Thank you for your offerings last week of £1,566. Attendance 832.

17th March

(Saturday Vigil)

Fifth Sunday of Lent

6pm Dorota Krotoff RIP & Danuta Kukula RIP (S Kukula)

Sunday 18th March

9.15am Francesca Sio RIP (Sio Family)

11am People of The Parish

Monday 19th March

Saint Joseph

9.30am Mick Brace RIP (G Tomkins)

Doreen Bowman & Ray O’Connor RIP (A Parker & Family)

Tuesday 20th March

Feria

9.30am HE & ME Winn RIP (Simon & Winn Families)

Wednesday 21st March

Feria

9.30am Jeremy Casey RIP (B&G Head)

10.45am Eucharistic Adoration

Thursday 22nd March

Feria

9.30am Gerry McQuinlan RIP (L Morgan)

Friday 23rd March

Feria

9.30am Deceased Members of The Brown Family (M Clark)

24th March

(Saturday Vigil)

Palm Sunday of The Passion Of The Lord

6pm Tom Benson RIP (Benson Family)

25th March

9.15am Francesca Sio RIP (Sio Family)

11am Christopher Walsh RIP (Benson Family)

Confessions heard Saturday 5.00-5.45pm or by appointment.

Morning Prayer: Takes place Monday – Friday at 9.10am. All are welcome to attend.

Pondering the Word (Lectio Divina)

A quiet reflective look at the following Sunday’s Gospel. Mondays 11am - 12 noon, except for Bank Holidays, here in the church. All welcome.

Sunday Mornings in the Community Centre

Every Sunday coffee and tea are served after the 9.15am and 11am Masses. Please join us for a while and get to know each other over a cuppa!

Second Collection

This week’s second collection is for the Parish Maintenance Fund also the new boxes of gift aid envelopes will be available for collection. Please take your box.

Fr David writes…

Life begins in loss. To be born, one has to leave and let go of the warmth and security of the womb. There is no birth without letting go. And that same pattern is repeated consistently all through our lives. We have to feel the pain of separation from our parents in order to experience the world of education from a very young age for example. There is always a death of some sort every time we choose and risk to experience something new. I remember very distinctly the psychological and emotional anguish I had to go through as I was discerning to move away from the Missionary Society I had been part of for 21 years. They had practically raised me up as I used to attend also the secondary college the same Order led. The identity of the order had become indistinguishable from my own. We were one. I felt content for a long time with them. My spiritual and human formation revolved around the charism of the Order. And in 1989, I made a public vow that I was going to be part of the Order for the rest of my life in front of my family and friends. I had genuinely think that that was going to be the case. Publicly and privately I had committed myself to the Order.

So in my late thirties, when restlessness somehow engulfed me, I felt terrified. I literally had panic attacks at night just imagining that I might leave the Order. All my security and identity were linked with the Missionary Society of St Paul. Who would I be, if I am not a member of the Order? I grappled for years to let go. I knew though that if I had to remain, I would be remaining for the wrong reasons as I did not feel any kind of emotional connection with them any longer. I would have remained for the sake of security. I also knew that I had lost all my inner peace and contentment. I knew that if I remained, something in me was going to die. After a long period of soul searching I decided to leave and something in me was lifted up. I could breathe again. Of course I felt frightened and still very unstable, but I felt a sense of rightness in regards my decision. Something in me got liberated. Looking back now, I marvel at the strength of my inner resources which made me make the move. At the age of 40, I had to start all over again in many ways. However, the journey made me stronger and hopefully wiser. Because of letting go, I today feel blessed with where my life had led me to. I wouldn’t have been who I am today, if I hadn’t allowed my desire for authenticity to lead me.

“Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat, but if it dies, it produces much fruit”. Jesus’ death is ahead of him. The hour has arrived. The pilgrims are arriving in Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover, including some Greek converts who want to see Jesus. At this Passover feast the sacrificial lamb will be Jesus himself. Now the time has come for Jesus when there is no more time. He must face the loss of freedom, the loss of friends, the loss of support and the loss of his life. He is in anguish – these losses trouble him. Yet he rejects the temptation to ask the Father to save him from what is to come. In this portrayal Jesus is aware that the pain and the loss cannot be avoided if the Father’s name is to be glorified. There is going to be gain from the pain. It is in our most challenging experiences that we discover what we are made of. It is during our darkest nights that we find the light of possibility. To transform our lives in order to become the people we are meant to be, begins by dying to those ambitions, projects and fears we cling to and embrace the values, wisdom and grace that give meaning and purpose to our lives. Jesus acknowledges that such change is hard, the struggle to change is in itself an experience of death. But such transformation is necessary if such resurrection can be experienced.

The gospel of the grain of wheat is Christ’s assurance to us of the great things we can do and the powerful works we can accomplish by dying to self and rising to the love and compassion of Jesus. Life demands change, risk and a certain kind of dying to our fears, despair and sense of self. We only can accomplish change though if we first of all believe that the change is the right thing to do. Secondly, we must believe that we are being carried by God’s faithfulness. Looking back, I would have never taken the risk to move out from my comfort zone into the unknown without believing that my God was not going to accompany and take care of me. I knew deep down that it was necessary for my own sanity and wellbeing that I needed to take the risk. I had no idea where life was going to take me after that decision. I just trusted. I trusted both in the flow of life and also in God’s faithfulness towards me. I pray for the people in our parish that are experiencing the scary invitation to let go of the familiar in order to plunge themselves in the unknown at the moment. I pray that you would find the right people and circumstances to help you at this time of uncertainty. I also pray that God will give you the courage to let go in order for new life would emerge.

“Drop-In” Evening Surgeries

Please note that the next surgery will be on Wednesday the 11th April 2018. Fr David will be available at 281A Crescent Drive from 5.00-7.00pm and no appointment is necessary.

Holy Baptism

This weekend we welcome, Varden Henry Martin Callaghan and his parents Michael and Lisa; Axel Kumar Dunn and his parents Jonathan and Nisha; and Olivia Isabelle Dutton and her parents Edward and Nicola.

Bible found in the car park

A bible was found in the bushes of the Parish car park this week. It looks loved and very much used and quite possibly someone is missing it very much. Please contact the Parish Office if you have lost it or know someone it may belong to.

Pastoral Pillar

Helplines and Counselling Services

As part of our care for the community a list of helplines and counselling services has now been added to the parish website and also, placed in the porch. The purpose of this is to give contact details of various organisations which can provide help in difficult times thereby enabling people to seek privately the information and support they may need.

Liturgy Pillar

Eucharist Adoration

This takes place for an hour each Wednesday shortly after the morning Mass starting at 10.45 am and finishing at 11.45 am. This Devotion to the Eucharist is a time of silent prayer and quiet music. Everyone is welcome for all or part of this time of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.

First Friday of Month - Eucharist Adoration also takes place on the 1^st Friday of each month from 7.30–9.00pm and concludes with Benediction. Everyone is welcome for all or part of this time of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.

Mass in celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage

St George’s Cathedral 16^th June 2018. If you are celebrating your 1^st, 10^th, 25^th, 40^th, 50^th or 60^th+ wedding anniversary this year and would like to attend the Mass then please give your names as soon as possible. Forms can be found at the back of the church.

Evangelisation Pillar

Lenten Programme

Stations of the Cross

Every Sunday in Lent at 4.00pm.

Re-enactment of the Stations of the Cross – Palm Sunday

A Re-enactment of the Stations of the Cross for the whole family is being produced on Sunday the 25th March at 4.00pm – Palm Sunday. We are looking for Actors and Readers. All the family may take part in this Devotion. There will be two rehearsals:

· Saturday the 24th March at 3pm – 4pm

· Sunday the 25t^h March at 2pm – 3pm.

Come and experience the passion and death of Christ by being part of the Greatest Story ever told.

Święconka

Polish traditional blessing of Easter Baskets

Easter Saturday, 31^st March, 11am - Please join us in continuing to celebrate this colourful and engaging tradition by bringing your own “Święconka” to St James’ for a short (15-20 min) blessing service. Blessing will be done in Polish and English. All very welcome.

Social Pillar

Community Centre

The St James’ Social Club is responsible for the running and licensing of the bar in the Community Centre. The AGM will be held on Sunday 22 April at 12.30 pm after the 11.00 am Mass in the Community Centre. The items on the agenda will be as follows:

1. Minutes of the last AGM

2. Election of Committee for 2018/2019

3. Financial Report

4. Any Other Business

All are welcome to attend.

Wednesday Morning Coffee

We are in urgent need for new people to go onto the Wednesday morning coffee rota. If you are interested, please contact the parish office.

Monday Club

Mondays 1.30pm to 4pm in the Community Centre.

. Meet others.

. Opportunity for fun and good company.

. Now is your chance to play…

. Discover new interests…

. Afternoon tea and chat.

. You are all very welcome.

Children's Easter Egg Hunt Easter Sunday, 1st April

The Friends of St James’ invite the children of the Parish to an Easter egg hunt taking place after the 9.15am Mass on Easter Sunday. Children will be provided with a basket to collect the eggs and the cost will be £3 per child payable on the day. Let's hope the April showers stay away. If they do, the hunt will take place in the Parish garden. If not, it will be in the Community Centre.

Youth Pillar

Confirmandi Fundraising Event

On Sat March 24th after the 6pm mass the Confirmandi are running an event to raise funds for St. Catherine’s in the Philippines. Tickets can be ordered after every mass this weekend or through the parish office. Payment is on the night.

Come along and enjoy a quiz, some karaoke, cocktails and mocktails. There will be a BBQ and entertainment for our younger guests.

Looking forward to seeing you all on the 24th. Confirmandi Group 2018.

Careers Fair

As part of the CYM programme for this year, we are currently planning a Careers Fair for young people on Saturday 21^st April from 10.30-2.30pm here at St James’.

The aim of this event is to assist and equip young people in making decisions regarding their future and to provide information and guidance on a range of opportunities available to them, such as:

· Interview skills training

· CV assistance and advice

· Peer Ministry & GAP year opportunities

· Vocations advice

· Modern day apprenticeships

· Information stands:

- NHS

- Teaching

- Armed Forces

· Workshop talks/ Q&A re: pursuing faith at University, advice and guidance for parents

We would be very grateful for any help on the day and particularly with interview training, CV writing or general advice regarding any of the opportunities or industries listed above. If you would like to become involved or know of individuals who may have key experience or core skills to share, please get in touch. All suggestions, comments and ideas regarding the plan for this event are welcome and encouraged. Please contact Susan Longhurst on -susan.longhurst@bromleydeanery.org. Thank you.

Message from Stella Delf

I’m getting ready to run the Brighton Marathon on the 15th April (my first marathon!). I'm going to be running for Cancer Research UK and I'm looking for sponsors and cake eaters to help me raise money for this amazing cause. If you would like to give your support, I'll be at the back of the church with a sponsorship form on the 24^thand 25^th March and will be hosting a cake sale at the end of the masses on the 7^th and 8^th April. You can also donate via my giving page: https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/stellas-giving-page

Thank you, Stella Delf

200 Club

Firstly, thank you so much for joining the 200 Club which has proved to be a great success in the past year with over £6000 being raised for Church funds.

We now have 181 members and since April last year there have been 39 winners, one parishioner winning twice, two winning £500 each in the Summer and Christmas draws.

The new year starts on 1st April with the first draw taking place on the 2nd Sunday of each month. As many of you paid by cheque last year and assuming you wish to continue paying this way I shall be grateful if you will send a cheque for £60 payable to St James 200 Club for the attention of Ken Evans at the Parish Office – 281A Crescent Drive, Petts Wood. BR5 1AY.

If, however you wish to pay by standing order at £5 per month (payable on the 1st of the month) please contact Ken on 01689 851793. I do hope you will continue to support this excellent fund-raising initiative and thank you again for your generous support.

200 Club winners!

£100 Romilly Turton Number 78

£50 Mrs Suzie Mataj Number 175

£25 Mrs Helen Wright Number 20

£25 Mrs Danielle Scutts Number 115

Congratulations to our winners.

GIFT AID

A very big thanks to all who have gift-aided their offertory and 2nd collection donations as well as their donations to the Maintenance/Refurbishment Fund during the 2017/18 tax year.

Your boxes of new Gift Aid envelopes (with your name on) for the coming 2018/19 tax year are now ready in the porch, along the back of church, for you to collect.

If you cannot find your box, please speak to Geoff Ford (the Gift Aid Administrator) – email him at gift.aid@stjamespettswood.org or he can usually be found in the "counting room" at church after 11am Mass on Sundays.

Please note, the amount of Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax you pay or will pay during a tax year must be at least equal * to the total amount of tax that all Charities (i.e. not just St James’) will reclaim on your gift-aided donations to them for that tax year. Other taxes such as VAT and Council Tax do not qualify.

* You must have paid at least 25 pence in Income/Capital Gains Tax for every £1 of gift-aided donation you make to all Charities (i.e. £25 tax for every £100 given). If you pay less Income/ Capital Gains Tax than the amount of Gift Aid claimed on all your donations in that tax year, it is your responsibility to pay any difference to HMRC.

Please also speak to Geoff if:

a) you are unsure that you will have paid adequate tax,

b) you wish to know the total recorded amount of your offerings,

c) you move or marry and change your name. (It is important that our record of your name and address is recognisable to the tax man.)

d) you wish to transfer your gift aid donations into your spouse’s name (perhaps because you have stopped working and no longer pay tax),

e) you would like to Gift Aid your contributions to St James’ but have not yet completed a Declaration Form.

As every charity will tell you, by gift-aiding your donations your contributions are substantially increased at absolutely no cost whatsoever to you. If you are not already in our Gift Aid scheme, all you have to do is sign a Declaration Form enabling the Church to recover the tax you will have already paid before making your donation.

Standing Orders

If you make your weekly offering to St James’ by standing order, please still take your box of envelopes. Your box will include special envelopes for Diocesan second collections and for Easter/Christmas offerings which are not included in standing orders.

If you wish to make a standing order with St James’ please email or speak to Geoff before arranging it with your bank.

Justice & Peace

Manna Centre Collection

Weekend 24-25^th March

Our Parish’s next collection for the Manna Centre, a charity working to support women and men who are homeless in London is taking place next weekend. The parish has been very generous in previous years and we hope this will continue. Items that are particularly needed include:

Kitchen rolls

Toilet rolls

Sleeping bags

Blankets

Men’s toiletries including disposable razors and soap

Warm men’s clothing including socks, underwear and trousers

Take a look at the display at the back of the church for more information about the Manna Society and its work, or contact Nick Babb from the Justice & Peace Group (nick.babb@stjamespettswood.org).

Foodbank current list

The Foodbank has at last run out of soup! So tinned soup is now back on the list of requirements, but incredibly they still don’t need pasta or baked beans. Other items needed are tinned potatoes, long life milk and fruit juice, rice, pulses, shampoo and toothbrushes. Thanks to our contributors, we have delivered an average of 35kg to the Foodbank each week this year so far.

Polite Reminder

The Parish disabled parking spaces are for Blue Badge holders only.

Pastoral Pillar

Helplines and Counselling Services

Seeing a Chaplain if You Are Admitted to Hospital

· Protecting personal information (data protection) is really important when you become an inpatient in hospital.

· So please specifically ask hospital staff to pass on your details to the hospital’s Roman Catholic chaplain as soon as you are admitted if you would like a Chaplain to visit you.

· Fr David would always be very happy to visit you too, so please ask a relative or friend to let him know about your admission. You, or they, can email Fr David on father.david@stjamespettswood.org, or phone the parish office on 01689 827100.

Outside the Parish

National Catholic Men’s Pilgrimage to Walsingham

Sunday 22^nd April 2018, 10.30-17.30

A warm invitation to the first, annual pilgrimage for Catholic men. Meet, talk and share the faith with other men; listen to speakers, celebrate confession and Mass, pray for families and for the country; process to the old Abbey grounds for Benediction. We welcome lay and religious, single and married, young and old, fathers and sons. "When England returns to Walsingham, Our Lady will return to England". Pope Leo XIII, 1887

In partnership with the Catholic National Shrine of Our Lady and Catholic Man UK. For more information visit www.catholicman.co.uk

Lenten Talks by Canon Leonard Mintoff

At St John the Baptist, Westerham. Monday 12th – Friday 16th March 7.30pm Mass followed by talk.

Weekend Rotas: Thank you for helping.

Saturday 24th March 2018
Cleaning the Church	S Lams, L Monsah, D Generowicz, K Salter

Wednesday Coffee

21st March

No volunteers

25th March 2018
Mass	Saturday 6pm (Vigil)	Sunday 9.15am	Sunday 11am
Welcomers	K Kirby	D & C Hairs	L McDonald S May
Readers	Please sign the form at the back of the church if you wish to take part in reading the Passion.
Ministers of Holy Communion	J Bajorek H Rothon M Cahill C Cahill R Wright	D Hairs B Cotta W David B D’Arcy T Forde	Z Bajorek T Troy A Bunnage P Murray V Terry
Bar			P Cosgrave R Monaghan
Coffee		L Lynch S Barradell	P Flockhart A Huntington S Ingle
Altar Servers	J McCabe R&F Norman Brown A Poulton N Cracknell P Marshall	L Delamain	V Marcolina F Ikenye P Kukula

Tellers

P Cosgrave, P Dabrowski