This weekend the gospel is about Dives and Lazarus- two men, one unbelievably rich, the other unbelievably poor. It is really a parable about the state of our world today. Of course giving to the poor (which we do often as a community here at St. James’) is important but it is equally important (if not more so) to ask why the poor are poor. But today we are just thinking about giving.....
This coming Friday is CAFOD’s Harvest Fast Day and today after Mass you will be given an envelope in which to contribute. You are invited to FAST on Friday i.e. go without something that you would normally eat- for instance, dessert – or perhaps snacks – whatever is not absolutely essential - and then put what you have saved in your CAFOD envelope. Fasting is an important part of our Christian discipleship and although the Church only commands us to fast on two occasions each year (Ash Wednesday and Good Friday) she encourages fasting as a regular and fruitful practice, which will bring great blessings to us – and to others.
Traidcraft Goods will be on sale after all Masses this weekend- another opportunity to help those who are struggling to make a living in many parts of God’s world- and again this chimes in with our gospel reading. We have a great track record- keep it up!
This weekend we celebrate (11 am) the reception into our community of six adults (and three of their children). The following adults will be baptised: Mei Li (and her son Leo), Simone Ebah (and her son Emmanuel), Faye and Keith Mace (and their daughter Isabella), and Frank Vorstenburg. The adults will then receive the sacrament of confirmation, together with Paul Haylock, and then receive Holy Communion for the very first time.
We warmly welcome them all, and their sponsors, godparents and families, and pray that they will take a full part in the life of our Catholic community There will be a short and informal reception in the hall after Mass, to which all are welcome.
Some lovely saints days this week – Saint Thérèse of Lisieux (Tues), Holy Guardian Angels (Wed.) and Francis of Assisi (Fri). Perhaps come to Mass at 9.30am if you are around...?
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Mass Attendance at Mass last week was 663.
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Sunday 29/9/13 |
26th Sunday in Ordinary Time 6pm (Sat) – Dennis Ashton, RIP (K Griffin) 9.15am – Angela Denman, RIP (Diana Betts) 11am – People of the Parish
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Monday 30/9/13 |
No Monday Mass
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Tuesday 1/10/13 |
St Thérèse, Virgin, Doctor of the Church 9.30am – Robert Windmill, RIP (Laurence Murray)
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Wednesday 2/10/13 |
The Holy Guardian Angels 9.30am – Maria Oles, RIP (G & B Ford)
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Thursday 3/10/13 |
Feria 9.30am – Patricia Elcock, RIP
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Friday 4/10/13 |
St Francis of Assisi 9.30am – Harry Elcock, RIP
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Saturday 5/10/13 |
Feria 9.30am – Welfare of Freda Elcock
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Sunday 6/10/13 |
27th Sunday in Ordinary Time 6pm (Sat) – Reg Griffin, RIP (Wedderspoon Family) 9.15am – Agatha Yee, RIP (Victor Brittain-Wong) 11am – People of the Parish |
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THIS WEEK: |
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Monday: Catholic Womens’ League; speaker on the Environment at 8pm- all most welcome. |
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Tuesday: Finance committee. Meeting room, 10.30am. |
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Thursday: Christmas Choir (led by Dominic). Important initial meeting/rehearsal (8pm-9.30.pm). After this rehearsals will be for 6 Thursdays starting on Thursday November 14th, preparing for Carol Service (Sunday Dec. 22nd at 4pm) and Midnight Mass (which this year will start at 11pm).
All singers warmly welcome - but commitment essential.
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Friday: Setting up (pm) for the Autumn Festival NEXT SATURDAY (12 noon-3pm).
ALL HANDS ON DECK PLEASE FOR THIS OUR BIGGEST FUND RAISER OF THE YEAR!
And thanks to the (very small) team who have put this all together. We must pray for good weather. Invite as many people as you can and let’s have a great fun day! (And the loos will be fully operational!).
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Next Sunday: 7’s and 8’s (5pm-6.15pm) (followed by optional Mass, ending at 7.15pm).
Confirmation group: 6.30pm-8.30.pm.
Both these groups started really well last week! (All our young people in school years 7 or 8 are warmly welcome to ‘7’s and 8’s’).
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One World Week Please keep the morning of Saturday 19th October free (10am-1pm exhibition) and Sunday 20th (4pm) free for very special act of worship at the Methodist church, with a high profile Christian Aid Speaker. Our own Folk Choir will be singing and all the PW churches are heavily involved. More next week but please put in your diary.
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A reminder: Monday mornings, at St James’, 11am to 12noon,a quiet, reflective way to look at the following week's Gospel. All welcome. |
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Refreshments are served in the adjoining hall after Sunday Masses. Do come in a chat for a while – especially if you are new! You will notice that we have new chairs for the hall. Many thanks to the Venture Scouts who gave great assistance in unpacking them (quite a job!). We have new tables also, and these will be christened at the Autumn Festival.
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Eco tip of the week Household cleaning – the LiveSimply way
To remove fresh grease spots from the carpets sprinkle with cornflour, wait approximately 30 minutes and then vacuum off.
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And finally..... a prayer about St Francis (1181-1226), the poor man of Assisi, who we commemorate this coming Friday:
‘Father, we praise you for your servant Francis, Who, bearing in his body the marks of Jesus, Learned to possess everything Without clinging to possessions; And by embracing the leper Taught us that what is not lovely in us Is loved and healed by your grace.’
(Ann Lewin).
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