Please pray for the souls of all deceased parishioners, family and friends
- Mary O’Connell – Requiem at St John’s Friday 15th May at 11am
May God console their families. May the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace
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- 10: Agnes King, Sr M. Magdalen Maguire, Thomas Richard Cribb, Vivienne Margaret Neary, Carol Ann Stevens,
- 11: Grace Frances Witherden, Elizabeth McGoran, Constance Mary Hayes, Kevin Joseph Doyle, Babab Tunte Ijoyah
- 12: Annie Drayner, Mary Feaheny, Ronald Carter, Alexander Dunlop McBryde, Michael Patrick Murray
- 13: Joan Clifford, Vera Eileen Marjorie Porter
- 14: James Anthony Casey, Colman Flaherty
- 15: Fr. William Kilmartin, Katherine Murrary McDonach, Brigid McDaid, Jean Eavis, Kathleen Hunt, June Worsley, Oonagh Chapman
- 16: Florence Healy, John Zazzi, Thomas Gibson, James Terence McGinn, Marjorie Louisa Edith Sibbons, Michael Edward Flint, Robert Allan Marshall, Catherine Harris
- 17: Dennis John Reardon, Marina Alexandra Knell
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Sick/housebound Please contact the parish office (01474 352415) and let us know of neighbours/family members who are unable to come to Church and would like to receive Communion. We remember in our prayers those who are sick, housebound or in hospital & those who care for them and their families. When on admission in the hospital or care home, volunteer the information of your faith as you won’t be asked ordinarily.
Devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary During May the Rosary will be recited after all Masses Monday-Saturday. For video, audio and written versions of the Rosary for Life visit rcaos.org.uk/rosaryforlife
Ascension This Thursday is the feast of the Ascension of Our Lord and is a Holyday of Obligation. Masses are 9.15am, 12 noon and 7pm at St John’s.
Bank holiday Monday 25th May Fr Emmanuel would like to invite all volunteers to Mass at 10am followed by a BBQ and social.
Baptisms We welcome into our parish family Raphael Odede who was baptized this weekend. Application forms for Baptism are available from the Sacristy. Please see the Priest after Mass to ask for a form. Families need to attend a preparation session before the baptism (next session is Monday 11th May @7pm – parents only) or email the office.
First Holy Communion Please remember in your prayers the 37 children who will be making their First Holy Communion next weekend. We thank the dedication of Helen and Pauline and those who have prepared them for this big day.
Confirmation Please remember in your prayers the 27 young people who will be Confirmed next Sunday by Bishop Paul Hendricks. We thank the dedication of Mark Hannon, James Gurney and those who have prepared them for this big day.
Invitation Fr. Joe Smith is celebrating 60 years of his priestly ordination this June. He wishes to invite parishioners to celebrate with him at a Mass of thanksgiving at St. John’s on Monday 15th June at 11am and afterwards at the Masonic Hall Wrotham Rd.
The Book Club next meets on Wednesday 13th May at 7pm for an hour in the church coffee bar. Free entry and free refreshments. Organised by Gravesham with Ebbsfleet Rotary.
Parish Pastoral Council Every parish group should appoint a representative to PPC. Please email Fr Emmanuel (emmanuelogunnaike@rcaos.org.uk) or the parish office so that we may hold a meeting.
Parish Project This year we hope to change the kneelers in the Church to more comfy cushioned ones. The estimate is £23,500 (excl vat). Any donations will be thankfully accepted.
Last weeks collections St John’s: £1,027.20, St Mary’s: £195.50, St Katherine’s £146.32. Dona Machine (April): £667.00. Standing orders for April £2,065.00.
Next Sunday: second collection for World Communications . Thank you for your support and continued generosity.
Booking Mass Intentions: Envelopes for Masses are available at the back of the Church, write the intention (RIP, unwell, anniversary, thanksgiving etc) and put the stipend in the envelope and hand to one of the priests or drop into the Presbytery letterbox.
Wednesday Teas Please join us after 12 noon Mass. All welcome.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament: Christ is really present in the Blessed Sacrament; come and talk heart to heart with Him, either on Wed 10.00-12 or Sat after 10am Mass until 12.30pm; or 1st Friday 24 hour Adoration.
School Forms The priest will be available to sign school forms this Tuesday between 11-1pm. Please ring on the Presbytery bell.
Foodbank We will be collecting again this weekend 9/10 May. The most needed items are Tinned Cold Meat, Rice Pudding, Crackers & Biscuits, Couscous, Shampoo & Conditioner. Thank you for your support for local families in need.
Stamps Sister Delores is collecting stamps for the RNIB. Please place any donations in the box at the back of the Church. Thank you for the recent donation of stamps -. there have been some very interesting ones.
Rosary For Life Archbishop John Wilson is calling on all of us to join him in praying the Rosary for Life this May (Month of Mary). Together, we will pray through the Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and Luminous Mysteries, each one offered for the most vulnerable facing growing threats to life: unborn children at risk of abortion, victims of war and persecution, people with disabilities, and the elderly and vulnerable. For video, audio and written versions of the Rosary for Life, visit rcaos.org.uk/rosaryforlife. Pray the Rosary. Encounter Christ. Defend life.
Musical Pilgrimage on the Augustine Camino June 8th-14th – From Rochester Cathedral, we will walk about 10 miles a day through the beautiful Kent countryside to Canterbury, then onto the shrine of St Augustine in Ramsgate. Each evening, Eddie Gilmore will perform a little concert in a pub en route. Contact Eddie for more details: gileag@gmail.com www.eddiegilmore.org
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