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Mass attendances last Sunday were 662. Thank you for your support of Traidcraft (sales £283) and the retiring collection for SPUC (£283).
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Sunday 27/1/13 |
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (C) 6pm – Mary Griffin RIP (Salter Family) 9.15am – People of the Parish 11am – Freda Malone RIP (Malone Family)
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Monday 28/1/13 |
St Thomas Aquinas 9.30am – Peace and Unity
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Tuesday 29/1/13 |
Feria 9.30am – Relatives and Friends of Marie Porter
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Wednesday 30/1/13 |
Feria 9.30am – Mary Casartelli
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Thursday 31/1/13 |
St John Bosco 9.30am – Fr Sean Rainey RIP (Maureen and Sheila)
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Friday 1/2/13 |
Feria 9.30am – Thanksgiving for Taey Grace Charles (Mrs H Charles)
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Sunday 3/2/13 |
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (C) 6pm – Reginald Griffin RIP (Larry & Ann Farrell) 9.15am – People of the Parish 11am - Agatha Yee RIP (Victor Brittain-Wong) |
Both the Old Testament reading and the gospel are about the proclamation of God’s Law.
Ezra- a ‘scribe’- reads the Law of God - portions of the Pentateuch (first five books of the Old Testament) to recently returned Jewish exiles, who are now free once again (after about 50 years) to practise their faith and worship in a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem. They are deeply moved, weep, confess their sins and then rejoice. This happened about 515BC.
Jump forward about 545 years to 30 AD and Jesus of Nazareth also proclaims God’s Law (quoting from the prophet Isaiah and inferring that he is the Messiah). However on this occasion the result is very different: the people try to hassle him out of the synagogue and throw him off the brow of a hill! Jesus is actually preaching good news but to many people it seemed (seems?) threatening. They just cannot cope with him (‘who does he think he is?’) – or with what he is saying – it’s a perversion of God’s law, and anyway its all too good to be true. Or so they think.
What do you think? Have a read through St.Luke chapter 4 this week. Sounds good to me.
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There are several things for us all to address today and this week: Second collection today for St John’s Seminary, Wonersh (near Guildford – where I trained for the priesthood. (It usually takes six years to train a priest!)
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Please take one of the defending marriage cards and post it today. Archbishop Peter requests this. Let’s be absolutely clear – this is NOT anti-gay, or anything to do with homophobia. The Catholic Church (along with many other churches and organisations) is anxious to preserve the traditional teaching on marriage in our society.
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Week of Accompanied Prayer (March 3rd - 9th). A well-attended ‘taster’ session last Sunday, despite the snow! Many people have already signed up and we shall hear more today. I do encourage everyone to take part and I have submitted my own form.
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If you will be applying for a church school (Catholic or C of E, primary or secondary) place for your child in September 2014, please take a form from the porch, complete and return to presbytery asap. (Please ignore the last sentence- you are NOT required to register each week.) However parents applying for baptism for their children ARE required to register each weekend immediately after Mass (front right of church).
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Journey in Faith re-launches this coming Tuesday (29th) 7.45-9.00pm in the meeting room (between church and hall). Any non-Catholic 18 years plus is warmly welcome to this informal exploration of the basics of the Catholic Faith – but Catholic spouses are of course welcome as well, together with any Catholics who might have missed out on confirmation. The course will run weekly. Questioning and discussion is encouraged and there is no obligation as we all ‘journey in faith’ together. No registration – just turn up!
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Please take your free copy of The Pilgrim (diocesan newspaper). It is important that we read the Catholic press to balance the opinions expressed in the national media. Sadly, we are in danger of losing the availability of Catholic papers at St James’ because of falling sales. Please do not let this happen!! Buy a Catholic paper TODAY (and read it!).
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Parish Library: Following the above – please browse and borrow books! A librarian is always on duty after each weekend Mass to help you. Many thanks to those who have given books. I have also loaned many of my own. The Library Team has plans afoot to improve and extend the library (including eventually DVDs) – and many thanks to them for the excellent meeting last week. But please – USE it!
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The Departed: Joan Hansford RIP (Grosvenor Rd) – our deepest sympathy to Alan and the family. Requiem here next week – Thurs Feb 7th at 12 noon. Also Ian Berry RIP (Transmere Close) - our prayers for Sharon and family at this sad time. Requiem here Monday Feb. 4th at 10 am. I do hope as many people as possible will lend their prayerful support at these Requiems.
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Do come in to the hall after the 9.15 and 11am Masses for refreshments! It is great that we have so many new young families (and babies!) in our community. We hope you will soon feel a happy part of this parish - and perhaps we can network some of you together. Someone suggested a babysitting circle but please don’t ask me as I already do my share!
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The hall roof is now on - just a few final touches and we thank our contractor, Paul Happe (Essex) and indeed everyone who has played a significant role in the project. We now hope to make significant improvements to our hall facilities and also to instigate a rolling programme of maintenance and repairs for church and presbytery. Watch this space- and many thanks to you all for your generosity.
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The Justice & Peace group would like to thank everyone who so generously supported the Traidcraft stall. Suggestions and comments welcome. The pre-ordered Easter eggs will be available after all Masses on 9th & 10th March.
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Lenten Calendars Our Cub Scouts have designed a Lenten calendar, with something different to do for every day of Lent – a great idea for all families who would like some extra focus for their Lenten preparations/abstinences. These are available to order after all Masses this weekend at £5 each, or email susan.scripture@stjamespettswood.org.
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What are you usually doing on weekday mornings at 9.10am? What about coming along to Morning Prayer (ends 9.25 am). This could be your prayer for the day – a guaranteed few minutes of prayer and reflection. It is the official Prayer of the Church, and consists mainly of saying the psalms, together with some prayers of intercession. Everything is printed out – and we unite ourselves with millions of Catholics throughout the world who are praying exactly the same words! Morning Prayer is said in the chapel at the front of church. Mass follows Morning Prayer at 9.30am (ends 10am) but there is no obligation to stay for Mass if this is impossible for you. Each service is ‘stand alone.’ Perhaps when you have dropped off your children to school or pre-school.........? Every blessing, Fr Bryan |