Author: Nuntius

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Commandment of Love
Today, through the strength that Christ gives us, we can celebrate with the joy of the Holy Spirit that great commandment of love which once had to be imposed on men under threat of God’s avenging anger.

MASS INTENTIONS FOR WEEK 28 Oct – 5 Nov
Sat 28 Oct       9am Trudy Custy RIP (John & Eileen Stanton)
                        6pm Ida Thomson RIP (Lindsay Delpaul)

Sun 29 Oct       8.30am Parishioners
                        10.30am Lance Grainger: 2nd Anniversary (Madeline & Family)

Mon 30 Oct       9am Christa Frake RIP (Tony Frake)

Tues 31 Oct       7pm Trudy Custy RIP (Maureen Fitzpatrick)
     Followed by Adoration and Our Lady & St Pio’s Prayer Group

Wed 1 Nov       9am Iris Dias (Norma Brooker)
All Saints        8pm Holy Souls

Thu 2 Nov       9am Wellbeing of Maureen Watkins (Joan Aspeek)

Fri 3 Nov       9am Holy Souls
                        9.30am First Friday Adoration for one hour

Sat 4 Nov       9am Holy Souls
                        2pm Remembrance Service
                        6pm Norberto Iligan RIP & Kevin Dacalos Aames RIP:Anniversary (Nenen)

Sun 5 Nov       8.30am Parishioners
                        10.30am Mum & Dad de Groen Family & Friends RIP: (Angela Chard)

Reconciliation Times: Sat 9.30am-10.30am and Sat 7pm-8pm (following Masses)

Prayers for the Sick: Christine White, Kevin Harper, Ed Jones, John Bird, Gail Noel, Chris Neal, John Edwards, Tony Speed, Geoffrey Hildebrand, John Underwood, Mary Stubbs, John Harrington, Norma Brooker, Nina Szredski, Ann McDonald, Eileen Weald, Maureen Fitzpatrick, Eric May, Wendy Bowman, Gracie Maddox, Anne Hastings, Tom Barrett, Joann Mackintosh, Timmy Lenihan

Anniversaries: Rose Underwood, Janice Watts, Joe Chambers, Minnie Lynch, Tony Groce, Mary Gosling, David Beattie

Feast Days: Wednesday All Saints Thursday: The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls)

ROTAS For w/c 30/10 Readers: Sat 6pm Kathy Fogarty, Sun 8.30am Peter Wilkes, Sun 10.30am John Rayer.   Copying of Newsletter: Mollie Hobson.   Newsletter Typist: Molly Robins.   Collection for 8.30am Mass: Mr T Lee.   Parishioner Attending To Front of Church on Saturdays: Ken Crump.   Eucharistic Ministers: Saturday 6 pm Anne Harris, Sun 8.30am Marlene, 10.30am Kathy (5) Margaret (6) Patricia (7) Mary (8) Carole (9).  Washing of Purificators:  Molly Robins.   Flower Arranging Mary J.

OFFERTORY COLLECTION w/e 22 Oct
1st Collection Gift Aid: £337.95 Loose: £179.21 Total: £517.16
2nd Collection(Missio) £45.70 £368.87 £414.57

LESLIE THOMAS RIP Sadly we have received the news that Leslie died suddenly this week. Please remember his wife Marie and family and friends in your prayers.

ANNUAL SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE: This service will be held in the church on Saturday 4th November 2017 at 2.00pm. This will be a time for us to remember those close to us who have died. After the service, refreshments will be served in the Hall. We hope you will be able to join us. Donations of cakes will be gratefully received on the day.

AN URGENT REQUEST FOR NEW COUNTERS to join our counting group towards collection, counting and banking of all Parish monies.  Please let Fr Christian or Brian Fernandez know if you wish to volunteer for this once a month help.  Thank you. Fr Christian

DAY OF RECOLLECTION FOR READERS AND EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS will be held at Streatham on Saturday 11 November. Please collect your invitation from the church porch. Please return completed form to Fr Christian.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2018: Application forms are now available for the First Holy Communion Programme 2018.Children eligible for First Communion must be in Year 3 or above and should attend mass regularly at St John Fisher Bexley. Application forms can be collected from the back of the Church or please see Angela Underwood. If you are a new parishioner and/or do not attend mass at this parish but wish your child to join the programme, please speak to Father Christian. Completed application forms must be returned no later than 31st December 2017. The programme will commence in January 2018. Full details of the programme and a list of all the relevant dates including parent’s meetings will follow soon. Please look out for future notices in the parish newsletter.

AYLESFORD RETREAT  The annual retreat next year will be Friday 11 to Sunday 13th May 2018. A list is in the porch. Please pay £10 deposit to John Stanton.

IN THE INTERESTS OF SAFETY  Please ensure matches are not left on candles – on two occasions recently a match was left on a candle causing the holder to melt.

KNIGHTS OF ST COLUMBA  Annual Provincial Memorial Mass Service, for all deceased Brothers of KSC Southwark Province 12 to be held Saturday 11 Nov, 2pm at Our Lady of the Angels, Carlton Road, Erith DA8 1DN. The Celebrant for this year will be Bishop Paul Mason.

CEMETERY VISITS  By Deanery Priests – Sunday 5th November at 2.30pm Sidcup Cemetery,
Sunday November 12th: 1.0pm Plumstead Cemetery; 2.30pm Bexleyheath Cemetery; 2.30pm Hillview Cemetery, Welling; 3.15 Erith Cemetery, Brook Street.     

OUR LADY’S FILM EVENING – Wednesday November 15th – Movies on St John of the Cross, mystic, reformer of the Carmelites and Doctor of the Church; and b) St John Vianney patron saint of parish priests. Bar open, charity stall, all welcome, 7pm for 7.30 start.

PARISH EVENTS TEAM INFORMATION Friday Night Bridge open 7.30pm (for young and old) Convivial Bar. Meeting place every Wednesday 9.30am – 1.30pm.

TWENTY-NINTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (A)
WORLD MISSION DAY

Today’s Theme: The Lord of History

God is King. Earthly rulers, political regimes, Cyrus or Caesar, are called by God to reveal something of his power and majesty and his plan for the human race. But they only hold their power for a day. Our concern is not with them but with God whom we worship in this celebration.

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK
Saturday 21st October 9.00 am Holy Souls
                                        6.00 pm Elizabeth and Mick Minihan (Eileen Sheehan and Family)

Sunday 22nd October 8.30 am Parishioners
                                        10.30 am Trudy Custy RIP (The Choir)

Monday 23rd October 9.00 am Diamond D’Mello RIP (Edna and Brian Fernandes)

Tuesday 24th October 7.00 pm Wellbeing of Tess Truman (Maureen Fitzpatrick)
     Followed by Adoration and Our Lady and St Pio’s Prayer Group

Wednesday 25th October 10.00 am Ben van Leeuwen, Birthday (Tim Bowman)

Thursday 26th October 9.00 am Eucharistic Service

Friday 27th October 9.00 am Sister John Bowman RIP (Tim Bowman)

Saturday 28th October 9.00 am Trudy Custy RIP (John and Eileen Stanton)
                                        6.00 pm Ida Thomson RIP (Lindsay Delpaul)

Sunday 17th October 8.30 am Parishioners
                                        10.30 am Lance Grainger RIP, 2nd Anniversary (Madeline & Family)

ANNIVERSARIES: Stan Spicer, Ivor John Burton-Bowen, Clive D’Silva, Nicholas Nencini.

FEAST DAYS: Sunday St John Paul II, Pope. Monday St John of Capistrano, Priest. Tuesday St Anthony Mary Claret, Priest. The Forty Martyrs; SS Crispin and Crispinian, Martyrs. Thursday SS Chad and Ced, Bishops. Saturday SS Simon and Jude, Apostles.

OFFERTORY: Gift Aid £447.70, Loose £156.90, Total £604.60. Bexley Developing World Group £120.78. Second collection this weekend (22/10/17) is for Missio.

PRAY FOR THE SICK: Christine White, Kevin Harper, Ed Jones, John Bird, Gail Noel, Chris Neal, John Edwards, Tony Speed, Geoffrey Hildebrand, John Underwood, Mary Stubbs, John Harrington, Norma Brooker, Nina Szredski, Ann McDonald, Eileen Weald, Maureen Fitzpatrick, Eric May, Wendy Bowman, Gracie Maddox, Anne Hastings, Tom Barrett, Joann Mackintosh and Timmy Lenihan.

ROTAS:  Readers: Saturday 6pm Christine Hand.   Sunday 8.30am Doune Robinson; 10.30am Joseph Ebare.   Eucharistic Ministers: Saturday 6pm Ivan.  Sunday 8.30am Bridie. 10.30am Paul (5) Marlene (6)) Carole (7). Rob (8) John (9).   Collector 8.30am Mass: Mr V Jeyaseelan.   Front of Church: Giovanni Aletta.   Typing Newsletter: Ruth Powers.   Photocopying Newsletter: John Stanton.   Washing of Purificators: Kathy Connolly.   Flower Arranging: Teresa and Lynn.

THIS ADVENT 2017, we as a Parish are offering a Special Mass for our youths on 26th November (Christ the King). To this effect we ask any young person (or adult) who can play a musical instrument to talk to Fr Christian or any of the members of the Liturgy Group so we can adjust the liturgy to accommodate them.

ALSO STARTING THIS ADVENT – MONTHLY CHILDREN’S MASS: On the last Sunday of each month the children stay in church for the whole Mass. We will be encouraging the children to take an active part in the service and take over the readings and bidding prayers during these family services. Please speak to Fr Christian or one of the catechists if your child would like to be a reader. Thanks, Fr Christian

ELVIRA VAZ:  Sadly we have received the news that Elvira Vaz passed away on Wednesday. Please remember her and all the family in your prayers.

APF – MILL HILL MISSION THANK YOU AND APPEAL:  This weekend we welcome Fr Donie O’Connor to our Parish. Fr Donie will be making the five-yearly APF-Mill Hill Thank You and Appeal for new members. He will explain how we can all be involved in the Mission of the Church in our homes and families. Jesus asks his followers to “go and bring the Good News to all people”. By responding to Fr Donie’s Appeal this weekend, we can truly be a parish ‘involved in the Mission of the Universal Church’. It would be fantastic if every home was involved in this work of the Church by supporting missionaries throughout the world.

ANNUAL SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE: This service will be held in the church on Saturday 4th November 2017 at 2.00pm. This will be a time for us to remember those close to us who have died. After the service, refreshments will be served in the Hall. We hope you will be able to join us. Donations of cakes will be gratefully received on the day.

PARISH QUESTIONNAIRE SUGGESTION BOX:  Please accept our appreciation for your prompt response to our survey on the likely events desired by parishioners. We have 70 completed questionnaires so far, and request those who have not yet done so to help with such vital information for our social and spiritual life.

A READERS’ AND EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS’ DAY OF RECOLLECTION will be held at Streatham on Saturday 11th November. Please see noticeboard for details.

BEXLEY DEANERY DEVELOPING WORLD GROUP:  Thank you for your kind donation of £120.78 on Sunday 15th October. Please contact our Parish Representative, Maria Ward, on 01322 555553 if you have any queries.

OUR LADY’S FILM EVENING, Wed 15th Nov: movies on a) St John of the Cross, mystic, Carmelite reformer, Doctor of the Church; and b) St John Vianney. Patron saint of parish priests and renowned for his pastoral work. Bar open, charity stall, All welcome, 7 for 7.30pm start.

TWENTY-EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

THANKSGIVING

TODAY WE COME TO GIVE THANKS TO GOD AND TO OFFER SACRIFICE TO HIM FOR HAVING MADE KNOWN TO US HIS SALVATION AND CLEANSED US FROM OUR SINS

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK:
Saturday 14 October     9.00am Holy Souls
                                         6.00pm Jack Burton-Bowen RIP (Onagh Wood)

Sunday 15 October     8.30am Parishioners
                                        10.30am Private Intention (Marie Sullivan)

Monday 16 October     9.00am Holy Souls

Tuesday 17 October    7.00pm Holy Souls
   Followed by Adoration & Our Lady & St Pio’s Prayer Group

Wednesday 18 October    10.00am Sonny Sheehan RIP (Eileen & Family)

Thursday 19 October    9.00am Eucharistic Service

Friday 20 October    9.00am Holy Souls

Saturday 21 October     9.00am Holy Souls
                                        6.00pm Elizabeth & Mick Minihan (Eileen Sheehan & Family)

Sunday 22 October     8.30am Parishioners
                                        10.30am Trudy Custy RIP (Choir)

Sick: Christine White, Kevin Harper, Ed Jones, John Bird, Gail Noel, Chris Neal, John Edwards, Tony Speed, Elvira Vaz, Geoffrey Hildebrand, John Underwood, Mary Stubbs, John Harrington, Norma Brooker, Nina Szredski, Angela Gillespie, Ann McDonald, Eileen Weald, Maureen Fitzpatrick, Eric May, Wendy Bowman, Gracie Maddox, Anne Hastings, Tom Barrett, Joann Mackintosh, Timmy Lenihan.

Anniversaries: Fr James Gavigan, Gladys Norman, Bridget Devlin.

Feast Days: Saturday: Saint Callistus I, Pope & Martyr. Sunday: Saint Teresa of Jesus, Virgin and Dr. of the Church. Saint Richard Gwynn, Martyr. Monday: Saint Hedwig, Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque. Tuesday: Saint Ignatius. Wednesday: Saint Luke, Evangelist. Thursday: Saints John de Brebeuf & Issac Jogues, Saint Paul of the Cross, Saint Philip Howard, died, Tower of London 1595.

ROTAS: Readers: Saturday 6pm Carol Anderson. Sunday 8.30am Les Thomas. 10.30am Katherine Benarte. Photocopying of Newsletter: Emma Fox. Newsletter Typist: Molly Robins. Collection for 8.30 Mass Mrs T Li/Ray. Parishioner Attending To Front of Church on Saturdays: Mark Vaz. Flower Arranging: Doune & Graziella. Eucharistic Ministers Saturday 6 pm: Rob. Sun 8.30am Peter Whiffen. Sun 10.30am Kathy (5) Eileen (6) Peter Hammond (7) Margaret (8) Dorothy (9) Washing of Purificators: Norma Brooker.

OFFERTORY COLLECTION: 8/10/17- Gift Aid: £346.60 Loose: £ 193.27 Total: £539.87
2nd Collection- CAFOD: £ 657.90
Retiring Collection this weekend is for the BEXLEY DEANERY DEVELOPING WORLD GROUP

TERRY FROGLEY: Margaret and family would like to thank Father Christian and Father Modestus for celebrating Terry’s Funeral Mass. Also parishioners and friends for their help and support and their prayers and masses offered for Terry.

A THANK YOU: To Fr. Modestus from the priest and parishioners, wishing him farewell.

THE SVP GROUP: Would like to thank all parishioners who gave so generously to our recent collection. The amount raised was £185.56.

PARISH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM): At the AGM on 19th May 2017, it was agreed that using the hall for free to raise money for charities other than the church by parishioners/groups, incurred a loss for the parish and so a contribution was required to help keep the hall running. Therefore, it has been decided that a donation of a least 20% (before expenses) of £200 and above from such events should be given to the parish to offset some of the bills/expenses incurred (any group can give more if they wish to do so.) If they require to use the bar, they should pay the bar staff. However, groups are free to book the hall/bar through the traditional way and pay the normal charge for hiring the hall (should they not raise up to £200). In this case, they should keep/use all the money raised from their events towards their preferred charity. Brian Fernandes, Chairman Parish Finance Council. Rob O’Halloran, Chairman Parish Council, Fr Christian Onyigbuo, Parish Administrator.

ANNUAL RETREAT TO AYLESFORD: Next year will be Friday 11th to Sunday 13th May 2018. A list is in the porch. Please pay £10 deposit to John Stanton.

ANNUAL SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE: This service will be held in the church on Saturday 4th November 2017 at 2.00pm. This will be a time for us to remember those close to us who have died. After the service, refreshments will be served in the Hall. We hope you will be able to join us. Donations of cakes will be gratefully received on the day.

PLEASE NOTE: On two occasions recently, a match was left on a candle. This caused the holder to melt. In the interest of safety, do not leave matches on the candles or leave candles touching.

OUR LADY’S FILM EVENING: Our next film evening will be on Wed 15th Nov 2017 when we will show movies on: St John of the Cross, Spanish mystic, reformer of the Carmelites and Doctor of the Church; and St John Vianney, patron saint of parish priests, and renowned for his priestly and pastoral work.

The films will be shown in St John Fisher Bexley Church Hall, admission is free, light refreshments will be served, bar open, charity stall, and all are welcome. Arrivals from 7 pm for 7:30 pm start.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2018: Application forms are now available for the First Holy Communion Programme 2018. Children eligible for First Communion must be in Year 3 or above and should attend mass regularly at St John Fisher, Bexley. Application forms can be collected from the back of the Church or please see Angela Underwood. If you are a new parishioner and/or do not attend mass at this parish but wish your child to join the programme, please speak to Father Christian. Completed application forms must be returned no later than 31st December 2017. The programme will commence in January 2018. Full details of the programme and a list of all the relevant dates, including parents’ meetings, will follow soon. Please look out for future notices in the parish newsletter.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY: Weekend 16th December (16th, 17th, 18th) for Christmas Recollection and Carols.

THE GROVE SINGERS: An Autumn Concert. This London based chamber choir will sing songs from Elizabethan times to present day, complemented by poetry readings. St Mary the Virgin Church, Bexley, on Saturday 28th October at 7pm. Tickets £8 including interval refreshments. Tickets available at the door or ring Roger or Sheila Thompson on 01322 522 071. Proceeds to St Mary’s Church Extension Fund.

CELEBRATION: ST GEORGE’S CATHEDRAL: David Wells, Keynote Talk; ‘New People – New Hearts’. The action of the Holy Spirit in the life of a disciple today. David will look at what it means to be a missionary disciple in today’s anxious world. Saturday 4th November 2017 9.45am – 4.45pm. Full itinerary in church porch.

APPEAL FOR VOLUNTEERS: Do you have one hour to spare once every 6 weeks? Would you be willing to give that time to help clean the church? We are looking for three men or women to make up another group, as our current numbers have reduced. Please contact Carole Hughes on 0208 303 9073 or 07762 731 303 if you would like to join us.

FRIDAY NIGHT FUN: Open 7.30pm every Friday for Bridge and bring your own games for young and old. Convivial Bar.

THE MEETING PLACE: Open Wednesdays 9.30 am – 1.30pm in the church hall.