Newsletter Sunday December 23rd, 2018

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Mary’s Child: The Prince of Peace

From the least of the clans of Judah, from Mary his lovely handmaid,
God prepared a body for his Christ, who comes to fill the world with his spirit of peace.

First Reading: Micah 5:1 – 4 Second Reading: Hebrews 10: 5 – 10 Gospel: Luke: 1:39 – 45

MASS INTENTIONS FOR WEEK 22 – 30 DECEMBER 2018
Please note the new time for weekday masses is 10:00am

Saturday 22 Dec     10:00am Intentions of Kathleen Gilmartin (P & PB)
                                 6:00pm Cliff Knight RIP (Oonagh Wood)

Sunday 23 Dec     8:30am Parishioners
4th of Advent     10:30am Timmy Lenihan (Nora & Michael Moran)

Monday 24 Dec     No morning mass
Vigil Mass.                 6:30pm Tony Sullivan RIP (Marie & Family)
Christmas Night     11:00pm Kay Kilcullen (B Kilcullen)

Tuesday 25 Dec     8:30am Parishioners
Christmas Day     10:30am Wellbeing of Dorothy & Tony Speed (Tony Frake)

Wednesday 26 Dec     9:30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
Boxing Day                 10:00am Sonny Sheehan RIP (Eileen & Family)

Thursday 27 Dec     9:00am No Eucharistic Service

Friday 28 Dec     9:30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
                             10:00am Martin Lacey RIP (unknown donor)

Saturday 29 Dec     10:00am Foundation Mass for Jamie Cowdell
                                 6:00pm Mike Campbell RIP (Oonagh Wood)

Sunday 30 Dec     8:30am Intentions of Teresa Fan (Diane Melaugh)
                             10:30am Louise Moore (Mrs Anthony)

Reconciliation Times: Sat 10.30am (following Mass) and Sat 5.30pm (before Mass)

Prayers for the Sick: Christine White, Kevin Harper, Ed Jones, John Bird, Gail Noel, Chris Neal, Tony Speed, Geoffrey Hildebrand, John Underwood, Mary Stubbs, John Harrington, Norma Brooker, Nina Szredski, Eileen Weald, Maureen Fitzpatrick, Eric & Iris May, Gracie Maddox, Anne Hastings, Tom Barrett, Timmy Lenihan, John Clarey, Tess Truman, Anne Comiskey, Irene Gannaway, David Collison, George Waller, Peter Dent, Ray Smith, Teresa Fan, Tommy Otte, Christine Hand, Fr John Diver, Sr Angela, Marion Hams, David Rogers, Leigh Richards

Anniversaries: Amanda Johnson, Joseph Kinley, Bemvinda Fernandes, Dick Fitzpatrick, Jamie Cowdell, Gerry Clark, Marilyn Mullins, Vernon Bunce, Elizabeth Izegbuwa Iroku.

Feast Days: Sun: Fourth Sunday of Advent Tue: The Nativity of the Lord Wed: St Stephen, 1st Martyr Thurs: St John, Apostle & Evangelist Sat: St Thomas of Canterbury, Bishop & Martyr

ROTAS: (29 – 30 Dec)
Readers: Saturday 6:00pm Carol Anderson,  Sunday 8:30am Peter Wilkes,  10:30am Katherine Bernarte.   Copying of Newsletter: Mollie Hobson.   Newsletter Typist: Venus Bernarte.   Collection for 8:30am Mass: Mr T Lee.   Parishioner Attending to Front of Church on Saturdays: Paul Rowlands. Eucharistic Ministers: Saturday 6:00pm Kathy Sun 8:30am Peter W Sun 10:30am Kathy, Marlene, Volunteer, Mary H, Margaret.   Washing of Purificators: Barbara.   Flower arrangers: Sue Murphy.

OFFERTORY COLLECTION: Sunday 16th December
Gift Aid: £372.05; Loose: £197.74; TOTAL: £569.79

GREETINGS FROM FR FRANCIS HARTLEY: Fr. Hartley’s brother, John, rang to say that Fr. Hartley would not be able to send Christmas cards, so could we put a note in the newsletter thanking all those who sent him a card.

THE CHRISTMAS TREE in the church this year has again been given in memory of Kathleen Murphy and after the success of the ‘Memory Stars’ last Christmas, the family would again like all parishioners to join in decorating it. Write the names of anyone you’ll be missing this Christmas, not just those who have died but also those who perhaps live too far away, on one of the silver stars and hang them on the tree. There is a box of stars by the tree and hopefully some pens.

CHRISTMAS OFFERINGS: May we remind you that your Christmas offerings is your personal gift to Fr. Doug. (Easter Day is the other day this coming year that this happens. All other Sunday collections are exclusively for Parish expenses.

BEXLEY DEANERY DEVELOPING WORLD GROUP: Thank you for your kind donation of £134.30 on the 2nd December. Please contact our Parish representative, Maria Ward on 01322 555553, if you have any queries.

MOVIE EVENING: Wednesday 23rd January 2019. Movie on St Thomas Becket. 7pm for 7.30pm start.

NEW YEARS EVE FAMILY DISCO 8pm to 1am: Bring your own nibbles. Bar open. Tickets £12 adult, £1 child. Contact Noel McCarthy on 07813 890556 / 020 8301 2479.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2019: Application forms are available for the First Holy Communion Programme 2019. Children eligible must be in Year 3 or above and should attend Mass regularly at St John Fisher, Bexley. Application forms are at the back of the church (porch) or please see Angela Underwood. If you are a new parishioner and/or do not attend Mass, please speak to Father Doug. Completed forms must be returned no later than 23rd December 2018. The programme will commence on Sunday 13th January 2019. Full details of all relevant dates will follow soon. Finally, we really need new volunteers to help run the programme. If you are interested in helping our children prepare for this special sacrament, please speak to Angela Underwood.

MEETING PLACE: Will be closed over Christmas and New Year – re-opens on 9 January 2019.
Parishioners sending a card to John Bird please note his address is now: Pendleton Court 22 Chaplin Close, Chasely Road, Manchester M6 8PW. He would love to hear from you.

HIRE OF HALL: I have decided, after many years, to step down from dealing with the hire of our hall. I hope a parishioner can step forward to take over. I will of course be happy to help during the transition period.
Thank you. Kay.

 

Newsletter Sunday December 16th, 2018

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

A day of Festival

Today we sing and shout for joy with Christ, the Lord of Dance, who brings good news of our redemption, and renews us by his love.

1st Reading: Zeph 3:14-18a 2nd Reading: Phil 4:4-7 Gospel Luke 3:10-18

Click above to hear Fr Bull’s sermon for the Third Sunday of Advent

MASS INTENTIONS FOR WEEK 8 – 16 DEC 2018
Please note the new time for weekday mass is 10am

Sat 15 Dec        10am Holy Souls
                         6pm Dan & Julia Harrington + Patrick & Mary Sheehan
                          (Eileen Sheehan & Family)

Sun 16 Dec        8.30am Intentions of Teresa Fan (Gill Brooks)
3rd of Advent     10.30am Mercy Easton RIP (Gloria & Tony Laws)
                            3pm Childrens Nativity

Mon 17 Dec        No Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
                          No 10am Mass
                          12noon Funeral Mass for Aileen Beckwith

Tues 18 Dec        7pm Patrick McQuaid RIP (Seamus, Siobain & Patricia)
                          Adoration and Our Lady & St Pio’s Prayer Group

Wed 19 Dec        9.30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
                             10am Jim, Dannie, Thomas & John Harrington RIP
                             (Eileen Sheehan &Family)

Thu 20 Dec        9am Eucharistic Service

Fri 21 Dec        9.30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
                        10am Scott’s Mum & Dad (Eileen Wheatley)

Sat 22 Dec        10am Intention of Kathleen Gilmartin (P&PB)
                            6pm Cliff Knight RIP (Oonagh Wood)

Sun 23 Dec        8.30am Parishioners
4th of Advent      10.30am Timmy Lenihan (Nora & Michael Moran)

Reconciliation Times: Sat 10.30am (following Mass) and Sat 5.30pm (before Mass)

Anniversaries: Mary O’Sullivan, Ronald Andrews, May Williams, Patrick McQuaid, Charlotte Seekings.

Prayers for the Sick: Christine White, Kevin Harper, Ed Jones, John Bird, Gail Noel, Chris Neal, Tony Speed, Geoffrey Hildebrand, John Underwood, Mary Stubbs, John Harrington, Norma Brooker, Nina Szredski, Eileen Weald, Maureen Fitzpatrick, Eric & Iris May, Gracie Maddox, Anne Hastings, Tom Barrett, Timmy Lenihan, John Clarey, Tess Truman, Anne Comiskey, Irene Gannaway, David Collison, George Waller, Peter Dent, Ray Smith, Teresa Fan, Tommy Otte, Christine Hand, Fr John Diver, Sr Angela, Marion Hams, David Rogers, Leigh Richards.

Feast Days: Wednesday: Friday St Peter Canisius, Priest, Doctor of the Church

OFFERTORY COLLECTION – 9 December 2018
First Collection: Gift Aid- £451.75 Loose- £228.87. TOTAL – £680.62
Retiring Collection (AIC Saturday Friends) £760.50

ROTAS (week commencing Mon 17/12)
Readers: Sat 6.00pm Kathy Fogarty Sun 8.30 Doune Robinson Sun 10.30 Marlene Burt.   Copying of Newsletter John Stanton.   Newsletter Typist: Venus Bernarte.   Collection for 8.30am Mass: Mr V Jeyaseelan.   Parishioner Attending To Front of Church on Saturdays: Ken Crump.   Eucharistic Ministers: Saturday 6 pm Rob Sun 8.30am Mary J 10.30am Volunteer, Eileen W, Patricia, Margaret, Molly.   Washing of Purificators: Alvira.   Flower Arranging: Note on 23rd – Christmas Flowers

CHILDREN’S NATIVITY will be on Sunday 16 December at 3pm (NOTE: rehearsal on Sunday 16 December at 10.30am). Following the Nativity, there will be refreshments in the hall with mulled wine and mince pies. Please come to see and support our children as they perform the Nativity Play, interspersed with carols.

MOVIE EVENING: Wednesday 23rd January 2019. Movie on St Thomas Becket. 7pm for 7.30pm start.

NEW YEARS EVE FAMILY DISCO 8pm to 1am. Bring your own nibbles. Bar open. Tickets £12 adult, £1 child. Contact Noel McCarthy on 07813 890556 / 020 8301 2479.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2019 Application forms are available for the First Holy Communion Programme 2019. Children eligibile must be in Year 3 or above and should attend Mass regularly at St John Fisher, Bexley. Application forms are at the back of the church (porch) or please see Angela Underwood. If you are a new parishioner and/or do not attend Mass, please speak to Father Doug. Completed forms must be returned no later than 23rd December 2018. The programme will commence on Sunday 13th January 2019. Full details of all relevant dates will follow soon. Finally, we really need new volunteers to help run the programme. If you are interested in helping our children prepare for this special sacrament, please speak to Angela Underwood.

A SERVICE OF RECONCILIATION FOR ADVENT will be held on Monday evening 17th December at 7pm here at St John Fisher.

MEETING PLACE will be closed over Christmas and New Year – re-opens on 9 January 2019.
Parishioners sending a card to John Bird please note his address is now: Pendleton Court 22 Chaplin Close, Chasely Road, Manchester M6 8PW. He would love to hear from you.

SATURDAY FRIENDS:  APPEAL FOR WORK WITH HOMELESS PEOPLE We are very grateful for last week’s wonderfully generous response of £773.20. You can be sure that every penny will be spent directly on our homeless friends‘ rehabilitation. On the display in the porch you will see how the resources you provide are spent – and some of the touching thank you cards received. Your donations will be presented as part of the Offertory procession at each Mass this weekend. God richly bless your kindness. AIC Bexley ″Saturday Friends″.

HIRE OF HALL I have decided, after many years, to step down from dealing with the hire of our hall. I hope a parishioner can step forward to take over. I will of course be happy to help during the transition period. Thank you. Kay.

Newsletter Sunday December 9th, 2018

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT (C)

Today’s Theme: THE JOY OF SALVATION

We celebrate the marvels God has worked for us in sending us his mercy and forgiveness and calling us to share his glory. We await with joyful hope that ‘Day of the Lord’ when his work in us will be complete.

First Reading: Baruch: 5:1-9 Second Reading: St Paul to the Philippians 1:3-6. 8-11
Gospel: Luke 3: 1-6

Click above to hear Fr Bull’s sermon for the Second Sunday of Advent

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK
Please note the new time for weekday mass will be 10am
Saturday 8 December     10.00 am Holy Souls
                                              6.00 pm Anne Turp RIP (Turp Family)

Sunday 9 December     8.30 am Parishioners
                                         10.30 am Pop & Mam de Groen Family & Friends (Angela Chard)

Monday 10 December     9.30 am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
                                             10.00 am Intentions of Gloria Laws (Tony)

Tuesday 11 December     7.00 pm John Fitzpatrick RIP (OLPG)
       Adoration and Our Lady’s and St Pio’s Prayer Group

Wednesday 12 December   9.30 am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
                                             10.00 am Sonny Sheehan RIP (Eileen & Family)

Thursday 13 December     9.00 am Eucharistic Service

Friday 14 December     9.30 am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
                                         10.00am Intentions of The Fogarty Family (Kathy Connelly)

Saturday 15 December     10.00 am Holy Souls
                                             6.00 pm Dan & Julia Harrington +Patrick & Mary Sheehan

Sunday 16 December     8.30 am Intentions of Teresa Fan (Gill Brooks)
                                         10.30am Mercy Easton RIP (Gloria & Tony Laws)
                                            3.00pm  Carols and Children’s Nativity Play

Reconciliation Times: Saturday 10.30am (following Mass) and Sat. 5.30pm (before Mass).

ANNIVERSARIES: Walter Trembaluk, Bernard Fitzjohn, Tom Ryan, Ernie Hildebrand, Myfanwy Hogg.

FEAST DAYS: Monday: Saints: John Roberts, Polydore Plasden, Eustace White, martyred; Saints Edmund Gennings and Swithun Wells, martyred. Tuesday: St Damascus I, Pope. Thursday: St Lucy, virgin and martyr. Friday: St John of the Cross.

PRAY FOR THE SICK: Christine White, Kevin Harper, Ed Jones, John Bird, Gail Noel, Chris Neal, Tony Speed, Geoffrey Hildebrand, John Underwood, Mary Stubbs, John Harrington, Norma Brooker, Nina Szredski, Eileen Weald, Maureen Fitzpatrick, Eric and Iris May, Gracie Maddox, Anne Hastings, Tom Barrett, Timmy Lenihan, John Clarey, Tess Truman, Anne Comiskey, Irene Gannaway, David Collison, George Waller, Peter Dent, Ray Smith, Teresa Fan, Tommy Otte, Christine Hand, Fr John Diver, Sr Angela, Marion Hams, David Rogers.

OFFERTORY: Gift Aid £459.20, Loose £200.23 Total £659.43.
Bexley Deanery: £134.30 plus £7 for Catholic Youth Services from 25th November 2018.
This week’s retiring collection is for AIC Saturday Friends.

ROTAS: Readers: Saturday 6pm David Latimer. Sunday 8.30am Bridie Haylett. 10.30am Lota Emeka-Onah. Eucharistic Ministers: Saturday 6pm Patricia. Sunday 8.30am Ann Hyde 10.30am Volunteer, Mary H, Volunteer, Eileen W, Dorothy (Host).  Front of Church: Giovanna Aletta. Typing Newsletter: Ruth Powers. Photocopying Newsletter: Emma Fox. Washing of Purificators: Molly.

AIC SATURDAY FRIENDS: Will, this weekend, make their annual appeal for homeless people who are clients of The Passage Day Centre in central London and use our ‘Saturday Friends’ rehabilitation service. Your donations will be presented in the Offertory procession at Mass next Sunday. Very grateful for your ongoing generosity.

CHILDREN’S NATIVITY: Will be on Sunday 16 December at 3pm. If your child wants to take part, they need to be able to attend Mass on Sunday 9th December at 10.30am to allocate roles and practice and on Sunday 16th December at 10.30 am for rehearsal. Following the Nativity, there will be refreshments in the hall with mulled wine and mince pies. Please come to see and support our children as they perform at the Nativity Play, interspersed with carols.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2019: Application forms available for the First Holy Communion Programme 2019. Children eligible must be in Year 3 or above and should attend Mass regularly at St John Fisher, Bexley. Application forms are at the back of the Church (porch) or please see Angela Underwood. If you are a new parishioner and/or do not attend Mass, please speak to Father Doug. Completed forms must be returned no later than 23rd December 2018. The programme will commence on Sunday 13th January 2019. Full details of all relevant dates will follow soon. Finally, we really need new volunteers to help run the programme. If you are interested in helping our children, prepare for this special sacrament, please speak to Angela Underwood.

SVP HAMPERS: If anyone knows someone locally who would benefit, please post a note through the Parish House door marked ‘SVP Hampers’

MOVIE EVENING: Wed 23/1/19 Movie on St Thomas Becket. 7pm for 7.30pm start.

CAROL SINGING: Join us outside Blossoms Flower Shop, Bexley High Street this Wednesday, December 12th. at 6-7pm as we sing out the joy of Christ in Christmas.

NEW YEAR FAMILY DISCO: 8pm – 1am. Bring own nibbles, bar open, tickets £12 adult, £1 child. Contact Noel McCarthy on 07813890556 / 0208 301 2479

BAPTISMAL COURSES: The schedule of Baptismal Courses for 2019 are shown in the narthex. If you wish to arrange for the baptism of your child, please take note of the dates and contact Andy Watson, on 07786 185016 or at andrew.watson803@ntlworld.com