Please pray for the souls of all deceased parishioners, family and friends
Margaret Jablonska – Requiem Mass at English Martyrs, Strood 2nd Sept at 1.30pm
Please pray for those whose Anniversaries occur at this time including….
- 30: James Wells, Maria Antonietta Garofalo, Annie McMenemy, Neil Butler, Alfred Akinola
- 31: Rodger Ryan, Anne Elizabeth Sharp, K. Bradley, Fr. John Daly, Patricia McGinlay, Margaret Helen Brennan
- 1: Catherine Bradley, Margaret Edwards, Nancy Wells, Kathleen Kelly, Marilyn Mary Lloyd, Florence Laplanche, Alexander Frater
- 2: Kevin Griffin, Seamus Keily, Rosemarie Sorenti, Maruis Bliumas
- 3: John O’Gorman, Henry Charles Varini, Bridget Ann Worsford, Reginald David Turnbull, Norman William John Stapley
- 4: Ronald George Hazell, Norman Talbot, Basil Michael Pollard, Queenie Winifred Scott, Edward Murray, Pauline Ann Fissenden, Anna Marie Mullan,
- 5: Gertrude Josephine O’Rouke
- 6: Rose Ann Farry, John Brown, Patrick Finbar Ford, Maureen Read, Stanley John Lawrence, Ruthline Piper, Josephine Reason
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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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 Sunday 27th September 11.00am at St John’s Comprehensive. There will be a short meeting after the 11am Mass this Sunday in the coffee bar for all those who are able to help and prepare for the day.
First Holy Communion Preparation Programme 26/27 including St John’s Primary School. Fr Emmanuel would like to hold a meeting for all parents of children making their First Holy Communion next spring 2027. The meeting will take place next Sunday 6th September straight after the 11am Mass for a short talk. Your individual child’s Mass Attendance card will be handed out.
First Holy Communion Preparation for Children at Non Catholic Schools Application forms and explanation letters are now available at the back of the Church.
URGENT: Stop assisted suicide – postcards available. The vote on assisted suicide is on 11 September. Not Dead Yet UK have provided postcards you can send to your MP to ask them to vote NO to assisted suicide in the vote in the House of Commons on 11 September. Please take action now – collect a red and white postcard, fill out your details, add a stamp and post it to your MP today (Dr Lauren Sullivan MP)!
Ministers of Communion There will be a training/refresher session on Wed 16th & 17th September at 7pm for all Ministers of Communion in the Church. New Ministers will be going to St George’s Cathedral for commissioning on Saturday 24th October from 10am concluding with Mass at 2.30pm.
Parish Pastoral Council There will be a meeting on Tues 6th October at 7pm in the coffee bar.
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.
Dona Machine Our Dona machine has been upgraded so when using the machine you will have to enter your details again. Thank you for all your support. You may also use this QR code.
Last weeks collections St John’s: £886.79, St Mary’s: £245.29, Thank you for your continued support and generosity.
Adoration There will be 24hours continuous Adoration on Friday 7th August from 10am until 10.00am Sat 8th. 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.
First Friday Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus will be held in the Church this Friday 5th Sept. It will start at 2.30pm with Rosary, 3pm Divine Mercy Chaplet and Exposition. Mass will be 3.30pm. All are welcome to join us.
Baptisms We welcome into our parish family Isabella Hodges who was baptised 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. The next date is Monday 14th September at 7pm in the Church.
James Gurney. James will be ordained a Deacon at St George’s Cathedral 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.
Foodbank Thank you again for your generous donations to the foodbank – 141kg delivered.
Altar Servers Practice next practice will be Sat 12th Sept at 1pm in the Church.
Mass Intentions If you require a particular date or time for a Mass Intention, please request at least 3 weeks beforehand. Late request may not be available. We do not want to take more than two intentions for a Mass.
The Book Club next meets Wednesday 9th Sept at 7pm for an hour in the church coffee bar. Everyone welcome. Free entry & refreshments. Come and talk about your own choice of book. Organised by Gravesham with Ebbsfleet Rotary.
Diocesan Day for Catechists On behalf of the Archbishop, you are invited to attend our twelfth annual Diocesan Day for Catechists on Saturday 3 October 2026 at the Amigo Hall and St George’s Cathedral, Southwark, SE1 6HU. This Day is for all the catechists of the diocese, including those involved in Liturgy of the Word for Children and the RCIA process. Booking and further details here – https://aec.rcaos.org.uk/day-for-catechists-2026. The theme is year is: Truth and Beauty in Catechesis in the Age of AI. We expect this event to be fully booked once again so please book early to avoid disappointment.
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
Please remember in your prayers our teachers, children and parents as the new school term begins