It’s never too late! The readings today remind us of how close God is to us and that ‘there is no time like the present’ to make a response in faith. Jesus’ parable about the workers in the vineyard reminds us that people respond to God at different stages of their lives, and that all are to be warmly welcomed- newcomers, old hands and everyone in between!
There are many people out there –non- Catholics- who would like to explore the teaching of the Catholic Church. If you are one of these you will be warmly welcome to an introductory evening on Wednesday, September 28th at 8pm in the Social Centre, when our Journey in Faith programme will be outlined. If you are already a Catholic who would like a ‘refresher’, you too are most welcome. The course will run weekly until Easter 2012 (Tuesday evenings).
We are richly blessed with newcomers constantly joining our community. If your last religious formation was a long time ago (eg, at school), you might like to come along to Journey in Faith- I am thinking especially of younger parents (though I realize it might be difficult for both to attend).
I do hope that various kinds of people will consider Journey in Faith- and we look forward to seeing you on the 28th!
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Mass attendances last Sunday were 711. |
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Sunday 18/9/11 |
25th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A) 6pm – People of the Parish 9.15am– Kitty O’Riordan (Ned) 11am – Holy Souls
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Monday 19/9//11 |
Feria 9.30am – Relatives & friends of James Porter (Found)
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Tuesday 20/9/11 |
SS Andrew Kim Taegon (priest and martyr) and Paul Chong Hasang (catechist and martyr) 9.30am – Margaret Lavelle (L. O’Sullivan)
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Wednesday 21/9/11 |
St Matthew 9.30am – Fr Paddy Pearson RIP (H. Forde)
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Thursday 22/9/11 |
Feria 9.30am – Deceased relatives & friends of Warrier Family (I. Warrier & I. Nelligan)
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Friday 23/9/11 |
St Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio) 9.30am – Kevin Curtin (L and J Samuels)
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Sunday 25/9/11 |
26th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A) 6pm – Fr Pat Pearson (H. Forde) 9.15am – Gloria Calnan RIP (Guyton Family) 11am – People of the Parish
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Tuesday 20th - NO exposition or confessions after the 9.30am Mass (these will resume next Tuesday). Servers practice at 5.30pm (until 6.30pm). Firm Believers at 7pm.
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Wednesday 21st: - Justice & Peace Group at 7.45pm in the Social Centre. This is now a major force in the parish and would welcome new members. (Ends by 9.30pm latest). Do come along and get involved – justice and peace are at the heart of the gospel.
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Saturday 24th – Readers Training Session at St Joseph’s Bromley, Plaistow Lane. Could I ask those readers who did NOT attend last year’s session with Barbara Dilworth to go along. (10am to 12pm). Barbara is excellent and your ministry will be enriched. Please indicate in porch if you are going. Thank you.
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Next Sunday (24th/25th) – next collection for our Maintenance and Refurbishment Fund. Many thanks to those who support so generously, but could I please encourage more people to take out a standing order so that we have some idea of our regular income? A moderate amount of (e.g) £20 per month would be so helpful. Remember: we need to raise in order of £120,000 by next July to completely re-roof the Social Centre. We shall report on progress in due course and keep you informed.
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Children’s Liturgy Group starts again today (9.15am). Re: the proposed older group, this is for children aged 7-11 years (school years 3-6). There has been some confusion over this! (See new list in porch).
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ADVANCE NOTICES:
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The Funeral Mass for Theresa Saunders will be on Wednesday week (28th) at 10.30am. (NO 9.30am Mass that day) followed by burial at Magpie Hall Lane. Our prayers are with Adele, Michael and Stuart at this sad time. May Theresa rest in peace – and rise in glory.
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Denise Merriman will be running a half marathon at the beginning of October in Galway, Ireland and asks for sponsorship (all funds raised will go towards our refurbishment fund). Her employer will also match up to the first £2,000 of everything raised! So please sponsor her! See home page http://www.charitygiving.co.uk/denisemerriman and thanks Denise!
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Autumn Festival (Sat Oct 1st) is now just 2 weeks away! Please continue to bring in things (see porch) and thank you! Orpington Rock Choir (which you may have seen on TV) will be closing the day! Let’s make this a real parish and community event.
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Harvest Supper – Saturday Oct 8th – 6.30pm to 8.30pm opposite St James’ in Southborough Lane Baptist Church. Bring and share (something savoury or sweet) just turn up, no tickets needed. This is for all our Petts Wood churches and much effort has gone into it. I do hope we have a really good contingent from St James’. Children most welcome. (Each church has a job – ours is putting the tables away).
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ALL Readers AND Eucharistic Ministers – Bishop Pat invites you to the annual Day of Recollection on Saturday November 19th 10.30am to 4pm at Bishop Thomas Grant School, Streatham. Collect your invitation from table in the porch – I hope as many as possible will go (please sign list in porch).
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I am in retreat this week at Aylesford with the diocesan clergy. Please remember me in your prayers, as I will you in mine.
Every blessing, Fr Bryan |
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