May

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