Thank you for your offering last week of £1601.97.  Mass attendances were 868.
Sunday 27/3/16	Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord 9.15am  People of the Parish 11.00am  Christopher Walsh RIP (Benson Family)
Monday 28/3/16	Monday within the Octave of Easter 9.30am Persecuted Christians (CWL)
Tuesday 29/3/16	Tuesday within the Octave of Easter 9.30am  William & Judith Burg
Wednesday 30/3/16	Wednesday within the Octave of Easter 9.30am Miriam Portelli
Thursday 31/3/16	Thursday within the Octave of Easter 9.30am Charlie Cassat
Friday 1/4/16	Friday within the Octave of Easter 9.30am Bill O’Riordan RIP
Saturday 2/4/16	Saturday within the Octave of Easter 6.00pm Edward & Margaret Cushman RIP (Ellen Cushman)
Sunday 3/4/16	Second Sunday Of Easter 9.15am  People of the Parish 11.00am Mossy O’Brien RIP (Leish O’Sullivan)
Monday 4/4/16	The Annunciation Of The Lord 9.30am Maggie Mai O’Connor RIP
Tuesday 5/4/16	Feria 9.30am O’Flarthy Family RIP
Wednesday 6/4/16	Feria 9.30am Sister Maureen Fay (Mary)
Thursday 7/4/16	St John Baptist de la Salle 9.30am David Hawkins RIP ( Angela Hawkins)
Friday 8/4/16	Feria 9.30am Martin & Bridie Mulroy RIP (Geraldine Mulroy)
Saturday 9/4/16	Feria 6.00pm People Of The Parish
Sunday 10/4/16	Third Sunday Of Easter 9.15am Private Intention (Foundation) 11.00am Anthony Olivelle RIP ( M Olivelle)
Monday 11/4/16	Feria 9.30am O’Connor Family
Tuesday 12/4/16	Feria 9.30am Teresa & John Lynch
Wednesday 13/4/16	Feria 10.30am Requiem Mass for Ronald Connolly
Thursday 14/4/16	Feria 9.30am Ivy Van Rooyen RIP
Friday 15/4/16	Feria 9.30am Frank O’Leary RIP (O’Leary family)
Saturday 16/4/16	Feria 6.00pm Louise Knight RIP (McCabe Family)
Sunday 17/4/16	Fourth Sunday Of Sunday 9.15am People Of The Parish 11.00am Marjorie Ingledew RIP (Mary Ingledew)
Confessions heard Saturday 5.00pm-5.45pm or by appointment.
Morning Prayers - 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 11-12 noon here in the Church.  All welcome. 

Fr David Writes…. 

When I woke up on Tuesday morning, switching on the radio and hearing the devastating news of another terrorist attack – this time in Brussels, my heart sank and just wanted to curl up into bed again.  But my duties were asking me to go, open the church, prepare for Mass and celebrate Mass for the community which gathers religiously every morning at St James’.  This time along with sadness, I felt anger.  I found myself saying – Why don’t you leave us to live in peace!  I feel tired of the violence that somehow is threatening our peace of mind and serenity.  We all know that life is fragile, life is precious and it is very unwise to think that we are immune completely from pain and suffering of one kind or another.  But this pain is something that is unnecessary.  We could live much better without it.  The veil of violence does envelope my soul.  I enter my tomb – I enter my womb for safety – for protection.  Fear takes over.

The Easter story begins in the tomb.  Life for the disciples of Jesus was devastated.  They had seen and experienced the violence against him.  The one they loved, the one who had given them an identity and meaning – they had experienced him fragile and weak.  They had seen him hung on a cross like a criminal.  Life must have seemed for them beyond repair.  Although they were not in a physical tomb like Jesus, surely they must have hid themselves in their own tomb – for safety and protection.  That very extraordinary morning, when everything seemed to have been lost, Mary of Magdala, went to the tomb.  To her horror, she realised that the stone had been removed from the tomb and she went running to tell the disciples that they had taken Jesus, which was their greatest fear.  We then see the beautiful scene of Peter and John, the beloved of Jesus running to the tomb in shock.  John reached the tomb first but did not go in.  He bent down and saw the linen cloths lying on the ground.  Peter reached the tomb next and went straight into the tomb and saw exactly what John had seen from outside the tomb.  Then we are told that John went into the tomb – “he saw and believed”.  Something in him was awakened.  The tomb was no longer a place of death – the tomb was transformed into a place of life and resurrection.  From the darkness of the tomb emerged new life – Light.

For me especially this year, the narrative of the resurrection has a profound meaning.  Amidst the darkness of violence around us – we NEED to keep on hoping for a better future – for ourselves and our children.  The hope in our future is not about fuelling hatred towards Muslims.  If we get hooked on to that narrative, we would be consumed by resentfulness and hatred.  We would resort to what the terrorists want us to resort to – a war between them and us.  It is very easy to scapegoat another in order to feel no culpability on my side.  The hope for the future lies in living our lives as much as possible creating places of understanding and of compassion.  Places of belonging, inclusion and love.  We can only change our little worlds – but we need to refuse to get involved in anything that leads to death.  The question must always be – how are we as Christians being called to respond in this situation?  I know it is not always easy.  And it is not a simple question to answer.  But the world needs more than any other time, dreamers and artists who continue to believe in the road less travelled.  John went in the darkness of the tomb and believed because he loved!  His eyes were illuminated by the Love he had for Jesus.  I would like to thank all of you who have participated in these special celebrations this year for continuing to believe in a different narrative – to believe in a different world.  I thank you all for making this parish the parish that it is – an oasis where we can come over and feel Jesus’ Resurrection in our midst.  We are people of HOPE!  May you all have a Happy Blessed Easter!

Easter Offerings

The collection at the Masses over the Easter weekend are your personal offerings for your Parish Priest.

“Drop-In” – Evening Surgery

Due to Lenten and Easter Commitments, the next Surgery will take place on Tuesday 12^th April, 5.00pm-8.00pm.  Please call at 281a Crescent Drive – no appointments necessary. 

Our Parish Faith Formation

Sacrament of Baptism

On Sunday 10^th April we welcome Logan Ficek-Brathwaite, his parents Ewa and Seldon and godparents Magdalena and Polska.  Also Henry Warner, his parents Rachel and Joseph and godparents William, Alan and Lisa.

2016 First Holy Communion Programme

The next session will take place on Saturday 16^th April, 4.30pm-5.45pm in the Community Centre.

2016 Confirmation Programme

The next meeting will take place on Monday 11^th April, 7.00pm-8.30pm in the Community Centre.

Parish Group Activities

SVP Race night with a difference – Saturday 9^th April

Family race night.  Saturday 9th April from 7pm in the community centre with all proceeds to support the work of the SVP in the Parish.  Tickets available after all Masses this weekend or directly from the contacts listed below

Tickets available from Peter Benson,Graham Price or Chris Delf .  Email svp@stjamespettswood.org.

Family ticket £20, Adults £8,Children £3.  Book early to avoid disappointment for this very popular event

Parent & Toddler Group

Will be meeting here again in the Community Centre on Friday afternoons 1.30pm-3.00pm – term time only.

Dad & Me

The next session will be held on Saturday 16^th April, 10.00am – 11.30am in the Community Centre.

Firm Believers

Our inter-church Fun-Fitness class to music will be restarting on Tuesday April 12^th, 7.00-7.45pm, in our newly refurbished Community Centre, her at St James’.  So come and give it a try, with a group of friendly ladies, of all abilities.  You’re welcome to just turn up, or contact us (contact: 07904 329788 or firm.believers@stjamespettswood.org).  Bring a friend if you wish.  We met every Tuesday in term time - £5.  Wear trainers, any comfortable clothing and bring a mat or towel, and get fit and trim for Spring.

J&P Plant Sale – Advanced Notice

The annual charity plant sale in aid of St Helen’s Parish Peru, will be held over the weekend of 21^st/22^nd May.  Gardeners of St James’, if you are seed sowing, propagating or dividing plants please consider adding a few extra for the sale.  Anyone tidying their garden who has an unwanted but healthy pant, please put it in a pot and find it a new home at the sale.  Flowers, veg, herbs, indoor plants will all be welcome.  Thank you for your support.  (J&P)

Deanery Event

Service for Bereaved Parents

Will take place on Sunday 17^th April at 3.00pm in the St James’ Community Centre.

Understanding CAFOD workshop

Find out more about CAFOD on Monday 11 April, 10:30am – 2:30pm at Bishop Challoner School, 228 Bromley Road, Shortlands, BR2 0BS.  There you will meet other CAFOD supporters and find out together how CAFOD works to tackle poverty and injustice.  You will hear about how CAFOD is rooted in the Gospel and Catholic social teaching, what CAFOD is doing overseas and how you can be involved in building a fairer World.  All are welcome, please email southwark@cafod.org.uk or call 020 8466 9901 to book your place.  The St James’ CAFOD parish contact is Roger Wright who would be pleased to talk to you about helping CAFOD (roger.wright@stjamespettswood.org)

Youth Ministry

Youth Retreat 30^th September-2^nd October 2016

The Parish Youth Team are organising a retreat on the above dates at St Vincent’s Centre Whitstable.  All young adults that have been confirmed are invited to attend this retreat.  The cost will be £75.00.

If you could confirm your interest to the Parish Office via telephone 01689 827100 or email parish.office@stjamespettswood.org. 

Youth Group

The next session will be held on Saturday 30^th April, 12.00pm – 2.00pm. 

St James’ RC Primary School – Staff Vacancy

St James’ RC Primary School are currently looking to recruit a Full Time Class Teacher from September 2016.  Please contact the school office for more details and an application pack.  Full advertisement on Situations Vacant Board at back of the church.

Lost Property

We have accumulated a fair amount of Lost Property.  Please take a look in the boxes at the back of the Church to see if any of it belongs to you.

Finance

Gift Aid

A very big thanks to all who have gift-aided their 1^st and 2^nd collection offerings and their donations to the Maintenance/Refurbishment Fund during the 2015/16 tax year. 

Your boxes of new Gift Aid envelopes (with your name on) for the 2016/17 tax year are now ready for collection in the church porch.  

If you cannot find your box, please speak to Geoff Ford (the Gift Aid Administrator) – email him at gift.aid@stjamespettswood.org or phone 01689 872125 or he can usually be found in the "counting room" after 11am Mass on Sundays.

The amount of Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax you pay or will pay during a tax year must be at least equal* to the total amount of tax that all Charities (i.e. not just St James’) will reclaim on your gift-aided donations to them for that tax year.  Other taxes such as VAT and Council Tax do not qualify. 

You must have paid at least 25 pence in Income/Capital Gains Tax for every £1 of gift-aided donation you make to all Charities (i.e.  £25 tax for every £100 given).  If you pay less Income/ Capital Gains Tax than the amount of Gift Aid claimed on all your donations in that tax year, it is your responsibility to pay any difference to HMRC.

Please also speak to Geoff if:-

a)  you are unsure that you will have paid adequate tax;

b)  you wish to know the total recorded amount of your offerings;

c)  you move or marry and change your name.  (It is important that our record of your name and address is recognisable to the tax man);

d)  you wish to transfer your gift aid donations into your spouse’s name (perhaps because you have stopped working and no longer pay tax);  and

e)  you would like to Gift Aid your contributions to St James’ but have not yet completed a declaration form.

As every charity will tell you, by gift-aiding your donations your contributions are substantially increased at absolutely no cost whatsoever to you.  If you are not already in our Gift Aid scheme, all you have to do is sign a declaration form permitting St James' Church to recover the tax you will have already paid on your donations.