Thank you for your offerings last week of £1412. Mass attendance 710.
Sunday 10^th December (Saturday Vigil)	Second Sunday Of Advent 6pm Relatives & Friends of Fyson Family
	9.15am Francesca Sio RIP (Sio Family) 11am Anthony Olivelle RIP (M Olivelle)
Monday 11^th December	Feria 9.30am Margaret Thompson RIP
Tuesday 12^th December	Feria 9.30am Margaret & Kenneth Jackson RIP (Jackson Family)
Wednesday 13^th December	Saint Lucy 9.30am Jean Rawlings RIP
	10.45am Eucharistic Adoration
Thursday 14^th December	Saint John of the Cross
	9.30am Holy Souls (S Pereira)
Friday 15th December	Feria 9.30am Charles Faria RIP (J Craen)
Sunday 17^th December (Saturday Vigil)	Third Sunday Of Advent 6pm Margaret Walsh RIP (L Benson)
	9.15am Francesca Sio RIP (Sio Family) 11am Reg Griffin RIP (K Griffin)

Confessions heard Saturday 5.00-5.45pm or by appointment.

Morning Prayer: Takes place Monday – Friday at 9.10am. All are welcome to attend.

Pondering the Word (Lectio Divina)

A quiet reflective look at the following Sunday’s Gospel. Mondays 11am - 12 noon, except for Bank Holidays, here in the church. All welcome.

Sunday Mornings in the Community Centre

Every Sunday coffee and tea is served after the 9.15am and 11am Masses. Please join us for a while and get to know each other over a cuppa!

Second Collection

This week’s second collection is for the Maintenance Fund.

Christmas items in the Repository

Religious advent calendars, Christmas cards and the like are now on sale in the repository and from the stall in the church porch after all Sunday Masses.

Fr David writes…

The Wasteland, first published in 1922, is arguably the most important poem of the whole twentieth century. Written by T.S Eliot, The Wasteland explores his analysis of the modern world after the devastating experience of the First World War. According to him, civilisation had been reduced to a ‘Wasteland’ and the land had lost its fertility and ability to bring forth life. Even the living seemed to be suffering from some kind of spiritual wound. In Eliot’s vision the modern human beings did not care about anything worthwhile, like great art or spirituality. Even in the early 20^th century, Eliot looked around and saw a world that was, in his mind at least, constantly being dumbed down by booze, atheism and general laziness. His beloved culture was decaying, and he needed to find an outlet for the despair he was feeling. But how can we fix this society? According to Eliot it must be by regaining spiritual and psychological enlightenment and making friends with our demons. But that’s easier said than done.

True Poets have always been prophets. They are the “third eye” of societies. Their intuition and sensitivity connect with the consciousness of a certain era. They perceive the malaise of society and through their poetry or art, they mirror to their contemporary men and women what they themselves fail to see. Genuine poetry/art wakes us up. In truth although the world today values, very appropriately, scientists and technological geniuses, especially in our digital world, we also desperately need artists, spiritually enlightened people and dreamers. Although maybe sometimes ridiculed by the scientific fact-hungry population, spiritually led people remind us that we are not merely material. Our souls need to be fed too. We are also reminded that the gift of wisdom is beyond what we see with the naked eye. Our outrageously driven culture is also experiencing its Wasteland today. We are hungering for more. We search for meaning in the complexity and brokenness of our lives. However, we look most of the time for refreshment in the wrong places.

Today we heard the opening of the Gospel of Mark, which introduces us to the two great figures that stand at the beginning of the Christian narrative: Jesus and John the Baptist. John worked no miracles, held no office, belonged to no religious party. And yet his importance for Jesus was unique. He stands as the only religious leader that Jesus spoke fondly of and sought out. He is described as a voice crying in the wilderness, a large presence that dominates the emptiness of the wasteland. Since the death of the writing prophets, the voice of God had been silent in the land. It was believed that the spirit of prophecy had been quenched. That long silence is broken when John speaks and that is what gives John his unique authority. Through John, the silence of God is ended. The spirit of prophecy is alive again. The people were starving for spiritual nourishment. Something extraordinary happened with John. Through this very eccentric character, who dressed differently and lived a very ascetic lifestyle, came a voice which touched the hearts of women and men. His message was one of repentance. Reminding the people that the initiation of any spiritual journey is the acknowledgement of one’s reality. To know thy self as you are and not as you wish to be.

The purpose of this energetic renewal movement which John initiated, is to prepare for the one who is to come. And we know that the one who is to come is Jesus of Nazareth. Although John had his own group of disciples, he did not claim that he was the one. His message was not about him. It was not about his ego. He understood his role in the narrative. He was the one who articulated the wasteland of his time for people. He had the ability to speak straight to the core of the human heart and somehow connect profoundly with the needs of those who were seeking him. He commanded authority because he spoke out of his own truth. What he stood for made sense to those who sought him. It quenched their thirst. His role was to prepare his followers to receive ‘The Way the Truth and the Life’. “Someone is following me, someone who is more powerful than I am, and I am not fit to kneel down and undo the strap of his sandal.” John understands his own powerful place in the bigger picture of God’s plan. John’s way is to challenge us, to foster the greatness in others without feeling threatened about the value of our own contribution. We can celebrate the gifts of others because we are secure in our own worth and value before God. In this second week of Advent, let us reflect on our lives and explore the possibility that we are stuck in a wasteland. Whether our hearts are yearning for some rest and peace. Let us also remember that the people during John’s time went out into the wilderness to search for answers and nourishment. Somehow the imagery reminds us that nourishment is found within our own wasteland. If only like the poet we had the ability to see.

“Drop-In” Evening Surgeries

There will be no more Drop-in Surgeries until the New Year.

Christmas Day Lunch with Fr David!

I would like to invite adult parishioners, either individuals or couples, who are on their own this year to join me for Christmas Day lunch in the Community Centre. Transport can be provided to collect you and bring you home and there will be great food, good company and the Queens speech!

We have 40 places available, so if you would like to join me, please phone, visit or email the parish office as soon as possible. Places are available on a ‘first come first served basis’ and we must know final numbers by 14^th December. Please contact Juliet Cracknell on juliet.cracknell@outlook.com for offers of help or gifts.

Regrettably, we won’t be able to accommodate young families with children at this event.

Drivers Needed

If anyone requires a lift to and from the Christmas day lunch are you able to help? If so please contact the Parish Office with your details.

Advent and Christmas

A Reflection with Michael Ford

on the life of Fr Mychal Judge (Victim 0001 in Twin Tower attack) on Wednesday 13^th December 8pm.

Advent Carol Service

Will be held here in the church on Sunday 17^th December at 4.00pm. Our Advent Service is an opportunity to pause in the busy preparations leading up to Christmas. Through readings, prayer and music, we will reflect on the Christmas story and how it relates to our lives today. All parishioners are invited to come and share in this special service to start their Christmas week focussed on Jesus.

Give your heart a Home

Wednesday 20^th December at 8pm - quiet reflection to prepare for Christmas with Fr David Camilleri.

Decorating the Church for Christmas

We are meeting to decorate the church for Christmas on Saturday the 16^th at 10.00am. Anyone who has an hour to spare to help us decorate the church is more than welcome.

Christmas Crib – Poinsettias Needed

If you would like to donate some poinsettias for the crib this Christmas, they would be gratefully received. Please drop them off at the Church on the weekend of 16^th and 17^th December.

Christmas Rotas – Readers and Welcomers

For the Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day Masses, we are putting up a ‘please sign up’ list at the back of the church asking for Readers and Welcomers to volunteer for the Mass times that suit. Please complete the form on the table at the back of the church. Thank you in advance.

Christmas Day Children’s Mass

The 9.15 Mass on Christmas Day is a Children's Mass. We are looking for kids aged 6-12 who would like to join the choir. There will be 3 rehearsals - Dec 9th (Sat), 16th (Sat) and 21st (Thurs) from 12.00-12.45pm. If you are interested, please give your names to jennifer.baracho@gmail.com. We are also looking for two children readers for that Mass. Please complete the form on the table at the back of the church. A reminder that young children may dress up as angels or shepherds for the Mass.

Gifts on Christmas Day

At all Christmas Masses you are invited to bring a gift of a new toy to put around the Christmas tree. This year we are supporting Bromley and Croydon Women’s Aid, who are looking forward to receiving toys/gifts for boys aged 0 - 10 and girls aged 0 -12. We know you will be generous as always.

Christmas Mass Times

Saturday 23^rd & Sunday 24^th December – Fourth Sunday Of Advent

6.00pm Mass

9.15am Mass

11.00am Mass

Christmas Masses – The Nativity Of The Lord

Sunday 24^th December

6.00pm – Children’s Mass

11.30pm – Midnight Mass

Monday 25^th December

9.15am (young children may dress up as angels or shepherds for this Mass)

11am Mass

The Christmas Masses on 24^th December at 6pm and 11.30pm do not fulfil your Sunday obligation.

Liturgy Pillar

Children’s Liturgy – 10^th December

Children’s Liturgy is cancelled on the 10^th December due to the setting up of the Christmas Fayre. We apologise for any inconvenience.

Eucharist Adoration

takes place for an hour each Wednesday shortly after the morning Mass starting at 10.45 am and finishing at 11.45 am. This Devotion to the Eucharist is a time of silent prayer and quiet music. Everyone is welcome for all or part of this time of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.

Christmas Choir

As we prepare to enter the Advent season, we invite singers to join in our Christmas choir which sings in four-part harmony. The Advent service is on the 17th of December, Sunday at 4.00pm. On Christmas Eve, we will start off with carols at 11.30pm followed by Midnight Mass. Rehearsals will be held every Thursday from 7.30-9.00pm starting on the 16th November (followed by Nov 23, 30, Dec 7, 14, and possibly another rehearsal just before Christmas if needed). This is a lovely way to participate in the parish festivities so if you enjoy singing, please come along to the first rehearsal on the 16th. Hope to see many of you there.

Evangelisation Pillar

First Holy Communion 2018

If you would like your child to take part in our parish programme for First Holy Communion, please send an email to the Parish Office with all relevant details, child’s name, date of birth, school, names of parents, address and contact details. Candidates must be in Year 3 or above. All preparation classes are held on Saturdays from 4.30 to 5.45 and will run from January to June. Dates for First Holy Communion are 9^th and 16^th June 2018.

Pilgrimage to The Holy Land 22^nd – 30^th November 2018

Thank you to everyone who has shown interest in the Pilgrimage to The Holy Land. We can confirm that this Pilgrimage will be going ahead. There will be a meeting in the new year for people who are interested in attending.

Justice and Peace

Foodbank news

We have been asked to pass on special thanks from the volunteer staff at the Bromley Foodbank to the parishioners of St James’. This week we reached a milestone in our donations to the Bromley Foodbank. Since December 2011, when the J&P Group started collecting food, toiletries and household products, the parish has donated 6 (six) tonnes of these items. That is an average of one tonne per annum.

The organisers report that the current needs have changed slightly to the following: tinned ham and salmon, small jars of coffee, toilet rolls, washing detergents, and in the lead up to Christmas some special treats like sweets, biscuits and chocolates, as well as small Christmas puddings.

Some parishioners have been extraordinarily generous, especially over the last few months. Thank you.

Social Pillar

The Christmas Fayre is taking place after the 9.15am and 11am Masses this weekend.

The Friends of St James' Christmas Fayre will take place in the Community Centre, featuring festive stalls with gifts, crafts, delicious delicacies from around the world as well as mulled wine. Any children dressing up in costumes will get a prize and adults, please wear your Christmas jumper! There will also be exciting activities for children, including a guest appearance from Santa. If you haven’t bought your raffle tickets yet, there is still time! Please come along and support this parish event.

Dad and Me

The next meeting of Dad and Me will be held in the Community Centre on Saturday 16^th December from 10.00–11.30am.

Petts Wood Churches Together

Carol Singing with Petts Wood Churches Together on Thursday 21^st December from 5.30pm. Meeting at the bottom of station steps in Station Square, Petts Wood. All welcome.

SNARL Afternoon Tea

Saturday 16^th December at 4pm

Come and join us at St James’ Community Centre for an afternoon of delicious homemade cakes, sandwiches, tea and coffee. £12.50 per person (tickets must be bought in advance). This event is to raise money to help SNARL, South Norwood Animal Rescue and Liberty, as they work tirelessly to catch the serial cat killer.

Please email chariteapot@hotmail.com, to buy tickets.

CYM Bromley Deanery Choir 2018

As part of the ongoing programme of initiatives for young people in Bromley Deanery, we would like to explore the possibility of starting a choir and/or youth orchestra in the coming year. We would like to hear from anyone who is interested in getting involved and specifically from professional musicians/ musical directors who would like to be part of this exciting project. For general enquiries and for more details email: susan.longhurst@bromleydeanery.org or Rogf16@btinternet.com.

Lost property

A purse has been found in church. Please contact the parish office for details.

Seeing a Chaplain if You Are Admitted to Hospital

· Protecting personal information (data protection) is really important when you become an inpatient in hospital.

· So please specifically ask hospital staff to pass on your details to the hospital’s Roman Catholic chaplain as soon as you are admitted if you would like a Chaplain to visit you.

· Fr David would always be very happy to visit you too, so please ask a relative or friend to let him know about your admission. You, or they, can email Fr David on father.david@stjamespettswood.org, or phone the parish office on 01689 827100.

Weekend Rotas: Thank you for helping.

Saturday 16th December
Cleaning the Church	A Haylock, A Crosland, G Macmanus, K Evans

Wednesday Coffee 20^th December

S Barradell, M Howell

17^th December
Mass	Saturday 6pm (Vigil)	Sunday 9.15am	Sunday 11am
Welcomers	K Kirby	D Hairs C Hairs	G Whitley M Ingledew
Readers	D Woolston L Rusmini	S Cotta B Cotta	N D’Silva R Morrison
Ministers of Holy Communion	C Cosgrave P Cosgrave P Driscoll T Babb B Babb	B Cotta W david B D’Arcy T Forde M Smith	R Mwansa K cChan K Evans A Evans P May
Bar			M Smith N Longhurst
Coffee		D Delf F Curran E Aletta	T Troy J Cosgrave
Altar Servers	R Moon A Lynch D Poulton A Poulton J Sriskanthara A Sriskantharaj J Lench J Monaghan P Marshall	L Delamain *Can any servers change from the 6pm to the 9.15 Mass Please*	F Ikenye Paulina M Lawrence Z Teare E Teare

Tellers

A Barradell, S Barradell