Category: Weekly Newsletter

SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER – FEAST OF DIVINE MERCY

Today’s Theme: Our Easter Joy

Today as we hail Christ as our Lord and God we are filled  with the joy of the disciples in seeing the risen Lord.   In this season of renewal we are like those early Christians who “were filled with a joy so glorious that it cannot be described”.

 

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK

Saturday 22^nd April         9.00 am       Arthur Moss RIP (Kathy Connolly)
                                            6.00 pm       Parishioners

Sunday 23^rd April           8.30 am       Peter Lawson RIP (Teresa Fan and Kate Kennedy)
Divine Mercy              10.30 am       Rex Wheatley RIP (Eileen)
Sunday                           3.00 pm     Divine Mercy Mass

Monday 24^th April           9.00 am      John D’Souza RIP (Alex and Dahlia)

Tuesday 25^th April          No 7.00 pm Mass
                                          No Our Lady and St Pio’s Prayer Group

Wednesday 26^th April      10.00 am     Sonny Sheehan RIP (Eileen and Family)

Thursday 27^thApril          9.00 am       Eucharistic Service

Friday 28^th April             9.00 am       Wellbeing of Barbara Felton (Anita Felton)

Saturday 29^th April         9.00 am      Holy Souls
                                           6.00 pm       Guy Delpaul (Lindsay Delpaul)

Sunday 30^th April            8.30 am Arthur Moss RIP (Mrs P Coyne)
                                           10.30 am       Paula Moore-Jones RIP (The McCormick Family)

 

ANNIVERSARIES: Brigid Rose Cole, Elizabeth Troy, Terry Huntington, Alfred George Anderson, James Underwood, Andrew Donnelly, John Robins and Theresa Lobo.

FEAST DAYS: Monday, St George, Martyr, Patron of England. Tuesday, St Mark, Evangelist. Wednesday, Our Lady of Good Counsel. Friday, St Peter Chanel, Priest and Martyr. Saturday, St Catherine of Siena, Virgin and Doctor of the Church.

PRAY FOR THE SICK: Audrey O’Hara, Christine White, Kevin Harper, Ed Jones,  John Bird, Gail Noel, Chris Neal, John Edwards, Tony Speed, Elvira Vaz, Geoffrey Hildebrand, John Underwood, Mary Stubbs, Una Carpenter, John Harrington, Norma Brooker, Nina Szredski, Angela Gillespie, Ann McDonald, Eileen Weald, Geoff Birch, Maureen Fitzpatrick and Clare Kent.

ROTAS: Readers: Saturday 6pm Christine Hand. Sunday 8.30am Ann Wilkes; 10.30am Lota Emeka-Onah. Eucharistic Ministers: Saturday 6pm Peter Hammond (1) Ivan Pereira (2). Sunday 8.30am Bridie Haylett (3) Peter Whiffen (4) 10.30am John Stanton (5) Margaret Gillis (6) Patricia McQuaid (7) Molly Robins (8) Eileen Wheatley (9). Collector 8.30am Mass: Mrs T Li/Ray. Front of Church: Mark Vaz. Typing Newsletter: Graziella Highland Photocopying Newsletter: Calen Delpaul. Washing of Purificators: Patricia McQuaid. Flower Arranging: Doune and Theresa.

JOHN STEPHEN BREEN RIP: Sadly we have received the news that John Breen died on 11^th April. Please remember him and his family and friends in your prayers. John’s Funeral Mass will be held at St John Fisher on Monday 8^th May at 12 noon.

SR ANGELA WOOTTON would like to wish all her dear friends and parishioners a very blessed Easter and to remind all that she greatly appreciates visitors, and when possible, ‘getting out’. Our beloved Sister still lives at Shalom, 83 Watling Street, Bexleyheath DA6 7QJ. If possible phone first on 01322 528408.

PARISH WEBSITE: Our new website http://www.stjohnfisherbexley.org is one year old this weekend. Over that time we have had more than 2000 visitors to the site, most from the UK but also a number from the United States, Canada, Ireland, France, Brazil, India, South Africa, Belarus and Nigeria. The number of people looking at the site each week is gradually increasing. If you have any suggestions for information that would be useful for inclusion please drop a note into the presbytery or email admin@stjohnfisherbexley.org

NEWSLETTER: and while the new website is celebrating its first birthday you might be interested to know that the parish newsletter is 50 this month having started in April 1967.

PARISH QUIZ NIGHT: St John Fisher Church Hall Saturday 3^rd June 2017. (Doors open 7pm). Licensed bar. Waitress Service. Bring your own nibbles. £6 per ticket. (profits to nominated charities). Tickets from Cliff Thomas 07769 668644

MONASTIC CHOIR CONCERT: Wednesday 3^rd May 7.30pm at St Anselm’s, West Hill, Dartford DA1 2HJ. The concert is led by the choir from St Elisabeth Convent, Minsk. Admission price is your voluntary donation and all proceeds will go to charity. After the concert there will be special exhibits from the workshops of St Elisabeth Convent. Website catalog.obitel-minsk.com

JAZZ NIGHT: Chris, Elaine and Jo would like to thank everyone who came along to support Jazz Night last week and made it a huge success, raising £340 for Greenwich and Bexley Hospice. Well done everyone!

AWARENESS RAISING DAY Saturday 3^rd June at Minster Abbey Near Ramsgate, Kent CT12 4HF, 1130am to Vespers 5.30pm To show solidarity with those persecuted for their faith and for the work of Aid to the Church in Need. Details from http://www.minsterabbeynuns.org

OUR LADY’S FILM EVENING – Wed 17th May when we will show “the best film ever made” about Fatima to celebrate the 100th anniversary. Film dramatizes the true story of 3 young shepherds who experienced apparitions with a “Lady from Heaven” between May and October 1917, and which culminated in the final prophesized miracle.
The film will be shown in St John Fisher Bexley Church Hall, admission free, light refreshments served, bar open, charity stall selling jams and cakes, and all are welcome. Arrivals from 7 pm for 7:30 pmstart.

FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER (C)

Mass Intentions

Sat 23 April      9.00am Kathleen Smith RIP: recently died (SVP Friends)
                         6.00pm Intentions of Thomas Harrington (Eileen Sheehan & Family
Sun 24 April      8.30am Parishioners
                           10.30am Teresa Gilby (Marie Sullivan)
Mon 25 April     9.00am Holy Souls `
Tues 26 April     7.00pm Nicole Vousden RIP:recently died (TheChoir)
                              Followed by Adoration and Our Lady & St Pio’s Prayer Group
Wed 27 April   10.00am Elizabeth & Mick Minihane RIP (Eileen Sheehan & Family)
Thurs 28 April 9.00am Eucharistic Service
Fri 29 April      9.00am Rose Armstrong RIP: recently died (Monica & May)
Sat 30 April      9.00am Holy Souls
                              6.00pm Parishioners
Sun 1 May         8.30am Teresa Li’s Mother RIP (Teresa)
                               10.30am In Thanksgiving (Eileen & John Hollis)

Sick
Audrey O’Hara, Christine White, Olga Bowman, Kevin Harper, Ed Jones, John Bird, Gail Noel, Chris Neal, John Edwards, Tony Speed, Elvira Vaz, Geoffrey Hildebrand, John Underwood, May Jones, Mary Stubbs, Josie Keeley, Una Carpenter, John Harrington, Ida Leitao, John Larkin, Norma Brooker, Nina Szredski, Nora Lenihan, Angela Gillespie, Ann McDonald, Mary Lee.

Anniversaries
George Lott, David Smythe, Mary Brady, Madeline Bull, Sean Rahim, Margaret McQuaid

Feast Days: Monday: St Mark, Evangelist. Thursday: St Peter Chanel, St Louis Marie Grignion de Monfort. Friday: St Catherine of Siena. Saturday: St Pius V, Pope

ROTAS (week commencing Monday 25 April): Readers: Saturday 6pm Dorothy Cima; Sunday 8.30am Bridie Haylett; 10.30am Rachel Gannaway. Copying of Newsletter: Philippa Chaplin. Newsletter Typist: Graziella Highland. Collection for 8.30 Mass: Mr T Lee. Parishioner Attending To Front of Church on Saturdays: Giovanni Aletta. Flower Arranging: Lynn and Mary J. Eucharistic Ministers Saturday: 6pm Mary Henden (1) Ivan Pereira (2); Sunday 8.30am Ann Hyde (3) Patricia McQuaid (4); 10.30am John Stanton (5) Marlene Burt (6) Peter Hammond (7) Molly Robins (8) Eileen Wheatley (9).
Washing of Purificators Kathy Connolly

OFFERTORY COLLECTION: Sunday 17th April 2016:
Offertory – Gift aid: £338.95 Loose: £223.23 TOTAL £612.18
Second collection for Ecclesiastical Education Gift aid: £152.45 Loose: £116.16 TOTAL: £268.61
This week’s second collection is for St George‘s Cathedral

DIARY DATES Deanery Days of Recollection:
Extraordinary Minister – Saturday 30th April
Readers- Saturday 28th May

TOWER OF LONDON VISIT,Saturday 7th May: Full details of the trip are in the porch. To confirm a place please contact Anne Rayer, 01322 523499, or Ann Hyde 020 8303 6807. Final numbers and payment will be required by 24th April.

OUR LADY’S FILM EVENING : Wednesday 11th May: Outstanding movie on Pope John Paul I whose brief papacy lasted only 33 days. All welcome, 7pm for 7.30pm start.

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN OLD BEXLEY are holding a quiet walk of prayer on Saturday 14th May. Starting at ll am from St Barnabas. Tile Kiln Lane, Joyden’s Wood, visiting each of our member churches – Baldwyns Park Baptist Church, St Mary’s Bexley, St John Fisher, URCS Hurst Road, St James the Great Blendon, St John the Evangelist, Parkhill Road and ending at Albany Park Baptist Church. Our route is less than 4 miles and a walk booklet will be available on the day. Please feel comfortable to walk at your own pace, individually or in groups, start and join from any of the churches on the route. Cold drinks and toilets available at each church. There will be a picnic space at St John the Evangelist (indoors or outdoors depending on the weather) so do bring a packed lunch – tea and coffee will be available. Cars will be available to return walkers to the various churches. All are welcome. Kathy Fogarty, Parish Unity Contact — 01322 553993.

COMBONI MISSIONARIES OF THE HEART OF JESUS Father Christian has received a letter from Rev Martine Devenish of the Comboni Missionaries:-
“I would like to pass our sincerest thanks to your Parishioners for their very generous response to the Appeal on behalf of the Comboni Missionaries, a grand total of £l,329.67. A truly wonderful result. We are very conscious of the fact that without people like your good Parishioners, we would be able to achieve precious little for our more disadvantaged sisters and brothers in Africa, Latin America and in Asia”.

MESSAGE FROM SOUTHARK DIOCESE
Thanksgiving Mass: 60th Anniversary of the HCPT – Hosanna House Children’s Pilgrimage Trust. Archbishop Peter will be celebrating a Mass in the Cathedral on 2nd May, bank holiday Monday at 2pm, as part of the anniversary celebrations. The organisers have asked that this Mass be publicised, and to particularly invite local HCPT groups to join them.

SOUTHWARK CATHOLIC YOUTH SERVICE A reminder of events you might want to book for: 24th April 2016 – “I believe” – an event at St Georges Cathedral for those being confirmed in this Jubilee year. Join Archbishop Peter for an afternoon of catechesis, prayer, music with testimonies from Margaret and Barry Mizen (for Jimmy). To book call Jean on 01227 272900.

St Vincent’s, Diocesan Youth Residential Centre is taking bookings for the next academic year (2016/ 17).  Email info@scys.org.uk or call Jean on 01227 272900 to discuss programmes and availability.

FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER (C)

World Day of Prayer for Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life

Today’s Theme: The Lamb Will Be Our Shepherd

We offer in sacrifice the Lamb that takes away the sins of the world. He who was slain is now our Shepherd. He will lead to springs of living water all who do not reject him.

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK

Saturday 16th April       9.00 am Pat Dooley RIP: Birthday twin (Marie Sullivan)

6.00 pm Alfred D’Mello (Edna Fernandes)

Sunday 17th April         8.30 am In Thanksgiving, Judith and Jon Stephens

10.30 am John Robins RIP, Second Anniversary (Molly and Family)

Monday 18th April        9.00 am Mabel Alfred RIP (Mary and Vincent Jeyaseelan)

Tuesday 19th April        7.00 pm Nicole Vousden RIP (Mary and Vincent Jeyaseelan)

Followed by Adoration and Our Lady and St Pio’s Prayer Group

Wednesday 20th April 10.00 am Margaret McQuaid RIP, First Anniversary (Seamus, Patricia and Siobain)

Thursday 21th April       9.00 am Eucharistic Service

Friday 22nd April           9.00 am Wellbeing of Maureen Hamilton (Christine Hand)

Saturday 23rd April        9.00 am Kathleen Smith RIP, recently died (SVP Friends) .

                                            12 noon Wedding of Sarah Stephens and Curtis Wakerell

6.00 pm Intentions of Thomas Harrington  (Eileen Sheehan and Family)

Sunday 24th April          8.30 am Parishioners

10.30 am Teresa Gilby (Marie Sullivan)

 

Weekly Activities: Reconciliation Times: Saturday 9.30am-10.30am and 7pm—8pm (following Masses).

 

ANNIVERSARIES: John Robins, Brigid Rose Cole, Elizabeth Troy, Terry Huntington, Alfred George Anderson, James Underwood, Andrew Donnelly, Theresa Lobo.

PRAY FOR THE SICK: Audrey O’Hara, Christine White, Olga Bowman, Kevin Harper, Ed Jones, John Bird, Gail Noel, Chris Neal, John Edwards, Tony Speed, Elvira Vaz, Geoffrey Hildebrand, John Underwood, May Jones, Mary Stubbs, Josie Keeley, Una Carpenter, John Harrington, Ida Leitao, John Larkin, Norma Brooker, Nina Szredski, Nora Lenihan, Angela Gillespie, Ann McDonald and Mary Lee.

FEAST DAYS: Tuesday, St Alphege, Bishop and Martyr. Thursday, St Anselm, Bishop and Doctor of the Church. Saturday, St George, Martyr, Patron of England.

OFFERTORY: Gift Aid £423.17 Loose £85.38. Total £508.55. Second Collection, Comboni Mission: Gift Aid £85.50. Loose £1064.17 Total £1149.67.   This week’s Second Collection is for Ecclesiastical Education.  Next week’s Second Collection is for St George’s Cathedral.

ROTAS: Readers-  Saturday 6pm Kathy Fogarty. Sunday 8.30am Larissa O’Halloran; 10.30am Paul Gannaway. Eucharistic Ministers- Saturday 6pm Patricia McQuaid (1) Peter Whiffin (2). Sunday 8.30am Bridie Haylett (3) Ann Hyde (4) 10.30am Paul Rowland (5) Eileen Wheatley (6) Kathy Connolly (7) Margaret Gillis (8) John Stanton (9).  Collector- 8.30 Mass.· Mr V Jeyaseelan.   Front of Church- Mark Vaz.  Typing newsletter- Ruth Powers.   Photocopying newsletter- Mollie Hobson. Washing of purificators –Norma Brooker.   Flower arranging-  Sue, Mary J and Mary K (Wedding).

BEXLEY DEANERY DEVELOPING WORLD GROUP: Thank you for your kind donation of£148.01. If you have any queries please contact Maria Ward on 01322 555553.

‘CHANGE A LIFE’ is the theme for today’s World Day of Prayer for Vocations to the Priesthood and Consecrated Life. This Sunday flows from the broad culture of vocation and is when the universal Church asks the Lord to send more labourers to the harvest as priests and religious. For more information on how to encourage discussion about vocations among young people visit www.ukvocation.org and particularly for primary schoolchildren, www.tentenresources.co.uk

TOWER OF LONDON VISIT, Saturday 7th May: Full details of the trip are in the porch. To confirm a place please contact Anne Rayer, 01322 523499 or Ann Hyde, 020 8303 6807. Final numbers and payment will be required by 24th April.

DIOCESAN YEAR OF MERCY PROGRAMME: There will be an ‘I Believe’ event at St George’s Cathedral, Southwark, on 24th April, 3pm—5pm. The event, organised by Southwark Catholic Youth Service, St Vincent’s Centre, is aimed primarily at all those who are confirmed during this jubilee year. For details call 01227 272900.

GREENWICH AND BEXLEY COMMUNITY HOSPICE Spring Coffee Morning Saturday 23^rd April, 10am—1pm.   A DAY WITH MARY: Saturday 7th May 2016 Westminster Cathedral; Saturday 14th May 2016 Shrine of St Augustine, Ramsgate.   A day of instruction, devotion and intercession based on the message given at Fatima in 1917.   ACTA (A Call to Action) is sponsoring ‘An Evening with Mary McAleese’ on Thursday 23rd June, 7pm-9pm, at Westminster Cathedral Hall.  See posters on noticeboard.

ST JOHN FISHER JUBILEE YEAR OF MERCY; The parish jubilee Year of Mercy begins the process with a series of monthly spirited seminar events beginning at 7.30pm on Tuesday 19th April in the Parish Hall.   Please reserve the following diary dates for further events: Wednesday 18th May, Wednesday 22nd June, Tuesday 12^th July, Wednesday 28th September, Wednesday 12th October and Wednesday 16th November.

LONDON MARATHON; On 24th April we will be running the London Marathon. If you would like to know more about the charities we are supporting, or if you would like to support us, please visit our website www.virginmoneygiving.com/robandlarissa .

OUR LADY’S FILM EVENING — Wednesday 11th May: Outstanding movie on Pope John Paul I whose brief papacy lasted only 33 days. Pope John Paul I is remembered for his infectious smile, his warm personality and his humble pastoral style. The film employs subtitles.   All welcome, 7pm for 7.30pm start.