Saturday 24th October - Sunday 1st November 2026
THIRTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – CYCLE A – 25TH OCTOBER 2026
REFLECTIONS ON THE HOLY ROSARY – THE SORROWFUL MYSTERIES
The Agony in the Garden – conformity to God’s will
Jesus knows torture and death lie ahead and he prays that the cup will pass. He also prays God’s will be done. In his agony, he carries the weight of our sins so that we may be saved. I imagine the courage it took to give himself to God’s plan. We too suffer and while we may pray the suffering will end, we are given support from Our Lord to endure, as Jesus received strength from the angel in the garden. I pray for the courage to conform to God’s will especially when it may be difficult.
The Scourging at the Pillar – Mortification
Jesus is brutally tortured to near death. Scourging was more than mere beating; it involved using instruments to inflict the most pain and blood loss possible without actually killing. Jesus was beaten for our sins. His mother watched as her son’s blood spilled on the ground. I imagine the horror she felt watching her precious child be brutalized, and how hard it must have been to not run to his rescue. I pray for forgiveness for my sins, the sins that contributed to the torture of my Lord.
The Crowning with Thorns – Moral Courage
Jesus is stripped, reclothed with a scarlet robe and crowned with thorns. He is mocked and spit upon by the soldiers. The people demand his crucifixion. Despite his innocence, he does not defend himself. He is strong in the face of hatred. I imagine his sadness at the people’s ignorance, his sorrow at their contempt. I pray for courage to defend God’s truth and strength to withstand the criticism and hatred of others.
The Carrying of the Cross – Patience
Jesus’ humiliation continues as he carries the Cross he will be crucified on through the town and people continue to mock him. I imagine the pain of the heavy wood against his back, rubbing against the open wounds from the scourging, the hot sun on him, the thirst, and hunger. I imagine his grief at seeing Mary, knowing she is watching her son die. Jesus is patient in enduring this suffering for us. I pray for more forgiveness, knowing my sins add to the weight of that Cross. I pray for patience in my own times of difficulty.
The Crucifixion – Salvation
Jesus arrives and is nailed to the cross. As he hangs, slowly dying, he is comforted by the presence of Mary, her sister, John and Mary Magdalene. Mary is strong. She has watched him suffer and now die and she never leaves him. I imagine her heartache. In his words to Mary, “Woman, behold, your son” all of us are entrusted to her love. I pray in thanksgiving for Christ’s suffering and sacrifice so that I may be saved.
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 am 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.
· Deanery Mass for deceased Clergy. There will be a mass held for the Deanery’s deceased clergy on Friday, 6th November at 12.00 noon. All are welcome.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2027
The next meeting for parents who wish for their children to receive First Holy Communion in 2027, is on Sunday, 29th November at 12.30 pm in the church.
PARISH DAY OF REMEMBRANCE 2026
Together with PL Mulligan Funeral Directors, our parish community is warmly invited to gather in prayer and remembrance of our beloved faithful departed on Sunday, 8th November, at 4.30 pm in the church. Following the service, all are welcome to share light refreshments in the porch and take a moment to remember and celebrate the lives of those we hold dear.
MONTH OF THE HOLY SOULS - BLESSING OF GRAVES
Brook Street Cemetery, Erith - Sunday, 8th November, 3:00 p.m.
Kemnal Park Cemetery, Sidcup - Sunday, 8th November, 2:00 p.m.
Sidcup Cemetery - Sunday, 15th November, 2:00 p.m.
Hillview Cemetery, Welling - Saturday, 21st November, 11:00 a.m.
St Paulinus Cemetery, Crayford - Sunday, 8th November, 12:30 p.m.
Bexleyheath Cemetery - Sunday, 8th November, 2:00 p.m.
Plumstead Cemetery - Saturday, 7th November, 12:00 noon.
Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace, Amen.
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 ASAP. Please bring a packed lunch. For further information, please contact the Episcopal Vicar for South East London’s Office at evse@rcaos.org.uk.
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. Invitations can be found in the porch.
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.
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
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 are welcome.
MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK
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
Monday 26th October G Feria
No Public Mass
Tuesday 27th October G Feria
7.00 pm Daily Rosary
7.30 pm Holy Souls
Wednesday 28th October R
Ss Simon & Jude, Apostles
9.30 Adoration
10.00 am Wilhelmina McCahey RIP
Thursday 29th October G Feria
9.30 am Adoration & Prayer for Vocations
10.00 am Holy Souls
Friday 30th October G Feria
9.30 am Prayers for the Dead
10.00 am Holy Souls
Saturday 31st October G Feria
Family Marian Devotion at home
ALL SAINTS W
6.00 pm Daily Rosary
6.30 pm Holy Souls
7.30 pm Daily Rosary
Sunday 1st November W
ALL SAINTS
8.30 am Daily Rosary
9.00 am Staff of St Thomas More Primary School WB
10.30 am Daily Rosary
11.00 am Clara D’Souza RIP