Easter Offering - Thank you so much for your generosity with the Easter Offering. And thanks also to those of you who sent Easter cards and gifts. Teresa and I are deeply appreciative. We hope Easter weekend was a time of joy for you and your families.
Today’s homily will be based on the opening verse of psalm 127: ‘Except the Lord build the house, their labour is but lost that build it.’ I shall outline our vision for the development of the Social Centre, and also a vision of what it means to be a member of our parish community. Finally, I shall challenge and invite everyone to share this vision, and to take much greater ‘ownership’ of all that happens here.
Seven of our altar servers attended the rally at Aylesford last Monday and were photographed with Bishop John Hine (Kent) (see website). I am told they were excellent ambassadors for our parish - well done!
The Mass for Migrant Workers last Monday in our (packed) cathedral was an uplifting experience with an inspiring homily by the Bishop of Brentwood. It was a reminder of our richly diverse diocese and of the catholicity (universal) nature of the Church.
So we enter the third week of Easter Season - do make sure you see what is on, and on offer, on the porch notice board - and do follow some up! And don’t forget to visit our website: stjamespettswood.org for all the latest
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Mass attendances last Sunday were 676. |
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Sunday 8/5/11 |
We welcome through Holy Baptism (Sat. 4.30pm) Ciara Merriman (1 yr.), her parents John and Denise, and her godparents Ciara and Philip.
6pm - People of the Parish
9.15am- Kitty O’ Riordan (Ned)
11am - Canon John Devane RIP (Rosemary Scott) |
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Monday 9/5/11 |
Feria 9.30am- Liam Carland (senior) RIP (Liam Carland) 1-30-3.30 pm - craft/card games/tea and chat in the hall. Everyone very welcome!
Pastoral and Advisory Team - meeting 7.45pm |
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Tuesday 10/5/11 |
Feria
9.30am- Melan Untalan RIP (Kate & Sean)
7.15pm- Patrick McFadden (C. Carland)
Evangelium - 8pm in 281A |
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Wednesday 11/5/11 |
Feria
9.30am – William & Nora Kirwan RIP (Roger & Ellen Wright) |
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Thursday 12/5/11 |
Feria
9.30am – Claire Draper RIP (F. & S. Simon) |
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Friday 13/5//11 |
Feria
9.30am – The Sick of the Parish |
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Sunday 15/5/11 |
4th Sunday of Easter (A)
We welcome through Holy Baptism (Sat. 4.30pm) Kayin Shittu (13mths), his parents Ibukun and Jeanine and godparents Nana, Emma, Prince Opuku and Andrew.
6pm – Martin O’ Connor (Ned)
9.15am- Eileen Haselwood RIP (the Griffiths family)
11am - People of the Parish
Second collection for Ecclesiastical Education
Please also take a Gift Aid envelope for the Maintenance Fund collection which will start on 22nd May. |
Bill and Marie Morley thank the many people who have given them such wonderful support since Bill’s stroke last year. Bill is now home from the PRUH and is making really good progress- and hopes to be back in church before too long! He is now walking and can speak again. We thank the Lord for his courage, resilience and faith, and also for Marie’s love and care. Alleluia!
Visit to Streatham Synagogue – Sat. May 28th. Details and sign-up sheet in porch
May CWL meeting – will now be held on 23rd (not 30th) May at 8pm for members. There will be a talk about trading standards by a member of the Bromley Council team at 8.30pm (parishioners welcome
Please remember the sick in your prayers: Gerald Colman, Gloria Calnan, Joshua Canning (11 yrs.), Florence Angel, Christopher Drew, Ernest Field, and Bishop Michael Evans (East Anglia).
The painting in front of the altar is based on today’s Gospel reading – the road to Emmaus. It was painted by my mother-in –law, Dorothy Swain who is a well known Sussex artist.
This story is really a concentrated narrative and depicts the spiritual journey from doubt and despair to real faith in the Risen Christ.
We are all on this journey. We move from questioning to listening to the scriptures and then on to the Breaking of Bread. As a result, like the two men on the Emmaus road, we too go out and joyfully share our faith.
It is such an important story. Perhaps you could have a closer look at the painting sometime?
Every blessing. Fr Bryan