Saturday 17th October - Sunday 25th October 2026
TWENTY NINTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – CYCLE A – 18th OCTOBER 2026
REFLECTIONS ON THE HOLY ROSARY – THE LUMINOUS MYSTERIES
Baptism of Jesus – Openness to the Holy Spirit
Though Jesus is without original sin, John baptizes him and God announces that Jesus is his son and he is pleased. I imagine standing in that cool river, feeling the water rush past me. The sounds of the crowd are muffled as my head goes below the surface. I imagine hearing God’s great voice proclaiming he is pleased with his son. I desire God to be pleased with me too, and pray that I can accept the movement of the Holy Spirit in my life.
Wedding at Cana – Jesus Through Mary
It is here Jesus’ public life is put into motion. I imagine Mary noticing that the wine is running out and hearing her ask Jesus for help, confident in his assistance. His respect for Mary is so high, he performs his first miracle at her request. Her command, “Do whatever he tells you” is for us too. The wine stewards listen and water is turned into wine. When we pray the Rosary, she intercedes with her Son on our behalf. I pray to grow closer to Jesus with Mary’s help.
Proclamation of the Kingdom – Repentance
Jesus went about the land preaching the coming of the kingdom of heaven. He healed the sick and cast out demons. I imagine the awe of the people watching this man proclaim the importance of repenting of our sins as he healed people of their paralysis or leprosy. He preached about love and forgiveness. We too need healing and repentance. I pray for the ability to be humbly and genuinely sorry for my sins against others and against the God who loves me and made me.
The Transfiguration – Desire for Holiness
Peter, James and John accompany Jesus up Mount Tabor where Jesus is transformed before them in glorious light and Moses and Elijah appear. Peter desires to build tents for them so they may stay. God again proclaims pleasure in Jesus, his beloved Son and tells them to listen to him. I imagine the disciples seeing Jesus with the prophets of the past and hearing God’s voice. They received a beautiful gift from God and comforting words from Jesus to not be afraid. I pray for the desire to spend time with Christ thinking about his message and striving for holiness.
Institution of the Eucharist – Eucharistic Adoration
Jesus gives us the greatest of gifts in his presence in the Eucharist—body, blood, soul and divinity. I imagine the disciples hearing these words of the New Covenant and the directive to do this in his remembrance. We reflect on this at every Mass as we genuflect before the tabernacle. We are also invited to visit Jesus in adoration. It takes great faith to believe in the Real Presence. I pray for the grace to have that faith, to seek him in adoration and surrender myself humbly to his service.
MONTH OF OCTOBER ROSARY CHALLENGE
1. Carry a Rosary with you at all times
2. Pray at least one decade of the Rosary daily but better still, all five!
3. Pray the Rosary as a community at least once a week*
4. Visit our Marian Shrine at least once a week
*The Rosary will be recited before and after every weekend mass in October
PARISH NOTICES
· Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) Inauguration: The inauguration of the Parish Pastoral Council will take place on Sunday, 1st November, during the 11:00 a.m. Mass. All members are kindly requested to be present for the induction ceremony.
· Sacramental Preparation Forms: Registration forms are now available in the porch for Baptism, First Holy Communion & Confirmation.
· Parish Registration: If you are new to the parish or joining our community for the first time, parish registration forms are available and can be collected from the church porch.
· School Reference Requests: If you require a school reference, please complete the relevant application form and provide all the necessary supporting documents before arranging a meeting with the Parish Priest.
· Month of Holy Souls: Envelopes are now available for you to write the names of your faithful departed loved ones. Kindly place the completed envelopes in the designated box in the sanctuary. Important Reminder: All envelopes and names for remembrance should be submitted before 1st November.
OCTOBER SECOND COLLECTIONS
18th – World Mission Sunday
Senior Citizens Christmas Party. This will take place on Wednesday, 2nd December 2026 in the church hall. Invitations will be sent out late October. Please contact Tony Brooke on 07833 707016 or Tom Breen on 07801145501 for further information.
Young Adult Deanery Group. For Young adults & professionals (18 - 35) to create a community where we can build each other up in faith, knowledge & friendship. Please join our introductory meeting on 22nd October 6.00 pm to help build the starting direction of this new initiative. Graciously hosted at St John Vianney Parish hall 21 Heathfield Rd, Bexleyheath DA6 8NP. Coordinator Jack McAlpine will visit our parish on the weekend of 7th & 8th November to share more on this.
Thank you from CAFOD. Thank you very much for putting your faith into action this Family Fast Day. Your generous donations will help more children stay in school. Children like Tayla in Zimbabwe, where CAFOD’s local partners worked with her community to install a solar-powered water supply. Now Tayla has access to safe water and nutritious food at school, helping her to keep learning and develop her God-given talents. To find out more about the work that your generosity at Fast Day makes possible visit: cafod.org.uk/parishthankyou
March for Life are holding a solemn witness on Tuesday the 27th of October from midday to 2.00 pm in Parliament Square to mark the assent of the Abortion Act. Please attend. For more details, please visit www.marchforlife.co.uk
Lectors & Eucharistic Ministers Formation Day. This will be held at Capuchin Franciscan Friary, Erith on Saturday, 31st October 2026 from 10.00 a.m. – 2.00 p.m. please give your name to your parish by Sunday, 18th October. Please bring a packed lunch. For further information, please contact the Episcopal Vicar for South East London’s Office at evse@rcaos.org.uk.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). Now taking place at 7:00 pm, every Thursday. Anyone who wishes to deepen or renew his or her faith is warmly welcome to join. Feel free to attend on any week that suits your schedule. We look forward to journeying together in faith and growing closer to the Lord. God bless.
PARISH GROUPS' NOTICES
1. UCM: Now meeting on the last Sunday of every month after the 11.00 am mass. The next two meetings will take place on Sunday, 29th November and Sunday 31st January, both at 12.30 pm in the church porch. No meeting in December.
2. LEGION OF MARY: Meeting every Friday at 11.15 am in the church porch.
3. LUNCH CLUB: The next gathering will be on Thursday, 29th October at 12.30 pm in the hall.
4. CATHOLIC CHARISMATIC RENEWAL: Meeting every Sunday at 5.30 pm in the church.
5. KNIGHTS OF ST COLUMBA: Mass will be said for the Deceased Brothers of Council 380 of the Knights, on Friday 6th November at 7.00 pm. All welcome.
MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK
Saturday 17th October R
St Ignatius of Antioch
Family Marian Devotion at home
29th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME G
6.00 pm Daily Rosary
6.30 pm D’Souza family TG
7.30 pm Daily Rosary
Sunday 18th October G
8.30 am Daily Rosary
9.00 am Departed souls of Braganca & Chojnacka families
10.00 am Daily Rosary
10.30 am Daily Rosary
11.00 am Denis McLoughlin RIP 4th anniversary
12.00 pm Daily Rosary
Monday 19th October G Feria
No Public Mass
Tuesday 20th October G Feria
7.00 pm Daily Rosary
7.30 pm Drazila Fernandes RIP
Wednesday 21st October G Feria
9.30 Adoration
10.00 am Ferdie Rodrigues RIP
Thursday 22nd October G Feria
9.30 am Adoration & Prayer for Vocations
10.00 am Holy Souls
Friday 23rd October G Feria
9.30 am Prayers for the Dead
10.00 am Adelina Braganza RIP
Saturday 24th October G Feria
Family Marian Devotion at home
30th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME G
6.00 pm Daily Rosary
6.30 pm Holy Souls
7.30 pm Daily Rosary
Sunday 25th October G
8.30 am Daily Rosary
9.00 am Ferdie Rodrigues RIP
10.00 am Daily Rosary
10.30 am Daily Rosary
11.00 am Holy Souls
12.00 pm Daily Rosary
