Weekly Newsletter

17 July 2026 Nuntius

SUNDAY 19^th July

SIXTEENTH SUNDAY Year A

Readings: Wisdom 12:13-19, Psalm 85, Romans 8:26-27 Matthew 13:24-43

Sat 18^thJuly 18.00 Bob Cameron RIP (Fitzpatrick)

Sun 19^th July SIXTEENTH SUNDAY

08.30 Mavia Abbot RIP (Cannon)

10.30 George Birch RIP (Birch)

Mon 20^th July 09.15 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

10:00 Michael Wheatley (Connolly)

Tues 21^st July 09.15 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

10:00 Sonny Sheehan & Colette Hunt RIP (Sheehan)

Wed 22^nd July 09:15 St. Mary Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

10.00 Magdalene Michael Wheatley (Wheatley)

Please join us in the Hall for refreshments after mass

Fri 24^th July 09.15 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

` 10.00 Danny Ferrao (Almeida)

Sat 25^thJuly 18.00 Philip Hagan RIP (Hagan)

Sun 26^th July SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY

08.30 Rhona McIlfatrick RIP (Cannon)

10.30 George Birch RIP (Birch)

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.

MASS INTENTIONS: Do have masses said for your intentions. Use the envelopes in the foyer to name the intention and to enclose an offering. Give them to Fr Doug or post them through the presbytery door.

FINANCES

Many thanks for your offertory collection £882.98

Retiring Collections. Last week Apostleship of the Sea. £171.34

This Week Ahotokurom in Ghana

Bank Payments to RCAS Bexley, Sort code 51 70 14, Account 01831763

Card Payment: Machine located in the foyer.

Gift Aid Please join the GIFT AID scheme – Forms available in the foyer.

OUR PARISH 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 on weekdays, £40 per hour at weekends

Newsletter: Please copy notices to Fr Doug by the previous Wednesday

Dear Parishioners,

THANK YOU so much, all of you who supported our parish celebration day. I hope you enjoyed a very relaxed afternoon with good food and good company. You may even won a treat in the raffle!

I express gratitude on behalf of us all to Aidan who took responsibility for organizing it and for all those who helped out in many and various ways: cooking, bringing food, setting up and clearing up, running the raffle, selling tickets and so on. Many hands… etc. Well done, Team!

We will know by next week how much money we made to support the parish.

God Bless, Fr Doug

WELCOME & CONGRATULATIONS: Congratulations to Anna, Paul, Olivia and Charlie Bennett who will be received into full communion with our Church at the 8.30 mass this weekend. Please keep them in your prayers.

AHOTOKUROM – Padre Pio Rehabilitation Centre

This weekend we welcome Seb Santhiapillai, Trudy Kilcullen & Sophie Norman – volunteers with Friends of Ahoto charity who support people with leprosy and disability at Ahotokurom Padre Pio Rehabilitation Centre in Ghana.

Our retiring collection will be for Ahoto. Every penny raised goes directly to support the work (no administration costs) and thanks to a generous donor all donations will be doubled! For further details of the mission see https://www.ahoto.org/

THE ST JOHN BOSCO CHILDREN’S CAMP

The St John Bosco Children’s Camp in Brentwood Essex, is an activities camp with a Catholic ethos that runs for two weeks each summer for boys and girls. Applications are now open for children currently in school year 5 – 7 (i.e. aged 9-12 in August 2026) to spend a week at camp. Week One 25th July – 1st August or Week Two 1st – 8th August. Activities include archery, fishing, Aqua Park visit, football, kayaking and much more. The camp is especially for children who may not otherwise have a summer holiday. Suggested donation £200, but full bursaries are available. All application details are at https://boscocamp.co.uk.

PILGRIMAGE TO ASSISI

Eddie Gilmore is leading a walking pilgrimage to Assisi from September 18^th– 26^th, 2026: one night in Florence then six days along the beautiful ‘Way of Francis’. Contact Eddie for more information: gileag@gmail.com www.eddiegilmore.org

CYBER CRIMINALS … are increasingly using AI to create videos, voice messages and other communications impersonating members of the clergy. They then request money or donations. Never send money, gift cards or bank details in response to such requests. Always verify the identity of the sender by contacting the priest or parish directly using a known telephone number or official email address before responding to any request.

10 July 2026 Nuntius

SUNDAY 12^th July

FIFTEENTH SUNDAY (Sea Sunday) Year A

Readings: Isaiah 55:10-11, Psalm 64, Romans 8:18-23 Matthew 13:1-23

Sat 11^thJuly 18.00 Patricia Liddiard RIP (Liddiard)

Sun 12^th July FIFTEENTH SUNDAY Sea Sunday

08.30 Tara & Aidan Robinson (Robinson)

10.30 Donald Almeida RIP (Jeyaseelan)

Mon 13^th July 09.15 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

10:00 Donald Almeida RIP (Almeida)

Tues 14^th July 09.15 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

10:00 Edward Cheung RIP (Cheung)

Wed 15^th July 09:15 St. Bonaventure Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

10.00 Canon Alan McLean RIP(Wheatley)

Please join us in the Hall for refreshments after mass

Fri 17^th July 09.15 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

` 10.00 Chris Ferrao (Almeida)

Sat 18^thJuly 18.00 Bob Cameron RIP (Fitzpatrick)

Sun 19^th July SIXTEENTH SUNDAY

08.30 Mavia Abbot RIP (Cannon)

10.30 George Birch RIP (Birch)

Please join us in the Hall for refreshments after the 10.30 mass.

LIVE STREAMING OF MASSES ON THE WEBSITE

All masses are streamed and can be viewed via the link:

Recordings are available. The Sunday sermon is also in print on the website.

FINANCES

Many thanks for your offertory collection £1022.54

Retiring collections Last week Rosminian Mission £541.46

This week– Apostleship of the Sea

Bank Payments to RCAS Bexley, Sort code 51 70 14, Account 01831763

Card Payment: Machine located in the foyer.

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 on weekdays, £40 per hour at weekends

Newsletter: Please copy notices to Fr Doug by the previous Wednesday

Dear Parishioners,

We look forward to enjoying a fine day with food and fun at our barbecue, but we remember too, the people of Venezuela, following the two powerful earthquakes that devastated already vulnerable communities. Homes, schools and hospitals have been destroyed, forcing families to flee and sleep outside in fear. The death toll is approaching 4,000, and nearly 60,000 remain missing. The grief and suffering are unimaginable.

I make mention in this week’s homily of Pope Leo’s recent teaching with special reference to A.I. Check out Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent humanity) or Pope Leo XIV on the internet. It’s possibly too long to read in full, but there are lots of opportunities to scan the main points.

God Bless, Fr Doug

PARISH FEAST DAY BARBECUE …. AT LAST!

Tickets are still available. Let us all have a fabulous afternoon enjoying the welcome shade and delicious food. Lots going on for the children too.

SEA SUNDAY: Seafarers and fishers play a vital role in all of our lives, but they often work in difficult, hazardous conditions. Sea Sunday is Sunday 12th July. It is when the Church prays for all those who live and work at sea. Your support will make a big difference. You can donate in church, or by visiting www.stellamaris.org.uk/donate, or by texting ‘SEA’ to 70460 to donate £5. Thank you

WALK FOR PEACE: Bexley Interfaith Forum is leading a walk for peace on Monday 13th July, starting at 6.00 p.m. outside the Crayford Mosque (60, Crayford High Street), pausing at Our Lady Of The Angels, Erith at 7.15 ish, (where you can join if you wish) and ending at the Sikh Gurdwara in Belvedere at 8 ish.

VENEZUELA EARTHQUAKE CRISIS APPEAL – Jesuit Missions or CAFOD

Jesuit Missions is working with local partners to provide emergency shelter, food, clean water, healthcare and trauma support. Please donate funds and pray for those affected. Go to: Emergency Appeal: help families affected by earthquakes in Venezuela – Jesuit Missions or BACS to JIB – JESUIT MISSIONS Sort Code 30-65-41 Account 47325560 CAFOD has donated £100,000 in aid. Go to the website to get details of how to support them.

THE ST JOHN BOSCO CHILDREN’S CAMP: The St John Bosco Children’s Camp in Brentwood Essex, is an activities camp with a Catholic ethos that runs for two weeks each summer for boys and girls. Applications are now open for children currently in school year 5 – 7 (i.e. aged 9-12 in August 2026) to spend a week at camp. Week One 25th July – 1st August or Week Two 1st – 8th August. Activities include archery, fishing, Aqua Park visit, football, kayaking and much more. The camp is especially for children who may not otherwise have a summer holiday. Suggested donation £200, but full bursaries are available. All application details are at https://boscocamp.co.uk.

PILGRIMAGE TO ASSISI

3 July 20268 July 2026 Nuntius

SUNDAY 5^th July

FOURTEENTH SUNDAY Year A

Readings: Zechariah 9:9-10, Psalm 144, Romans 8:9-13 Matthew 11:25-30

Sat 4^th July 18.00 Holy Souls (Jeyaseelan)

Sun 5^th July FOURTEENTH SUNDAY

08.30 Edward Cheung RIP (Cheung)

10.30 John Rayer RIP (Rayer)

Mon 6^th July 09.15 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

10:00 Mary Theresa Abbot (Staden)

Tues 7^th July NO MASS

Wed 8^th July 09:15 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

10.00 Carole Hughes (Anderson)

Please join us in the Hall for refreshments after mass

Fri 10^th July 09.00 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

` 10.00 Andy White (Staden)

Sat 11^thJuly 18.00 Patricia Liddiard RIP (Liddiard)

Sun 12^th July FIFTEENTH SUNDAY Sea Sunday

08.30 Tara & Aiden Robinson (Robinson)

10.30 Donald Almeida RIP (Jeyaseelan)

Please join us in the Hall for refreshments after the 10.30 mass.

LIVE STREAMING OF MASSES ON THE WEBSITE

All masses are streamed, view via the link:

Recordings are available. The Sunday sermon is also in print on the website.

FINANCES

Many thanks for your offertory collection £1125.20

Retiring collections This Week The Rosminians

Next week Apostleship of the Sea

Bank Payments to RCAS Bexley, Sort code 51 70 14, Account 01831763

Card Payment: Machine located in the foyer.

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 on weekdays, £40 per hour at weekends

Newsletter: Please copy notices to Fr Doug by the previous Wednesday

Dear Parishioners,

We welcome Fr Lorence of the Rosminian Order, preaching an appeal this weekend.

There is an invitation to help Venezuela below through the Jesuit Missions. CAFOD has also just in the last few days opened an appeal fund, having already donated £100,000 in aid. Go to the CAFOD website to get details.

God Bless, Fr Doug

PARISH FEAST DAY BARBECUE NEXT WEEK!: We need volunteers for various tasks, especially the set-up and clear-up teams. With lots of volunteers no one will need to be overworked! Can anyone lend a gazebo?

SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE ANNUAL CELEBRATION MASS

This takes place at our Cathedral, presided by Archbishop John on Saturday 11^th July at 3.00pm.

There is a special invitation for couples celebrating milestone anniversaries this year to renew their marriage vows, but there is a general invitation for anyone to attend. You are invited!

WALK FOR PEACE: Bexley Interfaith Forum is leading a march for peace at 6pm on Monday 13th July, starting at 6.00 p.m. outside the Crayford Mosque and ending at the Sikh Temple in Belvedere.

YOUTH DAY AT JOHN FISHER SCHOOL, CHATHAM

Saturday 11th July 11.00am – 5.30pm. Cost £5. For 10–14 year olds. Southwark youth service offers a day of prayer, activities including sport, as well as lunch. To book go to: rcaos.org.uk/mission/southwark-catholic-youth-service/event-booking/. There is a free coach from St. Anselm’s Dartford, leaving at 10.00am. To book a place on it, contact dartford@rcaos.org.uk.

VENEZUELA EARTHQUAKE CRISIS APPEAL

Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela, devastating already vulnerable communities. Homes, schools and hospitals have been destroyed, forcing families to flee and sleep outside in fear. Over 2,500 people have died, more than 1,000 are injured, and nearly 60,000 remain missing.

Jesuit Missions is working with local partners to provide emergency shelter, food, clean water, healthcare and trauma support. Please give today and pray for those affected. Go to:

Emergency Appeal: help families affected by earthquakes in Venezuela – Jesuit Missions or BACS to: JIB – JESUIT MISSIONS Sort Code 30-65-41 Account 47325560 Add a reference: “Venezuela Appeal

BISHOP DAVID OAKLEY

Following the deeply distressing news of charges brought against Bishop David, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference has issued a statement. Reports of this allegation may reawaken painful memories for many people, which is why they have again offered “an unreserved apology to those who have been hurt by abuse in the Catholic Church in England and Wales”. The statement is available here: https://www.cbcew.org.uk/safeguarding-statement-president-vice-president/.

KEN CREASY: thanks you all for your prayers and is on the road to recovery in Darenth Hospital