Newsletter w/c 25-01-2026

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

  • Laurence Harkin – Requiem at St John’s Monday 2nd February at 11am
  • Valerie Tree – Service at St John’s Tuesday 3rd February 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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     Please pray for those whose Anniversaries occur at this time including….                                                                                        

  •  25: Olive May Johnson, William Albert Walsh, Joyce Chidgey, Frances Deeprose, Peter Patrick McConnell-Lawlor, Anne Bernadette Laffey, Carmen Zarb
  • 26: Jeremiah O’Donoghue, Mary Agnes Fitzgerald, Thomas John Clanchy, James Joseph Coleman, Henry Alfred Soder, Marie Frances Ann Birch, Mavis Schwieso, Frederick Schwieso, Catherine Crowley, Aina Treiguts, Patrick Joseph Flood
  • 27: Mary Leggatt, Cormac McDermott, Donald Herbert Silcock, John Joseph Carey, Leonardo Bove
  • 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, Mary Philomena Kelly

  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 01474 352415. 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.

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 18th February.

Catechists  Please speak to one of the Priests if you would like to join the Catechist team, particularly preparation for First Holy Communion.

Wednesday Teas  Do we have any parishioners willing to help with serving the refreshments after the 12 noon Mass on Wednesday? Please speak to Father or one of the team. Teas and coffee will be served after 12 noon Mass this Wednesday. Please come along for a friendly chat.

Confirmation The preparation programme for young people in Years 8-13 at school or 13 years of age by 1 September 2026, who are interested in being confirmed in 2026 begins at the end of January 2026.  To register for the programme please complete the Google Form: https://forms.gle/1bSFp57Uq7FJxRAU8  There will be an introductory meeting for parents and young people in the church this Wednesday 28 January at 7:30pm.

Fr Emmanuel’s Induction Mass  Please save the date: Sunday 22nd February 2026 at 11am Mass. Bishop Paul will be celebrating this very special Mass.

Last weeks collections  St John’s: £1021.85, St Mary’s: £174.78. Donations towards new Mass Books £811. Thank you for your support and generosity. This Sunday there will be a second collection for St George’s Cathedral:

Next Sunday a collection for the Catholic Association for Racial Justice.

Baptisms Application forms for Baptism are available at the back of the Church or the parish office. Families need to attend a preparation session before the baptism (the next session is Monday 9th February @7pm) or email the office.

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.

Christian Unity  From 18th-25th January the Church observes 8 days of prayer for Christian Unity.

School Forms The priest will be available to sign school forms this Tuesday from 11am–1pm. Please ring on the           Presbytery bell.

St John’s School Nursery We will be holding a tour of our nursery on the following dateThurs 29th January – small group tours at 9.30am and 10 am – Please contact the school office to book. If you would like to apply for a nursery place from September 2026, we ask that you: Register your interest website https://www.stjohnsprimary.kent.sch.uk/admissions. Your child MUST have reached their third birthday by 31/08/2026 to apply. Closing date for all nursery applications 30th April.

St. Vincent’s Dartford “Dining with the Bridegroom”  We are preparing a special event for couples on Saturday, 14th February , and Fr. Emeka and I would love to extend this invitation to our parishioners. The evening is for all couples to enjoy a beautiful 2-course meal and reflect on their journey with Christ at the centre. Please see the poster in the porch. `

Booking Mass Intentions:  Envelopes for Masses are available at the back of the Church, write the intention and put the stipend in the envelope 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.

Mother’s prayer group takes place straight after the 9.15am mass every Friday. You are invited to join us and pray for our children especially.

Archdiocesan Pilgrimages for Young Adults (aged 18 to 35) are invited to join Archbishop John on pilgrimage to Lourdes, from 7 to 13 June 2026. The cost is £789, which includes flights and full-board accommodation on a shared basis. To book, please visit: www.tinyurl.com/lourdes26. They are also invited to register interest for the World Youth Day pilgrimage to Korea in August 2027 at www.tinyurl.com/wyd2027

Sycamore Growing in Faith together (GIFT): for married and engaged couples is an ONLINE course, a programme about the Catholic faith by Fr Stephen Wang. It consists of four one hour-long sessions via Zoom and is a wonderful opportunity for: married couples to enrich their friendship and love and engaged couples who want to continue exploring their faith together. Dates are March 10,17,24,31.  May 5,12,19,26. Sept 8,15,22,29   Contact Carole on:  mflkent@rcaos.org.uk

Appeal for Knitters?  Thank you to all those people who have made a shawl for our delighted parents getting their       children baptised. We don’t have any shawls left for them to purchase. If you would like to knit/crochet a shawl we can    reimburse the cost of the wool. We are not looking at any specific pattern although they need to be white. 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