Thank you for your offering last week of £1,475.59 and £604.60 for the Archbishop’s Administration Fund.  Mass attendances were 879.

 

Sunday

15/11/15

Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

 

6pm Saturday  Darell D’Silva RIP (McCabe Family)

 

9.15am People of the Parish

 

11.00am Stephen Gossage RIP – 1st Anniversary (V Terry)

 

Monday

16/11/15

 

Feria/St. Edmund of Abingdon

 

9.30am Desmond Ryan (G&B Ford)

 

Tuesday 17/11/15

Feria/St. Hilda

 

10.00am  Requiem Mass for Lawrence Margey (please note change of time)

 

Wednesday

18/11/15

Feria

 

9.30am Synod of the Family (M Howell)

Thursday

19/11/15

Feria

 

9.30am  Carmen Novaes Suzzara RIP (Denise Suzzara)

 

Friday

20/11/15

Feria

 

9.30am Michael Kelly RIP (M Kelly)

 

Saturday

21/11/15

Vigil Mass

 

6.00pm  Johanna & Dennis Ashton RIP (Wedderspoon Family)

 

Sunday 22/11/15

Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

 

9.15am  People of the Parish

 

11.00am  Intention of Canon Tom McHugh (Canon J McNamara)

 

Confessions heard Saturday 5.00pm-5.45pm or by appointment.

Morning Prayers

Take place Monday – Friday at 9.10am.  All are welcome to attend.

Fr David Writes ….. 

The leader of a certain Indian tribe was dying.  He had three sons.  As a tribe they had always been encamped at the foot of the mountain.  Before he died, he summoned his three sons and said to them.  “I am dying.  Before I leave this world I would like to name my successor.  But before doing so, I wish that you would all go on a journey to the top of the Holy Mountain and bring me something beautiful.  The one who would bring me the most outstanding gift, he would succeed me”.  The following morning the three sons all set off on their journey.  They all took different paths up the Holy Mountain.  After several days the three sons returned back home.  The first son brought his father the gift of a beautiful rare flower which grew near the summit of the mountain.  The second son brought his father the gift of a beautiful shiney precious stone which had been polished by the rain and the sand.  When the third son appeared he was empty handed.  The empty handed son said to his father.  “I have brought back nothing to show you father.  As I stood on the top of the mountain, I saw that on the other side was a beautiful land filled with green pastures.  In the middle of these pastures there is a crystal lake.  And I have a vision of where our tribe could go for a better life.  I was so overwhelmed with what I saw and by what I could see that I could not bring anything back.”  At that point the father replied: “you shall be our tribes’ new leader, for you have brought back the most precious thing of all – the gift of a vision for a better future”.

In life we have the doers and the visionaries.  Some of us have the gift of vision.  They have the ability to see beyond what is happening in the here and now.  They are people who can see from outside the box.  These are the ones that big companies and agencies hire in times of crisis to turn their failing businesses into successes.   These are the people that walk into a derelict property and see the potential of a luxurious home.  These are the people who have the ability of going to a failing school and turn it into an outstanding one.  They see crisis as an opportunity to shine.  They are not hooked into the here and now.  They are not discouraged with the chaos and the upheaval of the present moment.  They see a potential for a better future.  We need visionaries in our lives.  The doers – the pragmatists are also very valuable because they make things happen.  But they are the ones who look at the visionaries and see them as dreamers.  The pragmatists seem to look at the minute details whilst the visionaries look at the big canvas.  Usually the visionaries are frustrated by the doers.  They find them boring and limiting their free spirit.  As a community we need them both.  But in a time of suffering – in a time of horrendous situations, we need the visionaries most to give us hope.

The evangelist Mark in today’s gospel is writing to a community living in Rome which is plagued by persecution, oppression and suffering because of their faith.  No doubt, Jesus’ followers are wondering if the end is near, uncertain in their suffering how things are going to turn out.  Nobody knows the details of the last pages of history, but there is a form of writing that imagines the end of time; it is called the apocalyptic.  To give his readers hope, Mark gives them Jesus’ vision of the future.  After the cosmic fireworks, Jesus imagines a peace beyond suffering.  This vision of peace is important for the Christian community living in Rome.  “Heaven and Earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away”.  We ourselves are living in a very insecure world.  We hear of bad news every day.  We experience sufferings in our daily lives in illness and bereavement.  And somehow terrorists want us to live in a world feeling overwhelmed and paralysed by fear.  We too need to hear of Jesus’ vision today.  It gives us hope.  It takes us beyond our worst imaginings.  There is a place beyond the mountains of terrorism, pain and financial bankruptcies.  This vision does not free us from the duty to strive for peace, but it does free us from the blasphemy of believing that this world’s suffering will be the last word in the human story.  Our faith helps us to believe that there is only one final word: Jesus.  Let us pray today in a special way for those people who are overwhelmed by fear of the future.  Let us pray that we would never fall into the darkness of despair.  Let us always pray for Visionaries.

Month of the Holy Souls

During the month of November we are invited to remember our deceased parents, relatives and friends.  At the back of the church there are small slips of paper that you should complete and post into the labelled box.  All these slips will then be placed on the altar for the whole month of November and we will remember your loved ones and keep them in our prayers at all the Masses.

“Drop-In” – Evening Surgery

The next surgery will take place on Tuesday 17th November between 6.00pm and 7.30pm, in the Parish Office, 281a Crescent Drive.  If you wish to speak to me about any matter, please feel free to come along.  No appointments are necessary.  Fr David.

Reminders - Church Cleaning!

Saturday 21st November – Year 3 Parents

Saturday 28th November – Year 2 Parents

A Message from St Mary’s, Crown Lane, Chislehurst, BR7 5PL

The Annual Cemetery Mass and Blessing of the Graves will take place on Saturday 21st November at noon, remembering those buried at Saint Mary’s and Beaverwood Cemetery.  This year, we have had all of the graves reviewed and are in the process of repairing many that pose a safety concern.  Unfortunately, we no longer have up to date contact details of all the families of those buried here.  A list of graves that require repair will be posted on the St Mary’s notice board, along with the associated cost.  Please email Kelly Robson at office@stmarysrc.org  or call 020 8467 3215 if you would like a copy of this list sent to you.

Traidcraft Stall

This will take place next weekend.  Many seasonal items will be available in addition to regular products. Please continue your generous support.  Your purchase of Christmas gifts and goodies will help impoverished producers rather than boosting the profits of large retailers at Christmas.  J&P

Date for your Diary……

The St James’ Christmas market will be taking place on the 13th December from 12-3pm.  If you would like/are able to help with this event, please complete the volunteer form (available in church porch) and post through to the Parish Office.  Many thanks.

Pondering the Word (Lectio Divina)

A quiet reflective look at the following Sunday’s Gospel.  Mondays 11-12 noon here in the Church.  All welcome.

Christmas 2015

For information, Christmas cards & Advent Calendars are now available from the repository.

CAFOD World Gifts

If you don't know what to buy family and friends for Christmas this year, why not help people in developing countries by buying one of CAFOD's charity gifts?  They offer the chance for us to buy things like water for a family, a goat, a greenhouse, a school starter pack, or simply a meal for someone in poverty.  If you think this is your kind of giving then please look at CAFOD World Gifts online.  The receiver of your gift will get a card showing how it will benefit a family or even a whole community.

St James’ Preschool vacancies

St James' Preschool currently has a limited number of vacancies for 2½ to 5 year olds. We offer early years education in a friendly and safe environment. For further details please visit www.stjamespreschool.co.uk or email stjamespreschool@live.co.uk.

Youth Gospel Choir

We would like to invite you to join our new and exciting Youth Gospel Choir.  It will be on Thursdays between 5 to 6pm and is open to all 14-18 year olds.  For further information please contact the Parish Office.

CALLING ALL ST JAMES’ YOUTH (14-18 yrs)

On the 5th December from 3pm we are organising an ice-skating, doughnut and hot chocolate trip to Bluewater.  The cost will be £20 per head fully inclusive.  To sign up, please contact the parish office parish.office@stjamespettswood.org by Monday 23rd November.