Saturday 4th - Sunday 12th October 2025
- bostallpark
- Oct 3
- 6 min read
TWENTY SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – CYCLE C
CAFOD HARVEST SUNDAY 5TH OCTOBER 2025
UNDERSTANDING THE MYSTERIES OF THE ROSARY (PART 1)
The word “rosary” means “garland of roses,” and each prayer in the rosary can be thought of as an offering of a rose to Jesus through Mary. The structure of the rosary lends itself to meditation on the mysteries of the life of Christ, during which Catholics can contemplate the virtues practiced and the lessons learned. But what are the mysteries and what lessons should we be learning from them? In this story, we will explain each of the mysteries of the rosary. The rosary is a dialogue between us and our Blessed Mother. Saint Pope John Paul II said this about the rosary: “It is our daily meeting, which neither I nor the Blessed Virgin neglect.” Let us pray that Mary will intercede for us in heaven and lead us closer to her Son Jesus Christ.
The Joyful Mysteries
The Annunciation - The angel Gabriel announces to Mary, a virgin, that God has chosen her to conceive and bear the Son of God. Mary’s faith and trust in God’s message allowed her to be receptive to God’s sovereign plan and to cooperate with all that was asked of her. May we, too, listen with faith and humility to the word of our Lord and willingly submit ourselves to His divine will.
The Visitation - Mary, pregnant with Jesus, travels with haste to the hill country to be with her cousin Elizabeth, who is also with child. Elizabeth reveals that upon Mary’s greeting, the child in her womb leapt for joy. Mary glorifies God for His greatness. Just as Mary travelled with haste to spread the good news to Elizabeth, we must not hesitate to carry out our evangelistic mission to bring God’s presence into the lives of others.
The Nativity - Mary gives birth to a son, our Saviour, in a humble stable. The birth of the divine Child is first proclaimed to the lowly shepherds in the field. Jesus, the eternal King, who came to save His people from their sins, entered the world in poverty to teach us humility and detachment from earthly things.
The Presentation in the Temple - In obedience to the Law of Moses, Mary and Joseph bring the Christ child to the Temple to present Him to God. Even though Jesus, as God, is not subject to the Law, His parents model obedience by submitting to the Law. Likewise, Mary, the embodiment of purity itself, ritually purifies herself in humble submission. We must always purify our hearts and be obedient to God’s Law.
The Finding in the Temple - Following the feast of the Passover, Mary and Joseph are unknowingly separated from Jesus. After three days of searching, they find him in the Temple, sitting and conversing with the elders. This account reminds us of the importance of family and our obligation to care for one another. We pray for the wisdom to understand the needs of others and respond with charity.
To be continued.
PARISH NOTICES
CAFOD HARVEST DAY 2025.
CAFOD is the official Catholic aid agency for England and Wales working with local experts across the world, bringing hope, compassion & solidarity to communities, standing side by side with them to end poverty and injustice no matter their faith. Last week we handed out Family Fast day envelopes which can be returned this weekend. Alternatively, you can donate on the contactless devices, using the QR code on the CAFOD posters or by bank transfer. For more information about the work CAFOD do and to become a regular donor visit https://cafod.org.uk/
FOOD BANK.
Just a reminder that we still need donations for the Bexley Food Bank. Donations can be placed in the porch. There is a sign where you can check what items are needed along with details of how you can make a financial donation if you wish. Please do not leave any perishable items. Donations are delivered to the food bank on Friday mornings.
FHC & CONFIRMATION 2026.
Application forms are now available from the parish priest after Sunday Mass. We are also looking to grow our team of catechists for all sacraments so if you would be interested please speak to the parish priest. No experience necessary and training will be provided.
TODDLER PRAYER TIME.
Join Mrs McClumpha & Benny the Prayer Bear for toddler prayer time every Wednesday between 2.40pm-3pm at St. Thomas More Primary School. Please see the poster in the porch.
DEATHS.
Please pray for the repose of the souls of Rita Carrier whose funeral was on the 1st October & Anysia Saldanha who died on the 11th September.
Rita was an active member of the parish for many years before becoming ill and Anysia was a regular Lunch Club member with her husband. Anysia’s funeral will be on the 10th October at Our Lady of the Angel’s, Erith at 11.30am followed by committal at Hillview Cemetery, Welling.
RCIA & ADULT CONFIRMATION CLASSES - every Wednesday, till Easter 2026. Venue: Church Porch. Time: 7:15pm. Anyone can join to learn and/or refresh one’s knowledge and faith in God.
UPCOMING EVENTS
CVTA CONFERENCE – 11TH OCTOBER.
The Churches Visitor & Tourism Association and the Carmelite Charitable Trust invite you to attend this free conference which will be held at the Shrine of St. Jude, Faversham, Kent from 9.30am. The theme for this year is Pilgrimage. The day will include free networking, learning and collaboration around pilgrimage. Please book your place at https://tinyurl.com/2025CVTA . See the letter in the porch for more information.
RETROUVAILLE MARRIAGE SUPPORT.
Holiday periods can be very stressful for marriages and couples often suffer in silence. Does your relationship need some TLC? Need help with deeper issues? Next programme starts 17th October. For more information visit www.retrouvaille.org.uk or call 07887 296 983
CELEBRATING CULTURAL & ETHNIC IDENTITIES IN OUR PARISHES – FREE WEBINAR.
Join the Archdiocese of Southwark’s Commission for Promoting Racial and Cultural Inclusion for a free webinar exploring how cultural and ethnic identities can be celebrated within our parishes on Thursday 16 October at 7:00–8:45 pm. Join via Zoom: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/QJ5vL4nURTmnHUlAa2BiKA
All are welcome – parishioners, clergy, chaplaincy teams and ministry leaders. For more information contact Caritas Southwark at caritassouthwark@rcaos.org.uk
JUNIOR YOUTH GROUP.
This is a youth group for 8-13 year olds and will be held on the first Sunday of the month at 10am starting this Sunday. Please speak to the parish priest for more information.
DAY FOR READERS & EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF THE EUCHARIST.
The day retreat for parish Readers & Eucharistic Ministers is on Saturday 18th October at St. Stephen’s Church, Welling. Please inform the parish office if you are able to attend as soon as possible. Please bring a packed lunch.
PRAY THE ROSARY WITH ARCHBISHOP JOHN
& THE MARK 10 MISSION.
The Rosary Challenge invites you to pray a decade of the Rosary each weekday in October. The Mark 10 Mission has created beautiful online videos for each mystery of the Holy Rosary, led by Archbishop John. To view the videos & learn more, visit themark10mission.co.uk or their YouTube channel @themark10mission.
SHARING YOUR FAITH WORKSHOP – 11TH OCTOBER.
The Agency for Evangelisation & Catechesis are hosting a workshop on Saturday 11th October 10am-3:30pm at Ss. John Fisher & Thomas More, Eltham, Well Hall. This one-day workshop aims to explore what it means to share our Catholic Faith. For more details, including how to register, please see the poster in the porch.
PARISH GROUPS NOTICES
LEGION OF MARY.
Now every Friday at 11:15am in the porch.
New members welcome.
UCM MEETING.
The next meeting of the UCM is on Wednesday 29th October at 6pm in the church porch.
New members are always welcome.
LUNCH CLUB.
The next lunch club will be on the 16th October at 12.30pm in the hall.
New members always welcome.
MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK
TWENTY SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Saturday 4th October
W St. Francis of Assisi
9.30 a.m. Adoration
10.00 a.m. Holy Souls
11.00 a.m. Blessing of Animals
G TWENTY SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
6.30 p.m. Derek D’Souza TG
Sunday 5th October G
8.30 a.m. Daily Rosary
9.00 a.m. Melba Fernandes TB
10.00 a.m. Junior Youth Group
10.30 a.m. Daily Rosary
11.00 a.m. Eric Gottwalles RIP
7.15 p.m. MMC Webinar
Monday 6th October
G Feria
No Public Mass Today
Tuesday 7th October
W Our Lady of the Rosary
7 p.m. Daily Rosary
7.30 p.m. Denis Murphy RIP
Wednesday 8th October
G Feria
9.30 a.m. Adoration
10.00 a.m. Bruno Castanha RIP
Thursday 9th October
W St. John Henry Newman
9.30 a.m. Adoration
10.00 a.m. Vocations & Vocations to the Priesthood
Friday 10th October
G Feria
9.30 a.m. Rosary for the Dead
10.00 a.m. Ferdie Rodrigues RIP
Saturday 11th October
W The Blessed Virgin Mary
9.30 a.m. Adoration
10.00 a.m. Mrs Garg RIP
G TWENTY EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
6.30 p.m. Tony Fernandes RIP
Sunday 12th October G
8.30 a.m. Daily Rosary
9.00 a.m. Hilda Fernandes
10.30 a.m. Daily Rosary
11.00 a.m. Mirelda ‘Molly’ Pienaar RIP