Newsletter w/c 27/11/2022

Please pray for the souls of all deceased parishioners, family and friends.

  • Colm Murphy – requiem at St John’s Mon 5th Dec at 1.30pm

May God console their families. May the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace;

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Please pray for those whose Anniversaries occur at this time including…

  •  27: Mary Byrne, Mary Hollyer, Adriana Seradi
  • 28: Thelma Lyons, John Keith Rattray, Elizabeth ‘Lila’ White
  • 29: Mary Merriman, Robert Leaman, Maureen Keeling, Edna Nielsen
  • 30: James Bradley, Edward Leggatt, Cyril Frend Morris. Kathleen Patricia Starkey, Sybil Philbin, Bridget Mary McCormack
  • 1:   Richard Maurice Taplin, Caroline Margaret Edwards, Emily Lines, Phyllis Joan Lane, Patricia Dike
  • 2: Lawrence Finnerty, Margaret Georgina Kavanagh, Lena Mary Thomson, Ursula Agnes Heaver, Richard Smith, Audrey Mary Evans (Tutton), Pauline Bardoe
  • 3:   Elizabeth Hannah Griffin, William John Sparks, Pat Traveller, Sister M. Aidan Byrne, Norma Maffeo Zita
  • 4: Margaret Mary Scott, Mary Catherine Holliday, Dennis William Buckley, Kay Upton, David Boyle, Phyllis Joan Lane, Theresa Bernadette Smyth

May they rest in peace

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Sick/housebound Please contact the parish office and let us know of neighbours/family members who are unable to come to Church and would like to  receive Communion or call 07405803862. We remember in our prayers those who are sick, housebound or in hospital & those who care for them.

Advent Books  This weekend is the first Sunday of Advent. We now have the ’Day by Day’ (daily reading) and Walk With Me’ (daily reflection) booklets available at the back of the Church @ £1 or 60p for the Infant/Junior booklet.

Please collect a card giving all the dates of events and times during Advent and Christmas.

Advent Reflection A free short reflection brought to you each day of Advent: Advent can be such a busy demanding time, but we encourage you to make some space to reflect and pray this advent. Sign up for our free Southwark Diocesan  ‘daily advent reflections’ to aid your prayer. Every day during advent you will receive an email with a very brief thought for the day based on the daily reading. It is an opportunity to listen to Gods invitation to you this advent. All you have to do is sign up and then set aside a couple of minutes each day to reflect! Sign up via the Commission web site: 

http://www.southwarkdsc.org.uk/ clicking on the Advent Reflection box.

Confirmation 2023   If you wish to register a young Catholic (in Year 8 or above at secondary school) for the Sacrament of Confirmation in 2023 please complete the Google Form by 31 December 2022: https://forms.gle/XBxpdYKQZqokptnZ7

November Please collect an envelope and list deceased family & friends and place into the basket available on the altar. They will be remembered at all Masses during November and a special Mass on 27th November 10.30am.

Last weeks collections:  First collection: £1128.10, Youth Services £375.22. Thank you for your continued support.

Baptisms  We welcome into our parish family Elijah John Lucas and Emmanuel Ogbice who were baptized this week.     Application forms for Baptism are available from the back of the Church or the parish office. Families need to attend one of the talks before the baptism. Please phone or email the office if you wish to attend (Next session is 9th January 2023).

School Forms  Fr Moses will be available to sign school forms on Thursday between 12-4pm in the Presbytery. Please note that the day and times may change each week.

200 Club  Thank you to everyone who joined again and to all our new members. We held the draw on Wednesday 9th Nov in the Coffee Bar.  November Winners 1st: £55 – Topher Balzan, 2nd:  £35 – Sunday Teas, 3rd: £25 – Guidio Zarb,            4th: £15 – Iris Elliott.

World Youth Day 2023, Lisbon The Diocese are taking a group of pilgrims (age 18-35) to Lisbon 31 July-7 August 2023. Please talk to Fr Moses or Susanne Gibbons if you might be interested. Further information www.lisboa2023.org/en/.       Deposits need to be collected by 30th November. The parish will help with half the cost if any of the youths are interested.

RCIA  We welcome anyone who is searching or wants to review their faith or may be interested in joining the Catholic     community, or wishes to be Confirmed. Please come to the Presbytery on Wednesdays at 7.30pm.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament: Come to me all who labour and are overburdened and I will give you rest. Come, pray, rest & watch before the Blessed Sacrament, either on Wed (9.30–11.30) or Sat after 10am Mass until 12.30pm.

Mustard Seed  Bible study every day @ 8.30pm; Lectio Divina on Fridays @ 7.30pm. Please go to the parish website www.stjohnsgravesend.co.uk and click on the link.

First Friday – Hour of Mercy will be held in the Church this Friday 2nd December. It will start at 2.30pm with Rosary, 3pm    Divine Mercy Chaplet and Exposition, 3.30pm Mass. All are welcome to join us.

First Saturday Devotions to the Immaculate Heart of Mary  On the first Saturday of each month a service will be held 11.30-12.30pm in the Church. It was first mentioned by Our Lady of Fatima on 13 July 1917. Everyone is welcome to join us in prayer next Saturday 3rd December.

Divine Mercy Chaplet The Divine Mercy Chaplet will be online at 3pm Monday – Friday only (not weekends) for the foreseeable future. Click here for how to join the online meetings as well as the prayers if you wish to say the Chaplet privately.

Padre Pio Prayer Group each Tuesday  straight after 9.15am Mass in the Cry Chapel. All welcome to join us in prayer. We especially remember our sick friends and family.

Christian Aid Please join our choir for carol singing to support Christian Aid.  St George’s Centre, Saturday 10th December, 2pm to 2.30pm. Please contact Penny on 07778 852637 or just turn up on the day.

Mass OfferingsIf you would like to have a Mass offered for an intention, please fill in one of marked envelopes and hand to one of the priests or call at the presbytery between 10-2pm if you would like a specific mass. We cannot always allocate a Mass on the date requested as it may have already been booked, however, your Mass may be shared if you wish.

St John’s Primary School – Midday Supervisor vacancy  please see the information in the Porch.

Invitation: We would like to thank everyone who helps in any way in parish life throughout the year. If you are free on Friday 9th December, you are invited to a Thanksgiving Mass at 7pm followed by a small celebration.

Parish Bazaar  Thank you to everyone who so generously donated, supported and/or gave up their time for our   Bazaar on Saturday. All the news next week.