Newsletter w/c 16-07-2023

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

  • Catherine Cientanni – Requiem at Our Lady of the Assumption 19th July @ 12 noon                             

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….

  • 16: David Gerard McCann, Brenda Joy Webster, Michael Keegan
  • 17: Jane Brebner, Thomas Gibson
  • 18: Mary Curran, John Joseph Harkin, Bridget Veronica Gannon, Denis John Hunt, Thomas Patrick Gilhooly, Claire Margaret Burns, Norman Stanley Jones, 
  • 19: Robert Duggan, Lauren Kember, James Loakman, John Joseph Hughes, Della Maria Gibbons, Derek Newland Carter, Alan William Downes,
  • 20: Roy Carter, Peter Anthony Hilton Kelly, Brendan Michael Moriarty, Anne Mary Christina Cassidy
  • 21: Kathleen Veronica Webster, Isobelle Bradley, Winifride Mary Tutton, Frances Teresa Sylvester, Pauline Thomas, Ronald Newell, Tony Mulchrone, Mary Josephine Kennedy, Marie Sheila Farnworth, Margaret Devenney
  • 22: Clair Crowley, Kevin Mahon, Margaret Mary Crane, George Albert Butt, Zofia Halas, Mary Ann Hollingum
  • 23: Lillian Margaret Barnacle, Janina Chyba, John Larkin, Patrick Joseph Meaney, Mary Catherine Sheahan

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  £1233.18, Stella Maria £393.40. Thank you for your continued generosity. Throughout July the wallbox at the back of the Church will be for your Peter’s Pence donations.

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 is celebrating its inaugural mass this weekend at 10:30am on Sunday. There will be refreshments in the Coffee Bar afterwards and all are welcome. The Group is now up and running and we meet on the second Saturday of every month at 2pm in the Coffee Bar. On 12th August we will be hearing about the work of Gravesham Foodbank, as well as planning future meetings.

Baptisms We welcome into our parish family Aarron Amaladas, Alexander Seregi and Samuel Seregi who were baptized this weekend. 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 Monday 11 Sept).

Tabletop sale. We will be holding a tabletop sale outside the church, from 9am to 1pm next Saturday July 22nd (weather permitting). All proceeds will be donated to the Roof Fund.

Children’s liturgy – Children’s liturgy does not run in August whilst the leaders have a well earned rest. We run on first and third Sunday’s of the month and will return on Sunday 3rd September.

Safeguarding – Parents, please be aware that during the summer months, the side door to the church (by the toilets), is unlocked and often held open to allow for ventilation in the church. PLEASE accompany your children to the toilet and do not let them wander out into the car park (or worse, into Edwin Street).

The third World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly will be celebrated on Sunday 23rd July, near the Feast of Ss Joachim and Anne . The theme chosen by the Holy Father is “His mercy is from age to age” (Lk 1:50), which expresses the link with World Youth Day which will take place a few days later in Lisbon (1-6 August 2023). Pope Francis instituted this Day in 2021 since, he believes, grandparents are often forgotten, yet they “are the link between generations, passing on the experience of life and faith to the young.”

Foodbank  We were able to deliver 123.2kg of food & other essentials to Gravesham Foodbank. Thank you!

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. 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.

Gravesham recently received Home Office approval to welcome a refugee family in the next year. They don’t yet know which country the family will be coming from but  many have come from DR Congo, Syria, Afghanistan and Eritrea.  The family will be in a refugee camp or urban area, and will have been identified by UNHCR as being among the most in need.  Our most immediate task is to find someone with a house they would like to rent to the family at local housing allowance rates (£172.60 for a two bedroom house, £241.64 for a three bedroom house, £299.18 for a four bedroom house).  They would need two years of guaranteed rent from a family which has been vetted by the Home Office, If you can help, please email Angus Barry graveshamrefugeewelcome@gmail.com

Fr Moses is helping out with a retreat @ Leeds from 17th-23rd July. Keep him in your prayers.