Newsletter w/c 25-02-2024

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

  • Della Flaherty – Requiem at St John’s Monday 4th March at 11am
  • Peter Walsh – Requiem at St John’s Friday 15th March at 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….

  • 25: Hilda Veronia Chick, Kathleen Finnerty, Horace Cecil Medhurst, John McGowan, Ivy Louise Savage, Mark James Fraher,
  • 26: James Joseph Coleman, Colin Burgess, Sheila Jeffs Mulheran
  • 27: William Edward Boyer, Frankie Conroy, Dorothy May Leggatt
  • 28: Liam O’Callaghan, Edmund Dobbins, Ella O’Bryan, Cedric Edsall, James Frederick Little, Andy Bradley, Baby John Fitzgerald Gardner
  • 1:   Wilfred George Dalton, Anita Ayres,
  • 2:   Fr. Peter McPolin, Willie Strain, Violet Doris Durkin, Virgiglia Hill, Sarah Philomena Harper
  • 3:   Alexander Hair, Eric O’Bryan, Frederick Charles Clark, Nathan James McFarlane, Sister M. Angela Coyle, Marian Chyba, Eleanor Louise Murray, Michael Flood

May they rest in peace…

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Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament: Christ is really present in the Blessed Sacrament; come and talk heart to heart with Him, either on Wed (12.30pm-6pm) or Sat after 10am Mass until 12.30pm. During Lent there will be a clipboard at the back of the Church to sign so that there will always be someone present. There will be 24hours continuous Adoration on 1st March after 9.15am Mass until 10am Saturday. If you are able, please sign the clipboard at the back of the Church so that we can be sure that there will always be someone with Our Lord. We will still be having First Friday Devotion  & Stations of the Cross.

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. The one-day course is for married couples (whether married for one year, 60 years or anywhere in between). It seeks to help husbands and wives to make their marriages better and to improve their communication skills. There is no group sharing and private information remains private to each couple. 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 DA12 2SY. Refreshments will be provided but please bring a packed lunch.

Lent We wish to appeal for active and regular participation at the masses, attendance to the Station of the Cross and the sacrament of penance/reconciliation/confession during this special season of grace. Above all, let us pray for one      another,  the Church and the world. Please collect a Lenten leaflet with all the dates.

What are you giving up for Lent? We are collecting good quality clothes/shoes/unwanted gift to give to various charities. Please hand into the Presbytery or the back of the Church (no jumble please)

Baptism  We welcome into our parish family Ifeabata Ezekwem who was 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 11th March).

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

World Children’s Day  Pope Francis has announced the first World Children’s Day will be held on 25-26 May. Thank you to those families that are planning to make this trip.

Last weeks collections  £1,318.70 Clergy Support Fund £403.51. This week: There will be a second collection for Cafod. Thank you for your continued generosity and also to those people who pay by standing order and contactless. 

Cry For Help! Our children have been unfortunately neglected for weeks now. No Children’s Liturgy! Please, can you help? Volunteer to join the Children’s Liturgy Group (we can build a rota so that maybe you only need to commit to once a month.)Flyers available at the back of the Church.

Knights of St. Columba news:  On Sunday 3rd of March, The Knights of St. Columba will be conducting installation of newly elected Council 977, Gravesend and Northfleet Officers during the 10.30 am Mass. There will be tea/coffee served in the Coffee Room after Mass. You are most welcome to join us after Mass.

First Friday Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus will be held in the Church this Friday 1st March. 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 2nd March.

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

Booking Mass IntentionsEnvelopes for Masses are available at the back of the Church, write the intention and put the stipend (£10 is recommended) in the envelope. Please do not use the Dona Machine for Mass stipends.

Mass in Celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage July 13th 2024 at St George’s Cathedral If you are celebrating your 1st/10th/25th/40th/50th/60th + wedding anniversary this year, please let us know as soon as possible, and no later than May 31st 2024, providing the following details:  your names (ie John and Mary Smith), your home address, the anniversary you are celebrating, so you can receive an invitation from the Archbishop for the renewal of vows during Mass.  Spaces are limited.  Email: mflkent@rcaos.org.uk  As the title of your email, please write your parish location e.g. Gravesend, St Johns.   

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

LENT: Stations of the Cross Friday evening at 6.30pm (Confessions 5.30-6.15pm) & Wednesday  @10am

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.