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Attendance last week was 761.
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Sunday 9/3/14 |
First Sunday of Lent 6pm (Sat) – People of the Parish 9.15am – Deceased members of the Fenner family 11am – Kay Campbell, RIP (Brid Fitzgerald)
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Monday 10/3/14 |
Feria of Lent 9.30am – Jocelyn Cowell, RIP (B & G Ford)
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Tuesday 11/3/14 |
Feria of Lent 9.30am – Gregory Vella, RIP (Jackson family)
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Wednesday 12/3/14 |
Feria of Lent 9.30am – Edith Mary George, RIP (George family)
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Thursday 13/3/14 |
Feria of Lent 9.30am – Walter Kelly, RIP (M T Kelly)
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Friday 14/3/14 |
Feria of Lent 9.30am – Ann Kinahan, RIP (Mary Kelly)
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Saturday 15/3/14 |
Feria of Lent 9.30am – People of the Parish
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Sunday 16/3/14 |
Second Sunday of Lent 6pm (Sat) – Catherine Buckland, RIP (M. O’Leary) 9.15am – Ellen Nelligan, RIP (M. Ardron) 11am – Tom Benson (Benson family)
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So we come to the first Sunday in Lent. The Ash Wednesday Masses were well attended and there was a wonderful prayerful atmosphere at both. I do hope as many as possible will come to our first Lenten session tomorrow (Monday), ‘The Cross and Evil.’ How can a God of love permit the existence of evil- how do we get our minds (and hearts) round this? Come and find out! Methodist Church, Lakeswood Road- 1.30pm-3pm, or 8pm-9.30.pm, led by Rev. Juliet Ushewokunze, who is the minister there. I hope to be at both sessions myself. God demands two things of us all as we journey through Lent: 1 A humble, contrite heart. Reviewing our lives, realizing that we are only in this world through God’s grace (not our own!) – we are the creatures (not accidents) of a loving creator who wants us to trust in him (even when that’s hard), to make him our heart’s desire- because it is with him that we shall spend eternity. We are to face ourselves, truthfully (which is a bit painful for most of us) - and also put God back into the centre of our lives. And we must humbly acknowledge our sins and accept Christ’s forgiveness of them so that we, in turn, can forgive others. Read Psalm 50 during Lent- a perfect Lenten prayer! And… 2. Generosity and selflessness. True fasting, says the prophet Isaiah is not just about giving up food (although that can be a sign of it); rather it is to.... ‘break unjust fetters and undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free....to share your bread with the hungry and shelter the homeless poor, to clothe the man you see to be naked, and to lo0ok after your own family. And then, says Isaiah ....’ your light will shine like the dawn and your wound be quickly healed over...your integrity will go before you and the glory of the Lord behind you.’ Read Isaiah ch.58 during Lent- it really says it all. In other words, personal spirituality AND social awareness. This weekend, we are celebrating the social awareness of our parish community, as we ‘Live Simply’, as we hear about CAFOD’s Lenten Fast Day (next Friday), and as we try to make the world of trade a bit fairer by buying Traidcraft Goods after Mass. At the 11am Mass (parade), the Brownies will be reminding us of other issues as well. Cubs will be selling cakes after 9.15 and 11am, and you can order your ‘Real Easter Egg’ from today! So a lot to think (and pray) about......................................and activate. Fr Bryan.
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Many thanks to everyone who made the Boot Fair such a success last week- the Maintenance Fund is better off by £500! We are hoping to have another go fairly soon....
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Concert Tickets for PWFC concert on March 23rd on sale in repository (£5)- beautiful music for Lent and Passiontide. Choir members NB EXTRA rehearsal next Sunday (16th)- 3pm-5pm (In addition to Wednesday evening at 7.45pm.). Tickets are going fast.
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Also tickets for St. Patrick’s Night (next Sat.) on sale after Mass.- KSC supporting our parish youth groups.
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This evening (Sunday) 7’s and 8’s at 5pm, confirmation group at 6.30.pm. Confirmation group will be going to the special Taize Prayer Service in our Cathedral next Friday (14th)- (7.30pm)- led by Brother Paulo of the Taize Community, who many of us know well. However anyone is welcome- meet PW station at 6.15pm, for Waterloo East . Back at PW around 10.pm. This will be a great experience of prayer- do try and come !
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Dad and Me Fun playtime for all Dads and children up to 7 yrs- first session next Saturday (15th) in the hall (10am-11.30am). Toys, craft, music- and bacon sandwiches!
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Beetle Drive Sat. April 5th, 7.30pm- an easy dice game for all the family! – raising funds for our 3rd PW Scout Group. Join us for some fun! (£5 adults, £12 family, £3 children.) Tickets from Sue (sue.david@stjamespettswood.org)
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PASSOVER SUPPER CELEBRATION On Wednesday 2nd April- an opportunity to be taken through the ritual ceremonies of the Jewish Passover meal. Mrs Beverley Taylor, Lay Preacher and former Chairman at the South London Liberal Synagogue, is coming to lead us. We will be guided as we take part in a supper of symbolic food (not a main meal). All are welcome, including families, as we discover more of the meaning of Our Lord’s Last Supper and the connections with the Eucharist. We expect to finish at approx. 9.0.p No charge- (a collection to cover expenses.). All welcome but places are limited, so please reserve your place on the sign-up sheet in the church lobby. Flyers available in the porch. Any queries to Chris or Doreen Hairs.
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Quiet Day- Saturday 29th March- here at St. James’. All are invited to step out of the busy-ness of our daily lives and enjoy some space for reflection and prayer. Plan to come for all or part of the Day, running from 9am through to 3.30.pm. Flyers in the porch. Please put the date in your diary.
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THIS WEEK
Monday Pondering the Word- 11am-12 noon. What about trying this for Lent ?- a quiet and reflective look at next Sunday’s gospel. Craft and Games- 1.30.pm- all welcome. Also Morning Prayer (Mon-Fri-9.10am-9.25am) – the official Prayer of the Church –come and try this liturgical prayer, prayed by all Catholic clergy and many lay people every day throughout the world.
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Wednesday First confessions (group 1)- 6.30pm.
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Thursday First confessions- (group 2) – 6.30.pm.
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Friday – CAFOD LENT FAST DAY- go without a meal and put what you save in your CAFOD envelope (please complete details so that it attracts Gift Aid!! Prayer Around the Cross (Taize prayer at St. George’s Cathedral- 7.30.pm).
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Next Sunday – Lent 2- Please bring in your CAFOD offerings for the 2nd collection.. Confirmation Group Activities Day (10am-4pm). PWFC rehearsal 3pm. |
The LiveSimply prayer
Compassionate and loving God,
you created the world for us all to share,
a world of beauty and plenty.
Create in us a desire to live simply,
so that our lives may reflect your generosity.
Creator God,
You gave us responsibility for the earth,
a world of riches and delight.
Create in us a desire to live sustainably,
so that those who follow after us
may enjoy the fruits of your creation.
God of peace and justice,
You give us the capacity to change,
to bring about a world that mirrors your wisdom.
Create in us a desire to act in solidarity,
so that the pillars of injustice crumble
and those now crushed are set free.
Amen. Linda Jones / CAFOD