SUNDAY 17th July 2022

16^th SUNDAY

Readings: Genesis 18:1-10, Pslam 14, Colossians 1:24-28, Luke 10:38-4 PAGE 111

Sat 16^th July 17.30 Confessions

18.00 Philomena Rajendram RIP (Jeyaseelan)

Sun 17^th July 16^TH SUNDAY

08.30 Tony Sullivan RIP (Sullivan Family)

10.30 Zachary Staples RIP (Lyons)

Mon 18^th July 09.15 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

10.00 Tony Frake RIP (Jeyaseelan)

Tues 19^th July 09.15 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

10.00 John Gambrell (Frogley)

Weds 20^th July 09.15 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

10.00 Eric Natt RIP (Botterill)

Fri 22^nd July 09.15 St Mary Magdalene Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

10.00 Meade Family (Sullivan)

Sat 23^rd July 17.30 Confessions

18.00 Deceased Members of the Sheehan Family

Sun 24^th July 17^TH SUNDAY

08.30 For the Parish

10.30 John Rayer RIP + Anne & Family (Asaam)

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

Your offertory contributions can be made on entry in the baskets at the door or…

Direct Bank Payments to RCAS Bexley, (new name) Sort code 51 70 14, Account 01831763

Please put your name and if you use envelopes, your envelope number, as the code.

Many thanks for your collection last week: £939.00 Incl S.O.s

2^nd Collection: Apostleship of the Sea £312.96

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 do not telephone the parish office or Fr Doug’s emergency mobile number, if you can avoid it.

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

While the race to be the next prime minister is none of our business, in that we have no say in the matter and must accept humbly the decision of those who will choose someone to rule over us, we can still pray that the person will approach the task with honesty and with integrity and will pay some regard to Catholic Social Teaching, relevant today as much as it ever has been.

God Bless, Fr Doug

TEA & CAKE FOR UKRAINE

Please Join us to raise funds for Ukraine by sharing a cup of tea and homemade cake in safe surroundings, on Wednesday 20th July between 2 – 4pm at 46, Blendon Drive, Bexley DA5 3AB. 07973 656166. By donating £5 and taking part in the raffle we can continue to help a small community of orphaned children and their carers who have been our friends for many years but now need our support even more.We hope to see you or hear from you. Ann Hyde, on behalf of Saturday Friends, AIC

JOHN RAYER RIP

We are all very shocked by John’s death last Friday night and the parish will miss him greatly. He played an important role in parish life with involvement in many activities including finances, the choir and reading. His funeral is to be on Wednesday morning 27^th July at 10.00.

STEWARDS

We are so grateful to John Rayer for developing our ministry of stewarding during the Pandemic and the welcome and reassurance of this continuing ministry is a great legacy of those difficult times. Michael Sheridan has stepped up to take over and we are grateful to him.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

The Meeting Place at St John Fisher Hall, Thanet Road, Bexley, open every Wednesday from 9.30 – 1.30pm is looking for caring, friendly people to lend a hand at a time that suits you. If you would like to help or just find out a bit more of what’s involved, then please come and see us at the Meeting Place and speak to our friendly team.

A HOPE IN TIME OF CHANGE – Day of Reflection

You are invited to a quiet day on Saturday July 30^th from 11am to 3pm at “Sanctuary”, Swanley Village. Come away for a time for space, prayer and reflection led by Chris Chapman and Trudy Kilcullen. For more information or to book – please email tkilcullen@live.co.uk or call 07977978536.

The venue is a short drive from here and several of us will be driving over. Don’t be afraid to ask for a lift!!

PASSING ON THE FAITH AS GRANDPARENTS

What practical steps can we take and what sort of conversations can we have which will help anchor our grandchildren’s faith? Four online sessions starting August 3, 7:30 – 9pm. Email; Lisette on mflse@rcaos.org.uk

PILGRIMAGE OF REPARATION AND PRAYER FOR THE SANCTITY OF LIFE

This will be held on Saturday, 6th August at 12pm with Bishop Phillip Egan at the Walsingham National Catholic Shrine. For more details contact: 01858 571242. You can view online at http://www.walsingham.org.uk or http://www.prolifepilgrimage.org

GRIEF IN LOSS, HOPE IN CHRIST

A weekend for those who are in mourning. If your emotions are out of control or if you are feeling at a loss, this weekend is a time for you. A space for you. Aylesford Priory 7-9th October. For enquiries please telephone Aylesford Priory 01622 717272

8 July 20229 July 2022 Nuntius

SUNDAY 10th July 2022

15^th SUNDAY

Readings: Deut 30:10-14, Pslam 68, Col 1:15-20, Luke 10:25-37 PAGE 108

Sat 9^th July 17.30 Confessions

18.00 Dr Dick McCarthy RIP (Anna & family)

Sun 10^th July 15^TH SUNDAY

08.30 For the Parish

10.30 Wofa Addo (Asaam)

Mon 11^th July 09.15 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

10.00 St Benedict Liam Gray RIP (Gillis/Connolly)

Tues 12^th July 09.15 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

10.00 Harrington & Sheehan families RIP (Sheehan)

Weds 13^th July 09.15 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

10.00 Deceased Members of Andrews/Robins families

Fri 15^th July 09.15 St Bonaventure Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

10.00 Fr Michael Branch (Friends)

Sat 16^th July 17.30 Confessions

18.00 Philomena Rajendram RIP (Jeyaseelan)

Sun 17^th July 6^TH SUNDAY

08.30 Tony Sullivan RIP (Sullivan family)

10.30 Zachary Staples RIP (Lyons)

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

Your offertory contributions can be made on entry in the baskets at the door or…

Direct Bank Payments to RCAS Bexley, (new name) Sort code 51 70 14, Account 01831763

Please put your name and if you use envelopes, your envelope number, as the code.

Many thanks for your collection last week: £968.30 Incl S.O.s

2^nd Collection Peter’sPence £123.00

This Sunday: Apostleship of the Sea

OUR PARISH HALL

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

Dear Parishioners

Way back, before Lockdown we hosted a Day of Prayer here in our own hall. An initiative that arose from the day was the formation of a Spirituality committee which would take its place in the Parish Council structure. Then we got locked down! It is a particular joy that the committee has now revived and is planning a programme for the autumn. Christine Crump is our leader and we will link the programme to our next Stewardship drive in September. The stewardship of treasure and of talents has underpinned developments in the parish for the last 3 years. Finally we come to consider the stewardship of our time and particularly the time we give to God. There will be information made available in due course.

And to update you from the information given at the annual meeting of the parish, the flat that is part of the presbytery is currently being refurbished.. The plan is that a retiring priest will take up residence in September and that the diocese’s retired priest fund will pay the parish a rent. Happy days!

God Bless, Fr Doug

GARDEN PARTY SUNDAY 10^TH JULY Bexley Interfaith Forum invites you to St. John the Evangelist Church Bexley Garden Party Sunday 10^th July at 2pm. The social gathering in the hall and vicarage garden of St John’s with sharing of Food and Fellowship. Guests are encouraged to bring food that represents their faith culture and traditions. Parkhill Road, Bexley Village, DA5 1HX.

A HOPE IN TIME OF CHANGE – Day of Reflection

The venue is a short drive from here and several of us will be driving over. Don’t be afraid to ask for a lift!!

TONY FRAKE RIP

We miss Tony already. He was a daily mass goer, distinguished reader, choir member, engineering consultant, prayer group leader and so much more. May he rest in peace.

Tony had a number of religious artefacts and his family have brought many of them to church hoping that some of you may provide good homes for them. Please feel free to take anything that remains on the table in the foyer.

THE SOUTHWARK DIOCESAN LOURDES PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES 19^th and 26^th August. We are delighted to be returning to Lourdes after two years of absence. Details at www.tangney-tours.com/pilgrimages/lourdes/catholic-association. Or Canon Ed Perera (edwardperera@rcaos.org.uk) and Bishop Paul Hendricks (paulhendricks@rcaos.org.uk).

STEWARDS

We are so grateful to John Rayer for developing our ministry of stewarding during the Pandemic and the welcome and reassurance of this continuing ministry is a great legacy of those difficult times. Sadly John has stood down as the “person in charge” due to ill health but Michael Sheridan has stepped up to take over and we are grateful to him.

PILGRIMAGE OF REPARATION AND PRAYER FOR THE SANCTITY OF LIFE

This will be held on Saturday, 6^th August at 12pm with Bishop Phillip Egan at the Walsingham National Catholic Shrine. For more details contact: 01858 571242. You can view online at www.walsingham.org.uk or www.prolifepilgrimage.org

Stella Maris – Sea Sunday

Seafarers and fishers play a vital role in all of our lives, but they often work in difficult, hazardous conditions. In the last year, more crews have been abandoned by their employers than ever before. Many are still being denied the right to leave their ships for even a short break away from the relentless noise and pressure onboard. Many are reporting more stress and poorer mental health.

Sea Sunday is Sunday 10th July. It is when the Church prays for all those who live and work at sea. Your support will make a big difference to seafarers and fishers in need. You can donate in church, by visiting www.stellamaris.org.uk/donate, or by texting ‘SEA’ to 70460 to donate £5. This collection is vital to enable Stella Maris to continue its important work, so please give generously. Thank you.

2 July 20222 July 2022 Nuntius

SUNDAY 3^rd July 2022

14^th SUNDAY

Readings: Isaiah 66:10-14, Psalm: 65, Gal 6:14-18, Luke 10:1-12 17-20 PAGE 105

Sat 2^nd July 17.30 Confessions

18.00 Keith Burkinshaw (Kilcullen))

Sun 3^rd July 14^TH SUNDAY

08.30 John Easton RIP (Cannon)

10.30 Andre Gallard (Baxter)

18.00 Reception of Tony Frake RIP into Church

Mon 4^th July 11.00 FUNERAL MASS for Tony Frake RIP

Tues 5^th July No Mass Today (UCM Pilgrimage to Walsingham)

Weds 6^th July 09.15 St Maria Goretti Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

10.00 Katie Dunning (Wheatley)

Fri 8^th July 09.15 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

10.00 Tony Frake RIP (M.Fitzpatrick)

Sat 9^th July 17.30 Confessions

18.00 Dr Dick McCarthy RIP (Anna & Family)

Sun 10^th July 15^TH SUNDAY

08.30 For the Parish

10.30 Wofa Addo (Asaam Family)

LIVE STREAMING OF MASSES ON THE WEBSITE

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

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

FINANCES

Your offertory contributions can be made on entry in the baskets at the door or…

Direct Bank Payments to RCAS Bexley, (new name) Sort code 51 70 14, Account 01831763

Please put your name and if you use envelopes, your envelope number, as the code.

Many thanks for your collection last week: £988.95 Incl S.O.s

2^nd Collection Wednesday : Peter’s Pence t.b.a.

Next Sunday: Apostleship of the Sea

OUR PARISH HALL

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

Dear Parishioners

There was a big decision made in the USA regarding constitutional rights in the area of abortion.

· Based on our claim that human life begins at conception we, as Roman Catholics have always seen abortion as the unjustifiable killing of innocent unborn children.

· Others take a different view and do not believe that human life begins at conception. Consequently they are content to sanction the use of abortion on certain grounds.

· Some concede that life does actually begin at conception but believe it is still okay to take away that life for social or other reasons.

· The State, which cannot judge definitively when life does begin, finds itself in the difficult position of how to legislate.

Whoever wins the political argument, it seems to me that it is imperative that we find ways to convince others of our truth about the start of life and that laws can be passed that are supported by all. But the issues are complex so I refer you to the notice below and commend you to read the articles that are presented

On a lighter note, several people got in touch this week to congratulate our parish on our inclusivity as expressed with ease and “Grace” (!) at the First Holy Communion Mass last Sunday.

Well done us!

God Bless, Fr Doug

A HOPE IN TIME OF CHANGE – Day of Reflection

You are invitated to a quiet day on Saturday July 30^th from 11am to 3pm at “Sanctuary”, Swanley Village. Come away for a time for space, prayer and reflection led by Chris Chapman and Trudy Kilcullen. For more information or to book please email tilcullen@live.co.uk or call 07977978536.

ROE V WADE DECISION REGARDING ABORTION IN USA

As you have probably seen in the media, the US Supreme Court struck down the Roe v Wade decision, returning the matter of abortion legislation to individual states. There has been much misinformation about this decision. Lord Alton offers to set out the key facts on the decision: https://thecritic.co.uk/reversing-a-tragic-half-century-of-lost-lives/

Right To Life UK has also published a helpful article that covers details on the decision: https://righttolife.org.uk/news/us-supreme-court-overturns-roe-v-wade

THE SOUTHWARK DIOCESAN LOURDES PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES 19^th and 26^th August. We are delighted to be returning to Lourdes after two years of absence. Details at www.tangney-tours.com/pilgrimages/lourdes/catholic-association. Or Canon Ed Perera (edwardperera@rcaos.org.uk) and Bishop Paul Hendricks (paulhendricks@rcaos.org.uk).

VINCENTIAN VOLUNTEERS

Catholic young people aged 18-35, from all over the world commit a year of their lives to the service of vulnerable people. During their year with us, they live in a community of three or four people and engage in voluntary. We are still recruiting for 2022/23 (September 2022 to July 2023) for more details visit https://www.vincentianvolunteers.org.uk/

PILGRIMAGE OF REPARATION AND PRAYER FOR THE SANCTITY OF LIFE

GARDEN PARTY SUNDAY 10TH JULY

Bexley Interfaith Forum invites you to St. John the Evangelist Church Bexley Garden Party Sunday 10th July at 2pm The social gathering in the hall and vicarage garden of St John’s with sharing of Food and Fellowship. Guests are encouraged to bring food that represents their faith culture and traditions. Parkhill Road, Bexley Village, DA5 1HX