Thank you for your offerings last week of £1,820.  Mass attendance was 781.  The second collection last weekend for the Peru Church was £920, thank you for your generosity.
Sunday 11/12/16	Third Sunday of Advent 6.00pm Reg Griffin RIP (K Griffin) 9.15am People of the Parish 11.00am KSC Widows (L Thomas)
Monday 12/12/16	Feria 9.30am Tricia Willard
Tuesday 13/12/16	St Lucy, Virgin and Martyr 9.30  Jean Rawling RIP
Wednesday 14/12/16	St John of the Cross 9.30am Margaret Jackson RIP 10.45 – 11.45am  Eucharist Adoration
Thursday 15/12/16	Feria 9.30am Cleary Family (Fr David)
Friday 16/12/16	Feria 9.30am Trevor & Moira Lyons RIP (G.  Lyons)
Saturday 17/12/16	Vigil Mass 6.00pm 100^th Birthday In Thanksgiving Marjorie Farrell
Sunday 18/12/16	Fourth Sunday of Advent 9.15am People of the Parish 11.00am Mick Brace RIP (Tomkins Family) 4.00pm Advent Carol Service

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.

Fr David writes…

It’s a well-known fact that not everyone in life gets us.  Some people without any difficulty at all would understand immediately something of our own core.  For whatever reason, they do understand us and we get them too.  This is pure gift.  This kind of connection is not about how long we have known one another.  It has nothing to do with history.  It just has to do with soul connection.  When this happens, trust is built.  We know that the core of the “other” is good.  We of course know that he/she is not perfect – but we believe in their inner beauty and potential.  No questions, no doubts – we know them – we know what they stand for.  On the other hand, if for some reason you do not get them, whatever they do or say is always received with a pinch of salt.  Nothing is taken graciously.  Everything needs to be questioned.  With people like that, we don’t feel safe.  You always feel that you are being interrogated.  There is always an agenda which is played on in the background.  Nothing is ever pure or simple.  These kinds of relationships can become very stressful and full of tension.  Sometimes the only way how one can deal with them is to withdraw.  They can become too complicated and toxic and both parties can get hurt in the process.

At the moment, the beloved figure of Pope Francis can be a very good example of this.  People who get him find him an inspiration and a breath of fresh air whilst others who seem not to get what he is on about find him controversial and for some Catholics, heretical.  Who is in the right?  Who has true knowledge of his core?  In the meantime, does he need to stop being himself because of those who do not get him?  No!  Pope Francis needs to be true to his own mission and believing in his own goodness.  He of course needs to keep on discerning all the time the reasons why he is saying what he is saying and doing what he is doing.  Yet after all this inner work is done in sincerity and truth, he needs to get on with what he feels that God is asking him to do and say to us notwithstanding the opposition from some of those around him in the Roman Curia and others further afield.  The fruits of the spirit which accompany what he is saying and doing are enough to speak volumes that what he is trying to achieve is from the good spirit.

During Advent, the character of John the Baptist is very significant and visible.  John commanded a large following – not least because many people thought of him as being the Messiah.  There is no suggestion that he had ever thought of himself as such.  On the other hand, in the gospels of Mark and Luke, there is no suggestion that he actually recognised Jesus as the Messiah either.  In Matthew’s version of Jesus’ baptism, John recognized Jesus; but as we hear in today’s gospel, Matthew also preserves the tradition that John had doubts about Jesus.  John is confused in the dungeon.  His perception of the Messiah is different from what Jesus is manifesting.  When John’s disciples do come and ask Jesus whether he was the Messiah, Jesus does not say to them: “Of course I am the one!” he tells them to pay attention to what is happening: the afflicted are healed, the dead are raised to new life and the good news is preached to the poor.  We have heard from the prophecy of Isaiah how the Messianic age was portrayed as one of great healing.  Jesus appeals to the prophecy: in his work these prophecies are fulfilled.  Those who meet Jesus must work out, from what he does and says who he is.  This is a decision in faith.  Jesus cannot make it for anyone.  He cannot make it for John.  After the disciples go back to John and let him know what Jesus told them, the Gospel does not tell us if John believed that Jesus is the one.  But Jesus moves on.  He continues his ministry.  When he gets questions from people, all he can do is point to what God is doing in him and stay loyal to his own vision of things.  He cannot go into hiding every time someone poses a question or expresses doubt.  When people fix him with their questioning stares, he does continue his work.  He has to do what he has to do.

The worst thing which can happen to us is to start doubting ourselves once some people start doubting us and our motivations.  I believe being connected with an authentic relationship with God and our authentic self will help us feel empowered in our mission in life.  Not even Jesus pleased everyone as we know.  That is definitely not our motivation to be authentic to our true self.  Being centred in Christ gives us the reassurance to be challenged and disturbed from time to time but also gives us the certainty of being on the right track.  So like Jesus, we need to move on and keep believing in our vision and mission in life.

Note:  Fr David will be supporting the Demelza Charity for the St James’ Primary School Advent Service this year.

“Drop-In” – Evening Surgery

This next Drop-in Surgery will take place on Tuesday 17th January 5pm – 7pm.  Please call at 281a Crescent Drive.  No appointments necessary.

Petts Wood Churches Together - Carol Singing on Friday 16th December.

5.30pm for half hour in Station Square, Petts Wood.  Daylight Inn side of Railway by the Christmas Tree.  Hot drinks and mince pies afterwards in the Methodist Church.  All welcome.

Parish Pastoral Council

Evangelisation Pillar

RCIA – Journey in Faith at St James’

The Journey in Faith (The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) will meet on Tuesday 10^th January 8 – 9.30pm.  Meet in the Community Centre.

First Holy Communion 2017

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 10^th and 17^th June 2017.

Advent Spirituality Programme

Please join us for a series of special events for Advent:

Wednesday 14th December: Michael Ford, Henri Nouwen and the Wounded Healer.

Monday 19th December: Fr David Camilleri, Prepare the Way of the Lord (a time of quiet reflection).

All talks will take place in the Community Centre at 8pm and will be followed by refreshments.  Please see flyers and posters for more details or contact sue.david@stjamespettswood.org.

Liturgy Pillar

Eucharist Adoration

Every Wednesday after 9.30 am Mass

Eucharist Adoration will take 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 after Mass will be a time of silent prayer and quiet music.  Everyone is welcome for all or part of this time of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.

First Friday of Month

In addition, Eucharist Adoration will take place on 1^st Friday of each month from 7.30 pm – 9pm and will conclude with Benediction.  Everyone is welcome for all or part of this time of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.

Children’s Choir for Christmas Day Mass at 9.15am

There will be a special children's choir to sing at the 9.15am Mass on Christmas Day and we would like to invite children from Years 3-8 to join.  This will require three short rehearsals, half an hour each:

Saturday 17th December - 11.45am (in the Community Centre)

Wednesday 21st December - 10.00am (in the Church)

Saturday 24th December - 10.00am (in the Church)

If your child is interested, please sign up on the form at the back of the church, or email the Parish Office with your details.

Eucharistic Ministers and Readers

We are looking for some additional people to become Readers and Eucharistic Ministers at the Sunday morning 9.15 Mass.  Training will be provided.

Current Eucharistic Ministers and Readers are invited to volunteer for the Christmas Advent Masses, please see lists at the back of the Church and add your name.

Decorating the Church for Christmas

We are meeting to decorate the church for Christmas on Saturday the 17^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 Eucharistic Ministers

For the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Masses, we are putting up a ‘please sign up’ list at the back of the church asking for Readers and Eucharistic Minister 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.

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 - 12 and girls aged 0 -16.  Please wrap your toy/gift and indicate who it is suitable for.  BCWA have received may generous donations for the women they support so whilst they appreciate gifts for the children they do not require any adult donations.  We know you will be generous as always.

Children’s Liturgy

If your child is 3 years old or above, they are welcome to join us for Liturgy sessions at the 9.15 am Sunday Mass each week.

NB We regret to inform parents that there will be no Children’s Liturgy running on 11^th December due to the setting up the Community Centre for the Christmas Market.  We apologise for this.

Calling Children to Read and Sing at Mass

We are inviting children who have made their First Holy Communion and those who are older to become readers/singers at the 9.15 am Mass on Sunday mornings.  We are hoping to start a Children’s Mass once a month at 9.15 am when the children do the Readings but also the singing and serving.  Please let the Parish Office know if you are interested.

Pastoral Care Pillar

Invitation to all Parishioners

Henri Nouwen – ‘The Wounded Healer’ – 14^th December

On Wednesday 14^th December, BBC religious journalist Michael Ford will be coming to St James’ to give a talk about Pastoral Care and the internationally renowned Priest and author of  ‘The Wounded Healer’ Henri Nouwen.  This will take place in the Community Centre at 8pm and all parishioners are invited.  A number of Henri Nouwens’ books will be available for purchase afterwards.

Social Pillar

St James’ Christmas Market and raffle – Sunday, 11th December from 10.30am

The Friends of St James' traditional Christmas market will take place in the Community Centre, featuring festive stalls with gifts, crafts and delicious delicacies from around the world, mulled wine, Irish coffee and the grand raffle.  There will also be exciting activities for children, including a guest appearance from Santa and a barbecue for all.

Donations of homemade Christmas delicacies (candied fruits, sweets, biscuits and cakes that can be packaged up and sold), foods from around the world, and bottles for the tombola (anything from alcohol to sauce to shampoo and olive oil but also in date and full!) as well as any knitted Christmas decorations are particularly welcomed.  Volunteers are also kindly asked to come forward to help set up, clear up and man the stalls.

Raffle tickets will be on sale at the back of the church after each Mass and will be drawn at the market.

New Year’s Eve Party!

This year’s New Year’s Eve party is being planned so keep the date in your diary.  Tickets are now available from Frank.

Communications Pillar

Launch of Parish Facebook Page

We are launching a new Facebook page for the Parish, on which we intend to post a mixture of Spiritual and Informative items.  If you would like to receive these updates from the Parish on Facebook you can find the page by searching Facebook for ‘St James’ the Great RC Church Petts Wood’ and click on ‘Like’.

Parish diary now online

There is now an online diary mapping out parish events for 2017.  It can be accessed at www.stjamespettswood.org/diary.html or go to the parish website and use the main menu item "Parish diary".  Please check that information is correct and report back, via the parish office, any problems.  Bookings will continue to be made through the parish office but hopefully people will be able to check when there are available slots for meetings, social events etc.  PPC

St James’ Primary School and Faith Schools

School Applications and SIF

Please ensure that a family photograph accompanies all school applications when submitting the SIF to Fr David.

St James’ Preschool Vacancy

St James’ Preschool would like to employ a Key Worker for 2 sessions a week (days tbc).  The candidate must have a full and relevant Level 2 childcare qualification.  Please email your CV to stjamespreschool@live.co.uk marking it for the attention of Natasha.  The Closing date is 11^th December 2016.

Bishop Challoner School – Vacancy Mid-Day Supervisor

Bishop Challoner School is seeking to appoint a committed, enthusiastic and positive candidate with experience of working with children and who is prepared to work as part of a team.  Fixed term contract.  Working hours 11.45 am – 1pm Monday to Friday.

Contact the school office on 020 8460 3546 or www.bishopchallonerschool.com.  Closing date 4 January 2017.

The school is also looking to recruit a School Chaplain to take a leading role in the development of Chaplaincy throughout the Catholic school.  The successful applicant will enhance the spiritual, liturgical and prayer life of the school and be responsible for organising a full programme of activities and form links with the wider community.  This is a new poSt  The closing date for application is Tuesday 10^th January.

St James’ RC Primary School Choir Concert with Orpington Chorale

Please support St James' RC Primary School Choir, led by Elizabeth Atkinson, who are taking part in a collaborative concert with the Orpington Chorale on Saturday 10th December at 7.30pm at Chislehurst Methodist Church, Prince Imperial Road, Chislehurst BR7 5LX.  The programme includes a performance of Benjamin Britten's St Nicolas as well as Christmas carols and songs, with a retiring collection in aid of the Young Musicians Fund of the Bromley Youth Music Trust Tickets £10, Concession £5.

Parish Groups

Bromley Foodbank

This weekend is the last opportunity to donate Christmas items to the Foodbank because hampers will be made up and distributed this week.  The need for general foodstuffs remains of course and so we ask our generous donors to bring ‘cold’ meat (ham, corned beef, etc.), ‘hot’ meat (i.e.  tinned meat that can be heated to form the basis of a hot meal), dried and tinned vegetables, tinned rice pudding, custard and fruit, 500g packets of sugar, cereals, biscuits, and general basic items.  Tinned soup and baked beans are not needed at present.  Thank you, J&P Group

Sleeping Bags Required

If you have sleeping bags that are no longer being used, the homeless men and women at the Whitechapel Mission would be very grateful for them.  Please leave them at the back of the church or email mary.omahony@stjamespettswood.org to arrange collection.  Thank you very much.

Parent & Toddler Group

A Parent & Toddler Group meets every Friday during term time in the Community Centre from 1.30 – 3pm.  Parents with babies from 0 up to age 5 are welcome to attend.  Do come along and enjoy the companionship and the fun.  Refreshments provided.

DAD & Me – 17th December

The next meeting of Dad & Me will be held at the Community Centre on Saturday 17^th December at 10 am – 11.30 am.

Other Notices

Carol Service in aid of The Passage

Please support a Carol Service in aid of The Passage, a charity working with homeless people, on Friday 16 December at 6.00 pm in St Margaret’s Church, Westminster, the parish church of the House of Commons.  Readers include Nick Hancock, Lynda Baron, Kathryn Pogson and Cardinal Vincent Nichols.  Admission by advanced ticket only from The Passage tel.  020 7592 1856  email tickets @passage.org.uk minimum recommended donation £25.

Springs Dance Company

brings its festive, witty and poignant Advent performance of Journey of the Magi to

Christ Church URC, Petts Wood on  Sunday 11 December at 5.00pm

Christ Church is delighted to be hosting a performance of Journey of the Magi by Europe’s foremost professional Christian dance company, Springs Dance Company.  The performance is an ingenious mix of dance and theatre, and is an ideal opportunity for people to have a festive social event.  Journey of the Magi is a great outreach opportunity attracting people who might not normally attend church.

Inspired by TS Eliot’s poem Journey of the Magi, the performance helps audiences reflect on not only the famous journey the wise men made following the star to Jesus, but also the journey each of us makes every year in preparing for Christmas Day.  Through exploring images in the poetry, Springs Dance has devised a presentation of some of the all too familiar processes we go through and witness, in dealing with the expectations and realities of the festive season.  Journey of the Magi a mix of laugh-out-loud funny, moving and entertaining scenes enjoyed by children and adults alike.  The show not only entertains but also provokes consideration for change.

Rotas for next week

	17 Dec 6.00pm	Sun 18 Dec 9.15am	Sun 18Dec  11.00am
Welcomers	A Huntington	B Guyton K Drabowicz	G Whitley M Ingledew
Readers	L Rusmini A Prifti	C D’Souza	M Ingledew N D’Silva
Ministers of Holy Communion	C Wakefield S Poulton P Driscoll R Wright P Cantopher	D Hairs W David B D’Arcy T Forde M Howell	V Terry N Longhurst T Willard R Mwans K Chan
Coffee		D Delf F Curran	M Harrington S Paris R Scott
Bar	B Fleeman P Troy
Tellers Church Cleaning	M.  Shea, T Wrafter Eucharist Ministers, Uniform Groups

Please take the Pilgrim home

The Pilgrim is circulated by the Diocese to every parish every month and you are encouraged to take a copy home FREE OF CHARGE

Reminder for Parents – Food & Drink should not be brought into the church for consumption during Mass.  Thank you for your co-operation.