SUNDAY 26th Jan 2025,

THIRD SUNDAY, YEAR C

Readings: Nehemiah 8:2-10, Psalm 19,1 Cor 12:12-30, Luke 1:1-4, 4:14-21 

 

Sat     25th Jan         17.30   Confessions

                       18.00        Matthew Bhalla (Bhalla)

 

Sun   26th Jan THIRD SUNDAY YEAR C 

                                   08.30      Molly Henebry RIP (Wilkes)

                                   10.30      Antony Moffat RIP (Moffat)

Mon    27th Jan          09.15 Angela Merici Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

                        10.00      For the Parish

Tues   28th Jan          09.15 Thomas Aquinas Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

                                  10.00       Colette Hunt RIP (Sheehan)

Wed 29th Jan             09.15  Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

                                  10.00        Des & Alice Mulligan RIP (Fitzpatrick) 

  

Fri 31st Jan               09.15 John Bosco Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 

                       10.00           Harrington & Sheehan Families (Sheehan)

Sat      1^st Feb           17.30   Confessions

                       18.00          Holy Souls (Jeyaseelan)

 

Sun 2nd Feb   PRESENTATION OF THE LORD 

                                  08.30         Maureen Oram RIP (Oram)

                                  10.30          Ken Crump RIP (Crump)

 

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: £ 1214.10 incl S.O.

                                      Pax Christi                             £ 124.00

                                                

 

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, 

 Help Shape the Future of Our Archdiocese

The Archbishop invites you to play a vital role in shaping the future of our Archdiocese. He encourages everyone to reflect on the 6 themes in a Called to Bear Fruit booklet which is now available for everyone and if possible to participate in small group discussions. Any group reflections can then be submitted to the diocese. The deadline is currently April 6^th, 2 weeks before Easter. We invite you to take your booklet and having looked through it during the week decide if and how you might like to participate in the consultation. 

• Next weekend we will offer the opportunity to sign up for a discussion group – daytime or evening.
• Existing groups might like to take on the task and others might like to spontaneously form groups for the purpose. 
• Individuals or couples might like to use the booklets at home and offer any reflections to the parish council, c/o parish office, by March 23^rd (8 weeks from now) and these will be collated and submitted as if from a discussion group!
• We have been planning (since October) for there to be meetings during Lent to reflect on the Sunday gospels and there may be an opportunity after those meetings for some discussions on “Called to bear Fruit”. 

We will update you as plans develop.  

                            God Bless,                                              Fr Doug

 

CHRISTIAN UNITY SERVICE

Churches Together in Old Bexley invite you to a service on Sunday 26 January at 3pm at United Reformed Church, Hurst Road. Kathy Fogarty, Parish Unity Contact k.fogarty@ntlworld.com 

 

MAUREEN WATKINS, JOHN KILNER, FR PADDY CANNON RIP

May they rest in peace and rise in glory.

No news yet of Fr Paddy Cannon’s funeral.

 

CAR PARK PERMITS

It is time to renew car park permits. Please take a form from the foyer. 

Thanks to all those who have responded this week already.

The income is valued by the parish and the facility is great value for car owners!

 

GIFT AIDERS

Thanks as ever for your wonderful support in St. John Fisher. 

The archdiocese seems to be a little concerned that it is holding up to date information. 

If you did not fill in a form regarding your details last year, then please pick up a form in the foyer as you leave mass and return it when you can. Many thanks. 

 

SWANLEY AND DISTRICT FOODBANK 

Can you spend a few hours of your time to help out at the Swanley and District Foodbank? If so, we are looking for people to join the team of trustees, particularly with skills in Secretarial Work, Finance including payroll, Health & Safety or Safeguarding. We are part of the Trussell Trust. Contacts: Manager Emma on 07798872 573, or Chair John Kahan – John.Kahan@hotmail.co.uk 

 

THE ROMERO ROSARY – a new book written by Archbishop John Wilson 

With introductory chapters about St Oscar Romero and the rosary, this book contains reflections on the traditional mysteries of the rosary (Joy, Light, Sorrow & Glory) and the NEW Romero Mysteries (Charity, Compassion and Mercy, & Justice and Peace) – all illumined for reflection and prayer by the words of St Oscar Romero. The book is available from Pauline Bookshops and online at www.paulineuk.org. 

Archbishop John invites everyone to a BOOK LAUNCH on Wednesday 12 February 2025 at 6.00 for 6.30pm at Amigo Hall, adjacent St George’s Cathedral, Southwark, South London. SE1 7HY.

SUNDAY 19th Jan 2025

SECOND SUNDAY YEAR C – Peace Sunday

Readings: Isaiah 62:1-5, Psalm 96,1 Cor 12:4-11, John 2:1-11.

 

Sat      18th Jan          17.30        Confessions

      18.00          Cath Fitzpatrick RIP (O’Brien) 

 

Sun     19th Jan         SECOND SUNDAY YEAR C – Peace Sunday 

                                  08.30          Anne Maxted RIP (Wilkes)

                                  10.30          John Hughes RIP (Hughes)

 

Mon    20th Jan         09.15    Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

                                 10.00  FUNERAL MASS Cath Fitzpatrick RIP

 

Tues   21st Jan         09.15  Agnes      Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

                                 10.00          For the Parish

Wed    22nd Jan       09.15  Vincent  Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament  

                                 10.00          Eileen Wheatley (Hughes)

                                       

Fri       24th Jan        09.15 Francis de Sales      Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 

                                 10.00          Danny Lyons RIP (Lyons)

 

Sat      25th Jan        17.30   Confessions

                                 18.00          Matthew Bhalla (Bhalla) 

 

Sun     26th Jan         THIRD SUNDAY YEAR C 

                                 08.30          Molly Henebry RIP (Wilkes)

                                 10.30          Antony 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:        £ 887.84 incl S.O.

                                                                            Crib                    £ 554.97

                  Retiring Collection   This Week:    Pax Christi

 

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

 

Dear Parishioners, 

 Help Shape the Future of Our Archdiocese

The Archbishop invites you to play a vital role in shaping the future of our Archdiocese. In today’s pastoral letter, he encourages everyone to reflect on the themes in a Called to Bear Fruit booklet which is to be available for everyone. Ours have not yet arrived so we can’t really plan anything! The idea WILL be though, to participate in small group discussions. Without sight of the booklet we cannot formulate strategies but the Archbishop’s intention is that we form small groups suitable to discuss the 6 themes that are being put forward. Any group reflections can then be submitted to the diocese.

We will return to this after we get sight of the booklets!

                                 God Bless,                                                Fr Doug 

 

 CRIB COLLECTION

Friends of the Holy Land would like to thank all parishioners who raised £1554.97 for Christians in the Holy Land. Conditions continue to be extremely challenging. Please continue to remember FHL and those we support in your prayers.’ Now, more than ever, the small Christian community in the Holy Land needs our help to bring them hope and healing. The focus of our work is providing practical help directly to the most needy and vulnerable of our Christian brothers and sisters through a balance of funding immediate relief of emergency needs and practical small projects to help create a sustainable future.  

 

WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY – 18-25 January.  Churches Together in Old Bexley invite you to a service on Sunday 26 January at 3pm at United Reformed Church, Hurst Road.  We are all invited to celebrate, draw encouragement and strength from the gift of our shared faith. In these turbulent times, we can take heart from the endurance of that faith.       Kathy Fogarty, Parish Unity Contact k.fogarty@ntlworld.com 

 

MAUREEN WATKINS, CATHERINE FITZPATRICK, LESLEY DOYLE, FR PADDY CANNON RIP

May they rest in peace and rise in glory.

Cath’s funeral will be in church at 10.00 on Monday 20^th January

Lesley’s funeral will be at Eltham Crematorium at 1.00 on Wednesday 22^nd January 

No news yet of Fr Paddy Cannon’s funeral.

 

CAR PARK PERMITS:  It is time to renew car park permits. Please take a form from the foyer.  The income is valued by the parish and the facility is great value for car owners!

 

THE ROMERO ROSARY a new book written by Archbishop John Wilson 

With introductory chapters about St Oscar Romero and the rosary, this beautiful and creative new book contains reflections on the traditional mysteries of the rosary (Joy, Light, Sorrow & Glory) and the NEW Romero Mysteries (Charity, Compassion and Mercy, & Justice and Peace) – all illumined for reflection and prayer by the words of St Oscar Romero. The book is available from Pauline Bookshops and online at www.paulineuk.org. The Archbishops warmly invites everyone to the BOOK LAUNCH on Wednesday 12 February 2025 at 6.00 for 6.30pm at Amigo Hall, adjacent St George’s Cathedral, Southwark, South London. SE1 7HY.

  

BUILDING A BETTER MARRIAGE: A fulfilling and enjoyable day for married couples. 25th January at St Stephen’s, Welling. The day is hosted by the Marriage and Family Life Team. To celebrate this Jubilee year, why not take the opportunity to explore how blessed you are in your marriage – not to mention how blessed the Church is with your dedicated love to one another. These days are popular and fill up quickly so please book your place. Please contact Carole on 07983 524 727 or email mflkent@rcaos.org.uk

SUNDAY 12th Jan 2025,

BAPTISM OF THE LORD YEAR C

Readings: Isaiah 42:1-7, Psalm 29, Acts 10:34-38, Luke 3:15-22.   

 

Sat    11th Jan          17.30                                      Confessions

18.00                                      Colette Hunt RIP (Linthorn) 

 

Sun   12th Jan         BAPTISM OF THE LORD YEAR C 

                                 08.30                                      Delia Willis RIP (Wilkes)

                                 10.30                                      Maureen Fitzpatrick (Wheatley)

 

Ordinary Time – Week 1 Year 1

Mon  13th Jan           09.15                                      Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

10.00                                      Denis Bourke RIP

 

Tues  14th Jan          09.15                                      Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

                                 10.00                                      Vince Kilcullen RIP (Kilcullen)

 

Wed  15th Jan          09.15                                      Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 

10.00                                      Norman Pearson & Jim Miller RIP (Meeting Place)

                               

Fri     17th Jan          09.15 Anthony                     Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 

10.00                                      Bridget Head RIP (Kilcullen)

 

Sat    18th Jan          17.30                                      Confessions

18.00                                      Cath Fitzpatrick RIP (O’Brien) 

 

Sun   19th Jan         SECOND SUNDAY YEAR C – Peace Sunday 

                                 08.30                                      Anne Maxted RIP (Wilkes)

                                 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.

 

FINANCES   

Many thanks for your offertory collection           Last Week:                           £ 974.84 incl S.O.

                                                Retiring Collection   Next Week:                           Pax Christi

 

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, 

As Christmas comes to an end today, we face the year ahead and firm up on any resolutions we might have made about making our lives better – some serious ones alongside other trivial ones.

Every year I suggest that a simple resolution might be about socialising in the church foyer or outside under the porch rather than in the church itself, so that the church can be a sacred space for prayer and worship – but in the last 6 years there hasn’t been much change, I lament! It may just be my hobby horse!

Another possibility though, might be to make use of our “library bookshelf” and our CTS publications. A few of us recently put a little effort into examining what’s there. I am now fairly confident to recommend any of the material. Why not resolve to borrow and read a book or a pamphlet. Some of it concerns spirituality, prayer and the lives of the saints, some is more concerned with the teachings of the Church. It is certainly better than Mr Musk’s “x” material. 

So I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:


“Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown”.


And he replied:
“Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God.


That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way”.


So I went forth, and finding the Hand of God, trod gladly into the night.


And He led me towards the hills and the breaking of day in the lone East. Minnie Louise Haskins

 

Sadly, we heard the news this week that Fr Paddy Cannon has died. Through his missionary work in Peru, he gained a certain “edge” in his pastoral ministry and he exercised that ministry very generously here in Bexley as Parish Priest between 1992 and 1996. He has, I know, been held in great affection ever since. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.

              God Bless,                                                Fr Doug 

 

CRIB COLLECTION:  This year we are collecting for Friends of the Holy Land.

This charity, endorsed by Cardinal Vincent Nicholls, actually has workers based in Bethlehem and is therefore able to help the Christians there survive even under the current siege conditions imposed by Israel. They assist with emergency aid, with counselling and with a limited amount of development.

 

MAUREEN WATKINS, CATHERINE FITZPATRICK, LESLEY DOYLE, FR PADDY CANNON RIP

May they rest in peace and rise in glory.

Cath’s funeral will be in church at 10.00 on Monday 20^th January

Lesley’s funeral will be at Eltham Crematorium at 1.00 on Wednesday 22^nd January 

 

WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY – 18-25 January

Churches Together in Old Bexley invite you to a service on Sunday 26 January at 3pm at Albany Park Baptist Church, Stansted Crescent, DA5 3JB.  We are all invited to celebrate, draw strength and encouragement from the gift of our shared faith. In these turbulent times, we can take heart from the endurance of that faith.        Kathy Fogarty, Parish Unity Contact k.fogarty@ntlworld.com 

  

BUILDING A BETTER MARRIAGE 

A fulfilling and enjoyable day for married couples. 25th January at St Stephen’s, Welling. The day is hosted by the Marriage and Family Life Team. To celebrate this Jubilee year, why not take the opportunity to explore how blessed you are in your marriage – not to mention how blessed the Church is with your dedicated love to one another. These days are popular and fill up quickly so please book your place. Please contact Carole on 07983 524 727 or email mflkent@rcaos.org.uk