Thank you for your offerings last week of £1562.  Mass attendances were 759.

Sunday 12^th February	Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
6pm  (Saturday Vigil)	Noah Mark Rothon RIP (Rothon Family)
9.15am	People of the Parish
11am	Thanksgiving (Fernandes Family)
Monday 13th February	Feria
9.30am 12.30pm	Jean Rawling RIP (Foundation Mass) Funeral Mass for Alan Carey
Tuesday 14th February	Saints Cyril, Monk & Methodius
9.30am	Jimmie & Mary O’Connor
Wednesday 15th February	Feria
9.30am 10.45am	Luise Furnell Eucharistic Adoration
Thursday 16th February	Feria
9.30am	Betty & Tom Cotter
Friday 17^th February	Feria
9.30am	Dolores & John Ash
Sunday 19^th February	Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
6pm (Saturday Vigil)	Eileen Gorman (T Sweeney)
9.15am	Deceased members of Keane family
11am	People of the Parish

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

A wise leader knows that she or he needs to tread carefully especially at the very beginning of their mandate.  Every group, every community, every nation is entrenched in a specific tradition and story.  This has not been constructed in a day.  It takes ages to build an identity of a group with its own laws and regulations.  These were not formulated for nothing and without any reason.  The culture of a group, and I am not speaking only of ethnic culture here, is created by necessities most of the time.  Belief within a specific group also has a narrative.  A community shares a set of values and a set of beliefs because of their story.  So a new leader, especially if he or she do not come from that milieu, needs to be humble enough to spend a long time listening to the narrative of the group listening to the reasons why things were done the way they were done.  Why people within the group have those particular shared beliefs and values.  Once the people feel that the new leader is respectful of their traditions and feels listened to, he or she will be able to lead them to explore a new vision – a new way of being.  A new vision or a new way of being built though on a tradition.  Tradition needs to be upheld.  And yet a solid tradition paradoxically can be a secure base where one can explore new ways of seeing – of being.  A solid tradition in a culture allows you to begin constructing a new narrative.

Matthew himself is a Jewish convert living in Syria and writing his Gospel in the 80s for a mixed community of Jewish and Gentile converts.  He has to hold both these groups together in the community – both the convert Jews who respect the tradition of the Law of Moses, and the convert Gentiles who have their own traditions.  At this time, the Christian community is facing heavy criticism from the official Jewish Leadership.  They claim that the teachings of Jesus are destructive of all that is cherished in Judaism.  So when Matthew writes his Gospel he is anxious to show that Jesus does not come to abolish the law and the Prophets; rather he is their completion.  Matthew shows the continuity with the ancient tradition.  But at the same time he also shows the discontinuity when Jesus says: “You have heard how it was said….but I say to you….” Jesus completes the law but he also goes beyond it.  Because Jesus is who he is, he has the authority to put before people a new vision.  In all of this Matthew asserts that Jesus’ authority is greater than the authority of Moses.  Jesus’ demands are more radical; his vision sharper; his expectations greater.

For example Jesus confirms the old Law that adultery is wrong but he goes much further in saying that a man who looks lustfully at a woman has already sinned.  Women can be violated by men’s attitudes, not just by physical acts.  Women are cheapened when they are treated simply as sex objects and Jesus asks his disciples to forgo that kind of violence.  Jesus’ respect for women is also evident in his teaching on divorce.  Jesus’ prohibition on divorce puts the husband and wife on equal footing: both are equally obliged to make the marriage work.  According to the strict school of thought, divorce was possible only if a wife was unfaithful to her husband.  According to the lax school, a husband could divorce his wife even if she burnt his food in cooking it.

When hearing today’s gospel we might feel demoralised.  Demoralised by the high standards that Jesus seems to be putting on us.  We all know how vulnerable and also broken we are.  We know that we are sinful.  We all know that we cannot live up to these expectations.  However, Matthew is calling his community of believers to face the vision of Jesus with a willing heart and a ready spirit.  None of us can live out this new vision on our own.  That is why we gather each week to worship God and to pray for his guidance and strength along the way.  On our own this new vision is impossible – with God and the community of faith to help us and support us, we can risk living it out to the best of our ability.  Have a great week.

“Drop-In” – Evening Surgery

The next Drop-in Surgery will take place on Tuesday 14^th February between 5pm – 7pm.  Please call at 281a Crescent Drive.  No appointments are necessary.

Pastoral Care Pillar

There will be a meeting of the Pastoral Care Team on Thursday 16^th February at 8.15pm.

Evangelisation Pillar

Advanced Notice on Lenten Evening Talks (8 to 9:30pm)

Tuesday 7th March  Fr Denis McBride on Stations of the Cross.

Monday 20th March  Margaret Connell on Bach's St.  Matthew Passion.

Wednesday 5th April Fr Geoff Wheaton on Christ's Passion and Crucifixion through Art and Scripture.

Please put the above dates in your diary.  The talks will be excellent preparation for us during Lent.  More details of the events will follow.

Youth Pillar

Whitstable Youth Retreat - 29th September to 1St October 2017

The Parish Youth Team are organising a retreat on the above dates at St Vincent’s Centre Whitstable.  All young adults who have been confirmed are invited to attend this retreat.  If you could confirm your interest to the Parish Office via telephone 01689 827100 or email parish.office@stjamespettswood.org.

Faith in Action – Last chance to register!!!

It was lovely to see so many young people from Bromley Deanery register for the Faith in Action award 2017 on Saturday 28^th January.  If you were unable to attend the Faith in Action launch and would still like to participate in the award for this year, we have decided to offer a second opportunity to register on Sunday 19^th February at 1.30pm at Holy Trinity Convent (opposite St Joseph’s Church hall).  The cost for registration is £10 and we will then begin our first Reflection Session at Holy Trinity Convent from 2-5pm for all youth taking part in the Faith in Action award.

Please do look at our website for more information: http://www.bromleydeanery.org/faith-in-action-award-scheme-2017/ or email susan.longhurst@bromleydeanery.org if you have questions or would like to discuss the award in more detail.

Communications Pillar

Parish Facebook Page

We have a Facebook page for the Parish and are posting 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’.

The Parish diary is online

There is an online diary for parish events which you can find at www.stjamespettswood.org/diary.html or go to the parish website and use the main menu item "Parish diary".  Bookings will continue to be made through the parish office but hopefully the diary will help you to identify free dates for your events.

Social Pillar

Shrove Tuesday 28th February

Sign up on the sheet in the Church porch if you wish to eat hot delicious pancakes on Tuesday 28^th February from 5.30pm to 6.30pm.  Booking numbers restricted to the first 30 who sign up.  This is a free event and is organised by the SVP and the senior youth group.  Book fast to guarantee a place is this event not to missed.  Telephone queries to Peter on 07951 579633

CWL Military Whist on 25th February

The CWL will be holding another of their popular Military Whist Drives on Saturday 25th February.  The doors will open at 7.30 with instruction for those who have not played before or need a reminder.  Play will begin at 8pm.  Tickets are £6 which includes a light supper and prizes for the winning tables.  This is a fun evening suitable for both adults and children who are able to join in and play cards.  The bar will be open and there will be a raffle.  All profits will go towards various charities.  Book your places by phoning 020 8467 3697 by 20th February

Dad & Me

The next meeting of Dad & Me will be held at the Community Centre on Saturday 18^th March at 10 am – 11.30 am.

Liturgy Pillar

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.

First Friday of Month - Eucharist Adoration also takes place on the 1^st Friday of each month from 7.30 pm – 9pm and concludes with Benediction.  Everyone is welcome for all or part of this time of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.

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.

Children’s Liturgy

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

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 9.15am 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.

Urgently needed

a pianist for Sunday 11am Mass.  Please contact the parish office if you are interested.

Finance Pillar

200 CLUB

We are organizing a 200 club starting in April.  Application forms are attached and Ken Evans will be giving a short presentation after 6pm this Saturday.  Please give this matter your consideration.

Deanery News….

St Joseph's e dintorni

Calling all Italians, their families and friends from St Joseph's, Bromley and all surrounding Catholic parishes.  Our first Italian Sunday Mass will be presided by Fr Saju on the 26th February 2017 at St Joseph's RC Church, 1 Plaistow Lane, Bromley, BR1 2PR, at 12.30pm followed by a bring-and-share lunch at the Holy Trinity Convent hall, behind the church, where we'll celebrate the Carnevale season together.  After Mass, all children are invited to dress up as their favourite character or mascherina! If you'd like to join us, please show your interest by texting your name and email address to Carmela G on 07833 648265.  Further details will be sent.  Do bring a friend - the more the merrier!

Parish Life….

The Monday Club

meets from 1.30-4.30pm in the Community Centre.  Please come and join us – it’s fun!

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.

Firm Believers

is our inter-church Fun-Fitness class to music.  It takes place every Tuesday (in term-time), 7.00 - 7.45 pm, in our Community Centre here at St James.  Stay for tea or coffee and chat afterwards if you wish.  So come and give it a try, with a group of friendly ladies of all abilities - cost £5.   You're welcome to just turn up, or contact us (contact:  07904 329788 or firm.believers@stjamespettswood.org).

St James Preschool

The preschool has spaces available for September 2017 intake.  Please email: stjamespreschool@live.co.uk to register interest and arrange a visit.

Reminder for Parents

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

Weekend Rotas:  Thank you for helping.

	Mass 19^th February		Saturday 6pm (Vigil)					Sunday 9.15am	Sunday 11am
	Welcomers		Martin Gallagher			Kasia Drabowicz			Sean Kavanagh Terry Connolly
	Readers		Christine Kiely Jan Bajorek			Richwood Lim Joanne Gibson			Lora Benson Marie Morley
	Ministers of Holy Communion		Gladis Foster Clare Wakefield Simon Poulton Cheryl Cosgrave Phil Cosgrave			Madeleine Howell Sofia Cotta Doreen Hairs Bruno Cotta Will David			Tricia Willard Rachel Mwansa Ken Chan Ken Evans Angela Evans
	Coffee					Denise Delf Felicity Curran			M Harrington Suzy Paris Rosemary Scott
	Bar		Peter Benson Matthew Wright
Tellers		Mick Shea Tom Wrafter		Teresa Forde Martin Smith			Vicky Terry Nigel Longhurst
	Saturday 18^th February
	Cleaning the Church				Readers and altar servers.