JANUARY IS THE MONTH OF THE HOLY NAME
THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD/ FIRST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Dear parishioners,
It is fitting that at the beginning of the new year we have the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. Baptism is an end and a beginning in the one action. The feast day ends Christmastide but it is also the beginning of many things in the year to come in our Christian life. In all our baptisms we entered the water as if into the tomb, dying with Christ that we might rise again with Him and our sin washed away by his sacrifice. And He, who was sinless, entered the waters of baptism himself, not because He needed to for his salvation, but to show us the way for ours. He showed us in his baptism too, that He would die that we might live, He showed us in this one action, the sacrifice He would make. In this single action the Lord prefigures his own death and resurrection. The future and present for both Himself and all those who follow Him, are present and prefigured in the Lord’s baptism which we celebrate this Sunday. In this action, the Lord reveals himself: it is the second epiphany. He is the Son of God, second person of the Holy Trinity, on whom God’s favour rests and whom we follow as his disciples. He is the Lamb of God, who sacrifices Himself for us and takes away the sins of the world.
We followed our Lord by entering the waters of baptism ourselves and every day we too are called to live out our baptism, by dying once again to our sinful selves and living again for Him through our good works and prayers. In the end, following our Lord, just as our own deaths will be one more in the many deaths to the self, lived out following Him so we will share in his Resurrection. This is the hope we live by, as daily our baptism is lived out and daily we also die in many small ways.
PEACE SUNDAY
The Second Sunday of Ordinary Time, next Sunday (16th January) is designated ‘Peace Sunday’. The Catholic Movement for Peace in England and Wales ‘PAX CHRISTI’ relies on your support to continue its work in peace making. Message from Pax Christi:
‘The work of Pax Christi is based on the gospel and inspired by faith. Our vision is of a world where people can live in peace, without fear of violence in all its forms. Rooted Catholic Christianity, we work with all who share our values to abolish war and create communities of peace and justice’
This Sunday envelopes will be available for your donations to Pax Christi which can be returned on Sunday 16th January, or you can make your donation on line via the parish with the reference ‘Pax Christi’.
CATHOLIC CHILDREN’S SOCIETY: CRIB OFFERING 2021
Throughout the pandemic the Catholic Children’s Society (CCS) has provided emergency support for thousands of vulnerable children and families. Their Southwark Crisis Fund provides immediate help for local families who are facing real hardship and have nowhere else to turn. Recently CCS helped a family with two young children when the father suddenly died. The family were already struggling and paying the funeral costs pushed them to the brink, with no money left for food or essentials. CCS provided a one-off grant to help them get through this challenging time. The mother got in touch to say:
‘When my husband died, I was completely lost. You gave me the breathing space I needed to sort out my finances. You took away the pressure so I could grieve and care for my children. Thank you.’
There are many more families in need of support and our parish will be donating our Crib Offering to support this important work. Every penny donated will be given out via CCS’s Southwark Crisis Fund to support local families in need. You can donate at the Crib or via the CCS website www.cathchild.org.uk/crib
Food Bank:
PLEASE NOTE THERE WILL BE NO COLLECTIONS ON 27TH DECEMBER & 3RD JANUARY. ONLY NON PERISHABLE ITEMS CAN BE RECEIVED AT THIS TIME.
There is currently a particular need for:
Long Life milk, Long Life juice, Squash, Tins of Rice Pudding, Toilet Paper
The container for donations is in the Church Porch and is taken to Bexleyheath food bank on Monday mornings.
ST THOMAS MORE CATHOLIC
PRIMARY SCHOOL OPEN MORNING CANCELLATION
Unfortunately, due to COVID numbers in London rising, the Head Teacher has taken the decision to cancel the open morning on 10 January, in order to keep children and staff safe. If you are considering our parish school as an option for your child, please visit the website for a virtual tour of the school.
A Day with Mary Saturday 22nd January 2022 at St. Mary of the Crays, Old Road, Crayford. Starts at 10.00 a.m. finishes at 4.15 p.m. Please bring a packed lunch. If you haven’t experienced ‘A Day with Mary’ before, which takes place on Saturdays all over the diocese, this is a very good local opportunity.
First Holy Communion 2022
Lesson 2. Saturday 15th January 10.30. Church Hal.
Please read the newsletter every week and listen out for notices at the end of Sunday mass. Don’t forget to bring your mass attendance cards to Sunday mass!
The children’s commitments were made at all masses on the Second Sunday of Advent.
CONFIRMATION 2022
Application forms can be picked up by candidates, completed at home and then returned after any Sunday mass. Preparation will begin in the spring term and include a couple of day/evening trips and (hopefully) an overnight retreat.
CHILDREN’S LITURGY
This will resume at 9.00 a.m. on Sunday 16th January.
Parish Social Evenings Parish Socials with the Bar will continue in the Church Hall on Sunday evenings from the 9th of January.
MASSES AND INTENTIONS FOR THE COMING WEEK: THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD/FIRST WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME
Saturday 8th January THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD
6.00 p.m. Confessions
+ 6.30 p.m. Maria Pinto R.I.P.
Sunday 9th January 2022
8.30 a.m. The Daily Rosary.
+ 9.00 a.m. SUNG Annie Powell & children R.I.P.
+ 11.00 a.m. SOLEMN LATIN MASS (with English Readings) The people of the parish. The end of Christmastide.
7.00 p.m. Parish Social Evening in Church Hall.
ORDINARY TIME BEGINS.
Monday 10th January feria
9.30 a.m. The Daily Rosary
+ 10.00 a.m. Annie Mullen R.I.P.
Tuesday 11th January feria
9.30 a.m. The Daily Rosary
+ 10.00 a.m. Nuala Shea W.B.
Wednesday 12h January St. Aelred of Rievaulx, abbot.
The Daily Rosary at home.
NO PUBLIC MASS TODAY.
Thursday 13th January St. Hilary, bishop & doctor of the church.
9.30 a.m. The Daily Rosary
+ 10.00 a.m. Holy Souls
2.00 p.m. Thursday Lunch Club Afternoon Tea.
Friday 14th January feria.
9.30 a.m. The Daily Rosary
+ 10.00 a.m. Thomas Furlong R.I.P.
6.00 p.m. Choir practice.
Saturday 15th January Our Lady’s Saturday
9.30 a.m. Confessions/ The Daily Rosary
+ 10.00 a.m.[Latin] Alice Pitcher R.I.P.
10.30 a.m. First Holy Communion Class in Church Hall
[ + 6.30 p.m. SECOND SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME (C) John Bevan R.I.P.]
JANUARY PRAYER IN HONOUR OF THE HOLY NAME OF JESUS.
O Divine Jesus, you have promised that anything we ask of the Eternal Father in your name shall be granted. O Eternal Father, In the name of Jesus, for the love of Jesus, in fulfilment of this promise, and because Jesus has said it, grant us our petitions for the sake of Jesus, your Divine Son, our Lord. Amen.
God bless, Fr Jonathon
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