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Saturday 16th November - Sunday 24th November 2024

Thirty-Third Week of ordinary time


EVANGELIUM VITAE by Pope John Paull II


INTRODUCTION

1. The Gospel of life is at the heart of Jesus' message. Lovingly received day after day by the Church, it is to be preached with dauntless fidelity as "good news" to the people of every age and culture.

At the dawn of salvation, it is the Birth of a Child which is proclaimed as joyful news: "I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord" (Lk 2:10-11). The source of this "great joy" is the Birth of the Saviour; but Christmas also reveals the full meaning of every human birth, and the joy which accompanies the Birth of the Messiah is thus seen to be the foundation and fulfilment of joy at every child born into the world (cf. Jn 16:21).

When he presents the heart of his redemptive mission, Jesus says: "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly" (Jn 10:10). In truth, he is referring to that "new" and "eternal" life which consists in communion with the Father, to which every person is freely called in the Son by the power of the Sanctifying Spirit. It is precisely in this "life" that all the aspects and stages of human life achieve their full significance.

 

The incomparable worth of the human person

2. Man is called to a fullness of life which far exceeds the dimensions of his earthly existence, because it consists in sharing the very life of God. The loftiness of this supernatural vocation reveals the greatness and the inestimable value of human life even in its temporal phase. Life in time, in fact, is the fundamental condition, the initial stage and an integral part of the entire unified process of human existence. It is a process which, unexpectedly and undeservedly, is enlightened by the promise and renewed by the gift of divine life, which will reach its full realization in eternity (cf. 1 Jn 3:1-2). At the same time, it is precisely this supernatural calling which highlights the relative character of each individual's earthly life. After all, life on earth is not an "ultimate" but a "penultimate" reality; even so, it remains a sacred reality entrusted to us, to be preserved with a sense of responsibility and brought to perfection in love and in the gift of ourselves to God and to our brothers and sisters.

The Church knows that this Gospel of life, which she has received from her Lord, has a profound and persuasive echo in the heart of every person-believer and non-believer alike-because it marvellously fulfils all the heart's expectations while infinitely surpassing them. Even in the midst of difficulties and uncertainties, every person sincerely open to truth and goodness can, by the light of reason and the hidden action of grace, come to recognize in the natural law written in the heart (cf. Rom 2:14-15) the sacred value of human life from its very beginning until its end, and can affirm the right of every human being to have this primary good respected to the highest degree. Upon the recognition of this right, every human community and the political community itself are founded.

In a special way, believers in Christ must defend and promote this right, aware as they are of the wonderful truth recalled by the Second Vatican Council: "By his incarnation the Son of God has united himself in some fashion with every human being". This saving event reveals to humanity not only the boundless love of God who "so loved the world that he gave his only Son" (Jn 3:16), but also the incomparable value of every human person.

The Church, faithfully contemplating the mystery of the Redemption, acknowledges this value with ever new wonder. She feels called to proclaim to the people of all times this "Gospel", the source of invincible hope and true joy for every period of history. The Gospel of God's love for man, the Gospel of the dignity of the person and the Gospel of life are a single and indivisible Gospel.

For this reason, man-living man-represents the primary and fundamental way for the Church.


To be continued.

 

ASSISTED SUICIDE BILL.

A bill has been introduced to Parliament by Kim Leadbeater MP to legalise assisted suicide. This will be voted on by MPs on 29th November. We know that assisted suicide laws in other jurisdictions have had devastating consequences for the poor, disabled and marginalised. This is the biggest threat to the vulnerable in a decade, and we need a huge effort to lobby MPs to vote against the bill. Please urgently contact Daniel Francis, MP for Bexleyheath & Crayford and ask him to vote against the bill. You can contact him by visiting www.livesworthliving.org.uk or write to him at House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA or daniel.francis.mp@parliament.uk

 

NOVEMBER CEMETERY VISITS.

Plumstead Cemetery. Saturday 30th November @ 12 noon

 

SERVICE FOR THE COMMEMORATION OF THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED will be on Sunday 24th November at 3:30pm with Benediction.

 

DAY WITH MARY.

A Day With Mary is taking place at St George's Cathedral, Southwark on Saturday 14 December (10.15am to 5.15pm). Mass will be celebrated by the Archbishop of Southwark Diocese, John Wilson. Further information is available at https://www.adaywithmary.org/ or https://eventcatholic.com/

 

AUTUM FAYRE.

St John Vianney parish Autumn Fayre is on Saturday 23rd November 12.00 – 3.30pm.  Various stalls, Fancy Goods, Bottle Tombola, Toys, Cakes, Bric a Brac and much more.  Bacon butties, soup and refreshments available too. See the poster in the porch for more information.

 

THE DIVINE MERCY APOSTOLATE, London is holding a Divine Mercy Lenten Retreat on Saturday 30th November 2024 from 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm at St Scholastica 17 Kenninghall Road Clapton London E5 8BS

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.


PARISH MASS BOOKS.

As you may be aware, The Lectionary, which is the book that contains the Scripture readings for Mass and the Sacraments, is changing as part of the continuing process of revising liturgical translations. The process began with the Roman Missal in 2011 and has continued with all the other liturgical texts. The new Lectionary will use the English Standard Version - Catholic Edition of the Bible and the Abbey Psalter. The changes are intended to make the biblical translations more faithful to the original languages, biblical scholarship, and to provide a text for use in liturgical setting that is more proclaimable and, where appropriate, more inclusive. Due to this change, the current Mass books that we use will need to be changed which will incur a considerable cost to the parish. We are looking for donations to enable the parish to purchase new versions of these books which can be made by placing cash/cheques in an envelope marked ‘Parish Mass Books’, by bank transfer with the reference ‘Parish Mass Books’ or on the contactless devices in church. To date, we have received £630.00 towards. Please donate generously.

 

UNION OF CATHOLIC MOTHERS (UCM).

The next Union of Catholic mothers meetings will take place on Saturday 23rd November at 11.30am in the hall. If you are interested in joining our group or returning to it, please come along.


FIRST HOLY COMMUNION & CONFIRMATION 2025.

First Holy Communion and Confirmation applications need to be submitted by the 17th November 2024.

There will be a parents meeting for First Holy Communion parents on Wednesday 20th November at 7:30pm in the hall. The date for the confirmation parents meeting will be confirmed soon.


SENIOR CITIZENS CHRISTMAS PARTY.

Invitations will be shortly sent out for this year’s senior citizens Christmas Party which will be on the 5th December.

We are looking for volunteers to help with serving the lunch and setting up & clearing up so if you are able to help, please contact the parish office.

Completed RSVP’s can be placed in the signed box in the porch.

 

CAFOD World Gifts for Christmas

This Christmas, give your loved ones something exceptional and life changing. Buying CAFOD’s virtual World Gifts makes a real difference for our sisters and brothers facing the injustice of poverty around the world. Choose from a range of beautifully illustrated cards, each representing a gift of hope, inspired by real people and real needs. Cards can be sent by post, as an eCard, or printed at home. Purchase World Gifts and other gifts such as Advent calendars and jute bags at worldgifts.cafod.org.uk or pick up a catalogue in church.

 

FOOD BANK.

Donations can be made in the crate in the Church Porch and they are taken to the Bexley Food Bank on a Monday morning.


NEW WAYS TO DONATE TO THE PARISH.

You can now support our parish while shopping online!

We've partnered with easyfundraising, allowing you to raise free donations with 8000+ retailers.

For the next two weeks, every new supporter earns us a £1 bonus donation! Ready to make a difference?

Sign up now at:


 We also have a JustGiving page where donations can be made with or without Gift

Aid. Our JustGiving webpage link is:

 

 

Thank you for your ongoing support!


COUNTERS NEEDED.

We are still looking to recruit more counters to join the parish team to help count the weekly cash donations. Previous cash handling experience is desired but not necessary as our current team are excellent trainers. If you are interested or would like more information, please see Hugh Willan or contact the parish office.


DEATHS

Please pray for the souls of:

 Luke Eamon Mulvihill who died on the 12th September aged 87. His funeral was on Monday 14th October.

 Elizabeth Carter who died recently. Her funeral was on the 13th November.

 Jacinta Townsend who’s funeral will be on the 21st November at 11:30am.

 May they rest in peace.


 

THIRTY THIRD week of ordinary time 2024

 

Saturday 16th November G Feria

10.00 a.m. Holy Souls

THIRTY-THIRD SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME B

6 p.m. Daily Rosary

6.30 p.m.  The Doogan Family RIP

 

Sunday 17th November G

8.30 a.m. Daily Rosary

9.00 a.m. Hannah Pereira TG on her 5th Birthday

10.30 a.m. Daily Rosary

11.00 a.m. Mary Bane RIP

 

Monday 18th November G Feria

No Public Mass Today

 

Tuesday 19th November G Feria

10.00 a.m. Rose Castanha TG

 

Wednesday 20th November G Feria

10.00 a.m. Blasco & Milla Goes TG on their Wedding Anniversary

 

Thursday 21st November W The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary 

10.00 a.m. Dan Frias RIP

11.30 a.m. Funeral for Jacinta Townsend

 

Friday 22nd November R St Cecilia

10.00 a.m. Caroline French RIP

 

Saturday 23rd November G Feria

10.00 a.m. Malcolm Snashall RIP

THIRTY-FOURTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME B

6 p.m. Daily Rosary

6.30 p.m.  Jacob & Helen Fernandes RIP

 

Sunday 24th November W Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

8.30 a.m. Daily Rosary

9.00 a.m. Holy Souls

10.30 a.m. Daily Rosary

11.00 a.m. KSC Council 380, family, deceased members & Popes’

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