Today we have our first second collection for the new Maintenance/ Refurbishment Fund.  This fund will be ring-fenced for the improvement of our social centre and maintenance of parish buildings as explained in church on May 8^th.

I do hope you will give regularly to this monthly collection.  If you are already a Gift Aider you simply write your number on the special envelope.  If you are not I do strongly encourage you to join the scheme – please contact Geoff Ford after June 1^st.  All Gift Aided donations attract 25p for every pound given.

The refurbishment programme will be explained in more detail at our Parish Forum on Monday June 20^th at 8pm and I do hope that all families in the parish will be represented.  Approximate costings will also be given.  

We look to Mary as a symbol of offering. She was prepared to give her life in bringing Christ into the world (with all the stress and strain of being human) and we must do likewise.  As we offer the bread and wine at the Eucharist we should see this as the offering of our lives (including our resources) to God and his church for the salvation of the world.

Many thanks to so many of you who give so generously of yourselves to the work of Christ in this parish.

Mass attendances last Sunday were 609.
Sunday 22/5/11	6pm – People of the Parish 9.15am-  Matthew J Minogue RIP (Michelle Norman- Brown) 11am  - Daniel Carrigan RIP (Mrs Gwen Carrigan & Jackie) Second collection for the Maintenance/Refurbishment Fund. Please use the Gift Aid envelopes (on the table in porch.)
Monday 23/5/11	Feria  9.30am-  In Thanksgiving (E Melling) 1-30-3.30 pm - craft/card games/tea and chat in the hall. Everyone very welcome!  Baptism Preparation Evening – 8.15pm for those parents who have been invited.
Tuesday 24/5/11	Feria 9.30am-  Michael Naughton RIP (M Kelly) 7.15pm-  Doreen Parker RIP (Maureen Wynne)
Wednesday 25/5/11	St  Bede the Venerable 9.30am –  Bridie Mahon (Teresa Saunders) Justice and Peace Group 7.45pm - new people very welcome to help organise the J & P Fayre here on June 12^th
Thursday 26/5/11	St Philip Neri 9.30am – Gloria Calnan (the Howell family) Catholic Teachers Mass at St Joseph’s School Bromley 5.30pm. All teachers most welcome.  St James’ Church Choir – meeting in church 8pm for ALL who would like to lead the singing at Mass. New singers warmly welcome.
Friday 27/5//11	St Augustine of Canterbury 9.30am – Holy Souls
Saturday 28/5/11	Visit to Streatham Liberal Synagogue - meet at St James - 9.30am (sign list in porch for a lift) Traidcraft stalls after 6pm Mass
Sunday 29/5/11	6^th Sunday of Easter (A) 6pm – L. Buckland (M. O’Leary) 9.15am- People of the Parish 11am  - Muriel Foskett RIP (the Bunnage family) Second collection for You Touch Africa Traidcraft stalls after both Masses  Taize Service - 7pm.

Gloria Calnan, one of our home communicants, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last November. Her family inc. daughter Belinda and son-in-law Andrew (who was received here on Easter day) are planning to run in the BUPA Run for Pancreatic Cancer Research, at the end of May.

Please support this grossly under-funded research! www.justgiving.com/calnan, or sponsor form in porch. And thank you.

St Joseph’s Beulah Hill – see main porch board for details of Celebration of 125 years of the 49 Club .

Newcomers’ Evening – sat 11^th June If you are a newcomer to St James (i.e. the last 12-18 months) and have not received an invitation please contact Belinda Guyton at welcomers@stjamespettswood.org

Christ’s Face Reflected

First look with care on her fair face:

what thou wilt see will thee prepare

to see Christ’s face most gracefully reflected there. 

Dante (1265-1321) Paradiso 32, 85

Every blessing. Fr Bryan