SUNDAY 29th December 2024
HOLY FAMILY YEAR C
There are 2 sets of readings available this Sunday. Archbishop John has elected to use these: Readings: 1 Samuel 1:20-28, Psalm 84, 1John 3:1-24, Luke 2:41-52. Page 105
Sat 28th Dec Please welcome Fr Luke who is saying mass this evening.
18.00 Tony Speed RIP (Speed)
Sun 29th Dec HOLY FAMILY OF MARY, JOSEPH AND JESUS, YEAR C
08.30 Matthew Bhalla (Bhalla)
10.30 Jamie Cowdell (F)
Mon 30th Dec 09.15 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
10.00 For the Parish
Tues 31st Dec 09.15 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
10.00 Sonny Sheehan RIP (Sheehan)
Wed 1st Jan 09.15 Mary, the Mother Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
10.00 of God Bishop John Hine RIP (Kilcullen)
Fri 3rd Jan 09.15 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
10.00 Agatha Sant (East)
Sat 4th Jan 17.30 Confessions
18.00 Kathleen Fitzpatrick (Staden)
Sun 5th Jan EPIPHANY OF THE LORD YEAR C
08.30 Rhona McIlfatrick (Cannon)
10.30 David Brailsford RIP (Brailsford)
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.
FINANCES
Many thanks for your offertory collection Last Week: £ 1012.35 incl S.O.
Bank Payments to RCAS Bexley, Sort code 51 70 14, Account 01831763
Please put your name and if you use envelopes, your envelope number, as the code.
Card Payment: Machine located in the foyer. Very easy to use!
Gift Aid Please join the GIFT AID scheme – 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 weekdays, £40 per hour weekends
Newsletter: Please copy notices to Fr Doug by the previous Wednesday
From Archbishop John Wilson’s 2024 Christmas message
Dear friends,
As I began to reflect on the year gone-by, I was hit, sadly, with a sense of ‘haven’t we been here before’. Just like the year before, the world seems so troubled, so divided. The conflict in the Holy Land is ongoing. The conflict in Ukraine is ongoing. The conflict in Sudan is ongoing. Sadly, this is not an exhaustive list. The need for peace in countries experiencing war and violence is vital. We know too there are attacks on the dignity of life at home, through the proposed legalisation of assisted suicide. And so many people in our communities face poverty and inequality. In a world that seems so divided, it can be easy to lose hope; even to lose faith.
But in times of darkness, in times of pain, in times of division, instead of giving into the temptation of losing hope we must turn to our one, great living hope – the Lord Jesus. In Him, and in His message of Good News, we see the possibility of a different and better world. This is what the truth of Christmas is all about. It’s a story of hope triumphing over darkness. It’s God’s love story towards our world and each one of us. On a cold night in Bethlehem, our hope arrived in the form of a tiny baby, a new-born Prince of Peace, a king of love. God became man for us. A Saviour was born out of love: love of you, love of me, and love for our world. This love in action fills our hearts us with so much hope. Not just at Christmas, but also for the year ahead.
Next year is a Year of Jubilee for the Catholic Church worldwide. We are called to be pilgrims of hope. It’s a chance to renew and deepen our faith, our hope and our love, as we journey together as disciples of the Lord Jesus. The account of the birth of the Lord Jesus inspires our journey as pilgrims of hope. When the Angel Gabriel appeared to Our Lady, she was troubled by the Angel’s message. It can’t have been easy for her when they were turned away at the inn. But Mary, the Mother of the Lord, never despaired or gave up hope. She put her faith and trust in the Lord. Mary is the timeless example of what it is to follow Jesus. No matter what, to trust, hope and believe that God is with us in everything. That we are never abandoned or alone.
This hope, like Our Lady’s resounding yes to God’s plan for her, must be an active one. This means putting our faith into practice, speaking out for justice and against war, hatred, and poverty, and in defence of human life and all creation. We need to speak the truth that every human life is made in the image and likeness of God. That every human life is to be protected, nourished and nurtured. We must be a people who promote life, not death. We need to be active in making the case for peace. The Lord Jesus is the Prince of Peace and we are duty bound to follow his commands and call for peace in our troubled world. This is all rooted in actively placing our hope in the Lord Jesus. How do we do this? By coming to Him in prayer and in adoration of his Eucharistic presence, by reading the Gospels and praying the rosary. My brothers and sisters, seek out and deepen your friendship with the Lord Jesus. Prayer is the most active expression of our love and hope. And there is no more hopeful and active prayer than when we place ourselves before the Blessed Sacrament, the Real Presence of Jesus. Our Lord Jesus told His disciples to remain with Him, and keep watch with Him. This is what He invited us to do. To stay with Him in prayer. As you spend time in adoration, kneeling before our Lord – truly present in the Eucharist – you will feel your heart fill with peace and hope. Because He is there, waiting for you, yearning for you, just as your heart yearns for Him.
Friends, in this coming year, continue to seek the Lord Jesus in prayer and, as often as you can in Eucharistic adoration. Pray for peace within yourself, for peace in our world, with the hope of Christ in your hearts. Please be sure of my prayers for you and your families and loved ones. And please pray for me. I wish you a holy and blessed Christmas. May God, be with you and strengthen your hope. And may God bless you, and those your love, and our world, with peace in the year to come.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2025
Application forms are in the foyer for the 2025 First Holy Communion programme, commencing in January. Children in year 3 or above can apply. Completed forms must be returned by 31st Dec.
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