Thank you for your offerings last
week of £1318.00 Mass attendances were 703.
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Sunday 19th February |
Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time |
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6pm (Saturday Vigil) |
Eileen Gorman (T Sweeney) |
|
9.15am |
Deceased members of the Keane
family |
|
11am |
People of the Parish |
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Monday 20th February |
Feria |
|
9.30am |
Fr David Camilleri |
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Tuesday 21st February |
Feria |
|
9.30am |
Mary Kelly |
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Wednesday 22nd February |
The Chair Of Saint Peter The
Apostle |
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9.30am 10.45am |
Patrick Kirwan RIP (R & E Wright) Eucharistic Adoration |
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Thursday 23rd February |
Saint Polycarp |
|
9.30am |
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Friday 24th February |
Feria |
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9.30am |
Mary Clarke RIP (Wharton Family) |
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Sunday 26th February |
Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time |
|
6pm (Saturday Vigil) |
People Of The Parish |
|
9.15am |
Ted Bryant RIP (E Bryant) |
|
11am |
Jude Pimenta (Sr Ursula) |
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.
Second
Collections
There will be a second collection next weekend in aid of “Poor Parishes’
Fr
David writes
Violence begets Violence. We have all been hurt deeply in our lives in
one way or another. We all have allowed
someone to hurt us. Most of the time,
the closer we are, the more vulnerable we are and so it is understandable that
we get very hurt by someone whom we care about.
That’s painful. We all have an Achilles
heel and when that is triggered we tend to react. Some of us react by getting angry – others
experiencing even rage which might also translate itself into physical or
verbal violence. On the other hand, some
of us react by withdrawing from the other person. We do this in order to protect ourselves or
for some of us because we cannot handle confrontation. And yet when we do not express how we feel,
we could be carrying the hurt and hatred towards the other person sometimes for
a lifetime. This happens within families
and friendships. Unknowingly we can
carry the negative feelings towards the other person with us wherever we go. The longer we carry the negative baggage, the
more difficult it is to let go and liberate ourselves from the pain. The other person might have moved on and is
oblivious of the pain inflicted on us and yet we would feel stuck in the
process.
Sometimes friendships end, for
one reason or another, but the resentfulness remains. We try to conceal it by being civil with one
another but we know that things are not the same. If nothing is done – nothing is expressed –
(sometimes there needs to be a third person to mediate in order to allow some
kind of openness of feelings), then the hatred, resentfulness and bitterness
would be expressed indirectly by for example resisting an issue which has
nothing to do with the argument in a meeting where the two of you are. They would not be able to express what they
are feeling directly and so they sabotage a meeting with their negativity. They would not be able to differentiate
between the “idea” and the “person” who is suggesting it.
A good facilitator would be able
to help all those involved to place their cards on the table before continuing
discussing the issue involved. If one of
the two persons involved would not be able to decide to stop the pattern and
transcend the dynamic,
it would end up like a ping pong game. One
would be hurting another directly or indirectly. The pressure cooker must be able to release
some of its steam otherwise it might explode for no reason at all one day. If we react by violence both in action or
words, the violence has a way of exhilarating.
If the other person in question does not want to move on, then you need
to begin the healing on your own. Why? It’s because you deserve to live in peace.
In today’s Gospel we hear Jesus address himself to the question of how
his disciples should conduct ourselves when we are faced with hurt and hatred. Jesus once more develops the Law that he had
received as a Jewish Man. Jesus quotes
the ancient law of retaliation which fixed the boundaries of vengeance. This was introduced as a legal practice to
limit blood feuds between communities. The
law of “an eye for an eye” limited the retaliation to the penalty of the same
injury. In its time, therefore, the law
was merciful because it stopped whole families being wiped out. Jesus however revokes the law saying that his
disciples must not be provoked into retaliating for the wrongs done against
them. The disciples must not allow
another person’s hostility to be their cue for action. Their cue for response is taken from the
nature of their discipleship not from the wrong they have experienced. The Law enjoined the Israelites to love their
neighbour; however their neighbour was understood as another Israelite. Jesus rejects this interpretation – this
limitation of love. In asking his
disciples to love their enemies he is lifting all limitations to love. No one is excluded from Christian Love –
Agape – not even those who persecute the disciple. Jesus argues that the love that his disciples
give people is not related to the love they receive from others. It is not a social contract. It is because the disciple loves because that
is what the “nature” of the disciple involves.
Love is offered not because Jesus thinks that it will change the enemy
into something else. It might though
disarm the enemy. On the other hand it
might not. In this way, I find it very
hard to believe that some people who claim that they are Christians, on the
other hand their whole discourse is one of retaliation, mistrust and exclusion. That is not what Jesus was on about. Jesus was about helping us to live in peace
with ourselves and others as much as possible.
No one is saying that it is easy to live by Jesus’ values. No one though can doubt their wisdom once we
experienced forgiveness in our own lives.
“Drop-In”
– Evening Surgery
the next Drop-in Surgery will take place on Tuesday
21st February between 5pm – 7pm. Please
call at 281a Crescent Drive. No
appointments are necessary.
Evangelisation Pillar
Holy
Baptism
This weekend we welcome, through Holy Baptism:
Patrick Leo Clark, his parents Jane and Thomas and godparents Sarah, Emma and
George; Ariela Nanna, her parents Mandy and Dominic and godparents Grace and
Jordan; and Scarlett Lily Jeevaratnam, her parents Angela and Mark and
godparents Melina and Alessandro.
Confirmation
A meeting for Confirmation candidates will be
held on Monday 20th February at 7.00pm in the Community Centre.
Advanced Notice on Lenten Evening Talks (8 to
9:30pm)
Tuesday 7th March Fr Denis McBride on Stations of the Cross.
Monday 20th March Margaret Connell on Bach's St Matthew
Passion.
Wednesday 5th April Fr
Geoff Wheaton on Christ's Passion and Crucifixion through Art and Scripture.
Please
put the above dates in your diary. The
talks will be excellent preparation for us during Lent. More details of the events will follow.
Liturgy Pillar
Eucharist Adoration
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 1st Friday of each month from 7.30 pm – 9pm and
concludes with Benediction. Everyone is
welcome for all or part of this time of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.
Eucharistic Ministers and Readers
We are looking for some additional people to become
Readers and Eucharistic Ministers at the Sunday morning 9.15
Children’s Liturgy
If your child is 3 years old or above, they are
welcome to join us for Liturgy sessions at the 9.15am Sunday Mass each week.
Calling Children to Read and Sing at Mass
We are inviting children who have made their First
Holy Communion and those who are older to become readers/singers at the 9.15am
Mass on Sunday mornings. We are hoping
to start a Children’s Mass once a month at 9.15 am when the children do the
Urgently needed
a pianist for Sunday 11am
Mass. Please contact the parish office
if you are interested.
Youth Pillar
Whitstable
Youth Retreat - 29th September to 1st October 2017
The Parish Youth Team are organising a retreat on the above dates at
If you could confirm your interest to the Parish Office via telephone
01689 827100 or email parish.office@stjamespettswood.org.
Communications Pillar
Parish
Facebook Page
We have a Facebook page for the Parish and are posting a mixture of
spiritual and informative items. If you
would like to receive these updates from the Parish on Facebook you can find
the page by searching Facebook for ‘St James’ the Great RC Church Petts Wood’
and click on ‘Like’.
The
Parish diary is online
There is an online diary for parish events which you can find at www.stjamespettswood.org/diary.html or go to
the parish website and use the main menu item "Parish diary". Bookings will continue to be made through the
parish office but hopefully the diary will help you to identify free dates for
your events.
Social Pillar
Shrove
Tuesday 28th February
Sign up on the sheet in the Church porch if you wish to eat hot
delicious pancakes on Tuesday 28th February from 5.30pm to 6.30pm. Booking numbers restricted to the first 30
who sign up. This is a free event and is
organised by the SVP and the senior youth group. Book fast to guarantee a place is this event
not to missed. Email Peter
Benson to book and for any queries.
CWL
Military Whist on 25th February.
The CWL will be holding another
of their popular Military Whist Drives on Saturday 25th February. The doors will open at 7.30 with instruction
for those who have not played before or need a reminder. Play will begin at 8pm. Tickets are £6 which includes a light supper and prizes for the winning tables. This is a fun evening suitable for both adults
and children who are able to join in and play cards. The bar will be open and there will be a
raffle. All profits will go towards
various charities. Book your places by
phoning 020 8467 3697 by 20th February.
CWL
February Meeting.
The members of the Catholic Women's League will be meeting on
Monday 27th February at 8pm in the Social Centre. If you would like to join us or find out more
about the League please come along.
Women's
World Day of Prayer Friday 3rd March 2017 2.00pm at St James’.
The women of the
Finance Pillar
200
CLUB
We are organizing a 200 club
starting in April. Application forms are
attached and Ken Evans will be giving a short presentation after 9.15 and 11am
Masses this weekend and 6pm next Saturday.
Please give this matter your consideration.
Justice
& Peace Group
will meet on Wednesday 22nd February at 7.45pm in the Parish Office
meeting room (281A Crescent Drive). All
parishioners are assured of a warm welcome.
We would like to thank all of those who came to the Care of Our Common Home
event on Saturday 11th February and who made it such an enjoyable afternoon.
Deanery
News….
Calling all Italians, their families and
friends from
Parish Life….
The
Monday Club
meets from 1.30-4.30pm in the Community Centre. Please come and join us – it’s fun!
Parent
& Toddler Group
A Parent & Toddler Group meets every Friday during term time in the
Community Centre from 1.30 – 3pm. Parents
with babies from 0 up to age 5 are welcome to attend. Do come along and enjoy the companionship and
the fun. Refreshments provided.
Firm Believers
is our inter-church Fun-Fitness class to music. It takes place every Tuesday (in term-time),
7.00 - 7.45 pm, in our Community Centre here at St James’. Stay for tea or coffee and chat afterwards if
you wish. So come and give it a try,
with a group of friendly ladies of all abilities - cost £5. You're
welcome to just turn up, or contact us (contact firm.believers@stjamespettswood.org).
Girl
Guiding Association
Our Girl Guiding units are looking for new leaders to help run the packs. If you feel you would like to help please
contact the parish office for more information.
Bromley
Borough Foodbank
Thank you for the continued support in the form of donations left in the
box at the back of church. We have some
incredibly generous parishioners for whom the Foodbank is very grateful. The current shortages are of rice pudding,
custard, desserts, shampoo, shower gel, washing up liquid and washing powder.
Appeal
from the Knights of St Columba
Please continue to bring in your used postage stamps. If they are on postcards, it is fine to
donate the postcard as well. Many thanks
for your continued support.
St
James’ Preschool
The preschool has spaces available for September 2017 intake. Please email: stjamespreschool@live.co.uk to
register interest and arrange a visit.
The
Vocation of healthcare – Making people whole
The Catholic Medical Association Kent Branch is holding meetings in
Chislehurst - Friday 10th March at 7.30pm St Mary
the Virgin. 28 Crown Lane BR7 5PL.
Both meetings start with Mass at 7.30pm. We will have some pizzas and refreshments
etc., for you.
Reminder
for Parents
Food & Drink should not be brought into the church for consumption
during
Weekend Rotas:
Thank you for helping.
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26th February |
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Mass |
Saturday 6pm (Vigil) |
Sunday 9.15am |
Sunday 11am |
|
Welcomers |
Amber Lench |
Belinda Guyton Andrew Guyton |
Mike Cooper Karla Edwards |
|
Readers |
Mary O’Mahoney Katherine Salter |
Childrens Mass |
Peter Lowe Peter Dabrowski |
|
Ministers
of Holy Communion |
Patrick Driscoll Clare Wakefield Simon Poulton Cheryl Cosgrave Phil Cosgrave |
Martin Smith Madeleine Howell Sofia Cotta Will David Doreen Hairs |
Zosia Bajorek Teresa Troy Barbara Bridle Angela Bunnage Pat Murray |
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Coffee |
|
Geoff Brookes Doreen Brookes |
P Flockhart Anne Huntington Sue Ingle |
|
Bar |
Paul Cosgrave
R Monaghan |
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Tellers |
Paul Cosgrave Peter Dabrowski |
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Saturday
25th February |
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Cleaning
the Church |
Susan Lams Linda Monsah Dominika Generowicz Kathryn Salter |
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