Thank you for your offerings last week of £1,327.  Mass attendance 510.
Sunday 27^th August (Saturday Vigil)	Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time 6pm          O’Connor Family RIP
	9.15am      Francesca M Sio RIP (J&L Sio) 11am         Mary Casertelli
Monday 28th August	Saint Augustine 9.30am      Persecuted Christians (CWL)
Tuesday 29th August	The Passion Of Saint John the Baptist 9.30am      O’Flaherty Family RIP
Wednesday 30th August	Saint Margaret Clitherow 9.30am      Wellbeing of Gerard Ussher-Smith (M Kelly)
	10.45am    Eucharistic Adoration
Thursday 31st August	Feria
	9.30am      Gerard Chittilappily RIP (N Roy)
Friday 1^st September	Feria 9.30am      Gerard Whelan RIP (Howell Family) 7.30pm Eucharistic Adoration
Sunday 3rd September (Saturday Vigil)	Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time 6pm          Bridie Duck’s 90th Birthday (Ian, Angela & The Duck Family)
	9.15am      Francesca M Sio RIP (J&LSio) 11am         Edith Mary George (Family Members)

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.

After spending a few minutes considering this week’s Gospel, continue by reading Fr Henry Wansbrough’s reflection:

At last Peter recognizes that Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ.  At last he realizes that in Jesus he can see the action of God made visible.  The disciples followed Jesus as soon as he called, but for a long time they were puzzled about what to make of him, of his wonderful teaching and his godlike personality.  Now comes a shaft of light and understanding.  We too often take some time to appreciate the true worth of someone we know well: a little gesture can sometimes reveal just how generous and thoughtful they are.  Peter suddenly grasps that here is the Son of God, acting among them, a daunting or even terrifying thought.  Jesus replies to Peter’s recognition with his own generosity, giving him a new name, ‘Rock’, for this is what ‘Peter’ means.  If you name something, you make it your own, take it to yourself.

This is just what Jesus does with Simon who becomes his own Peter, his own ‘Rock’.  That is the importance of the naming of a child at Baptism: Jesus takes us to himself and we become his.  The early Christians called themselves ‘Those over whom the name of Jesus has been called’.  We may have been named Mary or John, but the name of Jesus has been called over us and we have become his.

What are the implications for us of Jesus’ promise to Peter?

Dear Parishioners

Many of you will remember with grateful thanks the missionary appeal Masses celebrated here by Fr Robert on 12th and 13th August.  You might also remember that Fr Robert mentioned that he was born in Sierra Leone.   It is with great regret that we wanted to let you know that Fr Robert’s brother very sadly died in the recent mudslide there.  Please keep Fr Robert, his family, and his home, in your prayers during this very difficult time.

“Drop-In” – Evening Surgeries

There will be no drop-in evening surgeries until further notice.  So if you would like to see Fr David, please email him or phone the parish office for an appointment.  Thank you.

One Parish Weekend

This year’s Autumn Festival

Saturday 30^th September from 12noon – 4pm

We hope you have added the date for this year’s Autumn Festival to your diaries and calendars - and the raffle tickets are on sale now too!

We would really like to encourage all nationalities in our parish to participate in our plans for the ‘all nation’s kitchen’ and national stalls.  What could you cook or make?  (We’d love to find out!)

We’re also planning stalls with parish groups, dancing displays, a children’s national dress competition, crafts and games, a BBQ, and sweet and bottle tombolas too.

If you would like to join us in planning for, and celebrating, our parish in this way, please come to our meeting on Thursday August 31^st at 8pm in the Community Centre, fill in the ‘sign up’ forms on the tables in the church porch, or email the parish office at parish.office@stjamespettswood.org or Pam at pam.lundy@stjamespettswood.org.

Joining in is easy - just come along and say you’d like to!

Justice & Peace Group

Foodbank special request

There is still a week to go making up the school meals replacement packs.  NONE of the following items remain in the storage units: custard, cold meat, (e.g.  tins of ham, spam etc.), tinned fruit and biscuits.  All of these are urgently needed!

Also still needed are: jars of pasta sauce, tinned vegetables, 'hot meat' (i.e.  tinned meat that can form the basis of a hot meal), rice pudding, tinned tomatoes, squash and UHT milk.

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 1^st 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.

Youth Pillar

Post-Confirmation Retreat

29^th September - 1^st October 2017

In collaboration with Southwark Catholic Youth Service, we are offering all young people who have made their Confirmation the opportunity to attend a Post-Confirmation retreat which promises both fun and faith exploration under the experienced guidance of the youth team in Whitstable (Costs tbc).  Please contact the parish office by 24^th July 2017 to register your interest.

Pastoral Care Pillar

Peace Candle in Our Lady’s Chapel

A quiet space is available in Our Lady’s Chapel, and a book is available for anyone who wishes to write a prayer for peace or for their own personal intentions.

Social Pillar

Firm Believers

our inter-church Fun-Fitness class to music every Tuesday (in term-time), 7.00 - 7.45 pm, in our Community Centre here at St James, and following the summer break restarts on Tuesday 5th September.  Fru's back and her class improves all aspects of fitness and well-being by using a combination of low-impact, pulse-raising activities, dance activities (for fun, improved co-ordination and balance), Pilates, stretching, relaxation and toning.  Stay for a cuppa and chat afterwards if you wish.  So come and give it a try, with a group of friendly ladies of all abilities - cost £5.  You're welcome to just turn up, or contact us (contact firm.believers@stjamespettswood.org).  Maybe bring a friend.  Wear trainers, any comfortable clothing and bring a mat or towel, and get fit and trim for the return after the holidays.

Catholic History Walks

Two events around the City and Westminster

Please see poster on notice board for more information

Lift up your heads, O Gates! Wednesday 30th August at both 2pm and 6pm - a walk to and around the historic city of London, beginning at the Church of the Most Precious Blood, The Borough (nearest tube: Borough or London Bridge).

For King and Country Tuesday 4th September at 6.30pm - Catholics and politics, St Thomas More, Guy Fawkes, Pugin, Parliament and the Abbey.  Meet on the steps of Westminster Cathedral (nearest tube: Victoria).

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.

Saturday 2^nd September
Cleaning the Church	I Hutchins, P Driscoll, J Rogers, M Mwansa

3^rd September
Mass	Saturday 6pm (Vigil)	Sunday 9.15am	Sunday 11am
Welcomers	J Callinan	B Guyton A Guyton	S Kavanagh T Connolly
Readers	J Bajorek C Kiely	J Gibson S Cotta	D Ducat M Ingledew
Ministers of Holy Communion	J Callinan P Cosgrave C Wakefield S Poulton C Cosgrave	A Guyton B Cotta W David B D’Arcy K Chan	N Longhurst T Wllard R Mwansa K Evans A Evans
Bar			A Barradell M Horner
Coffee		L Lynch S Barradell	M Harrington S Paris R Scott

Tellers

L Lynch, M Ardron