Newsletter w/c 27-01-2024

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

  • Linda De Abreu – Service Monday 5th February @ 10am at Thames View Crematorium
  • Elizabeth Diprose – Service at Gravesend Cemetery Tuesday 6th February @11am

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….

  • 28: Sister Benedict Smith, Mary Balzan, Nancy Gibson, Graham John Hunt, Margaret Butt, Patrick Coady, John Hall
  • 29: Joan Pulett, Francis Joseph Reilly, Mervyn Oakley Peterson, David Joseph Ring, Janet Bagley
  • 30: William James Gardner, Jean Quadling, Kevin Marriott,
  • 31: Patrick Michael Costello, Albert James Coupland, Thomas Belford
  • 1:   James Hill, Mary Lawrence, Sister M. Gerard Murphy, Robert John Pender, Sr Michael (Elizabeth Maureen O’Kelly), Peggy (Margaret) Ann Gaade
  • 2:   Redmond McBrien, Hugh McSwiggan, Sister M. Evangelist Deady
  • 3:   Stanley Pouton, Peter Denham, Bill Hudson, June O’Donaghue, Mary Cullen, Thomas George O’Neill
  • 4:   John Joseph Hall, Roy Frederick Green, Stephen Gibbons, Alison Traversari, Elizabeth Helen McCarthy, Winifred Marjorie Ring, Eileen Mary Harlow

May they rest in peace…

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The Presentation of the Lord, Candlemas  Candles will be blessed with a solemn entrance at the 9.15am Mass this     Friday 2nd February.

Building a Better Marriage  St John’s Church invites married couples to a special day on Saturday 16th March 10-4pm where couples can privately  explore their relationship more deeply and gain valuable insights into the communication and the call of the Church to be married. There is no charge but booking is essential. Please return the leaflet, available on the information table to the parish office or one of the Priests. The event will be held at St John’s Primary School, Rochester Road. Refreshments will be provided but please bring a packed lunch.

Baptism  We welcome into our parish family Logan Law, Liliana Samkova & Tobias Samko 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 12th February).

School Forms We will be available to sign school forms on Thursday between 11-1pm in the Presbytery. Please note that the day and times may change each week.

Last weeks collections  £1,236.84, Thank you for your continued generosity and also to those people who pay by standing order and contactless.  This week there will be a second collection for Racial Justice which support the work of the Catholic Church in schools, parishes and wider society.

Finance Thank you to all those people who also pay by standing order or the Dona machine – forms are available on the information table if you would like to make your donation to the Church in this way instead of using gift aid envelopes or cash. If you wish to set up a standing order, St Johns Church bank details are: Account name: ‘RCAS a Registered Charity re St Johns Church’, Sort code: 60-09-10 Nat West Bank, 30 King Street, Gravesend, DA12 2XX, Account No: 07722915. Or contact the parish office.

The Charismatic Renewal Group  have resumed their weekly Prayer Meeting on Fridays at 7pm in the Church. You’re all welcome to come and listen, pray and share your faith.

Wednesday Tea/Coffee  Refreshments are served in the Coffee bar after 12 noon Mass. All welcome.

First Friday Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus will be held in the Church this Friday 2nd February. 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. . Everyone is welcome to join us in prayer next Saturday 3rd February.

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 started. Come to the Presbytery on Wednesday     @ 7.30pm. God Bless.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament: Christ is really present in the Blessed Sacrament; come and talk heart to heart with Him, 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.

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.

Old Palm Crosses There is a basket available at the back of the Church to collect old palm crosses which can be burnt and made into ash for Ash Wednesday on 14th  February.

Marriage & Family Life Team  https://www.cbcew.org.uk/marriage-week-2024/ The SycamOre Growing In Faith Together (GIFT) course is a free online course, for married and engaged couples, on Tuesday evenings from 8-9pm beginning 13 Feb and continuing on 20 Feb, 27 Feb, 5 Mar, 12 Mar, 19 Mar. To register : rcaos.org.uk GIFT

Appeal for Knitters?  Thank you to those people who have shown an interest in making a shawl for our delighted parents getting their children baptised. We are not looking at any specific pattern although they need to be white and different styles would be most welcome (last year we had over 80 baptisms in the parish). Please call at the office if you have any queries.

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

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.