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Saturday 10th September – Saturday 17th September 2022

ST THOMAS MORE CHURCH, BEXLEYHEATH.

THE TWENTY- FOURTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

SEPTEMBER IS THE MONTH OF THE SORROWFUL MOTHER (Our Lady of Sorrows)


Dear parishioners,


SOLEMN REQUIEM MASS FOR THE REPOSE OF THE SOUL OF HER LATE MAJESTY, QUEEN ELIZABETH II

11.00 A.M.

SUNDAY 11th SEPTEMBER 2022

at ST. THOMAS MORE CHURCH





Statement from Archbishop John Wilson, Archbishop of Southwark,

on

the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II


The announcement of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is a cause of great sadness for her beloved family, for the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth, and all people of goodwill.

We give thanks to Almighty God for Her Majesty’s life of unfailing dedication and the outstanding example of Her Majesty’s service, faithful unto death.

As a devoted disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ, Her Majesty witnessed to the Gospel of God’s love for all people and worked tirelessly to strengthen harmony, to defend justice and to promote peace. We now pray for the repose of her soul, remembering the promise of Christ, who is the Resurrection and the life: ‘I am with you always, even until the end of time.’ (Mt 28:20) May Her Majesty rest in peace and rise in glory.

We pray for our King, for the Queen Consort and for all the Royal Family at this time of bereavement. We offer to them our deepest sympathy and condolence.

Let us also pray for our United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, grateful to God for Queen Elizabeth II’s remarkable life and selfless commitment to the promises she made at her Coronation. Her Majesty has been a part of all our lives and we shall miss her deeply.


Archbishop John Wilson

Archbishop of Southwark and Metropolitan


SEPTEMBER DEVOTIONS TO OUR LADY OF SORROWS.


The Rosary of Our Lady’s Seven Sorrows.

“As Christ was the ‘man of sorrows’ (Is 53, 3) through whom it pleased God to have ‘reconciled all things through him and for him, everything in heaven and everything on earth, when he made peace by his death on the cross’ (Col 1, 20), so too, Mary is ‘the woman of sorrows’ whom God associated with his Son as mother and participant in his Passion (socia passionis).” (Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy)


The Rosary of the Seven Sorrows is an ancient devotion, originating with the Servite Order which was founded by a group called the Seven Holy Founders in 1233. From the very beginning, they sought to live a life dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows.

Through their spirituality, they developed the “Servite Rosary,” also known as the “Chaplet or Rosary of the Seven Sorrows of Mary.” It recalls seven events in the life of Mary when she experienced great sorrow. They are as follows:

  1. The Prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:34–35)

  2. The Flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13)

  3. The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple of Jerusalem (Luke 2:43–45)

  4. The Meeting of Mary and Jesus on his Way to Calvary (traditional)

  5. Standing at the Foot of the Cross (John 19:25)

  6. Jesus Being Taken Down from the Cross (Matthew 27:57–59)

  7. The Burial of Jesus (John 19:40–42)

Ideally, to pray this chaplet in memory of Our Lady’s Seven Sorrows, you need a special set of beads. It is commendable when praying the chaplet to say an Act of Contrition at the very beginning to recognise the role our sins have in Our Lady’s sufferings. After this, say an introductory prayer. Next, announce and meditate on the first sorrow, say an ‘Our Father’ and seven Hail Mary’s at each division and then repeat for each sorrow. At the very end, three Hail Marys should be prayed in honour of Our Lady’s tears with the concluding prayer. There are special beads produced for the Rosary of Our Lady of Sorrows with seven sets of seven beads. I have acquired some ,which you can purchase from me, Lorraine or Annette, if you don’t have a computer or easy internet access, or if you do, please go on-line to Amazon and type in ‘Rosary of Our Lady of Sorrows’ to hopefully arrive before 15th September or our last Sunday devotions. We are also working on a small booklet of devotions to Our Lady of Sorrows.

‘The Rosary of the Seven Sorrows' has the power to produce in our hearts an inner conversion to turn us away from sin. It is this sin that crucified Jesus. It is this human rebellion against God’s laws that inflicts pain on the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary. When we pray this Rosary of the Seven Sorrows of Mary, we can reflect on the magnitude of her sufferings and the absolute strength of her love. This can give us the strength we need to we fight the spiritual battles of our own lives, beginning with the temptations we all face. Our Blessed Mother is on our side and knowing this means we do not give up the fight against the world, the flesh and the devil. See last week’s newsletter for more details.


1. Forthcoming Devotions to the Sorrowful Mother this month at St. Thomas More.

1. Holy Mass of the Feast of the Exaltation of The Holy Cross at 7.00 p.m. with the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows of Mary on Wednesday 14th September at 6.30 p.m.

2. Holy Mass of Our Lady of Sorrows, Thursday 15th at 7.00 p.m. including the ‘Stabat Mater/ At the Cross her Station Keeping’ with the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows of Mary at 6.30 p.m.

3. Last Sunday of the Month: Parish Devotions to Our Lady of Sorrows. With Stations of the Cross, Rosary of Our Lady of Sorrows, the Litany of Our Lady of Sorrows and Benediction. Sunday 25th September, 5.00 p.m.

4. Privately saying the Rosary of Our Lady of Sorrows or saying it together as a family. On-line, you can find some good meditations written on each of the sorrows of Our Lady which can be read aloud before each set of seven Hail Mary’s.


We particularly ask Our Lady of Sorrows to pray for the people of England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and many other countries at this time of our loss of Queen Elizabeth II. We call on our Sorrowful Mother to join our prayers for the repose of our Queen’s soul at this time of national mourning.


ST BERNADETTE RELIC TOUR. Wednesday 19th October - Friday 21st October 2022 at St. George’s Cathedral and Aylesford Friary from Monday 24th October to Friday 28th 2022

The apparitions seen by St Bernadette in Lourdes took place over five months, and over the course of time, an intimate relationship of trust, obedience, and love developed between Our Lady and Bernadette.


In September and October this year, the relics of St Bernadette will journey on pilgrimage from Lourdes to England, Scotland, and Wales for the very first time. This very special once in a lifetime event will provide an opportunity for people of all ages and backgrounds to experience the special gifts and charisms of Lourdes in a church or cathedral near to their home.


The visit will provide people across our community of faith with a valuable opportunity for prayer and healing. To ensure the comfort and safety of pilgrims, and to allow venues taking part in the Relic Tour to prepare for the large numbers who will travel to them, individuals and groups are strongly encouraged to register their attendance at their earliest convenience choosing a free, dedicated timeslot at their chosen church or cathedral, as demand is likely to be high.


The reservation system is now open and can be accessed here: stbernadette.org.uk/the-tour/


Such is the importance of this tour, and such are the gifts of grace that will flow from these days that we hope that all will feel encouraged to visit. Please be assured that pilgrims who have been unable to register will not be turned away.


Details of the itinerary can be found on this page and prayers to support the tour are also there at: stbernadette.org.uk/prayers. However, if you have any questions about the tour, please feel free to get in touch at: contact@stbernadette.org.uk


Cardinal Vincent Nicholls says “The pilgrimage of St Bernadette’s relics offers us a welcome opportunity to bear active witness to our Faith, joining with one another across our many communities to encounter God’s love and find spiritual, emotional, and psychological healing and renewal.”


The relics will visit THE cathedral, St George’s, from the morning of Wednesday 19th October until the morning of Friday 21st October; they will also visit Aylesford from Monday 24th October until Friday 28th October. Please consult the website of each venue for further details.

If anyone would like to travel to the cathedral with me by train on Thursday 20th October please let me know. Otherwise, perhaps some mums and dads could organise small groups of families to go up at the weekend.


PARISH GOLF DAY 2022 We are just a few weeks away from the usual Parish Golf day which is on Thursday 29th September at Birchwood Park. There will, as always be a charity raffle to the day which will be available from Tony Brook after some masses.


Any enquiries, please call Tony Brooke 07833707016.


SOCIAL EVENING Due to the death of Her Majesty the Queen the social evening on Friday 9th September was cancelled. The next social evening will take place on Friday 14th September with Annie Gee who will supply the music from 8.00 pm till 11pm, Admission - Adults £3 at the door, Jenny 07710 527692 Mary 07749 197957


COFFEE, CAKE & BAKE MORNING IN AID OF GREENWICH & BEXLEY HOSPICE.


From 9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. Sunday 2nd October in St. Thomas More Hall. There will be tea, coffee cakes, and stalls of high quality hand knitted infants’ clothes (for excellent Christmas and birthday gifts) and religious items.

If you can help in any way on the day or donate your own home baking for the support of Bexley Hospice, please speak to Annette who will be available in the porch after all masses this Saturday evening and Sunday morning selling Seven Sorrows Rosaries.


‘Children’s Liturgy’ on Sundays at 9.00 a.m. will be taking a summer break and will resume in the autumn term.

FOOD BANK. Don’t forget the Food Bank collection crate in the Church Porch! People are not managing to afford the basic essentials of life. If you can contribute some long life milk, canned food, packets of pasta, toilet rolls or any other non-perishable basics, you will be helping our neighbours in great need.


THURSDAY LUNCH CLUB takes place on Thursday lunchtimes for our senior parishioners and friends.


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 souls of:


Margaret Heffernan whose funeral was on Thursday 20th July.


Mario Pescatore, aged 89, who died on Friday 1st July 2022 and whose funeral was on Friday 19th August 2022.


Maria Rosa Fasano, aged 87, who died on Thursday 21st July 2022 and whose funeral was on Tuesday 9th August 2022.


Thomas Patrick Bromhead, who died on Monday 18th July 2022, aged 90 was on Wednesday 24th August 2022 (with Requiem said earlier)


Brenda Catherine Clarke, who died on Wednesday 20th July 2022, aged 78 and whose funeral was on Thursday 11th August.


Judith Cooke, who died on Saturday 20th August 2022 at the hospice. Her funeral will be at 2.00 p.m. on Thursday 15th September at 2.00 p.m. with a Requiem at church in the morning at 10.00.


Hammond Macaulay who died on Saturday 27th August at Bexley and Greenwich Hospice aged 53. Her funeral is on Tuesday 13th September 2022 at 11 o’clock followed by committal at Hillview Cemetery.


Frances Anne Carter who died on Monday 5th September 2022. Her funeral requiem is at 10 o’clock on Tuesday 20th September 2022 followed by committal at Hillview Cemetery. (change of date from the previously arranged Monday)


May the divine assistance remain with them always, and may their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.


MASSES AND INTENTIONS FOR THE TWENTY- FOURTH WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME.

Instaurare Omnia in Christo: "to restore all things in Christ."


Saturday 10th September S. Nicholas of Tolentino, confessor. T.G.

9.00 a.m. Confessions.

9.30 a.m. The Daily Rosary.

+10.00 a.m. [Latin 1962] Louise McGrath R.I.P.

6.00 p.m. Confessions.

+ 6.30 p.m. THE TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME. SAID. Eithne Frances Bowman R.I.P.


Sunday 11th September

8.30 a.m. The Daily Rosary

+ 9.00 a.m. SUNG. Gladys Adelu T.G. (on her birthday)

+ 11.00 a.m. SOLEMN REQUIEM MASS (with English Readings/ Requiem setting). For the repose of the Soul of her late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.


7.00 p.m. Parish Social Evening in the Hall. All welcome.


Monday 12th September The Most Holy Name of Mary

The Daily Rosary at home.

NO PUBLIC MASS TODAY.


Tuesday 13th September St. John Chrysostom, bishop & doctor of the church, memorial.

10.30 a.m. The Daily Rosary

+ 11.00 a.m. Funeral Requiem of Hammond Macaulay followed by committal at Hillview.


Wednesday 14th September THE EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS, FEAST.

The Daily Rosary at home.

6.30 p.m. The Rosary of the Seven Sorrows of Our Lady.

+ 7.00 p.m. The people of the parish.


Thursday 15th September Our Lady of Sorrows, memorial.

9.30 a.m. The Daily Rosary

+ 10.00 a.m. Requiem for Judith Cooke R.I.P. with funeral service at 2.00 p.m. at Eltham Crematorium.

12.00 noon Thursday lunch club

6.30 p.m. The Rosary of the Seven Sorrows of Our Lady

+ 7.00 p.m. Ebubechukwu Victor Ogbuagu P.I. (at the start of his new school) in English and Latin with sung sequence ‘The Stabat Mater/ At the Cross Her Station Keeping’ and the mass setting of Our Lady ‘cum jubilo’

Friday 16th September St. Cornelius, pope and Cyprian, bishop, martyrs, memorial.

The Daily Rosary at home

[+10.00 a.m. Start of School Year Mass at St. Thomas More Catholic Primary School for children and staff only]


6.00 p.m. Choir Practice. New members welcome.


Saturday 17th September Our Lady’s Saturday T.G.

9.00 a.m. Confessions

9.30 a.m. The Daily Rosary

+10.00 a.m. (Latin 1962) REQUIEM MASS FOR THE REPOSE OF THE SOUL OF HER LATE MAJESTY, QUEEN ELIZABETH II.

+ 6.30 p.m. TWENTY- FIFTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME (C). Luiza & Saluzinho Fernandes R.I.P.


SEPTEMBER PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF SORROWS


Let us pray.

Our Mother of Sorrows, with strength from above you stood by The Cross, sharing in the sufferings of Jesus, and with tender care you bore Him in your arms, mourning and weeping.

We praise you for your faith, which accepted the life God planned for you.

We praise you for your hope, which trusted that God would do great things in you.

We praise you for your love in bearing with Jesus the sorrows of His passion. Holy Mary, may we follow your example, and stand by all your children who need comfort and love. Mother of God, stand by us in our trials and care for us in our many needs. Pray for us now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.


Prayer from our bishop, Archbishop John on the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Let us pray.

We beseech you Almighty God, that your servant Elizabeth, who by your mercy received the government of this realm, and who dedicated her life entirely to the service of her people, may now rest from her labours in the peace of Christ which surpasses all understanding. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.


With my blessings to you all in our shared loss of our gracious Queen. God save King Charles III.


Fr Jonathon.



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