Saturday 14th February - Sunday 22nd February 2026
- Feb 13
- 5 min read
COMPENDIUM OF THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH (Part 11)
48. How does the Church express her trinitarian faith? 249-256 & 266
The Church expresses her trinitarian faith by professing a belief in the oneness of God in whom there are three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The three divine Persons are only one God because each of them equally possesses the fullness of the one and indivisible divine nature. They are really distinct from each other by reason of the relations which place them in correspondence to each other. The Father generates the Son; the Son is generated by the Father; the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son.
49. How do the three divine Persons work? 257-260 & 267
Inseparable in their one substance, the three divine Persons are also inseparable in their activity. The Trinity has one operation, sole and the same. In this one divine action, however, each Person is present according to the mode which is proper to him in the Trinity.
“O my God, Trinity whom I adore...grant my soul peace; make it your heaven, your beloved dwelling, and the place of your rest. May I never abandon you there, but may I be there, whole and entire, completely vigilant in my faith, entirely adoring, and wholly given over to your creative action.” (Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity)
50. What does it mean to say that God is almighty? 268-278
God reveals himself as “the strong One, the mighty One” (Psalm 24:8), as the One “to whom nothing is impossible” (Luke 1:37). His omnipotence is universal, mysterious and shows itself in the creation of the world out of nothing and humanity out of love; but above all it shows itself in the Incarnation and the Resurrection of his Son, in the gift of filial adoption and in the forgiveness of sins. For this reason, the Church directs her prayers to the “almighty and eternal God” (“Omnipotens sempiterne Deus...”).
51. What is the importance of affirming “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1)? 279-289 & 315
The significance is that creation is the foundation of all God’s saving plans. It shows forth the almighty and wise love of God, and it is the first step toward the covenant of the one God with his people. It is the beginning of the history of salvation which culminates in Christ; and it is the first answer to our fundamental questions regarding our very origin and destiny.
PARISH NOTICES
FATHER INNOCENT AWAY 23rd – 27th February 2026
There will be no daily Mass during this time so please check local parish websites and newsletters.
CLERGY SUPPORT FUND. The Clergy Support Fund enables the Archdiocese of Southwark to care for clergy in their retirement, old age and at their time of ill health, after their lifetime of service and devotion to Christ, His Church and His People. Donations ensure a dignified retirement for all our priests. Donations can be made in the usual ways this weekend. Envelopes for donations are available in the porch.
LENT 2026. Ash Wednesday this year is on 18th February. Let us approach this season of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving with humility, preparing for Easter by imitating Jesus' 40 days in the wilderness.
LENTEN REFLECTIONS. There will be weekly reflections every Tuesday in Lent, beginning 24th February, at 10.00 am in the church porch. All are welcome.
THANK YOU AND WELCOME. We are grateful to Melissa Goes for all her hard work and brilliance, supporting our parish for a number of years in countless ways. As she embarks on a new adventure, we want to say a huge thank you and God bless from the St Thomas More parish family and wish her every success.
We would also like to warmly welcome Natasha Pereira as she takes over some of Melissa’s administrative duties. Natasha will be available in the parish office from Tuesday to Thursday between 10.30 am and 12.20 pm.
Melissa & Lawrence Dadzie will continue to be our Gift Aid contacts.
DEATHS.
Please pray for the repose of the souls of Patricia Harrow, Chris LeRoy, Elizabeth Papworth & Eileen Barry who died recently.
Chris’ funeral was on the 22nd January. Eileen’s funeral was on 4th February.
Elizabeth’s funeral was on 12th February.
Pray the Romero Rosary at St George’s Cathedral. Join Archbishop John Wilson & the Cathedral clergy in praying the rosary on Fridays at 5pm during Lent. This is a beautiful opportunity to draw closer to the Lord Jesus in prayer. Archbishop John will personally lead the devotion at the National Shrine of St Oscar Romero at St George’s Cathedral (SE1 6HR) on Ash Wednesday at 5pm, and again on Friday 6th & Friday 27th March. The rosary will be followed by Stations of the Cross at 6pm. Find out more at: rcaos.org.uk/romerorosary
Ambassadors for Christ: A Catholic apologetics resource. The Archdiocese of Southwark has launched an exciting apologetics project to provide evidence-based answers to questions such as "Is Jesus God?" or “does prayer work?”. To watch the videos and take part, please visit: rcaos.org.uk/ambassadorsforchrist.
FOOD BANK. Just a reminder that we always need donations for the Bexley Food Bank, especially in the winter. Donations can be placed in the porch. There is a sign where you can check what items are needed along with details of how you can make a financial donation if you wish. Please do not leave any perishable items. Donations are delivered to the food bank on Friday mornings.
FEBRUARY SECOND COLLECTIONS.
15th Clergy Support Fund
PARISH 90TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS
NEXT MEETING. The date for our celebration will be on Sunday, 12th July 2026. Please save the date.
The next meeting will be on 28th February at 12.00 noon in the porch.
OUR LADY’S GROTTO. We would like to create a Grotto for Our Lady which will cost £11,778.00. If you are able to donate, please do so in the usual ways. Please speak to the parish priest for more information. Please see the donations poster in the porch.
PARISH GROUP NOTICES
JUNIOR YOUTH GROUP. Meeting every Sunday during term time in the hall after 9 a.m. Mass. Open to children aged 8-13yrs.
Donations towards supplies and snacks are welcome.
RCIA & ADULT CONFIRMATION CLASSES. Every Wednesday, till Easter 2026. Venue: Church Porch. Time: 7:15pm. Anyone can join to learn and/or refresh one’s knowledge and faith in God.
UCM. The next meeting will take place on Saturday, 28th Feb at 10.45 am in the porch.
LUNCH CLUB. The next gathering will be on 19th February at 12.30 p.m. in the hall.
MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK
Saturday 14th February
W Ss Cyril, Monk & Methodius
Family Marian Devotion (see prayers on website)
G SIXTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME
6.00 p.m. Daily Rosary
6.30 p.m. Eileen Barry RIP
Sunday 15th February G
8.30 a.m. Daily Rosary
9.00 a.m. Holy Souls
10.30 a.m. Daily Rosary
11.00 a.m. Holy Souls
Monday 16th February
G Feria
No Public Mass Today
Tuesday 17th February
G Feria
7.00 p.m. Daily Rosary
7.30 p.m. Timothy Carroll RIP
Wednesday 18th February
P ASH WEDNESDAY
9.30 a.m. Adoration
10.00 a.m. Reparation
7.30 p.m. Reparation
Thursday 19th February
P Feria
9.30 a.m. Adoration
10.00 a.m. Holy Souls
Friday 20th February
P Feria
9.30 a.m. Rosary for the Dead
10.00 a.m. Donald Almeida RIP
10.30 a.m. Stations of the Cross
7.30 p.m. Stations of the Cross
Saturday 21st February
P Feria
Family Marian Devotion (see prayers on website)
P FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT
6.00 p.m. Daily Rosary
6.30 p.m. Lucy Dias RIP
Sunday 22nd February P
8.30 a.m. Daily Rosary
9.00 a.m. Stefania Chojnacka RIP
10.30 a.m. Daily Rosary
11.00 a.m. Rev. James Malone RIP