Thank you for your offerings last week of £1,584.  Mass attendance was 774.
Sunday 25/12/16	The Nativity of the Lord 6.00pm People of the Parish 9.15am People of the Parish 11.00am People of the Parish
Monday 26/12/16	St Stephen 9.30am World Peace (CWL)
Tuesday 27/12/16	St John, Apostle and Evangelist 9.30am Mary & Jimme O’Connor
Wednesday 28/12/16	The Holy Innocents 9.30am Desmond Ryan RIP (L & B Henderson) Family) 10.45 – 11.45am Eucharistic Adoration
Thursday 29/12/16	St Thomas of Canterbury 09.30am Joan va de Pilje RIP (E.  Gibson)
Friday 30/12/16	The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph 9.30am John Gallagher RIP (E.  Henderson)
Saturday 31/12/16	Vigil Mass 6.00pm Kay & John Livingston RIP (M.  Farrell)
Sunday 01/01/17	Mary, the Holy Mother of God 9.15am People of the Parish 11.00am Maurice Ingledew RIP (M Ingledew)
January 2017 Masses
Monday 02/01/17	Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen 9.30am Deceased Members of the Butler Family
Tuesday 03/01/17	Feria 9.30am Rob Feeney RIP (Henderson Family)
Thursday 05/01/17	Feria 9.30am Margaret Jackson RIP (Jackson Family)
Friday 06/01/17	Feria 9.30am Dr Margaret Evelyn Ledger RIP 7.30pm- 9.00pm Eucharistic Adoration
Saturday 07/01/17	Vigil Mass 6.00 pm Elisabeth Pottier RIP (M.  McArthur)
Sunday 08/01/17	The Epiphany of the Lord 9.15am People of the Parish 11.00am Cathleen Benson RIP (Benson Family)
Monday 09/01/17	The Baptism of the Lord 9.30am Desmond Ryan RIP (CWL)

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.

Fr David writes…

Although we celebrate the same Nativity Story, Christmas triggers different things in us.  For us adults, Christmas transports us back to our younger days.  Although because of the western media, there are now similarities across the different cultures in the way how we celebrate Jesus’ Birth, each culture however, has its own traditional ways of expressing this mystery.  Christmas is a combination of memories and nostalgia.  Although Christmas is about celebrating the birth of Jesus, it is also much more than that.  It is about childhood memories of Christmas cooking at home, it is about childhood memories of family traditions, the helping of putting up the Christmas decorations in the house: the Christmas tree for example.  For me personally, it is about the memories of building up the Nativity crib together with my father.  Going to the countryside and gathering little rocks and beautifully scented bushes in order to build the caves and the trees with the little figurines of the shepherds, the sheep, Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus.  Christmas is about our family’s very eccentric beautifully lit star that Dad always hung in the main entrance of our house.  It is about the Christmas music by Bing Crosby or Jim Reeves, played at home whilst drinking our hot coffees and tasting the home made honey combed rings made of honey and figs syrup, Christmas logs and sugar iced cake.  It is about going to Midnight Mass and going to sleep excited, waiting to wake up in the morning to find Father Christmas’ gifts underneath the tree.  Christmas is about all these memories and much more.  Maybe we need this Christmas to go back in our memories and see Christmas through the eyes of the little child in order to appreciate it more.  The young families within the parish maybe need to realise that they are creating new memories in their children’s minds.

However Christmas does not always elicit nice and warm feelings for everyone.  There are those who associate Christmas with bereavement because someone very close to them died during this time of festivities.  For others Christmas meant that they had to celebrate in two different families because their parents lived apart.  Other’s memories of Christmas were heart wrenching because they had to live in fear because of domestic abuse, the result of drink or drug addiction at home.  So it is very important to remember that some of our sisters and brothers this year are going to find Christmas very hard.  Some have lost loved ones this year in death.  And this is their first Christmas without them.  They do not feel festive or have the energy to celebrate this year.  Their heart is in pieces.  They have been thrown into a very dark place.  They know that Christmas will never be the same again.  It is not only losing the person they loved, they have also lost everything associated with him or her.  It takes a long time to accept the change psychologically, emotionally and spiritually.  So while it is our right to celebrate and enjoy ourselves, let us also think of those who cannot celebrate.  Let us be sensitive to them and their needs.

Amidst all this human reality, God through his son Jesus wants to reassure us this Christmas that he is eager to encounter us where we are at.  The good news of the reality of God becoming man is real today more than ever.  We also need to hear it today more than ever.  God is with us.  God is with us in the darkness of the world today – smeared by terror and despair.  God is with us today as we struggle to make meaning of life after a traumatic experience.  God is with us today even when we see thousands of people fleeing their land because of war.  God is with us once more in the face of the destitute, the refugee, the bereaved, the ones who do not feel that they belong, the ones who do not fit in.  Jesus came into the world as a vulnerable little baby dependent completely on his parents.  The ones who can relate to him are not those who have power.  Not those who think that they have it all together.  Not those who are comfortable and secure.  The ones who identify with Baby Jesus are those of us who acknowledge our vulnerability, who experiences doubt, fear, anxiety and insecurity.  These are the ones who understand really the reality of God becoming human.  Let us not collude with the world that exalts the rich, the powerful, those in position of authority.  As Christians our perception of the world demands to be different.  We are idealists, dreamers who live firmly in a world seen through the eyes of God.  And the vision of God of the world is one of vulnerability.  Only in this way can we make a difference.  I would like to wish each and every one of you at St James’, a blessed Christmas celebration.  A celebration of God’s dream for us.

“Drop-In” – Evening Surgery

This next Drop-in Surgery will take place on Tuesday 17th January 5pm – 7pm.  Please call at 281a Crescent Drive.  No appointments necessary.

Parish Pastoral Council

Evangelisation Pillar

RCIA – Journey in Faith at St James’

The Journey in Faith (The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) will meet on Tuesday 10^th January 8 – 9.30pm.  Meet in the Community Centre.

First Holy Communion 2017

If you would like your child to take part in our parish programme for First Holy Communion, please send an email to the Parish Office with all relevant details, child’s name, date of birth, school, names of parents, address and contact details.  Candidates must be in Year 3 or above.  All preparation classes are held on Saturdays from 4.30 to 5.45 and will run from January to June.  Dates for First Holy Communion are 10^th and 17^th June 2017.

Young Church Pillar

Are you a young person aged between 9-18yrs?  Read on to find out how you can take up the ‘Faith in Action’ challenge today!

‘Faith in Action’ is a new, national, catholic award scheme from CYMFED which challenges young people of faith to make a difference in the world.  There are four levels of the award - Pin, Bronze, Silver, Gold and each one recognises the good work young people already do in the Church, whilst encouraging them to become involved in a wide range of activities and projects which positively contribute to their parish, school or community.  The Faith in Action award scheme will run each year, from January to November, finishing with an awards ceremony to celebrate the work of those who complete each stage.  There will be frequent opportunities for young people to spiritually reflect on their chosen activity in the light of the Gospel message, to seek meaningful ways to develop their own unique gifts and talents and to embrace the challenge to become disciples of the modern world.  All young people in Bromley Deanery aged 9-18 years are invited to take part in the Faith in Action Award Scheme, which will be launched on 28^th January 2016 at 11am at St Joseph’s Church, Plaistow Lane, Bromley.  So, if you are a young person who already reads at Mass, sings or plays an instrument in the choir, altar serves, helps or volunteers in your school or community in any way, then come along to register – you may already qualify for one of the awards!  Alternatively, you may want to become involved but are not sure how to begin – come along to meet the team and learn more about the range of exciting opportunities open to you.  For more information please see our website: http://www.bromleydeanery.org/faith-in-action-award-scheme-2017/ or email susan.longhurst@bromleydeanery.org.

CYM Flame 3 – March 11th

We are hoping to take a larger group of young people to Flame 3 at Wembley Arena in the coming year and are currently liaising with St Edmund’s Church in Beckenham to organise one or two coaches.  There are some tickets available at the reduced price of £18 rather than £22, for a limited time.  Therefore, it would be extremely helpful if you could let me know if young people from St James’ would like to go and provide a rough idea of numbers by Friday 13^th January 2017 (or sooner if possible) as this will enable us to reserve tickets at the reduced price and finalise the travel arrangements.  S.  Longhurst/S.  Horner

Liturgy Pillar

Eucharist Adoration

Every Wednesday after 9.30am Mass

Eucharist Adoration will take 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 after Mass will be 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

In addition, Eucharist Adoration will take place on 1^st Friday of each month from 7.30 pm – 9pm and will conclude with Benediction.  Everyone is welcome for all or part of this time of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.

Eucharistic Ministers and Readers

We are looking for some additional people to become Readers and Eucharistic Ministers at the Sunday morning 9.15 Mass.  Training will be provided.

Children’s Liturgy

If your child is 3 years old or above, they are welcome to join us for Liturgy sessions at the 9.15 am Sunday Mass each week.

Calling Children to Read and Sing at Mass

We are inviting children who have made their First Holy Communion and those who are older to become readers/singers at the 9.15 am Mass on Sunday mornings.  We are hoping to start a Children’s Mass once a month at 9.15 am when the children do the Readings but also the singing and serving.  Please let the Parish Office know if you are interested.

Social Pillar

New Year’s Eve Party!

This year’s New Year’s Eve party is being planned so keep the date in your diary.  Tickets are now available from Frank but they are limited so don’t delay!  Some tickets available at the door.

Communications Pillar

Launch of Parish Facebook Page

We are launching a new Facebook page for the Parish, on which we intend to post a mixture of Spiritual and Informative items.  If you would like to receive these updates from the Parish on Facebook you can find the page by searching Facebook for ‘St James the Great RC Church Petts Wood’ and clock on ‘Like’.

Parish diary now online

There is now an online diary mapping out parish events for 2017.  It can be accessed at www.stjamespettswood.org/diary.html or go to the parish website and use the main menu item "Parish diary".  Please check that information is correct and report back, via the parish office, any problems.  Bookings will continue to be made through the parish office but hopefully people will be able to check when there are available slots for meetings, social events etc.  PPC

St James’ Primary School and Faith Schools

School Applications and SIF

Please ensure that a family photograph accompanies all school applications when submitting the SIF to Fr David.

Bishop Challoner School

Vacancy Mid-Day Supervisor

Bishop Challoner School is seeking to appoint a committed, enthusiastic and positive candidate with experience of working with children and who is prepared to work as part of a team.  Fixed term contract.  Working hours 11.45 am – 1pm Monday to Friday.

Contact the school office on 020 8460 3546 or www.bishopchallonerschool.com.  Closing date 4 January 2017.

Breakfast Supervisor

required to support wrap around care between 7.15am and 9am from Monday to Friday term time only.

School Chaplain

required to take a leading role in the development of Chaplaincy throughout the Catholic school.  The successful applicant will enhance the spiritual, liturgical and prayer life of the school and be responsible for organising a full programme of activities and form links with the wider community.  The closing date for application is 10^th January.

Parish Groups

Sleeping Bags Required

If you have sleeping bags that are no longer being used, the homeless men and women at the Whitechapel Mission would be very grateful for them.  Please leave them at the back of the church or mary.omahony@stjamespettswood.org to arrange collection.  Thank you very much.

Bromley Foodbank Christmas message

The Foodbank would like to thank you all for your support both financially and in food donations during 2016.  We have also appreciated all the extra volunteers who have helped at various events during the year.  We pray for God's blessing on you during the Christmas season and peace and joy for the coming year.

Parent & Toddler Group

A Parent & Toddler Group meets every Friday during term time in the Community Centre from 1.30 – 3pm.  Parents with babies from 0 up to age 5 are welcome to attend.  Do come along and enjoy the companionship and the fun.  Refreshments provided.

DAD & Me – 21st January

The next meeting of Dad & Me will be held at the Community Centre on Saturday 21^st January at 10 am – 11.30 am.

Other Notices

Zaytoun Olive Oil Orders

This message is for the 20 people who placed orders for the Palestinian olive oil at the Christmas Market Traidcraft stall last Sunday.  Unfortunately our suppliers are unable to fulfil the order until January.  If you would like to cancel your order and receive a refund please email roger.wright@stjamespettswood.org for details.  We have been assured that more supplies will be available and we hope to have them in time for the next Traidcraft stall on 28-29 January if not before.  Sorry for the inconvenience.  J&P Group.

Catholic Papers

As announced last week, the Universe, Catholic Times and Catholic Herald will not be available from St James’ after the Christmas editions.  There are good online subscription deals for having any of them sent to your home address.  For example, to get the Herald for 15 months, at £1.50 a copy, use this link: www.catholicherald.co.uk/12for12.  Links to similar subscriptions for the other two publications will be found on our website home page.  Roger Wright.

Rotas for next week

	Sat 31^st Dec 6.00pm	Sun 1st Jan 9.15am	Sun 1st Jan 11.00am
Welcomers	M Walters	L Thomas F Mace	M Cooper K Edwards
Readers	J Bajorek M O’Mahony J Bajorek	C Hairs R Lim	M Morley P Lowe
Ministers of Holy Communion	G Foster C Wakefield S Poulton C Cosgrave P Cosgrave	M Smith M Howell S Cotta K Chan D Hairs	Z Bajorek T Troy B Bridle A Bunnage P Murray
Coffee		G Brookes D Brookes	P Flockhart A Huntington S Ingle
Bar		P Cosgrave R Monaghan
Tellers Church Cleaning	P Cosgrave, P Dabrowski CWL, S Ingle, I Hutchins, P Driscoll, J Rogers, M. Mitrovic (Tue team cleaning on 3^rd Jan.)

Please take the Pilgrim home

The Pilgrim is circulated by the Diocese to every parish every month and you are encouraged to take a copy home FREE OF CHARGE

Parking

Would all parishioners attending Mass please ensure the disabled parking spaces are left available for those with blue badges or those who have mobility difficulties.  Many thanks!

Christmas Mass Collections

As usual the Collections from the Christmas Masses go directly to Fr David.  Thank you.

Reminder for Parents – Food & Drink should not be brought into the church for consumption during Mass.  Thank you for your co-operation.