Saturday 29th April– 6th May 2023
- jonathonrouth
- Apr 29, 2023
- 3 min read
APRIL IS THE MONTH OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST.
The Fourth Week of Easter
Dear parishioners,
THE CORONATION OF OUR KING, CHARLES III
Message from Cardinal Vincent Nichols:
The coronation of King Charles III will take place on Saturday 6th May 2023 in Westminster Abbey. This will be the first coronation for 70 years in our countries; indeed, the first since our late Queen, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, entered the ancient church as a young woman to take on the awesome responsibilities of monarchy. In his first address to our countries after the death of the Queen, His Majesty stated, in the context of the late Queen's unwavering service, "that promise of lifelong service I renew to you all today."
We are now invited to pray, from Wednesday 3rd May until Friday 5th May, for His Majesty the King as he assumes the fullness of the high office of monarch. We can do this in our daily prayer asking Almighty God to guide the King in his appointed tasks. We can also pray for him when we gather for prayer at Mass. This triduum of prayer will culminate on Friday evening when the Bishops of England and Wales have asked each Catholic community to offer a special Mass for the King before the Coronation on Saturday. It will be the culminating moment of our three days of prayer when we ask God's continuing blessing on our new King and Queen.
The Presidents of Churches Together in England, including Cardinal Vincent, are also encouraging Christians to join in a period of prayer leading up to the Coronation, 'a moment of great importance and joy for this nation. As Presidents of CTE, we invite Christians from all traditions to join together in a period of daily prayer, for both the King and the nation.'
The Cardinal prays: "May God bless His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen Consort, preserve them both in health of mind and body and grant them every grace and blessing now and for the years to come.
"As we look towards the Coronation Day, which will be marked with joy and celebration across our nations and the Commonwealth, let us commend King Charles and Queen Camilla to our Heavenly Father, that he may sustain them in their duties all the days of their lives’’
Mass for the King at St. Thomas More Church
In unity with the Bishops of England and Wales and Catholic parishes and communities throughout the realm, bring your families to a special Mass on Friday at 7.30 p.m. at St Thomas More, offered for our King, Charles III. Domine, salvam fac regem nostrum Carolum: et exaudi nos in die, qua invocaverimus te! (O Lord, save Charles, our King and hear us on the day we call upon you).
Don’t forget to pick up the prayer card from the Cardinal and the English Bishops to mark this happy day for our country!
Prayer for the King from the Bishops of England & Wales.
Almighty God, we pray, that your servant Charles, our King,
who, by your providence has received the governance of this realm,
may continue to grow in every virtue,
that, imbued with your heavenly grace,
he may be preserved from all that is harmful and evil and,
being blessed with your favour, may,
with his consort and the royal family,
come at last into your presence,
through Christ who is the way, the truth and the life
and who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
(Due to the Coronation, the final part of a short series of reflections on the Eucharist to mark April will conclude next week with The Eucharist and The Blessed Virgin Mary)
This coming Friday is also a First Friday:
FIRST FRIDAY DEVOTION
The devotion of the nine First Fridays began with the instructions received by St Margaret Mary Alacoque, who promoted devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
The devotion consists of several practices on the first Friday of nine consecutive months. On these days, we attend mass and receive Holy Communion. In order to receive Communion in a state of grace, we may also need to confess our sins and receive the sacrament of Penance. At St Thomas More, in common with many catholic communities , following holy mass, we will usually have an hour of Adoration, concluding with Benediction. However, this month, because of the special mass for the King in the evening, there will be an hour of adoration in the morning from 10 o’clock, concluding with Benediction at 11.00. Before Christ our King, we can pray for our King Charles III and for peace in our land.
God bless, Fr Jonathon.
UPCOMING EVENTS
SPUC – The SOCIETY for the PROTECTION OF UNBORN CHILDREN: COFFEE MORNING AT ST THOMAS MORE CHURCH
The Bexley Branch of the SPUC are holding a Tiny Feet coffee morning after the 9.00 o’clock mass on Sunday 30th of April in the Church Hall. Prayer cards for the 10 million prayers' campaign will be available as well as tiny feet lapel pins and loads of lovely cake. If you have any questions, please contact Rob Hills at hillsrobert03@gmail.com See you there!'
Thank you for your support
SOUTHWARK VOCATIONS
Have you ever considered you may be called to the priesthood or the religious life? Southwark Vocations will be hosting a 60 minute webinar on Tuesday 9th May at 7pm entitled The Good Shepherd Calls where different presenters will share their experiences about discovering God’s plan for each one of us. Please join us by registering for this event in advance by using following link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUpdOuprDMtH9wKUQ777ddSSjLBucMtsONt
PARISH PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES in October.
Please contact the parish office if you are interested in joining us.
SOUTHWARK DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES 18th-25th August 2023
Message from Bishop Paul:
‘After the restrictions of the past few years, I’m delighted that we are now once more able to include support for pilgrims who need assistance for medical or mobility reasons. In Lourdes, those who are often marginalised are placed at the centre, and we who travel with them are blessed by their presence. I warmly invite you to join us’.
For details, please see
https://www.tangney-tours.com/pilgrimages/lourdes/southwark-ca
THURSDAY LUNCH CLUB
The next lunch club will be on Thursday 4th May.
PARISH NOTICES
SECOND COLLECTION FOR PRIEST TRAINING FUND
This collection helps to meet the cost of training students for the priesthood and the permanent diaconate. It also supports certain forms of ongoing formation of the clergy.
BAR STAFF NEEDED a few hours a month for the parish social club bar. Please contact Mr Tony Brook 07833 707016
FOOD BANK.
The Bexley Food Bank currently particularly requests:
CARRIER BAGS/ TINNED TOMATOES / RICE / NOODLES / JAM / CUSTARD /TOOTPASTE / SHOWER GEl/ DEODORANT/ TOOTHPASTE/ SUGAR / WASHING PODS.
Please follow the link below to view the food donations page of the Bexley food bank website. https://bexley.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/donate-food/
Teaching and Leading in Catholic Schools
Are you a Catholic and a teacher, middle or senior leader in a community school or academy and interested in taking up a role in Catholic education? If so, the Archdiocese of Southwark Education Commission would like to invite you to a twilight session: Teaching and Leading in Catholic Schools.
The session will include opportunities to meet current leaders and the education team, find out about Catholic schools and tips in relation to the application process. This event will be held on Thursday 27th April 2023 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at Amigo Hall, Lambeth Road SE1 6HR.
If you are interested in attending please register by clicking here or if you have any queries please contact Sharon Docherty, RE Team Leader and Professional Learning Manager sharondocherty@rcaos.org.uk
Notice from Marriage and Family Life South East
Planning a catholic marriage? Marriage preparation courses are available by emailing mflse@rcaos.org.uk.
GIFT AID
The new gift aid envelopes will be available after mass again this weekend. Please email the parish office for any questions, if you would like to join the scheme or if your details or circumstances have changed. If you would prefer to donate via standing order, the bank details can be found on the donations section of the parish website but please inform the parish office so your details can be updated.
If you are unable to collect your box, please email the parish office to arrange for them to be delivered to you.
PARISH YOUTH NOTICES
CHILDREN’S CHURCH
Children’s liturgy this Sunday at 9 a.m.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2023.
Next meeting: Saturday 13th May. (no meeting on 6th May due to the Coronation).
CONFIRMATION 2023.
Next meeting: May Parish Rosary & Benediction in the Church on the 7th May at 4 p.m.
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 soul of:
Derek Charles Robinson, whose burial funeral service was on Monday 17th April 2023.
Anne Gallogly, aged 75, dear wife of Sean who died on the 16th of March and whose Funeral Requiem was on Friday 21st April at St John Fisher Catholic Church Bexley.
Elizabeth Murphy, who died on 18th April and whose funeral requiem is on Thursday 4th May at 9.00 a.m. followed by committal at Hillview cemetery.
Eddie Etheridge, who died on 19th April, aged 87.
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 FOURTH WEEK OF EASTER
Instaurare Omnia in Christo: "to restore all things in Christ."
Saturday 29th April St Peter of Verona, martyr [TC]
9.00 a.m. Confessions
9.30 a.m. The Daily Rosary
+ 10.00 a.m. [Latin 1962] Eileen Carpenter R.I.P. (NB next Saturday’s mass at 9.00 a.m.)
10.30 a.m. Confessions.
12.00 noon. Pastoral Council.
6.00 p.m. Confessions
+ 6.30 p.m. FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER ‘Good Shepherd Sunday’: World Day of Prayer for Vocations to the Priesthood and religious life. Second Collection for the Priest Training Fund. Mary Froehlich R.I.P.
Sunday 30th April
8.30 a.m. The Daily Rosary
+9.00 a.m. [SUNG] Peter Fernandes R.I.P. (month’s mind)
Coffee morning in Church Hall in aid of SPUC.
+11.00 a.m. [SOLEMN. Latin with English. Missa de Angelis] Christine Anne Fernandes R.I.P.
Monday 1st May St. Joseph the Worker.
The Daily Rosary at home
NO PUBLIC MASS TODAY
Guild of St Stephen Annual Altar Servers 45th Annual Rally at Aylesford, with Sung Mass at 11.30.
Tuesday 2nd May St. Athanasius, bishop & doctor of the Church, memorial.
9.30 a.m. The Daily Rosary
10.00 a.m. Shirley Ackland R.I.P.
Wednesday 3rd May Ss Philip & James, apostles, feast.
The Daily Rosary at home.
NO PUBLIC MASS TODAY
Thursday 4th May The English Martyrs, feast.
The Daily Rosary at home.
9.00 a.m. Funeral Requiem of Elizabeth Murphy followed by committal at Hilliview.
Friday 5th May King Charles III on his Coronation. First Friday.
9.30 a.m. The Daily Rosary.
10.00 a.m. Adoration and Benediction with Prayers to the Lord for King Charles III.
+ 7.30 p.m. H.M. King Charles III on his Coronation.
6.00 p.m. Parish Choir Practice (new members welcome)
Saturday 6th May Celebration of the BVM [TC] First Saturday.
8.30 a.m. The Daily Rosary
+ 9.00 a.m. [Latin 1962] Monica Affonso R.I.P.
6.00 p.m. Confessions
+ 6.30 p.m. FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER Derek & Tracey D’Souza T.G.
APRIL PRAYER
A thanksgiving to the Lord after receiving Holy Communion.
I thank You, Divine Redeemer, for coming upon the earth for our sake, and for instituting this adorable Sacrament in order to remain with us until the end of the world. I thank you for hiding beneath bread and wine your infinite majesty and beauty, which your angels delight to behold, so that I might have courage to approach the throne of your mercy. I thank you, most loving Jesus, for having made yourself my food, and for resting upon this tongue, which has so often offended you, and for entering this body, which has so often deserved to be visited with your anger. I thank you for uniting me to yourself with so much love in this most wonderful Sacrament that I may live in you.
I thank you, my Jesus, for giving yourself to me in this Blessed Sacrament, and so enriching it with the treasures of your love that you have no greater gift to give me. I thank you not only for becoming my food, but also for offering yourself as a continual sacrifice to your Eternal Father for my salvation.
I thank you, divine Priest, for offering yourself as a Sacrifice daily upon our altars, in adoration and homage to the most Blessed Trinity, and for making amends for our poor and miserable adorations. I thank you for renewing in this daily Sacrifice the actual Sacrifice of the Cross offered on Calvary, in which you satisfy divine justice for us poor sinners.
I thank you, dear Jesus, for having become the priceless Victim to merit for me the fullness of heavenly favours. Awaken in me such confidence in you that their fullness may descend ever more fruitfully upon my soul. I thank you for offering yourself in thanksgiving to God for all his benefits, spiritual and temporal, which He has bestowed upon me. Through you, I hope to receive the grace of perseverance, a holy death, and a happy eternity. Amen.