Today we celebrate Pentecost (’50 days’) and the end of Easter season. This is the festival of the Holy Spirit when the rather timid disciples of Jesus were filled with confidence and power (wind and fire!) and started sharing the Christian message.

That same Holy Spirit has been active amongst us in so many ways this weekend:-

-in the baptism of baby Johnny Christopher Mongan (Sat.4.30pm)- we welcome his parents Elizabeth and John and godparents Louise and Tommy;

-in our newcomers evening - we pray that all newcomers will soon feel a valued part of our parish community;

-in our Justice and Peace Fayre (social centre after Mass)-do come in and see what J and P have been up to!

-in the publication of our new parish handbook- (each family please take a copy;

-and finally in our new Time ,Talents and Skills Questionnaire (everyone please take, fill in and return-thank you.)

The Spirit is really God’s energy (‘pneuma’)- so a big thank you to all who have worked so energetically to prepare the above events. All evidence of the Spirit amongst us.

Mass attendances last Sunday were 685.
Sunday 12/6/11	6pm – Newcomers to the Parish (the Parish’s Welcomers’ Team) 9.15am- Sori Sandorne (Andrea Crosland) 11am  - People of the Parish Please support the Justice and Peace Fayre today - Traidcraft and other goods for sale. Cake sale after morning Masses. Publication of new parish booklet and “time and talents sheet.”
Monday 13/6/11	St Anthony of Padua 9.30am – Kitty O’Riordan (Ned) 1-30-3.30 pm - crafts/card games/tea and chat in the hall. Everyone very welcome!
Tuesday 14/6/11	Feria 9.30am- Richard Mages RIP (Louise Mages) 1.30pm-4.30pm Sequence Dancing in the hall. £4.00 per person. Wedding of Dean Redmond and Fausta Cuboni - 2pm 7.00pm. First Confessions (yr 3 children.)(NO Mass this evening)
Wednesday 15/6/11	Feria 9.30am – Mass with Key Stage 1 children (St James’ School) in church  –  Tom McDermott RIP (Hugh & Teresa Ford)
Thursday 16/6/11	Feria 9.30am – Patrick Daly (Liam Carland)
Friday 17/6/11	Feria 9.30am – Al Menicocci (the Cantopher family)
Saturday 18/6/11	First Holy Communion Mass  - 10.30am Petts Wood Churches Together picnic and entertainment – Memorial Hall - 6.30pm- 8.30pm – please support!
Sunday 19/6/11	The Most Holy Trinity (A) We welcome through Holy Baptism (Sat 3.45pm) Olivia Tienzo (11mths), her parents Brian and Janet and godparents Nicola and Wilfred; and (4.30pm) Francisco Blackman-Ortiz (4mths), his parents Christopher and Gloria and godparents Paola, Richard, Christine and Anthony. 6pm – People of the Parish 9.15am- Kenneth Jackson RIP (The Jackson family) 11am  - Mrs Molly Kearns RIP (Margaret Thompson) Second collection for the Catholic Trust for England and Wales. We celebrate all fathers! (Father’s Day)

Monday 20/6/11

Parish Forum -8pm - Hall maintenance and refurbishment; and other issues.  Please come-we really want to make progress on the project and want everyone to know! (in church.)

Sunday 26/6/11

3rd Petts Wood Scouts Parish walk and picnic/BBQ. Starting after 11am Mass "Three Bridges Family Walk" (about 3 miles.)  Contact Sue David (sue.david@stjamespettswood.org)

‘.........a variety of gifts but always the same Spirit; there are all sorts of service to be done.......the way in which the Spirit is given to each person is for a good purpose....In the one Spirit we were all baptised......and one Spirit was given to us all to drink.’ (St Paul in 1 Corinthians-today’s 2^nd reading)

Every blessing - and please do not forget your Time, Talents and Skills sheet!

Fr Bryan.