Fr David writes......
Life can be so hectic. Speaking to young parents, I get a feeling that your life is on a roll. Having to juggle between raising a family, working full time and attending to a social life. Sometimes I do wonder if you ever have some time for yourself to just be and also some quality time to nurture your relationships. Speaking to grandparents, I get the same reaction. Although retired you seem to be very busy to me. In a way that is excellent as life is about being active and feeling useful. As human beings we get a lot of satisfaction feeling that we make a difference in the life of others. But there is a BUT. In whatever age group we belong and whatever we are doing professionally or not, we need to find a balance between activity and leisure. Between action and contemplation. Quality time with ourselves and with those we love is of the greatest benefit for living a balanced life. Quality time and contemplation needs to fuel our activity and not the other way around. There are some people especially those of us who are extroverts find activity exhilarating and they would feel bored not doing anything useful. Others especially those of us who are introverts though need time on their own to re-gather their energies. Whatever our personality is though we need to find a balance between the two. Let us not use activism in order to escape difficult situations or painful memories. Otherwise ultimately they will catch up with us like it or not. Solitude although we might feel afraid of it, is a very powerful way of reconnecting with our true self and God. It is a good way of evaluating our choices. It is a good way of nourishing our relationships with our loved ones. The gospel today states clearly that Jesus took his disciples to a lonely place away from the activity and ministry which was becoming too overwhelming for them. They needed to replenish their energies and refocus. Summer is a very important time for families – school holidays give us the opportunity to move away from our normal routine life and reconnect as a family on holiday. Holidays help us to de-stress and feel replenished to come back feeling we can continue our own life and work with more vigour and direction. Holidays are a gift. Let us not forget that also on holidays we need to find our own time in reconnecting spiritually with our God. Maybe visiting a lovely church in another country and lighting a candle. Maybe listening to the sound of the sea or watching a sunset. We all need to find ways how we can replenish our souls as much as our bodies at this time. I would like to wish you all a great holiday and come back safe and refreshed. Happy holidays!
Reminders - Church Cleaning!
Saturday 25th July – Year 3 Parents
Saturday 1st August – Year 2 Parents
Morning Prayer
Takes place Monday – Friday at 9.10am. All are welcome to attend.
Holy Baptism
This weekend we welcome:
- Freya Rosa Etherton, her parents Cindy and Stuart and godparents Kirsty and Christopher;
- Ruby Mae Cook, her parents Chantal and Symon and godparents Damian and Lorraine; and
- Alex Tony Long-Guadalupe, his parents Lee and Rogie and godparents Silvia, Karen and Jaymel.
Traidcraft stall
Will take place after all Masses this weekend. Please continue your generous support, stock up on favourites before the holidays also some items reduced.
Mass Intentions
Please ensure that all Mass intentions for the summer are completed and left in the box at the back of the church by Tuesday 21st July. These can then be published in the summer edition of Briefly.
Children’s Liturgy
The last Liturgy group will be held this week (19th July) due to the hall refurbishment taking place. We all wish the children and their parents a lovely summer holidays. If anyone would like to be a helper please email Hannah Harrison via the St James’ website. Thank you
The Way Forward
A meeting to explore the future of Justice & Peace in the Diocese will take place at 7.00pm on Wednesday 22nd July in Amigo Hall, St George's Cathedral. We hope to renew priorities and consider new ways of working. All Welcome.
Catenians
Will be having a Mass here for Vocations on Friday 24th July at 7.00pm. All are welcome to attend.
Annual Day of Renewal
All parishioners are invited to attend the sixth annual Day of Renewal on 26th September 2015 at St George’s Cathedral, praying for the needs of the Diocese and organised by the Diocesan Service Team for charismatic renewal. If you would like to attend please contact Stefanie Donovan on 01892 542245 or email stefaniedawn61@gmail.com. More details on poster in porch.
Healing Mass
Over 90 parishioners enjoyed delicious cakes and a feast of music in the Social Centre following the Healing Mass last Sunday. Special thanks to the 20 pupils from Year 6 at St James’ Primary school who sang songs from the Sound Of Music, Rebecca and Jennie Wells for playing the violin, and Moya Wright for singing from the musical ‘Annie’. Massive thanks to the Explorer Scouts, servers, choir and the Scouts and all who contributed and attended this parish event.
St James Feast Day
A reminder that Saturday 25th is the Feast day of our patron St James’. Let’s keep our parish in our prayers, especially on the day.
Confirmation in 2016
If you would like to apply to take part in our parish programme for Confirmation, please cut out this box and complete the information requested below. Please then return the full slip to the Parish Office (281A Crescent Drive) by Sunday 13th September.
Please note the following:
1. Candidates must be in Year 9 or above.
2. There will be a weekend retreat and dates will be advised in due course.
3. All sessions will be on Sunday evenings.
4. You must attend Mass every week so that you will be confirmed in a faith that you have already been committed to in your life.
We are interested in taking part in the Confirmation Preparation Course.
(Please print.)
Parents Names……………………………………
Home Address………………………………….
…………………………………………….
Phone number……………………………………
Email address……………………………………
Young person’s
name………………………………………
Date of Birth……………………………………….