Newsletter

SUNDAY 19^th December 2021

 4^th SUNDAY OF ADVENT 

Readings: Micah:5 1-4, Psalm 79 Hebrews 10:5-10..Luke 1:39-45.

 

SERVICES FOR WEEK  18^{th –} 26^th December 2021  

Sat      18^th Dec  11.00                                     Confessions

                            18.00                                     Peter Pope (Liddiard)

Sun    19^th Dec   4^th SUNDAY OF ADVENT             

                             08.30                                      Intentions of John & Trish (Haylett)

                            10.30                                     Tony Frake (Choir)

Mon     20^th Dec 09.15                                     Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

                            10.00                                     Eileen Geoghegan RIP (Sheehan)

Tues    21^st Dec  09.15         St Peter Canisius        Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

                             10.00                   Giuseppe, Maria & Bianca Nucera RIP(Highland)

                             18.00          RECONCILIATION SERVICE

Weds   22^nd Dec   09.15                                         Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

                             10.00                                   Betty Rossiter RIP (Wheatley) 

Fri      24^th Dec   CHRISTMAS EVE

                            No mass in the morning    

Vigil Mass                   18.00                                    Kay Gillespie RIP (Gillespie)

Christmas Night         22.00                                     Holland Family (Sheehan)  

Sat     25^th Dec   CHRISTMAS DAY

                                     08.30                                     Marie Sullivan (Sullivan)

                                     10.30                                    Tony Sullivan RIP (Sullivan)

Sun    26^th Dec   HOLY FAMILY of Jesus, Mary & Joseph               

                                     08.30                                Sean King (C.Fitzpatrick) 

                                     10.30                                  Tess Truman RIP (Choir)

                                                                           

LIVE STREAMING OF MASSES ON THE WEBSITE

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

Permission to stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE with licence# A-633625.  All rights reserved.

Recordings are available there for a week or so. 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 collection last week:         £1,065.13 incl standing orders

 

CATHOLIC NEWSPAPERS

The Herald by subscription: Ring 0207 448 3607 or go to http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/subscribe

 

COVID PROCEDURES

In church please:

• Continue to wear masks on Sundays unless you are in space or are exempt. 
• At weekday masses you only need to wear masks if you are close to someone else. 
• Socially distance 1metre. In other words, keep a space between yourself and anyone else.
• Continue to make your Offertory Contribution on entry.

 

At Christmas we will be able over the 4 masses to accommodate those wishing to attend with safe procedures and careful stewarding. At the 6.00 vigil mass we will invoke the 1 metre+ distancing protocol. That means that we will sit a space (1 metre) away from anyone not in our bubble and only stand and sit – no kneeling, so that we stay a metre away from each other at all times. Face coverings must be worn at all masses even when singing or reciting prayers out loud. 

 

SERVICE OF RECONCILIATION

We will hold our Advent Reconciliation Service on  Tuesday 21^st December at 7.00 pm with Fr Paul coming to join us from Sidcup. 

 

FREE NEWSPAPER – The Catholic Post

The new monthly Catholic newspaper is available FREE of charge this week. Please take a copy and see if you might be interested in taking a monthly copy.

 

“WE MISS YOU”

If you know of anyone who used to attend mass but has not yet returned since Lockdown, why not drop encourage them to look in at Christmas. The Church has produced a simple postcard that you might use to mark the invitation. “We miss you” cards can be collected from the foyer.

 

THE ULTIMATE RELATIONSHIP This little booklet is available free of charge from the foyer

 

SOUTHWARK DIRECTORIES There are a few directories available for sale in the shop, priced £4

 

SPIRITUALITY COMMISSION

The diocesan spirituality commission has produced a prayerful thought for each day of Advent. To receive them each day as an email free of charge go to southwarkdsc.org.uk and sign up.

 

CONFIRMATION 2022 – We invite candidates for Confirmation.  This year’s programme will begin (if there are sufficient numbers) in January 2022.  Anyone currently in Year 8 or above is eligible to apply.  Application forms are in the Church Porch.  Deadline is This Weekend.

 

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2022

Application forms are now available for the First Holy Communion Programme 2022.  Children eligible for First Communion must be in Year 3 or above. Application forms can be collected from the church entrance porch or please speak to Father Doug or Ángela Underwood. The programme will commence late January/early February. Completed forms to be returned by 9th January 2022.

 

FUNERAL  The funeral mass for Tess Truman will take place here at St. John Fisher at 12.30 on Friday 7th January 2022.  As this is a celebration of Tess’ life, please feel free to wear any colour. All are welcome to join the family in the church hall afterwards.

 

MASSES AT CHRISTMAS     Christmas Day is a Saturday so here is how it is going to look:

Friday Christmas Eve:                  6.00 and 10.00 p.m

Saturday Christmas Day:             8.30 and 10.30 a.m – no evening mass!

Sunday feast of Holy Family:      8.30 and 10.30 a.m

 

NEW YEAR’S EVE FAMILY DISCO AT ST. JOHN FISHER – 8 PM UNTIL 1AM

Bring your own nibbles and the bar will be open. Tickets £10 per adult and £2 per child.  For tickets contact Noel McCarthy on 07813890556 or 02083012479, email noel.mccarthy60@outlook.com

SUNDAY 12^th December 2021

3^rd SUNDAY OF ADVENT 

Readings: Zephaniah 3:14-18, Psalm Isaiah12,2-6 Philippians 4:4-7, Luke 3:10-18.

 

SERVICES FOR WEEK  11^{th –} 19^th December 2021  

 

Sat      11^th Dec  11.00                                     Confessions

                            18.00                                     Zoe Baker RIP (Duff)  

 

Sun    12^th Dec   3^rd SUNDAY OF ADVENT             

                             08.30                                      Patricia Coyne RIP (Coyne)

                            10.30                                     Nina Szredski (Szredski family)

 

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

                            10.00                                     Private Intention (Connolly)

 

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

                            10.00                                     Bill Meade RIP (Sullivan family)

 

Weds   15^th Dec   09.15                                     Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

                            10.00                             Jim Henry RIP (Frake) 

 

Fri      17^th Dec   09.15                                    Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.        

                           10.00                                    Patrick McQuaid RIP (McQuaid)

 

Sat    18^th Dec   11.00                                     Confessions

                          18.00                                Peter Pope (Liddiard)

 

Sun    19^th Dec   4^th SUNDAY OF ADVENT             

                            08.30                               Intentions of John & Trish (Haylett) 

                            10.30                                     Tony Frake (Choir)

                                                                           

LIVE STREAMING OF MASSES ON THE WEBSITE

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

Permission to stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE with licence# A-633625.  All rights reserved.

Recordings are available there for a week or so. 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 collection last week:         £1,065.13 incl standing orders

 

CATHOLIC NEWSPAPERS

The Herald by subscription: Ring 0207 448 3607 or go to http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/subscribe

 

COVID PROCEDURES

In church please:

*  Continue to wear masks on Sundays unless you are in space or are exempt. 

*  At weekday masses you only need to wear masks if you are close to someone else. 

* Socially distance 1metre. In other words, keep a space between yourself and others.

* Continue to make your Offertory Contribution on entry.

 

The government’s most recent instructions about precautions that we must take in church regarding Covid 19 do not really amount to anything new except some confusing messages about taking masks off while singing! We are not changing any of our procedures at the moment and I will be discussing the matter with the other priests from the deanery in a meeting during the week.

In the meantime please be vigilant at Sunday mass. Remember to wear face coverings and keep a distance from others.

At Christmas we will be able over the 4 masses to accommodate those wishing to attend with safe procedures and good stewarding.

                                                                   

SPIRITUALITY COMMISSION –  The diocesan spirituality commission has produced a prayerful thought for each day of Advent. To receive them each day as an email free of charge go to southwarkdsc.org.uk and sign up.

 

CONFIRMATION 2022 – We invite candidates for Confirmation.  This year’s programme will begin (if there are sufficient numbers) in January 2022.  Anyone currently in Year 8 or above is eligible to apply.  Application forms are in the Church Porch.  Deadline is Sunday 19^th December 2021.

 

CAROL SERVICE – SUNDAY, 12^th DECEMBER AT 3 PM  The story of the Nativity will be read by the youngsters and carols sung.  Children of all ages, dressed as angels, shepherds or kings are very welcome.  I am sorry that owing to the COVID situation it has been decided not to offer refreshments after the service.

 

FUNERALS –  Please pray for the repose of the soul of Lucy Nencini. Her funeral service will be on Wednesday, 15^th DECEMBER, 2021 at Eltham Crematorium at 2.45 pm.

Please pray also for the repose of the soul of Tess Truman. Her funeral will be here in Church on Friday 7^thJanuary at 12.30 pm.

 

SERVICE OF RECONCILIATION – We have planned to hold our Advent Reconciliation Service on  Tuesday 21^st December at 7.00 pm with Fr Paul coming to join us from Sidcup. Please note that the printed newsletter was an earlier draft and should be ignored. 

 

MASSES AT CHRISTMAS

Christmas Day is a Saturday so here is how it is going to look:

Friday Christmas Eve:                  6.00 and 10.00 p.m

Saturday Christmas Day:             8.30 and 10.30 a.m – no evening mass!

Sunday feast of Holy Family:      8.30 and 10.30 a.m

 

NEW YEAR’S EVE FAMILY DISCO AT ST. JOHN FISHER – 8 PM UNTIL 1AM

Bring your own nibbles and the bar will be open. Tickets £10 per adult and £2 per child.  For tickets contact Noel McCarthy on 07813890556 or 02083012479, email noel.mccarthy60@outlook.com

 

HYMN BOOKS – Please note that hymn books used at mass are only allowed to be touched by one person within a 2 day period.  Therefore, it is really important that you return your book to the foyer after mass and not rely on someone else picking it up afterwards. Thank you for your co-operation.

SUNDAY 5^th December 2021

2^nd  SUNDAY OF ADVENT 

Readings: Baruch 5:1-9, Psalm 125, Philippians 1:3-6. 8-11:.Luke 3:1-6.

 

SERVICES FOR WEEK  4^{th –} 12^th December 2021  

 

Sat      4^th Dec      11.00            Confessions

                             18.00            Ann-Monique Lee (Fogarty)      

 

Sun         5^th Dec  2^nd SUNDAY OF ADVENT       

08.30      Tony Sullivan RIP (Sullivan)

                           10.30            Norma Brooker RIP (Frake)

 

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

                            10.00            Gloria Bowden (Hughes)

 

Tues    7^th Dec     09.15     St Ambrose. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

                            10.00              Maura Walshe & Michael Dunne RIP (Kilcullen)

 

Weds   8^th Dec     09.15     Immaculate Conception BVM Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

 10.00             Joe Bird RIP (Hollis) 

 

Fri    10^th Dec      09.15     Our Lady of Loreto. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament              

                           10.00              Stobbart Family (Connolly/Eida)

 

Sat  11^th Dec      11.00              Confessions

         18.00              Zoe Baker RIP (Duff)

 

Sun         12^th Dec       3^nd SUNDAY OF ADVENT        

        08.30       Patricia Coyne RIP (Coyne) 

                          10.30       Nina Szredski (Szredski family)

                                                          

LIVE STREAMING OF MASSES ON THE WEBSITE

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

Permission to stream the music in all services obtained from ONE LICENSE with licence# A-633625.  All rights reserved.

Recordings are available for a week or so. 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 collection last week:         £870.86 incl standing orders

 

CATHOLIC NEWSPAPERS

The Herald by subscription: Ring 0207 448 3607 or go to http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/subscribe

 

TESS TRUMAN RIP:  We are sorry to tell parishioners that our former choirmistress has died.  Tess, with her late husband Les, were regarded by many as the “life and soul” of the parish and for many years no event in the church or hall was complete without them.   Please remember them in your prayers.

COVID PROCEDURES

In church please:

   Continue to wear masks on Sundays unless you are in space or are exempt. 

   At weekday masses you only need to wear masks if you are close to someone else.

   Socially distance 1metre. In other words, keep a space between yourself and anyone else.

   Continue to make your Offertory Contribution on entry.

 

 

 

 

We all recognise that the days are cold and the nights are colder, just the conditions in which Covid thrives! With the Omicron variant also doing its rounds it is prudent for us to be extra vigilant and in particular to follow the current guidelines meticulously in church. Please remember to wear face coverings on Sundays and keep a distance from others. 

I also remind you not to leave Christmas cards in the foyer for others to pick up, as we used to do. 

Advent calendars are still available for purchase from the shop before and after the 8.30 mass or from the hall after the 10.30 mass. Come the new year, we really must try and find some volunteers to staff the shop counter – at least once a month, maybe! Thanks to Kate for continuing to manage it though.

 

SPIRITUALITY COMMISSION

The diocesan spirituality commission has produced a prayerful thought for each day of Advent. To receive them each day as an email free of charge go to southwarkdsc.org.uk and sign up.

 

CONFIRMATION 2022 – We invite candidates for Confirmation.  This year’s programme will begin (if there are sufficient numbers) in January 2022.  Anyone currently in Year 8 or above is eligible to apply.  Application forms are in the Church Porch.  Deadline is Sunday 19^th December 2021.

 

SENIOR CITIZENS ADVENT TEA – FRIDAY DECEMBER 10^TH 1.30 PM – 3 PM

At St. Catherine’s Catholic School, Watling Street, Bexleyheath, DA5 7QJ  All Senior Citizens welcome to attend – RSVP 01322 556333.

 

CAROL SERVICE – SUNDAY, 12^th DECEMBER AT 3 PM  The story of the Nativity will be read by the youngsters and carols sung.  Children of all ages, dressed as angels, shepherds or kings are very welcome.  I am sorry that owing to the COVID situation it has been decided not to offer refreshments after the service.

 

SERVICE OF RECONCILIATION

We have to liaise with other nearby parishes but it will either be on the Monday or Tuesady of the last week of Advent at 7.00 p.m.

 

MASSES AT CHRISTMAS

Christmas Day is a Saturday so here is how it is going to look:

Friday Christmas Eve:                6.00 and 10.00 p.m

Saturday Christmas Day:           8.30 and 10.30 a.m – no evening mass!

Sunday feast of Holy Family:     8.30 and 10.30 a.m

 

NEW YEAR’S EVE FAMILY DISCO AT ST. JOHN FISHER – 8 PM UNTIL 1AM

Bring your own nibbles and the bar will be open. Tickets £10 per adult and £2 per child.  For tickets contact Noel McCarthy on 07813890556 or 02083012479, email noel.mccarthy60@outlook.com

 

HYMN BOOKS

Please note that hymn books used at mass are only allowed to be touched by one person within a 2 day period.  Therefore,It is really important that you return your book to the foyer after mass and not rely on someone else picking it up afterwards. Thank you for your co-operation.