Newsletter

Newsletter Sunday January 5th, 2020

THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

The Revelation of Christ to the World

1st Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6 2nd Reading: St Paul to the Ephesians 3:2-3. 5-6 Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12

MASS INTENTIONS FOR WEEK 4- 12 Jan 2020

Sat 4 Jan     6.00pm Girish Praha RIP (Violet Prabhu & Family)

Sun 5 Jan     8.30am Stella Mendes RIP (Sylvia Coutinho)
Epiphany     10.30am Dorothy Speed & Maureen Fitzpatrick (Carol Anderson)

Mon 6 Jan     9.30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
                       10.00am Bridie, Michael & Brendan Houlihan RIP (Eileen Sheehan)

Tues 7 Jan     7.00pm Joe D’Souza RIP (Alex & Dahlia Fernandes)
                       7.30pm Exposition + Our Lady & St Pio Prayer Group

Wed 8 Jan     9.30pm Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
                       10.00am Mae & Tim Monihan RIP (Eileen Sheehan)

Thurs 9 Jan     9.00am Mass or Eucharistic Service

Fri 10 Jan     9.30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
                       10.00 am Intentions of Eileen & Family (Eileen Sheehan)

Sat 11 Jan     9.00am Christmas Mass: Bernie King (Maureen Fitzpatrick)
                       6.00pm John & Joy Hubbard RIP (Kathy Fogarty)

Sun 12 Jan     8.30am Intentions of the Coyne Family (Jim Connolly)
                       10.30am Christiana Anim RIP (Ben & Barbara Asaam)

Reconciliation Times: Sat 9.30am (after Mass) and Sat 5.30pm (before Mass)

Prayers for the Sick: Tony Laws, David Latimer, David Brailsford, Colin Anderson, Joe Reape, Giulio Venturi, Anne Newton, Bridie Cripps, Ray Blackman, Peggy Whiteside and for all those with ongoing poor health.

OFFERTORY CHRISTMAS: Gift Aid £1864.00. Loose £1515.97. Total £3379.97.

OFFERTORY 29TH December: Gift Aid £498.40. Loose £293.99. Total £792.39.

ST JOHN FISHER QUIZ NIGHT (FOR CHURCH FUNDS): Saturday 8 February 2020,
7-11pm in the hall. Tables of 6 – £8 per person. Raffle and quizzes. Licensed bar and bring your own nibbles. Tickets to be available after Sunday masses or contact Anny Hyde on 07973 656 166.

VOLUNTEER TYPISTS REQUIRED: We urgently need 1 or 2 typists to assist with producing the newsletter. Commitment is only around 1-2 hours once a month. Proficiency with word and access to a pc are all that is required. If interested, please contact Ruth Powers on ruthmac18@gmail.com or the parish office. Many thanks.

CHURCH CLEANING – A big THANK YOU to the small group of parishioners who give up their free time to help keep our church clean. The rota for 2020 is now available for collection from the cupboard. More volunteers are needed to either join an existing group or make up a new one. Each group cleans once every six weeks. Another group of three or four people, would mean a change to once every eight weeks. If you are able to help, please ring Carole Hughes on 020 8303 90703.

CHURCH FLOWERS – Thank you to everyone for their kind comments about the floral decorations in the church. Also, a particular thanks for those who donated towards the costs and a reminder that if you would like to contribute, there is a box in the wall at the end of the church.

OUR PARISH, OUR NEEDS, OUR RESPONSIBILITY – PLANNED GIVING APPEAL
‘For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?’ – Luke 14:28

Last week our parish embarked on a Planned Giving appeal. Over the coming weeks we ask all parishioners to take this opportunity to prayerfully reflect on their commitment to our parish. Everyone should consider giving something, mindful of their blessings and circumstances.
Today you will hear more about Planned Giving and Stewardship, including why our parish needs financial help to cover our costs. Please take an appeal newsletter.
Our goal is to receive an informed decision from everyone in the parish. Next weekend we shall ask all parishioners to complete a promise card – this will enable our parish to plan ahead with confidence for the future.
If you have any questions, there will be volunteers available after Mass today.
Thank you – John Rayer

AS WE BEGIN THIS NEW YEAR LET ME LOOK FORWARD AND WISH YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES EVERY BLESSING AND LOOK BACK TO THE YEAR PAST AND THANK EVERYONE WHO HAS GIVEN SO MUCH TO THE PARISH:
To the parish council, and to all the groups and activity that they lead or coordinate – including our AIC, our M.C. and altar servers, the teams for baptism, first holy communion, confirmation, and children’s liturgies, our hard working finance team, our gift aid organiser, our premises committee; our offertory collection counters, our welcome teams at masses, our coffee morning organisers, our events committee, the SVP team, the liturgy committee, our newsletter team, the representatives for diocesan and national charities, our hall staff, our meeting point helpers, the church care team, the flower arrangers, the crib and Easter garden builder, the Christmas tree team, the organists, the choir and their leader, our Eucharistic ministers, shop staff and sacristans, the parish secretary, our readers, the parish registers keeper, the safeguarding team and the person who runs our website and offers other technical support, and indeed everyone who has taken part in our parish activity and helped to carry our mission forward.
On behalf of the whole parish I say a big thank you to you all.  And again, a more personal thank you from me for all your Christmas cards, gifts and good wishes AND for your generous Christmas Offering, traditionally your gift to your priest.  Fr Doug

Newsletter Sunday December 29th, 2019

THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH

We celebrate that Holy Family of Nazareth which is the model for all
who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.

1st Reading: Ecclesiasticus 3: 2-6, 12-14. 2nd Reading: Colossians 3: 12-21.
Gospel Matthew 2 13-15, 19-23.


Click above to hear Fr. Doug’s sermon.

MASS INTENTIONS FOR WEEK 28th December 2019 – 5th January 2020

Saturday 28th December   9.00am Tony Crowe RIP (Marlene Burt)
                                               6.00pm Bridie, Michael and Brendan Houlihan RIP
                                               (Eileen Sheehan))

Sunday 29th December   8.30am James and Ellen Connolly RIP (P. Coyne)
                                             10.30am Foundation Mass for Jamie Cowdell RIP

Monday 30th December   9.30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
                                               10.00am Kit and Hugh O’Reilly RIP (Eileen Sheehan)

Tuesday 31st December   7.00pm Jeremy Nelson RIP (Sylvia Coutinho)
                                               No Exposition or Prayer Group

Wednesday 1st January   9.30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
New Year’s Day                10.00am Elizabeth and Mick Minihane RIP (Eileen Sheehan)

Thursday 2nd January   No Mass or Eucharistic Service

Friday 3rd January   9.30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
                                    10.00am Intentions of Eileen and Family (Eileen Sheehan)

Saturday 4th January   9.00am Mary Lyons RIP (Danny and Kay Lyons)
                                         6.00pm Girish Prabhu RIP (Violet Prabhu and Family))

Sunday5th January   8.30am Stella Mendes RIP (Sylvia Coutinho)
Epiphany                10.30am Dorothy Speed & Maureen Fitzpatrick (Carol Anderson)

Reconciliation Times: Saturday 9.30am (after Mass) and Saturday 5.30pm (before Mass)

Anniversaries: Amanda Johnson, Joseph McKinley, Bemvinda Fernandes, Dick Fitzpatrick, Jamie Cowdell, Gerry Clark, Marilyn Mullins, Vernon Bunce, Elizabeth Izegbuwa Iroku and Girish Prabhu.

PRAY FOR THE SICK: Tony Laws, David Latimer, David Brailsford, Colin Anderson, Joe Reape, Giulio Venturi, Anne Newton, Bridie Cripps, Ray Blackman, Peggy Whiteside and for all those with ongoing poor health.

OFFERTORY: Gift Aid £441.61. Loose £251.28. Total £692.89.

ROTAS: Readers: Saturday 6pm Kathy Fogarty. Sunday 8.30am Bridie Haylett; 10.30am Joseph Ebare. Eucharistic Ministers: Saturday 6pm Edna, Volunteer. Sunday 8.30am Peter H, Ann Hyde. 10.30am Volunteer, Margaret, Patricia, Rob, Kate U (Host). Collector 8.30am Mass: Mrs M Lee. Front of Church: John Stanton. Typing Newsletter: Graziella Highland. Photocopying Newsletter: Calen Delpaul. Washing of Purificators: Patricia. Flower Arranging: Doune and Theresa.

NOTE TO ALL VOLUNTEER GROUPS: The rotas will no longer appear in the Newsletter from January 2020. Please refer to your group’s rotas regarding your slot.

CHURCH CLEANING: A big THANK YOU to the small group of parishioners who give up their free time to help keep our church clean. The rota for 2020 is now available for collection from the cupboard.
We would be grateful if more volunteers came forward either to join an existing group or make up a new one. At the moment each group cleans once every six weeks. If we had another group of three or four people that would change to once every eight weeks. If you think you might be able to help please ring Carole Hughes on 020 8303 9073

NEW YEAR’S EVE FAMILY DISCO AT ST JOHN FISHER: 8pm until 1am. Bring your own nibbles. Bar open. Tickets only £10 per adult and £1 per child.
Contact Noel McCarthy with your ticket requirements on 07813 890556 or 020 8301 2479.
Email: noel.mccarthy60@outlook.com

COULD YOU TYPE THE NEWSLETTER ONCE A MONTH?   We urgently need one or two additional volunteers. All you need is a knowledge of MS Word and access to a PC or laptop. At present all our typists are female but in the past we have had a number of men on our rota and they have done a very good job. So the post is open to all! If you are willing to help please contact Ruth Powers on ruthmac18@gmail.com or the parish office. Many thanks.

EASY FUNDRAISING: If you are shopping on the internet PLEASE use
easyfundraising.org.uk. You will raise FREE donations for St John Fisher Church Bexley every time you make a purchase. It is very easy to become a supporter and doesn’t cost you anything extra. The parish needs many more supporters. After Christmas thoughts turn to holidays. If you are booking online many travel companies and airlines will make generous donations. There are nearly 4000 sellers in the scheme, from M&S, Amazon and John Lewis to booking.com and Expedia, as well as insurance companies, energy suppliers, telecomms and many more. If you are not familiar with it do take a few minutes to browse easyfundraising.org.uk.

Newsletter Sunday December 22nd, 2019

4th SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Mary’s Child: The Emmanuel

 God’s choice rested on the House of David which was to bring forth the Emmanuel, the God-with-us. But Mary’s Child was to belong to all the nations. We are one of those nations who, by God’s call, belong to Jesus Christ.

1st Reading: Isaiah 7:10-14 2nd Reading: Romans 1:1-7 Gospel Matthew 1:18-25

MASS INTENTIONS FOR WEEK 21- 29 Dec 2019

Sat 21 Dec   9am Intentions of John & Eileen Stanton (Tony Frake)
                      6pm Dan & Julia Harrington & Patrick & Mary Sheehan RIP (Eileen Sheehan)

Sun 22 Dec   8.30am Intentions of Margaret Kyne & Family (Bridie Haylett)
                        10.30am Tony Sullivan RIP (Marie & Family)
                      3pm Nativity & Carols

Mon 23 Dec   9.30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
                        10am Intentions of John & Eileen Hollis (Tony Frake)
                         7pm Service of Reconciliation.

Tues 24 Dec    Christmas Eve
                          6.30pm Vigil: Alison Johnson RIP (Mary Lee)
                           11pm Midnight: Ellen & Laurence Dowling RIP (Margaret Gillis)

Wed 25 Dec    Christmas Day
                          8.30am Fr. Ernest Akorsou RIP (Friends)
                           10.30am Kit & Hugh O’Reilly RIP (Eileen Sheehan)

Thurs 26 Dec   No Eucharistic Service

Fri 27 Dec   Feast: St. John, Apostle and Evangalist
                        9.30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
                        10.00 am Sonny Sheehan RIP (Eileen)

Sat 28 Dec   Feast: The Holy Innocents
                        9am Tony Crowe RIP (Marlene Burt)
                        6pm Bridie, Michael & Brendan Houlihan RIP (Eileen Sheehan)

Sun 29 Dec   The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
                        8.30am James & Ellen Connolly RIP (P.Coyne)
                        10.30am Foundation Mass for Jamie Cowdell RIP

Reconciliation Times: Sat 9.30am (after Mass) and Sat 5.30pm (before Mass)

Prayers for the Sick: David Brailsford, Colin Anderson, Joe Reape, Giulio Venturi, Anne Newton, Bridie Cripps, Ray Blackman, Peggy Whiteside and all those with ongoing poor health.

Anniversaries: Amanda Johnson, Joseph McKinley, Bemvinda Fernandes, Dick Ritzpatrick, James Fowdell, ~Gerry Clark, Marilyn Mullins, Vernon Bunce, Elizabeth Izegbuwa Iroku

OFFERTORY COLLECTION – 14 December 2019
First Collection: Gift Aid – 430.80;  Loose –  £218/.01;  TOTAL   £648.81
Bexley Deanery: £152.63

ROTAS (week commencing Mon 23/12)
Readers: Sat 6.00 pm Andy Watson Sun 8.30 Larissa/Rob Sun 10.30 Katherine Benarte.  Copying of Newsletter: Molly Hobson.   Newsletter Typist: Molly Robins.   Collection for 8.30 am Mass: Mr. V. Jeyaseelan.   Parishioner Attending to Front of Church on Saturdays: Paul Rowland.   Eucharistic Ministers: Saturday 6 pm Kath, Patricia, Sun 8.30 am Volunteer, Peter W. 10.30 am Carole, Marlene, Peter H, Mary H. Molly.   Washing of Purificators: Barbara.     Sue.

NOTE TO ALL VOLUNTEER GROUPS: The rotas will no longer appear in the newsletter from January 2020. Please refer to you group’s rotas regarding your slot.

SPECIAL MINISTERS: If you are able, please volunteer over Christmas time. Please sign list available in the Sacristy. Many thanks. Kathy and Patricia.

WISHING YOU PEACE FROM PADRE PIO REHABILITATION CENTRE, GHANA: Thank you to all at St. John Fisher for your generous support. The staff and residents want to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and Peace in 2020.
If you would like to read about some of the activities that Fr. Doug was involved in during his recent visit, please do take a look at this uplifting December update at www.ahoto.org/newsletters. For more information about the Padre Pio Centre click on their logo on our “links” page.

ST. JOHN FISHER NEW YEAR’S EVE FAMILY DISCO 31st DECEMBER: £12 per adult, £2 per child, 8pm to 1am. Bring your own nibbles. Licensed bar. Please contact Noel McCarthy with your ticket requirements on 07813 890556 or 020 8301 2479. Email: noel.mccarthy60@outlook.com

EASYFUNDRAISING.ORG.UK If you are shopping on the internet PLEASE use easyfundraising.org.uk. You will raise FREE donations for St John Fisher Church every time you make a purchase. It’s easy and doesn’t cost you anything extra.

VOLUNTEER TYPISTS REQUIRED: We urgently need 1 or 2 typists to assist with producing the newsletter. Commitment is only around 1-2 hours once a month. Proficiency with word and access to a pc are all that is required. If interested please contact Ruth Powers on ruthmac18@gmail.com or the parish office. Many thanks.

BEXLEY DEANERY DEVELOPING WORLD GROUP. Thank you for your generous donation of £152.63 on Sunday 15th December. For further information please contact the Parish Representative, Maria Ward, on 01322 555553/0780262351.

CHURCH CLEANING – A big THANK YOU to the small group of parishioners who give up- their free time to help keep our church clean. The rota for 2020 is now available for collection from the cupboard. More volunteers are needed to either join an existing group or make up a new one. Each group cleans once every six weeks, another group of three or four people, means that would change to once every eight weeks. If you are able to help please ring Carole Hughes on 020 8303 90703.

THE CHURCH CHRISTMAS TREE has been given in memory of Kathleen Murphy and once again her family would like all parishioners to join in decorating it with “memory stars”. Write the names of anyone you’ll be missing this Christmas on the white side of one of the gold stars and hang them on the tree. There is a tin of stars by the tree and hopefully some pens.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2020 Completed Application forms for the First Holy communion Programme 2020 (collected from the Porch) should be completed and returned no later than 22nd December 2019. Year 3 Children or above are eligible for First Communion and should attend mass regularly at St. John Fisher, Bexley. New parishioners who wish their child to join the programme please speak to Father Doug. The programme commences in January 2020 and the First Holy Communion Service will be held in June 2020. Details of the programme, relevant dates, parents meetings to follow.

MEDJUGORJE IRISH CENTRE PILGRIMAGES APRIL – OCT 2020
7 Night Stay and Airport Shuttle service from Dubrovnik or Split for £266 per person sharing. Book any flight – any time and we provide guaranteed airport shuttle service. Call us for further info and book the dates that suit you. Tel: 020 3239 8662 or email reservations@med-irishcentre.com