Newsletter

SUNDAY 19^th October

TWENTY NINTH SUNDAY Year C

Readings: Exodus 17:8-13 Psalm 120, 2 Timothy 3:14-4:2, Luke 18:1-8

 

Sat   18^th Oct       17.30      Confessions

18.00                      Kathleen Delport RIP 

 

Sun  19^th Oct     TWENTY NINTH SUNDAY Year C – World Mission Day

                            08.30                             Fernando Guerreira RIP (McGrath)            

10.30                             John Hughes RIP (Hughes)       

 

Mon  20^th Oct       09.15    Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 

10.00                            Anton Jeyaseelan (Jeyaseelan)                      

 

Tues  21^st Oct     NO MASS TODAY

 

Wed  22^nd Oct      09.15     Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 

                            10.00 John Paul II                Jane Buhl RIP (Dorothy and Joanna)

 

Fri     24^th Oct       09.15     Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament        

                            10.00                             Sister John Bowman RIP (Bowman)

 

Sat    25^th Oct     17.30        Confessions

18.00                             Barney O’Neill RIP (O’Neill) 

 

Sun  26^th Oct     Thirtieth SUNDAY Year C 

                            08.30                            Souls in Purgatory (Gillespie)             

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.

 

MASS INTENTIONs: Do have masses said for your intentions. Use the envelopes in the foyer to name the intention and to enclose an offering. Give them to Fr Doug or post them through the presbytery door.

 

FINANCES       

Many thanks for your offertory collection            £ 846.27 

Retiring Collections:                 This Week         Missio                               

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

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 on weekdays, £40 per hour at weekends

 

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

  

Dear Parishioners,

In his Angelus address in St Peter’s Square Pope Leo, referring to the ceasefire in the Holy Land, said: “I encourage the parties involved to continue courageously on the path they have chosen, towards a just and lasting peace that respects the legitimate aspirations of the Israeli and Palestinian peoples… The Church is close to the immense pain of those who have brutally lost their children, parents, friends and possessions in the war. The gentle touch of the Lord is directed especially toward you today, in the certainty that even amidst the deepest darkness, he always remains with us. We ask God, who is the true peace of humanity, to heal all wounds and to help us with his grace to accomplish what now seems humanly impossible: to remember that the other is not an enemy, but a brother or sister to be seen, forgiven and offered the hope of reconciliation.”

God Bless,                                Fr Doug 

 

PLANT SALE:  Many thanks to those who adopted plants last weekend and/or made donations to the Padre Pio Leprosy Rehabilitation Centre in Ghana. Thanks too to the grower! £220 was raised. Marvelous. 

 

HARVEST CAKE SALE:  The Children’s Liturgy Group we will be holding a cake sale in the parish Centre this Sunday after 10.30. mass. All money raised will be donated to Cafod’s Harvest appeal. Please come along and support us. All home baked/ shop bought donations welcome.

 

CONFIRMATION 2026:  We would like to run a programme in 2026 with and for young people wishing to be confirmed in June 2026. Candidates should be in Year 8 or above, (aged 13+ during the school year 25-26) Please have conversations at home and with friends. Application forms available in the foyer.

 

BERNARD GILLESPIE RIP:   Bernard’s funeral will be on Thursday October 30^th at 12.00. Please pray for him and his family.

 

OCTOBER ROSARY FOR JUSTICE AND PEACE:  In the light of the dreadful wars in our world, we offer a chance for prayer and reflection on the Wednesday evenings of October, at 7.30 p.m. We pray the Archbishop Romero Rosary with gospel readings and extracts from the words of St. Oscar Romero, Patron of Justice and Peace. There will be quiet time to reflect, and then a decade of the Rosary prayed slowly and meditatively.

 

MISSIO:  The collection today supports churches, schools, hospitals, vocations and other projects in countries where the Church is new, young or poor. It works through local bishops, churches and missionary congregations to ensure resources are distributed justly on the basis of need.

 

THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW: On Saturday, Nov 15^th, from 10.00-3.00. Dr. Brian Purfield. Bring a packed lunch. 

 

TEACHING VACANCIES AT ST CATHERINE’S CATHOLIC GIRLS SCHOOL 

Teacher of Science, Teacher of Psychology (and Sociology) (Maternity Leave), Teacher of Geography (Fixed term), Teacher of Science (Maternity Leave).  For full job descriptions and person specifications please visit www.stccg.co.uk/vacancies. Thank you.

 

BEXLEY PHOENIX CHOIR – CONCERT:  Directed by John MacKenzie – Accompanied by Christine Diggens    Saturday 25^th October 2025 – 7.00pm at Christ Church, Broadway, Bexleyheath, Kent DA6 7BT 

SUNDAY 12^th October

TWENTY EIGHTH SUNDAY Year C

Readings: 2 Kings 5:14-17 Psalm 97, 2 Timothy 2:8-13, Luke 17:11-19

 

Sat   11^th Oct      17.30 Confessions

18.00                     John Paul Burton-Bowen (Wood)

 

Sun  12^th Oct     TWENTY EIGHTH SUNDAY Year C – Prisoners Sunday

                            08.30                    Jane Buhl RIP and Family (Crump)             

10.30                     Eva Asaam (Asaam) 

 

Mon  13^th Oct     09.15 St Edward the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 

10.00  Confessor      Michael O’Donnell (O’Donnell)                               

 

Tues 14^th Oct        09.15                  Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 

 10.00                    Colette Hunt/Sonny Sheehan RIP (Sheehan)

 

Wed 15^th Oct      09.15  St Teresa Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 

                           10.00    of Avila    Eileen & John RIP Hollis (Wheatley)

 

Fri     17^th Oct     14.00  St Ignatius of Antioch Funeral Mass for John Hollis RIP

 

Sat   18^th Oct      17.30     Confessions

18.00                      Kathleen Delport RIP 

 

Sun  19^th Oct     TWENTY NINTH SUNDAY Year C – World Mission Day

                            08.30                   Fernando Guerreira RIP (McGrath)            

10.30                     John Hughes RIP (Hughes)

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.

 

MASS INTENTIONS

Do have masses said for your intentions. Use the envelopes in the foyer to name the intention and to enclose an offering. Give them to Fr Doug or post them through the presbytery door.

 

FINANCES       

Many thanks for your offertory collection                                   £ 977.26

Retiring Collections:     Last Week         CaFOD                      £ 519.25

                                                                 Next Week    Missio

For Missio, if you have a Red Box please empty it and put in an envelope.

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

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 on weekdays, £40 per hour at weekends

 

Newsletter: Please copy notices to douglasbull@rcaos.org.uk by the previous Wednesday

 

Dear Parishioners,

We need to pray even more earnestly for the cease-fire in Gaza to hold and that food and other aid may be allowed to enter. Moreover, we pray that all involved will move towards a way of living in peace with justice. Meanwhile, a reminder of the statement from Faith groups in Bexley:

The Bexley Interfaith Forum stands in solidarity with everyone who has suffered and is suffering in Gaza, Israel and the West Bank.

We call on all sides to recognise the dignity and sanctity of every human life.

We call on all sides to make all efforts to achieve an enduring peace and an end to the killing.

The Bexley Interfaith forum commits to praying for peace and living in peace and harmony with our sisters and brothers of all faiths (and none) within the London Borough of Bexley.

God Bless,                                Fr Doug 

 

MANNA CENTRE: Thank you for the magnificent collection for homeless people using the Manna Centre. We are still collecting gifts till the end of masses this weekend. There have been so many gifts that they won’t all fit in one car. If someone could volunteer to deliver a second load to Bermondsey it would be appreciated.

 

PLANT SALE: There are a number of plants for sale in the foyer this weekend. Please make donations £1- £5 or so, and your gift will go to Padre Pio Leprosy Rehabilitation Centre in Ghana. 

 

HARVEST CAKE SALE: The Children’s Liturgy Group we will be holding a cake sale in the parish Centre on Sunday 19th October after 10.30. mass. All money raised will be donated to Cafod’s Harvest appeal. Please come along and support us. All home baked/ shop bought donations welcome.

 

BERNARD GILLESPIE RIP & JOHN HOLLIS RIP  John’s funeral will be on Friday October 17^th at 2.00.   Bernard’s will be on Thursday October 30^th at 12.00. Please pray for them and their families.

 QUIZ NIGHT
Our annual Quiz Night is on Saturday, October 18^th. at 7p.m. The competition will be between tables of up to 8 people. You don’t have to form a team before arrival, just take a seat at table – and perhaps meet new people. The bar will be open. Tickets are available after masses, at £8. Bring your own snacks for the table.

 

OCTOBER ROSARY FOR JUSTICE AND PEACE 

In the light of the dreadful wars in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan and elsewhere, we offer a chance for prayer and reflection on the Wednesday evenings of October, from 7.30 p.m. We pray the Archbishop Romero Rosary with gospel readings and extracts from the teachings of St. Oscar Romero, Patron of Justice and Peace. There will be some quiet time to reflect, and then a decade of the Rosary prayed slowly and meditatively.

 

CONFIRMATION 2026:  We would like to run a programme in 2026 with and for young people wishing to be confirmed in June 2026. Candidates should be in Year 8 or above, (aged 13+ during the school year 25-26) Please have conversations at home and with friends. Application forms available in the foyer.

 

SANCTUARY QUIET DAY – Saturday October 18th from 11- 3pm

“Uniquely and Wonderfully Made” (Ps 139) to fulfill a distinct purpose and reflect God’s glory. Spend some time in prayer to reflect on your life and your calling. Bookings: tkilcullen@live.co.uk

 

THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW On Saturday, Nov 15^th, from 10.00-3.00. Dr. Brian Purfield 

SUNDAY 5^th October

TWENTY SEVENTH SUNDAY Year C

Readings: Habakkuk 1:2-2:4 Psalm 94, 2 Timothy 1:6-14, Luke 17:5-10

 

Sat   4th Oct        17.30      Confessions

18.00                Holy Souls (Jeyaseelan)

 

Sun  5th Oct      TWENTY SEVENTH SUNDAY Year C – Rosary Sunday

                            08.30                     Kay Gillespie RIP (Gillespie)               

10.30              Victor & Lorna Furze – Diamond Wedding 

 

Mon  6^th Oct        09.15    Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 

10.00                     Sylvia and Victor Jeyaseelan (Jeyaseelan)

 

Tues  7^th Oct       09.15  Our Lady of Rosary   Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 

10.00                      Ext. Harrington Family (Sheehan)

 

Wed   8^th Oct      09.15      Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

                           10.00                       Eamon and Gerry Dunning (Wheatley)

 

Fri    10^th Oct       09.15     Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

                            10.00                    Sheehan Family (Sheehan)

 

Sat   11^th Oct       17.30             Confessions

          18.00                     John Paul Burton-Bowen (Wood)

 

Sun  12^th Oct     TWENTY EIGHTH SUNDAY Year C – 

                            08.30                     Jane Buhl RIP and Family (Crump)             

10.30                    Eva Asaam (Asaam)

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

 

LIVE STREAMING OF MASSES ON THE WEBSITE

All masses are streamed and can be viewed by clicking on the link via the link:

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

 

MASS INTENTIONS: Do have masses said for your intentions. Use the envelopes in the foyer to name the intention and to enclose an offering. Give them to Fr Doug or post them through the presbytery door.

 

FINANCES       

Many thanks for your offertory collection             £ 966.38

         Retiring Collections:    This Week         CaFOD

 

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

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 on weekdays, £40 per hour at weekends

 

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

 

Dear Parishioners,

During the week I helped arrange a meeting of “Bexley Interfaith Forum”, comprising the Faith Leaders of all the religious groups in the borough, including Jewish rabbis. We discussed the situation in Gaza at length and produced a joint statement: 

The Bexley Interfaith Forum stands in solidarity with everyone who has suffered and is suffering in Gaza, Israel and the West Bank.

We call on all sides to recognise the dignity and sanctity of every human life.

We call on all sides to make all efforts to achieve an enduring peace and an end to the killing.

The Bexley Interfaith forum commits to praying for peace and living in peace and harmony with our sisters and brothers of all faiths (and none) within the London Borough of Bexley.

Such statements won’t change much but we have to start where we can, and where we can agree. Peace surely grows better through expanding agreement than by slogging out confrontation.

 Also, MANY THANKS to the new team who have stepped up to compile the weekly newsletter! 

                                 God Bless,                               Fr Doug 

 

HARVEST SUNDAY: This weekend our retiring collection is for CaFOD. We are also collecting food items, toiletries and clothing (See lists in foyer) for homeless people using the Manna Centre. Just put your gifts on the sanctuary. 

 

LIVE SIMPLY AWARD for ST. JOHN FISHER, BEXLEY

CaFOD have given us an award for our 2025 Live Simply Campaign. We will be accepting it at masses this weekend.

 

CONGRATULATIONS:  Victor and Lorna Furze, renewing vows in celebration of their diamond wedding anniversary.

And Andy and Marion Watson, also celebrating 60 years of marriage.

 

BERNARD GILLESPIE RIP & JOHN HOLLIS RIP

John’s funeral will be on Friday October 17^th at 2.00.

Bernard’s will be on Thursday October 30^th at 12.00. Please pray for them and their families.

 

QUIZ NIGHT
We will hold our annual Quiz Night on Saturday, October 18^th. at 7p.m. The competition will be between tables of up to 8 people. You don’t have to form a team before arrival, just take a seat at table – and perhaps meet new people. The bar will be open. Tickets are available after masses, at £8. Raffle prizes welcome. Bring your own snacks for the table.

 

OCTOBER ROSARY FOR JUSTICE AND PEACE 

In the light of the dreadful wars in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan and elsewhere, we will offer a chance for prayer and reflection on the 5 Wednesday evenings of October, from 7.30 p.m. We will pray the Archbishop Romero Rosary with gospel readings and extracts from the teachings of St. Oscar Romero, Patron of Justice and Peace. There will be some quiet time to reflect, and then a decade of the Rosary prayed slowly and meditatively.

 

CONFIRMATION 2026:  We would like to run a programme in 2026 with and for young people wishing to be confirmed in June 2026. Candidates should be in Year 8 or above, (aged 13+ during the school year 25-26) Please have conversations at home and with friends. Application forms available from Sunday.

 

SANCTUARY QUIET DAY – Saturday October 18th from 11- 3pm

“Uniquely and Wonderfully Made” (Psalm 139) to fulfill a distinct purpose and reflect Gods glory. Spend some time in prayer to reflect on your life and your calling. Bookings: tkilcullen@live.co.uk

 

THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW On Saturday, Nov 15^th, from 10.00-3.00. Dr. Brian Purfield