Newsletter

SUNDAY 11th May 2025,

FOURTH SUNDAY of EASTER Year C – Good Shepherd

Readings: Acts 13:14-52, Psalm 09, Apocalypse 7:9-17, John 10:27-30

 

Sat   10th May     17.30   Confessions

18.00       Special Intention (Cottle) 

 

Sun  11th May  FOURTH SUNDAY of EASTER Year C – Good Shepherd

                            08.30          Maureen Fitzpatrick RIP (Puddy)

                            10.30          Dec Relatives & Friends of Lyons Family (Lyons)

 

Mon  12th May      09.15    Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 

                             10.00          Mary Kane RIP (Laws)

 

Tues  13th May     09.15    Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament  

                             10.00           Mary Reilly

 

Wed   14^th May      09.15      Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament  

                             10.00           Maureen Fitzpatrick RIP (King)

                            

Fri    16th May     14.00         Requiem Mass         Dorothy Cima 

 

Sat   17th May      17.30      Confessions

18.00        Molly Aldridge (Wood) 

 

Sun  18th May  FIFTH SUNDAY of EASTER Year C 

                            08.30              Maureen Fitzpatrick RIP (Connolly)

                            10.30        Anthony Moffat RIP (Moffat)

 

Please join us in the Hall for refreshments after the 10.30 mass.

 

LIVE STREAMING OF MASSES ON THE WEBSITE

All masses are streamed via the link:

 Recordings are available. The Sunday sermon is also in print on the website.

 

FINANCES       

Many thanks for your offertory collection.       £838.92                               

      Retiring Collections: Last Week:         MSP

      This week: Priest Training Fund

                                                                                                                        

Bank Payments to RCAS Bexley, Sort code 51 70 14, Account 01831763

Please put your name and if you use envelopes, your envelope number, as the code.

Card Payment: Machine located in the foyer. Very easy to use!

Gift Aid Please join the GIFT AID scheme – Forms available in the foyer. 

         

OUR PARISH HALL

Our hall is available for hire. Please email bexley@rcaos.org.uk at ANY time and our secretary will get back to you. Prices: £35 per hour on weekdays, £40 per hour at weekends

 

Newsletter: Please copy notices to Fr Doug by the previous Wednesday

 

Dear Parishioners,

Habemus Papam – Pope Leo XIV

Our new pope takes the name Leo expressing a commitment to the great activity of the church in social welfare that took place during the pontificate of Leo XIII and to the great body of “Catholic Social Teaching” that arose in those times. This seems to indicate his intention to continue the work of Pope Francis in positioning the church alongside the poor and marginalised, while, as he said, building bridges with those in the church who have been slower to move in this direction. May God who chose him, now support him with all the strength and courage he will need. He is less than a year older than me!

God Bless,                                  Fr Doug 

 

 

MARY IN MAY – PRAYING THE MAGNIFICAT

We like to mark the month of May by paying some special attention to the place of Mary in the history of the world and especially in our lives, particularly in our prayer lives.

Saturday May 17 10.00 – 1.00 in our parish hall. Fr Doug will lead the presentations.

 

DOROTHY CIMA, PATRICK O’BRIEN RIP

The Requiem Mass for Dorothy Cima will on 16^th May at 2.00

The funeral Service for Patrick O’Brien will be on Friday 23^rd May at 11.00

 

PARISH AGM

Our annual parish meeting will be on Sunday June 1^st at 12 noon in the hall. Please come along if you can. Those in leadership roles will appreciate your interest and your scrutiny!

 

JUBILEE YEAR PILGRIMAGES

Pope Francis encouraged us all to make some kind of a pilgrimage in this Jubilee Year of Hope

Deanery Pilgrimage to St. John Vianney        Saturday 5^th July 

Diocesan Pilgrimages to Aylesford on Sat 7^th June and Walsingham on Sat 28^th June

Augustine Camino: Rochester Cathedral to Minster Abbey – for Mary’s Meals Mon 1 – Sun 8 Sep 

 

PRIEST TRAINING FUND.

This week our retiring collection is to support the training of priests for our diocese. It is a very costly affair spread out over many years. It is a good time to pray for vocations to the priesthood.

 

WALK TO END HOMELESSNESS

On Sunday 18 May, four members of our AIC Passage Friends group will be walking 10km in Battersea Park to raise money for the Passage.  They are hoping to raise £500 and would be grateful for a few more sponsors to help them reach their goal.  If you would like to support them, please see either Carole Hughes, Maria Ward or Alice (Ann) Harris in the hall after 10:30 Mass. Thank you for your continued support.

 

SANCTUARY REFLECTION DAYS

Up in Hope – 24th May 11am to 3pm – offers time for personal reflection, space and peace as we consider the HOPE offered each of us through Christ’s Ascension.

Filled with the Spirit – 14th June 11am to 3pm – offers an invitation this Pentecost, to cooperate with the Spirit in reflecting on the need for HOPE in our time.

For more information or booking: email sanctuaryakwaaba@gmail.com or call/ text 07977 978536

 

ST CATHERINE’S CATHOLIC SCHOOL, BEXLEYHEATH 

We are seeking to appoint a Chaplain. The successful candidate will be a practising Catholic with a passion for encouraging young people in their faith, and the ability to lead and develop the spiritual, liturgical and prayer life of the school community. For more detail, see the school website.

 

SUNDAY 4th May 2025

THIRD SUNDAY of EASTER Year C

Readings: Acts 5:27-41, Psalm 29, Apocalypse 5:11-14, John 21:1-19

 

Sat   3rd May       17.30     Confessions

 18.00                     Holy Souls (Jeyaseelan) 

 

Sun  4th May    THIRD SUNDAY of EASTER Year C 

                            08.30              Maureen Fitzpatrick RIP (Bennett)

                            10.30                  Josie Brown (Sarton)

 

Mon  5th May      09.15     Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament Sacrament 

                            10.00                  Sonny Sheehan RIP (Laws)

 

Tues   6th May          NO SERVICE TODAY

 

Wed    7^th May      09.15    Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament  

                             10.00                  Maureen Fitzpatrick RIP (Wheatley)

                            

Fri     9th May       09.15    Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 

                            10.00                   Thanksgiving (Bosser)

 

Sat   10th May     17.30     Confessions

 18.00                   Special Intention (Cottle) 

 

Sun  11th May  FOURTH SUNDAY of EASTER Year C – Good Shepherd

                            08.30                   Maureen Fitzpatrick RIP (Puddy)

                            10.30                   Dec Relatives & Friends of Lyons Family (Lyons)

 

Please join us in the Hall for refreshments after the 10.30 mass.          

 

LIVE STREAMING OF MASSES ON THE WEBSITE

All masses are streamed via the link: 

Recordings are available. The Sunday sermon is also in print on the website.

 

FINANCES       

Many thanks for your offertory collection                                                 £849.81                                Retiring Collections: Last Week:         St. George’s Cathedral      £107.87

This week:     Missionary Society of St. Paul

                                              Next Week:       Priest Training Fund

                                                                 

Bank Payments to RCAS Bexley, Sort code 51 70 14, Account 01831763

Please put your name and if you use envelopes, your envelope number, as the code.

Card Payment: Machine located in the foyer. Very easy to use!

Gift Aid Please join the GIFT AID scheme – Forms available in the foyer. 

         

OUR PARISH HALL

Our hall is available for hire. Please email bexley@rcaos.org.uk at ANY time and our secretary will get back to you. Prices: £35 per hour on weekdays, £40 per hour at weekends

 

Newsletter: Please copy notices to Fr Doug by the previous Wednesday

 

Dear Parishioners,

We welcome Fr Jude MSP, who will be saying our Sunday masses and making an appeal for his missionary society.

As we begin the month of May, we honour Our Lady by praying the Hail Holy Queen at Sunday masses and we also offer the opportunity to reflect on and with her wonderful prayer, the Magnificat – see below.  

God Bless,                                  Fr Doug 

 

MARY IN MAY – PRAYING THE MAGNIFICAT

We like to mark the month of May by paying some special attention to the place of Mary in the history of the world and especially in our lives, particularly in our prayer lives.

Saturday May 17 10.00 – 1.00 in our parish hall. Fr Doug will lead the presentations.

 

DOROTHY CIMA, PATRICK O’BRIEN RIP

The Requiem Mass for Dorothy Cima will on 16^th May at 2.00

The funeral Service for Patrick O’Brien will be on Friday 23^rd May at 11.00

 

JUBILEE YEAR PILGRIMAGES:  Pope Francis encouraged us all to make some kind of a pilgrimage in this Jubilee Year of Hope

Deanery Pilgrimage for ALL to St. John Vianney Saturday 5^th July PLEASE MAKE A NOTE

Diocesan Pilgrimages to Aylesford on Sat 7^th June and Walsingham on Sat 28^th June

Augustine Camino: Rochester Cathedral to Minster Abbey – for Mary’s Meals Mon 1 – Sun 8 Sep 

 

PRIEST TRAINING FUND:  Next week our retiring collection is to support the training of priests for our diocese. It is a very costly business spread out over many years. It is a good time to pray for vocations to the priesthood.

 

SANCTUARY REFLECTION DAYS

Up in Hope – 24th May 11am to 3pm – offers time for personal reflection, space and peace as we consider the HOPE offered each of us through Christ’s Ascension.

Filled with the Spirit – 14th June 11am to 3pm – offers an invitation this Pentecost, to cooperate with the Spirit in reflecting on the need for HOPE in our time.

For more information or booking: email sanctuaryakwaaba@gmail.com or call/ text 07977 978536

 PILGRIMAGE TO PENTECOST

Starting Friday 2nd May 2025 at 7pm at St Thomas More Church Hall Long Lane, Bexleyheath, DA7 5JW. There will be short filmed presentations with discussion and prayer

 

MASS IN CELEBRATION OF MARRIAGE 

July 12th, at St George’s Cathedral

If you are celebrating your 1^st/10^th/25^th/40^th/50^th/60^th + wedding anniversary this year, let us know by May 15, providing:  your names, home address, parish, which anniversary you are celebrating, and you will receive an invitation from the Archbishop.  Contact us at mflse@rcaos.org.uk 

 

VE DAY – 80th Anniversary

Thurs 8 May, 7pm, St John the Evangelist, Parkhill Road: Service with North Cray & District British Legion, followed by a celebration at Old Bexley Ex-Servicemen’s Club, High Street, 

Sunday 11 May 3pm to 4.30pm. Bexley URC, Hurst Road, (opposite the War Memorial) – Free concert. All welcome to enjoy singing and refreshments.  Donations will be going to British Legion. 

 

FRIENDS OF THE HOLY LAND 

Invitation to a Service in Temple Church and simultaneously in Jerusalem on Tues 20th May 2025 at: 12.00 (noon), Temple Church, Temple, London EC4Y 7BB or on livestream at http://www.friendsoftheholyland.org.uk/temple25..

 

A reminder that the collection at our Easter Garden is for friends of the Holy Land.

 

SUNDAY 20th April 2025,

EASTER SUNDAY Year C

Readings: Acts 10:34-43, Psalm 117, Colossians 3:1-4, John 20:1-9,

Click on the photo to see all the church flowers this Easter

 

Sat   19th April  EASTER NIGHT – THE VIGIL AND FIRST MASS OF EASTER

                              20.00             John Robins RIP (Robins) 

 

Sun  20th April  EASTER SUNDAY Year C 

                               08.30            Margaret McQuaid RIP (McQuaid)

                              10.30                    William Laverty RIP (Howie)      

 

Mon  21st April       09.15      Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 

                              10.00              Balogh & Szendroi Families (Balogh)

 

Tues  22nd April    09.15      Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 

  10.00                    Maureen Fitzpatrick RIP (Bennett)

 

Wed  23rd April    09.15       Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 

                            10.00                    John Larkin & Eileen O’Connor RIP (Larkin)

                            

Fri     25th April     09.15       Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament  

 10.00                       Maureen Fitzpatrick RIP (Puddy)

 

Sat   26th April     17.30      Confessions

 18.00                     Special Intention (Cottle) 

 

Sun  27th April  SECOND SUNDAY of EASTER Year C (Divine mercy) 

                            08.30                    Maureen Fitzpatrick RIP (King)

                            10.30                    Anthony Moffat RIP (Moffat)

 

Please join us in the Hall for refreshments after the 10.30 mass.          

 

LIVE STREAMING OF MASSES ON THE WEBSITE

All masses are streamed via the link:

Recordings are available. The Sunday sermon is also in print on the website.

 

FINANCES       

Many thanks for your offertory collection Last Week:                £948.69 incl S.O

                                                         Good Friday:              Holy Places in Palestine

                                                          Easter Masses: Fr Doug’s Personal Gift

 

Bank Payments to RCAS Bexley, Sort code 51 70 14, Account 01831763

Please put your name and if you use envelopes, your envelope number, as the code.

Card Payment: Machine located in the foyer. Very easy to use!

Gift Aid Please join the GIFT AID scheme – Forms available in the foyer. 

         

OUR PARISH HALL:  Our hall is available for hire. Please email bexley@rcaos.org.uk at ANY time and our secretary will get back to you. Prices: £35 per hour on weekdays, £40 per hour at weekends

 

Newsletter: Please copy notices to Fr Doug by the previous Wednesday

 

Happy Easter, Everyone! 

May heaven be praised, may God be adored.

Everything is changed for I have seen the Lord!

 

First of all, a big welcome to any visitors to the Church today to celebrate this great event of Easter. In a world where at the moment, so much seems to be going wrong, Easter can and does change things. The resurrection brings HOPE to us all. We may not see a way forward – who did on Good Friday? But Jesus shows us that, as Julian of Norwich once put it; “All shall be well”. 

 

What a joy it has been – so far(!) – to celebrate Easter here at St. John Fisher. We have been able to journey with the Lord on a Way that led him through suffering and death to joy and new life. That journey also describes our path and our calling through difficulties, through suffering and yes, through death to joys and to new life. We place all our hope therefore with Him.

 

Let me thank everyone involved: The stewards, the readers, the cleaners, the altar servers, the sacristans, those who have led the Stations of the Cross, those in the music ministry, those who produced our Easter Garden, and of course those responsible for the wonderful floral display.

I also offer my personal thanks for your Easter offering, your gift to me.

 

If you are a visitor, you might wonder why there is a re-used Christmas Tree on our sanctuary. It is for us, an “Easter Tree” and bears the weight of hundreds of promised to live a better life by living more Simply, Sustainably and in Solidarity with others in our world. Makes sense, doesn’t it? Take (and use) a prayer card from the foyer – Simply, Sustainably and in Solidarity

God Bless,          Fr Doug 

 

WELCOME INTO THE CHURCH

Congratulations to Lois Medley and Adam Graimes, who are received into full communion with the Church here this Easter. 

 

MARY IN MAY – PRAYING THE MAGNIFICAT

We like to mark the month of May by paying some special attention to the place of Mary in the history of the world and especially in our lives, particularly in our prayer lives.

Saturday May 17 10.00 – 1.00 in our parish hall. Fr Doug will lead the presentations.

 

MODERN SLAVERY AND ANTI-HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Seminar hosted by Caritas Southwark and the Santa Marta Group 

Wednesday 30^th April at St Stephen’s Church in Welling 6.30-8.30PM. 

The realities facing victims of trafficking and how the Church is responding.

 

JUBILEE YEAR PILGRIMAGES

Pope Francis encourages us all to make some kind of a pilgrimage in this Jubilee Year of Hope. A plenary indulgence will be gained by any who take part in any of the following:

Deanery Pilgrimage for ALL to St. John Vianney Saturday 5^th July PLEASE MAKE A NOTE

Diocesan Pilgrimages to Aylesford on Sat 7^th June and Walsingham on Sat 28^th June

Augustine Camino: Rochester Cathedral to Minster Abbey – for Mary’s Meals Mon 1 – Sun 8 Sep 

 

MASS IN CELEBRATION OF MARRIAGE July 12th, at St George’s Cathedral

If you are celebrating your 1^st/10^th/25^th/40^th/50^th/60^th + wedding anniversary this year, please let us know as soon as possible, and no later than the middle of May, providing the following details:  your names, your home address, your parish, and the anniversary you are celebrating, so you can receive an invitation from the Archbishop.  Spaces are limited.  Contact us at mflse@rcaos.org.uk