Newsletter

3rd Sunday of Easter

They recognised him at the breaking of bread

Readings: Acts 2:14, 22-33, Psalm 15, 1st Peter 1:17-21, Luke 24: 13-25

SERVICES FOR WEEK 26 April – 3 May 2020

Sun 26 April

3rd SUNDAY OF EASTER 2020

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)

Mon 27 Apr     8.30 a.m. Mae & Tim Monihan RIP (Sheehan)

Tues 28 Apr     8.30 a.m. John Bird RIP (Bowman)

Wed 29 Apr     8.30 a.m. Charlie Bilotto RIP (Hughes)

Thur 30 Apr     8.30 p.m. Kay Slater RIP (Kilcullen)

Fri 1 May     8.30 p.m. John Robins RIP (Robins)

Sat 2 May     8.30 p.m. David Brailsford RIP (Brailsford)

Sun 3 May 4th SUNDAY of EASTER
Parish Mass – available to engage with via website at any time of day
        Sergia Balaqus RIP (Bernarte)

        8.30 a.m. Kay Slater RIP (Burkinshaw)

Holy Hour between 5.30 and 6.30 each evening.

Please pray for the souls of :
Alice Howie Funeral 29th April
Mary Anderson Funeral 4th May
Rommel Bernarte Funeral 5th May
Paul Nancini Funeral 6th May

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

Prayer of St. Alphonsus – (to be used when making spiritual communion)
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.
Well, it’s still Easter!

MASS READERS: If any of our regular readers, or anyone else, would like to record the readings in advance they can then be included in our weekly Mass video. All you need is a computer or mobile phone and an internet link. We have tried it as an experiment this week so if you think you could help please drop us an email on: contact@stjohnfisherbexley.org

Virtual Coffee Morning: Missing your regular Sunday morning get together in the hall? Let’s try to re-create it photographically on the website. E-mail photos of yourself with your cups of tea or coffee to: contact@stjohnfisherbexley.org. Hopefully we can all meet up here on the website next Sunday.

Dear Parishioner,
Apologies that the mass last weekend was a bit echoey. There was a problem with the Church sound system. Many have told me that they had to resort to reading the sermon from its own place on the website! We are so blessed. We hope the sound is better this week and our plan is that the readings will be proclaimed by a Reader. It really is not true that I like the sound of my own voice! So, assuming (as I write this) that it works, I offer an invitation: If you are a Reader and would like to exercise your ministry, and you are in a position to be able to record the readings and send them to Peter Murphy, then please get in touch and we will produce a rota. You should email: contact@stjohnfisherbexley.org The Church closure is not going away anytime soon.

Anyway, there is always a good side; I am guessing that gardens around Bexley have never been so well tended, that lofts have never been so clear and that cupboards have never been so well organised. There are so many jobs that are coming off the ‘to do’ list. “Make hay…” as they say.

The parish office is open on a limited basis.
Please feel free to contact me by email or by the mobile number published overleaf or by posting requests or notices through the front door during one of your exercise periods.
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. There is availability for masses to be offered from next week.
The postal system itself seems to be working well, so feel free to use it as well.

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.
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 be on my list just email me at douglasbull@rcaos.org.uk.
God Bless,
Fr Doug
CHILDREN’S LITURGY – from Angela.
Cafod are running a virtual Children’s Liturgy on Sunday mornings from 10 – 10.15. You can register online for free if you follow the link below. There are also good resources on the website including colouring sheets and activities which relate to the readings and gospel every Sunday.
https://cafod.org.uk/Education/Children-s-liturgy

FINANCES – from the Diocesan and Parish finance teams.
We hope to arrange for volunteers to deliver the planned giving envelopes soon.
Direct Bank Payments to St John Fisher Church, Sort code 51 70 14, 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.
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.
Southwark Spirituality Commission reflections Click on this link and then sign up: http://eepurl.com/dcNmsv for

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. You can use the two screen shots to make it easier.

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.

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.