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Thank you for your offerings over the last two week of £1432.24 (25/10) and £1416.15 (1/11). Also £548.62 for the Missio Appeal and £1186.81 for the Maintenance Fund. Mass attendances were 717 (25/10) and 746 (1/11).
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Sunday 8/11/15 |
Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
6pm Saturday Patrick Meehan RIP (Meehan Family)
9.15am People of the Parish
11.00am Elizabeth Said RIP – 1st Anniversary (Said Family)
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Monday 9/11/15
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The Dedication of the Lateran Bsilica
9.30am In Loving Memory of Trevor Lyons RIP (G Whitley)
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Tuesday 10/11/15 |
St Leo, Pope & Doctor of the Church
9.30am Anthony Olivelle RIP (M Olivelle)
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Wednesday 11/11/15 |
St Martin of Tours, Bishop
9.30am Antonio Martin RIP (D Trinidad) |
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Thursday 12/11/15 |
St Josaphat, Bishop & Martyr
9.30am Porphirio Novaes RIP (D Suzzara)
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Friday 13/11/15 |
Feria
9.30am Roy & Margaret Littlewood (G & B Ford)
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Saturday 14/11/15 |
Vigil Mass
6.00pm Darrell D’Silva RIP (McCabe Family)
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Sunday 15/11/15 |
Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
9.15am People of the Parish
11.00am Stephen Gossage RIP – 1st Anniversary (V Terry)
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Confessions heard Saturday 5.00pm-5.45pm or by appointment. |
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Fr David Writes ...
In our own lives, we all strive hard in order to fit in. Some more than others I might dare to add. Being part of a socio-economic group helps us to feel good about ourselves. We tend to identify ourselves according to a particular cultural, socio-economic, educational and religious milieu. This gives us a certain kind of pride – a certain kind of standing in society in general. On one hand it is very healthy to feel a sense of belonging to a certain kind of community. On the other hand it can give us a false sense of security and contributes towards a false sense of self. In consequence leaving us feeling void and lacking. We set ourselves up with expectations and dreams that because of them sometimes we need to compromise other important priorities in order to achieve them. Behind the façade of respectability and properness, behind the image of self-reliant, there might be cracks. And huge cracks at that. We build our confidence by prestige and image. And yet sometimes if you dig deeper you realise it is being built on a void and on sand. It is all a show. We can very easily fall in the trap of buying into the falseness of the image. We can very easily believe the lie. And behind the beautiful façade, we despair. Loneliness and feeling unappreciated, stressed, anxious and restless – can be easily masked by escapism. Escaping into alcohol, drugs, sex and the acquirement of wealth. In order to achieve this, we can also easily set ourselves apart from the rest of humanity especially those who are different than us. And we only associate ourselves within our particular clique whatever it is.
The scribes were a very intriguing class within Judaism. They were the elite class of a religious community. They were the clerical world of today. They were educated, wealthy and cultural class of their time. They were a community set apart – superior to the rest of their society. They built their authority on image, on presumption. They expected to be respected. They categorized their world view into us and them. They felt special. They were self-righteous. They lived in an ivory tower and they were not concerned about the sufferings of the ordinary people of their time. Actually by misusing their power and authority, they abused the poor. And it seemed their conscience was ok with that. They had a sense of entitlement. I am entitled for all this even if it is not just, because I am special. The poorest of the poor at their time were widows. Devoid of social welfare a woman who was widowed had no means to support herself and her family. They were completely left dependent totally on the providence and the mercy of others.
Both widows in today’s first reading from the first book of the Kings and from Mark, are such women. They both are utterly poor, they are both dependent on God’s providence. They both are generous and faith filled people. They believe that God will bless them once they are generous with others. They both give away their all. They risked and at the same time they believed in God’s mercy for them. The Old Testament woman believed that God was asking of her as any Jew to provide hospitality to the stranger and He would provide in return. In the New Testament reading, Jesus first castigates the scribes for actively seeking special recognition by walking around in long robes and expecting deference to be paid to them because of their supposed religious superiority. Jesus charges that the scribes devour widow’s houses. This was an abuse of Jewish inheritance law, where the trustee, instead of administrating the estate on behalf of the widow or orphan, uses up the legacy for his own benefit. The rapaciousness of the scribes in devouring the property of widows is illustrated as Mark shows one of their victims, a poor widow, who has nothing left after contributing to the upkeep of the Temple. A poor widow donates two copper coins. She could have kept one of the coins but did not. Calling his disciples, Jesus comments that the poor widow’s contribution is worth more than all the others, since the rich gave from their superfluity, but she has given out of her poverty, all that she had to live on.
The gospel this week has another challenging tone for us. Are we so absorbed and driven by our need for entitlement and recognition that we are ready to even be unjust to others who have less means than us? Do we have a Machiavellian attitude in life – that the end justifies the means whatever it takes? How can we live our lives feeling a sense of gratitude for the blessings of God in our lives and at the same time remain mindful of other people’s feelings and needs? Are we inclusive or exclusive in our attitudes? Let’s pray for guidance and insight.
Second Collections will take place …
This weekend for the Archbishop’s Administration Fund.
Month of the Holy Souls
During the month of November we are invited to remember our deceased parents, relatives and friends. At the back of the church there are small slips of paper that you should complete and post into the labelled box. All these slips will then be placed on the altar for the whole month of November and we will remember your loved ones and keep them in our prayers at all the Masses.
“Drop-In” – Evening Surgery
The next surgery will take place on Tuesday 10th November between 6.00pm and 9.00pm, in the Parish Office, 281a Crescent Drive. If you wish to speak to me about any matter, please feel free to come along. No appointments are necessary. Fr David.
Holy Baptism
This weekend we welcome:-
– Douglas Anderson, his parents Rebecca and Douglas and godparents Elaine and Ken;
– Max Mensah, his parents Linda & Denzel and godparents Helen and Adrian;
– and William Calnan, his parents Nichola and Mark and godparents Belinda, Andrew and Peter.
Reminders – Church Cleaning!
Saturday 14th November – Year 4 Parents
Saturday 21st November – Year 3 Parents
Morning Prayers
Take place Monday – Friday at 9.10am. All are welcome to attend.
Baptism Preparation Classes
Will take place this Monday 9th November at 8.15pm for those parents that have been invited.
2016 Confirmation Programme
A “Come and See” Meeting will take place this Monday 9th November at 7.30pm in the church for those parents and candidates that have been invited.
A Message from St Mary’s, Crown Lane, Chislehurst, BR7 5PL
The Annual Cemetery Mass and Blessing of the Graves will take place on Saturday 21st November at noon, remembering those buried at Saint Mary’s and Beaverwood Cemetery. This year, we have had all of the graves reviewed and are in the process of repairing many that pose a safety concern. Unfortunately, we no longer have up to date contact details of all the families of those buried here. A list of graves that require repair will be posted on the St Mary’s notice board, along with the associated cost. Please email Kelly Robson at office@stmarysrc.org or call 020 8467 3215 if you would like a copy of this list sent to you.
Date for your Diary……
The St James’ Christmas market will be taking place on the 13th December from 12-3pm. If you would like/are able to help with this event, please complete the volunteer form (available in church porch) and post through to the Parish Office. Many thanks.
Pondering the Word (Lectio Divina)
A quiet reflective look at the following Sunday’s Gospel. Mondays 11-12 noon here in the Church. All welcome.
Christmas 2015
For information, Christmas cards & Advent Calendars are now available from the repository.
Appeal from Knights of St Columba
Please continue to bring your used postage stamps. If they are on postcards, it is fine to donate the postcard as well. Many thanks for your continued support.
Mass Intentions
Please note that all the dates for 2015 have now been allocated. All Mass intentions will now be allocated in 2016.
CAFOD World Gifts
If you don't know what to buy family and friends for Christmas this year, why not help people in developing countries by buying one of CAFOD's charity gifts? They offer the chance for us to buy things like water for a family, a goat, a greenhouse, a school starter pack, or simply a meal for someone in poverty. If you think this is your kind of giving then please take one of the CAFOD World Gifts catalogues which are being handed out after Mass today. The receiver of your gift will get a card showing how it will benefit a family or even a whole community.
Altar Servers
If you are interested in becoming an Altar Server, please pick up a sign-in sheet at the back of the church.