Category: Weekly Newsletter

Fifth Sunday of Lent

Please click this link to watch the video of last Sunday’s Mass

FROM Fr Doug

My Dear Parishioners
What a difficult time this is. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. I have this week sent a brief message to about 70 people on an email list. It is my hope to be able to do this regularly. If you did not receive it and would like to then please contact me and I will add you in.

Let me share a thought for the week: It’s about the weekend!
I write this short note to you all on Friday morning.
The days this week have seemed so similar. I am out of touch with the normal rhythm of my week which is in itself, a little disconcerting. But Friday is Friday.
We look forward on a Friday to the Feast of Sunday to come – the Feast of Resurrection. That’s why on a Friday we try to ‘place’ ourselves in Good Friday and do some penitential act to recognise that reality.
I have been saying mass and praying each day for our parish – that’s my job!! It occurred to me today though, that I have been reaching out in prayer primarily to the God who can keep us all safe, but God has other guises (and I don’t mean disguises).
I have also, therefore been thanking the God who works his caring and healing power through the medics and it was a privilege to go out onto the door step last night at 8.00 with so many others and applaud those brave people.
But today I concentrate in prayer on the God who died on the cross and therefore suffers alongside all the victims of Corona and their families. We must see in them and those suffering alongside them the face of Christ. Part of our calling as Christians is to see and then give witness to God being in all things. The shape of the week, like the shape of the year helps us spread our gaze and see God’s presence all around – all the way round. So give emphasis to the weekend in your outlook and let Friday be Friday so that Sunday can be Sunday!

Friday’s context is to be found in Sunday, just as Good Friday’s context is to be found in Easter Day and death’s context is to be found in resurrection.

Let’s all try to keep safe and keep everyone we know in contact, far away from any fear or loneliness.

Before I sign off, a few things.
You might like to sign up to the diocesan Spirituality Commission Website to receive a daily thought for the day by email http://www.southwarkdsc.org.uk/
And/or sign up to ‘Pray As You Go’ https://pray-as-you-go.org/ for a fuller daily prayer. This is on the web or you can download a free phone app
Other useful sites are listed elsewhere on this site.
As you know, in addition to the Sunday Mass which you can engage with through the youtube link listed on this newsletter, or if you don’t feel able to do that you can at least read the Sunday Sermon elsewhere on this site. I also say daily mass and while it is not possible to join in Holy Communion in a physical way you are invited to make a spiritual communion.

This prayer of St. Alphonsus may be helpful:

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in this Most Holy Sacrament of the altar.
I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come spiritually into my soul so that. I may unite myself wholly to You now and forever. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.

God Bless,
               Fr Doug

CHURCHES TOGETHER in Bexley have appealed for help during the coronavirus emergency to assist in keeping Food Banks supplied. They provide help to some of the neediest people in our community. For more information please see the “Appeals” page on this website. There is also information from Bexley Council on help for the housebound and others in need as well as an appeal for volunteers.<a

MASS INTENTIONS FOR WEEK 28 Mar – 5 April 2020

Sat 28 Mar      Mavis Maher RIP (Fogarty)

Sun 29 Mar      Jim Henry RIP (N&J McCarthy)

Mon 30Mar      Delia Willis RIP (Wilkes)

Tues 31 Mar     Rosa Colaco RIP (Family)

Wed 1 Apr      Intentions of Colin Anderson (Keefe)

Thurs 2 Apr    Jim Henry RIP (Haylett)

Fri 3 Apr      Peggy Whiteside RIP (Mary Lee)

Sat 4 Apr      Maria Nucera RIP (Graziella & Family)

Palm Sunday

Sun 5 Apr      Jim Henry RIP (Greenwich Irish Pensioners)

CORONOVIRUS RESTRICTIONS

Following the national guidance of the Catholic Church in England and Wales; there will be no public celebration of mass in this church until further notice,.

Sadly the latest restrictions will also prevent us from having any opportunity for private prayer and Exposition of the Blessed sacrament as originally planned.

On Sundays we are hoping to have a video recording of the Mass available on YouTube although this may not be possible so please check this website for the latest information. To access last Sunday’s Mass please click on this link:

At present we do not have the ability to live stream the Mass however this is available on a number of church websites including St Lawrence’s at Sidcup. (stlsidcup.org).

The following links also provide access to the broadcasting of the live celebration of Holy Mass from churches in the UK and Ireland.
The website address is:
https://www.churchservices.tv/
A link to the different broadcasts available NOW is at:
https://www.churchservices.tv/whats-on-now/
A full weekly schedule of broadcasts is at:
https://www.churchservices.tv/timetable/

With every blessing.

Fr Doug Bull

Following the new tighter restrictions the Archbishop has sent the following letter to all parishes:

  
  

SUNDAY 22nd MARCH 2020 – 4th SUNDAY OF LENT (A)

Readings: 1 Samuel 16,1b,6-7,10-13a St Paul to Eph 5:8-14 Gospel John 9:1-41

In today’s Gospel, the healing of the man born blind invites us to focus on the physical and spiritual aspects of sight and light. The blind man went off and washed himself, and came away with his sight restored.

Fr Doug will continue to say Mass privately

MASS INTENTIONS FOR WEEK 21 – 29 Mar 2020

Sat 21 Mar     Deceased Members of Wood Family (Oonagh)

Sun 22 Mar     Jim Henry RIP (Lyons)

Mon 23 Mar     Jim Henry RIP (Mary & Family)

Wed 25 Mar     Intentions of Tony Frake (OLPG)

Fri 27 Mar     Anerley Eagles Seniors (Almeida)

Sat 28 Mar     Mavis Maher RIP (Fogarty)

Sun 29 Mar     Jim Henry RIP (N&J McCarthy)

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3rd SUNDAY OF LENT (A)

Today, we celebrate the foolishness of God that is wiser than any human wisdom: the utter folly of his love that allowed the destruction of the temple of the body of his Son.

Readings: Exodus 20:1-17, Corinthians 1:22-25 Gospel John 2:13-25

Click above to hear Fr Doug’s sermon.

MASS INTENTIONS FOR WEEK 14 – 22 March 2020

Sat 14 Mar    9.0 am David Brailsford RIP (Connolly)
6.0 pm Francis Echaverria (Wood)

Sun 15 Mar    8.30am David Brailsford RIP (Jones)
10.30am Jim King RIP (Kevin & Kath Fitzpatrick)

Mon 16 Mar    9.30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
10am Intentions of Norma Brooker (Frake)

Tues 17 Mar   7.0pm Eucharistic Service
7.30pm Exposition and Our Lady & St. Pio Prayer Group

Wed 18 Mar    9.30 am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
10am Marjorie Wat FIP (Frake)

Thur 19 Mar   9.0am Eucharistic Service

Fri 20 Mar    9.30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
10.00 am David Brailsford RIP (Morris)
7.30 pm Stations

Sat 21 Mar    9.0am Eucharistic Service
6pm Deceased Members of the Wood Family (Oonagh)

Sun 22 Mar    8.30am Private Intention
10.30am Jim Henry RIP (Lyons)

Reconciliation Times: Sat. 5.30pm (before Mass)

Prayers for the Sick: David Latimer, Colin Anderson, Joe Reape, Giulio Venturi, Bridie Cripps, Ray Blackman, and all those with ongoing poor health.

OFFERTORY COLLECTION – 8/3/20
First Collection £768.77;  Standing Orders £370.00;  Total £1,138.77
Second Collection – CAFOD £663.24
This week’s retiring collection is for Bexley Deanery Developing World Group

CORONAVIRUS: DECREE FROM ARCHBISHOP JOHN WILSON (issued on 9th March)
1) The (physical) sign of peace is to be suspended at Mass.
2) Holy Communion from the chalice shall cease to be offered to the lay faithful.
3) Those who normally receive Holy Communion on the tongue should receive on the hand instead. Their doing this represents an act of loving charity to their community.
4) Holy water stoups in churches and chapels are to be emptied.
5) Ministers should wash their hands before distributing Holy Communion. Shared towels should not be used in toilet areas or the sacristy.
6) Shared Mass books should cease to be used.
7) A decision will be made nearer the time as to whether on Good Fiday, the traditional “Veneration of the Cross” is to be observed by a simple genuflection.
The Decree is effective for four weeks after which these requirements shall either be rescinded or renewed. These requirements are also subject to amendment at any point.

SUNDAY MASS Last week a sound recording of  Sunday’s 10.30 Mass was added to the website.   It was hoped to make it a regular feature during the coronavirus restrictions, however given new guidance from the Archbishop this will no longer be possible.

THE MEETING PLACE:. PLEASE NOTE THAT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE THE MEETING PLACE HAS BEEN CANCELLED>

PARISH ANNUAL MEETING: All Parishioners are invited to attend the Parish Annual Meeting after Mass, at about 12.00 this Sunday 15 March, in the Parish Hall.

PLANNED GIVING DRIVE – RESULTS   We should all be very pleased with the response of the Planned Giving in January.  A number of non-taxpayers and taxpayers joined the scheme, many existing planners increased their contributions. We will not know the final figures until April but we are confident that the total weekly collection will have been substantially increased to a figure over £1,000. This should provide our parish with the financial stability it needs for the future.

Many thanks and well done!

JOHN BIRD RIP – Many parishioners will remember John, who had moved to a Nursing Home in Manchester. Sadly, John passed away on 19th February.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS: During Lent will be held each Friday at 7.30 pm. Please see the Volunteers List in the Sacristy if you would like to be one of the readers.

GIVING SOMETHING UP FOR LENT? DOING SOMETHING EXTRA? Why not be sponsored for it and raise funds for our local hospice and our church? Sponsorship forms available in the Church Porch. Contact Carol Anderson on 07913698912 for information.

WHAT BIBLICAL TEXT SETS YOUR HEART ON FIRE? This question is central to our Lent course with Churches Together in Old Bexley for 2020. Like St. John Fisher, many churches in Britain and Ireland are keeping 2020 as “the Year of the Word”, and CTIOB’s Lent course, “Opening the Scriptures: Setting our Hearts on Fire”, will help your Lenten reflections. Join old friends and new at Baldwyns Park Baptist Church, Tuesday mornings, 10am for a 10.30 am start, from 3 March, and URC Hurst Road, Thursday evenings, 7 pm for a 7.30 pm start, from 5 March. Free course booklet available for download at https://ctbi.org.uk/lent (text-only sheets available on the day). Questions? Kathy Fogarty, Parish Unity Contact, 07963454480 or k.fogarty@ntlworld.com.

ST. JOSEPH’S – ALMSHOUSE: Situated in Brook Green, Hammersmith in West London, the St. Joseph’s Society was established in 1708 as The Aged Poor Society and is the only Catholic Almshouse in the UK. Occupation is by Trustees’ approval and a monthly maintenance contribution is payable. Residents are responsible for Council Tax and utilities. Eligibility Criteria: Aged 60 and over, of limited means, of Roman Catholic faith, able to live independently. For an inquiry form or further information, contact 02076039817, email: stjosephssociety@yahoo.co.uk