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Thank you for your offerings last week of £1,427. Mass attendance 659. |
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Sunday 24th
September (Saturday
Vigil) |
Twenty-fifth
Sunday in Ordinary Time 6pm Dennis Ashton RIP (K Griffin) |
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9.15am Francesca Sio RIP (Sio Family) 11am John Jagger RIP (S Jagger
& Family) |
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Monday 25th
September |
Feria 9.30am New
Term for staff and Students. (CWL) |
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Tuesday 26th
September (Please
note change of time) |
Feria 11am Requiem Mass for
John Beale |
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Wednesday
27th September |
Saint
Vincent de Paul 9.30am Marriage of Charlotte
Morgan & Dan Reynolds (H Morgan) |
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10.45am Eucharistic Adoration |
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Thursday 28th September |
Feria |
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9.30am John O’Leary RIP (Bunnage Family) 6pm Healing Mass |
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Friday 29th
September |
St
Michael, Gabriel and Raphael 9.30am Seamus & Josephine McMorrow |
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Sunday 1st
October (Saturday
Vigil) |
Twenty-Sixth
Sunday in Ordinary Time 6pm Kathleen McCabe RIP (G Coughtrey) |
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9.15am Fr David Camilleri (Howell
Family) Francesca Sio
RIP (Sio Family) 11am People Of The Parish 3pm Blessing of the Pets
in Church Garden |
Confessions heard Saturday 5.00-5.45pm or by
appointment.
Morning Prayer: Takes place Monday – Friday at
9.10am. All are welcome to attend.
Pondering the Word (Lectio Divina)
A quiet
reflective look at the following Sunday’s Gospel. Mondays 11am - 12
noon, except for Bank Holidays, here in the church. All welcome.
Please note that Lectio Divina will be not be held on Monday 2nd October.
Second Collection
Next week’s second collection, 1st
October, will be for the Maintenance Fund.
Fr David writes…
It is not uncommon for a first born
child to feel threatened and jealous when another child is born in the family. The parents would be aware of this dynamic
and are normally very sensitive in manoeuvring it as gently as possible. However it is not always easy. The first born had been given a lot of
attention and care. Another brother or
sister are seen by him or her, as an unwelcomed intruder. Now the child needs to learn to share the
attention and love of his or her parents.
Initially they feel entitled for the attention and they cannot
understand why their parents are also loving to their
other siblings. This dynamic as we know
is called sibling rivalry. This is not
always the case but research shows that it does happen. The little child inside of us can still
experience jealousy and resentfulness if our projected authority figures in our
lives show attention also to others who we perceive as potential threats. The child within us reacts. And as adults we are disturbed by these feelings
of jealousy. We try to hide them, but
they are manifested in other ways – sometimes also in twisted behaviour. At times, we carry this sibling rivalry into
adulthood. And I know of instances where
members of the same family are constantly trying to gain their parents’ love
and attention even as adults. They are
constantly competing with one another for the affection of parents. Sometimes the parents fall
into this trap, colluding with one of the siblings and for one reason or
another prefer one of their children over the others. This can create a lot of heartache, friction
within the family and a lot of resentfulness.
At times adults harbour, even after
their parents’ deaths, unforgiveness towards their parents and moreover towards
their perception of being the preferred sibling. Dynamics in families are complex and
complicated. We carry a lot of hurt and
woundedness within us because of family.
It demands an insightful self-reflective person to be able to understand
the feelings around members of the family.
These unresolved feelings are projected on other people like colleagues
at work or members of a group or community which we are part of. The community and work becomes the family and
if we are not aware, the relationships within the group will trigger a lot of
the emotions we had experienced at home.
Living in a community can be experienced as a monstrous. Community can elicit in us feelings that we
never thought we possessed. Feelings
that we feel we need to hide. Community
triggers these feelings as they reflect and mirror our primary experience of
community – the family.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus gives us a
marvellous insight into the wisdom of reversal which is at the heart of the
kingdom. The first ones called to be
workers in the field feel a certain kind of entitlement. The field becomes their territory. The relationship between the landowner and
the workers is understood by the workers as special. They were the first to be called. They had worked within the field the whole
day. They become like the older son in
the parable of the prodigal son. He
remained at home. And he became
resentful when the younger son – the sinner – comes back home and the father is
treating him with respect and love. The
elder son feels threatened. When the
landowner keeps on inviting other workers to work within his field, and
rewarding them with the same amount of money, the first workers react. They cannot understand the landowner’s
behaviour and they become jealous. The
generosity of the landowner towards those who were called last, threatened
their feelings of specialness and entitlement.
The landowner confronts them with the question “Have I no right to do
what I like with my own? Why be envious
because I am generous?”. If the parable of today originally referred
to the Pharisees’ complaint at Jesus’ generous treatment of sinners, then it
means that Jesus is treating sinners the latecomers, with the same mercy as he
has for those who have borne the burden of the Law.
God’s generosity in love and forgiveness in this context makes other
people furious. Sometimes these
questions come up in us too. Sometimes
we think that because we have been cradle Catholics, and have been part of a
church for so many years, we feel consciously or unconsciously threatened when
we experience new members in our community who want to be engaged within the
community. Instead of feeling a sense of
gratitude for the enrichment and freshness that they bring with their presence
and unique gifts, we might feel resentful and threatened. In Community there is a place for everyone. Actually we need to be very welcoming to the
new members. Hospitality is a ministry
which brings blessings on the community.
The first Christian communities grew in numbers because they were seen
as loving one another, as being inclusive.
So let us be happy for the gift of each other in community. Let us allow each other grow. We have all been called by God to worship
within St James’. Let us allow God to
bless us with the presence of each other.
Let us celebrate God’s generosity towards us all. I wish to thank you all for your prayers and
cards during my time of recovery after surgery.
I truly felt myself being carried by your concern and love. Thank you and please keep on praying for me.
Holy Baptism
This weekend we welcome Ninoshka Mantri and
her parents Vishesh and Cheryl; and Mira Fernando and
her parents Eric and Vimala; and and
Huxley Farago and his parents Raymond and Veronica.
“Drop-In”
Evening Surgeries
Please
note the change of day
The next Drop-in Surgery will take place
on Wednesday 4th October between 5pm – 7pm. Please call at 281a Crescent Drive. No appointments are necessary.
Our ‘One
Parish Autumn Festival’
is taking
place in the Community Centre next weekend on Saturday 30th
September from 12 noon to 4pm. We’re
really looking forward to seeing you.
There will be an all nations’ kitchen with hot food and cakes, a BBQ,
national stalls, stalls for parish groups, Bollywood dancing, children’s crafts
and games, sweet and bottle tombolas, and the prize draw for our raffle will take place too. If you haven’t bought your raffle tickets
yet, there is still time! Please see the
flyer attached to Briefly this week and our colourful
posters in the church porch and plan to come along and support this parish’
event.
The
Missionary sisters of St Peter Claver
will be in our Parish to sell their
Mission Calendars on the weekend 23rd /24th September
2017. Having a Mission Calendar is a way
of reminding ourselves all the year round of our duty to sustain the missions
by our prayer and sacrifice. Please help
the sisters generously
CWL Meeting
The next meeting of the Catholic Women’s League will
be at 8.00 pm on Monday 25th September and will be held in the Community Centre. Please come along if you would like to learn
more about the CWL.
One World Week – Sunday 15 October 2017 at 4.00pm in our Community
Centre
Mercy Ships – Good neighbours – My World Depends on Us
Our church will
be the host for members of the local churches to celebrate One World Week. The guest speakers will be Peter and Sonia
Wright from the Mercy Ships charity. The
charity has helped transform the lives of more than 2.54 million people in the
poorest countries of the world since 1978 on its floating hospital ship. Come and hear about the charity’s work and
then meet members of the local churches afterwards for a shared buffet. Please bring a national dish to share at the
buffet.
Confirmation
2018
Calling all Year Nine and above students who wish to be confirmed next
year. There is a “Come and See” meeting
on Monday 6th November at 7.30pm in the Church. This meeting is for candidates and their
parents. At the end of the meeting,
packs will be distributed ready for enrolment into the programme which starts
with a kick off day on Saturday 25th November. If you intend to come to the meeting on the 6th,
please let the parish office know by phone or email: parish.office@stjamespettswood.org.uk. We
look forward to meeting you all. The
Catechists
Liturgy Pillar
Eucharist Adoration
takes place for
an hour each Wednesday shortly after the
morning Mass starting at 10.45 am and finishing at 11.45 am. This Devotion to the Eucharist is a time
of silent prayer and quiet music. Everyone
is welcome for all or part of this time of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.
First Friday of Month - Eucharist
Adoration also takes place on the 1st
Friday of each month from 7.30 pm – 9pm and concludes with Benediction. Everyone is welcome for all or part of this
time of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.
Blessing of Pets – St Francis
of Assisi Feast Day
In anticipation of the Feast of St Francis of Assisi on Wednesday 4
October, we are planning to hold a blessing of pets at Church on Sunday 1 October at
3pm. St Francis of Assisi (1181-1226)
was the patron saint of ecologists, florists and poets. Please bring along your pets to the Church
Garden at 3pm.
Pastoral Care Pillar
Healing Mass
This will take place on Thursday 28th September
at 6pm, followed by refreshments in the Community Centre. Should you require a lift to and
from the Healing Mass please contact the parish office giving your name,
telephone number and address. A member
of the Pastoral Care Team will then contact you to make the necessary
arrangements.
Invitation
to a day on the Pope's Post Synodal Apostolic Exhortation
"Amoris Laetitia" – The Joy of Love
Saturday
14th October 2017
This event will be
held in St James’ Community Centre from 9.30am to 3.00pm. In Pope Francis' Exhortation he tries to
address all aspects and challenges of modern family life. The document is an invitation to revisit the
sanctity of family based on Christian values with bonds of love, compassion and
commitment. Our key speaker for the day
will be Sr Helen Costigane SHCJ a lecturer of
Pastoral studies at St Mary's University, Twickenham. She will focus particularly on chapter eight
of the document giving an overview of its meaning and the function of
conscience and discernment. There will
also be a time for discussion, questions and answers.
Please bring a shared lunch. Tea and coffee will be provided. All are welcome.
Baby Loss Awareness Week
9-15th October 2017
Many will know and understand the pain of losing a baby at any stage of
pregnancy. National charity lifecharity.org.uk have designated a week to encourage as many people as
possible to provide support in prayer for those who have suffered such a loss. Here at St James’ to mark the week a candle
will be lit at the altar alongside a dedicated display and from 8.30am to
9.30am before Mass each day, people will be able to come into the church for
quiet prayer.
Peace Candle in Our Lady’s
Chapel
A quiet
space has been set aside in Our Lady’s Chapel and a book is available for
anyone who wishes to write a prayer for peace for their own personal
intentions.
Evangelisation Pillar
RCIA –
Journey in Faith begins again
with
a Welcome session on Sunday 29th October 2.30pm – 6.00pm. It is for Adults 18 plus who may be:
Searching
for meaning in their lives and want to explore their spirituality.
Wanting to
know more about the person of Jesus and Christianity.
Feeling the
need to belong to a Community of Faith.
Exploring the possibility of becoming Catholics.
Journey in Faith is also for those
who are already Catholics but feel the need to deepen their faith. And for those who are already Christians but
wish to become full members of the Catholic Church.
Please let the Parish Office know if you would like to join the journey
with us.
St
Joseph's e dintorni
Calling all Italians, their families and friends from St
Joseph's, Bromley, and surrounding Catholic parishes. Our second Italian Sunday Mass will be
presided by Fr Saju on
Sunday the 8th October at St Joseph's RC Church, Plaistow Lane, Bromley, BR1
2PR, at 12.30pm followed by a bring-and-share lunch in the church hall. It'll be in honour of San Francesco d'
Assisi, patron saint of Italy. After
Mass, all children are invited to dress up/face paint as their favourite
"creature" from St Francis' Canticle (sun, rain, water, fire, animal,
etc). If you'd like to
join us and not already on our mailing list. Please show your interest by emailing c.girolamo@libero.it . Further details
will be sent. Do bring a friend - the
more the merrier!
Justice & Peace Group
The group will meet on Wednesday 27th September at 7.45pm in
the Parish Office meeting room (281A Crescent Drive). All parishioners are assured of a warm
welcome.
Traidcraft
stall
at the Autumn Festival and after all
Masses next weekend. Please come and
browse. Your purchases help people from
many lands who are struggling to support themselves and their families. All profit from the stall is donated to our
Overseas Parish Charity
Foodbank
requests this week
Please use this list if you are able to
donate to the Foodbank in the coming week:
Rice puddings, Custard (tins or packets),
Cold meat (spam, corned beef), Coffee (small jars), Tinned tomatoes,
Tinned veg. (carrots,
peas, potatoes), Tinned fruit, Jam/marmalade, Drinks (UHT milk, UHT fruit juice
and small bottles of squash), Toiletries (especially men's), such as shampoo,
shower gel, deodorants
As you can see there is great need for
replenishment of stock at the moment.
Thank you as always, and especially to the
person who anonymously donated £15 worth of supermarket vouchers for the
Foodbank. J&P Group.
Befriending offenders
Have you ever considered befriending offenders in prison helping them to
reconnect with the world outside? New
Bridge is non judgmental, trustworthy and constantly in support of prisoners. The charity was set up by Lord Longford and
training for befrienders is provided. A
befriender can write letters, visit a prisoner and
keep in contact wherever the prisoner moves.
Any prisoner who wants a befriender can write to New Bridge. More can be learnt about the organisation via
www.newbridgefoundation.org.uk.
Parish Life
The Power of Colour
Seven
Sisters Seascape
On
Saturday October 7th 10am to 1pm in the Community Centre, unleash
your creativity with a palette knife workshop with Zsuzsanna
Pataki. Following a step-by-step demo by
Zsuzsanna, you will develop your own seascape in
acrylics, with sponges and palette knives.
Great fun and a new technique if your default tool is
a brush. Professional colours,
canvas and tools provided. Beginners are
very welcome.
Invite friends and sign
up together by calling the parish office on 01689 827100.
Recommended
age 14-144 years, special discount for the parish £25 per person.
Newcomers Event
Saturday 7th
October 3.30pm - 5.30pm
The
Parish would like to invite any new parishioners who have joined our Parish
Community over the last few years to a social event on Saturday 7th October
between 3.30 and 5.30pm. This will be an
opportunity to meet various members of the Community, including Father David
and some parish groups, in a relaxed manner.
There will be music and light refreshments for everyone to enjoy. This is open to all the family, so please
feel free to come along.
Please register your
interest by email to belinda.guyton@stjamespettswood.org by Sunday 1st
October.
Altar Servers
If you
have made your First Holy Communion and would like to help us by joining our
Altar Servers then please complete the form at the back of the church and
return to Fr David or the Parish Office (281A Crescent Drive). Training sessions will be given.
Community Centre
We are urgently looking for people to go on the coffee rota for the
Sunday 9.15am and Wednesday 10am Masses.
Please contact the Parish office if you are able to help.
Seeing a Chaplain if You Are Admitted to Hospital
Protecting
personal information (data
protection) is really important when you become an inpatient in hospital.
So please
specifically ask hospital staff to pass on your details to the hospital’s Roman Catholic chaplain as soon as
you are admitted if you would like a Chaplain to visit you.
Fr David
would always be very happy to visit
you too, so please ask a relative or friend to let him know about your
admission. You or they can email Fr
David on father.david@stjamespettswood.org,
or phone the parish office on 01689 827100.
Weekend Rotas: Thank
you for helping.
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Saturday
30th September |
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Cleaning
the Church |
I Hutchins, P Driscoll, J Rogerson, M Mitrovic (Tuesday team – cleaning on 3rd October) |
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Wednesday
Coffee 20th
September |
T Forde, E Cushman |
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1st
September |
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Mass |
Saturday
6pm (Vigil) |
Sunday
9.15am |
Sunday
11am |
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Welcomers |
K Moon |
D Hairs C Hairs |
S Ingle J Ingle |
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Readers |
J Bajorek M O’Mahony |
R Lim J Gibson |
P Lowe L Benson |
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Ministers
of Holy Communion |
J Callinan P Driscoll T Babb B Babb R Wright |
K Chan D Hairs B Cotta W David M Smith |
N Longhurst P May S Ingle R Del Guercia Z Bajorek |
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Bar |
P Cosgrave R Monaghan |
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Coffee |
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G Brookes D Brookes |
M Harrington S Paris R Scott |
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Tellers |
P Benson, N Longhurst |