Newsletter

Newsletter Sunday April 19th, 2020

Nuntius

SUNDAY 19th April, 2nd Sunday of Easter

“Eight days later…”

Readings: Acts 2:42-47, Psalm 117, 1st Peter 1:3-9, John 20: 19-31

SERVICES FOR WEEK 19- 26 April 2020

Sun 19 Apr 2nd SUNDAY of EASTER
Parish Mass – available to engage with via website at any time of day
Jim Henry RIP (OLPG)

8.30 a.m. David Brailsford RIP (Hyde)

Mon 20 Apr 8.30 a.m. D & J Harrington and P & M Sheehan RIP (Sheehan)

Tues 21 Apr 8.30 a.m. Margaret McQuaid RIP (Patricia, Seamus & Siobhan)

Wed 22 Apr 8.30 a.m. Maureen Watkins (Hughes)

Thur 23 Apr 8.30 p.m. Jean Barron RIP (Burt)

Fri 24 Apr 8.30 p.m. Derek Botterill RIP (Botterill)

Sat 25 Apr 8.30 p.m. Private Intention (Sullivan)

Sun 26 Apr 3rd SUNDAY of EASTER
Parish Mass – available to engage with via website at any time of day
Flordeliza Valdez RIP (Bernarte)

8.30 a.m. Margaret Kyne and Family (Haylett)

Additionally, Fr Doug prays a Holy Hour between 5.30 and 6.30 each evening and all are encouraged to pause for prayer sometime during that hour and participate knowing others are doing so too.

Please pray for the souls of :
Alice Howie Funeral 29th April
Rommel Bernarte Funeral 5th May

Please pray for those who are suffering from Corona virus and for the NHS workers who care for them

Prayer of St. Alphonsus
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.
Happy Easter Everyone – yes, it is still Easter!

Dear Parishioner,
Just as Easter continues, so does our ‘Lock-Down’. While in 3 weeks there MAY be some easing of the restrictions, it doesn’t seem likely that large gatherings of people in one place like a church will be allowed. So our ‘virtual’ parish looks set to continue for some time and we need to come to terms with that and move on from keeping everything ‘on hold’. It does at least seem likely that daily exercise outside the house will continue to be allowed. Some of you will therefore feel able to post things through the presbytery letter box.
If you need documents signed for instance, drop them in and I will reply by post.
If you want a mass to be offered for one of your intentions then use the normal process, just with your own envelope, not one of the pre-printed ones you normally pick up in church. Availability for masses to be offered starts in a week or two.
The postal system itself seems to have continued well during the crisis so far, so feel free to use it.

Anyway despite the seriousness of the situation life must go on and does go on.
Didn’t the church look impressive on Easter Day? What with Sue Murphy’s flowers and the brass work and banners from the Teresa Fan Memorial, the sanctuary looked terrific, even if the pews were eerily empty. Peter Murphy’s productions of the Easter Services were widely admired, not just in Bexley but in many locations beyond, even in different parts of the world! If you haven’t found the services, then on the website: http://www.stjohnfisherbexley.org there are several ways to get there. I usually go to the Sunday Mass button and click on there. We are all grateful to Peter.

I am grateful too, to many who used their daily exercise to pass by the presbytery and drop in Easter Greetings – and a few Easter gifts as well; thank you so much.
If you are on my email list you will have received this newsletter in that way, and you also receive my mid-week “Ramblings”. If you would like to endure such torment and do not yet do so just email me at douglasbull@rcaos.org.uk.
God Bless,
Fr Doug
Finances
From the Diocesan and Parish finance teams –
A number of parishioners have asked what do with collections not taking place. The advice is:
• For those using envelopes, please put your donation into the envelope and hold onto it until the lockdown ceases.
• For those who put loose money in the plate, please try to put that money aside and donate it after lockdown
• If you are experiencing financial difficulty during this crisis please look after yourself first.
Should you wish to contribute to the parish directly from your bank account that would be very helpful. Our details: St John Fisher Church, Sort code 51 70 14, Account 01831763
So sorry to have typed the wrong sort code number last week. It really is 51 70 14
Please ensure you put your name on the transaction code so that we can thank you later.

LINKS AND CONTACTS.
The number of links and contacts many of us are receiving can be overwhelming, though all are well-meant. We offer a limited number below that we hope may be of use:

‘Pray As You Go’ http://www.pray-as-you-go.org for a daily prayer.
Our Diocese of Southwark: http://www.rcsouthwark.co.uk Lots of information and further links.
Bexley Council Helpline: 020 3045 5398. The helpline is open from 8am to 6pm.

Please print off this newsletter and post it through the door of any parishioner you know without electronic access and make sure everyone feels okay and feels connected.

Newsletter April 12th, 2020

Nuntius

SUNDAY 12th April, Easter Sunday

“On the first day of the week…”

Readings: Acts10:34, 37-43, Psalm 117, Col 3:1-4, John 20: 1-9

SERVICES FOR WEEK 12- 19 April 2020

Sun 12 Apr EASTER SUNDAY
Parish Mass – available to engage with via website at any time of day
Giuseppe Nucera RIP (Graziella & Family)

    8.30 a.m. Maria Watts RIP (Sullivan)

Mon 13 Apr    8.30 a.m. Sonny Sheehan RIP (Sheehan)

Tues 14 Apr   8.30 a.m. John Bowman RIP (Bowman)

Wed 15 Apr    8.30 a.m. Eileen Wheatley & Family (Fitzpatrick)

Thur 16 Apr   8.30 p.m. Andrew Smith RIP (Burt)

Fri 17 Apr    8.30 p.m. Pat Dooley RIP (Sullivan)

Sat 18 Apr    8.30 p.m. Ida Thomson (Delpaul)

Sun 19 Apr    2ND SUNDAY EASTER
Parish Mass – available to engage with via website at any time of day
Jim Henry RIP (OLPG)

      8.30 a.m. David Brailsford RIP (Hyde)

Additionally as Fr Doug prays a Holy Hour between 5.30 and 6.30 each evening and all are encouraged to pause for prayer sometime during that hour and participate knowing others are with us in prayer.

Please pray for the souls of :
Una Turner Funeral 14th April
Alice Howie Funeral 29th April
Please pray for those who are suffering from Corona virus and for the NHS workers who care for them

Prayer of St. Alphonsus
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.
Happy Easter Everyone!

Dear Parishioners,
What a strange experience we are all having!
I have felt particularly odd celebrating the Easter services in advance. I am no longer sure what ‘being in the moment’ means anymore. Let me take the opportunity though to express my very sincere thanks on behalf of us all to Peter Murphy who works so hard to film and record these services and then to put sound and vision together to provide the production everyone watches.
If you haven’t found the services, then on the website: http://www.stjohnfisherbexley.org there are several ways to get there. I find it easiest to go to the Sunday Mass button and click on there.
You may in fact be reading this newsletter on the website or you may be reading it because I have sent it to you through the list of email addresses I have or you may be reading it because some kind recipient has printed it off and posted it through your door!
If you are on my email list you will also receive my weekly (mid-week) “Ramblings”. If you would like to endure such torment and do not yet do so, just email me at douglasbull@rcaos.org.uk.
The main thing, anyway, is that we all keep in touch.
And don’t forget, this weekend, after dark, we invite you to place a lighted candle in a jam-jar or fire proof container outside your door to express our confidence and hope in the Light of the World.
         God Bless,
           Fr Doug

Finances
From the Diocesan and Parish finance teams –
We still have to pay our bills so while our credit is good it is important for us to have some cash coming in. We are most grateful to all those who contribute by standing order.
A number of parishioners have asked what to do with collections not taking place. The advice is:
• For those using envelopes, please put your donation into an envelope and hold onto it until the lockdown ceases.
• For those who put loose money in the plate, please try to put that money aside and donate it after lockdown
• The above also applies to this week’s collection which is your gift to your Parish Priest.
• If you are experiencing financial difficulty during this crisis please look after yourself first.
Should you wish to contribute to the parish directly from your bank account that would be very helpful. Our details: St John Fisher Church, Sort code 51 70 16, Account 01831763
Please ensure you put your name on the transaction code so that we can thank you later.

LINKS AND CONTACTS.
The number of links and contacts many of us are receiving can be overwhelming, though all are well-meant. We offer a limited number below that we hope may be of use:

‘Pray As You Go’ http://www.pray-as-you-go.org for a daily prayer. This is on the web or you can download a free phone app

Easter readings at home – here is a prayer leaflet with some questions for meditation on each of the readings http://www.stbeunosoutreach.files.wordpress.com/2020/04/easter-sunday-year-a-2020-siobhan.pdf

Our Diocese of Southwark: Loads (!) of information and further links: http://www.rcsouthwark.co.uk

Bexley Council Helpline: Bexley has set up a phone line to assist people in need during the pandemic. Whether you need someone to get shopping, pick up essentials or to give information, guidance and advice, please call on 020 3045 5398. The helpline is open from 8am to 6pm.

Please print off this newsletter and post it through the door of any parishioner you know without electronic access and make sure everyone feels okay. The newsletter is also here as a screenshot to make it easier to print.

Newsletter Sunday 5th April, 2020

Nuntius

The newsletter this week will appear as two screen shots to enable anyone to print it out for anyone they know who does not have internet access.
The usual version will appear below.

Palm Sunday

Readings: Isaiah 50:4-7, Psalm 21, Philippians 2:6-11, Matt 27: 11-54

SERVICES FOR WEEK 5- 12 April 2020
Sun 5 Apr  PALM SUNDAY
Parish Mass – available to engage with via website at any time
Jim Henry RIP (Greenwich Irish Pensioners)

(Please note this video runs for 30mins)

 

    8.30 a.m. Peggy Dunne (Haylett)

Mon 6 Apr    8.30 a.m. Cancie Fernandes RIP (Mascarenhas)

Tues 7 Apr   8.30 a.m. Peggy Whiteside RIP (Haylett)

Wed 8 Apr    8.30 a.m. David Brailsford RIP (Wilkes)

Thurs 9 Apr    HOLY THURSDAY
      Mass of The Lord’s Supper – on website
      8.00 p.m. Eddie Griffin RIP
A VIDEO OF THIS MASS IS NOW AVAILABLE

Fri 10 Apr    GOOD FRIDAY
      3.00 p.m. SOLEMN LITURGY – on website at 3.00pm

Sat 11 Apr       VIGIL OF EASTER
Parish Mass – available to engage with via website at any time
      8.00 p.m. Giuseppe Nucera RIP (Graziella & Family)

Easter Sunday
      Sun 12 Apr 8.30 Maria Watts RIP (Sullivan)

Additionally as Fr Doug prays a Holy Hour between 5 and 6 each evening and all are encouraged to pause for prayer sometime during that hour and participate knowing others are with us in prayer.

Please pray for the souls of :
Mai Phelan Funeral 03rd April
Una Turner Funeral 14th April
Alice Howie Funeral 29th April

Please pray for those who are suffering from Corona virus and for the NHS workers who care for them
Finances
We still have to pay our bills so while our credit is good it is important for us to have some cash coming in.
We are most grateful to all those who contribute by standing order.
A number of parishioners have asked what do with collections not taking place. Our advice is:
• For those using envelopes, please put your donation into the envelope and hold onto it until the lockdown ceases.
• For those who put loose money in the plate, please try to put that money aside and donate it after lockdown
• The above also applies to next week’s collection which is your gift to the Parish Priest.
• If you are experiencing financial difficulty during this crisis please look after yourself first and do let me know so that we can see what help is needed.
We are working on how best to supply you with the boxes of envelopes for the coming year.
Should you wish to contribute to the parish directly from your bank account we would value that. Our details: RCAS St John Fisher Church Bexley Sort code 51 70 16 Account 01831763
Please ensure you put your name on the transaction code so that we can thank you later.

Holy Week
There is a call worldwide for us as Christians to mark this day by taking some branch, some vegetation from our garden and putting on our front door like an Advent wreath except with a branch for Palm Sunday. Easter is not postponed. Let us announce it.
Also, what about putting a candle in a jam jar and leaving that in the porch on Easter night or at least leaving the porch light on – something, anything!
Our services will be available through the website at the usual times, 8.00 for Thursday’s mass of the Lord’s Supper, 3.00 for the Good Friday Liturgy and 8.00 on Easter Night for an Easter Vigil.

For the “watching” before the Blessed Sacrament on Holy Thursday evening after mass we are encouraged to join the rest of the country by accessing http://www.stchadscathedral it will be a national prayer event.
On Easter Sunday the Cardinal Archbishop Vincent Nicholls will be addressing us and the entire nation at 8.10 on Radio 4
It is also possible to engage with His Holiness Pope Francis as he celebrates Easter in Rome.
(I would have called it “Rome alone” – Fr Doug!)

‘Pray As You Go’ https://pray-as-you-go.org/ for a daily prayer. This is on the web or you can download a free phone app

Prayer of St. Alphonsus
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.

Please print off this newsletter and post it through the door of any parishioner you know without electronic access and make sure everyone feels ok and feels connected to and part of our most holy communion.
God Bless,
Fr Doug

BEXLEY COUNCIL HELPLINE:
The London Borough of Bexley has set up a phone line to assist people in need during the coronavirus pandemic. Whether you need someone to get shop[p[ing, pick up essentials or to give information, guidance and advice, please call on 020 3045 5398. The helpline is open from 8am to 6pm.