ST.THOMAS MORE, BEXLEYHEATH. Notices & Schedule.
JANUARY IS THE MONTH OF THE MOST HOLY NAME OF JESUS
Fourth week of ordinary time.
CANDLEMAS.
Do you use candles in your personal prayer? Stock up now and bring them to be blessed on CANDLEMAS, on Friday 2nd FEBRUARY, 7.00 P.M. The mass begins with the blessing of candles in the porch, followed by candlelit procession. Just as the Christ child is processed to the Crib at midnight, so at Candlemas, at the end of mass, He is venerated one last time and then processed out of the church. This marks a change in the season. Until this day our liturgy is said in the light of Christmas. After Candlemas we look towards Lent ahead.
Crib.
All donations made at our crib this year will go to the Catholic Children’s Society. Your donation will help local disadvantaged children and their families.
DEVOTIONS TO THE MOST HOLY NAME OF JESUS.
With hymns, the Litany of the Most Holy Name, adoration and Benediction. This Sunday 28th January, 4.00 p.m.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2024.
SESSION 4 this Saturday, 27th January 10.30 a.m.
SESSION 5 next Saturday, 3rd February, 10.30 a.m.
CONFIRMATIONS 2024.
Anyone who would like to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation this year, speak to the parish priest after Sunday mass and ask for an application form.
BUILDING A BETTER MARRIAGE
As part of the preparation for the 2025 Jubilee year, the Southwark Marriage and Family Team will be running a Building a Better Marriage Course throughout the Archdiocese from February 2024. The one-day course is for married couples (whether married for one year, 60 years or anywhere in between). It seeks to help husbands and wives to make their marriage better and to improve their communication skills. There is no group sharing and private information remains private to each couple. Couples who have attended previously have found it enjoyable, informative, and uplifting. For more information contact the Marriage and Family Life team through the Archdiocese of Southwark website: https://www.rcsouthwark.co.uk/mission/marriage-and-family-life
SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF UNBORN CHILDREN.
Please contact your MP and urge them to oppose Stella Creasy and Diana Johnson's amendments to the criminal justice bill. As we know the pills by post scheme has led to the death of totally viable, healthy babies outside of the provisions of the abortion act itself. Rather than scrap this flawed scheme these amendments have been tabled making a self-performed (home abortion) possible at any stage of pregnancy and removing the prohibition on hiding the body of a dead newborn baby including in circumstances where the baby has been killed by infanticide (I couldn't believe this either) Urge your MP to support Early Day Motion 131 instead. Please visit www.spuc.org.uk and sign up for email alerts. You'll get details about how to make a submission to the committee dealing with these amendments - headingcriminaljusticebill2023scrutiny@parliament.uk
THURSDAY LUNCH CLUB meets again on Thursday 1st February 2024 at 12.30 p.m.
Parish family pilgrimage to Walsingham.
Spend some joyful time together in the beautiful surroundings of the Norfolk countryside at England’s National Shrine of Mother Mary.
29th – 31st May 2024. Please see poster in the porch for further information or contact the parish office.
Deadline for interest 31st March.
Enjoy an evening out
St Thomas More Parish Club Presents
A social evening for all the family, everybody welcome with Music by Annie Gee Friday 16th February 2024 8.00 p.m. till 11.00 p.m.
Admission - Adults £3.00 at the door St Thomas More Hall, Long Lane DA7 5JW For more information call Jenny 07710 527692 Mary 07369 252072
COULD YOU FOSTER? or do you know someone who has space in their life and a spare bedroom to help transform a child's life?
Some people may be surprised to know how crucial the need for foster carers is. Yet, for many years, there has been a huge shortfall.
Of course, in an ideal world, Chrysalis Care would not exist…social care would not be needed. However, for all sorts of reasons, children and young people cannot stay with their birth parents and birth family. Therefore, foster carers are really needed.
Chrysalis Care is a family-owned high quality fostering agency with a purpose to transform the lives of children and young people through the quality of care they will receive from our foster carers and their families and through the provision of our comprehensive child centred team. We ensure we always prepare, support and stand alongside our carers throughout their whole fostering careers.
If you are thinking of fostering, please visit our website at www.chrysaliscarefostering.org where you will find information about the many types of fostering or you can call us on 0208 298 2800 or email us at info@chrysaliscare.org. We would love to hear from you and would very much like to welcome you to our team.
FOOD BANK.
You can make your donations before any mass in the crates in the Church Porch (narthex) and they are taken to Bexley Food Bank on a Monday morning. Please follow the link below to view the food donations page of the Bexley food bank. See:https://bexley.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/donate-food/
Bexley Food Bank Requirements:
Food UHT Milk Tinned Meat (Hotdogs, Meatballs, etc.) Tinned Fish Tinned Fruit Sponge/Rice Puddings Coffee (small jars) Long-life Juice Pasta Sauce Spreads Tinned Meals (Spaghetti, Chicken or Veg Curry’s Chilli) Tinned Soup Jam and Spreads
Non-food Items Shower Gel Shampoo Conditioner Deodorant Toilet rolls Washing Up Liquid Laundry Detergent Pods Shower Gel
THE DIVINE MERCY APOSTOLATE, London, is holding a Divine Mercy Afternoon of Reflection on Saturday 10 February 2024 from 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm at St Georges R.C. Cathedral, Westminster Bridge Road London SE1 7HY
The Reflection will include teachings on the Message of Mercy, Holy Mass, Way of the Cross, Hour of Mercy with Adoration and Benediction and Veneration of the Image of Merciful Jesus. All Welcome. Please call Millie on 07957594646 for more information
DAY WITH MARY
1.St Anselm’s, West Hill, Dartford. 27th January 2024 9.30 a.m.-4.30 p.m.
2.Our lady Help of Christians, Mottingham Road, Mottingham. Saturday 17th February 2024 9.30a.m.- 5.00 p.m.
3.St Elphege, Stafford Road, Wallington. 24th February 2024 8.45 a.m.-4.15 p.m. Bring a packed lunch. Tea and coffee provided.
‘DAY WITH MARY’ PILGRIMAGE TO FATIMA 7th to 14th June 2024 If interested contact Trevor Downs ‘A Day With Mary’ Tel: 020 8641 6418
E-mail: adwmary.uk@gmail.com
Escorted Pilgrimage to Knock & Co Mayo.
3rd March 2024. £899.00 pps. Price includes flight, 10kg hold luggage, 5 nights’ in 4* Castlecourt Hotel, Westport with Dinner, Bed & Breakfast. Lunch on three days. All entertainment, excursions and transport included. Visit Knock, Galway City, Kylemore Abbey, Croagh Patrick & Ashford Castle. Single supplement on Enquiry. Contact Patricia or Natali on 01268 762 278 or 07740 175557 or email knockpilgrimages@gmail.com.
Vocations Weekend for Women (20s & 30s)
Theme: Discerning God's Call in your life
Dates: 16-18 February 2024
Location: Liverpool
The weekend is organised by the Sisters, Faithful Companions of Jesus (FCJ). Jesus invites each of us to 'Come and See' - this weekend will give the opportunity to explore the vocation to religious life and to reflect on God's call to you.
If you are wondering if God is calling you to religious life and would like to find out more why not come along? You are welcome to stay for the weekend or just come along on Saturday for the day. There will be opportunity for prayer, reflection and input, chance to ask questions and to meet others who are also wondering where God is calling them.
For more information contact Sr Lynne fcJ at fcjvocationeurope@gmail.com or visit their website www.fcjsisters.org
NURSERY 2024 ADMISSIONS
If your child was born between 1 September 2020 and 31 August 2021 and you would like to apply for a place at St Fidelis Nursery for September 2024, it is important that you submit your application soon. Parents and carers will need to collect and return a
supplementary form to the school office by the closing date of Wednesday 27th March 2024. The open mornings for admission to Nursery for
September 2024 will take place at the following times:
● Thursday 25th January 9:30am
● Wednesday 7th February 9:30am
● Thursday 29th February 9:30am
● Wednesday 20th March 9:30am
Each open morning tour will begin promptly at 9:30 a.m.for approximately 30 minutes) and will provide visitors with an opportunity to view the Nursery during a normal working day. Parents and carers will be taken
on a guided tour of our Nursery where we will be delighted to show you what our Nursery is like and what we think makes our school Nursery unique.
Contact: admin@st-fidelis.bexley.sch.uk tel: 01322 227752
DEATHS
Brian William Wilson, after receiving the sacraments of Holy Church, died on Sunday 7th January 2024, aged 76. His funeral requiem is on Wednesday 31st January 2024 at 11.30 a.m. followed by committal at Hillview Cemetery at 1.00 p.m.
MASSES AND INTENTIONS
Fourth Week of Ordinary Time
Saturday 27th January Ss John Chryosostom, bishop, confessor, doctor[TC]
9.00 a.m. Confessions
9.30 a.m. The Daily Rosary
+ 10.00 a.m. Low Mass [Latin 1962] The people of the parish
10.30 a.m. FHC24 session 4. Church Hall.
+ 6.30 p.m. Said FOURTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME (B) Hugo Morris R.I.P.
Sunday 28th January
8.30 a.m. The Daily Rosary
+ 9.00 a.m. Sung with Liturgy of the Word for Children. Domnick Pacheco R.I.P.
+11.00 a.m. Solemn Latin Mass (in Latin with English Readings. Missa Orbis Factor) Ken Hayward R.I.P.(Laurence’s uncle) who died last Monday.
4.00 p.m. DEVOTIONS TO THE MOST HOLY NAME OF JESUS with hymns, the Litany of the Most Holy Name, Adoration and Benediction.
7.00 p.m. Parish Social Evening in Church Hall. All welcome.
Monday 29th January. feria.
9.30 a.m. The Daily Rosary
+10.00 a.m. Sr. Valsamma R.I.P. (3rd anniversary)
Tuesday 30th January feria
The Daily Rosary at home
NO PUBLIC MASS TODAY
Wednesday 31st January St. John Bosco, priest, memorial.
+ 11.30 a.m. Funeral Requiem of Brian William Wilson followed by committal at Hillview Cemetery.
Thursday 1st February feria.
5.30 p.m. The Daily Rosary
NB +6.00 p.m. Barbara Slade R.I.P.
12.30 p.m. Lunch Club
Friday 2nd February THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD ‘CANDLEMAS’ (aka The Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary) FEAST.
The Daily Rosary at home.
NO MORNING MASS.
6.00 p.m. Choir Practice.
+ 7.00 p.m. SUNG. Colin Sullivan R.I.P. (month’s mind) with Blessing of Candles and procession.
Saturday 3rd February Celebration of the BVM with comm. of St Blaise. [TC]
9.00 a.m. Confessions
9.30 a.m. The Daily Rosary
+ 10.00 a.m. Low Mass [Latin 1962] The people of the parish, followed by Blessing of throats in honour of St. Blaise.
10.30 a.m. FHC24 session 5. Church Hall.
+ 6.30 p.m. Said FIFTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME (B) Francis and Martha Yeates R.I.P.