Saturday 26th September - Sunday 4th October 2026
TWENTY SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – CYCLE A – 27TH SEPTEMBER 2026
A Pastoral Message on the Occasion of the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation and the March for Life 2026
(cont. from last week…)
Our concern for human dignity does not end at birth. The love of Christ and the love of our neighbour require us to defend human life, to protect human dignity, and to work for justice and peace, exercising proper care for the world in which God has placed us. These concerns belong together because they spring from our obedience to the one God who is Creator and Lord.
We are not the authors of creation; God is. Our task is to receive his gifts with gratitude, to recognise the order he has placed within creation, and to seek his will rather than our own. We are called to cherish what God has entrusted to us; to stand beside those whom the world is tempted to overlook or discard; and to hand on his gifts faithfully to those who will come after us.
Let us pray in thanksgiving for the beauty and goodness of God’s creation, and ask forgiveness for the ways in which we have damaged or misused it. Let us pray and witness peaceably for unborn children, their mothers, fathers, and families. Let our prayer be simple and clear: Lord, teach us to know and do your will.
May the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, renew the face of the earth, renew our hearts, and make us faithful witnesses to the dignity, beauty, and goodness of all that God has made.
With every blessing and the assurance of my prayers
Most Rev John Wilson
Archbishop of Southwark
Given at Southwark on 4 September 2026
PARISH NOTICES
CAFOD Family Fast Day, Friday 2nd October 2026
This Family Fast Day, we are sharing a story of CAFOD’s work in northern Zimbabwe, where drought has left communities facing severe food and water shortages. Twelve-year-old Tayla told us she often arrived at school hungry and tired after fetching water for her family. Without enough to eat and drink, she struggled to concentrate and feared she would fall behind in her studies. But thanks to the generosity of parishes like ours local Caritas partners worked with Tayla’s school and community to build a solar-powered water system. Now the school has safe water for drinking and for growing vegetables, meaning they can provide nutritious meals to the children all year round, helping them to stay in education and develop their God-given talents.
To donate for this Appeal, please collect the CAFOD envelope after Mass today and return it with your donation the following week for the second collection.
You can also donate on our contactless machine or you can use the QR code on the poster or on the envelope. Many thanks. Our parish's generosity and support this Family Fast Day will help more children like Tayla stay in school
On Monday 28th September, please pray and fast for the end of abortion and euthanasia in this country. For information on the days of Prayer and Fasting contact The Good Counsel Network on 020 7723 1740, or via www.goodcounselnetwork.com
Service for those who have been harmed. The Archdiocese of Southwark will be holding their annual service for those that have been harmed by abuse on the 30th September 2026, at 6.30pm at St George’s Cathedral. The service will be lead by Archbishop John Wilson and is an opportunity for the archdiocese community to express their solidarity and compassion to those that have been hurt by abuse and our commitment to building safe environments for all. Please attend if you are able.
St Columba’s Catholic Boys’ School Open Day. Parents & carers are warmly invited to attend the Open Day on Saturday 3rd October 2026, from 9.30am to 12.30pm. Come & experience life at St Columba’s, meet students, staff, tour the school, and hear from the Headteacher at 10.30am or 11.30am. We are proud to be one of the highest-performing schools in Bexley for boys of all abilities. The Open Day is an excellent opportunity for families to discover all that we have to offer. To register or find out more, visit www.st-columbas.co.uk. We look forward to welcoming you.
PACT Prisoner’s Sunday. Catholic churches across England & Wales will mark 11th October as Prisoner’s Sunday, a day of prayer and action for people affected by imprisonment. Pact is a national charity that supports prisoners, people with convictions, and their children and families. Visit https://www.prisonadvice.org.uk/donate/ for more information & to donate today.
ARE YOU LOOKING TO JOIN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH?
The next session of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) will take place on 1st October 2026 at 7.15 pm and thereafter every Thursday in the church porch. Please speak with Fr Innocent for further information.
PARISH GROUPS' NOTICES
UCM: The next meeting will be on Saturday, 3rd October at 12.00 noon in the church porch. Please do well to attend, new members welcome. Light refreshments will be served.
LEGION OF MARY: Now meeting every Friday at 11.15 am in the church porch. All are welcome.
LEGION OF MARY MARIAN FUNCTION: The LoM will be celebrating its annual Marian function on Sunday, 27th September at 12.10 pm in the church porch. All are welcome to join in prayer and devotion to Our Lady, as we honour & invoke her blessings on our members and parishioners. Light refreshments will be served after in the church hall.
LUNCH CLUB: The next gathering will be on Thursday, 15th October at 12.30 pm in the hall.
SENIOR YOUTH GROUP: The next session is on 27th September at 10.00 am in the church hall.
MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK
Saturday 26th September G Feria
Family Marian Devotion at home
26th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME G
6.00 pm Daily Rosary
6.30 pm Alicia & Goldwyn Rodrigues RIP
Sunday 27th September G
8.30 am Daily Rosary
9.00 am John Joe Corbett RIP
10.30 am Daily Rosary
11.00 am Aileen Alice Meehan RIP
Monday 28th September G Feria
No Public Mass
Tuesday 29th September W
Ss Michael, Gabriel & Raphael
No Public Mass
Wednesday 30th September W
St Jerome
No Public Mass
Thursday 1st October W
St Therese of the Child Jesus
October Rosary Devotion begins!
9.30 am Adoration & Prayer for Vocations
10.00 am Remy Fernandes RIP
Friday 2nd October W
The Holy Guardian Angels
9.30 am Prayers for the Dead
10.00 am Matthew Schwab RIP
Saturday 3rd October G Feria
Family Marian Devotion at home
12.30 pm Blessing of animals
27th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME G
6.00 pm Daily Rosary
6.30 pm Derek D’Souza TG
7.30 pm Daily Rosary
Sunday 4th October G
8.30 am Daily Rosary
9.00 am Fr John O’Donoghue WB
10.00 am Daily Rosary
10.30 am Daily Rosary
11.00 am Dorothy Nikoi TG for the Lord’s mercy
12.00 pm Daily Rosary