Newsletter

Newsletter Sunday February 14th, 2021

Nuntius

6th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (B)

Readings: Leviticus; 13:1-2 .45-46, Psalm 31, 1 Corinthians 1:10:31-11,1 Mark 1:40-45

SERVICES FOR WEEK 13th February – 21st February 2021

Sat 13 Feb   11.00 Confessions
                        18.00 For The Parish

Sun 14th February   6th SUN (B)
                        08.30 Rose Swink RIP (Bowman)
                        10.30 Joan Gilby RIP (Gilby)
                        Web – available anytime

                        Fr Michael Eden TG (Cannon)

Mon 15 Feb   PKM

Tues 16 Feb   9.30 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
                        10.00 Kit and Hugh O’Reilly RIP (Sheehan)

Weds 17 Feb     9.30 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
ASH WEDNESDAY   10.00 John Bowman RIP (Bowman)
                            19.30 PKM
                            Stations of The Cross available here on the website:

Fri 19 Feb   9.30 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
                        10.00 Sophia Circuitt (Bowman)

Sat 20 Feb   11.00 Confessions
                        18.00 John Dyer RIP (Newton)

Sun 21 Feb   FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT
                        08.30 For The Parish
                        10.30 Norma Brooker RIP (Hughes)
                        Web – available anytime
                        Tony Moffat TG (Connolly)

FINANCES –
Please note the slight change in our bank account name. .
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
Extra Collection This Week: Catholic Education and Youth Services
Next Week: Poorer Parishes of our Diocese

CATHOLIC NEWSPAPERS
The weekly Catholic newspapers can be obtained directly (postage free) by subscription:
Catholic Universe and Catholic Times Go to http://www.thecatholicuniverse.com or ring 0161 820 5722 and they will arrange for you. £99.00 per year or just £55 for the digital version
The Herald has a similar offer: Ring 0207 448 3607 or go to http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/subscribe


  
Was this week “the winter of our discontent”? We have had gales, snow, ice as well as bad news about vaccine effectiveness and holidays abroad. But at least we were victorious in the first cricket test against India!!

I had been noticing several signs of new growth on trees and in plant life and also noting a spring in the steps of many of you who have received a shot of vaccine but the week past reminded me that we have much to endure before we can celebrate Spring which reveals new life in nature and this year perhaps, new life in society. That, I feel, is a theme we are familiar with, as each year we participate in Lent which is a time of facing difficulties and challenges as well as looking forward with hope to Easter and Resurrection. The time we live in is not unprecedented. We, as Christians, have rehearsed this every year. We are in a position to reassure any of our friends or neighbours who are frightened or depressed, that God will see us through to new life beyond. So, with that responsibility in my mind, in my view, we should really engage with Lent as well as we can, not just for own sake but for the sake of all those whom our Christian faith and hope can rub off on.

Lent begins on Wednesday, Ash Wednesday, so let me recommend once more:

ARCHDIOCESE OF SOUTHWARK RETREAT FOR LENT
– introduced by Archbishop John Wilson, and led by the Spirituality Commission.
A Retreat for Lent, which you can follow in your own home.
Using the link below, you can watch a short video reflection each week, download prayer materials and other resources which can help you make the best use of whatever time and opportunity you may have during your week.
If you are looking for a way to deepen your life of prayer this Lent, click on http://www.southwarkdsc.org.uk/followme where you can also sign up to receive materials directly to your email.

If anyone wants to join a ‘zoom’ meeting to share reflections please let me know.

Meanwhile, the office is effectively closed but I am not! So, please feel free to email me at douglasbull@rcaos.org.uk, or to ring me on the parish mobile number, 07394 920 694, or do drop things through the front door.
God Bless

FOUNDATION GOVERNORS FOR ST CATHERINE’S CATHOLIC SCHOOL, BEXLEYHEATH
The Trustees of St Catherine’s wish to appoint committed Catholics to the Governing Body. A new Board of Governors is being appointed. Training and support will be offered. Applicants offering expertise in finance, building, HR, law, education and other relevant experience are warmly encouraged to apply. The Trustees are keen to welcome members from BAME communities, reflecting the ethnic diversity of students and staff. If interested, please contact:
Mr Nick Watkiss, Executive Headteacher
or email maureenwilliams70@gmail.com for an application form.

CHURCH CLEANING.
A big thank you to the small group of parishioners who help keep our church clean. The rota for 2021 is now available for collection from the cupboard. We would be grateful for more volunteers to either join an existing group or make up a new one. At the moment, each group cleans once every six weeks. If we had another group of three or four people, that would change to once every eight weeks. If you think you might be able to help, please ring Carole Hughes on 07762 731303.

Please print off this newsletter, using the screenshot below, and post it through the door of any parishioner you know without electronic access and make sure everyone feels okay and feels connected.


Newsletter Sunday February 7th, 2021

Nuntius

5th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (B)

Readings: Job; 7:1-4 6-7, Psalm 146, 1 Corinthians 9:16-19 22-23, Mark 1:29-39

SERVICES FOR WEEK 6th February – 14th February 2021

Sat 6 Feb   11am Confessions
                        18.00 Sonny Sheehan RIP (Sheehan)

Sun 7th February   4th SUN (B):
                        8.30 For The Parish
                        10.30 William Dawson-Asaam RIP (Asaam)
                        Web – available anytime

                        Charlie Back et al RIP (Back)

Mon 8 Feb   ad libitum Harrington Family (Sheehan)
PLEASE NOTE THERE IS NO MASS IN THE CHURCH ON MONDAYS.

Tues 9 Feb   9.30 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
                        10.00 Sophia Circuitt (Bowman)

Weds 10 Feb   9.30 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
                        10.00 St Scholastica Sonny Sheehan RIP (Sheehan)

Thurs 11 Feb   Our Lady of Lourdes

Fri 12 Feb   9.30 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
                        10.00 Lisa Innis RIP (Wood)

Sat 13 Feb   11am Confessions
                        18.00 For The Parish

Sun 14 Feb   6th SUN (B):
                        08.30 Rose Swink RIP (Bowman)
                        10.30 Joan Gilby RIP (Gilby)
                        Web – available anytime Fr Michael Eden TG (Cannon)

FINANCES –
Please note the slight change in our bank account name. .
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
Extra Collection This Week: Catholic Association for Racial Justice
Next Week: Catholic Education and Youth Services

CATHOLIC NEWSPAPERS
The weekly Catholic newspapers can be obtained directly (postage free) by subscription:
Catholic Universe and Catholic Times Go to http://www.thecatholicuniverse.com or ring 0161 820 5722 and they will arrange for you. £99.00 per year or just £55 for the digital version
The Herald has a similar offer: Ring 0207 448 3607 or go to http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/subscribe

  

Welcome back!
As the peak in the Covid infection rate peaked in Bexley, I felt a little like the People of God must have felt in Egypt, waiting for the Passover – the passing over their homes of God’s angel who left them safe but caused such havoc among the Egyptians. With the church doors closed we kept our heads down till the worst of the danger passed. The virus is still around of course but it is not so threatening as it was and it is a joy to reopen the church without fear of compromising borough-wide restrictions.

With Lent only a short time away, let me recommend once more:

ARCHDIOCESE OF SOUTHWARK RETREAT FOR LENT
– introduced by Archbishop John Wilson, and led by the Spirituality Commission.
The Archdiocese is offering a retreat experience for the people and parishes of Southwark during Lent, beginning on the first Sunday of Lent and ending in Holy week. For each week of Lent, there will be a video exploring themes connected with the Sunday Gospel. The input will be available in advance rather than live streamed, so that it can be viewed at any time. The video will be accompanied by suggestions for prayer and reflection through the week.
The retreat is open both to individuals and to parish-based groups:
Individuals can make use of the weekly video and material for prayer and reflection.
For parish groups, resources will be provided for a weekly group meeting, where participants can share reflections and take part in a time of common prayer.
For those without an internet connection, parishes can download, print and distribute summaries of the talk and the prayer and reflection exercises for the week. For more information and to register: click on this link Lenten Retreat to go to the page on this website.
It is also available at: http://www.southwarkdsc.org.uk/followme

I would also like to explore the possibility of engaging in ‘zoom’ meetings in which some of you will be able to take part in sharing reflections. Let me know if you would like to take part in a follow-up zoom meeting some time during each week, indicating when you might be able to do so, on a regular basis through Lent. Please plan ahead and think about how much time you might decide to “budget” for such a Lenten sacrifice and then you will be in a position to judge what parts you take on. It is designed to be very flexible. Take on as much or as little as you wish.

Meanwhile, the office is effectively closed but I am not! So, please feel free to email me at douglasbull@rcaos.org.uk, or to ring me on the parish mobile number, 07394 920 694, or do drop things through the front door.
God Bless

FOUNDATION GOVERNORS FOR ST CATHERINE’S CATHOLIC SCHOOL, BEXLEYHEATH
The Trustees of St Catherine’s wish to appoint committed Catholics to the Governing Body. A new Board of Governors is being appointed. Training and support will be offered. Applicants offering expertise in finance, building, HR, law, education and other relevant experience are warmly encouraged to apply. The Trustees are keen to welcome members from BAME communities, reflecting the ethnic diversity of students and staff. If interested, please contact:
Mr Nick Watkiss, Executive Headteacher
or email maureenwilliams70@gmail.com for an application form.

CHURCH CLEANING.
A big thank you to the small group of parishioners who help keep our church clean. The rota for 2021 is now available for collection from the cupboard. We would be grateful for more volunteers to either join an existing group or make up a new one. At the moment, each group cleans once every six weeks. If we had another group of three or four people, that would change to once every eight weeks. If you think you might be able to help, please ring Carole Hughes on 07762 731303.

Please print off this newsletter, using the screenshots below, and post it through the door of any parishioner you know without electronic access and make sure everyone feels okay and feels connected.


Newsletter Sunday January 31st, 2021

Nuntius

4th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (B)

Readings: Deuteronomy; 18:15-20, Psalm 94, 1 Corinthians 7:32-35, Mark 1:21-28

SERVICES FOR WEEK 30th –7th January 2021

Sun 31st Jan 4th SUN (B):
                        Private Intention
                        Parish Mass – available to engage with via website at any time

                        Joan Aspeek, aged 90! (Connolly)

Mon 1 Feb   Joan Aspeek (Hughes)

Tues 2 Feb   Presentation of the Lord Margaret Bates (Haylett)

Weds 3 Feb 9.30 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
                        10.00 Danny Lyons RIP (Choir)

Thurs 4 Feb   Kay Gray RIP (Kilcullen)

Fri 5 Feb   09.30 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
                        10.00 St Agatha David White RIP (Fitzpatrick)

Sat 6 Feb   11am Confessions
                        18.00 Sonny Sheehan RIP (Sheehan)

Sun 7 Feb   5th SUN (B):
                        08.30 For The Parish
                        10.30 William Dawson-Asaam RIP (Asaam)
                        Parish Mass – available to engage with via website at any time
                        Charlie Back et al RIP

The Services from Wednesday 3rd Feb are public services

FINANCES – from the Diocesan and Parish finance teams.
Please note the slight change in our bank account name. .
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

Extra Collection Next Week: Catholic Association for Racial Justice

CATHOLIC NEWSPAPERS
The weekly Catholic newspapers can be obtained directly (postage free) by subscription:
Catholic Universe and Catholic Times Go to http://www.thecatholicuniverse.com or ring 0161 820 5722 and they will arrange for you. Special offer 3 months for £22.00 or 12 months for £80.00
The Herald has a similar offer: Ring 0207 448 3607 or go to http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/subscribe

You will probably be following the statistics measuring the infection rates for the virus and note, as I have noted, that the virus was virtually out of control in the Bexley area earlier in the month, but that in this last week in particular our rate has descended and that we are now comparable with our neighbours such as those in the borough of Bromley. It gives me great pleasure therefore to confirm that we will, as planned, reopen on Wednesday 3rd for 9.30 exposition and 10.00 mass.

I am really looking forward to seeing many of you again. I am also looking forward to our diocesan retreat for Lent that we can all engage in together:

LENTEN RETREAT – FOR EVERYONE!!
The Archbishop is going to be leading a Diocesan Retreat for Lent. Every single person in Southwark is invited to participate in one way or another.
Each Wednesday, starting on Ash Wednesday, there will be a video available. A printed summary will be available at the back of church. If you are shielding and unable to access the material on our website or on-line directly, then ask someone to deliver a copy through your door. There will also be a reflection and prayer exercises for the coming week – should you wish to engage to that degree.

I would also like to explore the possibility of engaging in ‘zoom’ meetings in which some of you will be able to take part in sharing reflections. Let me know if you would like to take part in a follow-up zoom meeting some time during the week, indicating when you might be able to do so on a regular basis through Lent. It is not far away so please plan ahead and think about how much time you might decide to “budget” for such a Lenten sacrifice and then you will be in a position to judge what parts you take on. It is designed to be very flexible. Take on as much or as little as you wish.
For more information click on this link Lenten Retreat to go to the page on this website.

Meanwhile, the office is effectively closed but I am not! So, please feel free to email me at douglasbull@rcaos.org.uk, or to ring me on the parish mobile number, 07394 920 694, or do drop things through the front door.
God Bless

BEXLEY INTERFAITH FORUM
For those of you who may be able to respond, there is an initiative from the Bexley Interfaith Forum to try and supply hot meals to those in need. For it to be realised there is a need for volunteers who might prepare food, cook food and deliver food. If you’d like to know more please contact Fr Doug – THANKS TO THOSE WHO HAVE RESPONDED

CHURCH CLEANING.
A big thank you to the small group of parishioners who give their free time to help keep our church clean. The rota for 2021 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. At the moment, each group cleans once every six weeks. If we had another group of three or four people, that would change to once every eight weeks. If you think you might be able to help, please ring Carole Hughes on 07762 731303.

Please print off this newsletter, using the screenshots below, and post it through the door of any parishioner you know without electronic access and make sure everyone feels okay and feels connected.