Churches and parishes are very expensive to run (as I expect you know).  In this past week we have written a cheque for c.£18,000 to pay our various diocesan fees; and our annual insurance is in excess of £3,000.

Our finance committee reports that the average weekly giving here at St. James’ per adult is £2 a week. I think most of you would agree that this is (to put it mildly!) a modest amount.  They also report that many people have been giving the same amount for many years - unaware, perhaps, of the increasingly high costs involved in running the parish.

We must get real.

I should like to make three suggestions:

1. Could everyone please give £1 (yes, just £1) more each week ? (ie, if you at present give £2, make it £3; if you presently give £10, make it £11).-and so on.

2. Could as many people as possible please take out standing orders ? There are advantages both to you and the parish in doing this- (and remember that the church is still up running even when you are not there !)

3. Could as many people as possible take part in our shopping online scheme?  Over 2,000 companies participate in this scheme (see home page of our website).  Basically, the parish will receive from companies an average of 5% of your spend at absolutely NO cost to you!  So far parishioners have raised almost £900 in this way for the parish, but I am sure we could increase this substantially if many more of you shopped online in this way. So, please, have look at our home page.

I realize that we also have the Maintenance Fund, and the many charitable causes we support throughout the year, - not to mention balancing our own household budgets-but I do ask you to prayerfully consider the three points above, which I believe could be acted on by most people in our community. (Geoff Ford is always happy to advise on parish finance).

And finally – thanks to all of you who give so generously (and not just financially) to the parish.  All our giving to God, through his church, should come from a thankful heart- an appropriate response to his many blessings to us. ‘The Lord loves a cheerful giver.’ (2 Corinthians, 9.7.)

Mass attendances last Sunday were 679.
Sunday 5/2/12	Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B) 6pm – Maurice Cantopher (Mrs P Cantopher) 9.15am –  Mgr John Elliot RIP (J & M Clark) 11am – Florence Angel RIP (F & S Simon)
Monday 6/2/12	SS Paul Miki and Companions 9.30am – Harry Matthews RIP 10^th Anniversary (Family)
Tuesday 7/2/12	Feria 9.30am – Paddy & Betty Kelly
Wednesday 8/2/12	Feria 9.30am – Daniel Carrigan RIP (Gwen Carrigan & Family)
Thursday 9/2/12	Feria 9.30am – Tony Huntington RIP (F & S Simon)
Friday 10/2/12	St Scholastica 9.30am – Patrick O’Connor RIP (Troy Family)
Sunday  12/2/12	Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B) 6pm – Florence & Dick Angel RIP (Howell Family) 9.15am – People of the Parish 11am – Mrs Sally Egan RIP (M Thompson)
Sunday (today) we welcome through Holy Baptism (11am) Maisie Elizabeth Robertson (16 mths), her parents Hannah and Stephen, and godparents Emma and Ian. Petts Wood Festival Chorus at 3pm (Stainer’s Crucifixion.)
Monday. Finance committee- presbytery 10.15am. Confirmation group 7pm-8.30pm.
Tuesday. Meeting for parents applying for ALL church schools (Sept.2013)- in church at 7pm (ends by 7.45pm).  A very important session. Journey in Faith at 8pm.
Wednesday. Meeting (Social Centre-8pm) for parents of all servers (and also parents of those who would like to serve) (parents only please.)  Another very important meeting (ending by 8.45pm).
Thursday. Mission and Planning Team – Meeting Room 7.45pm
Saturday.  First Communion session- 4.45pm
NEXT SUNDAY. 2^ND collection for Maintenance and Refurbishment Fund.
St Patrick’s night social.  March 17th in the parish Social Centre suitable for all the family. More details shortly.
The new Parish Library will be launched on the w/e of Feb.25/26. Volunteers please to staff it (about 30 mins after Sat and Sun. Masses) (list on table in porch). The Library Team of 8 parishioners has worked so hard at this and it will be an invaluable parish resource. We have c.500 titles but would welcome more (on religious/spiritual subjects.) The library is situated upstairs off the choir gallery.
A warm welcome to newcomers and to visitors! Refreshments are served in the adjacent hall after the 9.15am and 11 am Masses - do come in!
Please take this sheet home with you! Every blessing, Fr, Bryan.