SUNDAY 8th December 2024

 SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT, YEAR C

Readings: Baruch 5:1-9, Psalm 125/6, Philippians 1:4-11, Luke 3:1-6.

 

Sat   7th Dec        17.30   Confessions

18.00              Vernon Rogers RIP (Rogers) 

 

Sun  8th Dec     SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT YEAR C 

                            08.30                     For the Parish 

                            10.30               Choir members RIP (Anderson) 

 

Mon  9th Dec        09.15  Immaculate       Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

10.00   Conception       Private Intention (Bosser)

 

Tues 10th Dec     09.15           Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

                            10.00                     John Terry (Terry)  

 

Wed  11th Dec      09.15           Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 

10.00                      Christine Tellus RIP (Stanton)

                    

Fri    13th Dec       09.15    Lucy    Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 

10.00                       Bridie Haylett RIP (Friends)

 

Sat   14th Dec      17.30            Confessions

18.00                     Collette Sheehan RIP (Fogarty) 

 

Sun  15th Dec   THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT YEAR C – Gaudete!

                            08.30                    For the Parish 

                            10.30                  Margaret Leech RIP (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 Last Week:                         £ 844.68 incl S.O.     

                                     

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.

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 weekdays, £40 per hour weekends

 

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

 

Dear Parishioners,

In Isaiah’s prophecy about the coming Messiah, he says:
For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).
With fresh allegations about genocide being committed in Gaza, this time by Amnesty International, we might be prompted to renew our efforts to at least pray for an end to the killing. There doesn’t seem to be much scope though, for Jesus to fulfil his messianic role as Prince of Peace. Perhaps we should ponder what he meant when he said that the peace he brings is a peace that the world cannot provide (John 14:27). What peace does he bring into our lives?

                                                      God Bless,                                  Fr Doug 

 

CONGRATULATIONS:

To Freddie Phillips who will be received into the Church this Sunday at the 10.30 mass. He will be baptized and confirmed and then begin receiving Holy Communion. May God bless him and all who have guided him to this day especially our parish catechist.

 

SERVICE OF RECONCILIATION

Our celebration of the sacrament of reconciliation will be on Monday 23^rd December at 7.30.  Fr Luke from Bexleyheath and Fr Oliver from Blackfen will be joining us. 

 

READERS AT MASS

The ministry of reading is a most worthy one. Please can we have some more readers! Give it a bit of thought and approach Fr Doug or, better still, Angela Gillespie directly. 

 

SPIRITUALITY COMMISSION ADVENT REFLECTIONS. 

The Spirituality Commission will be sending daily reflections during Advent featuring Scripture, thoughts and prayers. You can still sign-up to receive them directly into your inbox each morning here: tinyurl.com/adventreflections2024  

 

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2025:  Application forms are in the foyer for the 2025 First Holy Communion programme, commencing in January. Children in year 3 or above can apply.  Completed forms must be returned by 31st Dec. 

 

SCAM EMAILS TARGETING PARISHIONERS. These emails impersonate the parish priest, often using a similar email name and masking the real email address. They typically request the recipient to purchase Amazon or other gift cards for the priest. This is a SCAM. Don’t be caught. Report any such scams to Fr Doug and/or the police. 

 

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN OLD BEXLEY INVITE YOU TO JOIN: 

Carol Singing, Wed 11 Dec, 5:30-7pm. Singing outside Flowers of Bexley, High Street,

Advent Course, at Bexley United Reformed Church (opposite War Memorial), 10-12, Tuesdays. 

Kathy Fogarty, Parish Christian Unity Contact, k.fogarty@ntlworld.com  

 

SOUTHWARK ARCHDIOCESE ROSARY PRAYER PROJECT
Everyone is warmly invited to join this Archdiocese-wide prayer initiative, praying a decade each day for priests and parishes in Bexley deanery. Details from southwarkrenewal@gmail.com

 

FESTIVE PARTY – SATURDAY 28^TH DECEMBER 2024
Please join us from 1pm for an afternoon of Music and Games for all the family. Tickets are on sale after mass.

 

SUNDAY 1st December 2024

ADVENT 1 YEAR C

Readings: Jeremiah 33:14-16, Psalm 24,Thess 3:12-4:2, Luke 21:25-36. 

 

Sat   30th Nov      17.30   Confessions

18.00      Andrew Vedanayagam (Satchi) 

 

Sun  1st Dec     FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT YEAR C 

                            08.30          John Hollis (Hollis)  

                            10.30          Pam & Ernie Sarton RIP (Sarton) 

 

Mon  2nd Dec      09.15  Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

10.00      Celine Family RIP (Bosser)

 

Tues 3rd Dec      09.15  Francis Xavier   Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

                            10.00        Tess Truman RIP (Wheatley)  

 

Wed  4th Dec       09.15    Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 

10.00               Reg Hewett RIP (Grainger)

                    

Fri     6th Dec        09.15   Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 

10.00 Nicholas    Christine Brown & Robert Mantle RIP (Mantle)

 

Sat    7th Dec       17.30   Confessions

18.00      Vernon Rogers RIP (Rogers) 

 

Sun  8th Dec     SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT YEAR C 

                            08.30       For the Parish 

                            10.30       Choir members RIP (Anderson) 

 

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:                         £1002.84 incl S.O.    

Catholic Youth Service:     £ 196.25

                                     

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.

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 weekdays, £40 per hour weekends

 

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

 

Dear Parishioners,

I came upon this lovely prayer that expresses a welcome to the Lord this Advent:

 

Come into my loneliness with your friendship

Come into my weariness with your strength

Come into worries with your peace

Come into my sufferings with your joy

Come into my sorrows with your comfort

Come into my sadness with your consolation

Come into my heart with your love

Come into my life with your compassion

Come Lord and show me your loving care. Amen.

 

                                                                 God Bless,                                  Fr Doug 

 

READERS AT MASS

The ministry of reading is a most worthy one. Please can we have some more readers! Give it a bit of thought and approach Fr Doug or, better still, Angela Gillespie directly. 

 

SPIRITUALITY COMMISSION ADVENT REFLECTIONS. 

The Spirituality Commission will be sending daily reflections during Advent featuring Scripture, thoughts and prayers. You can sign-up to receive them directly into your inbox each morning here: tinyurl.com/adventreflections2024  Many of you already receive this. Recommended for all.

 

REFLECTION DAY – “Waiting For God”

Saturday 7^th December – 11am to 3pm, led by Trudy Kilcullen.

Sanctuary, 8 Hotham Close, Swanley Village. Bring a packed lunch. 

For more information or to book – please email tkilcullen@live.co.uk or call 07977978536

 

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2025

Application forms are in the foyer for the 2025 First Holy Communion programme, commencing in January. Children in year 3 or above can apply.  Completed forms must be returned by 31st Dec. 

 

SCAM EMAILS TARGETING PARISHIONERS. 

These emails impersonate the parish priest, often using a similar email name and masking the real email address. They typically request the recipient to purchase Amazon or other gift cards for the priest. This is a SCAM. Don’t be caught. Report any such scams to Fr Doug and/or the police. 

 

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN OLD BEXLEY INVITE YOU TO JOIN: 

Carol Singing, Wed 11 Dec, 5:30-7pm. Singing outside Flowers of Bexley, High Street,

Advent Course, at Bexley United Reformed Church (opposite War Memorial), 10-12, Tuesdays. 

Kathy Fogarty, Parish Christian Unity Contact, k.fogarty@ntlworld.com  

 

ADVENT TEA PARTY FOR SENIOR CITIZENS 

at St Catherine’s Catholic School, Friday December 6^th 1.30- 3.00pm

Free of charge but RSVP dcunningham@stccg.co.uk

 

SOUTHWARK ARCHDIOCESE ROSARY PRAYER PROJECT
Everyone is warmly invited to join this Archdiocese-wide prayer initiative, praying a decade each day for priests and parishes in Bexley deanery. Details from southwarkrenewal@gmail.com

 

FESTIVE PARTY – SATURDAY 28^TH DECEMBER 2024
Please join us from 1pm for an afternoon of Music and Games for all the family. Tickets go on sale after mass next week.

 

SUNDAY 24th November 2024

CHRIST THE KING YEAR B

Readings: Daniel 7:13-14, Psalm 92, Apocalypse 1:5-8, John 18:33-37.

 

Sat         23rd Nov   17.30    Confessions

     18.00      Barbara Lenergan (Staden) 

 

Sun   24th Nov        CHRIST THE KING YEAR B 

                          08.30      Peggy Lawlor (Kilcullen)  

                          10.30      Mrs O’Callaghan (Lyons) 

 

Mon   25th Nov    09.15    Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

 10.00              Forgotten Souls in Purgatory RIP (Bosser)

 

Tues  26th Nov    09.15    Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

                         10.00             Jean Murray (Kilcullen)  

 

Wed 27th Nov  14.00 FUNERAL MASS     Catherine Fenner RIP

                                    

Fri     29th Nov    09.15     Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 

10.00      Holy Souls in Purgatory RIP (Gillespie)

 

Sat    30th Nov    17.30     Confessions

 18.00        Andrew Vedanayagam (Satchi) 

 

Sun    1st Dec          FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT YEAR C 

                          08.30             John Hollis (Hollis)  

                          10.30             Pam & Ernie Sarton RIP (Sarton) 

 

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:                         £893.67 incl S.O.

This Week:                           Catholic Youth Service

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.

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 weekdays, £40 per hour weekends

 

  Dear Parishioners,   

READERS beware! 

From next Sunday, the first Sunday of Advent, we have to use a different translation of the Sunday readings. The prayers and other parts of the mass will not be changed. Those of you using the Universalis app. on your phones will be able to read the altered translation. You can still prepare for mass using the more familiar Jerusalem Bible translation, but readers should check the lectionary before reading at mass for the slight variations.

Readings in your parish mass books will be slightly different from the ones read out and those of you with missals will be equally inconvenienced. We discussed this in the parish liturgy committee and agreed that throwing away all our parish mass books and buying new ones would not be ethical and so we ask that you manage the slight discrepancies. Sorry, once again. 

                                     God Bless,                                                Fr Doug 

 

WORLD YOUTH SUNDAY 

This is World Youth Sunday. The retiring collection will support youth work in the Archdiocese and beyond, especially the work of the Southwark Catholic Youth Service, which provides a variety of activities for youth and young adults. For more information, visit www.tinyurl.com/scys1 or join the Southwark Catholic Youth network for regular updates at www.tinyurl.com/scysnetwork

 

SPIRITUALITY COMMISSION ADVENT REFLECTIONS. 

The Spirituality Commission will be sending daily reflections during Advent featuring Scripture, thoughts and prayers. You can sign-up to receive them directly into your inbox each morning here: tinyurl.com/adventreflections2024  Many of you already receive this. Recommended for all.

 

REFLECTION DAY – “Waiting For God”

Saturday 7^th December – 11am to 3pm, led by Trudy Kilcullen.

Sanctuary, 8 Hotham Close, Swanley Village. Bring a packed lunch. 

For more information or to book – please email tkilcullen@live.co.uk or call 07977978536

 

PRAYING THE MASS WITH ARCHBISHOP JOHN. 

Some may be returning to Mass. For others Mass, is the cornerstone of their spiritual lives. To help people, wherever they are on their spiritual journey, Archbishop John has recorded a message (tinyurl.com/prayingthemass) which guides us on how to pray through the Mass. 

 

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2025

Application forms are now available for the 2025 First Holy Communion programme. Baptised children in year 3 or above can apply.  Forms are available in the church foyer.  Completed forms must be returned by 31st December 2024.  The programme will commence in January 2025. 

 

SCAM EMAILS TARGETING PARISHIONERS. 

These emails impersonate the parish priest, often using a similar email name and masking the real email address. They typically request the recipient to purchase Amazon or other gift cards for the priest. This is a SCAM. Don’t be caught. Report any such scams to Fr Doug and/or the police. 

 

CHRISTMAS IS COMING 🎄 Churches Together in Old Bexley invite you to join: 

·      Carol Singing, Wednesday 11 Dec, 5:30-7pm. Singing outside Flowers of Bexley, High Street, or meet for hot drinks in Bexley URC Church doors open from 5pm and afterwards.

·      Advent Course, hosted by Bexley United Reformed Church (opposite War Memorial), Hurst Road, DA5 3JN.  10am-12noon Tuesdays 26 Nov, 3 Dec, 10 Dec, 17 Dec. 

Kathy Fogarty, Parish Christian Unity Contact, k.fogarty@ntlworld.com  

 

SOUTHWARK ARCHDIOCESE ROSARY PRAYER PROJECT
Everyone is warmly invited to join this Archdiocese-wide prayer initiative, praying a decade each day for priests and parishes in Bexley deanery. Details fromsouthwarkrenewal@gmail.com