In two weeks time (Friday May 18^th) Bishop Pat Lynch, our Area Bishop will be here to confirm 32 of our young people.  (Most of them are in their confirmation retreat at our diocesan youth centre in Whitstable this weekend).  Bishop Pat will also preside at the Masses that weekend (19^th - 20^th), and on the Sunday afternoon will meet with PAT, MaP (parish pastoral teams), finance committee and some other parishioners who hold various responsibilities within the parish.

This visitation by the Bishop will, hopefully, be a time of great grace.  He will wish to know what we do well as well as the challenges we face.  I do hope you will get the opportunity to speak with him after Mass that weekend.

On July 7^th PAT and MaP will have their annual ‘away day’ when we reflect on the life of our parish, decide priorities and plan for the future.  It may well be that the Bishop’s visitation will set our agenda.  But I also hope you feel involved in the parish enough to make suggestions - all of which will be gratefully received and discussed. PAT and MaP are clearly displayed in the porch.

However we are all the church - one community, based on our common baptism into Christ.  May the Lord continue to unite us - a community of equals - and let us listen again to his words in today’s gospel: ‘Love one another just as I have loved you.....by this love you have for one another, everyone will know that you are my disciples.’

Mass attendances last Sunday were 685.
Sunday 6/5/12	Fifth Sunday of Easter (B) 6pm – Kevin Forkan (T. Forde) 9.15am – People of the Parish 11am – Olive Cosgrave RIP (Cosgrave Family)
Monday 7/5/12	Feria 9.30am – CWL
Tuesday 8/5/12	Feria 9.30am – Gerald Colgan RIP (Wharton Family)
Wednesday 9/5/12	Feria 9.30am – Eileen O’Shea Anniversary RIP (E. Gibson)
Thursday 10/5/12	Feria 9.30am – 1^st Anniversary. Fr Richard Hennessey RIP  (Nelligan Family)
Friday 11/5/12	Feria 9.30am – Florence Angel RIP (S. O’Mahoney)
Sunday  13/5/12	Sixth Sunday of Easter (B) 6pm – Claire Draper RIP (F & S Simons) 9.15am – Ernie Field well being. (May Field & Family) 11am – People of the Parish

Yesterday (Saturday) nine members of our community were commissioned by Bishop Pat at Aylesford to be Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.  We look forward to their ministering here at Mass in due course.

Today (Sunday) we welcome, through Holy Baptism (9.15am) Callum Mark Clifford (10mths), his parents Sarah and Anthony and godparents Donna-Maria, Christopher and Maurice.  We also welcome through Holy Baptism (11am) Thomas Joseph Clubbs (5mths), his parents Kate and Simon and godparents Christopher, Sally and Helen.

Tuesday:

Journey in Faith (8pm - those received at Easter.)

Wednesday:

Consolation Group (bereavement support) 8pm. 281A Crescent Drive (presbytery).

Thursday:

Baptism preparation session (for couples who have been invited) - meeting room at 8.15pm.

Next Sunday (13^th) 2^nd collection for the Maintenance and Refurbishment Fund.  During the school summer holiday the hall roof will be replaced and our hall toilet facilities greatly improved.  The Social Centre will be closed from July 23^rd until the end of August.

Also next Sunday:  a sale of oil paintings by Dorothy Swain (renowned Sussex artist and Fr Bryan’s mother-in-law) to raise money for CAFOD - the government will match fund (i.e. double) all donations made, up to May 17^th.  So we must sell them next weekend!  Please bring your cheque books!  They will be on display in the back corridor of the church.

Flavio Iorio thanks everyone who sponsored him and daughter Simona in the Castle Cycle Challenge last weekend.  A gruelling event! Well done to them both - please get your sponsor money in.

Advance notice:

Joint PAT and MaP.  Monday May 14^th at 8.30pm in the meeting room.

We had a lovely Mass in St James’ school last Wednesday - Year 4 led on the theme of Our Lady. We usually have up to 40 parishioners at Mass on Wednesdays but very few were in evidence on Wednesday.  I do hope our regulars will come in future.  The next is on Wednesday July 4^th at 9am. Your presence is an encouragement to everyone and the school makes us so welcome.

I hope you enjoy your Bank Holiday breather!

Every blessing, Fr Bryan.