Following the national guidance of the Catholic Church in England and Wales; there will be no public celebration of mass in this church until further notice,.
Sadly the latest restrictions will also prevent us from having any opportunity for private prayer and Exposition of the Blessed sacrament as originally planned.
On Sundays we are hoping to have a video recording of the Mass available on YouTube although this may not be possible so please check this website for the latest information. To access last Sunday’s Mass please click on this link:
At present we do not have the ability to live stream the Mass however this is available on a number of church websites including St Lawrence’s at Sidcup. (stlsidcup.org).
Following the new tighter restrictions the Archbishop has sent the following letter to all parishes:
SUNDAY 22nd MARCH 2020 – 4th SUNDAY OF LENT (A)
Readings: 1 Samuel 16,1b,6-7,10-13a St Paul to Eph 5:8-14 Gospel John 9:1-41
In today’s Gospel, the healing of the man born blind invites us to focus on the physical and spiritual aspects of sight and light. The blind man went off and washed himself, and came away with his sight restored.
Fr Doug will continue to say Mass privately
MASS INTENTIONS FOR WEEK 21 – 29 Mar 2020
Sat 21 Mar Deceased Members of Wood Family (Oonagh)
Today, we celebrate the foolishness of God that is wiser than any human wisdom: the utter folly of his love that allowed the destruction of the temple of the body of his Son.
Readings: Exodus 20:1-17, Corinthians 1:22-25 Gospel John 2:13-25
Click above to hear Fr Doug’s sermon.
MASS INTENTIONS FOR WEEK 14 – 22 March 2020
Sat 14 Mar 9.0 am David Brailsford RIP (Connolly)
6.0 pm Francis Echaverria (Wood)
Sun 15 Mar 8.30am David Brailsford RIP (Jones)
10.30am Jim King RIP (Kevin & Kath Fitzpatrick)
Mon 16 Mar 9.30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
10am Intentions of Norma Brooker (Frake)
Tues 17 Mar 7.0pm Eucharistic Service
7.30pm Exposition and Our Lady & St. Pio Prayer Group
Wed 18 Mar 9.30 am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
10am Marjorie Wat FIP (Frake)
Thur 19 Mar 9.0am Eucharistic Service
Fri 20 Mar 9.30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
10.00 am David Brailsford RIP (Morris)
7.30 pm Stations
Sat 21 Mar 9.0am Eucharistic Service
6pm Deceased Members of the Wood Family (Oonagh)
Sun 22 Mar 8.30am Private Intention
10.30am Jim Henry RIP (Lyons)
Reconciliation Times: Sat. 5.30pm (before Mass)
Prayers for the Sick: David Latimer, Colin Anderson, Joe Reape, Giulio Venturi, Bridie Cripps, Ray Blackman, and all those with ongoing poor health.
OFFERTORY COLLECTION – 8/3/20
First Collection £768.77; Standing Orders £370.00; Total £1,138.77
Second Collection – CAFOD £663.24
This week’s retiring collection is for Bexley Deanery Developing World Group
CORONAVIRUS:DECREE FROM ARCHBISHOP JOHN WILSON (issued on 9th March)
1) The (physical) sign of peace is to be suspended at Mass.
2) Holy Communion from the chalice shall cease to be offered to the lay faithful.
3) Those who normally receive Holy Communion on the tongue should receive on the hand instead. Their doing this represents an act of loving charity to their community.
4) Holy water stoups in churches and chapels are to be emptied.
5) Ministers should wash their hands before distributing Holy Communion. Shared towels should not be used in toilet areas or the sacristy.
6) Shared Mass books should cease to be used.
7) A decision will be made nearer the time as to whether on Good Fiday, the traditional “Veneration of the Cross” is to be observed by a simple genuflection. The Decree is effective for four weeks after which these requirements shall either be rescinded or renewed. These requirements are also subject to amendment at any point.
SUNDAY MASS Last week a sound recording of Sunday’s 10.30 Mass was added to the website. It was hoped to make it a regular feature during the coronavirus restrictions, however given new guidance from the Archbishop this will no longer be possible.
THE MEETING PLACE:. PLEASE NOTE THAT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE THE MEETING PLACE HAS BEEN CANCELLED>
PARISH ANNUAL MEETING: All Parishioners are invited to attend the Parish Annual Meeting after Mass, at about 12.00 this Sunday 15 March, in the Parish Hall.
PLANNED GIVING DRIVE – RESULTS We should all be very pleased with the response of the Planned Giving in January. A number of non-taxpayers and taxpayers joined the scheme, many existing planners increased their contributions. We will not know the final figures until April but we are confident that the total weekly collection will have been substantially increased to a figure over £1,000. This should provide our parish with the financial stability it needs for the future.
Many thanks and well done!
JOHN BIRD RIP – Many parishioners will remember John, who had moved to a Nursing Home in Manchester. Sadly, John passed away on 19th February.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS: During Lent will be held each Friday at 7.30 pm. Please see the Volunteers List in the Sacristy if you would like to be one of the readers.
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.
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 10.30 am start, from 3 March, and URC Hurst Road, Thursday evenings, 7 pm for a 7.30 pm 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, 07963454480 or k.fogarty@ntlworld.com.
ST. JOSEPH’S – ALMSHOUSE: 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 Almshouse 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 02076039817, email: stjosephssociety@yahoo.co.uk
Readings: Genesis 12:1-4, Timothy 1:8-10, Gospel Matthew 17:1-9
Click above to hear Fr Doug’s sermon.
MASS INTENTIONS FOR WEEK 7 March – 15 March 2020
Sat 7 Mar 6pm Joan John-Lewis (Delpaul)
Sun 8 Mar 8.30am Terence Connors RIP (Kennedy)
10.30am John Hughes RIP (Carole & Family)
Mon 9 Mar 10.30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 11am Krystyna Witulska RIP (Chris & John White) (please note 11am Mass today)
Tues 10 Mar 7pm Peggy Whiteside RIP (Connolly)
Followed by Exposition and Our Lady’s Prayer Group
Wed 11 Mar 9.30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
10am Peggy Whiteside RIP (SVP)
Thur 1 Mar 9.00am Eucharistic Service
Fri 13 Mar 9.30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
10.00am John Larkin RIP (Helen& Family)
7.30pm Stations
Sat 14 Mar 9am David Brailsford RIP (Connolly)
6pm Francia Echaverria (Wood)
Sun 15 Mar 8.30am David Brailsford RIP (Jones)
10.30am Jim King RIP (Kevin & Kath Fitzpatrick)
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 and all those with ongoing poor health.
OFFERTORY COLLECTION – 1st March 2020
First Collection £666.43
Second Collection Poor Parish £309.78
This week’s 2nd collection will be for CAFOD Lenten Fast.
Next week’s retiring collection will be for Developing World.
PLEASE NOTE: Our morning Mass on Monday 9th March 2020 will be at 11am instead of 10am
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.
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.
“The GOD who Speaks,” “Year of the Word”
An Introduction to the Gospels of Matthew and Mark
Date: Saturday 7th March 2020 Time: 10.30am – 3pm
Bring a packed lunch
Venue: St Stephen’s RC Church, Deepdene Road, Welling DA16 3QL
Speaker: Fr Denis McBride CSsR
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
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
CAFOD Family Fast Day: Please use the CAFOD envelopes provided (in the porch) for your donation in the second collection today for Family Fast Day.
The Reflection for the Fast Day relates to the provision for basic medical needs in some parts of the world. Countless people around the world walk miles in the hope that they might get treatment. CAFOD are training health specialists to treat people in the most difficult to reach places on earth. But many more are needed. The money you give will help to train more specialists and they tell us that our thoughts and prayers die them the strength to do their work,
Thanks, John Rayer, CAFOD Parish Rep.
PARISH ANNUAL MEETING: All parishioners are invited to attend the Parish Annual Meeting after Mass, at about 12.00 on Sunday 15 March, in the Parish Hall. Any comments, questions etc may be left in the box in the Church porch.
stjohnfisherbexley.org 
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