Attendance last week was 694.
Sunday  26/1/14		3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (A) 6pm (Sat) – Josephine Kiely, RIP (Christine) 9.15am – Seamus McGoldrick, RIP (Geraldine Bishop and Laura Cunningham) 11am – Noah Mark Rothon, RIP and Edmund Bryant RIP (Rothon family and E Bryant)
Monday 27/1/14		Feria 9.30am – Welfare of Phene Laughlins (Pini family)
Tuesday 28/1/14		St Thomas Aquinas 9.30am – Con McLoune, RIP
Wednesday 29/1/14		Feria 9.30am – Relatives and friends of Marie Porter
Thursday 30/1/14		Feria 9.30am – The invention of the Pope (CWL)
Friday 31/1/14		St John Bosco 9.30am – Mary Casartelli
Saturday 1/2/14		Feria 9.30am – Bridget and Paul Wiggins
Sunday  2/2/14		The Presentation of the Lord 6pm (Sat) – Richard and Florence Angel, RIP (D Nelligan) 9.15am – Neil Meehan, RIP (Meehan family) 11am – Stewart Lowe, RIP (2^nd anniversary) (Lowe family)
	The gospel reading today - from St. Matthew- has three themes: a) Jesus’ starts to fulfil the ancient prophecy of Isaiah (1^st reading). ‘The people that lived in darkness have seen a great light.’ Jesus applies this prophecy to himself- and in the creed we actually proclaim that Jesus is ‘light from light.’ And he throws out the challenge : ‘Repent- the Kingdom (God) is very close! b) Jesus calls his first (but not last- we are too!) disciples, Simon, Andrew, James and John. Fishermen- tough guys with who you would not mess! His minders- but also, eventually, his witnesses (and they all witnessed to him with their deaths.) c) Jesus sets out on his campaign – proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom of God. And so must we. Good News. The media seem to revel in Bad News. How the world needs to hear once again the amazing good news of God’s love for every single human being-past, present and future.  If we really believe this (I mean really believe it) then we shall not be fearful, suspicious or violent. If we really believe that we are loved life does not become immediately hunk-dory but we do have an inner peace- a maturity, to cope with what life throws at us. That’s why our role as parents (and grand-parents) is absolutely crucial. If we love our children unconditionally they will enjoy security, and in time will pass that on to their children- and so on. Of course none of us do this (love) perfectly. But God does. All the time. It’s very sad that we never (or hardly ever) hear the name of God or Christ, or spiritual things, in the media because people must not be ‘offended’ (!). If prayer was at the heart of international peace negotiations we might get somewhere. Because we cannot construct peace ourselves- it is only a gift, which we can receive (from God). Or am I off my trolley? Every blessing. Fr. Bryan.
	PARISH EVENTS SHEET- FEBRUARY TO APRIL 2014. (YELLOW). There are many things taking place here between now and Easter so we have produced a fairly full (but not exhaustive) list for your fridge magnets or whatever!! Seriously-please take a copy and put it up at home: we hope it will be of help to everyone.
	THIS WEEK
	Monday: Craft and games 1.30pm in the hall.  All warmly welcome! CWL annual party- 8.0.pm- all ladies of the parish most welcome. Light buffet and refreshments. There will guests from other parishes.
	Thursday: Pastoral and Advisory Team – Meeting Room, 7.45pm.
	Next Sunday: 7’s and 8’s (young people in school years 7 and 8), 5pm-6.15pm. Confirmation group at 6.30pm.
	Are you Being Served? Many thanks to those who completed the survey. Final chance today if you missed it.  Please complete your form today (spares in porch) and post in the marked box in the porch- thank you.
	LiveSimply photos and article in last week’s News Shopper (see on line by clicking on our home page).  Many thanks to the LiveSimply team - great PR!
	Come and enjoy a glass of wine (or juice) and a chat about fund raising in the parish.  On Tuesday Feb.4^th at 8pm in the hall. Hear about last year’s events and find out how you might lend a hand with this year’s plans. Everyone welcome.  If you can’t join us on the 4th but would like to be involved please drop an e mail to Sue David sue.david@stjamespettswood.org
	AGM of St.James’ Social Club (which has responsibility for the bar and hall).  Sunday 2nd March at 12.15 after the 11am Mass- in the hall. (See events sheet for agenda).  All members of the parish are members and are entitled to vote.
	Thank you everyone for Traidcraft 2013! The Justice and Peace Group thank everyone for their generous support of the Traidcraft stall in 2013.  Annual stall sales and donations amounted to £2486.21 and a donation from profits of £300 has been sent to CAFOD. Thanks also to Di and Geraldine who lead the charge on this and who work so hard. The next stall will be 8/9 March.