‘Christ is risen- alleluia!’

Today we celebrate the central mystery of our faith- the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.  Our core belief is that the crucified Jesus of Nazareth, has been raised by God to a new kind of life.  Death is not the last word for him, and, if we trust in him, neither is it for us. For the resurrection of Jesus concerns all of us who have been baptised - as St. Paul wrote in chapter 6 of his letter to the Romans:

‘’....when we were baptised in Christ Jesus we were baptised in his death; in other words, when we were baptised we went into the tomb with him and joined him in death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the Father’s glory, we too might live a new life.’

‘A new life.’  Renewal. In the resurrection, God is revealing to us a new way of being human, a new creation- the old has passed away.  The whole of Jesus’ saving work - his teaching, loving, healing and forgiving - all these things are now available to us through his church, his risen Body on earth.

We are all members of this Body and must live accordingly. The most convincing proof of Jesus’ resurrection will be us, and the kind of lives we lead. Are we ready for a new kind of life, in union with him? Or is it simply business as usual?

Happy Easter!

Every blessing for Eastertide to all parishioners, and to visitors to St. James’. Mass is celebrated each morning (Mon-Fri) this week at 9.30am.

This issue of Briefly is a double issue –please file carefully.

Many thanks to everyone who has worked so hard to prepare for Easter- especially our flower arrangers, musicians and servers. 

Thanks to those who supported the PWFC concert last Sunday. A cheque for £1,800 has been sent to the Orpington Foodbank by Petts Wood Churches Together.  See more Foodbank information at end of this Briefly.  A magnificent effort!

Week of Accompanied Prayer

A REMINDER to Participants that we have a follow-up session in St. James’ from 10.30am-12 noon on Saturday 13^th April. Several of the Guides are expected to be there, who hope that we will come up with ways to build on the blessings of the Week.

NEXT WEEK (Sunday 7^th) we welcome, through Holy Baptism:

Violet Catherine Carol Foster (6pm), Mia Rose and Lana Angeline Meheux (9.15am) and Emelia Willow and Freya Wren Quinn (11am).

Journey in Faith recommences Wednesday April 10^th at 7.45pm.

Bromley Borough Foodbank collection 13/14^th April

Please bring in items of dried food (packets of pasta sauce, custard, etc., are preferred to tins).  See comprehensive list at back of church next week or look online at www.stjamespettswood.org/foodbank.html

Kainmari Curry Night will be on Sunday 21st April starting at 4pm in the hall.  Proceeds to CAFOD for Connect2: Bangladesh.   This is a LiveSimply initiative to Live in Solidarity with the Poor.  

Ticket prices include a 3 course meal and there will be activities for children from 3 to 12 (and a bit beyond).  Tickets available next weekend (adults £8, children £4, family ticket £20).

Mass attendances last Sunday were 629.  Your offering on Easter Day is your personal gift to your parish priest.
Sunday 31/3/13	Easter Sunday 8.30pm – EASTER VIGIL (Sat) – People of the Parish 9.15am – Melvyn Haynes RIP (Mr & Mrs Haynes) 11am – Mr Eugene Egan RIP (M Thompson)
Monday 1/4/13	Easter Monday 9.30am – In Loving Memory of Trevor Lyons RIP (Trevor’s Family)
Tuesday 2/4/13	Easter Tuesday 9.30am – Hugh & Mary O’Donnell RIP (Deirdre Marshall)
Wednesday 3/4/13	Easter Wednesday 9.30am – In celebration of Jean Craen’s birthday (Mothers Prayer Group)
Thursday 4/4/13	Easter Thursday 9.30am – Herbert & Margaret Winn RIP   (S Simon)
Friday 5/4/13	Easter Friday 9.30am – Denis Joseph Deasy RIP (Deasy Family)
Sunday  7/4/13	2^nd Sunday of Easter 6pm – People of the Parish 9.15am – Agatha Yee RIP (Victor Brittain-Wong) 11am – Denis & Agnes Crowley RIP (Harrington Family)

Monday 8/4/13	The Annunciation of the Lord 9.30am – Pat & Lily Foy RIP (Melling Family)
Tuesday 9/4/13	Feria of Easter 9.30am – Rene Aumont RIP (A & P Lane)
Wednesday 10/4/13	Feria of Easter 9.30am – Private Intention
Thursday 11/4/13	St Stanislaus, bishop, martyr 9.30am – Bill O’Riordan
Friday 12/4/13	Feria of Easter 9.30am – Denis Jackson (Mrs Jackson)
Sunday  14/4/13	3rd Sunday of Easter 6pm – People of the Parish 9.15am – Ting Ting & Dominic Wells (The Howell Family) 11am – Bridget Donovan RIP (Mary Ramadan)

Bromley Foodbank

An (anonymous) member of the congregation celebrated his birthday last weekend and asked his family and friends to bring gifts for the Foodbank instead of giving him presents! The result was 212kg of food, plus cheques to value of £250!

A wonderful example of faith and we thank God.

Please bring in items of dried food (packets of pasta sauce, custard, etc..are preferred to tins.) See the comprehensive list at back of church next week or look online at:

www.stjamespettswood.org/foodbank.html

Fr.Bryan Wells

Priest-inCharge.