Thank you for your offerings last week of £1,405.  Mass attendance was 697.  The collection for Missio was £579.
Sunday 30/10/16	Thirty First Sunday in Ordinary Time 6.00pm Theodore Charles Christmas (Burns Family) 9.15am Alfred Davis RIP (Davis Family) 11.00am People of the Parish
Monday 31/10/16	Feria 9.30am Parker Family (CWL)
Tuesday 01/11/16	All Saints Whole School Mass 9.30 Gerard & Paul Chittilappily RIP and Ailjo Pullan (Niljo Roy) 8.00pm Mass
Wednesday 02/11/16	All Souls Day – The Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed 9.30 Holy Souls (Sr Michael) 10.45 – 11.45am Eucharistic Adoration 8.00pm Mass for our Deceased
Thursday 03/11/16	Feria 09.30 Special Intention (Bunnage Family)
Friday 04/11/16	St Charles Borromeo 9.30am Desmond Kelly RIP (M.Kelly) 7.30pm Eucharistic Adoration
Saturday 05/11/16	Vigil Mass 6.00pm Thanksgiving for Leola Lobo (90^th Birthday) (Lobo Family)
Sunday 06/11/16	Thirty Second Sunday of Ordinary Time 9.15am Mair & Peter Heffer (G. Whitley) 11.00am People of the Parish

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.

Eucharist Adoration

Every Wednesday after 9.30am Mass

Eucharist Adoration will take 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 after Mass will be 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 – 4^th November

In addition, Eucharist Adoration will take place on 1^st Friday of each month from 7.30 pm – 9pm and will conclude with Benediction.  Everyone is welcome for all or part of this time of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.

“Drop-In” – Evening Surgery

The next Surgery will take place on Tuesday 1^st November 5.00–8.00pm.  Please call at 281a Crescent Drive.  No appointments necessary.

Second Collection:

The Mission collection last week amounted to £579.  Thank you for your ongoing generosity to this and other valuable work.

Next Sunday there will be a collection for the Maintenance Fund.

Fr David Writes

There is nothing worse than being constantly asked to change or be compared to another.  I encounter quite frequently situations where children within families are compared with one another.  It is quite common that an older child whose behaviour at school for example seems to be quite exemplary and who excels at academia or sport, is compared to his or her other sibling who may be more challenging in behaviour and academic or sportive excellence.  The message that the second child gets is that he or she is not good enough – that they are flawed in some ways.  The feeling they receive is one of – I am not good enough and I need to change and become like my sibling if I want to be loved and accepted.  The more parents nag – the more the child feels frustrated and sometimes digs his or her heels in and sometimes also rebels.  This attitude may also be experienced in adult relationships.  A partner may feel constantly told off because of who they are.  Once we feel locked into a specific perception of another, our natural instinct is to either retaliate or else back off.

Change doesn’t happen when we are told off, change happens when we feel that we are loved first and foremost as we are – unconditionally, flaws and all.  When we experience love, we do anything to maintain and enhance that experience of love.  We also risk changing our behaviour and attitude because we feel we are seen and loved as we are.  That is the premise which Jesus teaches us in our relationships, in whatever kind of relationship that we find ourselves in – we need to start by meeting the other where he or she is at.  Once we encounter the other as other, then things may start to evolve in both of us.

In today’s gospel, Jesus was passing through Jericho on his way to Jerusalem.  Jericho was a wealthy city, an important customs centre for the trade route between Jerusalem and the East.  It was an ideal spot for an ambitious tax collector like Zacchaeus.  Although his occupation made him rich, it would also have made him the target for the hatred of his fellow Jews.  We need to remember that tax collectors were Jews who worked for the Romans.  They were regarded as traitors by their own people.  Confined to his own small circle of friends, Zacchaeus would have had a lonely and isolated life.  His riches would have given him a loveless privilege.  He would have heard of this young rabbi Jesus and something in him must have been moved or curious to meet him.  As he was a small man, he climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus passing by.  His intention does not seem that was to meet him personally but to see him from a distance.  Jesus on the other hand stopped and looked up and his gaze must have startled Zacchaeus initially.  Thinking that he might be going to be reprimanded or given a sermon on ethical issues.  The encounter was quite to the contrary of that.  The encounter was totally unusual to Zacchaeus.  Jesus initiates the contact and calls Zacchaeus by name.  He does not shout condemnation to him which might only had served to drive Zacchaeus further up the tree.  Jesus looks over his sin and meets him where he was.  Jesus not only calls Zacchaeus by name but he was also ready to go to his house.  To meet him on his own territory.  Zacchaeus was delighted to have Jesus at his home.  Experiencing himself being loved as he was, flaws and all, Zacchaeus was ready to risk to change.  Jesus does not demand repentance from Zacchaeus before eating with him.  This outraged the crowd.  They did not see Zacchaeus the man – they just saw his sin.  And judged him accordingly.  Jesus’ love and mercy are abundant in mercy and forgiveness.  Because of Jesus’ attitude to sinners in welcoming them and eating with them, Jesus gives them the opportunity for repentance in an atmosphere of acceptance.  That is why Zacchaeus comes down the tree to face Jesus.  God’s love liberated him and he publicly spoke of his amendments for his wrongdoings.

Do we meet people where they are at?  Or do we always judge them by their actions?  Do we make people feel loved, accepted and welcomed for who they are?  Or is our love very conditional and judgemental?  Do we feel loved as we are or do we feel ashamed for who we are?  Do we allow God to love us as we are?  Let us be open this weekend to this profound and powerful reality – God wants to encounter us where we are at.  Let us receive and experience this unconditional love.  Deus Gratias!

November – Remembering our Loved Ones

Mass for our Deceased – 2nd November

For all those families who have lost a family member in the last year, a special mass will be held on All Souls Day, Wednesday 2nd November at 8pm.  All parishioners are most welcome to attend.  This Mass will be in addition to the 9.30am Mass and hopefully those at work will get a chance to come.  Tea/Coffee in the Community Centre afterwards.

Names of Deceased on the Altar during November

In addition, please write the names of deceased family and friends on the sheets at paper provided in the Church porch if you would like them to be remembered at all Masses throughout November.  All the collected names will be put in a basket and placed on the altar for the month.

Annual Mass for Deceased Clergy of the Deanery

A special Mass will be celebrated at St Joseph’s Church in Bromley at 11.30 am on Tuesday 8^th November.  All parishioners would be most welcome.

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and Readers – 12th November

The annual day of recollection for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and Readers for the South East area will take place at Bishop Thomas Grant School, Belltrees Grove, Streatham, SW16 2HY on Saturday, 12th November.  The theme for the day is ‘Encountering God’s Mercy in the Eucharist’.  The day will start at 11 am and finish with a Mass said by the Bishop Rt.  Rev.  Patrick Lynch.  Please contact the Parish Office and let us know if you plan to attend.

Children’s Liturgy

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

Confirmation 2017 – Meeting Monday 7 November

Calling all year 9 and above students who wish to be confirmed next year.  There is a “Come and See” meeting on Monday 7^th November at 8 pm in the Church.  This meeting is for candidates and their parents.  At the end of the meeting, packs will be distributed ready for enrolment into the programme which starts with a kick off day on Saturday 26^th November. If you intend to come to the meeting on the 7^th, please let the parish office know by phone or email: parish.office@stjamespettswood.org. We look forward to meeting you all.  The Catechists.

First Holy Communion 2017

If you would like your child to take part in our parish programme for First Holy Communion, please send an email to the Parish Office with all relevant details, child’s name, date of birth, school, names of parents, address and contact details.

Candidates must be in Year 3 or above.  All preparation classes are held on Saturdays from 4.30 to 5.45 and will run from January to June. Dates for First Holy Communion are 10^th and 17^th June 2017.

Christmas Choir

Following on from the success of the recent parish music workshop, we would now like to hear from anyone who is interested in joining our Christmas Choir this year.  The Christmas Choir will be singing in the special services during the Christmas season.  Commitment to attending rehearsals will be important as most of the songs and carols will be sung in parts.

Rehearsals will take place weekly on Thursday evenings, 8.00-9.15pm in the church, starting on 10th November.

If you are interested in being involved or require more information, please sign up on the forms at the back of the church after Mass or email the Parish Office.

Parish Pastoral Council Pillar

Evangelisation Pillar

Growing in Faith

Two events to round off the “Year of Mercy” at St James’.  Please join us in the Community Centre if you can.  You would be most welcome.

Wednesday 9^th November 8pm – Group Discussion

“Mercy and New Life” John 11: 1-45.

Wednesday 30^th November 8pm – Guest Speaker – Geoff Wheaton, “Contemplating Mercy through Art and Scripture” (more details to follow).

Calling all Catechists

There will be a meeting of all Catechists on Tuesday 22nd November, 8pm in the Community Centre.  If you are involved in Baptism, Children's Liturgy, First Holy Communion, Confirmation, RCIA or would like to be involved please do join us.

Young Church Pillar

Altar Server Introduction Session with Pizza – Monday 14th November – 5.30pm to 7 pm

If you have made your First Holy Communion, attend Mass here at St James’ and would like to help us by joining our Altar Servers then please come along to our Altar Server Introduction session with pizza.  This is open to potential new altar servers and current altar servers and will take place on Monday 14^th November in the Community Centre 5.30 pm to 7pm.

If you are interested, then please email servers@stjamespettswood.org ideally by Monday 7^th November so we know the numbers for the evening and how much pizza to order.  Alternatively, if you not free to join us on 7^th November but are interested in becoming an altar server, please email either the Parish Office or servers@stjamespettswood.org.  and we will provide you with the necessary details for joining up.

Calling all Year 7 and above – Christ the King Youth Day - 19th November

Come along to St James’ the Great Church, Petts Wood on Saturday 19^th November ((12pm – 6 pm, Vigil Mass) for the chance to reunite with friends, share good food and get involved in events such as music, art and dance.  The activities will be organised by the Whitstable Retreat Team and will be followed by Mass at 6pm.  Tickets cost £2 and can be bought in advance from the parish office or on the day.  For more information on this event, see our website : www.bromleydeanery.org/christ-the-king-youth-day-19th-november-2016.

Pastoral Care Pillar

Invitation to all Parishioners

Meeting 23rd November 7.30pm - Discover the peace of Shalom

The Acorn Christian Healing Foundation is a training service set up to offer a wide range of focused training experiences which meet the needs of churches and individuals who want to serve their communities better. Subjects cover reconciliation, wholeness, and prayer ministry and equip the church to make a transforming impact in their communities.

On Wednesday 23^rd November at 7.30pm, the Director of Acorn, Wes Sutton is coming to give a talk at St James’ Cummunity Centre and we are inviting all parishioners to attend.  Acorn was established in 1983 by Bishop Morris Maddocks and has been at the forefront of providing people regardless of ther circumstances, background or life choices with the opportunity to experience the ‘shalom’ a life-encompassing peace – that is at the heart of the Christian message.  Shalom impacts every area of a person’s life – relationships, physical and spiritual wellbeing and emotional wholeness.

To find out more, do join us for what promises to be a enlightening and comforting spiritual experience.  Please let the Parish Office know if you are planning to be there.  Tea/Coffee served.  Finish at 9 pm.

Parish Groups

Justice & Peace Group - Parish Peru Project

St James' is supporting the work of Fr Alex Busuttil in the parish of St Helen in Peru for the 2016/2017 until July 2017.  Fr Alex asked if we could assist with funding the cost of building a small chapel at the children's home which has now been developed into a family centre.  The chapel has recently been completed with our help and has been named the Adoration Chapel and is now in daily use.  We have so far sent £6,116 to Fr Alex.  A further $10,000 will be needed to repay funds that were borrowed to complete chapel and Fr Alex has asked for our continued support to assist in repaying the borrowing.

He has sent us photographs of the Adoration Chapel and these are displayed together with other information on St Helen's on the notice board near the entrance to the church.  Fr Alex has thanked us for all our help and he keeps us in his prayers.

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.

DAD & Me – 19 November

The next meeting of Dad & Me will be held at the Community Centre on Saturday 19 November at 10 am – 11.30 am.

Appeal on behalf of 3rd Petts Wood Scout Group

Would you like to help our Young People to become responsible,caring, enthusiastic adults with a love of life, our world, adventure and everyone in it?

There are currently approximately 50 children on the waitig list.  Unfortunately those older than 6 are unable to join 3^rd Petts Wood Scout Group.  Currently, we are unable to offer places to anyone in Cubs and Scouts who are not in Beavers due to a lack of Leaders.  In the past, we have had two Cub packs and could offer places for all those wishing to join Scouting here at St James’.

Please consider joining the Scout Group here in the parish as an Assistant Leader or regular Helper.  We can offer fun, friendship and a real sense of achievement from seeing your young people grow as they progress from Beavers at age 6 to Explorers and Young Leaders at the age of 18 through being part of the largest Youth Organisation in the World.

Each of us has skills to offer and you willl learn new ones.  All that is needed is enthusiasm, a willingness to work as part of a team, a positive attitude, tolerance and a sense of humour.  We do have some young people who need additional support at the weekly meetings in order that they can get the most out of the activities and to enable everyone to participate fully in the programme.  This can be a challenge for the current Leaders due to the number in each section and the varying needs of the Young people.

There is a training programme for Leaders and all the current Leaders are here to support you in your role.  We have always had strong links with the Parish and all the current Leaders have come via the Parish in one way or another.  All of us have had or currrently have children in the Group and can vouch for the benefit Scouting has for our Young people.

Please consider if you can help and contact me via email c.charlesworth@btinternet.com or through the Parish Office.

St James’ RC Primary School – Open Day Wednesday 23rd November

The Open Day will take place on Wednesday 23rd November at 9.30 – 10.30 am.  It is not necessary to book a place, parents are invited to turn up at the appointed time.

Supplementary Information Forms will be distributed at this event.  Please contact the school directly for any further information.

Secondary School Applications

Supplementary Information Forms are due at the end of the month, so please see Fr.  David as soon as possible if you are in the process of applying for a Faith Secondary School.

Rotas for next week

	Sat 5 Nov 6.00pm	Sun 6 Nov 9.15am	Sun 6 Nov 11.00am
Welcomers	K.  Moon	L Thomas F Mace	M Cooper K Edwards
Readers	M O’Mahony K Salter	J Gibson S Cotta	R Morrison L Benson
Ministers of Holy Communion	P Driscoll T Babb B Babb H Rothon P Cantopher	B Cotta W David B D’Arcy T Forde M Smith	P Murray V Terry N Loghurst T Wilard R Mwansa
Coffee		C Lynch S Barradell	C D’Arcy T Lowe C Battista
Bar		B Fleeman	P Troy
Tellers Cleaning	P Cosgrave & P Dabrowski CWL, S Ingle, I Hutchins P Driscoll, V Kavalianskas Thursdays: H.  Amura & M.  Mitrovic

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