Notices & Schedule.
JANUARY IS THE MONTH OF THE MOST HOLY NAME OF JESUS
Third week of ordinary time.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2024. SESSION 3 this Saturday, 20th January 10.30 a.m. SESSION 4 next Saturday, 27th January 10.30 a.m.
CONFIRMATIONS 2024.Anyone who would like to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation this year, speak to the parish priest after Sunday mass and ask for an application form.
DEVOTIONS TO THE MOST HOLY NAME OF JESUS. With hymns, the Litany of the Most Holy Name, adoration and Benediction. Sunday 28th January, 4.00 p.m.
Do you use candles in your personal prayer? Stock up now and bring them to be blessed on CANDLEMAS, 2ND FEBRUARY, 7.00 P.M.
BUILDING A BETTER MARRIAGE As part of the preparation for the 2025 Jubilee year, the Southwark Marriage and Family Team will be running a Building a Better Marriage Course throughout the Archdiocese from February 2024. The one-day course is for married couples (whether married for one year, 60 years or anywhere in between). It seeks to help husbands and wives to make their marriage better and to improve their communication skills. There is no group sharing and private information remains private to each couple. Couples who have attended previously have found it enjoyable, informative, and uplifting. For more information contact the Marriage and Family Life team through the Archdiocese of Southwark website: https://www.rcsouthwark.co.uk/mission/marriage-and-family-life
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 at 6.00 p.m. on 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.
Crib.
All donations made at our crib this year will go to the Catholic Children’s Society. Your donation will help local disadvantaged children and their families. The crib will be out until Candlemas, 2nd February.
SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF UNBORN CHILDREN.
Please contact your MP and urge them to oppose Stella Creasy and Diana Johnson's amendments to the criminal justice bill. As we know the pills by post scheme has led to the death of totally viable, healthy babies outside of the provisions of the abortion act itself. Rather than scrap this flawed scheme these amendments have been tabled making a self-performed (home abortion) possible at any stage of pregnancy and removing the prohibition on hiding the body of a dead newborn baby including in circumstances where the baby has been killed by infanticide (I couldn't believe this either) Urge your MP to support Early Day Motion 131 instead. Please visit www.spuc.org.uk and sign up for email alerts. You'll get details about how to make a submission to the committee dealing with these amendments - headingcriminaljusticebill2023scrutiny@parliament.uk
SECOND COLLECTION FOR PAX CHRISTI ‘The work of Pax Christi is based on the gospel and inspired by faith. Our vision is of a world where people can live in peace, without fear of violence in all its forms. Rooted in Catholic Christianity, we work with all who share our values to abolish war and create communities of peace and justice’. Envelopes for cash donations are available again this weekend which can be returned next week, and donations can also be made on the contactless device.
Vocations Weekend for Women (20s & 30s)
Theme: Discerning God's Call in your life
Dates: 16-18 February 2024
Location: Liverpool
The weekend is organised by the Sisters, Faithful Companions of Jesus (FCJ). Jesus invites each of us to 'Come and See' - this weekend will give the opportunity to explore the vocation to religious life and to reflect on God's call to you.
If you are wondering if God is calling you to religious life and would like to find out more why not come along? You are welcome to stay for the weekend or just come along on Saturday for the day. There will be opportunity for prayer, reflection and input, chance to ask questions and to meet others who are also wondering where God is calling them.
For more information contact Sr Lynne fcJ at fcjvocationeurope@gmail.com or visit their website www.fcjsisters.org
THE DIVINE MERCY APOSTOLATE, London, is holding a Divine Mercy Afternoon of Reflection on Saturday 10 February 2024 from 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm at St Georges R.C. Cathedral, Westminster Bridge Road London SE1 7HY
The Reflection will include teachings on the Message of Mercy, Holy Mass, Way of the Cross, 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.
NURSERY 2024 ADMISSIONS If your child was born between 1 September 2020 and 31 August 2021 and you would like to apply for a place at St Fidelis Nursery for September 2024, it is important that you submit your application soon. Parents and carers will need to collect and return a
supplementary form to the school office by the closing date of Wednesday 27th March 2024. The open mornings for admission to Nursery for
September 2024 will take place at the following times:
● Thursday 25th January 9:30am
● Wednesday 7th February 9:30am
● Thursday 29th February 9:30am
● Wednesday 20th March 9:30am
Each open morning tour will begin promptly at 9:30 a.m.for approximately 30 minutes) and will provide visitors with an opportunity to view the Nursery during a normal working day. Parents and carers will be taken
on a guided tour of our Nursery where we will be delighted to show you what our Nursery is like and what we think makes our school Nursery unique.
Contact: admin@st-fidelis.bexley.sch.uk tel: 01322 227752
DAY WITH MARY
1. St Anselm’, West Hill, Dartford. 27th January 2024 9.30 a.m.-4.30 p.m.
2. Our lady Help of Christians, Mottingham Road, Mottingham. Saturday 17th February 2024 9.30a.m.- 5.00 p.m.
3. St Elphege, Stafford Road, Wallington. 24th February 2024 8.45 a.m.-4.15 p.m.
Bring a packed lunch. Tea and coffee provided.
‘DAY WITH MARY’ PILGRIMAGE TO FATIMA 7th to 14th June 2024 If interested contact Trevor Downs ‘A Day With Mary’ Tel: 020 8641 6418
E-mail: adwmary.uk@gmail.com
Parish family pilgrimage to Walsingham.
Spend some joyful time together in the beautiful surroundings of the Norfolk countryside at England’s National Shrine of Mother Mary.
29th – 31st May 2024. Please see poster in the porch for further information or contact the parish office.
Deadline for interest 31st March.
THURSDAY LUNCH CLUB meets again on Thursday 1st February 2024 at 12.30 p.m.
Escorted Pilgrimage to Knock & Co Mayo. 3rd March 2024. £899.00 pps. Price includes flight, 10kg hold luggage, 5 nights’ in 4* Castlecourt Hotel, Westport with Dinner, Bed & Breakfast. Lunch on three days. All entertainment, excursions and transport included. Visit Knock, Galway City, Kylemore Abbey, Croagh Patrick & Ashford Castle. Single supplement on Enquiry. Contact Patricia or Natali on 01268 762 278 or 07740 175557 or email knockpilgrimages@gmail.com.
FOOD BANK. You can make your donations before any 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/
DEATHS
Brian William Wilson, after receiving the sacraments of Holy Church, died on Sunday 7th January 2024, aged 76. His funeral requiem is on Wednesday 31st January 2024 at 11.30 a.m. followed by committal at Hillview Cemetery at 1.00 p.m.
MASSES AND INTENTIONS
Third Week of Ordinary Time
Saturday 20th January Ss Fabian, priest & Sebastian, martyrs. [TC]
9.00 a.m. Confessions
9.30 a.m. The Daily Rosary
+ 10.00 a.m. Low Mass [Latin 1962] Edward von Rencoard R.I.P.
10.30 a.m. FHC24 session 3. Church Hall.
+ 6.30 p.m. Said THIRD SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME (B) The people of the parish.
Sunday 21st January
8.30 a.m. The Daily Rosary
+ 9.00 a.m. Sung with Liturgy of the Word for Children. Thresiamma Chacko & Chacko Joseph.
+11.00 a.m. Solemn Latin Mass (in Latin with English Readings. Missa Orbis Factor) Ann Moloney P.I.
7.00 p.m. Parish Social Evening in Church Hall. All welcome.
Monday 22nd January. St. Vincent, deacon & martyr.
9.30 a.m. The Daily Rosary
+10.00 a.m. Terry Boosey R.I.P.
Tuesday 23rd January feria
9.30 a.m. The Daily Rosary
+10.00 a.m. Limita Rodrigues R.I.P.
Wednesday 24th January St. Francis de Sales, bishop & doctor of the church, memorial.
The Daily Rosary at home
NO PUBLIC MASS TODAY
Thursday 25th January The Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle, feast.
9.30 a.m. The Daily Rosary
+10.00 a.m. O.H. Solomon P.I.
No Lunch Club Today
Friday 26th January Ss Timothy & Titus, bishops, memorial.
9.30 a.m. The Daily Rosary
+10.00 a.m. Geoff Hewitt R.I.P.
6.00 p.m. Choir Practice.
6.00 p.m. Mini-Vinnies Winter Warmer Drop-in. Church Hall.
Saturday 27th January Ss John Chryosostom, bishop, confessor, doctor[TC]
9.00 a.m. Confessions
9.30 a.m. The Daily Rosary
+ 10.00 a.m. Low Mass [Latin 1962] The people of the parish
10.30 a.m. FHC24 session 4. Church Hall.
+ 6.30 p.m. Said FOURTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME (B) Hugo Morris R.I.P.