|
Thank you for your offerings last week of £1,581. Mass attendance 835. |
|
|
10th February (Saturday Vigil) |
Sixth Sunday 6.00pm Anthony Olivelle RIP (M Olivelle) |
|
Sunday 11th February |
9.15am Francesca Sio RIP (Sio Family) 11am Deceased Members of the
Crowley Family (Harrington Family) |
|
Monday 12th February |
Saint Agatha 9.30am Bridget & Paul
Wiggins |
|
Tuesday 13th February |
Saint Paulo Miki 9.30am Jean Rawling RIP |
|
Wednesday 14th February |
Feria 9.30am Kenneth Craen RIP (J Craen) |
|
|
10.45am Eucharistic Adoration 8.00pm People of the Parish |
|
Thursday 15th February |
Feria |
|
|
9.30am Donal Ryan RIP (Sheary Family) |
|
Friday 16th February |
Feria 9.30am Peggie & Mai
Linehan |
|
17th February (Saturday Vigil) |
Sixth Sunday 6.00pm People of the Parish |
|
Sunday 18th February |
9.15am Francesca Sio RIP (Sio Family) 11.00am Tom Evans RIP (B Evans) |
|
|
|
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 Poor Parishes, this enables the Archbishop to make grants to
some of the smaller parishes in the Diocese.
Next week’s second collection is for the Maintenance Fund
Fr David writes…
Jane Elliott is best
known as the teacher who on April 5, 1968, the day after the assassination of
Martin Luther King Jr, put her third grade students through a bold exercise to
teach them about racial prejudice. She
divided the children who were all white, by eye colour, and then she told them
that people with brown eyes were smarter, faster and better than those with
blue eyes. What happened next proved to
Elliot that prejudice is a learned behaviour.
Some slower children with brown eyes had transformed themselves into
confident leaders of the class. Withdrawn
brown eyes children were suddenly outgoing, some beaming with the wildest
smiles she had never seen on them. Whilst
a blue eyed girl who had never had problems with multiplication tables started
making mistakes. In the break, three
brown eyes girls ganged up on her. “You
better apologise to us for getting in our way because we are better than you
are,” one of the brown eyed girls said. The
blue eyed apologised. On Monday, Elliott
reversed the exercise and the brown eyed children were told how dumb and lazy
they were. Later it would occur to her
that the blue eyes were much less nasty than the brown eyed children had been,
perhaps because the blue eyes children had felt the sting of being ostracized
and didn’t want to inflict it on their former tormentors.
As humans, we are so
easy to exclude and to categorize ourselves between us and them. Our attitudes and perceptions often reduce
others to the status of “lepers”: those whose beliefs and lifestyles we fear,
who do not fit our image of class or sophistication. Whose politics or religion or race or
identity differ from our own. Our inner
child is still alive and active as if he or she is still playing in the school
playground, creating cliques for support and excluding others who, according to
us, do not fit in Our clan. The
privileged always want to maintain the status quo. It helps them feel powerful and superior. It gives them a sense of identity and
prestige. It is always those who are in
minority groups who experience exclusion and rejection. They feel disempowered. Their feelings of exclusion do affect their
own self-esteem and confidence as Elliot had found out in her experiment of
Blue eyes/ Brown eyes.
An entire chapter in
the Scriptural book of Leviticus is dedicated to diagnosing and treating skin
diseases, which were broadly categorized in the ancient world as “leprosy”. Verses 45-46 discusses how the person with
the disease is to behave, namely by crying “unclean, unclean” before
approaching others, and living apart from the community for as long as the
infection lasts. Just imagine what
negative impact that does to the already vulnerable individual. It seems that even God is on the side of the
persecutor!
After many weeks we
have come to the conclusion of the first chapter of the Gospel of Mark. We are introduced to the beautiful story of
Jesus’ healing of the leper. A leper
approaches Jesus and asks him for healing.
Jesus is so moved by the plight of the Leper that he risks the
possibility of contracting the disease and the censure of the community. He stretches out his hand and touches him and
heals him. The healing performed by
Jesus is not merely a healing of the skin disease, though it is certainly that. By telling the man to show himself to the
priest, Jesus is, in effect, setting up the situation so the man will be
brought back into the community. Once
the priest declares the infection gone, the afflicted person may return as a
full-fledged member of the people. It is
for this reason that scholars say that Jesus’ ministry was about inclusion. He ministered to those on the margins, or
even outside the community. Once whole,
the excluded person could be welcomed back.
The cleansing of the leper is a climactic moment in Mark’s gospel. By just touching the leper Jesus challenges
one of the strictest rules in Jewish Society.
The leper is one of the heroic characters of Mark’s
gospel. He places his entire trust in
Jesus. For him, there is no doubt: this
Jesus is the Messiah of hope, the Lord of life.
His request for healing is more than a cry for help. It is a profession of faith: “you can cure
me”. Jesus’ curing of the leper shocked
those who witnessed it. Jesus did not
drive the leper away, as would have been the norm. Thus, Jesus did not see an unclean leper but
a human being in desperate need. Jesus
who heals the leper comes also to heal us from our own sense of unworthiness
and shame which blinds us from the sacredness and dignity of those we do
segregate as ‘lepers’, to heal us of our own leprosy so that we can realise
again that God extends his compassion and grace even to the likes of us. Before God, no one is a leper, no one is
beyond the reach of God’s mercy and compassion.
All of us are made in the sacred image of God. May we, in our brokenness experience the
unconditional love of God and that his mercy towards us compels us to embrace
others whoever they are, with compassion.
To become much more inclusive in our attitudes both in our Faith
Community and beyond. As we enter the
period of Lent with Ash Wednesday this coming week, let us be open to God’s
transforming Love in our lives once again.
The Sign of Peace During Mass
As we are in the middle of winter, and flu and cold viruses are currently
very active, it will be perfectly ok (and probably much wiser!) for the time
being to offer each other 'the Sign of Peace’ at Mass by simply nodding and
smiling to those near you but without shaking hands. This will hopefully help our parish community
to maintain good health, as far as possible, so thank you for your cooperation.
“Drop-In”
Evening Surgeries
The
next surgery will be on Wednesday the 21st February 2018. Fr David will be available at 281A Crescent
Drive from 5.00-7.00pm and no appointment is necessary.
Liturgy Pillar
Eucharist Adoration
This 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.
Eucharistic Ministers
On Monday 12th February at 8pm in the church there will be a meeting for
all existing Eucharistic Ministers and anyone interested in becoming a
Eucharistic minister.
Easter Choir (children)
After the success of
the children's choir at Christmas 2017, we are starting to prepare for an even
better Easter choir with the children. This
time around in addition to singers, we are also looking for children who can
play a musical instrument (violin, cello, recorder, guitar and the like) at
grade 3 level approximately.
Rehearsals will be held at the church every Sunday
afternoon 4.30 - 5.30pm starting from 18th Feb.
If your child is aged 6-13 and would enjoy
singing and/or playing for the Easter children's Mass on 1st April 2018, please
email your interest to jennifer.baracho@gmail.com. Hoping
to have a strong turnout and we look forward to enhancing this liturgical
service with the talented children in our parish.
Healing Mass
Sunday 11th February 6pm
Fr Fio Mascarenhas SJ will be celebrating a Healing
Mass at St James’ on this special Sunday which is the World Day of the Sick
(instituted by Pope St John Paul II) in commemoration of Our Lady of Lourdes. Light refreshments will be served in the
Community Hall after the Mass. If you
need help with transport to come to this special Mass, please contact the
parish office on 01689 827100
Lenten Programme
Ash
Wednesday 14th February
Mass 9.30am and 8.00pm
Wednesday
7th March 8.00pm
Reflection on Handel’s
Messiah by Margaret Connell.
Lenten
Reconciliation Service
Monday 12th March at
7.30pm.
Stations
of the Cross
Every Sunday in Lent at 4.00pm,
except on 4th March when it will be at
3.00pm
Parish one day retreat at Worth Abbey
Saturday 17th March 2018
9:30am to 5:15pm at Worth
Abbey, near Turners Hill Village, West Sussex.
Theme: “Encountering the Lord in the Desert".
Cost: £10 per person.
Programme includes:
Participants are asked to
bring lunch which will be shared (to be organised). Transport will be provided via shared cars
(to be organised.). Fr David will be coming
with us. There are only 32 spaces, thus
places will be allocated on a first come first served basis.
If you wish to come, please
apply to the parish office ASAP by phone 01689 827100 or by email parish.office@stjamespettswood.org with
your name and contact details.
If you have any queries, please email Ken Chan at ken.chan@stjamespettswood.org
Youth Pillar
Faith in Action Award 2018: Final chance to register!
Faith in Action is a national award scheme for young
people aged between 9-18yrs. There are
four levels of the award - Pin, Bronze, Silver and Gold and each one challenges
young people to make a difference in the world through service to others. By combining practical activities which
positively contribute to the lives of others and regular opportunities for
spiritual reflection, Faith in action candidates will also develop their unique
gifts and talents, as well as making valuable friendships with others from
across the deanery. To register online
and find out more about the award, please visit: www.bromleydeanery.org. You can also register on Saturday 24th
February at our first Reflective Session which takes place from 3-6pm at St
Joseph’s Church Hall, Plaistow Lane, Bromley.
Look out for posters around the Church, ask in your parish office or
email: susan.longhurst@bromleydeanery.org
if you have any questions or would like more information. We look forward to seeing you on 24th
February!
Social Pillar
We’re
making some changes to support the Friends of St James’ and to help to develop
the role and activities of this new parish group. So there will now be a very direct link
between the Friends and the leader of the Social Pillar of the PPC, Mary
O’Mahony.
There will
be a meeting on Thursday 22nd February at 8pm in the Community Centre to
explain our plans more fully. So, Fr
David would like to invite anyone who’s interested in these changes to attend
this meeting, whether you are currently a member of the Friends, or would just
like to know more about what’s happening.
Shrove Tuesday 13th February
Sign up on the sheet in
the Church porch if you wish to eat hot delicious pancakes on Tuesday 13th
February from 5pm to 7pm. Booking
numbers restricted to the first 35 who sign up.
Book fast to guarantee a place as this event is not to be missed.
CWL
Quiz Night
On
Saturday 3rd M
The
Catholic Women’s League will be holding their annual Quiz night on Saturday 3rd
March in the Community Centre. 7.45pm
for 8pm start
Entrance
is £6 and includes a light supper.
To book
places please email cwl@stjamespettswood.org.
Sunday 4th March - Our Filipino Fiesta!
You can order your
tickets after Mass today at both rear exits of the church. Or just take a flyer and order by emailing ff@stjamespettswood.org. Ticket prices are adults £10, children £5 (up
to 14), family ticket £30. When ordering
a family ticket be sure to tell us how many children are to be included (under
4s go free). Doors open at 4pm, eat at
5, fun till after 7. This is the main
event for our Parish Project in 2018 so we hope many parishioners will come to
enjoy the food and activities for which members of our Filipino community are
working hard to provide. Please support
this event and help Fr Joe's mission in the Philippines. Thank you, J&P Group.
Dad
and Me
The next meeting of Dad and Me will be held at the
community centre on Saturday 17th February at 10.00-11.30am.
Justice & Peace
Foodbank requests
The requirements have
changed slightly from last week. The
most pressing needs are for long life milk, long life fruit juice, biscuits,
tinned potatoes, rice, jellies and instant whips. Any offers of toiletries and household goods
are always welcome too. However, long
life milk is the most urgently needed item.
Thank you. J&P Group.
Job Vacancies
St James' RC Primary have vacancies for
staff to work in Breakfast Club, After School Club or as Mid-Day Supervisors. If you cannot commit to five days you can choose to work part time or ask us to keep you
in reserve if we need cover. We can be
flexible with days. Please contact the
school office on 0208 467 8167 for more information and ask for an application
form if you or anyone you know is interested.
St James' RC Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting
the welfare of children and young people and expects all its staff and
volunteers to share this commitment.
Polite Reminder
The Parish disabled parking spaces are for
Blue Badge holders only.
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 17th February 2018 |
|
|
Cleaning the Church |
O Clutton, M Mathews, R
Blanco, R Mwansa, D Delf |
|
Wednesday Coffee 21st February |
S Barradell, B D’Arcy |
|
18th February 2018 |
|||
|
Mass |
Saturday 6pm (Vigil) |
Sunday 9.15am |
Sunday 11am |
|
Welcomers |
K
Drabowicz |
D
Hairs C
Hairs |
M
Cooper K
Edwards |
|
Readers |
P
Dabrowski D
Woolston |
B
Cotta C
D’Souza |
D
Ducat M
Ingledew |
|
Ministers of Holy Communion |
M
Cahill C
Cahill C
Wakefield C
Cosgrave P
Cosgrave |
M
Smith M
Howell S
Cotta A
Ward D
Hairs |
P
May R
Del Guercio Z
Bajorek T
Troy A
Bunnage |
|
Bar |
|
|
B
Meehan O
Clutton |
|
Coffee |
|
G
Brookes D
Brookes |
M
Harrington S
Paris R
Scott |
|
Altar Servers |
J
Lench O&J
McCabe A&D
Poulton Paulina P
Marshall |
L
Delamain |
Z&E
Teare V
Marcolina J
Monaghan |
|
Tellers |
L
Lynch, M Ardron |