And so we come to the end of another church year. The title of today’s feast, ‘’Christ the King”, is rather unfortunate because Jesus embodied everything that monarchy is not. He was not interested in power over others, but in the empowerment of others.
He put no store by wealth and privilege, accidents of birth and so on. He taught a radical equality between human beings, and spent his earthly life in the service of the most needy and vulnerable. And so must we.
Jesus was the inaugurator of the radically new arrangement (covenant) between God and humans, teaching and living a way of life that was counter-cultural then- and still is today the way of radical loving. It is on loving that we shall be judged- nothing else. (St.John of the Cross).
But have we become too complacent, too respectable? What really differentiates us from non-believers, many of whom live the kind of radical life lived by Christ? Are we so caught up in the life of the church- liturgy, language, social events, buildings, etc.... that we forget that the church is (or should be) a pointer to a greater reality – a world of truth and life, of holiness and grace, of justice love and peace (today’s preface.) That is the kind of world Jesus came to establish. This is why the church exists.
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Mass attendances last Sunday were 795. |
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Sunday 20/11/11 |
Our Lord Jesus Christ the King 6pm – Chris Barrett RIP (Lorna Barrett & Family) 9.15am – Kitty O’Riordan RIP (Ned) 11am – Mary Kelly (Mothers’ Prayer Group)
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Monday 21/11/11 |
The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary 9.30am – Ted Bray RIP
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Tuesday 22/11/11 |
St Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr 9.30am – Cliff Biggs RIP (Margaret Kelly)
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Wednesday 23/11/11 |
St Clement I, Pope and Martyr 9.30am – Olive Cosgrave RIP (C. Cosgrave)
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Thursday 24/11/11 |
SS Andrew Dung-Lac and companions 9.30am – Ted Bray RIP (Margaret Kelly)
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Friday 25/11/11 |
Feria 9.30am – Mary Menicocci (P. Cantopher)
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Sunday 27/11/11 |
First Sunday of Advent 6pm – Johanna & Dennis Ashton RIP (J. Wederspoon) 9.15am – Joshua Canning RIP (G. Thompson) 11am – People of the Parish |
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Many thanks to those who supported the Rock Choir concert. Report next week.
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David Young, who was received into the church here just two weeks ago, died peacefully in St. Christopher’s Hospice last Monday. Our prayers and thoughts are with Angela, and with David’s family. He found his reception moving and profound. His funeral service will be at Beck.Crem. on Monday 5th Dec at 2pm. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.
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This Tuesday (22nd). Journey in Faith (8pm to 9.30pm). A welcome to any non-Catholic – warm, informal and no obligation. (Meeting Room, between Church and Hall).
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Weds 23rd. Special Justice and Peace meeting to discuss CAFOD’s livesimply Parish Award scheme. Open to all, and especially group leaders in the parish. 8pm Social Centre.
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Thurs 24th. Baptism preparation. 8.15pm in Meeting Room (for parents who have been invited).
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Saturday 26th: 12pm to 3pm – St James’ School Christmas Fayre.
Lights on in Petts Wood. Carol singers (hundreds!) wanted: 4-4.30pm (Queensway) and 5-5.30pm (Station Square).
7.30 for 8pm. Military Whist Drive (CWL) Please support!
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Only Catholics may receive Holy Communion at Mass- because this is (among other things) a sign of unity with the Catholic Church and its teaching. Non-Catholics, however, are warmly invited to receive a blessing- and indeed, are encouraged to do so.
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Any more for confirmation 2012? Letters and forms in carousel in porch. Slips to me asap please.
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Library Team. Thursday Dec. 1st at 8pm - others most welcome to help the team establish our parish library. (Room off choir gallery).
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Next weekend Advent begins. We shall change to parish Mass Books, which will contain the whole of the new rite of Mass, plus the readings and prayers for each Sunday. Please do not remove these from the “slot” in the pew- and please take good care of them! They should enhance our worship, and help us all to enter more deeply into the mystery we are celebrating.
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The rear roof is being replaced by felt as we have suffered theft of the copper recently. A pity but really the only sensible thing to do. Please be vigilant around the church and hall in this pre-Christmas period…...and at home as well.
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Taizé Service this evening at 7pm, followed by refreshments. A quiet and meditative period to end the church year........
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