Category: Weekly Newsletter

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT (B)

Today’s Theme: Waiting for The Lord
Our life is a long vigil, waiting for the Lord to be revealed in all his glory. We wait with longing and with ‘joyful hope’, for his Spirit is with us, and we know that God is faithful to his promises

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK

Saturday 2nd Dec     9.00 am Trudy Custy RIP (Peter and Ann Wilkes
                                     6.00 pm Wellbeing of Angela Cox (Oonagh Wood)

Sunday 3rd Dec     8.30 am Parishioners
                                   10.30 am Violet Gray RIP, plus deceased members
                                  of the Gray Family (Liam)

Monday 4th Dec     9.00 am Bill Keefe RIP and his Family
                                  (Christine and Kenneth Crump)

Tuesday 5th Dec     7.00 pm Bill Keefe RIP (Tim Bowman)
    Followed by Adoration and Our Lady and St Pio’s Prayer Group

Wednesday 6th Dec     10.00 am Sonny Sheehan RIP (Eileen and Family)

Thursday 7th Dec     9.00 am Eucharistic Service

Friday 8th Dec     9.00 am Claire Lott RIP (John and Eileen and Kathy)

Saturday 9th Dec     9.00 am Les Thomas RIP (Ann and Peter Wilkes))
                                    6.00 pm Bertram Bernard Smythe RIP (Oonagh Wood)

Sunday 10th Dec     8.30 am Parishioners
                                  10.30 am Holy Souls in Purgatory especially deceased
                                  members of FOSS (Gloria and Tony)

Reconciliation Times: Saturday 9.30am-10.30am, 7pm-8pm (following Masses).

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

FEAST DAYS: Monday, St John Damascene, Priest and Doctor of the Church; St Osmund, Bishop of Salisbury. Tuesday, St John Almond, Martyr. Wednesday, St Nicholas, Bishop. Thursday, St Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church. Friday, The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Saturday, St Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin.

OFFERTORY: Gift Aid £376.60 Loose £188.57 Total £565.17.  Second Collection, Catholic Youth Work: Gift Aid £97.12 Loose £139.17 Total £236.29.
This week’s Retiring Collection is for AIC Saturday Friends.
Next week’s Retiring Collection will be for Bexley Deanery Developing World Group.

PRAY FOR THE SICK: Christine White, Kevin Harper, Ed Jones, John Bird, Gail Noel, Chris Neal, John Edwards, Tony Speed, Geoffrey Hildebrand, John Underwood, Mary Stubbs, John Harrington, Norma Brooker, Nina Szredski, Ann McDonald, Eileen Weald, Maureen Fitzpatrick, Eric May, Wendy Bowman, Gracie Maddox, Anne Hastings, Tom Barrett, Joann Mackintosh, Timmy Lenihan, John Clarey and Marlene Burt.

ROTAS: Readers: Saturday 6pm Carol Anderson.  Sunday 8.30am Angela Gillespie; 10.30am Katherine Bernarte.   Eucharistic Ministers: Saturday 6pm Anne Harris.  Sunday 8.30am Ann Hyde. 10.30am Volunteer (5) Mary (6) Patricia (7). Molly (8) Dorothy (9).   Collector 8.30am Mass: Mr T Lee.   Front of Church: Ken Crump.   Typing Newsletter: Graziella Highland.   Photocopying Newsletter: Calen Delpaul.   Washing of Purificators: Patricia McQuaid.

THE MEETING PLACE has once again earned a 5-Star rating from Bexley Council for their excellent standard of food hygiene.  We would like to thank all the staff and supporters for their continued hard work.

ELVIRA VAZ: Mark and family would like to extend their gratitude to the parishioners of St John Fisher for attending the funeral of their mother, Elvira.  Your cards, Masses and/or floral tributes were very much appreciated.

THE AIC SATURDAY FRIENDS GROUP in our parish does rehabilitation work with homeless people who use The Passage Day Centre in central London. This weekend we will make our annual Advent appeal on behalf of our homeless friends explaining what, with your continued help, can be done in 2018. We will also be distributing information on how you can support or volunteer at The Passage, should you want or be able to do so.
Nearer home, last winter local Christian churches organised Winter Night Shelter facilities in Bexleyheath and Welling. If you would like to find out more or could offer help this coming winter, please contact Melvyn French, Co-ordinator: email BWNS18@outlook.com

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

OUR LADY’S FILM EVENING – Wed 6th December: A documentary on the modern-day mystic BL SOLANUS CASEY. Known as a wonder-worker and a powerful instrument of divine healing and hope, he touched countless lives. His untiring attention to the sick and poor brought an unprecedented outpouring of grief at his death in 1957. Bar open, charity stall, all welcome. 7pm for 7.30pm start.

EVENTS QUESTIONNAIRE RESULTS: Thank you for the good response. In summary, there is a strong desire for: Quiz Night – St John Fisher Event – Variety Night – 60s/70s Night. Individual comments indicated that events need to include or focus on the family/children and youth. The Events Team could book say four dates in 2018 for the key events above but would need a team/teams to organise them. Are you willing to be part of such a team? Please let Fr Christian know, or one of the team on 01322 523499 or email anne.rayer@uwclub.net And/or come along to our Volunteers Meeting on Friday 12th January 2018, 7.30pm in the Hall.

NEW YEAR FAMILY DISCO in St John Fisher Hall. Adults £10. Children £2. Licensed bar and disco. 8pm – 1am. Bring your own nibbles.

Last Sunday in Ordinary Time

CHRIST THE KING

Christ is a King on the model of the Homeric kings who called themselves “shepherds of the people”. As a royal shepherd he is leading us to the Kingdom of the Father.

MASS INTENTIONS FOR WEEK 25 NOV –3 DEC 2017

Sat 25 Nov     9am John & Maria Macalinney (Bridie Haylett)
                         6pm Jack Burton-Bowen RIP (Oonagh Wood)
Sun 26 Nov     8.30am Parishioners
                          10.30am Mrs N O’Callaghan RIP: Anniversary (Kay & Danny Lyons)
Mon 27 Nov     9am Ken Stroughair RIP: 1st Anniversary
                                             (Theresa, Elizabeth & Paul Gannaway & Family)
Tues 28 Nov     7pm John Daly RIP (Anne Harris)
   Followed by Adoration and Our Lady & St Pio’s Prayer Group
Wed 29 Nov     10am Liam, Anne, Marie & Fiona Higgins RIP (Eileen Sheehan & Family)
Thu 30 Nov     9am Eucharistic Service
Fri 1 Dec         9am Leslie Thomas RIP (Margaret Weeks)
                          Followed by Opening of 24 Hour Adoration
Sat 2 Dec        9am Trudy Custy RIP (Peter & Ann Wilkes)
                          Followed by Close of 24 Hour Adoration
                          6pm Wellbeing of Angela Cox (Oonagh Wood)
Sun 3 Dec        8.30am Parishioners
                          10.30am Violet Gray RIP + Deceased members of The Gray Family (Liam)

Reconciliation Times: Sat 9.30am-10.30am and Sat 7pm-8pm (following Masses)

Prayers for the Sick: Christine White, Kevin Harper, Ed Jones, John Bird, Gail Noel, Chris Neal, John Edwards, Tony Speed, Geoffrey Hildebrand, John Underwood, Mary Stubbs, John Harrington, Norma Brooker, Nina Szredski, Ann McDonald, Eileen Weald, Maureen Fitzpatrick, Eric May, Wendy Bowman, Gracie Maddox, Anne Hastings, Tom Barrett, Joann Mackintosh, Timmy Lenihan, John Clarey

Anniversaries:  Thomas Joseph Flower, Elizabeth Scott, Pat Underwood, Pat Wilkinson, Noel Horrabin

Feast Days:  Thursday St Andrew, Apostle, Patron of Scotland

ROTAS For w/c Mon 27/11 Readers: Sat 6pm Kathy Fogarty Sun 8.30am Les Thomas Sun 10.30am Paul Gannaway.    Copying of Newsletter: Mollie Hobson.   Newsletter Typist: Molly Robins.   Collection for 8.30am Mass: Mr V Jeyaseelan.   Parishioner Attending To Front of Church on Saturdays: Giovanni Aletta.    Eucharistic Ministers: Saturday 6 pm Patricia Sun 8.30am Bridie 10.30am Carole (5) Margaret (6) Peter H (7) Patricia (8) Eileen (9).    Washing of Purificators: Molly Robins.  Flower Arranging: Sue (advent wreath)

OFFERTORY COLLECTION 19/11/17
1st Collection: Gift Aid – £350.80;   Loose – £211.19;   TOTAL: £561.99
This week’s second collection is for Catholic Youth Work.
Next week’s retiring collection is for AIC Saturday Friends.

READERS Following the sad passing of Les Thomas and with Angela Gillespie wishing to step down from the Readers’ Rota, I am planning a revised rota. We need one reader for Christmas Midnight Mass and another Reader for the 10:30am Mass on Christmas Day – please can volunteers contact me on k.fogarty@ntlworld.com or 07963 454480. A reminder too that if you are unable to read on a designated day please arrange a swap with another reader. Thank you. Kathy Fogarty.

24 HOUR ADORATION Please sign up to assist in our 24 hour Adoration beginning after 9am Mass on Friday 1st December and concluding with 9am Mass on Saturday 2nd December. Please find list in porch.

SVP HAMPERS FOR CHRISTMAS If you know of someone locally who would find it helpful to have a little extra for Christmas, please put a note through the Parish House door marked “SVP Hampers”.

NEW YEARS FAMILY DISCO – In St John Fisher Hall. Adults £10, Children £2. Licensed bar & disco 8pm to 1am. Bring own nibbles.

FRIDAY SOCIAL CLUB Due to other hall bookings the club will be CLOSED until January 2018. When we re-open in January we will be making a push for the club to be Ecumenical and build on love between the churches and to the community.

ADVENT APPEAL The AIC “Saturday Friends” group in our Parish does rehabilitation work with homeless people. On the weekend of 2/3 December we will make our annual Advent appeal on behalf of our homeless friends, explaining what with your help has been achieved this past year – and what with continued help can be done in 2018. We will also be distributing information on how you can support or volunteer at The Passage. Nearer home, last winter local Christian churches organised Winter Night Shelter facilities in Bexleyheath and Welling. If you would like to find our more or could offer help this coming winter, please contact Melvyn French, Co-ordinator e-mail, BWNS18@outlook.com. Thank you. Christine Crump.   

OUR LADY’S FILM EVENING – Wed 6th December: A documentary on the modern-day mystic BL SOLANUS CASEY. Known as a wonder-worker and a powerful instrument of divine healing and hope, he touched countless lives. His untiring attention to the sick and poor brought an unprecedented outpouring of grief at his death in 1957. Bar open, charity stall, all welcome. 7pm for 7.30pm start.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2018: Application forms are now available for the First Holy Communion Programme 2018.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 or please see Angela Underwood.

VOLUNTEER COUNTERS We have had responses for our request for counters, but few more still needed either for Sunday at 12.00 noon or Monday morning. Please speak to Fr. Christian or Brian Fernandes (Chairman). Thanks. Finance Committee.

MEETING PLACE Open Wednesdays 9.30am to 1.30pm.

THIRTY THIRD SUNDAY OF THE YEAR

Christ, The Head of His Household

Christ’s family, the Church, today holds festival in honour of its Head,
and brings to him the talents of a good wife, devoted sons, and faithful servants.

MASS INTENTIONS FOR WEEK 18 – 26 NOVEMBER 2017

Saturday 18 Nov     9.00am:   Mary Quinlan RIP: Anniversary (Bridie Haylett)
                                 6.00pm:  Terry Frogley RIP (Eileen Sheehan & Family)

Sunday 19 Nov     8.30am:   Deceased Members of the Fogarty Family (Kathy & Dennis)
                                10.30am:   John Jameson RIP: Birthday (Rose & Family)

Monday 20 Nov     NO 9.0am Mass
                                10:45am:  Funeral Mass for Bill Keefe

Tuesday 21 Nov     12 Noon:   Funeral Mass for Les Thomas
                                7.00pm:   Wellbeing of Angela Wallis (Eileen Wallis & Family)
      Followed by Adoration and Our Lady & St Pio’s Prayer Group

Wednesday 22 Nov     10.00am Sonny Sheehan RIP (Eileen & Family)

Thursday 23 Nov     9.00am Eucharistic Service

Friday 24 Nov     9.00am Alfred D’Mello RIP (Edna & Brian Fernandes)

Saturday 25 Nov     9.00am:  John & Maria Macalinney (Bridie Haylett)
                                  6.00pm:  Jack Burton-Bowen RIP (Oonagh Wood)

Sunday 26 Nov     8.30am:  Parishioners
                                10.30am:  Mrs N O’Callaghan RIP: Anniversary (Kay & Danny Lyons)

Reconcillation Times: Sat 9.30am-10.30am and Sat 7pm-8pm (following Masses)

Prayers for the Sick: Christine White, Kevin Harper, Ed Jones, John Bird, Gail Noel, Chris Neal, John Edwards, Tony Speed, Elvira Vaz, Geoffrey Hildebrand, John Underwood, Mary Stubbs, John Harrington, Norma Brooker, Nina Szredski, Angela Gillespie, Ann McDonald, Eileen Weald, Maureen Fitzpatrick, Eric May, Wendy Bowman, Gracie Maddox, Anne Hastings, Tom Barrett, Joann Mackintosh, Timmy Lenihan

Anniversaries: Mona Shaw, Doreen Flanagan, Dick Williams, Patrick Higgins, Blanche Anderson, Anthony Melaugh, Marie Morris, Lance Grainger

Feast Days: Wed: St Cecilia, Virgin & Martyr Thurs: St Clement I, Pope & Martyr Fri: Saints Andrew, Dūng-Lac, Priest & Companions, Martyrs

ROTAS: Readers: Saturday 6pm Christine Hand,  Sunday 8.30am Bridie Haylett,  10.30am Ryan Bernarte.   Copying of Newsletter: John Stanton.   Newsletter Typist: Ruth Powers.   Collection for 8.30am Mass:  Mrs T Li/Ray.   Parishioner Attending to Front of Church on Saturdays: Peter and June. Eucharistic Ministers: Saturday 6 pm (1) Kathy Sun 8.30am (2) Peter H Sun 10.30am (3) Kathy (4) Marlene (5) Patricia (6) Mary (7) Dorothy.   Washing of Purificators: Kathy Connolly.   Flower Arranging: Doune & Lynne

OFFERTORY COLLECTION: Sunday 12th November 2017
1st Collection: Gift Aid: £487.25; Loose: £192.46; TOTAL: £679.71
Archbishops Admin Fund: Gift Aid: £129.15; Loose: 101.90; TOTAL: £231.05
Next week’s 2nd collection is for the Catholic Youth Work

BILL KEEFE RIP: The funeral mass of Bill will take place on Monday 20th November at 10.45am at St John Fisher.

BEXLEY DEANERY DEVELOPING WORLD GROUP: Thank you for your generous donation of £ 82.41 on Sunday 5th November. The AGM was held on 19th October and eleven projects were submitted for the next year. The projects from Cameroon, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe and Uganda will be given £1000 each and four other projects will receive £500 each. Two further projects have been put on reserve and if funds improve, we can also contribute something to them. All monies received are sent directly to the projects and not used for any other purpose. If you have any queries please contact our Parish representative, Maria Ward on 07802 623571 or 01322 55553.

FEEDBACK FROM MEETING WITH BISHOP PAT You are warmly invited to come and share feedback. This will take place on Wednesday 29th November 2017 from 7.15pm to 9.00pm in the Church Hall.

YOUTH MASS. Next Sunday 26th November 2017 (Christ the King) is our youth day. During this mass all children and young persons of our parish will take active part in the Liturgy such as ushering, readings, bidding prayers, serving at mass, offertory collection and singing if possible. Please can you speak to Fr. Christian if you can play any musical instrument on the day. Entertainment will be provided after mass in the Church hall to celebrate our youth.

AIC HOMELESS APPEAL: The AIC ‘Saturday Friends’ group in our parish does rehabilitation work with homeless people who use The Passage Day Centre in central London. On the weekend of 2 – 3 December, we will make our annual Advent appeal on behalf of our homeless friends, explaining what with your help has been achieved this past year – and what with continued help can be done in 2018. We will also be distributing information on how you can support or volunteer at The Passage, should you want or be able to do so. Nearer home, last winter, local Christian churches organised Winter Night Shelter facilities in Bexleyheath and Welling. If you would like to find out more or could offer help this coming winter, please contact Melvyn French on BWNS18@outlook.com.

OUR LADY’S FILM EVENING – Wednesday 6th Dec: Documentary on BL SOLANUS CASEY. Known as a wonder-worker and a powerful instrument of divine healing and hope, he touched countless lives. His untiring attention to the sick and poor brought an unprecedented outpouring of grief at his death in 1957. Bar open, charity stall, all welcome, 7.00pm for 7.30pm start.

NEW YEAR’S FAMILY DISCO: In St John Fisher Hall. Adults £10, Children £2. Licensed bar and disco, 8.00pm – 1.00am. Bring your own nibbles.

FRIDAY NIGHT FUN: Open 7.30pm every Friday for Bridge and bring your own games for young and old. Convivial Bar.

MEETING PLACE: Wednesdays 9.30am – 1.30pm.

EVENTS QUESTIONNAIRE RESULTS: Thank you for the good response to the questionnaire. In summary there is a strong desire for Quiz Night, St John Fisher Event, BBQ, Variety Night, 60/70s Night. Individual comments indicated that events need to include or focus on the family/children and youth. The Events Team could book say 4 dates in 2018 for the key events above, but would need a team/teams to organise them. Are you willing to be part of such a team? Please let Fr Christian know or one of the team on 01322 523499 or email anne.rayer@uwclub.net and/or come along to our Volunteers Meeting on Friday 12th January 2018, 7.30pm in the Hall.