Newsletter

SUNDAY 13^th March 2022

 2^nd SUNDAY of LENT 

 

Readings: Genesis 15:5-12 Philippians 3:1 7-4 Luke 9:28-36.

 

Sat     12^th Mar     17.30                Confessions

                              18.00                Ken Crump RIP (Kilcullen)

 

Sun  13^th Mar.  2^nd of SUNDAY LENT                     

                               08.30              Emily & Aidan O’Neill (Keenan)

                              10.30                William Dawson-Asaam RIP (Asaam)

 

Mon 14^th Mar     10.30             Funeral Mass for Tina Troy-Dymock

 

Tues 15^th Mar.      09.15        Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

                              10.00             Donal & Patrick Sheehan RIP (Sheehan) 

 

Weds 16^th Mar      09.15        Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

                              10.00             John Larkin RIP (Larkin family)

 

Fri 18^th Mar          09.15         St Cyril       Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

                              10.00          Rex Wheatley RIP (Wheatley family)

                              10.30          Stations of the Cross           

 

Sat  19^th Mar        17.30          Confessions

                              18.00               Marie Sullivan (Sullivan family)

 

Sun  20^th Mar    3^rd SUNDAY OF LENT                    

                               08.30              Private Intention (Jones)

                              10.30               Mary Malin RIP (Hollis)

                                                                                                                                   

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          

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:         £ 971.39 incl standing orders

Second collection for Poor Parishes             £ 193.47

This week’s 2^nd collection is for CAFOD 

Next week’s 2^nd collection is for Bexley Developing World Project

 

COVID 

•       Please sanitise your hands on entry and wear facial coverings, unless medically exempt

•       Holy water stoups are now refilled and the water will be changed each week

•       The Sunday Parish Missals are available. Many chose to keep a copy at home and you may continue to do so. Otherwise feel free to return your copy and reclaim the deposit you left.

•       A physical sign of peace is allowed but please don’t shake hands – except with family.

•       For the time being, Holy Communion must continue to be given under one kind only.

•       Your offertory contributions should be made on entry in the baskets at the door

 

I am inspired by the initiative of the Children’s Liturgy Group to support the people of Ukraine – see below. To be honest, I am also salivating! Meanwhile we continue to offer prayers:

Loving God, we pray for the people of Ukraine,

for all those suffering or afraid, that you will be close to them and protect them. 

We pray too for those already injured or bereaved, and we pray for the dead. 

We pray for world leaders, for compassion, strength and wisdom to guide their choices. 

We pray for the world that in this moment of crisis, we may reach out in solidarity to our brothers and sisters in such great need. 

May we walk in your ways so that peace and justice become a reality for the people of Ukraine and for the whole world.                               Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

                                                                               

 

BAKE AND DONATE FOR UKRAINE – SUNDAY 3RD APRIL. The Children’s liturgy group are planning a fundraiser for Ukraine. We will be holding a Cake Sale as this is a great way to raise money and a positive way to get everyone involved. The sale will take place on Sunday 3rd April after 10.30 mass. All donations welcome so please get baking! Cakes, biscuits, muffins, sausage rolls, anything you can muster and please spread the word, we want to raise as much money as possible. All monies raised will be donated to The Red Cross.  Thank you all so much in anticipation.                                                                   Angela – Children’s Liturgy Group

 

CAFOD

Family Fast Day was Friday 11 March and we remember that there are many people who need our love and support all around the world. children experiencing malnutrition as we will hear at Mass or, as we are seeing now in Ukraine, families affected by conflict. Your small act of love can make big things happen. Donations to CAFOD at Masses this weekend will reach families around the world, enabling local experts to provide support to families in times of need or conflict. You can donate in church using a CAFOD envelope or by visiting the CAFOD website: cafod.org.uk/lent or by donating online in the church porch.                        John Rayer, parish CAFOD representative

 

PLANNED GIVING AND GIFT AID BOXES

Please collect your Boxes of Offertory envelopes from the back of the Church. Many thanks. 

 

A RETREAT FOR LENT: 

You can still sign up to rtake part in the rest of our diocesan ‘retreat at home’ called “Saving Grace”. You will receive an email with links to a 25 minute video. You will also receive materials for your prayer and reflection. Go to spirituality@rcaos.org.uk

We also reproduce the written version each wekk and this is available in the foyer.

 

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

We will follow the Way of the Cross in church each Friday morning during Lent after mass

 

PARISH QUIZ NIGHT PLANNED FOR APRIL.  

More details to follow.  Watch this space. 

 

KEN CRUMP RIP

Christine and family would like to most sincerely thank the parish for Ken’s memorable funeral  service and for the many cards and Mass intentions that comfort us. Visitors, unfamiliar with parish life, were most impressed by the warmth, welcome and supportive ethos and the streaming facility. Thank you!

A special  thanks for the generous Kharkiv donations in lieu of flowers which have been transferred. If anyone would like an up-date of their current dread-full circumstances, please e mail ckcrump@ hotmail  com.

SUNDAY 6^th March 2022

 1^st SUNDAY of LENT 

Readings: Deuteronomy 26:4-10   Romans 10:8-13    Luke 4:1-13.

SERVICES FOR WEEK  5^th – 13^th March 2022

 

Sat     5^th Mar     17.30                  Confessions

                           18.00               Fiona, Lillie-Mai & Riley (Staden)

 

Sun    6^th Mar     1^st  SUNDAY  OF LENT                     

                           08.30             Edward Jones RIP (Jones)

                          10.30                  John Hughes RIP (Hughes)

 

Mon 7^th Mar     09.15         ss Perpetua & Felicity         Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

                          10.00                  Margaret Leech (Staden)

 

Tues 8^th Mar      09.15         St John of God   Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

                          10.00                  Beth & Mick Minihane (Sheehan) 

 

Weds  9^th Mar     09.15                  Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

                            10.00           Ken Crump RIP (M.Fitzpatrick)

 

Fri      11^th Mar    09.15                  Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

                            10.00           Mae & Tim Boynihan RIP (Sheehan))

                            10.30           Stations of the Cross           

 

Sat     12^th Mar   17.30                  Confessions

                            18.00                  Mae & Tim Moynihan RIP (Sheehan)

 

Sun    13^th Mar  2^nd  SUNDAY OF LENT                            

                             08.30            Emily & Aidan O’Neill (Keenan)

                            10.30                  William Dawson-Asaam RIP (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          

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.

Many thanks for your collections last week:                 £ 1054.16 incl standing orders

Second collection for AIC – Homeless People               £ 293.97

This week’s 2^nd collection is for Poor Parishes 

Next week’s 2^nd collection is for CAFOD

 

COVID:

•         Please sanitise your hands on entry and wear facial coverings, unless medically exempt

•         Holy water stoups are now refilled and the water will be changed each week

•        The Sunday Parish Missals are available. Many chose to keep a copy at home and you may continue to do so.

        Otherwise feel free to return your copy and reclaim the deposit you left.

•        A physical sign of peace is allowed but please don’t shake hands – except with family.

•           For the time being, Holy Communion must continue to be given under one kind only.

•           Your offertory contributions should be made on entry in the baskets at the door.    

 

The news is very depressing at the moment, isn’t it? Day after day we hear of the suffering and distress being imposed on the people of Ukraine by Mr Putin and the mighty Russian military forces. It seems that we are completely powerless to do anything to prevent it. A few token efforts to inconvenience some of Mr Putin’s supporters seems fairly futile. 

However we can at least pray for the people of Ukraine, and as our side of the prayer, determine to insist that our government offers refuge to those who are fleeing for their lives.

We have been offered this prayer:

Loving God, we pray for the people of Ukraine,

For all those suffering or afraid, that you will be close to them and protect them.

We pray too for those already injured or bereaved, and we pray for the dead.

We pray for world leaders, for compassion, strength and wisdom to guide their choices.

We pray for the world that in this moment of crisis, 

we may reach out in solidarity to our brothers and sisters in such great need.

May we walk in your ways so that peace and justice become a reality 

for the people of Ukraine and for the whole world. 

We make this prayer through Christ Our Lord. Amen. 

                                                                                   

 

A RETREAT FOR LENT: 

Make some space to develop your relationship with God this Lent. Sign up for our diocesan ‘retreat at home’ called “Saving Grace”. Every week you will receive an email with links to a 25 minute video in which our Archbishop John will introduce the theme and the reading. Chris Chapman will deliver the retreat, with others contributing. You will also receive materials to use in your own prayer and reflection. All you have to have to do is sign up at spirituality@rcaos.org.uk

We will reproduce the weekly material and make copies available in the foyer.

Many chose last year to join a Monday evening zoom group to share reflections. If you wish to do so, please email me at douglasbull@rcaos.org.uk or Trudy at tkilcullen@live.co.uk

 

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

We will follow the Way of the Cross in church each Friday morning during Lent after mass

 

STOP NEW ABORTION THREAT

Baroness Sugg has tabled an amendment to the Health and Care Bill that would make ‘DIY’ at-home abortion permanent. It is vital that as many Peers as possible oppose this amendment.

Right To Life UK has launched an easy-to-use tool on its website that makes it easy for you to send an email to a randomly-assigned Peer asking them to oppose the amendment. Please visit www.righttolife.org.uk/DIYabortionthreat to contact your MP now. It only takes two minutes.

 

PARISH QUIZ NIGHT PLANNED FOR APRIL.   More details to follow.  Watch this space. 

 

VACANCY – PRIESTS’ WELFARE OFFICER

Currently there is a vacancy for a Priests’s Welfare Office.  For further details please go to the Diocesan Website – www.rcsouthwark.co.uk

 

PARKING

Many thanks to those who have already renewed your parking permit. You should have a sticker for your car windscreen and a padlock key if you think you might need one. If you need either of the above, please contact the parish office, preferably by email. 

SUNDAY 27^th February 2022

 8^th SUNDAY

Readings: Ecclesiasticus 27:4-7 Psalm 91 1 Corinthians 15:54-58. Luke 6:39-45. 

SERVICES FOR WEEK  26^th February – 6^th March 2022

Sat  26^th Feb      17.30       Confessions

                          18.00             Helen McGlone RIP (K Fitzpatrick)

 Sun  27^th Feb  8^th SUNDAY                    

                          08.30              Christine Crump (Hyde)

                            10.30           Sean King RIP (Staden)

Mon 28^th Feb.  09.15             Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

                          10.00           Eileen Wheatley (M Fitzpatrick)

Tues 1^st Mar          NO SERVICE TODAY

 Weds   2^nd Mar.    09.15    Ash Wednesday  Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

                                  10.00am             Tony Frake (Choir)

                                   7.30pm             Anne, Liam, Fiona + Marie Higgins RIP (Sheehan)

Fri    4^th Mar                                    09.15          Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

                          10.00            Eddie Hensman RIP (Coutinho)

                          10.30            Stations of the Cross

Sat  5^th Mar                                    17.30                    Confessions

                          18.00                    Fiona, Lillie-Mai & Riley (Staden)

Sun   6^th Mar    FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT                

                          08.30                Edward Jones RIP (Jones)

                              10.30                    John Hughes RIP (Hughes)

LIVE STREAMING OF MASSES ON THE WEBSITE

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

Recordings are available for about two weeks. The Sunday sermon is also on the website in printed form.

 

FINANCES

Direct Bank Payments to RCAS St John Fisher – Bexley, 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 collections last week:        £ 833.60 incl standing orders

Second collection for AIC – Homeless People             £ 664.98

This week’s 2^nd collection is for. the Sick and Retired Priests Fund

Next week’s 2^nd collection is for Poor Parishes

 

COVID

• Please sanitise your hands on entry and wear facial coverings, unless medically exempt
• Holy water stoups are now refilled and the water will be changed each week
• The Sunday Parish Missals are available. Many chose to keep a copy at home and you may continue to do so. Otherwise feel free to return your copy and reclaim the deposit you left.
• A physical sign of peace is allowed but please don’t shake hands – except with family.
• For the time being, Holy Communion must continue to be given under one kind only.
• Your offertory contributions should be made on entry in the baskets at the door. 

 

Here we are, beginning Lent once again, a time to renew our commitment to following the Way of Christ. This is what taking the sign of ashes is all about. If you accept the sign be sure to follow this up by actually making some effort at renewal. Otherwise the sign is empty and some would even say hypocritical. There are plenty of different things we can do, at home alone or together in church. Details of the retreat are below and there is a book of meditations available in the foyer. But whatever you do, don’t do nothing!

                                                                       

A RETREAT FOR LENT:

Make some space to develop your relationship with God this Lent. Sign up for our diocesan ‘retreat at home’ called “Saving Grace”. Every week you will receive an email with links to a 25minute video in which our Archbishop John will introduce the theme and the reading. Chris Chapman will deliver the retreat, with others contributing. You will also receive materials to use in your own prayer and reflection. All you have to have to do is sign up and then set aside what space you can for Saving Grace! Go to https://www.southwarkdsc.org.uk/savinggrace.

Or spirituality@rcaos.org.uk

We will reproduce the weekly material and make copies available in the foyer.

Many chose last year to join a Monday evening zoom group to share reflections. If you wish to do so, please email me at douglasbull@rcaos.org.uk or Trudy at tkilcullen@live.co.uk

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

We will follow the Way of the Cross in church each Friday morning during Lent after mass

THE CLERGY SUPPORT FUND – SECOND COLLECTION

The Clergy Support Fund of the Archdiocese of Southwark provides care for priests in their old age and retirement, and in their time of ill health. This important fund ensures a dignified retirement for our priests, after they have dedicated a lifetime of service to Christ, His Church and His People.

In 2021 it provided care to 71 retired priests, at a cost of £1.25 million. With the number of priests over the age of 65 steadily increasing, so too will the financial obligation to the Archdiocese. We remember of course how our own Fr Francis Hartley was cared for in a retirement home.

VACANCY – PRIESTS’ WELFARE OFFICER

Currently there is a vacancy for a Priests’s Welfare Office.  For further details please go to the Diocesan Website – www.rcsouthwark.co.uk

PARKING

Many thanks to those who have already renewed your parking permit. You should have a sticker for your car windscreen and a padlock key if you think you might need one. If you need either of the above, please contact the parish office, preferably by email.

 AIC SATURDAY FRIENDS: 

We are very grateful for last week’s wonderfully generous donations.  You can be sure that every penny will be spent directly on our  homeless Friends’ rehabilitation.  On display  in the porch, you will see how the resources you provide are spent – and some of the touching thank you cards received. .  May God richly bless your kindness.  AIC Bexley “Saturday Friends”.

 SCHOOL BUSINESS MANAGER  required for Our Lady of Grace Catholic Primary School,

16 Highcombe, Charlton, SE7 7HR for Easter 2022 or sooner NOR:332 – Grade – PO4 (pro-rata 41 weeks per year), Scale – dependent on experience, Hours – 8am to 4;30pm.  Tel: 02088582262 or visit www:ourladyofgracecatholicprimaryschool.co.uk