Thank you for your offerings last week of £1,451. Mass attendance775. Second collection for Poor Parishes on 11^th February was £468.59.
3rd March (Saturday Vigil)	Third Sunday Of Lent 6pm People of The Parish
Sunday 4th March	9.15am Francesca Sio RIP (Sio Family) 11am In Thanksgiving on 40th Wedding Anniversary (M&P Davey)
Monday 5th March	Feria 9.30am Ann & Peter Auggiero
Tuesday 6th March	Feria 9.30am Allan Logan RIP & Luisito Espinosa RIP (S Logan)
Wednesday 7th March	Feria 9.30am Teresa & Hugh Ford
	10.45am Eucharistic Adoration
Thursday 8th March	Feria
	9.30am John McAuliffe RIP (M L Cooper)
Friday 9th March	Feria 9.30am Deceased members of the Fenner Family
10th March (Saturday Vigil)	Fourth Sunday of Lent 6pm Anthony Olivelle RIP (M Olivelle)
Sunday 11th March	9.15am Francesca Sio RIP (Sio Family) 11am People of The Parish

Confessions heard Saturday 5.00-5.45pm or by appointment.

Morning Prayer: Takes place Monday – Friday at 9.10am. All are welcome to attend.

Pondering the Word (Lectio Divina)

A quiet reflective look at the following Sunday’s Gospel. Mondays 11am - 12 noon, except for Bank Holidays, here in the church. All welcome.

Sunday Mornings in the Community Centre

Every Sunday coffee and tea are served after the 9.15am and 11am Masses. Please join us for a while and get to know each other over a cuppa!

Fr David writes…

I have been inspired these last couple of weeks seeing so many young people on the streets in America protesting angrily at those who have the power to bring change in gun laws in the USA after once again another fatal tragedy in the school in Parkland. Their anger is real, raw and well-articulated. And most of us are hoping that this time, something would have to change. We all feel angry at some point in our lives. It is part of being human. Anger is a natural response to feeling attacked, deceived, frustrated or treated unjustly. Our perception of being angry is conditioned by how our parents or guardians have helped us or hindered us to understand this powerful emotion. Another possible element which helps or hinders our expression of anger might also be our cultural conditioning. Some cultures are more liable to give permission in order to articulate or express anger than others. For some cultures it is not appropriate at any cost to express anger. And if so, what can one do with one’s feelings of anger? Where would the feelings of anger be channelled then? Actually in reality, anger is not always a “bad emotion”. In fact it can be useful. Feeling angry about something can help us identify problems or things that are hurting us. Acknowledging anger can motivate us to create change in situations and make a difference in other’s lives. In fact most of the cultural changes that have happened in the world are the consequences of people feeling angry at the injustice of the situation. Also anger can help us defend ourselves in dangerous situations by giving us a burst of energy. Anger only becomes a problem when it harms us or people around us. This can happen when we express anger through destructive behaviour. Or else when anger is having a negative impact on our overall mental and physical health. And so in that case one needs help in anger management by professionals.

Unhelpful ways of anger can be for example, outward aggression and violence such as shouting, slamming doors, hitting or throwing things and being physically violent or verbally abusive and threatening towards others. It also can be harmful if we internalise aggression. Such as telling yourself that you hate yourself, denying yourself your basic needs, isolating yourself from the world and self-harming. Another way of unhealthy expression of anger is called passive aggressive such as ignoring people or refusing to speak to them, refusing to do tasks or deliberately doing things poorly, late or at the last possible minute and being sarcastic or sulky while not saying anything explicitly aggressive or angry. Thus anger as such is not a mental problem. It’s a normal part of life. However if we often struggle to manage feelings of anger, it can be very stressful and might negatively affect our self-esteem. This can lead one to experiencing problems like depression, eating problems or self-harm. It can also contribute to sleep problems and problems with alcohol or substance abuse. As we have seen, it is very clear that anger is a very powerful emotion that if used well can help us make a difference in life, however if we do not tackle it well, it has the power to make our lives and those of others, hell.

Jesus’ anger in today’s gospel towards those who desecrated the temple by exploitation and corruption, compels him to act to restore the temple to what it was intended to be – a house of prayer for all people. The temple is the focus of today’s gospel. For the traders the time of the Passover was an opportunity not to be missed. In a few weeks they could accumulate more gains than throughout the rest of the year. It was difficult for the temple priests to resist the temptation to get into so profitable a turnover. In fact during the three weeks before Easter, pilgrims to the temple were expected to make a donation for its upkeep. Because Roman currency was considered unclean, Jewish visitors had to change their money into Jewish currency in order to make their temple gift. Money changers whose tables lined the outer courts of the temple, charged exorbitant fees. Visitors who wished to have a sacrifice offered on the temple altar would sometimes have to pay fifteen or twenty times the market rate for the animals purchased in the temple.

Jesus’ anger, toppling of the vendors booths and tables, is a condemnation of the injustice, exploitation and corruption of the faithful in the name of God. So empty and meaningless has their worship become that God will establish a new temple in the resurrected body of the Christ. The leaders and people do not appreciate the deeper meaning of Jesus’ words. Jesus in today’s gospel redefines the temple from a place of stone and mortar to a community of people centred in his resurrected body. Jesus’ cleansing of the temple challenges us to take a look at our own parish temple with Lenten eyes. We are keenly invited to realise that Christ has called us to make our own churches, houses of God’s compassion, mercy and peace to keep on refocusing all we do on a parish level. Rather than barter access to God, the parish is a place where we celebrate God’s presence in our midst in our good times and in those less good. Maybe during this Lenten journey this week, we can reflect about how can we channel our anger into positive emotion. On a parish level, we might take time to reflect on how has a particular ministry been an experience of unexpected grace for both those who serve and those served? In what ways does our parish realise Jesus’ vision of “my Father’s House” in today’s gospel? May God keep on blessing us as individuals and parish at this time.

The Sign of Peace During Mass

As we are in the middle of winter, and flu and cold viruses are currently very active, it will be perfectly ok (and probably much wiser!) for the time being to offer each other 'the Sign of Peace’ at Mass by simply nodding and smiling to those near you but without shaking hands. This will hopefully help our parish community to maintain good health, as far as possible, so thank you for your cooperation.

“Drop-In” Evening Surgeries

The next surgery will be on Wednesday the 7th March 2018. Fr David will be available at 281A Crescent Drive from 5.00-7.00pm and no appointment is necessary.

Holy Baptism

This weekend we welcome, through Holy Baptism, Phoebe Charlotte Sudario Mulhall and her parents Joseph and Malka.

Liturgy Pillar

Eucharist Adoration

This takes place for an hour each Wednesday shortly after the morning Mass starting at 10.45 am and finishing at 11.45 am. This Devotion to the Eucharist is a time of silent prayer and quiet music. Everyone is welcome for all or part of this time of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.

First Friday of Month - Eucharist Adoration also takes place on the 1^st Friday of each month from 7.30–9.00pm and concludes with Benediction. Everyone is welcome for all or part of this time of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.

Mass in celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage

St George’s Cathedral 16^th June 2018. If you are celebrating your 1^st, 10^th, 25^th, 40^th, 50^th or 60^th+ wedding anniversary this year and would like to attend the Mass then please give your names as soon as possible. Forms can be found at the back of the church.

Easter Choir (children)

We are still looking for singers and musicians (violin, cello, recorder, guitar) for the children's Easter choir on 1st April at the 9.15am Mass. There will be 3 rehearsals on Sundays (Feb 25, March 11, 25) from 5-6pm in the main church. If your child is aged 6-13 and would enjoy being part of this choir, please email your interest to jennifer.baracho@gmail.com. We look forward to enhancing this liturgical service with the talented children in our parish.

Evangelisation Pillar

During his recent visit to St James', Fr Fio promoted his book INFINITE POWER! (Bible Gems for Daily Life).

The Repository has a stock of these books for sale at £5 each. Some are also available from the table opposite the main doors (please give money to the Repository or into the “Papers” box at the back of the church).

Please also note that the Repository is at the back of the church, is open after each Sunday Mass, and has a good selection of religious items, crucifixes, plaques, cards, books for adults and children, First Communion and Confirmation gifts, etc. Do come in and have a look around.

Lenten Programme

Stations of the Cross

Every Sunday in Lent at 4.00pm, except on 4^th March when it will be at 3.00pm. This is to allow Fr David and yourselves to attend the Filipino Fiesta.

Evening Talk on HANDEL’S MESSIAH

Wednesday 7th March 8.00pm

This will take place in the Community Hall, 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.

“…..Handel’s Messiah has been heard in all parts of the kingdom with reverence and delight; it has fed the hungry, clothed the naked and fostered the orphan…..” [Burney]

Lenten Reconciliation Service

Monday 12th March at 7.30pm.

Re-enactment of the Stations of the Cross – Palm Sunday

A Re-enactment of the Stations of the Cross for the whole family is being produced on Sunday the 25th March at 4.00pm – Palm Sunday. We are looking for Actors and Readers. All the family may take part in this Devotion. There will be two rehearsals:

· Saturday the 24th March at 3pm – 4pm

· Sunday the 25t^h March at 2pm – 3pm.

Come and experience the passion and death of Christ by being part of the Greatest Story ever told.

Parish one day retreat at Worth Abbey

This event is now full.

Outside the Parish

National Catholic Men’s Pilgrimage to Walsingham - Sunday 22^nd April 2018, 10.30-17.30

A warm invitation to the first, annual pilgrimage for Catholic men. Meet, talk and share the faith with other men; listen to speakers, celebrate confession and Mass, pray for families and for the country; process to the old Abbey grounds for Benediction. We welcome lay and religious, single and married, young and old, fathers and sons. "When England returns to Walsingham, Our Lady will return to England". Pope Leo XIII, 1887

In partnership with the Catholic National Shrine of Our Lady and Catholic Man UK. For more information visit www.catholicman.co.uk

Lenten Talks by Canon Leonard Mintoff

At St John the Baptist, Westerham. Monday 12th – Friday 16th March 7.30pm Mass followed by talk.

200 Club

Firstly, thank you so much for joining the 200 Club which has proved to be a great success in the past year with over £6000 being raised for Church funds.

We now have 181 members and since April last year there have been 39 winners, one parishioner winning twice, two winning £500 each in the Summer and Christmas draws.

The new year starts on 1st April with the first draw taking place on the 2nd Sunday of each month. As many of you paid by cheque last year and assuming you wish to continue paying this way I shall be grateful if you will send a cheque for £60 payable to St James 200 Club for the attention of Ken Evans at the Parish Office – 281A Crescent Drive, Petts Wood. BR5 1AY.

If, however you wish to pay by standing order at £5 per month (payable on the 1st of the month) please contact Ken Evans.

I do hope you will continue to support this excellent fund-raising initiative and thank you again for your generous support.

Justice & Peace

Foodbank – change to requirements

The Foodbank has at last run out of soup! So tinned soup is now back on the list of requirements, but incredibly they still don’t need pasta or baked beans. Other items needed are tinned potatoes, long life milk and fruit juice, rice, pulses, shampoo and toothbrushes. Thanks to our contributors, we have delivered an average of 35kg to the Foodbank each week this year so far.

CAFOD Lent Fast Day

The collection raised £1,962 including gift aid last week. With the government match funding this means that CAFOD will receive about £3,600 as a result of the generosity shown by the parishioners of St James’. We also know, from the comments made to envelope distributors, that many parishioners support CAFOD with regular giving by direct debit. If you have any concerns following the recent safeguarding issues with aid organisations, please read the comprehensive statements made by CAFOD available on our notice board. Thank you again, J&P Group.

Polite Reminder

The Parish disabled parking spaces are for Blue Badge holders only.

Seeing a Chaplain if You Are Admitted to Hospital

· Protecting personal information (data protection) is really important when you become an inpatient in hospital.

· So please specifically ask hospital staff to pass on your details to the hospital’s Roman Catholic chaplain as soon as you are admitted if you would like a Chaplain to visit you.

· Fr David would always be very happy to visit you too, so please ask a relative or friend to let him know about your admission. You, or they, can email Fr David on father.david@stjamespettswood.org, or phone the parish office on 01689 827100.

Weekend Rotas: Thank you for helping.

Saturday 10th March 2018
Cleaning the Church	Readers and Altar Servers

Wednesday Coffee 14th March

S Barradell, B D’Arcy

11th March 2018
Mass	Saturday 6pm (Vigil)	Sunday 9.15am	Sunday 11am
Welcomers	M Walters	B Guyton A Guyton	Uniformed Groups
Readers	K Lams L Rusmini	A Coughlan R Lim	Parade Mass
Ministers of Holy Communion	J Bajorek T Babb B Babb C Cosgrave P Cosgrave	A Guyton M Smith W david B D’Arcy T Forde	R Del Guercio Z Bajorek T Troy A Bunnage P Murray
Bar			M Smith N Longhurst
Coffee		G Brookes D Brookes	T Troy J Cosgrave
Altar Servers

Tellers

M Shea, T Wrafter, K Evans