Newsletter

SUNDAY 11^th December 2022, 

3^nd SUNDAY of ADVENT, YEAR A     

 

Readings: Isaiah 35:1-6, 10, Psalm 145, James 5:7-10 Mathew 11:2-11 

 

Sat     10^th Dec        17.30        Confessions

  18.00                Scott Whatley RIP (Cannon)

 

Sun    11^th Dec       3^rd SUNDAY of ADVENT   

                                 08.30                Private Intention (Hyde)

  10.30                Arsenia Mencias RIP (Bernarte)

 

Mon    12^th Dec        09.15  Our Lady of Guadalupe Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

                                10.00                 Artie de Souza RIP (Mascarenhas)  

 

Tues    13^th Dec        09.15  St Lucy     Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

   10.00                    Bosser Family RIP (Bosser)

 

Wed    14^th Dec        09.15  St John of the Cross      Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

                                 10.00                    Tony Sullivan RIP (Sullivan family)           

 

Fri       16th Dec       10.00                     Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

                                                               Eslin & Margaret Bosser RIP (Bosser)                 

 

Sat       17th Dec       17.30                    Confessions

                                  18.00                     Patrick McQuaid RIP (McQuaid)

 

Sun     18^th Dec       4^th SUNDAY of ADVENT               

                                   08.30                     For the Parish

                                   10.30                     Deceased Members of the Choir

                                   16.00                     CAROL SERVICE 

                                                                                                                                                                    

LIVE STREAMING OF MASSES ON THE WEBSITE

All masses are streamed live and can be viewed via the link:

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

 

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

 

OUR PARISH HALL

Our hall is available for hire. Please email bexley@rcaos.org.uk at ANY time for enquiries and our hall secretary will get back to you. 

 

Newsletter: Please copy notices to Fr Doug by previous Wednesday

 

 

FINANCES   

Many thanks for your offertory collection last week:                £1012.47  Incl. S.O.s 

 

Direct 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 porch, is easy to use. Select a donation amount by pressing one of the amounts.  The card reader screen will read “Please Tap”, select the amount you wish to donate, and tap your card or phone on the card reader.  

Gift Aid Please join the GIFT AID scheme – Forms are at the back of the Church. For every £1.00 donated the Parish will receive 25p from the Tax Office. Standing Orders are advisable. Thank you

  

Dear Parishioners,

On Monday we had the final session of our Ways Into Prayer programme. Thanks to all (~40) people who attended and in doing so, supported each other in practicing techniques that will enable greater opportunity to enjoy a prayerful relationship with God. That nearly a fifth of the parish (mass-going) took part is a great inspiration. In the New Year we will offer the opportunity to take part in the Diocesan Lenten Retreat and we are looking at the possibility of running a scripture study course. We’d be happy to learn of any resources within the parish that we might tap into. 

                                                                                    God Bless,                  Fr Doug

CAROL SERVICE

Date for the diary: Our service of carols and readings will be next Sunday at 4.00 p.m.

 

NEW AUXILIARY BISHOP

A new bishop is to be ordained for the diocese on Shrove Tuesday. He will act in both S.E. and S.W. London. His name is Mgr. Philip Moger, currently the Shrine Director in Walsingham.

 

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2023

Application forms are now available for the First Holy Communion Programme 2023.  Children eligible for First Communion must be in Year 3 or above.  Application forms can be collected from the church foyer. The programme will commence late January/early February 2023.  Completed forms are to be returned by 9^th January, 2023.                                                            Angela Underwood

 

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY

Members of the St. John Fisher Conference would like to make parishioners aware that anyone who is feeling lonely and would like a visit or a phone call can contact the Parish Office. One of us will then contact you.  We’d also like to recruit new members. If you can help with visiting and fund raising to support the more vulnerable in our area, please contact the Parish Office.

 

CHURCH CLEANING         

A big THANK YOU to the small group of parishioners who give up their free time to help keep our church clean.  The rota for 2023 is now available for collection from the cupboard.  We would be grateful if more volunteers came forward to either join an existing group or make up a new one.  Currently, each group cleans once every 10 weeks for about one hour.  If you think you might be able to help, please ring Carole Hughes on 07762731303.

 

PARISH FESTIVE OPEN HOUSE

Join us between 11am-3pm on Wednesday 28th December for a cuppa and chat in the church hall. Enjoy good company, tea, coffee and biscuits and a touch of soft jazz.  Feel free to bring along any Christmas nibbles/tipples for our ‘sharing’ table.  Look forward to seeing you there. Elaine 07941 264011

 

ST JOHN FISHER NEW YEARS EVE FAMILY DISCO

8pm to 1am, tickets £10 per adult & £2 per child 

Please see Noel McCarthy in the hall after 10.30 Sunday mass or call him on 07813890556.

 

CHRIST THE KING SIXTH FORM – A CHAPLAINCY APPRENTICE NEEDED 

(Part Time, Part Year) – Start date: January, 2023 – Salary range £12,000 including London Weighting (or applicable minimum wage if aged 20+)  – closing date 10am Monday, 12^th December 2022.  Please see vacancies page of website: https://www.ctk.ac.uk/vacancies/

 

OUR LADY OF GRACE SCHOOL – TEACHING ASSISTANT REQUIRED

Please see noticeboard and www.ourladyofgracecatholicprimaryschool.co.uk 

Required for January 2023. Interview date to be confirmed. Grade: APT&C Scale 2 (£21,783 p-r)

SUNDAY 4^th December 2022 

2^nd SUNDAY of ADVENT, YEAR A 

Readings: Isaiah 11:1-10, Psalm 71, Romans 15:1-9 Mathew 3:1-12 Page 85

 

Sat    3^rd Dec    17.30                                      Confessions

     18.00                                     Hammond Macaulay RIP (Cannon)

 

Sun  4^th Dec     2^nd SUNDAY of ADVENT  

                         08.30                                     Thanksgiving Gillespie Family (Gillespie)

     10.30                                      Meade Family RIP (Sullivan)

 

Mon  5^th Dec      09.15  St John Almond             Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

                          10.00                                     Norma Brooker RIP (Frake)

 

Tues 6^th Dec      09.15  St Nicholas, Bishop          Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

      10.00                                      For the Parish

 

Wed  7^th Dec      09.15  St Ambrose, Bishop+Dr.Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

                          10.00                                      In Thanksgiving (Bosser)    

 

Fri     9th Dec     09.15  St Juan Diego               Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

                          10.00                                        Philip Walton RIP (Burt)                  

 

Sat  10th Dec     17.30                                      Confessions

                           18.00                                      Scott Whatley RIP (Cannon)

 

Sun 11^th Dec      3^rd SUNDAY of ADVENT               

                          08.30                                      Private Intention (Hyde)

                          10.30                                      Arsenia Mencias RIP (Bernate) 

 

LIVE STREAMING OF MASSES ON THE WEBSITE

All masses are streamed live and can be viewed via the link.

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

 

FINANCES   

Many thanks for your offertory collection last week:                £997.60  Incl. S.O.s 

 

Direct 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 porch, is easy to use. Select a donation amount by pressing one of the amounts.  The card reader screen will read “Please Tap”, select the amount you wish to donate, and tap your card or phone on the card reader.  

Gift Aid Please join the GIFT AID scheme – Forms are at the back of the Church. For every £1.00 donated the Parish will receive 25p from the Tax Office. Standing Orders are advisable. Thank you

 

OUR PARISH HALL

Our hall is available for hire. Please email bexley@rcaos.org.uk at ANY time for enquiries and our hall secretary will get back to you. 

 

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

 

Newsletter: Please copy notices to Fr Doug by previous Wednesday

 

Dear Parishioners,

What can I say? I was thrilled to celebrate my 40th anniversary of priesthood here last weekend. So many people worked hard to make it a spectacular occasion that I shall never forget. All our guests marvelled at the welcome they received and the joy that lasted through the day. I am grateful to all who contributed food for the lunch, and all who worked so very hard with Kay in the kitchen to prepare everything, and in the bar too. I am also grateful to Greystone Pizzeria in Bourne Road for donating the wine. The photograph display was really amazing and in a marvellous way featured so many people in the room! 

The mass was enjoyed by all who participated in church AND by those watching the live stream, with many commenting on the dignity and yet ease with which it was celebrated. Well done servers, well done choir, well done ushers.  And as ever, our church looked beautiful with its flowers and so on. The mass booklet too was excellent. I think we can be proud of our parish in so many ways! 

And so many cards and generous gifts including a very generous collection. I was overcome. I am particularly grateful for the collection of your “3 words”, which I will treasure.  Thank you all.                                                                                     God Bless,                  Fr Doug

 

NEW AUXILIARY BISHOP

A new bishop is to be ordained for the diocese. He will act in both S.E. and S.W. London. His name is Mgr. Philip Moger, currently the Shrine Director in Walsingham.

 

SPIRITUALITY PROGRAMME CONTINUES

The last (repeated) session on the Examen is on Monday at 1.00.

About 40 of us have been taking part in this programme of prayer exercises and it has proved to be a helpful, special experience. We are invited to suggest ways that would continue to nurture our spirituality in the parish. If you would like to make a suggestion, there is a box on the porch table for your ideas – by Sunday, 11th. December. Would those involved with our housebound parishioners and the children kindly let them know and invite their views.                                          Christine Crump, Parish Spirituality Committee.

 

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY

Members of the St. John Fisher Conference would like to make parishioners aware that anyone who is feeling lonely and would like a visit or a phone call can contact the Parish Office. One of us will then contact you.  We would also like to recruit members to our Conference. If you can help with visiting and fund raising to support the more vulnerable in our area, please contact the Parish Office.

 

CAROL SERVICE

Date for the diary: Our own service of carols and readings will be on Sunday 18^th December

 

PARISH FESTIVE OPEN HOUSE

Join us between 11am-3pm on Wednesday 28th December for a cuppa and chat in the church hall. Enjoy good company, tea, coffee and biscuits and a touch of soft jazz.  Feel free to bring along any Christmas nibbles/tipples for our ‘sharing’ table.  Look forward to seeing you there. Elaine 07941 264011

 

ST JOHN FISHER NEW YEARS EVE FAMILY DISCO

8pm to 1am, tickets £10 per adult & £2 per child 

Please see Noel McCarthy in the hall after 10.30 Sunday mass or call him on 07813890556.

 

A FREE SHORT REFLECTION BROUGHT TO YOU EACH DAY OF ADVENT

Sign up for our free Spirituality Commission ‘daily advent reflections’ to aid your prayer. Every day during advent you will receive an email with a brief thought for the day based on the daily reading. All you have to do is sign up and then set aside a couple of minutes each day to reflect.  Sign up via the website here:

 http://www.southwarkdsc.org.uk/ clicking on the Advent Reflection box. 

 

SENIOR CITIZENS ADVENT TEA PARTY: St. Catherine’s Catholic School, Watling Street, Bexleyheath, DA6 7QJ Friday, 9^th December, 1.30-3.00 pm.  RSVP 01322 556333, chaplain@stccg.co.uk

 

CHRIST THE KING SIXTH FORM – A CHAPLAINCY APPRENTICE NEEDED 

(Part Time, Part Year) – Start date: January, 2023 – Salary range £12,000 including London Weighting (or applicable minimum wage if aged 20+)  – closing date 10am Monday, 12^th December 2022.  Please see vacancies page of website: https://www.ctk.ac.uk/vacancies/

 

OUR LADY OF GRACE SCHOOL – TEACHING ASSISTANT REQUIRED

Please see noticeboard and www.ourladyofgracecatholicprimaryschool.co.uk 

Required for January 2023. Interview date to be confirmed. Grade: APT&C Scale 2 (£21,783 pro-rata)

SUNDAY 27^h November 2022 

1^st SUNDAY of ADVENT, YEAR A 

Readings: Isaiah 2:1-5, Psalm 121, Romans 13: 11-14 Mark 24: 17-44

 

Sat    26^th Nov   17.30          Confessions

                          18.00          John Rayer RIP (Staden)

 

Sun  27^th Nov  1^ST SUNDAY of ADVENT 

                          08.30         Private Intention (Sullivan)

                          10.30         Mrs O’Callaghan RIP (Lyons)

 

Mon  28^th Nov   09.15  St Catherine Laboure   Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

                         10.00          John Rayer RIP (Wheatley)

 

Tues  29^th Nov   09.15  St Cuthbert Mayne+Comp. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

                          10.00          For the Parish

 

Wed 30^th Nov   09.15   St Andrew, Scotland    Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

                         10.00         Tess Truman RIP (Truman Family)             

 

Fri     2^nd Dec    12noon       Funeral Mass for Trisha Kelly RIP           

 

Sat    3^rd Dec     17.30            Confessions

                          18.00           Hammond Macaulay RIP (Cannon family)

 

Sun  4^th Dec    2^nd SUNDAY of ADVENT                   

                          08.30           Thanksgiving Gillespie Family (Gillespie)

                          10.30           Meade Family RIP  (Sullivan) 

 

LIVE STREAMING OF MASSES ON THE WEBSITE

All masses are streamed live and can be viewed via the link. 

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

 

FINANCES       

Many thanks for your offertory collection last week:                £903.66        Incl. S.O.s 

Retiring collection for Catholic Youth Service:                             £184.28

 

Direct 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 porch, is easy to use. Select a donation amount by pressing one of the amounts.  The card reader screen will read “Please Tap”, select the amount you wish to donate, and tap your card or phone on the card reader.  

Gift Aid Please join the GIFT AID scheme – Forms are at the back of the Church. For every £1.00 donated the Parish will receive 25p from the Tax Office. Standing Orders are advisable. Thank you

 

OUR PARISH HALL

Our hall is available for hire. Please email bexley@rcaos.org.uk at ANY time for enquiries and our hall secretary will get back to you. 

 

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

 

Newsletter: Please copy notices to Fr Doug by previous Wednesday

 

Please thank God with me this weekend for the gift of priesthood as I celebrate my 40th anniversary.

Thank you

God Bless,           

 

FR DOUG’S 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF ORDINATION – 27^th NOVEMBER

Thank you to everyone who helped with our parish celebration to mark Fr Doug’s anniversary both in the church and hall.   We haven’t seen such a large number gathering together here in the parish since before lockdown! We were a bit worried we might have forgotten how to celebrate but everyone rose to the occasion!  

Thank you. Carol Anderson.

 

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY – Members of the St. John Fisher Conference would like to make parishioners aware that anyone who is feeling lonely and would like a visit or a phone call can contact the Parish Office. One of us will then contact you.  We would also like to recruit members to our Conference as age is catching up with us!  If you can help with visiting and fund raising to support the more vulnerable in our area, please contact the Parish Office.

 

SPIRITUALITY PROGRAMME CONTINUES

Our spirituality committee have organised our programme: Ways into Prayer. Meeting at: 7.30 – 9 on Monday, Nov, 28, and repeated at: 1 – 2.30 on Mondays, Dec 5. 

 

CAROL SERVICE

Date for the diary: Our service of carols and readings will be on Sunday 18^th December

 

ST JOHN FISHER NEW YEARS EVE FAMILY DISCO

8pm to 1am, tickets £10 per adult & £2 per child 

Please see Noel McCarthy in the hall after 10.30 Sunday mass or call him on 07813890556.

 

CLASS TEACHER REQUIRED FOR HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL, SE3 9YX

Applications invited from NQT or experienced colleagues.  For information pack contact Samantha Lawrence – SAO via email sao@hfprimary.org  Closing date 2^nd December 2022.

 

SALSA LESSONS – Starting November 21^st – Doors open at 7.45 with Salsa lessons starting at 8.30.  Cost £10 per session.  See flyer on notice board.

 

ADVENT CALENDARS – Available through the Universe Catholic Weekly – Contact Michelle at : michelle.jones@universecatholicweekly.co.uk

 

CAROL SERVICE – REJOICE, REJOICE EMMANUEL SHALL COME TO YOU

Christmas Carol Service for the Parishes in the deaneries of Bexley; Bromley; Camberwell; Greenwich; Lambeth and Lewisham. On Sunday 11th December, Gaudete Sunday at 7.30 pm at St Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, 103 Woolwich New Road London, Woolwich, SE18 6EF. Principal Celebrant: The Reverend Canon Victor Darlington, Episcopal Vicar for the South East;

 

ALL NATIONS CATHOLIC CHARISMATIC GROUP (ANCCG) – are organizing a “Day of Healing” on Saturday, 26th November at Our Lady of Annunciation, Addiscombe, Croydon from 10am to 4 pm. The programme will start with the Eucharistic Celebration, followed by Word of God, Holy wounds novena, rosary, healing prayer, adoration, confession and praise and Worship.

 

A FREE SHORT REFLECTION BROUGHT TO YOU EACH DAY OF ADVENT

Advent can be such a busy demanding time, but we encourage you to make some space to reflect and pray this advent. Sign up for our free Southwark Diocesan Spirituality Commission ‘daily advent reflections’ to aid your prayer.

Every day during advent you will receive an email with a very brief thought for the day based on the daily reading. It is an opportunity to listen to Gods invitation to you this advent. All you have to do is sign up and then set aside a couple of minutes each day to reflect!! Sign up directly here:

https://southwarkdsc.us11.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=a3e1dce7f8f666e9d64edd867&id=4f880b3b9c 

or via

http://www.southwarkdsc.org.uk/ clicking on the Advent Reflection box.