Why have you come to Mass today?

What do we really believe the church is all about?

What would an extraterrestrial being think about the Catholic Church?

These questions are not meant to be flippant.  Indeed they help us to concentrate our minds and to reflect on who we are as a Catholic parish in outer London – suburbia – at the start of the 21^st century. So perhaps we need a Mission Statement.

Many of you are perhaps familiar with this (dreaded?) term in your professional lives.  However it is important that we – that is all of us – are clear about our life together and can communicate that to those who might be interested in joining us.  So you are invited to come up with a Mission Statement for the parish! – 60 words maximum – which you feel ought to describe and communicate what we are about at St James for example (and this is only an example – we want something really catchy and vibrant and immediate):

· As Catholic Christians we recognise our special responsibility to God and this community.

· We are open and welcoming to all who are seeking to develop their relationship with God.

· We work at this through prayer, attending Mass and supporting each other through shared values and commitment to our community as we share the gospel.

Entries giving your details to 281A Crescent Drive by Sunday 12^th September. Prizes for winners at Autumn Festival (October 2^nd)!   Good luck!

Today we welcome through Holy Baptism (Sat. 3.45pm)  Ethan Daniel Finette (2mths), his parents Susan and Steven and godparents Rosemary and David; and (4.30pm)  Orlaith Patricia Mooney – Clarke (9mths), her parents Eoghain and Joanne and godparents Claire, Sarah and Simon.

We also welcome Fr. Paul Fennessy as celebrant at the 6pm Saturday Mass.

Notices
Monday 26/7/10	8pm CWL meeting
Tuesday 27/7/10	No Mass at 7.15pm
Wednesday 28/7/10	7.30pm Property Committee ( 281a Crescent Drive)

To All CWL Members

The next scheduled meeting of the CWL is 27/9/10.  However members are planning to hold an extra meeting on  Monday 6^th September at 8pm.

Ellen Cushman would like photos of CWL members up to age 4! Please contact Ellen. Thanks.

Use of the Church Hall - Many thanks to group leaders who have returned their forms concerning use of the church hall.  Please would anyone who has not done this yet return your form to the Parish Admin Office by the end of this week.  Please include information about your use of the hall during June 2010 (i.e. the number of sessions with the number of adults and children attending) together with your schedule from September onwards till the end of 2010.  (Contact pam.lundy@stjamespettswood.org) Many thanks.

First Aid and Fire Wardens – Many thanks to the four people who have volunteered to help the parish as first aiders and fire wardens. We do need more though please! – in particular we need to have fire wardens who regularly attend either the 6pm; 10am; 11.30am; 9.30am and 7.15pm Masses.  This is to help ensure the safety of everyone so please do volunteer if you think you can help (Contact pam.lundy@stjamespettswood.org) - many thanks.  

Readers – very important – please take your invitation to the Readers Workshop on September 11^th.

Autumn Festival –Saturday October 2^nd - things are really developing well. If you feel you can contribute in any way please contact aline.dalgleish@stjamespettswood.org

Hall Redevelopment – Parish Forum – Thursday 16^th September, 8pm in church with the architect and three possible options. We really hope that the majority of adult parishioners will attend as this concerns us all. (Please book babysitters now and make this a priority – thank you.)

Papal Visit

If you would like to attend the Hyde Park prayer vigil on Sept. 18^th for the beatification of Cardinal Newman on Sept. 19^th you MUST fill in the appropriate form today.

This will be a momentous occasion for the Catholic Church in the UK and is not to be missed.

Pope Benedict is the 264^th successor of St Peter and his office is essential as the principal of unity in the church.

We must pray that his visit will be a time of great grace and renewal in our national Catholic community, and that it will inspire many others (“You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church.”) (Jesus speaking to Simon Peter.) 

Please pray for the sick: Olive Cosgrave, Dick Angel, Joshua Canning (age 10), Ernest Field, and all who we know to be unwell at the moment.

Parents of children transferring to Secondary School in September ( NOT St James’ School children as I already have their details.)

Would parents please take a form from the porch and return it to 281A Crescent Drive asap. We are hoping to form a group for the children in September .  Thank you. 

Every blessing Fr. Bryan

Mass attendances last Sunday were 650.
Mass Intentions for Sunday  25^th July - 17^th Sunday in Ordinary time (C)
Sunday	6pm	People of the Parish
	10am	Tommy Joe King RIP (Margaret Kelly)
	11.30am	David Bridle RIP (Barbara Bridle )
Monday   Ss Joachim & Anne	9.30am	CWL
Tuesday Feria	9.30am	Violette Borg RIP (Mary Kelly)
	7.15pm	NO Mass this evening
Wednesday Feria	9.00am	David Forde RIP (Teresa & Hugh Forde)
Thursday St Martha	9.30am	All those remembered in our Memorial Garden
Friday Feria	9.30am	Peter Ballard WELF ( Roger & Ellen Wright)
Mass Intentions for Sunday 1^st August - 18^th Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)
Sunday	6pm	Kim Dale RIP (M and C Dale)
	10am	People of the Parish
	11.30am	Daphne Fisk RIP (Barbara Bridle)

Morning Prayer:- Monday - Friday at 9.10am

Weekday Masses:- Monday- Friday at 9.30am and Tuesday 7.15pm  

Confessions are heard:- Saturday at 5.30-6pm and Monday at 10-10.30am

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament:- Mondays at 10-10.30am

Don’t forget to visit our parish website:  www. stjamespettswood.org

Please make sure you are registered with the parish! (forms In porch) and that our current info is up to date.