Newsletter w/c 04-12-2022

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…

  • 4:  Margaret Mary Scott, Mary Catherine Holliday, Dennis William Buckley, Kay Upton, David Boyle, Phyllis Joan Lane, Theresa Bernadette Smyth
  • 5:  James Pope, Nathan George Crane, Henry Joseph Farrell, Patricia Josephine Hall
  • 6:  Edward William Sanderson, Danuta Cernohorska, Percival Long, Audrey Norman, Abigail Colette Leavy
  • 7:  Nicola Vincenzo Crane, Bertha May Rattray, Steven Gary Banks
  • 8:  Alexander Gloag Fisken Henery, James Patrick Hyland, Joyce Rimmer, Jennifer Ann Chapman
  • 9:  Jean Grange, Phoebe May Boyle, Harry Bowman, Danny Mark Ryan, Helen Thompson, Josephine Wenham, Stefan Adi
  • 10: Margaret Joyce, Lillian Allen, Jessica Rose Lennane, George Albert Cossons, Mary Agnes Hewitt, Veronica Foulsham, Robert Campbell
  • 11: Kathleen Magee, Leo Vincent Ring, Kathleen Clara Parnett, Kathleen Mary Dobinson,

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.

Parish Bazaar Thank You.  We had a wonderful and successful Bazaar last Saturday at the Comprehensive school due to your most generous donations, all those who organized stalls, prepared food and helpers before and after the Bazaar, all which helped make the bazaar such a success. The amazing sum of £5781.05 profit was made. Thank you to everyone who helped in the sorting and planning. It was a joy to see so many people support the day. All prizes have been claimed and collected by our delighted winners.  Thank you to Mr Barron for the use of St John’s School.

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

St John’s Christmas Card  Please collect a card giving all the dates of events and times during Advent and Christmas.

Advent Reflection All you have to do is sign up and then set aside a couple of minutes each day to reflect!

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

Last weeks collections:  First collection: £1032.88, Thank you for your continued support.

Baptisms  We welcome into our parish family Jevina Abisha Lucas and Jireh Ezenna Uwah 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).

Join us for Christmas Lunch in the Coffee Bar on Wednesday 14th December after 12 noon Mass. There will be a three course Christmas Lunch with wine/soft drinks – £12 payable on the day (only 36 places available) Please put your name on the clipboard at the back of the Church.

Carol Concert  Saturday 17th December 7.45pm in the Church. We are delighted to welcome the Medway Singers and Lauren Lynn. There will be some old and new carols, so come along and join us and help to raise money for church roof repairs. Suggested ticket price £5 (children free).

St John’s Primary School will be having their Christmas Concert in the Church this Thursday 8th December at 6pm.     Everyone welcome.

St Mary’s, Denton will be holding a Carol Service next Sunday at 4pm. Everyone welcome.

Wednesday Teas & Coffee   Thank you to the group that organize the teas and all who support it – the amazing sum of £1,234.46 has been raised and donated to the Church roof fund.

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.

Family craft event – Sunday 18th December 2.30-4pm at St John’s Church.  Multiple different Christmas themed craft     activities for families to enjoy.  Children must be accompanied by an adult.  Craft supplies are on a first come first served basis.  We look forward to welcoming you to this free event. 

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.

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.

Crib  Thank you to the team of crib builders and maintaining the beautiful crib figures. Please encourage the children to watch the scene build week by week with the story of Christmas.