Attendance last week was 622.
Sunday  6/4/14	Fifth Sunday of Lent 6pm (Sat) – People of the Parish 9.15am – Ronnie Godinho, RIP (Rebello family) 11am – Welfare of Teresa Barrow (Margaret Thompson)
Monday 7/4/14	St John the Baptist de la Salle 9.30am – David Kelly, RIP (I & D Nelligan)
Tuesday 8/4/14	Feria of Lent 9.30am – Liz Thompson (CWL)
Wednesday 9/4/14	Feria of Lent 9.30am – Peter Keen (Howell family)
Thursday 10/4/14	Feria of Lent 9.30am – Private Intention
Friday 11/4/14	St Stanislaus, Bishop, Martyr 9.30am – Mary Cassestelli
Saturday 12/4/14	Feria of Lent 9.30am – Norman Mitchell, RIP
Sunday  13/4/14	Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord 6pm (Sat) – Mrs Pat Crosland, RIP (Crosland family) 9.15am – People of the Parish 11am – Pat & Wayne Rutledge, RIP (Deirdre Marshall)

Today’s gospel is the raising of Lazarus.  Jesus’ performed this ‘sign’ to evoke faith in himself from Mary and Martha (which he gets) and also to reveal God’s gift of resurrection which, even in this life, we can all experience. To be raised from the dead is to be alive with the Spirit of God (see today’s 2^nd reading). For Christians, this begins at baptism but continues throughout our lives.

Very often this process is ‘one step forward and three steps back’. It is not magic or automatic but it is real and with a modicum of faith, hope and love, we can live as those who have been forgiven and healed by the love of God. Jesus obviously had a close relationship with Lazarus (‘see how much he loved him’!’) and was in tearful distress at his friend’s death.

Lazarus is, of course, the symbol of each one of us. How much the Lord must weep for us in our sinful state- and how much he loves us!

But fear not- help is at hand- this afternoon (Sunday) at 3.30pm, I hope you will be at our parish Liturgy of Reconciliation at 3.30pm. This will last for 30 mins, and you then have the opportunity (if you wish) to make your confession to one of four priests. To make a sincere confession and to receive the forgiveness of Jesus is, actually, to be ‘raised from the dead.’   I encourage everyone to think about this (especially young families and children).  It is the best possible preparation for Easter.

This poem by Ann Lewin may be helpful as we meditate on the raising of Lazarus.

Fr Bryan.

Healing

What if pain does not go,

What then? Scars can be

Touched to raw response in

Unexpected moments

Long after the event which

Caused them, nerve ends twitch

Perhaps for ever after

Amputation.

Healing is not achieved

Without some cost. It

May not mean the end of

Pain. Healing can hurt

Just like fresh wounds,

As pockets of poison are

Lanced, or lesions cut to

Allow more flexibility. For

Healing is not going back

To what one was before,

It is a growing on

To a new stage of being,

Through many deaths and

Resurrections being set free.

The Quiet Day and the Passover Supper were moving and enjoyable and our thanks must go to Doreen and Chris Hairs who invested so much time and energy into these events. We have learned much - and for this we thank God. Doreen and Chris wish to thank especially all who helped with the Passover, which was a real ‘team effort.’

Looking Through the Cross

My colleague Rev. Pauline Sparks will lead this week’s session- ‘The Cross and Reconciliation’ on Monday at 1.30pm and again at 8pm (Methodist Church.) This has been an excellent series- do go along if you have not been yet- it is not necessary to have been to all the sessions- each one is ‘stand alone.’ Next week is the final session (‘The Cross and Life’).

Holy Week starts next Sunday (13^th).  Palm Sunday. Guides Lenten Lunch at 12.30pm- many people have signed up but room for more (TODAY please). A great way to begin Holy Week; a simple meal together and all profits to charity.

Holy Week Duties readers, ministers, welcomers... lots of gaps- please sign up TODAY.

Mon, Tues and Wed (14^th-16^th)- Mass as usual at 9.30am.

Wed. 16^th- Chrism Mass at the Cathedral- when the Archbishop blesses all the oils to be used in the coming year, and when all ordained ministers renew their commitment.

The Triduum (‘Three Days’)- the most important three days in the Christian Calendar and hopefully the church will be full for:

1.Mass of the Lord’s Supper- Thurs. 17^th at 8pm followed by watch, (please sign up for a 15 min. slot.)

2 Solemn Liturgy of the Day – 3pm  (also:-  Ecumenical Service for all the PW  churches which we are hosting, at 10.30am  (led by our teenagers), Childrens’ Stations of the Cross at 9.30am, and Taize Round the Cross at 8pm.(quiet and reflective.)

3.Solemn Easter Vigil and Mass 8.30pm

These three principal liturgies are really ONE – and celebrate the Paschal Mystery- Christ’s passing from death to life – for us, and for our salvation. Try and be at all three.

Easter Sunday –Masses at 9.15am and 11 am.

Real Easter Eggs please collect your pre-ordered eggs TODAY !  And there are still (after 3 weeks) some 50 Gift Aid packs to be collected...!!!

St.James’ Mother and Toddler Group (in our hall ’ on Fridays in term time- 1.30pm). We urgently need helpers to help spread the load. Could you please help? (kate.clubbs@stjamespettswood.org) – this week if possible!

Teaching jobs  (and also invigilation) on porch board if you are interested..........Coloma Old Girls Association reunion- May 14^th (see porch board).

Also- Petts Wood Gazette desperately needs help with distribution./ If you have some time please contact  editor@pettswood.org.uk  or gazdist@pettswood.org.uk  -urgently.