Christ is risen! Alleluia!

 

Today we celebrate the climax of our faith in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.

 

This mighty act of God is the great sign of his love for us, and for all creation, a sign that Jesus’ sacrificial death has been accepted by God the Father, and that henceforth the forgiveness of sins is possible for all who place their faith in him.

 

We welcome with great joy five new members into our community. At the 11am Mass Andrew Guyton, Matthew Robson and Alex Boot-Handford will be baptised, and then, together with Andrew Delamain and Richard Swann, will receive the sacrament of confirmation. All five will then make their first Holy Communion.

 

Our prayers are with them, their sponsors and their families. They have been preparing for this happy day for many months and I know you will soon make them feel valued members of the Body of Christ here.

 

Thank you to the many people who have made Holy Week and Easter Day so splendid, including our flower arrangers, organist and choir, servers, readers, ministers, welcomers, and also to those who have prepared linens, and made the Easter garden. Remember that Easter season continues for 50 days, until Pentecost (the coming of the Holy Spirit) which this year is on June 12th.

 

I do hope those of you off work in the next week or so might come to daily Mass at 9.30am. The Eastertide Masses are joyful and hopeful, and continue the festivity and celebration of today.

 

May you know the peace and joy of the Risen Lord.

 

Mass attendances last Sunday were 698.

Easter Sunday 24/4/11

 8pm  (Sat) - First Mass of Easter, Lighting of the New Fire, blessing of the Paschal Candle and Easter Vigil – : Joshua Canning

 

9.15am – Ted Bray (T Saunders)

11am – People of the Parish

 

Today’s offering is your personal gift to your parish priest.

Monday

25/4/11

Feria

 

9.30am- CWL – Those received into the Church at Easter

 

1-30-3.30 pm - craft/card games/tea and chat in the hall. Everyone very welcome! 

Tuesday

26/4/11

Feria

 

9.30am-  Mary Carsartelli (Ned)

 

No 7.15pm Mass today

 

No Evangelium – recommences 10th May

 

Wednesday

27/4/11

Feria

 

9.30am – Bridget & Paul Wiggins (Ned)

 

Justice & Peace meeting - 7.45pm

Thursday

28/4/11

Feria

 

9.30am – Ann & Peter Ruggiero (Ned)

Friday

29/4/11

Feria

 

9.30am- Bridie & Marrianne Buckley (Ned)  

Sunday 1/5/11

Second Sunday of Easter

 

6pm - People of the Parish

 

9.15am- Kay &Ned Fitzgerald (Ned)

 

11am  - Friends & family of Teresa Saunders

 

Mass In Support of Migrant Workers – Monday 2nd May 11am in our Cathedral (Southwark). The Bishops of Southwark, Westminster and Brentwood invite us.  Many of the new migrants to London are Catholics and many experience exploitation and racism.  Catholic Social Teaching demands that we speak as one for a society which values the contribution of migrants.  I shall be going (Petts Wood to Waterloo East) and invite you to come along.

 

Parish Welcome Booklet - the content of the booklet is being finalised now. Would any parish group which has not advised Chris Hairs (chris.hairs@stjamespettswood.org) of any changes please do so by the end of Monday at latest.

 

Firm Believers, our fun-fitness class for all, meeting every Tuesday, 7 - 7.45 pm in our Hall, restarts this Tuesday 26th April. Any enquiries to Doreen. All welcome - returners and newcomers alike - just turn up (£4 a session).

 

Synagogue Visit: we have been invited to visit Streatham Liberal Synagogue for their Sabbath Service on the morning of Saturday 28th May. Keep the date free if you're interested - further details shortly.

 

Please remember the sick in your prayers:  Gerald Colman, Gloria Calnan, Joshua Canning (11 yrs.), Florence Angel, Christopher Drew, Ernest Field, and Bishop Michael Evans (East Anglia).

 

I do hope you will enjoy the sunshine and the numerous Bank Holidays.   

 

Every blessing. Fr Bryan