In church we often hear the words “salvation” or “redemption”.   These technical words sound difficult and remote.   Jesus, whose name means “God saves”, tells us today what this saving means. 

He came to bring us freedom, liberation from all that alienates us from God and people, and to make us capable of liberating one another.  Indeed we are created and born to be free.  That is the Good News he brings us.  

Let Jesus here among us make us free sons and daughters of God.

Notices and Items of interest
Today we welcome through Holy Baptism (Sat 4.30pm) Freddie Kenny Draper (7 mths), his parents Caroline and Raymond and godparents Helen, Julie and Kenny.  Tomorrow is the last day of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and today (Sun) we are invited to Christ Church on Willett Way at 12.30pm for a short act of united worship and a bring and share lunch.  I do hope we have good support from St James - you can be assured of a warm welcome. Today retiring collection (second week) for victims for Haiti disaster- so far you have given (nearly)  a magnificent £1,700...
Monday 25/1/10	Evangelium – a brand new course on the basics of the Catholic Faith – (8.30pm – 9.45pm coffee from 8.15pm).  First session in church at 8.30pm (coffee from 8.25pm in the meeting room.)  For non- Catholics, but also a Catholic “refresher”.  This week:  the Meaning of Life.  CWL New Year Party in the social centre at 7.30pm – ladies of the parish most welcome.
Tuesday 26/1/10	Mass at 7.15pm in the St James’ chapel Please pray for the Deanery Pastoral Council – St Joseph’s Bromley at 8pm (our reps are Nick Babb and Zosia Bajorek).
Wednesday 27/1/ 10	Catechists training course 7.45pm Youth Group – 8pm -9pm meeting for parents of Years 6 and 7 in the meeting room.
Sunday 31/1/10	Taize style service at 5pm (setting up from 4.15pm). A very meditative service using the haunting Taize music – all most welcome especially young people. Appeal (but NOT money collection) by the Association of the Propagation of the Faith at all Masses.
Tuesday 2/2/10	7.30 -8pm: Meeting for all parents who will be applying for Catholic Schools (primary or secondary) next December (i.e. for children stating in September 2011). This will be a short but important meeting and I do ask at least one (Catholic) parent to attend. Property Committee at 8pm

Petts Wood Festival Chorus – this year will be singing Vivaldi’s Gloria! Rehearsals on Tuesday evenings (NOT Sundays) staring Tuesday February 9^th  - 8pm-9.30pm.  The performances are on Sat. May 15^th and Sun May 16^th with proceeds to Demelza House (children’s hospice). Do come and sing even if you have never been in a choir before! It’s great fun – the choir is “open” and all are most welcome.

Christian Unity ....

Lord God,

whose son was content to die

to bring new life,

have mercy on your church

which will do anything you ask,

anything at all,

except die

and be reborn.

Lord Christ,

forbid us unity

which leaves us where we are

and as we are:

welded into one company

but extracted from battle;

engaged to be yours,

but not found at you side

Holy Spirit of God,

Reach deeper than our inertia and fears:

Release us into the freedom of children of God.        ........a poem by Ian M Fraser

Mass attendances last week were 736. 

Mass Intentions for the week of Sunday 24^th January 2010,   Third  Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)
Sunday	6pm	Barbara  & Frank Boyle RIP (Geraldine Day)
	10am	Theresa Lynch RIP (M Jackson)
	11.30am	People of the Parish
Monday   25/1/10  The Conversion of St Paul the Apostle	9.30am	CWL – Christian Unity
Tuesday 26/1/10  Sts Timothy and Titus	9.30am	William Keeble RIP (P Lundy)
	7.15pm	Noah Mark Rothon RIP (the Rothon family)
Wednesday 27/1/10  Feria	9.30am	Deceased Family and Friends of the Howell family (M & S Howell)
Thursday 28/1/10 St Thomas Aquinas	9.30am	John MacKenzie RIP (Breda Ford)
Friday 29/1/10 Feria	9.30am	Michael Kelly RIP ( Mary Kelly)
Mass Intentions for Sunday 31st January 2010 Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)
Sunday	6pm	People of the Parish
	10am	Mary & Gwyn Owen RIP (the Owen family)
	11.30am	Deceased members of the Akpata family (M Akpata)