Category: Weekly Newsletter

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT (C)

Today’s Theme: THE JOY OF SALVATION

We celebrate the marvels God has worked for us in sending us his mercy and forgiveness and calling us to share his glory. We await with joyful hope that ‘Day of the Lord’ when his work in us will be complete.

First Reading: Baruch: 5:1-9 Second Reading: St Paul to the Philippians 1:3-6. 8-11
Gospel: Luke 3: 1-6

Click above to hear Fr Bull’s sermon for the Second Sunday of Advent

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK
Please note the new time for weekday mass will be 10am
Saturday 8 December     10.00 am Holy Souls
                                              6.00 pm Anne Turp RIP (Turp Family)

Sunday 9 December     8.30 am Parishioners
                                         10.30 am Pop & Mam de Groen Family & Friends (Angela Chard)

Monday 10 December     9.30 am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
                                             10.00 am Intentions of Gloria Laws (Tony)

Tuesday 11 December     7.00 pm John Fitzpatrick RIP (OLPG)
       Adoration and Our Lady’s and St Pio’s Prayer Group

Wednesday 12 December   9.30 am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
                                             10.00 am Sonny Sheehan RIP (Eileen & Family)

Thursday 13 December     9.00 am Eucharistic Service

Friday 14 December     9.30 am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
                                         10.00am Intentions of The Fogarty Family (Kathy Connelly)

Saturday 15 December     10.00 am Holy Souls
                                             6.00 pm Dan & Julia Harrington +Patrick & Mary Sheehan

Sunday 16 December     8.30 am Intentions of Teresa Fan (Gill Brooks)
                                         10.30am Mercy Easton RIP (Gloria & Tony Laws)
                                            3.00pm  Carols and Children’s Nativity Play

Reconciliation Times: Saturday 10.30am (following Mass) and Sat. 5.30pm (before Mass).

ANNIVERSARIES: Walter Trembaluk, Bernard Fitzjohn, Tom Ryan, Ernie Hildebrand, Myfanwy Hogg.

FEAST DAYS: Monday: Saints: John Roberts, Polydore Plasden, Eustace White, martyred; Saints Edmund Gennings and Swithun Wells, martyred. Tuesday: St Damascus I, Pope. Thursday: St Lucy, virgin and martyr. Friday: St John of the Cross.

PRAY FOR THE SICK: Christine White, Kevin Harper, Ed Jones, John Bird, Gail Noel, Chris Neal, Tony Speed, Geoffrey Hildebrand, John Underwood, Mary Stubbs, John Harrington, Norma Brooker, Nina Szredski, Eileen Weald, Maureen Fitzpatrick, Eric and Iris May, Gracie Maddox, Anne Hastings, Tom Barrett, Timmy Lenihan, John Clarey, Tess Truman, Anne Comiskey, Irene Gannaway, David Collison, George Waller, Peter Dent, Ray Smith, Teresa Fan, Tommy Otte, Christine Hand, Fr John Diver, Sr Angela, Marion Hams, David Rogers.

OFFERTORY: Gift Aid £459.20, Loose £200.23 Total £659.43.
Bexley Deanery: £134.30 plus £7 for Catholic Youth Services from 25th November 2018.
This week’s retiring collection is for AIC Saturday Friends.

ROTAS: Readers: Saturday 6pm David Latimer. Sunday 8.30am Bridie Haylett. 10.30am Lota Emeka-Onah. Eucharistic Ministers: Saturday 6pm Patricia. Sunday 8.30am Ann Hyde 10.30am Volunteer, Mary H, Volunteer, Eileen W, Dorothy (Host).  Front of Church: Giovanna Aletta. Typing Newsletter: Ruth Powers. Photocopying Newsletter: Emma Fox. Washing of Purificators: Molly.

AIC SATURDAY FRIENDS: Will, this weekend, make their annual appeal for homeless people who are clients of The Passage Day Centre in central London and use our ‘Saturday Friends’ rehabilitation service. Your donations will be presented in the Offertory procession at Mass next Sunday. Very grateful for your ongoing generosity.

CHILDREN’S NATIVITY: Will be on Sunday 16 December at 3pm. If your child wants to take part, they need to be able to attend Mass on Sunday 9th December at 10.30am to allocate roles and practice and on Sunday 16th December at 10.30 am for rehearsal. Following the Nativity, there will be refreshments in the hall with mulled wine and mince pies. Please come to see and support our children as they perform at the Nativity Play, interspersed with carols.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2019: Application forms available for the First Holy Communion Programme 2019. Children eligible must be in Year 3 or above and should attend Mass regularly at St John Fisher, Bexley. Application forms are at the back of the Church (porch) or please see Angela Underwood. If you are a new parishioner and/or do not attend Mass, please speak to Father Doug. Completed forms must be returned no later than 23rd December 2018. The programme will commence on Sunday 13th January 2019. Full details of all relevant dates will follow soon. Finally, we really need new volunteers to help run the programme. If you are interested in helping our children, prepare for this special sacrament, please speak to Angela Underwood.

SVP HAMPERS: If anyone knows someone locally who would benefit, please post a note through the Parish House door marked ‘SVP Hampers’

MOVIE EVENING: Wed 23/1/19 Movie on St Thomas Becket. 7pm for 7.30pm start.

CAROL SINGING: Join us outside Blossoms Flower Shop, Bexley High Street this Wednesday, December 12th. at 6-7pm as we sing out the joy of Christ in Christmas.

NEW YEAR FAMILY DISCO: 8pm – 1am. Bring own nibbles, bar open, tickets £12 adult, £1 child. Contact Noel McCarthy on 07813890556 / 0208 301 2479

BAPTISMAL COURSES: The schedule of Baptismal Courses for 2019 are shown in the narthex. If you wish to arrange for the baptism of your child, please take note of the dates and contact Andy Watson, on 07786 185016 or at andrew.watson803@ntlworld.com

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT (C)

Today’s Theme: Our Liberation From Fear

Fear is the most crippling of all the emotions and there are many things in life and in the world that make us afraid. We lack integrity because we are afraid to be ourselves. But today we lift up our souls to Christ who comes to deliver us from fear. We can stand erect, hold our heads high, and dwell in confidence.

First Reading: Jeremiah 33: 14-16. Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 3:2-4:2.
 Gospel: Luke 21: 25-28, 34-36

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK
Please note the new time for weekday mass is 10am

Saturday 1^stDecember   10.00am       Maureen Ribbins RIP (Marlene Burt)
                                           6.00pm       Angela Cox RIP (Oonagh Wood)

Sunday 2^ndDecember      8.30am       Fr Ernest RIP (Ed and Sheila Jones)
                                           10.30am      Bill Keefe RIP (Iris and Family)

Monday 3^rdDecember     9.30am       Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
                                           10.00am     Intentions of Bro. Martin Mikuskiewicz (Burke Family)

Tuesday 4^thDecember     7.00pm      In thanksgiving (Tony Frake)
     Adoration and Our Lady’s and St Pio’s Prayer Group

Wed 5^th December          9.30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
                                           10.00am      Intentions of Ron and Joan Aspeek (Tony Frake)

Thursday 6^thDecember    9.00am       Eucharistic Service

Friday 7^th December       9.30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
                                           10.00am      Intentions of David and Maureen Watkins
                                                          (Tony Frake)

Saturday 8^thDecember    10.00am     Holy Souls
                                           6.00pm       Ann Turp RIP (Turp Family)

Sunday 9^thDecember       8.30am       Parishioners
                                           10.30am       Pop and Mam de Groen Family and Friends
                                                          (Angela Chard)

Reconciliation Times: Saturday 10.30am (following Mass) and Saturday 5.30pm (before Mass).

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

FEAST DAYS: Monday, St Francis Xavier, Priest. Tuesday, St John Damascene, Priest and Doctor of the Church. Wednesday, St John Almond, Martyr. Thursday, St Nicholas, Bishop. Friday St Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church. Saturday The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

PRAY FOR THE SICK: Christine White, Kevin Harper, Ed Jones,  John Bird, Gail Noel, Chris Neal,  Tony Speed, Geoffrey Hildebrand, John Underwood, Mary Stubbs, John Harrington, Norma Brooker, Nina Szredski,  Eileen Weald, Maureen Fitzpatrick, Eric and Iris May,  Gracie Maddox, Anne Hastings, Tom Barrett, Timmy Lenihan, John Clarey, Tess Truman, Anne Comiskey, Irene Gannaway, David Collison, George Waller, Peter Dent, Ray Smith, Teresa Fan, Tommy Otte, Christine Hand, Fr John Diver, Sr Angela, Marion Hams and David Rogers.

OFFERTORY: Gift Aid £456.80, Loose £200.23, Total £657.03. Second Collection (Catholic Youth Work) Gift Aid £149.72, Loose £90.27, Total £239.99.
This week’s Retiring Collection is for Bexley Deanery Developing World Group.
Next week’s Retiring Collection is for AIC Saturday Friends.

ROTAS: Readers:Saturday 6pm Peter Harrix. Sunday 8.30am Larissa O’Halloran; 10.30am Tilly and Ella. Eucharistic Ministers: Saturday 6pm Ann Harris. Sunday 8.30am Bridie. 10.30am Kathy, Margaret, Patricia, Dorothy, Paul (Host).Collector 8.30am Mass:Mrs M Weeks. Front of Church:. John Stanton Typing Newsletter:.Graziella Highland Photocopying Newsletter:Calen Delpaul. Washing of Purificators: Kathy.

IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN! Christmas is coming! Everyone is welcome to join Churches Together in Old Bexley singing carols outside Blossoms Flower Shop in Bexley High Street on Wednesday 12^thDecember, 6-7pm. Please come and support us as we sing out the joy of Christ in Christmas.       Kathy Fogarty, Parish Unity Contact

SVP HAMPERS: If you know of someone locally who would find it helpful to have a little extra for Christmas, please post a note through the Parish House door marked ‘SVP Hampers’

ST JOHN FISHER NEW YEAR FAMILY DISCO, 8pm-1pm: Bring you own nibbles. Bar open. Tickets only. £12 per adult, £1 per child.    Contact Noel McCarthy on 07813 890556, 0208 301 2479.

AIC SATURDAY FRIENDS: As we begin our Advent preparation and make our Christmas plans with friends and family, it has been traditional in our parish also to take time to consider some of those less fortunate. Next weekend, 8/9^thDecember, our AIC ‘Saturday Friends’ group will make their annual appeal on behalf of homeless people. We hope to explain what, with your generous help, has been achieved this past year – and what, with continued help, can be done in 2019

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2019: Application forms are now available for the First Holy Communion Programme 2019. 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 (porch) 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 Doug. Completed application forms must be returned no later than 23^rdDecember 2018. The programme will commence on Sunday 13^thJanuary 2019. The First Holy Communion Service will be held on Sunday 9^thJune 2019. Full details of the programme and a list of all the relevant dates including parents meetings will follow soon. Finally, we really do need new volunteers to help run the programme. If you are interested in helping our children prepare for this special sacrament please speak to Angela Underwood.

MICHAEL’S NEW YEAR LUNCH: Michael hopes to organise a lunch on 5^thJanuary at 1pm and invite representatives from around the borough to promote social cohesion. He recently received a Faith in the Community Award and attributes it to all who helped him run last year’s lunch. If you can help this year by providing Shepherd’s Pie or Irish Stew, or by helping out on the day, please let him know by signing up on the clipboard in the porch.

DEEP CLEAN: The kitchen is going to have a deep clean in late December (around 19^th). Could parishioners make sure that they remove any plates etc before that date as they will be taken away otherwise. Also, any other equipment which needs to be removed.

EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT before the 10am Masses. Begins with the Church’s New Year in Advent: Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9.30am.

AILEEN BECKWITH RIP: Sadly, Aileen passed away on 17^thNovember. Please remember her husband Brian and family in your prayers. Aileen’s Funeral Mass will be held at St. John Fisher on Monday 17^thDecember at 12 noon.

SR ANGELA WOOTTON, our beloved former parish Sister, sends her warmest Advent greetings to all her friends at St John Fisher Church. Sr Angela would like to remind everyone that she still lives at 83 Watling Street, Bexleyheath (tel: 01322 528408), is delightedto receive visitors (take a Parish Newsletter!) and that parking is easy.

OUR LADY’S FILM EVENING FINALE: Wednesday 5^thDecember: Outstanding movie on the life of St Dominic, Founder of the Order of Preachers (aka Dominicans), as he struggles to find a cure for the infestation of despair in his homeland. Later, in offering his life in the service of the Church, he is exposed to the greater perils of skewed Christian doctrines, which the Cathari professed to dying people. Bar open, Christmas charity stall, subtitles. All welcome, admission free, 7pm for 7.30 pm start.

OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, KING OF THE UNIVERSE (B)
Today’s Theme: Christ The King

Today we celebrate Christ the universal king. He did not claim to be only the King of the Jews. His kingdom is not an exclusive one. He is king of all on the side of truth who listen to his voice.

First Reading: Daniel 7: 13-14 Second Reading: Apocalypse 1: 5-8
Gospel: John 18: 33-37

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK

Saturday 24th November     10.00 am Father’s Intention
                                                   6.00 pm Private Intention (Marie Sullivan)

Sunday 25th November     8.30 am Parishioners
                                               10.30 am Mrs O’Callaghan RIP (Danny and Kay Lyons)

Monday 26th November     10.00 am June Robson (Pat and Percy Burke)

Tuesday 27th November     7.00 pm Jeremy and Mary Hanks (The Burke Family)
        Adoration and Our Lady’s and St Pio’s Prayer Group

Wed 28th November     10.00 am Deceased Members of the Gray Family (Friends)

Thursday 29th November     9.00 am Eucharistic Service

Friday 30th November     10.00 am Joe and Margaret McPartlin (The Burke Family)

Saturday 1st December     10.00 am Maureen Ribbins RIP (Marlene Burt)
                                              6.00 pm Angela Cox RIP (Oonagh Wood)

Sunday 2nd December     8.30 am Fr Ernest RIP (Ed and Sheila Jones)
                                              10.30 am Bill Keefe RIP (Iris and Family)

Reconciliation Times: Saturday 10.30am (following Mass) and Saturday 5.30pm (before Mass).

ANNIVERSARIES: Grace Rose Ferrara, Mary Mulraney, Maria Angerer, Greg (Wemyss), Fr Ernest Akorsou, Violet Gray and Maria Williamson.

FEAST DAYS: Sunday, St Catherine of Alexandria, Virgin and Martyr. Wednesday, St Catherine Labouré. Friday, St. Andrew, Apostle. Patron of Scotland; St Cuthbert Mayne, Martyr. Saturday, Our Lady; SS Edmund Campion, Ralph Sherwin and Alexander Briant, Martyrs.

PRAY FOR THE SICK: Christine White, Kevin Harper, Ed Jones, John Bird, Gail Noel, Chris Neal, Tony Speed, Geoffrey Hildebrand, John Underwood, Mary Stubbs, John Harrington, Norma Brooker, Nina Szredski, Eileen Weald, Maureen Fitzpatrick, Eric and Iris May, Gracie Maddox, Anne Hastings, Tom Barrett, Timmy Lenihan, John Clarey, Tess Truman, Anne Comiskey, Irene Gannaway, David Collison, George Waller, Peter Dent, Ray Smith, Teresa Fan, Tommy Otte, Christine Hand, Fr John Diver, Sr Angela and Marion Hams.

OFFERTORY: Gift Aid £411.07, Loose £216.20 Total £627.27.
This week’s Second Collection is for Catholic Youth Work.
Next week’s Retiring Collection is for Bexley Deanery Developing World Group.

ROTAS: Readers: Saturday 6pm Carol Anderson.  Sunday 8.30am Ann Wilkes; 10.30am Ryan Bernarte.  Eucharistic Ministers: Saturday 6pm Patricia. Sunday 8.30am Peter H. 10.30am Volunteer, Marlene, Volunteer, Paul, Molly (Host).  Collector 8.30am Mass: Mrs M Lee.  Front of Church: Paul Rowland.  Typing Newsletter: Molly Robins.  Photocopying Newsletter:. Mollie Hobson.  Washing of Purificators: Norma.  Flower Arranging: Sue (Advent Wreath).

EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT before the 10am Masses. Begins with the Church’s New Year in Advent: Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9.30am.

FANCY A HOLIDAY IN ITALY? Join the parish in Assisi for a week’s half board accommodation with excursions thrown in each day. By doing so you’ll be following in the footsteps of St Francis and St Clare. Costs include flights and an Italian-speaking guide throughout. Come with us in October 2019. Details are in the porch, or contact Carol Anderson on 07913 698912.

SVP HAMPERS: If you know of someone locally who would find it helpful to have a little extra for Christmas, please post a note through the Parish House door marked ‘SVP Hampers’

COME TO HELP DECORATE THE HALL from 7pm on Friday 30th November and meet friends. Bar will be open.

QUIZ NIGHT: The Parish Quiz Night held last weekend was a lively, enjoyable evening, and well attended. Thanks to all those who helped to organise the event, particularly Brian and Edna Fernandes for setting and asking the questions. Over £500 was raised for the Church Maintenance Fund. Thank you for your support.

CHURCH FLOWERS: In keeping with tradition, there are no flowers in the church during Advent which starts next weekend. They will be back in all their glory as we celebrate Christmas. Can I take this opportunity to thank everyone for their kind comments about the displays during the past year and for their donations in the ‘Church Flowers’ box at the back of the church. So far this year we have collected just over £150. With costs always rising, especially during the winter months, all contributions are gratefully received. Sue Murphy

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME 2019: Application forms are now available for eligible children, Year 3 or above, who attend mass regularly at St John Fisher Bexley. Full details next and subsequent weeks.

OUR LADY’S FILM EVENING FINALE: Wednesday 5th December: Outstanding movie on the life of St Dominic, Founder of the Order of Preachers (aka Dominicans), as he struggles to find a cure for the infestation of despair in his homeland. Later, in offering his life in the service of the Church, he is exposed to the greater perils of skewed Christian doctrines, which the Cathari professed to dying people. Bar open, subtitles, all welcome, admission free. Members of the International Association of Charities (AIC), available for those interested in knowing more. 7pm for 7.30 pm start.