Newsletter w/c 09-07-2023

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

  • Paul Carter – Requiem at St John’s Mon 10th July at 11am
  • Caroline Cox – Requiem at St Johns Thurs 13th July at 11am
  • Anna Pender – Reception 13th July 4.30pm & Requiem at St John’s Friday 14th July at 10.30am

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

+++++++++++++++++++++++

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

  • 9:   Agnes Jessie Smith, Bernard O’Kane, Sister M. Anthony Dunne, Bridget Eileen Buckley,
  • 10: Wlodzimiers Paskiewicz, Theresa Ann Green, Joseph Benedict McLoughlin, Rachael Riley
  • 11: Julia May Lear, Michael Joseph Regan
  • 12: Ellen Buckley, Susan Southward
  • 13: Marjorie O’Connell, Thomas Parsons, Bernard Peard, Martin Riley
  • 14: Robin Anthony Whitaker, Thomas Gibson, Violet Margaret Chilmaid
  • 15: Albert Ballanger, Kevin McDermott, Joan Margaret Manwaring, Patrick James Walsh
  • 16: David Gerard McCann, Brenda Joy Webster, Michael Keegan
  • May they rest in peace…

+++++++++++++++++++++++

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 especially Jude Mordi and Matthew Barron & those who care for them and their families. Please, when on admission in the hospital or care home, volunteer the information of your faith as you won’t be asked  ordinarily.

Last weeks collections  £1417.14.  Thank you for your continued generosity. Throughout July the wallbox at the back of the Church will be for your Peter’s Pence donations.

Today is Sea Sunday: There will be a second collection for Stella Maria (formerly Apostleship of the Sea). It is when the Church prays for all those who live and work at sea. Seafarers and fishers play a vital role in all of our lives, but they  often work in difficult, hazardous conditions. In the last year, more crews have been abandoned by their employers than ever    before. Many are still being denied the right to leave their ships for even a short break away from the relentless noise and pressure onboard.  www.stellamaris.org.uk/donate, or by texting ‘SEA’ to 70460 to donate £5.

Church Roof Fund Thank you to everyone who has so generously donated to our Church Roof Fund. We have now raised £23,838 towards repairing the roof. Estimates to renew the roof are coming in at approximately £200,000.

Knights of St Columba Dinner Dance & Fund Raising Saturday 15th July @ 5-9pm  The funds raised will be vital particularly for Youth work. The tickets: £30 for couples and £20 for singles. There  will be a grand raffle draw on the day with various great hampers and prizes. We are kindly requesting donations of hamper items including: wine, drinks, chocolates, etc. Venue: Riverside Centre, Dickens Road, Gravesend DA12 2JY. Tickets available from any of the KSC or Br Victor Achu on 07852746022 or the parish office.

Catholic Charismatic Renewal is a Spirit Centred group that brings about renewal in its members and thus in the Church. If you are drawn to this, could we meet on the 27th July @ 7pm in the Church.

St John’s Ladies Group Met this Saturday and will have their inaugural Mass next Sunday at 10.30am. We are looking for more people to join us. Please bring any new ideas.

Baptisms Application forms for Baptism are available from the back of the Church or the parish office. Families need to attend a talk before the baptism. Please phone/email the office if you wish to attend (Next session is this Monday 10th July).

Wednesday Tea/Coffee  Come and join the fellowship after the 12 noon Mass on Wednesday.

Foodbank We will be collecting donations for the Foodbank at all Masses this weekend 8th & 9th July . The most needed items are, Biscuits & Crackers, Custard, Tinned Veg, Tinned Meat & Pies, Tinned Salmon & Pilchards, Sweets & Chocolate Bars, Instant Mash, Squash, Ketchup & Mayo and Coffee. Thank you for your support to local families in need.

Mass IntentionsIf 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.

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 contact the parish office or speak to Fr Moses.

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.

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.

Divine Mercy Chaplet The Divine Mercy Chaplet will be online at 3pm Monday – Friday. Click here for how to join the online meetings as well as the prayers if you wish to say the Chaplet privately.

Come and Rest in Me  is a contemplative group that meets around the Word of God on Wednesdays 8-9pm. Click here for the zoom link.

Mustard Seed  Bible study every day @ 8.30pm; Lectio Divina on Fridays @ 7.30pm. Please click here for how to join..

Grief in Loss, Hope in Christ Weekend If you are mourning after the death of a loved one – this weekend may be for you held at Aylesford Priory 6th – 8th October 2023. Cost £230 single, £210 shared. Tel: 01622 717272  email: reception@friars.org.uk

200 Club  July Winners 1st: £55 – Matilda Harvey, 2nd:  £35 – Karen Gent, 3rd: £25 – Joan Wahab,  4th: £15 – Joe Balzan. We held the draw on Wednesday 5th July in the Coffee Bar. Thank you for your support.

The Church‘s mission – an event with Cardinal Tagle Cardinal Tagle of the Philippines has responsibilities for evangelisation and mission in the Vatican and was President of Caritas International. We invite you to join us online for Mission Unleashed: Embracing the Social Dimension of Evangelisation in which Cardinal Tagle will speak on the Church’s mission and the fundamental links between evangelisation (sharing Christ and his Good News) and social action. 14 July 7:00-8:30pm this webinar hosted by CAFOD. Please see the website for details https://cafod.org.uk/

Amidst the rising cost of living, we wish to thank you for your continued support of the Church; and apologise for last week, as it was overloaded with appeals. Mea culpa.