TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (A)

Today’s Theme: Christ Who Paid the Debt of Love

Christ became our brother and made himself responsible for us, his brothers and sisters.

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK
Saturday 9th September     9.00 am Fr Geoffrey Winchester (OLPG)
                                                6.00 pm Holy Souls in Purgatory especially Deceased
                                                Members of FOSS (Gloria and Tony Laws)

Sunday 10th September     8.30 am Parishioners
                                          10.30 am Kathleen and James Murphy RIP
                                            (The Murphy Family)

Monday 11th September     9.00 am Amie Benge and Baby (Joan Aspeek)

Tuesday 12th September     7.00 pm Guiseppe Nucera RIP (Graziella Highland)
       Followed by Adoration and Our Lady and St Pio’s Prayer Group

Wednesday 13th September     10.00 am Margaret Bacon RIP (Tony Frake)

Thursday 14th September     9.00 am Eucharistic Service

Friday 15th September     9.00 am Mary Connolly RIP (Eida/Connolly Family)

Saturday 16th September     9.00 am Edna and Brian Fernandes, Wedding Anniversary
                                        6.00 pm Dannie Harrington RIP (Eileen Sheehan and Family)

Sunday 17th September     8.30 am Parishioners
                                              10.30 am Robert Joseph Gilby (Teresa)

FEAST DAYS: Sunday, St Ambrose Barlow, Martyr. Tuesday, The Most Holy Name of Mary; St Eanswythe of Folkestone, Religious. Wednesday, St John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor of the Church. Thursday The Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Friday, Our Lady of Sorrows. Saturday, SS Cornelius, Pope and Cyprian, Bishop, Martyrs.

ANNIVERSARIES: Leslie Holland, Reg Billington, Geoff Hinton, Kay Gillespie, Amber Foley.

PRAY FOR THE SICK: Christine White, Kevin Harper, Ed Jones, John Bird, Gail Noel, Chris Neal, John Edwards, Tony Speed, Elvira Vaz, Geoffrey Hildebrand, John Underwood, Mary Stubbs, John Harrington, Norma Brooker, Nina Szredski, Angela Gillespie, Ann McDonald, Eileen Weald, Maureen Fitzpatrick, Eric May, Wendy Bowman, Gracie Maddox, Anne Hastings and Tom Barrett.

ROTAS:   Readers: Saturday 6pm Carol Anderson;  Sunday 8.30am Peter Wilkes;  10.30am Marlene Burt.   Eucharistic Ministers: Saturday 6pm Peter Whiffen; Sunday 8.30am Marlene; 10.30am Paul (5) Margaret (6) Peter Hammond (7) Carole (8) Eileen (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: Graziella and Teresa

OFFERTORY:   Gift Aid £471.60, Loose £187.62, Total £659.22.

SVP AWARENESS MONTH:   To befriend people is vital. ‘We can’t solve everyone’s problems, but we can befriend them’. Fr Paul Roche

READERS:   New Readers’ Rota available in the Sacristy. Please collect your copy – and some good news – we are welcoming Peter Harris as a new reader for Saturday Mass.
Kathy Fogarty

CORRECTION:   The amount received for Bexley Deanery Developing World Group on weekend 13th August should have read £98.62.

FRIDAY NIGHT FUN:   We remain closed this Friday 15th; back in action Friday 22nd.

MEETING PLACE: Open Wednesdays 9.30 – 1.30.  

OUR LADY’S FILM EVENING – Wednesday 27th September: Part 1 of a 2 part movie on St Padre Pio, the Capuchin friar who had such great spiritual gifts as mystical prayer, bilocation, reading souls and the stigmata. Second part (including a recap) on Wednesday 11th October. Watch either or both parts. Bar open and charity stall, all welcome, 7pm for 7.30pm starts.

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Christ Who Overcame the Reluctance of the Flesh

It comes to us as no surprise that the Prophet Jeremiah should have felt reluctance to offer himself as a living sacrifice to God’s will, because we all experience the same reluctance to accept the cross. But what consolation it is to know that Christ experienced the same reluctance of the flesh and had to struggle to overcome it.

MASS INTENTIONS FOR WEEK 2-10 SEPTEMBER 2017
Sat 2 Sept     9am The Moran Family (Dolly Madden)
                         6pm Parishioners

Sun 3 Sept     8.30am Dr Richard McCarthy RIP (Teresa Fan & Family)
                        10.30am Dr Richard McCarthy RIP (Kay & Danny Lyons)

Mon 4 Sept     9am Repose of the soul of Kay Gillespie (Gillespie Family)

Tues 5 Sept     7pm Foundation Mass for Beatrice Walliser RIP
   Followed by Adoration and Our Lady & St Pio’s Prayer Group

Wed 6 Sept     10am Fiona, Frances, Dan, Margaret & Daniel Harrington RIP
                        (Eileen Sheehan & Family)

Thur 7 Sept     9am Eucharistic Service

Fri 8 Sept     9am Wellbeing of Jimmy Lenihan (Nora & Michael Moran)

Sat 9 Sept     9am Fr Geoffrey Winchester RIP (OLPG)
                        6pm Holy Souls in Purgatory especially Deceased Members of FOSS
                        (Gloria & Tony Laws)

Sun 10 Sept     8.30am Parishioners
                        10.30am Kathleen & James Murphy RIP (The Murphy Family)

Prayers for the Sick:   Christine White, Kevin Harper, Ed Jones, John Bird, Gail Noel, Chris Neal, John Edwards, Tony Speed, Elvira Vaz, Geoffrey Hildebrand, John Underwood, Mary Stubbs, John Harrington, Norma Brooker, Nina Szredski, Angela Gillespie, Ann McDonald, Eileen Weald, Maureen Fitzpatrick, Eric May, Wendy Bowman, Gracie Maddox, Anne Hastings, Tom Barrett.

Anniversaries:   Raymond Broadbent, Mary Mulraney, Myfanwy Phyllis Matthews, Richard Gamble, Michael Naughton, John Jameson, Lucy Lawson

Feast Days:   Friday The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

ROTAS For w/c 4/9   Readers: Sat 6pm Kathy Fogarty Sun 8.30am Doune Robinson Sun 10.30am Tony Frake.    Copying of Newsletter: Mollie Hobson.    Newsletter Typist: Molly Robins .   Collection for 8.30am Mass: Mrs M Weeks.    Parishioner Attending To Front of Church on Saturdays: John Stanton.    Eucharistic Ministers: Saturday 6 pm Carole;  Sun 8.30am Bridie;  10.30am Kathy (5) Marlene (6) Patricia (7) Mary (8) John (9).   Washing of Purificators: Molly Robins.    Flower Arranging Theresa and Doune

OFFERTORY COLLECTION w/e 3 Sept
Gift Aid – £381.20, Loose £188.96, Total 570.16.

THE WHITESIDE FAMILY   Peggy and family would like to say thank you to all those parishioners and friends for their help and support at this time and particularly for all your prayers and masses offered for John.

TERRY FROGLEY We are sorry to announce to the sad news of the death of Terry, a parishioner for 25 years, who died on Sunday 27th August 2017.

BEXLEY DEANERY DEVELOPING WORLD GROUP Thank you for the collection of £28.62 on Sunday 13th August. If you know of any small, independent projects in any country in the developing world which could benefit from a donation of £1,000, please contact our Parish Representative, Maria Ward, on 01322 555553 / 07802 623571, to get more information and an application form. Forms must be returned by the end of September. We have now successfully completed 7 projects this year.

NEW READERS NEEDED Would you be interested in becoming a Reader? We particularly need readers for Saturdays 6pm Mass. Whether new or experienced, the proclamation of scripture in the Mass is a vital ministry in the life of the church and gives an opportunity to deepen your experience of the Liturgy. Perhaps Sunday Mass readers may like to volunteer for a Saturday evening Mass two or three times a year? Please contact either Father Christian or Kathy Fogarty 07963 454480 k.fogarty@ntlworld.com.
NEW READERS ROTA AVAILABLE NOW IN SACRISTY

SVP AWARENESS MONTH:   St Vincent de Paul said ‘We should strive to keep our hearts open to the sufferings and wretchedness of other people and pray continually that God may grant us that spirit of compassion which is truly the spirit of God’ (Msgr Malachy Keegan)”.
SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL DINNER AND DANCE:   Saturday 9th September 2017 dancing to “Harmonics” live band at St Stephen’s Parish Hall, Deepdene Road, Welling DA16 3QL from 7.00 – 11.00pm. Raffles, licensed bar, food by Maggies Kitchen. Tickets £15, contact 020 8303 4723 or 0208 304 8920. All donations welcomed.

OUR LADY’S FILM EVENING –Wednesday 27th September: Part 1 of a 2 part movie on the incredible life of St Padre Pio. Second part on Wednesday 11th October. Watch either or both parts.
Bar open and all welcome, 7pm for 7.30pm starts.

PARISH EVENTS TEAM INFORMATION Upcoming events for your diary:-.
1. Pilgrimage to the Holy Land (Summer 2018) – cancelled. Any new development will be communicated. Contact Paul Rowland or Fr Christian on 01322 524813.
2. Every week, simple ACOL bridge lessons in the church hall on a Friday evening at 7.30pm, followed by some play, convivial conversation and lively bar. Non bridge players welcome for the latter.  Please see note below as we are closed for the next two Fridays.
3. The meeting place meets every Wednesday in the Church Hall 9.30 – 1..30pm. A place of great conviviality, wine, hot drinks and simple lunches. Let us know if you need (or can give) a lift.
Further details from Noel or Tony on 01322 315755 on all of the above.

FRIDAY NIGHT FUN We are closed 8th and 15th September, back in action Friday 22nd September.

TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (A)

Today’s Theme: Peter the Rock

We rejoice today that Christ chose Peter in spite of his human failings to be the rock on which he built his Church. The reason for that choice lies in the unfathomable depth of God’s wisdom. ‘The Lord is high, yet he looks on the lowly’.

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK
Saturday 26th August:   9.00 am Audrey O’Hara RIP, in Thanksgiving (Tony Frake)
                                        6.00 pm Hazel Birch in Memoriam, Anniversary
                                        of Golden Wedding (Geoff)
Sunday 27th August:   8.30 am Parishioners
                                       10.30 am Olga Bowman, Birthday (Tim Bowman)
Monday 28th August:   10.00 am John Whiteside RIP (Tim Bowman)
Tuesday 29th August:   7.00 pm Foundation Mass for Francis Walliser
Followed by Adoration and Our Lady and St Pio’s Prayer Group
Wednesday 30th August:   10.00 am Dan, Frances, Margaret, Fiona and Daniel Harrington
                                          (Eileen Sheehan and Family)
Thursday 31st August:   9.00 am Eucharistic Service
Friday 1st September:   9.00 am Wellbeing of Tom Barrett (Kathy Connolly)
Followed by First Friday Adoration at 9.30am for one hour.
Saturday 2nd September:   9.00 am The Moran Family (Dolly Madden)
                                              6.00 pm Parishioners
Sunday 3rd September:   8.30 am Dr Richard McCarthy RIP (Teresa Fan and Family)
                                           10.30 am Dr Richard McCarthy RIP (Kay and Danny Lyons)

FEAST DAYS:  Sunday, St Bernard, Abbot and Doctor of the Church. Monday, St Pius X, Pope. Tuesday, The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary; SS John Wall and John Kemble, Martyrs. Wednesday, St Rose of Lima, Virgin. Thursday St Bartholomew, Apostle. Friday, St Louis; St Joseph of Calasanz, Priest.

ANNIVERSARIES:  Philip Head, Sean O’Flaherty, Fr George Torre, Bob Wallis. Norrie Walsh and Ramon Lee.

PRAY FOR THE SICK:  Christine White, Kevin Harper, Ed Jones, John Bird, Gail Noel, Chris Neal, John Edwards, Tony Speed, Elvira Vaz, Geoffrey Hildebrand, John Underwood, Mary Stubbs, John Harrington, Norma Brooker, Nina Szredski, Angela Gillespie, Ann McDonald, Eileen Weald, Maureen Fitzpatrick, Eric May, Wendy Bowman and Gracie Maddox.

ROTAS:  Readers: Saturday 6pm Christine Hand. Sunday 8.30am Angela Gillespie; 10.30am Ryan Bernarte. Eucharistic Ministers: Saturday 6pm Ivan. Sunday 8.30am Patricia. 10.30am John (5) Eileen (6) Peter Hammond (7) Margaret (8) Paul (9). Collector 8.30am Mass: Mrs M Lee. Front of Church: Paul Rowland. Typing Newsletter: Ruth Powers. Photocopying Newsletter: John Stanton. Washing of Purificators: Kathy Connolly. Flower Arranging: Mary J.

OFFERTORY:  Gift Aid £405.40, Loose £177.24, Total £582.64

PAUL AND ANITA ROWLAND would like to thank parishioners for their prayers for Paul’s brother Robert who died suddenly after an accident. Thank you also for the Divine Mercy prayers that helped Robert immensely.

THE MEETING PLACE will be closed on Wednesday 30th August and open again as usual on Wednesday 6th September.

WOULD YOU BE INTERESTED IN BECOMING A READER? We particularly need readers for Saturday’s 6pm Mass. Whether new or experienced, the proclamation of Scripture in the Mass is a vital ministry in the life of the Church and gives the opportunity to deepen your experience of the Liturgy, Yes, new readers’ knees will knock at first but it becomes a confidence-booster. Perhaps Sunday Mass readers may like to volunteer for a Saturday evening Mass two or three times a year? Please contact either Fr Christian or Kathy Fogarty 07963 454480 kfogarty@ntlworld.com

CAFOD “POWER TO BE” CAMPAIGN”: One in six people in the world don’t have access to electricity. CAFOD has launched a campaign to put pressure on Governments and the World Bank to support local renewable energy projects as a way of tackling poverty without harming the environment.
Here in the parish we have two petitions at the back of the church to sign. One is to our local MPs urging the government to support measures to limit climate change, the other is to the World Bank calling on them to grant loans for efficient, clean projects that will bring power to the people in some of the poorest communities in the world.
Click on the “Power to Be” logo for more information from CAFOD or if you would like to sign these petitions on line the details are:- https://www.ipetitions.com/petition/pomfrey1 and https://www.ipetitions.com/petition/pomfrey2

FRIDAY NIGHT FUN – Bridge and much more. OPEN Friday 1st September but CLOSED on 8th and 15th RE-OPEN 22nd September. .

GIFT AID:  If you would like to join the Gift Aid scheme, please fill in a form. The forms are at the back of the church in an envelope marked ‘GIFT AID’. To join this scheme you need to be a taxpayer For every £1 you donate the parish gets back 25p. Forms can be returned to the office or put through the letter box. Thank you.
PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR PARISH

OUR LADY’S FILM EVENING –Wednesday 27th September: Part 1 of a 2 part movie on the incredible life of St Padre Pio. Second part on Wednesday 11th October. Watch either or both parts.
Bar open and all welcome, 7pm for 7.30pm starts.