Newsletter w/c 10-12-2023

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

  • Peter Cotton – Service at Thames View Crematorium Friday 15th December at 12 noon
  • Terrance Day – Service at Thames View Crematorium Friday 15th December at 3pm
  • Anthony Joseph Martin – Requiem at St John’s Mon 18th December at 11am
  • Gerry Brewer – Requiem at St John’s on Wednesday 3rd January at 1pm

May God console their family. 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….

  • 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,
  • 12:  John McGraph, Thomas Lydon, Mary Isabella Day, Irene Elizabeth Cosgrove, Caroline Ann Smyth
  • 13: Mary Josephine Walker, Luke Paul Ian Turner, Andrew John Harkett, Helena Mary Richardson, Charles Robert Crook, Kenneth William Hughes
  • 14:  Christine Olive Flynn, Mary Winifred Girling, John Moore
  • 15:  John Lynam, Peter Holdstock, Baby Clodagh Mary O’Brien, Cynthia Anne Connell
  • 16:  Margaret Ross, George Thomas Hall, Patrick Joseph Briody, Teresa Sabina Gannon, Donald Sylvester, Mary Bridget Smithers
  • 17: Helena Jadwiga, Arthur Edwards, Veronica Kenny, George Henry Osbourne, Francis Joseph Kelly, Eileen Margaret Snow, William Peter Odd, Frank Burns, Jane Malinauskiene.

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 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.

New Assistant Parish Priest  We welcome Fr Stephen Ojapah appointed Assistant Parish Priest to St John’s. We pray and wish him a fruitful and fulfilling ministry here.

Carol Concert  Next Saturday 16th December 7.30pm in the Church. We are delighted to welcome back 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).

 Parish Christmas Retreat 14th/15th December at 7pm in the Church. Lots of disillusions today amidst the wars, tight    economy; where is God in all of these? Let us come and reflect together on how to prepare a way for the Lord. Leaflets at available at the back of the Church.

Advent Books  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.

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

St Johns Comprehensive School Carol Service  Wednesday 13th December at 5pm. Everyone welcome.

St John’s Primary School Christmas Concert  Thursday 14th December at 5.30pm. Everyone welcome.

Sacrament of Confirmation Preparation Programme 2024  If you wish to register a young Catholic (in Year 8 or above at secondary school) for the Sacrament of Confirmation in 2024 please complete the Google Form by 31 December : https://forms.gle/yJndo7GxVZMKUZ4t9

Baptism  We welcome into our parish family Tajudeen Anfela, Arthur Welch and Henry Cherry 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 8th January).

Last weeks collections  £1,051.73, Thank you for your continued generosity and also to those people who also pay by standing order and contactless.

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

RCIA You are welcome to the Catholic Church. Are you searching or want to review your faith or may be interested in joining the Catholic community, or wish to be Confirmed. A new course has just started. Come to the Presbytery on Wednesday @ 7.30pm. God Bless.

School Forms We will be available to sign school forms on Wednesday between 1-3pm in the Presbytery. Please note that the day and times may change each week.

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.

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.

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.

Foodbank We will be collecting donations at all Masses this weekend 9th/10th December. The most needed items are Tinned Cold Meat, Hot Dogs, Squash, Peanut Butter, Jam, Coffee, Crackers & Sweets. Thank you for your support.

Christmas Eve  The choir is making an open invitation to anyone who would like to join them in singing the midnight mass and carol service at 11.30pm.  Please let Penny know on 07778 852637.  

Christian Aid Please join in our Parish contribution to carol singing for Christian Aid from 2.30-3pm on Saturday 16th       December at St George’s Centre, Gravesend.  Please let Penny know on 07778 852637.  

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.

Parish Bazaar We had a wonderful and successful Bazaar on 25th November at the Comprehensive school. A big thank you to all those who organized stalls, prepared food and helpers before and after the Bazaar and to your most generous donations, all which helped make the bazaar such a big success. The amazing sum of £6,434.96 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 by our delighted winners.  Thank you to Mr Barron for the use of St John’s School.

Emergency Roof Repairs going on at the moment thanks to all those who have contributed, to stop the rain ingress.

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