DECEMBER IS THE MONTH OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
First Week of Advent & Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Winter Warmer Drop-In at St Thomas More provided by the MINI VINNIES of our Primary School. Message from Mrs Wendy McClumpha:
In a world where compassion knows no boundaries…
where every act of kindness makes a difference…
where hope is served alongside hearty meals…
We invite you to join us at the St Thomas More Church Hall on
Thursday 21st December 2023
Friday 26th January 2024
We are more than just a kitchen; we are a community of caring hearts.
Our Mini Vinnies prepare each meal with love and dedication.
Families, children, and friends of St Thomas More Church who experience food poverty are more than welcome.
Our support to you means everything to us. So please come along!!
From the Mini Vinnies group at St Thomas More Catholic Primary School.
Thank you
Best wishes
Wendy
DIVINE MERCY ADVENT REFLECTION 2023
The Divine Mercy Apostolate, London is holding a Divine Mercy Advent Reflection 2023 at the Church of Mary Mother of God, 192 Nags Head Road, Ponders End, Enfield, EN3 7AR on Saturday 16 December 2023 from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm led by the Marian Fathers.
The Retreat will include teachings on the Message of Mercy, Stations of the Cross, Holy Mass, Hour of Mercy with Adoration and Benediction and Veneration of the Image of Merciful Jesus. All Welcome. Please call Millie on 07957594646 for more information.
Senior Citizens’ Advent Tea Party Come to ST CATHERINE’S CATHOLIC SCHOOL on Friday 8th December, 1.30-3.00 p.m. Watling Street, DA6 7QJ. RSVP 01322 556 333 or dcunningham@stccg.co.uk
A festive day for all the family with local handmade gifts and decorations for sale, mulled wine & fancy hot chocolate, burgers, mince pies & cakes, pre loved teddies, Christmas cards and lots of other Christmas treats.
Make sure to come and see Father Christmas in his Grotto and tell him what you want for Christmas.
Don’t forget to wear your best Christmas Jumper for the Christmas Jumper competition with prizes for the best adult and child jumpers.
In true parish style there will also be a Christmas Raffle, festive balloons, Hook a Christmas Duck game and lots of Christmas Carols.
Entry only £1 per person with children under 5 years old free.
PARISH NOTICES
Liturgy of the Word for Children.
The Liturgy of the Word for our children will meet again this Sunday during the 9.00 a.m. mass.
FOOD BANK. You can make your donations at Sunday Mass in the crates in the Church Porch (narthex) and they are taken to Bexley Food Bank on a Monday morning.
Bexley Food Bank Requirements
Food
UHT Milk Tinned Meat (Hotdogs, Meatballs, etc.) Tinned Fish Tinned Fruit Sponge/Rice Puddings Coffee (small jars) Long-life Juice Pasta Sauce Spreads Tinned Meals (Spaghetti, Chicken or Veg Curry’s Chilli) Tinned Soup Jam and Spreads
Non-food Items
Shower Gel Shampoo Conditioner Deodorant Toilet rolls Washing Up Liquid Laundry Detergent Pods Shower Gel
Bexley Food Bank currently particularly requests (please notice the new items at the end):
Please follow the link below to view the food donations page of the Bexley food bank site. https://bexley.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/donate-food/
NOTICES FROM MARRIAGE & FAMILY LIFE SOUTH EAST Planning a catholic marriage? Marriage preparation courses are available by emailing mflse@rcaos.org.uk.
BEXLEY CRISIS CAFÉ Experiencing emotional or psychological distress? Access mental health support and advice after hours. Open every day from 6.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. including bank holidays. MIND IN BEXLEY at 2A Devonshire Road, Bexleyheath DA6 8DS
We have a parishioner who is needing a room to rent locally due to unforeseen circumstances.
If you have a spare room or know of anything in the local area, please speak to Fr. Jonathon or call 07574 672790.
DEATHS
For all our brothers and sisters who ate the Body of Christ, the bread of Life, that they may be raised up on the Last Day. (Drawn from the intercession of the Funeral Mass)
Please pray for the soul of:
Simon Francis Gorman ‘Frank’, aged 93, who died on Tuesday 31st October 2023. His funeral was on Tuesday 28th November at 11.00 a.m.
Ann Fanthome who died on Tuesday 14th November 2023, aged 83. Reception in the Church on Sunday 17th December at 4.00 p.m. and funeral on Monday 18th December at 11 o’clock followed by committal at Hillview.
May the divine assistance remain with her always, and may her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.
DECEMBER PRAYER
MASSES AND INTENTIONS FOR THE FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT
Instaurare Omnia in Christo: "to restore all things in Christ."
Saturday 2nd December St Bibiana, virgin & martyr [TC]. First Saturday.
9.00 a.m. Confessions
9.30 a.m. The Daily Rosary (in Latin & English)
+ 10.00 a.m. (Latin 1962) Iris Hayward R.I.P.
+ 6.30 p.m. SAID ADVENT SUNDAY The Castanha Family TG
Sunday 3rd December
8.30 a.m. The Daily Rosary
+ 9.00 a.m. SUNG with Liturgy of the Word for children in Church Hall. Reagan Pereira TG for his birthday.
+11.00 a.m. SOLEMN LATIN MASS (in Latin with English Readings. Advent Setting] The people of the parish
7.00 p.m. Parish Social Evening in the Hall. All welcome.
Monday 4th December St John Damascene, priest & doctor of the church (please note church in use by school in morning with mass in evening)
5.30 p.m. The Daily Rosary
+6.00 p.m. Eileen Lynch RIP (for first anniversary)
Tuesday 5th December St John Almond, priest & martyr.
9.30 a.m. The Daily Rosary
+10.00 a.m. Joe McPartlin R.I.P.
Wednesday 6th December St. Nicholas, bishop.
The Daily Rosary at home
NO PUBLIC MASS TODAY
Thursday 7th December St Ambrose, bishop & doctor of the church, memorial.
9.30 a.m. The Daily Rosary
+10.00 a.m. Denis Murphy R.I.P.
From 12.00 noon ST THOMAS MORE CHRISTMAS LUNCH
5.00 p.m. Lower Junior Carol Service
Friday 8th December .THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, Solemnity, principle patron of the Diocese.
9.30 a.m. The Daily Rosary
+10.00 a.m. Helen Gaskin R.I.P.
6.00 p.m. Choir Practice.
+7.00 p.m. Terry Boosey R.I.P.
8.00 p.m. Parish Social Event in the Hall. All welcome.
Saturday 9th December Feria [TC].
9.00 a.m. Confessions
9.30 a.m. The Daily Rosary (in Latin & English)
+ 10.00 a.m. (Latin 1962) Mary Bowler R.I.P.
12.00 noon PARISH CHRISTMAS FAYRE (in Hall)
+ 6.30 p.m. SAID SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT Tracey D’Souza TG