Saturday 19th - Sunday 27th July 2025
- bostallpark
- Jul 19
- 7 min read
FIFTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
SUNDAY 20TH JULY 2025
ROSARIUM VIRGINIS MARIAE BY POPE JOHN PAUL II (part 7)
CHAPTER II - MYSTERIES OF CHRIST –
MYSTERIES OF HIS MOTHER
The Rosary, “a compendium of the Gospel”
18. The only way to approach the contemplation of Christ's face is by listening in the Spirit to the Father's voice, since “no one knows the Son except the Father” (Mt 11:27). In the region of Caesarea Philippi, Jesus responded to Peter's confession of faith by indicating the source of that clear intuition of his identity: “Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven” (Mt 16:17). What is needed, then, is a revelation from above. In order to receive that revelation, attentive listening is indispensable: “Only the experience of silence and prayer offers the proper setting for the growth and development of a true, faithful and consistent knowledge of that mystery”. (27) The Rosary is one of the traditional paths of Christian prayer directed to the contemplation of Christ's face. Pope Paul VI described it in these words: “As a Gospel prayer, centred on the mystery of the redemptive Incarnation, the Rosary is a prayer with a clearly Christological orientation. Its most characteristic element, in fact, the litany- like succession of Hail Marys, becomes in itself an unceasing praise of Christ, who is the ultimate object both of the Angel's announcement and of the greeting of the Mother of John the Baptist: 'Blessed is the fruit of your womb' (Lk 1:42). We would go further and say that the succession of Hail Marys constitutes the warp on which is woven the contemplation of the mysteries. The Jesus that each Hail Mary recalls is the same Jesus whom the succession of mysteries proposes to us now as the Son of God, now as the Son of the Virgin”. (28)
A proposed addition to the traditional pattern
19. Of the many mysteries of Christ's life, only a few are indicated by the Rosary in the form that has become generally established with the seal of the Church's approval. The selection was determined by the origin of the prayer, which was based on the number 150, the number of the Psalms in the Psalter.
I believe, however, that to bring out fully the Christological depth of the Rosary it would be suitable to make an addition to the traditional pattern which, while left to the freedom of individuals and communities, could broaden it to include the mysteries of Christ's public ministry between his Baptism and his Passion. In the course of those mysteries we contemplate important aspects of the person of Christ as the definitive revelation of God. Declared the beloved Son of the Father at the Baptism in the Jordan, Christ is the one who announces the coming of the Kingdom, bears witness to it in his works and proclaims its demands. It is during the years of his public ministry that the mystery of Christ is most evidently a mystery of light: “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world” (Jn 9:5). Consequently, for the Rosary to become more fully a “compendium of the Gospel”, it is fitting to add, following reflection on the Incarnation and the hidden life of Christ (the
joyful mysteries) and before focusing on the sufferings of his Passion (the sorrowful mysteries) and the triumph of his Resurrection (the glorious mysteries), a meditation on certain particularly significant moments in his public ministry (the mysteries of light). This addition of these new mysteries, without prejudice to any essential aspect of the prayer's traditional format, is meant to give it fresh life and to enkindle renewed interest in the Rosary's place within Christian spirituality as a true doorway to the depths of the Heart of Christ, ocean of joy and of light, of suffering and of glory.
To be continued.
PARISH NOTICES
LAWNMOWER WANTED.
If you are able to donate a lawnmower to the parish (used or new), please see the parish priest.
FOOD BANK.
Just a reminder that we still need donations for the Bexley Food Bank.
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.
ALTAR SERVER RECRUITMENT.
We are looking for altar servers to join our team. This invitation is open to all boys and girls who have received their First Holy Communion.
Please speak to the parish priest for more information.
VIOLENCE AFFECTING YOUNG PEOPLE.
Standing Together Sunday is a day for all in Britain & Ireland to share one Sunday where they pray for our young people and take action to address “Violence Affecting Young People” (VAYP). Synergy Network (SN) provides online resources in support of “Standing Together against serious young violence”. For 2025, SN is inviting everyone to come together in unity, to bring our collaborative efforts towards reducing & bringing an end to VAYP. Standing Together events will take place on the weekend of the 19/20th July 2025. Visit www. https://wearesynergy.org.uk/ for more information. Archbishop John has made a statement which is available to view on the parish website.
ARCHCERT COURSE.
A lifechanging opportunity! Do you desire to know Jesus more intimately?
The Archbishop’s Certificate (ArchCert) is a two-year online course for all in Southwark and beyond who wish to understand their faith in a more profound way and be able to share it with both confidence and joy. The course will commence on 18 October 2025 and the cost will be £400 per year. The full cost of the course, payable over 2 years is £800. In addition, registration must be completed in advance and there is a non-refundable registration fee of £50. Further details can be found at https://aec.rcaos.org.uk/archcert
RCIA & ADULT CONFIRMATION.
Application forms are now available from the parish priest.
READERS.
We are looking for more readers to proclaim the Liturgy of the Word at all Masses.
Please speak to the parish priest if you are interested in joining the team.
UPCOMING EVENTS
PARISH FAMILY FUN DAY – 14TH SEPTEMBER 2025.
Please save the date. There will be a BBQ, games, bouncy castle, ice cream truck, stalls and much more for all the family to enjoy. At the end of the day, the parish social club will be open in the hall who will be having a family pub quiz. All are welcome.
If you would like to have a stall or can donate cakes and refreshments please email bostallpark@rcaos.org.uk. Donations for raffle prizes, bottles and more can be brought to the house and left with Melissa or the parish priest. If you are able to volunteer in any way, please contact the parish office. More details to follow.
VOCATIONS DAY CELEBRATION with Marian Consecration on Sunday, 17th August 2025 at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, Bostall Park. Highlights include Consecration/ renewal of Marian Consecration at 11am Mass, Gospel Music, Celebration of Priestly, Religious Profession or Marriage Anniversaries (1st, 5th, 10th, 15th, 20th, 25th, 30th, 35th, 40th, 45th, 50th and above 50th Wedding Anniversaries. Interested couples should text their names to the WhatsApp phone number 07424269423 or email vocationpromotersGLAP@gmail.com), Speeches on Marriage, Priestly and Consecrated life, Entertainment & Refreshments. Come, let's celebrate our vocations at the feet of Mary! Ave Maria! For more information contact Fr Innocent Ezeonyeasi, Founder/Spiritual Director or see the poster in the porch.
DAY FOR READERS & EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF THE EUCHARIST.
The next day retreat for parish readers and extraordinary ministers of the eucharist is on Saturday 18th October at St. Stephen’s Church, Welling. The day will start at 9;30am with Tea/Coffee followed by Adoration, talks on ‘Discipleship of Hope’ & ‘Virtual Ministry’ & ‘Liturgy of Witness’ and will conclude with Mass at 2:30pm. Please can you inform the parish office if you are able to attend as soon as possible. Please bring a packed lunch.
THE DIVINE MERCY APOSTOLATE.
The Divine Mercy Apostolate, London is holding a Celebration of St Faustina Birthday at Aylesford Priory, Kent on Bank Holiday Monday, 25th August 2025 from 10:30 am to 4pm. The reflection day will include teachings on the Message of Divine Mercy, Holy Mass, Hour of Mercy with Stations of the Cross, Adoration and Benediction and Veneration of the Image of Merciful Jesus. All welcome. Call Millie on 07957594646 for more information.
PARISH GROUPS NOTICES
LUNCH CLUB.
Meeting 24th July at 12.30pm in the hall.
UCM MEETING.
The next meeting of the UCM is Wednesday 30th of July at 7pm in the Porch. New members always welcome.
BLESSED CARLO ACUTIS YOUTH CIRCLE.
Meeting 25th July at 6pm in the Church.
LEGION OF MARY.
Every Monday at 7pm in the porch.
New members welcome.
MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK
FIFTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Saturday 19th July
G Feria
9.30 a.m. Adoration
10.00 a.m. Blasco Goes WB
G SIXTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
6.30 p.m. Magdaline D’Souza WB on her 90th birthday
Sunday 20th July G
8.30 a.m. Daily Rosary
9.00 a.m. Erlinda Nethercott RIP (3rd Ann.)
10.30 a.m. Daily Rosary
11.00 a.m. Holy Souls
Monday 21st July
G Feria
No Public Mass Today
Tuesday 22nd July
W St. Mary Magdalene
7 p.m. Daily Rosary
7.30 p.m. Patrick Joseph Meehan RIP
Wednesday 23rd July
W St. Bridget
9.30 a.m. Adoration
10.00 a.m. Melqui Rodrigues RIP
Thursday 24th July
G Feria
9.30 a.m. Adoration
10.00 a.m. Holy Souls
Friday 25th July
R St. James the Apostle
9.30 a.m. Rosary for the Dead
10.00 a.m. Nisha Jacques RIP (10th Ann.)
8.00 p.m. Marian Retreat Webinar
Saturday 26th July
W Ss. Joachim & Anne
9.30 a.m. Adoration
10.00 a.m. Yasmin & Eric Patel WB
G SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
6.30 p.m. Lavina Pereira RIP
Sunday 27th July G
8.30 a.m. Daily Rosary
9.00 a.m. Desmond Rodrigues RIP
10.30 a.m. Daily Rosary
11.00 a.m. Holy Souls