OCTOBER IS THE MONTH OF THE HOLY ROSARY
THE THIRTIETH WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME
Dear parishioners,
Last week we were pleased to welcome and listen to Fr Vincent of the Mill Hill Missionaries. Sadly, the great powerhouse of mission at Mill Hill is now gone. There used to be hundreds of priests and brothers and sisters there at any onetime who were training for the missions, training others or perhaps who had been called back for a period before being sent out again. These were and are impressive people. When entering the order, they place their trust in God and once ordained or professed, would be sent anywhere in the world where they were needed. Many never came back, some dying of exhaustion or sickness in the challenging places they were sent to preach the gospel. Fr Vincent told me of a young priest who was sent to a mountain community in the far east and during his life, was never able to attract many people. He died young on the mission but now there is a large and thriving catholic community where he laboured. Sometimes we don’t see the fruit of our own labours, but in serving Christ, we do good works because they are good and in the Lord’s service: this is the only reason for doing good and making sacrifices for others and that is satisfaction enough for the Christian soul.
The second collection this weekend is in support of Missio, the Church’s official organ for the support of foreign missions. The collection taken this Sunday goes in its entirety to support hospitals, schools and vocations in countries where the Church is new, young or poor. Missio works through local bishops, churches and missionary congregations to ensure that resources are distributed equitably and justly on the basis of need. The money goes directly from England and Wales to the bishops in the mission territories: local church directly helping local church. (from the Southwark Directory)
Food Bank
The large container will be in the porch again for our donations of food for people in our neighbourhood who are not getting-by each week on the little money they have. Thanks to the assistance of a parishioner, our donations will be taken to the Food Bank in Bexleyheath on Monday mornings. Packets, tins and food with a long shelf life is preferred.
Our Lord Jesus Christ says:
"Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back." - Luke 6:37-38
First Holy Communion 2022
Applications are now open. Closing date for applications is on Sunday 14th November. Classes will take place on a Saturday morning at 10.30 a.m. in the Hall from Saturday 8th January 2022.
First Communion Catechists are still needed. Please contact me if you can serve the children of your parish in this way.
Sunday Children’s Liturgy in the Hall
Hopefully this will resume at 9.00 a.m. on Sunday 14th November. Helpers still needed. Please contact me or Fiona Martyres.
Message from MIND IN BEXLEY : ‘TALK TO US…about your difficulties coping with low mood, frustration, depression, anxiety, sleeping difficulties that have an impact on your daily life e.g. work, relationships, family life or caring role. Call MIND IN BEXLEY on 0208 3038932 or ask your GP or healthcare professional for a referral or refer online at www.mindinbexley.org.uk
or email: referral@mindinbexley.org.uk
Mind in Bexley, 2A Devonshire Road, Bexleyheath DA6 8DS
Mind offers information, support and guidance to adults registered with a Bexley GP for:
Talking Therapies
Recovery College: Education and well –being service for people with mental health issues including activities for physical wellbeing
Social and Peer Support
Mental Health Carers Support
Welfare Rights for individuals with a mental health diagnosis
Employment Support for individuals with mental health issues
Out of hours Crisis Cafe
Parish Pilgrimage to Walsingham (possibly May 2022). More interest has been expressed. I’m waiting to get at least a mini – bus full and then will make bookings. Please let me know if you would like to come too. Dates to follow and coach or mini -bus will be booked.
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:
Sandra Nourse who died on 3rd September 2021. The Funeral was on Wednesday 22nd September.
John Joe Corbett who died on 23rd September 2021, aged 73. The funeral was on Wednesday 13th October 2021.
Patrick Joseph Flynn who died on Saturday 25th September, aged 93. Funeral Requiem at 11.30 a.m. on Monday 25th October followed by committal at Eltham Crematorium.
Raymond Frank Hawkins who died on Thursday 30th September, aged 91. Funeral Requiem on Friday 12th November at 10.00 a.m. with Vigil Mass at 7.00 p.m. on Thursday 11th November with the Knights of St Columba.
Ray Hawkins was a man of many talents who came to St Thomas More’s Parish in 1964 with his late wife, Ann. For many years he led the Choir at the 9.00 a.m. mass on Sundays. He was a member of Council 380 of the Knights of St Columba for over fifty years and provincial Treasurer during that time. He was a member of the Parish Council in recent years and Treasurer of both St Thomas More’s Social Club and the Thursday Lunch Club. He is survived by his three sons, Simon, Michael and Andrew. Ray, who was an Engineer, was a very focussed man who carried out his responsibilities to a very high standard and once he got his teeth into the task carried it out to successful completion. May he rest in peace.
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 COMING WEEK: THE THIRTIETH WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME
Psalter week 2 Ferial cycle 1 at mass.
Saturday 23rd October THE THIRTIETH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME (B). World Mission Day: day of prayer for the evangelization of the world. Second Collection for Missio.
6.00 p.m. Confessions
+ 6.30 p.m. MASS [said] Fran Olaj R.I.P.
Sunday 24th October
8.30 a.m. The Daily Rosary
+ 9.00 a.m. SUNG MASS. Paul & Val Yeates & their children P.I.
+ 11.00 a.m. SOLEMN LATIN MASS [with English Readings] Peter Keane R.I.P. (8th anniversary)
4.00 p.m. Reception of the late Patrick Flynn.
No Parish Social Evening in the Hall due to a booking.
Monday 25th October feria
10.30 a.m. The Daily Rosary
+ 11.30 a.m. Funeral Requiem for Patrick Flynn R.I.P. followed by committal at Eltham Crematorium.
Tuesday 26th October Ss Chad & Cedd, bishops.
9.30 a.m. The Daily Rosary
+ 10.00 a.m. Feliciano & Helene D’Sa T.G.
Wednesday 27th October feria.
The Daily Rosary at home.
NO PUBLIC MASS TODAY
Thursday 28th October Ss Simon & Jude, apostles, feast.
9.30 a.m. The Daily Rosary
+ 10.00 a.m. Josephine ‘Josie’ Talbot R.I.P. 1st anniversary.
2.00 p.m. Thursday Lunch Club Afternoon Tea
Friday 29th October feria.
11.30 a.m. The Daily Rosary
+ 12.00 noon Memorial Requiem for Maureen Matilda Bowes R.I.P. who died on 31st May 2020 during ‘the lockdown’.
6.00 p.m. choir practice
Saturday 30th October Our Lady’s Saturday.
9.30 a.m. The Daily Rosary & Confessions
+ 10.00 a.m. [Latin] Derek Pitcher R.I.P.
11.30 a.m. Baptism
[+ 6.30 p.m. ALL SAINTS. Fran Olaj R.I.P.)
OCTOBER PRAYER
The Rosary in October
Those who recite five decades of the Rosary in church, or as a family, a religious community, or as a group of the faithful, may gain a plenary indulgence daily; in other circumstances a partial indulgence. A partial indulgence may be obtained daily by reciting the Litany of Loreto and the Prayer to St. Joseph. (Southwark Directory p215)
Pray the Rosary Daily this October! See the daily times above.
Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us!
God bless,
Fr. Jonathon