Our readings today are like three concentric circles. In the gospel, Jesus is speaking to his disciples at the last supper – a group of Jewish men celebrating the Jewish feast of Passover. Jesus promises that, after his death, the Holy Spirit will come as his advocate, or ‘rep’, to lead the church into all truth.
The first reading (Acts of the Apostles) shows this beginning to happen, as the whole church holds its first General Council (Vatican 2-1962-65 was the twenty-second general council). This Council, led by the Spirit, comes to the realization that Christ is not just for Jews but for pagans as well. Eventually the church agrees that it is baptism that makes a Christian, and not other rules and regulations.
The second reading (Apocalypse) goes even further and sees Christ as the goal of all creation. The twelve gates of the city of Jerusalem face all four points of the compass, symbolizing the universal (catholic) nature of Christ and the Church.
So; Jews, pagans, then everyone! What a fantastic vision of the world and of all creation! We too, as a parish community, and as individuals must pray for the unity of the church and of the human family.
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Mass attendances for Sunday 21st April were 661 and for 28th April 596.
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Sunday 5/5/13 |
6th Sunday of Easter 6pm – Lilly O’Connor, RIP (Scott Family) 9.15am – Agatha Yee, RIP (Victor Brittain-Wong) 11am – People of the Parish
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Monday 6/5/13 |
Feria of Easter 9.30am – Private Intention (Mary Hutchinson)
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Tuesday 7/5/13 |
Feria of Easter 9.30am – Jimmie & Mary O’Connor
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Wednesday 8/5/13 |
Feria of Easter 9.30am – Welfare of Betty & Jane Cotter
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Thursday 9/5/13 |
Feria of Easter 9.30am – Welfare of Mary Cosastelli
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Friday 10/5/13 |
Feria of Easter 9.30am – Welfare of Bridget & Paul Wiggins
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Sunday 12/5/13 |
The Ascension of the Lord 6pm – Richard Nelligan, RIP (Mary Ardron) 9.15am – People of the Parish 11am – Claire Draper, RIP (S Simon)
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Today (Sunday) we welcome through Baptism; (9.15am) Sam Christopher Etherton (6 months) and his parents Cindy and Stuart, also (11am) Chloe Gloria Ann Guyton (3 months) and her parents Belinda and Andrew. We also welcome Rev. Duncan Aitkins (deacon) who will be assisting at all Masses. After all Masses Traidcraft goods will be on sale. Do buy something and help to bring about a little more justice in God’s world.
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Monday is Bank Holiday and the Petts Wood churches will be manning the refreshments stall at the May Fayre. Please support. Also many of our servers will be at the Altar Servers Rally at Aylesford. Many thanks to leaders and parents.
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Tuesday: Journey in Faith at 7.45pm.
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Wednesday: Baptism preparation at 8.15pm (for parents who have been invited.)
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Saturday: Church cleaning. Parents of children in school year 2 (10am-11am). Many thanks to those who cleaned last week and this weekend - the routine is starting to work really well.
First Communion classes at 4.45pm.
Race Night to raise funds for the SVP after the 6pm Mass. Always great fun-please support!
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Next Sunday we celebrate the solemnity of Christ’s Ascension into Heaven.
Second collection for communications (supporting Catholic Communications Network; the church in the media, etc).
We shall also be reminding ourselves that we are a LiveSimply parish. Many thanks to the team who started work on the prayer garden last weekend! A great start (have a look before you go home from Mass).
And a magnificent result from the Kainmari curry evening- £850 will be sent to CAFOD, who will forward this amount. It was a great event and involved so many people. (See our website for pictures/video).
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Mass for Bereaved Parents at St. Joseph’s, Bromley on Thursday May 23rd at 7.30pm, followed by refreshments. You will receive a warm welcome. |
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Coffee Rota after 9.15 Mass: Help! More volunteers needed, please sign the list on porch table). It will only come round about every six weeks. |
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Knights of St Columba: Open evening here at 7pm on Saturday May 18th- to explain who they are and what they do. ALL welcome (including families) and bar will be open. Any Catholic man 16 yrs plus is eligible to join the knights. |
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Jobs, vacancies etc. on main porch board. Have a look before you go home, also several new notices, events, etc. |
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Last Tuesday Teresa and I returned from nine wonderful days in the Holy Land, together with Archbishop Peter, ten other priests and over 60 people from the diocese. There are so many impressions and perhaps we could share some with you one evening. We stayed in Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Tiberius (Sea of Galilee). Have a look at the pilgrimage diary for a full report and pictures. There are many more pictures on flickr. Needless to say you were all in our prayers at the various holy sites.
Renewal of marriage vows- in St George’s Cathedral on Saturday June 15th (afternoon). If you are celebrating a special anniversary this year (e.g. 10, 25, 40, 50, etc....) you are invited by the Archbishop to a special Mass. Sign list on porch table and the cathedral will contact you. It is always a lovely event.
Many thanks to parishioners who came to the parish forum last Thursday. We had excellent presentations by the Project Board concerning the development of our premises and this will be disseminated to the whole parish very soon.
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God of our Journeying
a poem about pilgrimage by Jan Berry
God of our journeying,
inviting us to travel with you,
forgive us when we cling to outworn security,
afraid to let go of what is safe and familiar.
Give us courage
to take the risk
of answering your call
into joyous adventure.
Every blessing for this sixth week of Eastertide.
Fr Bryan