It is now clear that the counterpoint to this Lent will be the resignation of Pope Benedict on February 28th. The media announcement last Monday will probably go down as one of those ‘where were you when you heard..?’ moments. By Easter Day the College of Cardinals (the senior clergy of the Catholic Church, personally appointed by the reigning Pope) will probably have appointed a new Bishop of Rome to lead, and be the spokesperson for the 1.2 billion of us who are Catholics.
Pope Benedict is 85 (86 in April) and his decision is monumental, and may well set a precedent. We thank God for his ministry of service to the church as the 265th successor of Peter the fisherman, Jesus’ right-hand man. Rome is the ‘Holy See’ because it was there that Peter (and Paul) were martyred, on or near the Vatican hill, in about 65AD.
The church is at a crucial moment in its history. We must pray that the Lord will raise up a man who will have the necessary gifts of the Spirit to lead it into these still early years of the twenty-first century, a ‘Pope for all Christians’, and also one who will be a true ‘pontifex maximus’ (‘great bridge-builder’) between all cultures and nations in God’s world.
So we pray for Pope Benedict and wish him peace and joy for the rest of his days. And we pray for his successor-whoever he may be.
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Mass attendances last Sunday were 685.
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Sunday 17/2/13 |
First Sunday in Lent (C) 6pm – People of the Parish 9.15am – Desmond Quin RIP (Geraldine Thompson) 11am – Patrick O’Connor RIP (Scott Family)
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Monday 18/2/13 |
Feria of Lent 9.30am – Maria Moody (Morley Family)
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Tuesday 19/2/13 |
Feria of Lent 9.30am – Agnes Carolan RIP (Ann Kenny)
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Wednesday 20/2/13 |
Feria of Lent 9.30am – Jim Byrne RIP (Ann Kenny)
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Thursday 21/2/13 |
Feria of Lent 9.30am – Wilbur & Betty Wright RIP (Ellen & Roger Wright ) |
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Friday 22/2/13 |
Chair of St. Peter 9.30am – In remembrance of Patsy Burke RIP (E. Gibson)
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Sunday 24/2/13 |
Second Sunday in Lent (C) 6pm – Noah Mark Rothon (Rothon Family) 9.15am – People of the Parish 11am – Jimmy Clancy RIP (Leish O’Sullivan) |
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TODAY (SUNDAY): 2nd collection for the Maintenance and Refurbishment Fund. Please use your Gift Aid envelopes. We shall be reporting soon on various proposals for both maintenance and refurbishment and improvement of our entire plant. Manna Society collection (men’s clothes). Many thanks to those of you who have donated. This afternoon Petts Wood Festival Chorus at 2.30pm (NB time). Easter Choir for Holy Week – 4.30pm prompt. (ends 5pm) All singers welcome.
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Tuesday: Lectio Divina – the Lent Gospel readings at Sunday Mass; our Petts Wood Lent Course for 2013. Tuesdays (not Mar.5th) 1.30pm-2.30pm at Southborough Lane Baptist Church (opposite) and repeated 8pm-9pm at Christ Church URC, Willet Way. An ancient and prayerful way of reading the scriptures. Do come and give it a try......... Project Board (hall development) - meeting room 8pm.
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Wednesday: Ministers fraternal - presbytery 12 noon. Baptism rehearsal at 7.15pm. Journey in Faith at 7.45pm.
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Friday: Penitential Service (Bishop Pat preaching) at St. Joseph’s, Bromley at 8pm, with opportunity for individual confessions. Try and support this deanery celebration in this Year of Faith. Stations of the Cross here at 7pm. Friday is also CAFOD Lent Fast Day. 2nd collection next Sunday and we shall have a CAFOD speaker at all Masses.
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WEEK OF ACCOMPANIED PRAYER. 3RD- 9TH MARCH From Doreen and Chris Hairs: Thank you to all who have responded to this opportunity. The Week is now full, and all who have applied will be allocated a Guide within the times they have requested. For all participants It is important to be at the Opening Service on Sunday 3rd March at 3pm, at Southborough Lane Baptist Church (over the road), to meet your Guide and have precise timings confirmed. For all parishioners Please continue to pray for all those involved in the Week - Participants, Guides, Overnight Hosts, Welcomers, Providers of Meals and other helpers. Any further offers of help would be most welcome. Email Doreen or Chris Hairs if you can help or have any queries.
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Church School Applications for September 2014. Last day for these is TODAY (Sunday). If I do not have this information I shall be unable to support your application to church schools at the end of the year. Forms on table in porch. The vast majority of parents who already have children in church schools sign on their applications that they attend Mass here each Sunday (or Saturday). In far too many cases this just does not happen and is a matter of concern and I shall be addressing this in the coming weeks. The Church teaches that we should be at Mass every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation. If this happened we would need not three but five Masses. Let us all, this Lent, and thereafter, fulfil this core commitment of our Faith. |
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St Patrick’s Night Family Social Saturday March 16th – 7pm till late (£6, children £2, family ticket £15). In aid of parish funds and with the support of the Knights of St Columba. Tickets available NEXT week after Masses - SAVE the date now!
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Have you made a Lenten resolution? There’s still time! Have a look at some of the Lenten publications as you leave Mass...and don’t forget the Catholic papers......it is rather sad that in a community of c. 600 adults, only a few are ever taken............There are bound to be many interesting articles in the next month.
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Mass intentions. Please get these in early (especially if you want a specific date) as we get very booked up! Also please fill in the brown envelopes clearly, and indicate if the Mass is for the living or the dead – mistakes have been made! You can check for free dates by looking at the Mass calendar on our website:
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Bereavement Group: If you are grieving the loss of a loved one do let me know. We have a wonderful group (members of our congregation) who would be very pleased to listen and give some support. I can put you in touch. Alternatively of course I am always willing to help. (Cards in porch).
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A warm welcome to any visitors to Mass today- do come in for coffee etc. in the adjoining hall after 9.15 and 11am Masses. Every blessing for this first week of Lent. Fr Bryan.
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A Prayer of Franciscan Conservation
by John Polhill (Iona Community)
Living God,
Where there is waste, let us bring recycling;
Where there is recycling, let us bring reuse;
Where there is reuse, let us bring sustainability;
Where there is sustainability, let us bring justice;
Where there is justice, let us bring love.
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