Author: Nuntius

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Mary’s Child: The Emmanuel

God’s choice rested on the House of David which was to bring forth the Emmanuel, the God-with-us.   But Mary’s Child was to belong to all the nations. We are one of those nations who, by God’s call, belong to Jesus Christ.

MASS INTENTIONS 17 – 25 December 2016

Saturday 17 Dec.   9.00am  Patrick McQuaid: Anniversary (Seamus, Patricia & Siobain)                                        6.00pm   Parishioners

Sunday 18 Dec.  8.30am.  Rita & Bertram De Silva RIP (Gregory De Silva)
                          10.30am  Deceased Members of the Keefe Family (Iris & Bill)
                             3.00pm.  Carols & Nativity

Monday 19 Dec.  8.45am.  Funeral Mass for Kenneth Stroughair

Tuesday 20 Dec.  7.00pm. Ethel Antao (Alex & Dahlia Fernandes)
                            Followed by Adoration and Our Lady & St Pio’s Prayer Group

Wednesday 21 Dec.  10.00am. Betty Tibby (Dorothy Cima)

Thursday 22 Dec. 9.00am. Eucharistic Service

Friday 23 Dec. 9.00am. Wellbeing of Liam Gray (Kathy Connolly)

Saturday 24 Dec.   Christmas Eve. NO MORNING MASS
                          6.00pm  Tony Sullivan RIP (Marie & Family)
                          11.00pm  Christmas Night Mass (Parishioners) PLEASE NOTE TIME

Sunday 25 Dec Christmas Day 8.30am  Betty Fogarty RIP (Kathy & Dennis Fogarty)
                          10.30am   Teresa, Elizabeth & Paul Gannaway and Family (Anne Harris)

Feast Days: Wed: St Peter Canisius, Priest and Doctor of the Church ;Fri: St John of Kanty, Priest.

Sick: Audrey O’Hara, Christine White, Kevin Harper, Ed Jones, John Bird, Gail Noel, Chris Neal, John Edwards, Tony Speed, Elvira Vaz, Geoffrey Hildebrand, John Underwood, May Jones, Mary Stubbs, Josie Keeley, Una Carpenter, John Harrington, Ida Leitao, John Larkin, Norma Brooker, Nina Szredski, Nora Lenihan, Angela Gillespie, Ann McDonald, Eileen Weald, Geoff Birch, Maureen Fitzpatrick, David Shaw, Clare Kent, Liam Gray, Arthur Moss, Alicia Batey

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

ROTAS:   Readers: Saturday 6pm Carol Anderson Sunday 8.30am Bridie Haylett 10.30am Tony Frake.   Eucharistic Ministers: Saturday 6 pm See volunteers rota.   Sun 8.30am See volunteers rota.   Sun 10.30am See volunteers rota.   Copying of Newsletter: John Stanton.   Newsletter Typist: Ruth Powers.  . Collection for 8.30am Mass: Mr V Jeyaseelan.   Parishioner Attending To Front of Church on Saturdays: Mark Vaz.   Washing of Purificators: Patricia McQuaid.   Flower Arranging: Christmas Flowers (Friday 23.12.2016)

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS: If you are able to volunteer over the Christmas period, please see Volunteers list in the Sacristy.

OFFERTORY COLLECTION:
Sunday 11th December 2016
Offertory:  Gift Aid – £377.70,  Loose – £179.97,  Total – £557.67
Retiring Collection: Bexley Deanery Developing World Group £112.22

 CHRISTMAS OFFERING: The collection at all Christmas masses is the customary offering to the priest of our parish and is the major way the priest is supported financially. Gift Aiders can use their special envelopes, those who give loose and cannot be at the masses, can use any envelope marked ‘Christmas Offering’.  Offering by cheques should be made payable to St. John Fisher Church.   Thank you for your generosity and prayers.
                                   The Finance Committee.

THE MEETING PLACE: Will be closed on Wednesday 21st and Wednesday 28th December. We will be opened again on the 4th January.

ST JOHN FISHER NEW YEAR FAMILY DISCO: 8.00am until 1.00pm. Bring your own nibbles. Bar open. Tickets only £10 per Adult and £1 per Child. Contact Noel McCarthy on 07813 890556

OUR LADY’S FILM EVENING: Wednesday 18th January 2017. Movie on St Teresa of Calcutta. All welcome, 7.00pm for 7.30pm start.

CAMINO DE COMPOSTELA SOCIAL EVENINGS: 1. Friday 20th January: Movie about Way of St James; and 2. Friday 27th January 2017: Presentation. 7.00pm for 7.30pm start.

CAN YOU PLAY AN INSTRUMENT? Can you sight read? The choir need help in brushing up old favourites and learning new pieces. If you could help out the choir practices, please let Carol Anderson know on 07913 698912 or carolmcanderson@hotmail.com

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT (A)

Today’s Theme: The Joy of Expectancy

At his coming, Christ fulfilled the expectations of the Prophets.  He made the blind see again, the lame walk, and the lepers clean.  We must not lose heart in face of all the evils of the world, for we too have a glorious expectation.  Come Lord Jesus and save us.

 

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK
 
Saturday 10 December   9.00am   For all the holy souls in Purgatory especially                                                                deceased members of FOSS (Gloria & Tony Laws)
                                       6.00pm       Parishioners

Sunday 11 December    8.30am    Carmel & Henricus plus De Fonseka Family                                                               (Anne De Silva)
                                10.30am    Deceased members of the Gray Family (Liam & Family)

Monday 12 December         9.00am       Wellbeing of Tony Frake (Tim Bowman)

Tuesday 13 December         7.00pm       Susie De Sousa RIP (Alex & Dahlia Fernandes)
                                    Followed by Adoration & Our Lady & St Pio’s Prayer Group

Wednesday 14 December   10.00am    Sonny, Patrick & Mary Sheehan RIP (Eileen & Family)

Thursday 15 December        9.00am      Eucharistic Service

Friday 16 December   9.00am   For all the holy souls in Purgatory especially                                        deceased members of FOSS (Gloria &Tony Laws)                                   

Saturday 17 December          9.00am     Patrick McQuaid RIP Anniversary                                                                       (Seamus, Patricia and Siobain)
                               6.00pm     Maria & Giuseppe Nucera RIP (Graziella & Family)

Sunday 18 December            8.30am     Rita Bertram De Silva RIP (Gregory De Silva)
                                        10.30am    Deceased members of the O’Keefe Family (Iris & Bill)

Feast Days:   Sun. St Damasus I, Pope)   Tues. St Lucy, Virgin and Martyr. Weds. St John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of the Church.

Sick: Audrey O’Hara, Christine White, Kevin Harper, Ed Jones, John Bird, Gail Noel, Chris Neal, John Edwards, Tony Speed, Elvira Vaz, Geoffrey Hildebrand, John Underwood, May Jones, Mary Stubbs, Josie Keeley, Una Carpenter, John Harrington, Ida Leitao, John Larkin, Norma Brooker, Nina Szredski, Nora Lenihan, Angela Gillespie, Ann McDonald, Eileen Weald, Geoff Birch, Maureen Fitzpatrick, David Shaw, Clare Kent, Liam Gray, Arthur Moss.

Anniversaries: Walter Trembalaluk, Bernard Fitzjohn, Tom Ryan, Ernie Hildebrand, Myfanwy Hogg.

ROTAS:  Readers: Saturday 6pm  Kathy Fogarty  Sunday 8.30am Larissa O’Halloran 10.30am John Rayer.  .  Collection for 8.30 Mass Mrs R Jameson.   Parishioner Attending To Front of Church on Saturdays: John Stanton.  Eucharistic Ministers Saturday 6 pm Ivan Pereira (1)  Rob O’Halloran (2)   Sun 8.30am Peter Hammon  (3)  Patricia McQuaid (4)   Sun 10.30am Paul Rowland (5) Mary Henden (6) Carole Hughes  (7)  Eileen Wheatley (8)  Molly Robins (9).  Newsletter Typist: Venus Bernarte.   Photocopying of Newsletter: Emma Fox.   Washing of Purificators: Molly Robins.

OFFERTORY COLLECTION: Sunday 4^th December 2016:       

Offertory                              Gift Aid         £400.20       Loose    £165.63       Total  £565.83

Retiring Collection:  Saturday Friends        £   25.00                     £585.90                  £610.90

This week’s retiring collection is for: Bexley Deanery Developing World Group.

AIC “SATURDAY FRIENDS”:  Thank you so much for your always generous response in financing our work with the homeless people for this coming year.  Donations at the last count were £610.90.  We will leave the display in the porch for another week.  Below it are leaflets advertising a Passage major fund raising event – a Westminster Carol Service on 16^th December – another way to donate and enjoy.  God bless your kindness.  AIC ”Saturday Friends”.

 OUR LADY’S FILM EVENING: Wednesday 14 December: Inspiring movie on Bl Duns Scotus, the holy Franciscan priest and theologian who won a famous debate against the Dominicans in the 13^th century in defending Our Lady’s great privilege of her Immaculate Conception, preparing the groundwork for the Church’s dogma.  Film employs subtitles.  Bar open and stall selling homemade crafts and with Christmas theme.  All Welcome 7.00pm for 7.30pm start.

CAMINO DE COMPOSTELA:  Social evenings. 1)  Fri. 20 Jan: movie about Way of St James; and 2) Fri 27 Jan: presentation. 7pm for 7.30pm start.

CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT – SUNDAY 18^TH DECEMBER AT 3PM:  This year, the Choir and Liturgy Group children invite you to a Nativity Play with Carols in the church, followed by mince pies and other goodies in the hall afterwards.  Children are asked to come as an angel, a shepherd or a king.

CAN YOU PLAY AN INSTRUMENT?  Can you sight read?  The choir need help in brushing up old favourites and learning new pieces.  If you could help out at choir practices, please let Carol Anderson know on 07913 698 912 or carolmcanderson@hotmail.com

CHRISTMAS IS COMING!  Churches Together in Old Bexley will be singing carols on Wednesday 14 December, 6-7pm, outside Cherry Blossom Florist, High Street, Bexley, to remind commuters and passers- by of the real meaning of Christmas.  We are not collecting donations, just singing Christian cheer.  Please come and join us – the more voices, instruments, jingle bells and Christmas hats the merrier!  Kathy Fogarty, Parish Unity Contact.

NEW YEAR FAMILY DISCO:  31 December –  8 pm – 1 am.  Church Hall.  Bring own nibbles.  Bar open.  Tickets only £10 per adult and £1 per child.  Contact Noel McCarthy on 07813 890 556.

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT (A)

Today’s Theme: Our Baptism with The Holy Spirit and Fire

May the Lord who gave us baptism purify us in our celebration today; for he can brook nothing that lacks integrity and truth.

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK

Sat 3rd December   9.00 am Margaret Kyne and Family (Bridie Haylett)
                                6.00 pm Mick and Elizabeth Minihane RIP
(Eileen Sheehan and Family)
Sun 4th December 8.30 am Parishioners
                               10.30 am Deceased members of the Creasy Family
                               (Ken, Pauline and Helen)
Mon 5th December 9.00 am Alexander and Irena Milanowski RIP                                                       (Danusia Ellsmore)
Tues 6th December 7.00 pm Barry Franklin RIP (Paddy Dennehy)
                Followed by Adoration and Our Lady and St Pio’s Prayer Group
Wed 7th December 10.00 am Jim, Dan and Julia Harrington RIP
                               (Eileen Sheehan and Family)
Thur 8th December 9.00 am Eucharistic Service
Fri 9th December    9.00 am Wellbeing of Arthur Moss (Carole Hughes)
Sat 10th December    9.00 am For all the Souls in Purgatory especially                                                deceased members of FOSS (Gloria and Tony Laws)
                                 6.00 pm Parishioners
Sun 11th December 8.30 am Carmel and Henricus plus De Fonseka Family
                                     (Anne De Silva)
                              10.30 am Deceased members of the Gray Family (Liam)

FEAST DAYS: Sunday, St John Damascene, Priest and Doctor of the Church; St Osmund, Bishop. Monday St John Almond, Martyr. Tuesday St Nicholas, Bishop. Wednesday St Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church. Thursday, The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Friday St Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin. Saturday, SS John Roberts, Polydore Plasden, Eustace White, Edmund Gennings and Swithun Wells, Martyrs.

ANNIVERSARIES: Rita Marsh, Sylvia Ann D’Rozario, John Flewitt, Mary Anne Lee and Jennifer North.

PRAY FOR THE SICK: Audrey O’Hara, Christine White, Kevin Harper, Ed Jones, John Bird, Gail Noel, Chris Neal, John Edwards, Tony Speed, Elvira Vaz, Geoffrey Hildebrand, John Underwood, May Jones, Mary Stubbs, Josie Keeley, Una Carpenter, John Harrington, Ida Leitao, John Larkin, Norma Brooker, Nina Szredski, Nora Lenihan, Angela Gillespie, Ann McDonald, Eileen Weald, Geoff Birch, Maureen Fitzpatrick, David Shaw, Clare Kent, Liam Gray, Arthur Moss .

OFFERTORY: Gift Aid £401.70, Loose £185.49, Total £587.19. Retiring Collections: next week Bexley Deanery Developing World Group. This week Saturday Friends.

ROTAS: Readers: Saturday 6pm Christine Hand. Sunday 8.30am Ann Wilkes; 10.30am Joseph Ebare. Eucharistic Ministers: Saturday 6pm Anne Harris (1) Peter Whiffen (2). Sunday 8.30am Marlene Burt (3) Ann Hyde (4); 10.30am Kathy Connolly (5) Margaret Gillis (6) Patricia McQuaid (7) John Stanton (8) Rob O’Halloran (9). Collector 8.30am Mass: Mrs T Li/Ray. Front of Church: Paul Rowland. Typing Newsletter: Graziella Highland. Photocopying Newsletter: Philippa Chaplin. Washing of Purificators: Kathy Connolly. Flower Arranging: N/A.

CHURCH CLEANING: The new rota for church cleaning is now available for collection from the cupboard at the back of the church.

AIC SATURDAY FRIENDS will be reporting on how generous donations of last December were used to help homeless people who use The Passage Day Centre to ‘transform their lives’. We will be speaking to you this weekend to let you know what can be achieved this coming year with your help..
Christine Crump, AIC

CHRISTMAS FAYRE Next Saturday 10th December at 10am in the church hall: Appeal for donations & items to sell at our Fayre. We are particularly short of items for the “Bottle Stall” and presents to be given freely to children by Father Christmas on the day.

CHRISTMAS IS COMING! Churches Together in Old Bexley will be singing carols on Wednesday 14th December, 6-7pm, outside Cherry Blossom Florist, High Street, Bexley, to remind commuters and passers-by of the real meaning of Christmas. We’re not collecting donations, just singing Christian cheer. Please come and join us – the more voices, instruments, jingle bells and Christmas hats the merrier! Kathy Fogarty, Parish Unity Contact

OUR LADY’S FILM EVENING –Wednesday 14th December: inspiring movie on BL Duns Scotus, the holy Franciscan priest and theologian who won a famous debate against the Dominicans in the 13th century in defending Our Lady’s great privilege of her Immaculate Conception. Film employs sub-titles. Bar open and stall selling home-made crafts with a Christmas theme. All welcome, 7pm for 7.30pm start.

SVP HAMPERS FOR CHRISTMAS: If you know someone locally who would find it helpful to have a little extra for Christmas, please put a note through the Parish Office door, marked ‘SVP’.

CAMINO DE COMPOSTELA: Two social evening dates to note: Friday 20th January (film) and Friday 27th January (presentation). Details to follow from Tim Bowman.

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY: Aylesford Retreat 2017 is Friday 12th May – Sunday 14th May 2017.