Regular events during term time
Mondays
Pondering the Word in church from 11.00am to 12noon; all are welcome to this quiet reflective way of looking at the following week's Gospel.
Tuesdays
Firm Believers is our Interchurch fun-fitness class, from 7.00-7.45 pm. Suitable for all levels of fitness - go at your own pace. Wear any comfortable clothing and shoes. This is your chance to get fitter and slimmer. Relaxed atmosphere - come and give it a try for £5 a session (note change of fee). Stay on if you wish for tea, etc. and chat. More details here. Fridays
Bollywood Dance Fitness from beginners to mixed ability, invited to join our dance class in a fun and friendly environment at St James' Community Centre, on Fridays from 2.00-2.45pm.
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Friday 2nd March
Women’s World Day of Prayer 2018
This year's worship service will be held at 2.00pm in the Southborough Baptist Church, Southborough Lane. The service this year has been written by the women of Surinam a country which lies in the north eastern part of South America and the theme they have chosen is “All God’s creation is very good”. Women from our local churches will be taking part in the service and the sermon will be delivered by the Revd Ben Marlowe, the minister of the Southborough Baptist Church.
Saturday 3rd March
The CWL annual quiz will take place in the Community Centre, at 7.45pm for 8.00pm start. Entrance is £6 and includes a light supper. To book places please email the Parish Office.
Sunday 4th March
This weekend we welcome, through Holy Baptism, Phoebe Charlotte Sudario Mulhall and her parents Joseph and Malka.
Parish Project - Filipino Fiesta! SOLD OUT
Join us for food, music, dancing and fun at a fundraising fiesta. The J&P Group has joined forces with our wonderful Filipino community at St James' to stage this family event in the Community Centre from 4.00-7.00pm. We will be at every Mass on the weekend of 10-11th February to give more details, distribute flyers and take orders for tickets. Adults £10, children £5, family ticket £30. There will be children's activities including the chance to be photographed in a hammock on our pretend beach. This is the main event for our Parish Project in 2018 so we hope many parishioners will come to enjoy themselves and support Fr Joe Cremona's parish in the Philippines. Email us at ff@stjamespettswood.org to pre-order tickets or ask questions.
Wednesday 7th March
Reflection on Handel’s Messiah
This will take place in the Community Hall at 8.00pm, when Margaret Connell, one of our parishioners, will explore this wonderful piece of music with us as part of our Lenten Preparation. She will talk about its composition and share its messages of life and death, providence, sacrifice, resurrection and redemption.
Monday 12th March
Lenten Reconciliation Service at 7.30pm.
Saturday 17th March
Parish one day retreat at Worth Abbey
Theme: “Encountering the Lord in the Desert"
The programme includes:
A talk by one of the Benedictine Monks about Benedictine Spirituality;
Join the monks in Midday prayer in the Abbey Church;
Silent time for prayer, reflection or exploring the abbey grounds;
Celebrate Mass in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel in the Abbey Church.
From 9:30am to 5:15pm at Worth Abbey, near Turners Hill Village, West Sussex.
Cost: £10 per person.
Participants are asked to bring lunch which will be shared (to be organised). Transport will be provided via shared cars (to be organised.). Fr David will be coming with us. There are only 32 spaces, thus places will be allocated on a first come first served basis.
If you wish to attend, please apply to the parish office as soon as possible by phone 01689 827100 or by email parish.office@stjamespettswood.org with your name and contact details.
Saturday 17th March
Dad and Me
The next meeting will be held at the Community Centre from 10.00-11.30am.
St James’ Youth Group
Junior Youth Group
The next session will be held in the Community Centre from noon to 2.00pm. £1.50 per session - which includes lunch.
Sunday 18th March
This weekend we welcome, through Holy Baptism, Varden Henry Martin Callaghan and his parents Michael and Lisa; Axel Kumar Dunn and his parents Jonathan and Nisha; and Olivia Isabelle Dutton and her parents Edward and Nicola.
Every Sunday in Lent
Stations of the Cross at 4.00pm.
Saturday 24th March
Confirmandi Fundraising Event
After the 6.00pm Mass, the Confirmandi are running an event to raise funds for St. Catherine’s in the Philippines. Tickets can be ordered after every Mass the weekend before or through the parish office. Payment is on the night. Come along and enjoy a quiz, some karaoke, cocktails and mocktails. There will be a BBQ and entertainment for our younger guests.
Weekend 24-25th March
Manna Centre Collection
Our Parish’s next collection for the Manna Centre, a charity working to support women and men who are homeless in London is taking place next weekend. The parish has been very generous in previous years and we hope this will continue. Items that are particularly needed include: kitchen rolls, toilet rolls, sleeping bags, blankets, men’s toiletries including disposable razors and soap, warm men’s clothing including socks, underwear and trousers. Take a look at the display at the back of the church for more information about the Manna Society and its work, or contact Nick Babb from the Justice & Peace Group (nick.babb@stjamespettswood.org).
Palm Sunday 25th March
Re-enactment of the Stations of the Cross
A re-enactment of the Stations of the Cross for the whole family will take place at 4.00pm. We are looking for Actors and Readers. All the family may take part in this devotion. There will be two rehearsals:
Saturday 24th March at 3.00-4.00pm
Sunday 25th March at 2.00-3.00pm.
Monday 26th March
Catholic Women’s League
All ladies are warmly invited to attend the Petts Wood CWL AGM (now called an annual review) which will be held in the Community Centre at 8.00pm.
Wednesday 28th March
The Justice and Peace Group will meet at 7.45pm in the Parish Office meeting room (281A Crescent Drive). All parishioners are assured of a warm welcome.
Easter Saturday 31st March
Święconka
The Polish traditional blessing of Easter Baskets will take place in the church at 11.00am. Please join us in continuing to celebrate this colourful and engaging tradition by bringing your own “Święconka” to St James’ for a short (15-20 min) blessing service. Blessings will be done in Polish and English. All very welcome.