Please pray for the souls of all deceased parishioners, family and friends
- Edmund Kelly – Requiem at St John’s Thurs 8th Oct at 12.30pm
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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Please pray for those whose Anniversaries occur at this time including….
- 4: John Laplanche
- 5: Elizabeth Warner, Sister M. Joseph Imelda O’Reilly, Trevor Frederick Scutts
- 6: Mary Cregan, Carmino Cientanni, John Fitzgerald, Kathleen Ellen McGuire, Mary Christina Hyland (Sr Ursula)
- 7: Sister M. Evangelist Coyle, Frank Higgins, Antonia Mazzone
- 8: Eric Halas, George Edward Inkpen, Mary Ann Hughes, John Crowley, Baby Vincent Louis Rogers, Caroline Victoria Carter, John Joseph Connolly,
- 9: Jane Wildman, Gloria Angela Ellen Dace, David Paul Harlow, Gladys Lauder,
- 10: Augustine McDonach, Brendan Mooney, Stanislav Chyba, Phyllis O’Kane, Iris Georgina Longuehaye
- 11: Daniel O’Kane
May they rest in peace
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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.
International Mass We celebrated a beautiful Mass last Sunday and it was lovely to see so many of you there. Thank you to all those involved throughout the day and helped in any way. The school staff, altar servers and arrangers, wonderful donations of food and all those who helped clean the school afterwards. Photos of the event are on the parish website.
October Devotions October is the month of the Holy Rosary. The Rosary will be recited 30 minutes before Mass Mon–Sat am and at 5.30pm on Sunday. Everyone is welcome, please join us. Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us.
First Holy Communion Preparation Programme 26/27 St John’s Primary School. Application forms and letter are available at the back of the Church. Please return as soon as possible (the last date for applications will be 23rd Oct). The classes will start in November at the School on Saturday morning 9-10am. Parents are invited to stay with their child if they need extra help. Please make sure you have your yellow attendance card (or ask one of the Priests). Thank you.
First Holy Communion Preparation for Children not at St John’s Catholic School Application forms and explanation letters are now available at the back of the Church. The Children will start their preparation classes on Saturday 10th Oct at the 10am Mass. Please make sure you have your yellow attendance card (or ask one of the Priests).
Appealing for Catechists We are looking for volunteers (even if it is once a month) to assist with the First Holy Communion programme. Training will be provided. Please speak to one of the Priests, or email your interest to gravesend@rcaos.org.uk Fr Emmanuel will hold a short meeting on Saturday 17th Oct 9am in the Church for all those who would like to help and for anyone who may be interested in finding out more.
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. Contact the office or speak to one of the priests. Forms and letter are available at the back of the Church.
Parish Pastoral Council There will be a meeting on Tues 6th October at 7pm in the coffee bar.
Weddings Our prayers, congratulations and best wishes to Nikolas Sidelka and Angelika Kardosova on their wedding this weekend at St John’s. Please make an appointment to see the Parish Priest if you would like to get married at St John’s. Six months notice is required.
Last weeks collections St John’s: £1,262.42, St Mary’s: £219.42. Standing orders for September £2,379.00
Friday was Family Fast Day – a second collection this weekend for CAFOD. Envelopes are available at the back of the Church. Next weekend is Prisoner’s Sunday. Envelopes are available at the back o f the Church. Thank you for your continued support and generosity.
Foodbank We will be collecting donations at all Masses next weekend 10/11 Oct. The most needed items are Tinned Rice Pudding/Fruit & Veg, Biscuits/Crackers, Peanut Butter, Coffee and Shampoo & Conditioner. Thank you for your support.
Altar Servers Our next practice will be on Saturday 10 Oct at 1pm in the Church. New Servers are welcome to join us.
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 12.00pm; or 1st Friday 24 hour Adoration.
Baptisms 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. The next date is Mon 12th Oct at 7pm in the Church.
James Gurney. James will be ordained a Deacon at St George’s Cathedral THIS MONTH (!!!) on Saturday 31st October at 12.30pm by Archbishop John Wilson. A coach has been booked for this special occasion at the cost of £15 per person. We will leave the Church at 10am and leave the Cathedral at 4pm for the return journey. Please let James or the Parish office know if you are able to join us with a deposit of £10.
School Forms The priest will be available to sign school forms this Wednesday between 1-2pm. Please ring on the Presbytery bell.
Youth day at John Fisher School Purley Sat 17 Oct 11–5.30pm . Cost £5. Free Coach transport from Dartford (Contact Fr Stephen Boyle). To book a place scys.org.uk/youth-under-18/youth-days-10-14-years/
The Book Club next meets Wednesday 14th Oct at 7pm for an hour in the church coffee bar. Everyone welcome. Free entry and free refreshments. Come and talk about your own choice of book. Enquiries: 07985 563063. Organised by Gravesham with Ebbsfleet Rotary.
St Catherine’s Catholic School in Bexleyheath is seeking to appoint a Design Technology . Please visit: for more info and link to apply. Thank you.
Parish Bazaar Saturday 28th November at St John’s Comprehensive School. We would be most grateful for any donations towards the Grand Draw prizes before we print the tickets.
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