These are heady days for the Catholic Church.  In the past week alone, the church has seen the resignation of the Pope, together with the resignation of Cardinal O’Brien of Scotland.  And now we face the conclave  (‘with key’) when the cardinal electors (117 of them) will elect the next Bishop of Rome, the Pope.  This should start around March 15^th.  The British Isles will not be represented- we have no cardinal of voting age (under 80).

And yet........reform is in the air and the Spirit is starting to blow afresh........

Here, in our tiny patch of the Lord’s vineyard we are eagerly awaiting the opening of our Week of Accompanied Prayer – which starts at 3pm this afternoon (Sunday) at the Baptist church opposite.  Let’s all try and be involved in some way – many of you already are.

We welcome the following through Holy Baptism: (Sat. 6pm) Dominic Edward Zejbek Mataj, his parents Suzie and Enis and godparents Tatiana and Tom; (9.15am) Helen Xiao-Lin Gallagher, her parents Jenny and Martin and godparents Anne and Stephen; (11am) Joseph Patrick Fitzgerald, his parents Caroline and James and godparents Catrina and Robert.

Please remember all the above in your prayers- all of us, whether we are former Popes or newly baptised babies - are all members of the Body of Christ. May the Spirit lead the church internationally, nationally and locally as we move through these unusual days of Lent, and bring us to the glory of Easter.

WEEK OF ACCOMPANIED PRAYER - WAP –Sunday 3rd March to Saturday 9th March 2013

All who have registered as a participant will be welcomed this Sunday 3rd March at the Opening Service, 3 to 4 pm at Southborough Lane Baptist church. There they will be introduced to the Week, share a short time of worship, meet their prayer guide, confirm their exact time of meeting and be offered some thoughts for their first prayer time.

During the Week (Monday to Friday), all meetings with prayer guides will here at St James'. Please come a few minutes before your agreed time to the Welcoming area in our lobby, where light refreshments will be on offer.

ALL PARISHIONERS are invited to engage with the Week, by personal prayer at home. And the church will be open to all for private prayer from 7.00 am to 9 pm each weekday, with Mass at 9.30am.

Thank you to all who have signed up as a Welcomer - your day and time are shown on the rotas in the lobby. 

Small cakes and cookies left in the Welcoming area in the lobby during the Week will be much appreciated.

Today (Sunday):

St Patrick’s Night Social (Sat.16^th)- tickets (limited) after Mass.

Petts Wood Festival Chorus –Faure’s Requiem and other works.  March 24^th- tickets (£5) from the repository (shop) at back of church.  This will be a beautiful concert in aid of Bromley Borough Foodbank (some 70 singers.)

Fundraising (coloured flyer)- please come along on Weds 13^th March at 8pm!  We need strong support from tight across the parish).

You Touch Africa Fr.Arbo’s charity, which we supported some time ago.  See main porch board for how your money has been spent!

WAP – Opening session 3pm, Baptist Church.

Festival Chorus - NB rehearsal time of 4.15pm

Holy Week Choir- 5.30.pm- 6pm.

Mass attendances last Sunday were 598.
Sunday 3/3/13	Third Sunday in Lent (C) 6pm – Secondina Rabbini RIP (Lisa Rusmini) 9.15am – People of the Parish 11am – Agatha Yee RIP (Victor Brittain-Wong)
Monday 4/3/13	Feria of Lent 9.30am – Michael Cassidy RIP (D & M Kelly)
Tuesday 5/3/13	Feria of Lent 9.30am – Dr Michael Kelly RIP (D & M Kelly)
Wednesday 6/3/13	Feria of Lent 9.00am – Michael Hutchinson RIP (Mary Hutchinson) Mass in St. James’ School
Thursday 7/3/13	Feria of Lent 9.30am – Ann Kinahan RIP (D & M Kelly)
Friday 8/3/13	Feria of Lent 9.30am – Catherine Buckman RIP (Diana Robertson)
Sunday  10/3/13	Fourth Sunday in Lent (C) 6pm – Deceased members of the Fenner family 9.15am – People of the Parish 11am – Olive Cosgrave RIP (Cosgrave family)

THIS WEEK PLEASE NOTE

The Church will be open Monday to Friday 7.30am-9pm

NO confession/exposition/benediction on Tuesday after Mass.

No Lectio Divina this week.

Mass on Wednesday in St James’ School at 9.0.am (NOT here).  All most welcome- regulars please support.  Coffee in school after Mass.

Stations of the Cross – Friday at 7pm.

Saturday:

WAP closing service and shared lunch – Christ Church, Willett Way, 11 am.

Next Sunday (10^th) is Lent 4 and Mothering Sunday (mid-Lent.)

Traidcraft stall next weekend 9th and 10th March, after all Masses.  The Brownies will be helping by selling the pre-ordered Real Easter Eggs ( Only £3.99).  Please support!! (there was a fantastic response last month).  Let us all try and support those struggling to make a living in this Holy Season of Lent.

Also note that we are in the middle of Fairtrade Fortnight.  We should make a special effort to look for Fairtrade products in the shops and of course buy at the Traidcraft stall next weekend.

Many thanks to the countless people who work behind the scenes in the parish in so many ways.   It is greatly appreciated.  May the Lord bless our endeavours and renew in us his image and likeness.

Every blessing, Fr Bryan