Welcome to our weekly newsletter.  We hope you enjoy your time at St James’ and we look forward to seeing you again next week.

Thank you for your offerings last week of £1,554.  Mass attendances were 770.

Sunday 29^th January	Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
6pm (Saturday Vigil)	People of the Parish
9.15am	Relatives and Friends of Marie Porter (Foundation Mass)
11am	Paul Southby - Recovery (Bartlett & Bridle Family)
Monday 30^th January	Feria
9.30am	Future success of the League (CWL)
Tuesday 31^st January	St John Bosco
9.30am	Margaret Jackson RIP (H &T Forde)
Wednesday 1^st February	Feria
9.30am	Josephine Hunter RIP (Ann Parker)
Thursday 2^nd February	The Presentation of the Lord
10.30am (Please note change of time)	Funeral Mass for James Augustine Montgomery
Friday 3^rd February	Feria
9.30am 11am	Bridget & Paul Wiggins Funeral Mass for Frank Thomas Molley
Sunday 5^th February	Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
6pm (Saturday Vigil)	Walter George Akester RIP (Garcia & Akester Family)
9.15am	People of the Parish
11am	Robert Feeney RIP (Feeney Family)

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.

Fr David writes

One of the painters which I am personally moved by his art is Vincent Van Gogh.  I have also made a personal pilgrimage on my sabbatical a couple of years ago to visit the places where he lived, been sectioned, and painted, to try to understand something of his soul.  I am mesmerised by his use of colour and his ability to depict beauty in ordinary things and ordinary life.  Before discovering his calling to become a painter, Vincent Van Gogh studied for the priesthood.  He desired to dedicate his life helping other people and so after a short period of time working in England as a lay preacher and teacher, he went to Brussels where he studied theology and trained to become an evangelist.  Unfortunately he failed to be recommended and left to do missionary work among a poor mining population – an experience which gave him what he called “a free course at the University of Despair”.  Following the instructions by Jesus to the young wealthy man in the gospels, he gave up all his possessions to live the life of the poor.  Many people including the religious leaders of his time thought that he was taking the gospel too literally.  Only when he became completely penniless and experiencing rejection and rock bottom, did he discover his true calling of being a painter.

He decided that his mission in life would be to bring consolation to people through art.  Van Gogh produced over 700 drawings and 800 oils, only one of which was sold during his life time.  His incapacity to overcome his loneliness and his bouts of periodic depression led him unfortunately to suicide and only after his death was his work appreciated.  The beautiful colours of his paintings, especially when he painted in the light of Provence France, belie the tortured soul that he was.  In his paintings, even the dirtiest corner of life has a ray of light.  Because he had experienced first hand, the rawness of being human, tortured by his mental health and living totally financially dependent on others especially on his brother Theo’s providence, he succeeded to touch so many of us through his paintings.  We can connect with the beauty within his soul with the explosion of colour within the ordinariness of life that he depicted.  He succeeded in his ambition to show the world what was in the heart of such a “nobody”.  The people who knew him pitied him and dismissed him as an eccentric and a loser.  Most of the people of his time did not value his art.  However now, through his art he has ministered to untold numbers of people throughout the world.

In today’s gospel, Matthew gives us a jewel of his Gospel – the Beatitudes, which really celebrate the “nobodies” of this world whose lives illumine the truth of the Gospel.  Those who are called “blessed” or “happy” in these beatitudes can hardly be described as fortunate or lucky in the eyes of the world.  The lowly, the mourners, those deprived of justice, those who are persecuted and abused.  Matthew is describing what happens to the disciples of Jesus when the kingdom breaks into their broken world.  The best commentary on the beatitudes is Jesus’ own life.  To be authentic to his own calling, Jesus gives up power and prestige to follow the way of powerlessness.  He is gentle with the kind of people that others write off as hopeless cases.  He mourns when he sees how so many choose to be blind when God visits them.  He experiences hunger – not just the hunger that is satisfied by bread but the hunger that can be satisfied only by doing what is right.  Jesus has a habit of scandalising the religious authorities with the readiness of his mercy and forgiveness.  His single mindedness in pursuing his mission sees him through time of hurt and terror.  He is driven to make peace between God and humanity.  In the end he is abused and persecuted in the cause of right and handed over to death.  He ends up on another Mount dying for what he believed in.

But in all this Jesus is blessed.  Jesus experiences all of this as an outcome of a life lived in the love and passion of God.  If we his disciples are gripped by the same reality then we too will have to face similar experiences.  And Jesus said that we will be blessed because we will experience the fullness of the kingdom of heaven.  Have there been occasions when you found that good things happened when you let go of unrealistic expectations of yourself, did the best you could, and entrusted the outcome into the hands of God?  Did you find yourself blessed when you knew your need of God?  And not relied on your own personal resources only????  Let us make our own this way of Life which Jesus described as Beatitudes.

“Drop-In” – Evening Surgery

The next Drop-in Surgery will take place on Tuesday 31st January between 5pm – 7pm.  Please call at 281a Crescent Drive.  No appointments are necessary.

Pastoral Care Pillar

There will be a meeting of the Pastoral Care Team on Thursday 16^th February at 8.15pm.

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.

Eucharistic Ministers and Readers

We are looking for some additional people to become Readers and Eucharistic Ministers at the Sunday morning 9.15 Mass.  Training will be provided.

Children’s Liturgy

If your child is 3 years old or above, they are welcome to join us for Liturgy sessions at the 9.15am Sunday Mass each week.

Calling Children to Read and Sing at Mass

We are inviting children who have made their First Holy Communion and those who are older to become readers/singers at the 9.15am Mass on Sunday mornings.  We are hoping to start a Children’s Mass once a month at 9.15 am when the children do the Readings but also the singing and serving.  Please let the Parish Office know if you are interested.

Evangelisation Pillar

‘Care for Our Common Home’ Event - On Saturday 11th February we will have the opportunity to find out more about the Pope's encyclical Laudato Si'.  Susy Brouard of the CAFOD Theology team is coming to give us an overview of what the Holy Father tells the world about caring for our planet.  This invitation is to parishioners of all ages.  The event will start at 2pm and finish in good time for 6pm Mass.

So shake off thoughts of a dreary February Saturday afternoon and hear the Catholic Church's teaching about preserving the planet for future generations – and making contemporary life less stressed!  Please see the posters at the back of church and sign up to this free event by filling in a registration form.  You can also register by emailing laudato.si@stjamespettswood.org

Journey in Faith (RCIA)

A meeting will take place on Tuesday 31st January at 8pm in the Community Centre.  Please come along if you would like to find out more about the Catholic faith.

Young Church Pillar

The Junior Youth Group will be meeting in the small hall of the Community Centre on Saturday 4^th February between 11.30-2.30pm.

Communications Pillar

Parish Facebook Page

We have a Facebook page for the Parish and are posting a mixture of spiritual and informative items.  If you would like to receive these updates from the Parish on Facebook you can find the page by searching Facebook for ‘St James’ the Great RC Church Petts Wood’ and click on ‘Like’.

The Parish diary is online

There is an online diary for parish events which you can find at www.stjamespettswood.org/diary.html or go to the parish website and use the main menu item "Parish diary".  Bookings will continue to be made through the parish office but hopefully the diary will help you to identify free dates for your events.

Traidcraft

There is a Traidcraft stall this weekend - including sale items.  Please help to support this worthwhile cause.

The CWL’s New Year Party!

The CWL are holding their New Year Party this Monday, 30^th January, at 8pm in the Community Centre.  We do hope that ladies of the parish will join us when you will be most welcome.

The Women's World Day of Prayer Service

in which local churches participate, takes place at St James’ this year on Friday 3rd March at 2.00pm.  The women of the Philippines have prepared the service and the theme is 'Am I being unfair to you?'   (God's question to the people of the Philippines).  The Filipino women in our community are warmly invited to attend the service rehearsal in the church on Friday 10th February at 10.30am to decide upon ways in which they can be involved.

Deanery News…

St Joseph's e dintorni

Calling all Italians, their families and friends from St Joseph's, Bromley and all surrounding Catholic parishes.  Our first Italian Sunday Mass will be presided by Fr Saju on the 26th February 2017 at St Joseph's RC Church, 1 Plaistow Lane, Bromley, BR1 2PR, at 12.30pm followed by a bring-and-share lunch at the Holy Trinity Convent hall, behind the church, where we'll celebrate the Carnevale season together.  After Mass, all children are invited to dress up as their favourite character or mascherina! If you'd like to join us, please show your interest by texting your name and email address to Carmela G on 07833 648265.  Further details will be sent.  Do bring a friend - the more the merrier!

Parish Life….

The Monday Club meets from 1.30-4.30pm in the Community Centre.  Please come and join us – it’s fun!

Parent & Toddler Group

A Parent & Toddler Group meets every Friday during term time in the Community Centre from 1.30 – 3pm.  Parents with babies from 0 up to age 5 are welcome to attend.  Do come along and enjoy the companionship and the fun.  Refreshments provided.

Firm Believers

is our inter-church Fun-Fitness class to music.  It takes place every Tuesday (in term-time), 7.00 - 7.45 pm, in our Community Centre here at St James’.  Stay for tea or coffee 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:  07904 329788 or frubird@ntlworld.com).  Maybe bring a friend.  Wear trainers, any comfortable clothing and bring a mat or towel and get fit and trim for Spring.

Parking

Would all parishioners attending Mass please ensure the disabled parking spaces are left available for those with blue badges or those who have mobility difficulties.  Many thanks

St James’ Pre-school

The preschool has spaces available for September 2017 intake.  Please email: stjamespreschool@live.co.uk to register interest and arrange a visit.

Bromley Foodbank

Once again, thank you for continuing to donate food to the Foodbank by leaving items in the box at the back of church.  We have received a message from the organisers to say that they are especially short of toiletries, household goods and rice pudding.  Tinned soup and baked beans are not needed at present.  However, the usual items such as ‘cold’ meat (ham, corned beef, etc.), ‘hot’ meat (tinned meat that can be heated to form the basis of a hot meal), dried and tinned vegetables, would be very welcome.  Thank you, J&P Group.

Reminder for Parents

Food & Drink should not be brought into the church for consumption during Mass.  Thank you for your co-operation

Weekend Rotas:  Thank you for helping.

5^th February
Mass	Saturday 6pm (Vigil)	Sunday 9.15am	Sunday 11am
Welcomers	Mary Sands	B.  Guyton A.  Guyton	G.  Whitley M.  Ingledew
Readers	Keith Lams Lisa Rusmini	Sofia Cotta Bruno Cotta	N.  D' Silva Rod Morrison
Ministers of Holy Communion	P.  Crosland Jan Bajorek Roger Wright Monica Cahill Chris Cahill	Martin Smith M.  Howell Sofia Cotta Ken Chan Doreen Hairs	Phil May Sue Ingle R.Del Guercio Zosia Bajorek Teresa Troy
Coffee		L.  Lynch S.  Barradell	C.  D'Arcy Teresa Lowe
Bar			Bill Fleeman Pat Troy
Tellers	Frank Simon and Jackie Cosgrave
Saturday 4^th February
Cleaning the Church	CWL, Sue Ingle, Indi Hutchins, Patrick Driscoll, Janet Rogers, Marija Mitrovic (Tuesday team - cleaning on 7th February)