Fr David writes......
Believe it or not I have been amongst you already for about two months and a half. To tell you the truth it feels that I have been here much longer. And that is a compliment for you. I have spent all this time, organising meetings with diverse groups of the parish and also key individuals within the parish to construct an overview image of the parish. I have been trying to listen more rather than take any significant action. In this way my priority has been engaging with you as individuals and trying to build up some form of human relationship with you. At the same time, in time, it has become clearer to me to identify the strengths of the parish and also gain some insights regarding the way forward for St James’. As parish priests, we do not need to reinvent the wheel if it is working well. And I have some confidence that I am here to build on what has been done before me especially by Mgr Elliot, Fr Bryan and Fr Tom. I would like to acknowledge all that they had done and been to you during their time here. The St James’ parish I found is a tribute to them. As a living organisation, the parish needs to move on. And I believe that the way forward is to bring together all the groups under the umbrella of a Parish Pastoral Council which I am hoping we can establish in the second part of the year after the holidays. To be able to establish such an important mechanism where all parishioners will have their voice heard and the activities within the parish will be co-ordinated better, I am sure you agree that there need to be a strategy in place. This weekend, I am hoping to launch the strategy by introducing the first step of the strategy which is foundational. This step aims at hearing the voices of all the parishioners at St James’ as much as possible – different ages, different genders and so with different needs. Through this questionnaire, I wish to know how you envisage St James’ – its strengths of course but also I wish to know from you what you would like to see happening better and maybe even what would you like to see starting to happen at St James’. This will give me and the future Parish Pastoral Council an agenda to work towards. So this weekend, I am circulating a questionnaire at all Masses so that I can gather your views about our parish. The questionnaire will be given out at the end of every Mass and I am asking that you should please return it by next Sunday the 19th July. Please make sure that you take a copy, and then when you have completed it, just fold it up and put it in the box at the back of the church. Spare copies will be available all week at the back of the church and there will also be some pens in case you want to fill it in straightaway. The questionnaire is anonymous so please do fill it and let me know what you think. After we collate the information, we would like to analyse it and then follow it up by presenting a paper illustrating our findings from what you would have shared with us. I do encourage you all to make use of this exercise. The more parishioners who would be making use of this survey, the better we can start planning for the future. This is your parish – this is our parish! May God bless our desire to discern well His plans for St James’. Let us all co-operate with God’s Spirit.
Thank you, Fr David
Social Centre – Refurbishment Update
This week we received confirmation that work will be starting on the Social Centre w/c Monday 20th July. The work is anticipated to take 13-15 weeks. We will keep you all updated as work progresses.
Second Collection
This weekend there will be a second collection for the Maintenance Fund.
Reminders - Church Cleaning!
Saturday 18th July – Year 5 Parents
Saturday 25th July – Year 3 Parents
Morning Prayers
Takes place Monday – Friday at 9.10am. All are welcome to attend.
Holy Baptism
This weekend we welcome:-
- Eva Birch, her parents Elizabeth and Derek and godparents Daniel and Jose; and
- Fletcher Kelly, his parents Nicola and Paul and godparents Jamie, Suzanne, Amy & David.
Bromley Foodbank
There will be a collection this weekend for the "Bromley Foodbank". The long summer holidays presents very specific problems as children cannot access school meals. For many children this is often their main, or even their only meal. St James’ is a wonderfully generous parish and the staff at the foodbank are extremely grateful for all your contributions.
Teddy Bears’ Picnic
The CWL invite you all to their annual picnic on the 16th July at 3.15pm onwards. Don’t forget your teddy!
Year 6 Leavers’ Mass
This Friday the Children from St James’ will be joining us here in the church for Mass at 10.00am – please note change of time.
Traidcraft stall
After all Masses next weekend. Please continue your generous support, stock up on favourites before the holidays also some items reduced.
The Way Forward
A meeting to explore the future of Justice & Peace in the Diocese will take place at 7.00pm on Wednesday 22nd July in Amigo Hall, St George's Cathedral. We hope to renew priorities and consider new ways of working. All Welcome.
Parish Forum
The minutes are now available on the parish website. If you require a paper version, please contact the Parish Office.
Parish Office
Please note that the Parish Office has now moved into 281a Crescent Drive. This address is now to be used for all visitors and correspondence.
Parish Fun Run and Garden Party
Results and photos of the fun run and garden party are now available on the parish website.
The Vocation and Ministry of Catechesis
An invitation has been received from the Bromley Deanery to all catechists and those interested in catechesis and Parish ministry. More details regarding dates and times are on the poster in the porch. Any catechists wishing to attend lease contact the Parish Office by Thursday 16th July.
Annual Day of Renewal
All parishioners are invited to attend the sixth annual Day of Renewal on 26th September 2015 at St George’s Cathedral, praying for the needs of the Diocese and organised by the Diocesan Service Team for charismatic renewal. If you would like to attend please contact Stefanie Donovan on 01892 542245 or email stefaniedawn61@gmail.com. More details on poster in porch.
St James’ Pre-school
Due to the works planned for the summer and Autumn, the preschool will be temporarily relocating to St Swithins, Fashoda Road, BR2 9RE. They will be returning to St James’ once the work has been completed. Their contact details remain the same – stjamespreschool@live.co.uk / 07815464837.