What’s a saint?
Sometimes we hear people talk about each other (unkindly) –‘He/she’s no saint!’- as if holiness is the same thing as perfection-which it is not. Saints are (in this life) far from perfect. In fact, (and perhaps this is their chief characteristic) they know their need of God’s forgiveness.
Many people today are deeply cynical about the possibility of achieving holiness of life. We are far too busy criticising others and asserting our rights rather than exercising our responsibilities and examining our own lives.
And yet the Church teaches that holiness of life is the vocation of all of us! It will be a struggle (as it is for all saints) but with prayer, the sacraments, the scriptures - and each other within the community of the church - we have more than enough to help us in our discipleship of Jesus.
What’s a saint? Rather, who’s a saint? Hang in there, folks, I think they’re talking about us!
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This week |
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Mass attendances last Sunday were 587. |
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Sunday 31/10/10
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6pm- Eileen Keane RIP (Pat Farrant) 10am- Bob Macey RIP (Maureen Jackson) 11.30am –People of the Parish
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Monday 1/11/10 Feria
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9.30am –Ann Black RIP (the Troy family) |
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Tuesday 2/11/10
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Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed 9.30am – Stephen Hanselman & family (Teresa West) 7.15pm – Derek Williams RIP (the Salter family) (Not Derrick Williams of Homesdale Road)
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Wednesday 3/11/10
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9.30am –Gerte Boston RIP (Elizabeth Melling) |
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Thursday 4/11/10 St Charles Borromeo
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9.30am – Des Kelly RIP (Margaret Kelly) |
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Friday 5/11/10 Feria
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9.30am – Patrick & Nora Lonigan RIP (Mary O’Leary) |
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Saturday 6/11/10 |
Fr. Bryan attending Southern Synod of the United Reformed Church – meeting in Tudor Way.
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Sunday 7/11/ 10 |
32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (C) 6pm- People of the Parish 10am- Kitty O’Riordan RIP (Ned) 11.30am –Daniel Carrigan RIP (Gwen Carrigan & family)
Second collection for You Touch Africa
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Tuesday 9/11/10 |
Justice and Peace 8pm |
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Hall Development
It is now time for everyone to choose which form of development they would prefer, if any. There are individually addressed envelopes for every household registered with the parish in the porch. These contain forms which enable everyone to vote. There are special envelopes for anyone not registered. Please take your envelope and return the completed forms as soon as possible. Thank you.
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A branch of St Vincent de Paul Society is being established in Petts Wood. New members are invited to the inaugural meeting in the church hall on November 17th at 7.30. Please let Pam in the Parish office know if you are coming or email svp@stjamespettswood.org. |
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All Readers - Meeting on Monday 29th November at 8.00pm in the church. This is to clarify and in some cases make changes in present practices, and we do need all Readers to be there. Would you please notify the parish office if you cannot attend.
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All Eucharistic Ministers and Readers – day of recollection at Bishop Thomas Grant School Streatham- Saturday November 13th -10.30am – 4pm.Please take invitation from porch. |
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Penitential Service – Our Advent Penitential Service will be at 7pm on Wednesday December 1st with priests from our Deanery hearing confessions. I do encourage everyone to make their confession at this service. |
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St James Primary School needs volunteers to hear children’s reading. If you have a few hours to spare please phone 020 8467 8167- a CRB check will be undertaken. |
All Saints and All Souls
We join hands
with the living
who are learning to love.
We dance
with the dead
whose vision still lives.
We pause
with the angels
in remembrance.
A poem by Elizabeth Baxter
We now begin the month of the Holy Souls. Do try and come to Mass on Tuesday (All Souls) (am or pm) to pray for all the Faithful Departed.
Fr Bryan