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Thank you for your offerings last week of £1,228. Mass attendance was 503
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Sunday 28/8/16 |
Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time 6.00pm Cynthia Cahill RIP (C. Kiely)
9.15am Michelle Headington RIP (B. Bridle)
11.00am People of the Parish
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Monday 29/8/16
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The Passion of St John the Baptist 9.30am Examination Candidates (CWL)
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Tuesday 30/8/16 |
St Margaret 9.30 Gordon Lee Maitheson RIP (B. Bridle) |
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Wednesday 31/8/16 |
Feria 9.30am Gerard Chittilappily RIP (First Anniversary) |
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Thursday 1/9/16 |
Feria 9.30am Brenda Byrne (G. Mulroy) |
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Friday 2/9/16 |
Feria 9.30am Mary Casartelli |
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Saturday 3/9/16 |
Vigil Mass 6.00pm Edith Mary George RIP (George Family)
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Sunday 4/9/16 |
Twenty-Third Sunday of Ordinary Time 9.15am People of the Parish
11.00am Sarah & Philip May Thanksgiving 30 years of Marriage
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Confessions heard Saturday 5.00pm-5.45pm or by appointment.
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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.
“Drop-In” – Evening Surgery
The next Surgery will take place on Tuesday 6th September 5.00–8.00pm. Please call at 281a Crescent Drive. No appointments necessary.
Fr David writes…
A few years ago, there was a program on TV where a financially wealthy person chose to let go of his or her luxurious lifestyle for a time, alter their identity and live for a few weeks the reality of “normal” people. They had the opportunity to socialise with the people they previously did not choose to socialise with. They came with their own prejudices and they couldn’t rely anymore on their status in society for “power” because of what they did. They were just them – vulnerable and out of control. Some of them seemed to have been doing ok and found the experiment liberating. There were no expectations on them any longer. They only had to “BE”. Others also related to them on their level. They found that the relationships became more real and authentic. There was also a lack of hidden agendas. However others found it extremely difficult. They didn’t know who they were without the title or the role. They also found it difficult to relate to others outside their comfort zone. They felt lost. They had to dig deeper into their own sense of self. Who am I now without the title, without the money, without the designer clothes? It was an interesting experiment for us to watch also. It showed us how much we do rely on our role in society, on our outward appearances to identify ourselves. The experiment had also helped the participants to enter into the lives of people and get to the core of who they were. They got to know people as they were and not because of what they owned or how they looked. It really broke down social boundaries and they realised that underneath – at the core of our being, we are all searching for happiness and meaning. We all need to be respected and loved.
An experiment like that opens us up to meeting each other as we are. And at the same time, allowing ourselves to be surprised by encountering really inspiring people. People who otherwise are overlooked in our lives. We start to see with the eyes of the heart and not only with our physical eyes. As human beings living in a culture that values celebrity status, we are easily impressed by people who according to our perspective have made it in the world. I know that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder”, but we are star struck by beautiful people. We find ourselves wanting to be in their company and associating ourselves with them. We are also impressed by successful people. Successful in the sense of profession, position in society and also the financially successful. We tend to give them more power. On the other hand, we automatically are turned off by people who in our eyes, either because of how they look or because of their role in society, they seem not to have made it. We tend to look down on them or even worse patronise them. We do tend to categorize each other all the time. In doing so, unconsciously we are not seeing really the person, but we are stopping with the outward reality.
In this sense we can be very shallow in our judgements. Our “ego” gets in the way. We feel a sense of entitlement. We become arrogant and we demand respect. Instead of strength I consider this as a sign of weakness and insecurity. Empowerment lies in people who are comfortable in their own skin and do not need positions of power to feel visible and content. The pursuit of Image in life covers up a sense of unworthiness and insecurity. In today’s Gospel, Jesus seems to be addressing this particular issue with his listeners. In the upside down world of the Gospel, there is a wisdom of reversal: behind what appears to be ugliness there is beauty; behind what appears to be foolishness there is wisdom; behind the faces of the scarred and the broken there is great dignity. Jesus keeps God’s preference for the little people at the forefront of his teaching. He has the kind of love that sees beyond appearances, the kind of love that pierces disguises, the kind of love that calls people out of imprisonment. His love dignifies people. He asks that our love does too.
Deanery Pilgrimage to Cathedral
There is a home-school-parish deanery pilgrimage to St George’s Cathedral Southwark taking place on Saturday 17th September 10.30am for 11.00am. It would be great to have some parishioners at the service representing our parish. If you are able to attend please add your name to the list in the Church porch. There are no costs incurred but parishioners will need to cover their own transportation costs and may want to take lunch.
Bethlehem Nativity
A missionary group from Bethlehem Nativity will visit us on weekend 3rd & 4th September to briefly talk about the Holy Land and to sell religious articles made out of olive wood from the Holy Land to help and support the poor Christian families. Any help you could give would be hugely appreciated.
Parish Groups
Youth Retreat 30th September-2nd October 2016 – few remaining spaces!
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.
Christ The King Youth Day – 19th November
The Catholic Youth Ministry Christ the King Youth Day will take place on Saturday 19th November here at St James’ from 12.00pm-5.30pm and will be followed by a Youth Mass at 6.00pm. There will be activites throughout the day and refreshments will be provided. This event is open to all young people across the Bromley Deanery in school years 7 and above. If you would like to attend please inform the Parish Office.
Parish Council
The next meeting of the Parish Council will take place on Wednesday 7 September at 8pm in the Community Centre. The first hour of the meeting is open to all parishioners and you would be most welcome to attend and raise any relevant issue for discussion.
Dad and Me
The next session will take place on Saturday 17 September 10 – 11.30 am in the Community Centre.
Monday Club
The Monday Club meets in the Hall at 1.30 – 4 pm each week. Everyone is welcome, all ages. Activities include crafts, outdoor French Boules (in the garden) indoor curling, tri-dominos, table tennis and lots more including the Craft Group. Tea and Coffee and a chat. £1 contribution welcome.
Bromley Foodbank
Currently the most urgent needs are for:
Tinned fruit, ‘cold’ meat (ham, spam, etc.), ‘hot’ meat (i.e. tinned meat that can be heated to form the basis of a hot meal), tinned vegetables (especially peas, green beans and carrots), potatoes (tinned or packets of instant mash), custard, rice puddings and squash. Food is the priority, but toiletries are still needed too. Please help if you can. Thank you. J&P Group
Justice Matters Traidcraft Campaign
Some irresponsible British companies are exploiting or abusing people and the environment in developing countries in ways which would not be tolerated here. This is a nationwide campaign to call on the Government to update the law so that large companies can be prosecuted in the UK for the most serious cases of causing harm abroad. Please consider adding your name to this petition, the forms are at the back of the church. There is more information on the notice board or go to the www.traidcraft.co.uk/justicecampaign where you can also sign the petition online. J&P Group
CWL Military Whist Drive Saturday 24 September 7.30 for 8pm start
This is a fun evening for all ages from 10 years old upwards. Children must be able to play cards and join in. Tickets cost £6 and includes a Ploughman’s Supper. If you would like to learn how to play or practise, please come along at 7.30pm. To enable us to cater, please email the Parish Office for a telephone number to book places and do remember to mention any dietary requirement. CWL
Shoe boxes
Every two years, the CWL make up Christmas Shoe Boxes for children in the Romanian Orphanages supported by the Biggin Hill Romania Group. We will be making up the boxes on 19 September from 1.30 in the Community Centre here at St James’ and would welcome any donations or offers to come and help pack the boxes. A list of suggested items will be on the CWL notice board. We have been asked to consider boxes for older teenage boys as not so many people provide these. CWL
Eucharistic Ministers and Readers
Diary dates
Fr David would like to meet with both the Eucharist Ministers and the Readers in September as follows:
Eucharistic Ministers on Monday 12 September at 8pm in the Church
Readers on Monday 19 September at 8pm in the Church.
Jam Jars Required
454g size. Please leave in the box in the Church Porch or speak to Frank Simon. We eagerly look forward to damson jam produced from the parish garden in the coming weeks.
Jobs Available
St Aidan’s Catholic Primary School in Coulsdon is looking to recruit a new Head Teacher required for January 2017. The Governors are eager to interview practising Catholics who would be suitable applicants for the position. Contact clerk@st-aidans.croydon.sch.uk
Society for the Protection of Unborn Children is currently looking to recruit for two positions, Digital Editor and Supporter Development Officer. Both jobs are permanent. For details please contact anthonyozimic@spuc.org.uk. Details are posted on the notice board in the Church porch.