Saturday 26th April - Sunday 4th May 2025
- bostallpark
- Apr 25
- 7 min read
DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY/SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER
SUNDAY 27TH APRIL 2025
Archbishop John’s message to the Archdiocese on Pope Francis
Dear friends, the outpouring of sorrow at the death of Pope Francis, not just within our Church, but across the world, demonstrates the impact the Holy Father had. The reason for Pope Francis's profound impact is simple to explain, but it is one which can be challenging to emulate. The Holy Father was one of the world's great witnesses to the Gospel and to the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ. In a troubled world, which can sometimes appear to be so at odds with the values of our faith, it can feel difficult or even scary to be a witness to the Gospel.
But in Pope Francis we saw not only how it can be done, but also the difference it will make. Not only to our lives, but to the lives of all those we encounter too. To my brother priests, his legacy of love for Christ and His people should be one we seek to emulate every day in our ministry.
Last year, in a message to priests, Pope Francis called on us to become the “Veronica of every face, of every tear”. But how do we do this? By being a “true icon of Jesus”, he said.
The Holy Father said this constantly means seeing every man, woman and child “as a member of the Mystical Body of Christ”. It is by putting the love of the Lord Jesus for us all at the centre of our ministry, that we can be the true icons of Jesus we are called to be.
So unite yourself to the Lord in prayer. With every person you encounter, especially those who are suffering or on the margins: love them as Jesus loves them. Be Veronica and wipe away their tears and pain. Guide them to the Lord Jesus. Pray for them and be a true icon of Jesus, A true witness to the Gospel in this troubled world. To my baptised brothers and sisters, you too are called to emulate Pope Francis and be a witness to the truth of the Gospel and the promises of Christ our Lord. The Holy Father provided us with valuable insight into how we are called to live our lives as followers of the Lord Jesus. The Lord Jesus, Pope Francis said, always sided with the least, teaching his disciples to do the same. This is how we need to be in our lives, in our parishes, in our families, and in our work. Always siding with those on the margins as the Lord Jesus called us to. The Lord Jesus, the Holy Father made clear, never hesitated to speak the truth. Pope Francis said, Christ did this even at the cost of “not being understood” and “of becoming unpopular”, even to the “point of dying on the Cross”. In our lives, we are called to carry the cross of our Lord, and never be afraid to speak the truth of his Gospel. Never with force or anger, but with the love and mercy of the Lord Jesus. As Pope Francis often did, he also used the Blessed Virgin Mary to help us understand how we are called by the Lord. The Blessed Mother, Pope Francis said, is the Mother who takes us by the hand to Jesus. This is why we are called to turn to our Lady ourselves entrusting ourselves to her and imitating her yes to the Lord.
Mary's yes, Pope Francis said, represents the “pinnacle of every religious attitude before God”. Let us say yes to the Lord. Say yes to his call to love our brothers and sisters. Say yes to the Lord's call to be witnesses to the Gospel. So my call to all Catholics in our Archdiocese, to my brother priests, deacons, religious and consecrated persons is this:
Let Pope Francis's legacy be a legacy of love. A love for all we encounter. Show people the love and mercy of Christ. Welcome them into our parishes. In everything you do, be a witness to the Gospel, a witness to the love and mercy of Christ, and never be afraid to speak the truth of the Lord Jesus and his saving Gospel with compassion. Please continue to pray for Pope Francis and may God bless you and keep you. Amen.
Prayer for Francis.
O God, faithful rewarder of souls,
grant that your departed servant Pope Francis,
whom you made successor of Peter and shepherd of your Church,
may happily enjoy for ever in your presence in heaven
the mysteries of your grace and compassion,
which he faithfully ministered on earth.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace. Amen.
May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.
PARISH NOTICES
POPE FRANCIS RIP.
In his message to the Archdiocese, following the death of Pope Francis, Archbishop John Wilson called on us to imitate the Holy Father and be witnesses to the Gospel. The Archbishop said “let Pope Francis's legacy be a legacy of love” and called on us to be like the Holy Father by being “a witness to the Gospel, a witness to the love and mercy of Christ, and never be afraid to speak the truth of the Lord Jesus and his saving Gospel”. The parish website includes prayers, statements and information relating to the death of Pope Francis.
LEGION OF MARY.
Now every Monday at 6pm in the church. New members welcome.
LUNCH CLUB.
Meeting on 1st May at 12.30pm in the hall.
MONTHLY COFFEE MORNINGS in the porch after each Mass on Sunday starting the 4th May. Speak to Dorothy Nikkoi if you are able to help.
FINANCE SUNDAY.
Next Sunday will be our annual finance Sunday at all Sunday Masses.
BIBLE STUDY GROUP.
Meeting every Thursday in the church at 7pm. All are welcome.
UCM ENROLMENT MASS.
Enrolment Mass followed by buffet lunch for invited guests, members & close family of members will be taking place on the 11th May at 11am.
Thank you to everyone who will be attending the Mass and joining the UCM.
DEATHS.
Please pray for the souls of:
Tom McCormack
Elizabeth Woodward
Rita Fernandes
Norma Marshall whose funeral will be on the 14th May
Ignatius Pereira whose funeral will be on the 2nd May at 11.30am.
May they rest in peace.
JUBILEE YEAR OF HOPE
DEANERY JUBILEE YEAR PILGRIMAGE ON 5TH JULY.
In this Jubilee Year of Hope we are all invited to make a pilgrimage walk from St. Thomas More to St John Vianney. The pilgrimage will start with morning mass at 10.30am at St Thomas More followed by the walk to St John Vianney Church, then we will attend a prayer service at 1pm. Please bring a packed lunch. Voluntary stewards needed. Please speak to Patricia Kilgallon or email the parish office for more information.
PILGRIMAGE TO PENTECOST.
The Diocese have created a 6 week programme, incorporating the Jubilee Celebration at Aylesford, to help lead us to Pentecost during this Jubilee Year of Hope. The first session will be on Friday 2nd May at 7pm in the hall with light refreshments available. This course can be completed at home as well as in our parish group and the booklets to accompany the course are available this weekend. We are asking for a £3.50 donation to cover the cost of the books. Please see the poster in the porch for more information or contact the parish office.
UPCOMING EVENTS
MODERN SLAVERY & ANTI-HUMAN TRAFFICKING SEMINAR.
Caritas Southwark & the Santa Marta Group are hosting a Seminar to discuss Modern Slavery & Anti-Human Trafficking on the 28th May at St Stephen’s Church, Welling from 6.30-8.30PM. Come and find out more about the realities facing victims of trafficking and how the Church is responding.
DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY 27TH APRIL.
This Sunday with veneration of the Divine Mercy image at 3pm in the church.
INTERNATIONAL MASS & PENTECOST MULTICULTURAL LUNCH ON 8TH JUNE.
We look forward to Pentecost Sunday when we will gather together and share a multi-cultural lunch. More details to follow.
CELEBRATION MASS FOR THE SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE, July 12th, at St George’s Cathedral.
If you are celebrating your 1st/10th/25th/40th/50th/60th + wedding anniversary this year, please let us know by the middle of May, providing your names (e.g. John and Mary Smith), address, parish, and the anniversary you are celebrating, so you can receive an invitation from the Archbishop for the renewal of vows during Mass. Spaces are limited. Contact us at mflse@rcaos.org.uk and the title of your email should be your parish, i.e. Bostall Park.
ST THOMAS MORE GOLF SOCIETY at Pedham Place Golf Course. Thursday 29th May. If interested please call Tony Brooke 07833707016. Raffle tickets to support this event will be available closer to the date.
DAY WITH MARY ON 7TH JUNE.
Our parish will be hosting A Day with Mary on the 7th June in the hall. Please take a flyer from the porch and encourage your family and friends to come along. Tea and coffee will be available but please bring a packed lunch with you.
Contact the parish office for more information.
MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK
Saturday 26th April
W EASTER OCTAVE
10.00 a.m. Boniface Madubunyi RIP
W SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER & DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY
6.30 p.m. Jude Chukwubueze Mordi RIP
Sunday 27th April W
8.30 a.m. Daily Rosary
9.00 a.m. Ethan Carvalho TG on his birthday
10.30 a.m. Daily Rosary
11.00 a.m. Colin Chukwuemeka Maduike WB
3.00 p.m. Divine Mercy Sunday
Monday 28th April
R St George
No Public Mass Today
Tuesday 29th April
W Feria
7 p.m. Daily Rosary
7.30 p.m. Holy Souls
Wednesday 30th April
W Feria
9.30 a.m. Adoration
10.00 a.m. Aisha – God’s Mercy
Thursday 1st May
W Feria
9.30 a.m. Adoration
10.00 a.m. Priests and Vocations to the Priesthood
Friday 2nd May
W Feria
9.30 a.m. Divine Mercy
10.00 a.m. Ignatius Pereira RIP
11.30 a.m. Funeral for Ignatius Pereira
Saturday 3rd May
R Ss Philip & James
9.30 a.m. Adoration
10.00 a.m. Dan Frias RIP
W THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER
6.30 p.m. Derek & Tracey D’Souza TG
Sunday 4th May W
8.30 a.m. Daily Rosary
9.00 a.m. Cathy Inglis TG
10.30 a.m. Daily Rosary
11.00 a.m. Eileen Budd TG