Water into wine – bread into Body – sickness into health – slavery into freedom – and uniquely and supremely death into life, the Paschal (Easter) mystery.  The whole story of the Bible is about transformation – radical change.

The changing of the water into wine (today’s Gospel) is the first of the signs (not miracles) by which Jesus revealed himself as the Messiah, and, we are told ... “his disciples came to believe in him”.

However it is also a story about us, and about our need for radical transformation, as we live out our baptismal commitment each day.  May these five weeks before Lent witness a change in our lives, may we become more of what we are meant to be – the beloved sons and daughters of the Father.

Notices and Items of interest

Today (Sunday) we welcome, through Holy Baptism, on Saturday at 4.30pm, Isabella Grace Deer (17 months) her parents Dawn and Matthew and godparents Trevor, Mark and Joanna.

A big thank you to everyone who worked so hard putting away the Christmas decorations last Sunday – greatly appreciated. 

Monday 18/1/10	Confirmation meeting (Social Centre 7.00-8.00pm) for young people who have registered for confirmation.  Others welcome (years 8 and 9).
Tuesday 19/1/10	Mass at 7.15pm – a more informal celebration, in St James’ chapel. Baptism preparation evening (for parents who have been informed) from 8.15-9.45pm in the Meeting Room between church and hall.
Wednesday 20/1/10	Catechists’ course at 7.45pm in the Social Centre
Thursday 21 /1/10	Mission and Planning team (MaP) in the meeting room at 7.45pm
Sunday 24/1/10	End of the week of prayer for Christian Unity – bring and share lunch at Christ Church on Tudor Way at 12.30pm.  I do hope we have good support from St James.
Monday 25/1/10	Evangelium – a brand new course on the basics of the Catholic Faith from 8.30-9.45pm with coffee from 8.15pm.  This is mainly for non-Catholics but any member of the congregation is most welcome for a refresher (details on porch board)
Sunday 31/1/10	Taizé style service at 5.00pm (setting up from 4.15pm).  A very meditative service using the haunting Taizé music – all most welcome especially young people.
Tuesday 2/2/10	7.30-8.00pm: Meeting for all parents who will be applying for Catholic Schools (primary or secondary) next December (i.e. for children stating in September 2011).  This will be a short but important meeting and I do ask at least one (Catholic) parent to attend.
First Holy Communion	Preparation for children in Year 3 or above (not at Catholic Schools) begins next Sunday 24th January from 10.45-11.30am.  The children leave the 10.00am Mass at Communion time and can be collected from the Social Centre at 11.30am.  Contact Miriam Travers.  There are forms in the porch.

Petts Wood Festival Chorus  this year will be singing Vivaldi’s Gloria!  Rehearsals on Tuesday evenings (NOT Sundays) starting Tuesday 9th February from 8.00-9.30pm.  The performances are on Saturday 15th May and Sunday 16th May, with proceeds to Demelza House (children’s hospice).  Do come and sing even if you have never been in a choir before!  It’s great fun – the choir is “open” and all are most welcome.

Morning Prayer is held from Monday to Friday at 9.10am.

Weekday Masses from Monday to Friday at 9.30am and Tuesday 7.15pm.

Confessions are heard on Saturday at 5.30-6.00pm and Monday at 10.00-10.30am.

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on Mondays at 10.00-10.30am

Temper all Things

The leader of a community should temper all things,

So that the strong may still have something to work for, and the weak may not give up hope.

The saying is that monks ought not to drink wine.

But since today no monk believes this,

Let us at least drink in moderation. 

From the Rule of St Benedict (480-547)

Every blessing, Fr Bryan

Mass attendances last week – 684

Mass Intentions for the week of Sunday 17th January 2010 Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)
Sunday	6.00pm	People of the Parish
	10.00am	Missing, sick and hurt children (P Lundy)
	11.30am	Emma Daly welfare (M Hutchinson)
Monday   18/1/10  Feria	9.30am	Patrick Keane, RIP (Pat Farrant)
Tuesday 19/1/10  Feria	9.30am	Private Intention (M Akpata)
	7.15pm	Archbishop Kevin McDonald, wellbeing
Wednesday 20/1/10  Feria	9.30am	Cornelius O’Shea, RIP (E Gibson)
Thursday 21/1/10 St Agnes	9.30am	Pat Langridge, RIP (B D’Arcy)
Friday 22/1/10 Feria	9.30am	Dympna Brotherton, RIP (Teresa West)
Mass Intentions for Sunday 24th January 2010 Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)
Sunday	6.00pm	Barbara  & Frank Boyle, RIP (Geraldine Day)
	10.00am	Theresa Lynch, RIP ( M Jackson)
	11.30am	People of the Parish