Newsletter

SUNDAY 22^nd February

First Sunday of Lent Year A

Readings: Genesis 2:7-9,3:1-7 Psalm 50, Romans 5:12-19, Matthew 4: 1-11

 

Sat      21^st Feb           17.30      Confessions

                                    18.00                     Christine Hand (Foundation)          

 

Sun     22^nd Feb       FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT 

                                    08.30                 Keith Brooks RIP (Brooks)

                                    10.30                     Marjory Whitaker RIP  (Perfect)

 

Mon    23^rdFeb              09.15    Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

10.00                    Kathy Connolly (Wheatley)  

Tues   24^th Feb         NO MASS 

 

Wed   25^th Feb            09.15     Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

                                    10.00                    Michaela Wheatley (Wheatley)

Please join us in the Hall for refreshments after the 10.00 mass in the Meeting Place

 

Fri       27^th Feb             09.15     Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament                                 

                                    10.00                    John Hollis RIP (Connolly)

 

Sat      28^th Feb           17.30         Confessions

                                     18.00                  Richard Fernandes (Fos)   

 

Sun     1^st Mar      SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT 

                                    08.30                  Bernard Gillespie RIP (Connolly)

                                    10.30                  Choir Intentions  (Choir)

Please join us in the Hall for refreshments after the 10.30 mass.

 

LIVE STREAMING OF MASSES ON THE WEBSITE

All masses are streamed via the link:

Recordings are available. The Sunday sermon is also in print on the website.

 

MASS INTENTIONS:  Do have masses said for your intentions. Use the envelopes in the foyer to name the intention and to enclose an offering. Give them to Fr Doug or post them through the presbytery door.

 

FINANCES   

Many thanks:     for your Offertory Collection:     £910.80

Retiring collection for Clergy Support Fund          £235.95

Retiring collection next Sunday CAFOD

Bank Payments:     to RCAS Bexley, Sort code 51 70 14, Account 01831763

Card Payment:        Machine in the foyer.

Gift Aid: Forms available in the foyer. 

            

OUR PARISH HALL

Our hall is available for hire. Please email bexley@rcaos.org.uk at ANY time and our secretary will get back to you. Prices: £35 per hour on weekdays, £40 per hour at weekends

 

Newsletter: Please copy notices to Fr Doug by the previous Wednesday

 

Dear Parishioners,

And so, Lent begins. Every Sunday in the year we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus just as on every Friday we embrace his suffering and death on the cross but the season of Lent gives us an opportunity to focus our thoughts and reflections more sharply. Whatever you do, do something (see below) and try to get into the seasonal spirit of Lent. 

There is a time to feast, and there is a time to fast!

         God Bless,                                   Fr Doug 

 

LENT 2026:

At most masses we will greet the gospel by singing: 

Praise To You Lord Jesus Christ, King of Eternal Glory.

 

We are offering the opportunity each week to reflect on the following Sunday’s Gospel:

Mondays, 6.00 Exposition, 6.30 Gospel Reflection and/or…

Tuesdays, 1.00 Refreshments, 1.30 Gospel Reflection.

 

ALSO, as ever, we recommend the Southwark Spirituality (daily) reflections, arriving as emails. All you have to do is ask! Go to www.southwarkdsc.org.uk and click on LENT REFLECTIONS.

For those who don’t use email, there are printed copies available in the foyer.

ALSO, The Way of the Cross: Devotional prayer after the 10.00 mass, (approx. 10.20) each Friday. If you like to lead one session, with help, please see Carol Anderson or Angela Gillespie.

ALSO, Churches Together “40 Days in the Desert”: a 5-week course of Biblical reflection and prayer exploring the Book of Exodus, drawing parallels between the Hebrews’ 40 years in the wilderness and Jesus’ 40 days in the desert. Tues 10 a.m., Bexley URC, Hurst Rd, Thurs, 7 p.m., Baldwyns Park Baptist Church, Dartford Rd.

 

SANCTUARY QUIET DAY

A Day of Reflection for Lent on 28^th March 11-3 at “Sanctuary”, 8 Hotham Close, Swanley Village.

All are welcome. Bring a packed lunch. Bookings at tkilcullen@live.co.uk

 

CONGRATULATIONS

To Ray Sparks who was received (at last!) into the Church on Ash Wednesday.

 

CAR PARK PERMITS

It is time to renew car park permits. Please take a form from the foyer.

The income is valued by the parish and at £10 p.a. the facility is great value for car owners!

 

MARRIAGE AND FAMILY LIFE 2026 

The Sycamore Growing in Faith together (GIFT):

An online course for married and engaged couples led by Fr Stephen Wang via Zoom.

Programmes: (four one-hour sessions) March 10,17,24,31.  May 5,12,19,26.  Sept 8,15,22,29       

Contact Carole on:  mflkent@rcaos.org.uk

 

TRUSTEES REQUIRED

Victoria Homes, Bexley are almshouses providing low cost housing for local people. We need trustees to help in the running of the almshouses via quarterly meetings. For more information contact Carol Anderson on 07913 698913 or carolmcanderson@hotmail.com.

 

MUSICAL PILGRIMAGE ON THE AUGUSTINE CAMINO JUNE 8^TH-14^TH 2026

Setting off from Rochester Cathedral, we will walk about 10 miles a day through the beautiful Kent countryside to Canterbury, then onto the shrine of St Augustine in Ramsgate. Each evening, Eddie Gilmore will perform a little concert in a pub en route. Contact Eddie for more details: gileag@gmail.com   www.eddiegilmore.org