An imaginary interview on this feast of Christ the King: Why did Jesus come into this world? To inaugurate the Kingdom of God. What are the marks of the Kingdom of God? Truth, life, holiness, grace, justice, love and peace. (Today’s preface at Mass). What is our role in this? To live as citizens of the Kingdom-striving to bring it about-but in Christ’s way- not ours.  (See today’s gospel). Is this difficult? Yes. Why? Because we are sinful and often our lives do not bear the marks of the kingdom. Is it possible? Yes. How? By asking God, in prayer to make us true citizens of the Kingdom.  And he will. What has the church got to do with it all? A lot.  The church (i.e. the community of the baptized) is a sign of the Kingdom of God.  It is not the Kingdom, but it is God’s means of making the Kingdom present.  And it was inaugurated, (not completed) by Jesus. Who is meant to complete it then? Us. So, what should the church (us) be up to? Truth, life, holiness, grace, justice love and peace. Is that it? Yep. Nothing more, nothing less. Is Jesus a real king then? Yes - complete with crown (of thorns) and throne (the cross).  And the whole of humanity is invited to become his citizens.
Thank You
Mass attendances last Sunday were 722.
Sunday 25/11/12	Our Lord Jesus Christ the King (B) 6pm – Dr. Philip D’Souza (Rebello Family) 9.15am – In remembrance of Joshua & Alex Canning RIP (Howell Family) 11am – People of the Parish
Monday 26/11/12	Feria 9.30am – Deceased members of the CWL (CWL)
Tuesday 27/11/12	Feria 9.30am – Mrs Elsie Elliot RIP (Wharton Family) NO confessions or benediction today.
Wednesday 28/11/12	Feria 9.30am – Kevin Kennedy RIP (M. Howell)
Thursday 29/11/12	Feria 9.30am – Barbara O’Neill RIP (Margaret Medlyn)
Friday 30/11/12	St Andrew, apostle 9.30am – Holy Souls (M. Hayes)
Sunday  2/12/12	Our Lord Jesus Christ the King (B) 6pm – Brian Benningfield RIP (Ardron Family) 9.15am – Kenneth Jackson RIP (M. Jackson) 11am – People of the Parish

Today (Sunday):

Christmas Mini-Market in the hall after 9.15am and 11am Masses.  Thanks to CWL and others for arranging this.  Come in and spend some money!

NO Taize service this evening. (Next in January.)

Monday:

Catholic Womens’ League.  8pm - ALL (ladies) most welcome.

Tuesday:

Lectio Divina (meaning’ holy reading’ – don’t be put off by this ancient title!).

Listening really attentively to the words of Holy Scripture and discerning what God might be saying to us as individuals.  For the next four Tuesdays (8pm, in church) we listen to the Sunday Gospels of Advent.  A great way also to prepare for next Sunday’s Mass, when the gospel will be read.  A time of quiet, meditation and peace.......

Why not take an hour out of your busy and frenetic week and really let God’s Word penetrate into the heart? We shall end by 9pm latest.

This week: Luke 21:25-36.

Wednesday:

Justice and Peace Group at 7.45 pm (hall). In the light of today’s Mass preface (see above) would you like to join the J and P group? Justice and Peace are at the heart of the gospel. New members warmly welcome.

Christmas Choir practice at 8.30pm.

Thursday:

Baptism rehearsal at 7.30pm (church).

Bereavement Support Group 8pm in the meeting room.

Saturday:

Orpington Foodbank - giving out leaflets outside a local supermarket and collecting items of food from shoppers for the foodbank.  (Email Owen Clutton today please if you can help).

Church cleaning:

Year 3 parents - would you please help clean the church from 10am-11am- many thanks.  The system is working well – everyone- please play your part.

Clearing the Leaves - working party please. 10am-11 am. We must clear the leaves.

St James’ School Christmas Fair.  Saturday 1^st December - 12 noon to 3pm.

NEXT SUNDAY:

Advent and the start of a new church year in this Year of Faith.  We read St. Luke’s gospel at Mass on Sundays. (Year C).

Many thanks to:

Those who have brought in food for the Orpington Foodbank.

Those who helped in any way with the wonderful Mass for the bereaved last Sunday - greatly appreciated.

The Senior Citizens Dinner is postponed until Sunday January 13^th and will be New Year’s Dinner.  List will go up again in due course.

Week of Accompanied Prayer - March 3^rd - 9th 2013.  Early in the New Year details will be given about this special Lent Week, which we are hosting with other churches in Petts Wood. To be part of this, all that is needed is that each day of the Week you spend a period of time in personal prayer, and then say something brief about the experience to a prayer guide, in complete confidence, at a time convenient to you.  It’s a wonderful opportunity to grow in your prayer, having a short retreat in the midst of daily life.

There will be a Taster session on Sunday January 20^th – 3pm - 4pm.  Please put the dates in your new diary- and plan to participate.

Advent Penitential Service:

Wednesday December 19^th at 7.30pm.  There will be a choice of at least 8 priests, and families with younger children will be given priority.  I would hope that the majority of the congregation would make their confession before Christmas at this very special service.  Let’s have a full church for this Year of Faith.

Petts Wood Festival Chorus (founded 2008) - rehearsals for concert on March 17^th 2013 start here on Sunday January 13^th   3pm - 4.30pm. Faure’s Requiem plus some other works. ALL singers most welcome but commitment essential.

Duties for the Christmas Day Masses:

Please start signing up so that we know that we have full cover for all the Masses (lists on porch table.)

Applications to church schools:

SIFs to Fr. Bryan by Wednesday December 5th at the latest.

Parish funds could be greatly increased if more parishioners used the easyfundraising online shopping scheme, especially now Christmas shopping is underway.  Just go to our own website home page and follow the instructions or click on the link above.  A few people are helping a lot with this, the more the merrier!

Barney Leeson - a former parishioner known to some of you - has died.  May he rest in peace. Funeral next Wed. (28^th) in Wetherby, West Yorks.  Our sympathies and prayers are with Angela (5, Kingfisher Reach, Linton Rd, Collingham, West.Yorks. LS22 5LX) and the family.

Marriage Convalidation:

More and more couples are applying.  If you were not married in a Catholic ceremony, please contact me.  (See my leaflet on convalidation in porch.)

Infant Baptism:

Parents applying must register their Mass attendance each week.

Many thanks to everyone who is helping to keep the church tidy, and also quiet during the weekend Masses. ‘Be still and know that I am God.’ (Psalm 46, verse 10.)

Every blessing,

Fr Bryan.