Thank you for your offerings last week of £1,274. Maintenance Fund Collection £845. Mass attendance 686.
Sunday 8th October (Saturday Vigil)	Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time 6pm Reg Griffin RIP (K Griffin) Frank Donelan RIP 25^th Anniversary (Donelan Family)
	9.15am Francesca Sio RIP (Sio Family) 11am Wladyslaw Augustyn RIP E&A Augustyn)
Monday 9th October	Feria 9.30am Una McLoughlin RIP (M Kelly)
Tuesday 10th October	Feria 9.30am Anthony Olivelle RIP (M Olivelle)
Wednesday 11th October	Feria 9.30am Peggie & Mai Linehan
	10.45am Eucharistic Adoration
Thursday 12th October	Feria
(Please note change of time)	10.30am Requiem Mass for Amanda Fox
Friday 13th October	Saint Edward the Confessor 9.30am Jimmie & Mary O’Connor
Sunday 15th October (Saturday Vigil)	Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time 6pm Patrick McCabe RIP (McCabe Family)
	9.15am Robert Feeney RIP (M Feeney) Francesca Sio RIP (Sio Family) 11am Carmela Battista RIP (Bunnage 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.

Second Collection

This week’s second collection is for CAFOD’s Harvest Fast Day, which was on Friday 6^th October.

Sunday Mornings in the Community Centre

Every Sunday coffee and tea is served after the 9.15am and 11am Masses. Please join us for a while and get to know each other over a cuppa!

Fr David writes…

A few years ago I watched a very disturbing play called POSH in the West End by the British playwright Laura Wade. The play concerns an Oxford student dinning club called “The Riot Club”. Ten members of the Riot Club, an exclusive Oxford University dinning club, have rented out a country pub’s dining room for their termly dinner. Their president James, who is about to leave university, is falling out of love with the club and promises the suspicious landlord Chris and his waitress daughter Rachel that he will keep things under control. As the members get more drunk and rowdy their bullying of one another and of Chris and Rachel gets worse. As they start wrecking the room completely and the noise from the dining room escalates, the other patrons in the pub start to complain. Chris asks his daughter to try and quieten them down but she ended up being ridiculed and abused. She leaves the dining room feeling humiliated and broken and then her father himself, Chris bursts in outraged and the members assault him, knocking him out. Horrified they panic and bar the door, despite that the landlord was seriously hurt. The story of the Riot Club becomes a metaphor for what happens when a group becomes totally exclusive. It just implodes.

When a group of any kind accepts only their “type” and accepts only the same minded people with the exclusion of any new blood, something of their soul dies. They lose sense of who they are in the scheme of things. When a group builds up a thick fortress around it for self- preservation, it loses touch with the bigger picture and thus with reality. The sin of exclusivity is becoming territorial. Not welcoming others in. Once we close completely the borders, the dynamics within the group changes. The consequences of which are internal political strife, jealousy and power games. The group implodes. Of course, any group or club has the need for clarity of vision and mission to survive and to keep focused on who they are and where they wish to go. However, the boundaries around those who wish to join need to remain flexible. Otherwise we become judgers on who is worthy to be included or not. As the exclusive Riot club members lost completely any moral compass because they thought that they were above the law and so felt that they had the permission to treat those who did not belong to their social strata as nothing, so thus any group who falls in the temptation of exclusivity. The people who are on the outside of the group then experience rejection. Rejection speaks of not being worthy enough to be chosen to be part of the group. It touches our self -confidence and sense of worth. There is no pain more intense or distressing than that of being rejected especially as a child. Once we are rejected as adults then, all the emotions around our childhood rejections are triggered. And we can regress. Our inner child is reactivated. Like a sword of sorrow, it pierces our heart and leaves us deeply wounded. Rejection is something we all encounter on our journey through life.

Jesus does not seem to have been immune from rejections either. In today’s Gospel Matthew narrates the parable of the landlord who plants a vineyard, leases it to tenants and entrusts them with the responsibility of caring for his estate and paying their dues. They seem to have abused their role. From tenants, they became the landlords themselves. They built this huge fence around it for protection and became the sole protectors of the Vineyard. When vintage time comes, the landowner sends his servants to collect what is due to him. When they are treated with brutality, the landowner sends a larger number, but they meet with the same fate. The landowner then sends his only son, hoping his tenants will respect him. The landlord’s hope is crushed. His son is thrown out of the vineyard and killed. Matthew clearly uses the parable, addressed to the chief priests and the elders, as a summary of the history of salvation. The landlord’s servants stand for the succession of prophets God has sent to Israel, only to see them treated with disdain and violence. The son is clearly a figure of Jesus himself, dragged out of Jerusalem to be murdered. Jesus is not just one of the prophets but God’s own son. The punishment of leasing the vineyard to other tenants clearly indicates Matthew’s thought that the kingdom of God will be granted to the Gentiles – those outside the Jewish religion, who will be expected to deliver the produce.

Once we start perceiving ourselves as a “special exclusive” club, as Catholics for example, we become complacent in our call for discipleship. And we start categorising each other in who should be worthy to be part of this club and those who are not. We become territorial. Once we start thinking on those terms, we lose the essence of who we are. The Gospel values are inclusive. Jesus came into the world to show us that the only way to save ourselves is to be opened to others. There is always a breath of fresh air in inclusive groups. Welcome and hospitality become the hallmark of a healthy club. Hopefully our parish at St James’ will continue to be so.

I wish to thank all those who truly shared their time, energy and talent to organise our Autumn Festival last Saturday. It surely was a sign of our strength for inclusivity as a community when we celebrate the beauty of cultural diversity. We have so much to learn from one another and be enriched. May this be the first in many future events within our parish. With heartfelt gratitude – Fr David.

“Drop-In” Evening Surgeries

Please note the change of day

The next Drop-in Surgery will take place on Wednesday 11^th October between 5pm – 7pm. Please call at 281a Crescent Drive. No appointments are necessary.

One Parish Autumn Festival

Thank you to everyone who has spent time cooking, baking, making things, buying raffle tickets, dancing, giving bottles, sweets and other items to the Autumn Festival; and to everyone who came along to enjoy the event last Saturday! Your participation led to a really joyful and lively event and achieved a really great contribution to our parish maintenance fund. Thanks again!

One World Week – Sunday 15 October 2017 at 4.00pm in our Community Centre

Mercy Ships – Good neighbours – My World Depends on Us

Our church will be the host for members of the local churches to celebrate One World Week. The guest speakers will be Peter and Sonia Wright from the Mercy Ships charity. The charity has helped transform the lives of more than 2.54 million people in the poorest countries of the world since 1978 on its floating hospital ship. Come and hear about the charity’s work and then meet members of the local churches afterwards for a shared buffet. Please bring a national dish to share at the buffet.

Confirmation 2018

Calling all year Nine and above students who wish to be confirmed next year. There is a “Come and See” meeting on Monday 6^th November at 7.30pm 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 25^th November. If you intend to come to the meeting on the 6^th, please let the parish office know by phone or email: parish.office@stjamespettswood.org.uk. We look forward to meeting you all. The Catechists

First Holy Communion 2018

Calling for new Catechists.

We are looking through-out the Parish for anyone who would like to be involved in helping to prepare our children for their First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion.

We have arranged for an experienced Catechist, from the Deanery to meet the current team and any prospective Catechists. If you are interested or inspired by this important task, please come along to the Community Centre from 2:30 - 5:00 pm on Sunday 5th November.

You do not need to be an expert as we have a number of experienced Catechists to help you in this really important work.

To give us an idea of numbers, please register your interest at the Parish Office and if you have any specific queries they will direct you to one of the current Catechist team

NOTE TO ALL PARENTS OF CURRENT YEAR 3 CHILDREN: REGISTRATION FOR THE 2018 PROGRAMME WILL BEGIN SHORTLY AND INFORMATION WILL BE PUBLISHED IN BRIEFLY SOON.

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.

Songs for the Winter Season

A workshop led by John Bell – Founder of Iona Community

John is a member of the Iona Community and a founder of the Wild Goose Resource Group. He is an occasional broadcaster who lectures and preaches across the globe. John will lead us in a day of liturgical music with particular regard to the forthcoming seasons of Remembrance, Advent and Christmastide. The workshop will be held at Amigo Hall, St George’s Cathedral. 10.30am to 3.30pm. Please book in advance via the parish office. This will be a wonderful day of song and conversation with John Bell.

To New and Existing Altar Servers

On the 4^th November you are invited to come along to a special meeting to encourage you to think about whether you would like to become an Altar server. All existing Altar servers are also invited to attend and chat to any new servers that might be interested in joining us. The meeting is open to anybody who have made your First Holy Communion. Parents please accompany children under 18. We will be serving Pizza so please let the parish office know beforehand if you are going to attend.

Young Readers for Children’s Mass

We are looking for children who would like to join in during Mass by reading the bidding prayers and other parts of the liturgy before the gospel. Please contact the parish office for more information.

Calling all Musicians and Singers

Would you like to join in the liturgy by singing or playing a musical instrument during Mass? We are looking for all sorts of talent and skills. If you are interested please contact the Parish Office.

The Roman Missal

Pope Francis issued a Motu Proprio – Magnum Principium – on 3^rd September regarding the opportunity now given to Bishops Conferences to reflect, revise and implement any changes to the liturgical texts. This will be on the agenda for the Bishops Conference of England & Wales meeting in November. For some time now, it has been felt by some priests and lay people that the clunky and distorted language of the present Missal makes it very difficult to be prayed and understood. So as Parish Pastoral Council, we felt it was the opportune time to ask the parish about your views regarding your preference in regards the liturgical texts. Given the national emphasis on the Eucharistic Congress next year – surely the language we use in the public prayer of the church should be the best available.

What are your feelings regarding this issue?

1. Are you happy with the present liturgical texts as they are?

2. Would you rather see the 1998 liturgical texts to be re-introduced?

Please send your reactions to the parish office or directly to the Archbishop’s office.

Pastoral Care Pillar

Invitation to a day on the Pope's Post Synodal Apostolic Exhortation

"Amoris Laetitia" – The Joy of Love

Saturday 14th October 2017

This event will be held in St James’ Community Centre from 9.30am to 3.00pm. In Pope Francis' Exhortation he tries to address all aspects and challenges of modern family life. The document is an invitation to revisit the sanctity of family based on Christian values with bonds of love, compassion and commitment. Our key speaker for the day will be Sr Helen Costigane SHCJ a lecturer of Pastoral studies at St Mary's University, Twickenham. She will focus particularly on chapter eight of the document giving an overview of its meaning and the function of conscience and discernment. There will also be a time for discussion, questions and answers.

Please bring a shared lunch. Tea and coffee will be provided. All are welcome.

Baby Loss Awareness Week

9-15th October 2017

Many will know and understand the pain of losing a baby at any stage of pregnancy. National charity lifecharity.org.uk have designated a week to encourage as many people as possible to provide support in prayer for those who have suffered such a loss. Here at St James’ to mark the week a candle will be lit at the altar alongside a dedicated display and from 8.30am to 9.30am before Mass each day, people will be able to come into the church for quiet prayer.

Memorial Service on Sunday 12th November. 3pm

For all those families who have lost a family member in the last year, a special Service will be held in the Church and all Parishioners are most welcome to attend. This will be followed by refreshments in the Community Centre when members of our Pastoral Care Team will be present should you feel the need to talk to someone.

In addition, there will be an opportunity to remember deceased family and friends at all Masses throughout November. From the weekend of 14-15th October sheets of paper will be available in the Church porch if you would like your loved ones to be remembered. Please place their names in the box provided, the names will then be put in a basket and placed on the altar from the beginning of November.

Peace Candle in Our Lady’s Chapel

A quiet space has been set aside in Our Lady’s Chapel and a book is available for anyone who wishes to write a prayer for peace for their own personal intentions.

Evangelisation Pillar

RCIA – Journey in Faith begins again

with a Welcome session on Sunday 29^th October 2.30pm – 6.00pm. It is for Adults 18 plus who may be:

Searching for meaning in their lives and want to explore their spirituality.

Wanting to know more about the person of Jesus and Christianity.

Feeling the need to belong to a Community of Faith.

Exploring the possibility of becoming Catholics.

Journey in Faith is also for those who are already Catholics but feel the need to deepen their faith. And for those who are already Christians but wish to become full members of the Catholic Church.

Please let the Parish Office know if you would like to join the journey with us.

Half day Exploration of the Religious Art of Caravaggio

Saturday 4^th November 10:30am (prompt start) - around 1pm finish.

Caravaggio was one of the greatest artists the world has seen; as well as being Pope Francis’ favourite artist. This ½ day event will look at the man and his religious art, with the aim to deepen our understanding and appreciation of both.

Fr Geoff Wheaton SJ will return to St James’ to give this talk. Caravaggio is his hero, and his talk will be a feast of ideas and knowledge. You don’t need to be an art-lover to enjoy this fascinating and stimulating talk.

Youth Pillar

Take ‘The Creed Challenge’ Youth Mass

Saturday 14^th October at St Joseph’s Church, Plaistow Lane, Bromley.

Workshops from 3.30pm-5.30pm (Church Hall)

Art, Music, singing and drama. Followed by Youth Mass at 6pm.

Saturday Night Youth Club at St Joseph’s Church, Plaistow Lane, Bromley

Calling all Year 6 and above. Come along with your friends to a new youth group being held fortnightly from 14^th October 7.00-9.30pm in the church hall. £2.00 entry includes food.

Justice & Peace Group

Please use this list if you are able to donate to the Foodbank in the coming week:

Rice puddings, Custard (tins or packets), Cold meat (spam, corned beef), Coffee (small jars), Tinned tomatoes, Tinned veg (carrots, peas, potatoes), Tinned fruit, Jam/marmalade, Drinks (UHT milk, UHT fruit juice and small bottles of squash), Toiletries (especially men's), such as shampoo, shower gel, deodorants.

Manna Centre

With Winter fast approaching, the challenges of homelessness at this time of year put additional pressure on the resources of the Manna Centre. As a parish we have been generously supporting this worthy cause through 6-monthly collections over a number of years. Our last collection for this year will be next weekend, 14/15 October and items that are particularly needed include:

Towels for showers

Sleeping bags

Blankets

Men’s toiletries including disposable razors

Warm men’s clothing including hats, socks and gloves

Take a look at the display at the back of the church for more information about the Manna Society and its work, or contact Nick Babb from the Justice & Peace Group by emailing nick.babb@stjamespettswood.org.

Parish Life

Watch RISE Theatre’s new play about Blessed Oscar Romero

We are delighted to welcome RISE Theatre, a professional Christian theatre company, who will be performing their original play ‘Romero – Heartbeat of El Salvador’ at St James’ on Sunday 26^th November at 7.30pm.

The production tells the true story of Blessed Oscar Romero and his heart for the oppressed people of El Salvador. Romero chose to challenge those in power and stand up for social justice. He demanded respect for human rights. Come and experience this exciting new play, performed with energy and passion by the RISE Theatre team - www.risetheatre.co.uk

“A challenging and moving production about the life and legacy of this great man of justice.” Bridget Fenwick, CAFOD

For tickets please contact

Parish office on 01689 827100 parish.office@stjamespettswood.org

or visit www.ticketsource.co.uk/risetheatre

Performance lasts approximately 75 minutes and is suitable for adults and children 11+

Community Centre

We are urgently looking for people to go on the coffee rota for the Sunday 9.15am and Wednesday 10am Masses. Please contact the Parish office if you are able to help.

Community Hall Audio Visual System Demonstration

There is now a reasonably comprehensive audio-visual (AV) system setup in the Community Hall, and all parish groups are encouraged to make use of it. To show what the system can do, and to answer any queries, a demonstration is scheduled to start 5 minutes after the end of the following Masses in the Hall. The Demonstration should last around 15 minutes.

14-15^th October weekend AFTER Saturday 6pm mass and Sunday 11am Mass

21^st-22^nd October weekend AFTER Sunday 9:15am and 11am Mass

No demonstrations over 28-29^th October weekend as it is half term week

4-5^th November weekend AFTER Saturday 6pm mass and Sunday 9:15am Mass

There is a simple set of instructions so that the AV system can be used more extensively within the Parish. Any parishioners who are interested in using the AV system should come to the demonstration, and all parish groups should arrange for a representative to attend and to learn the setup.

CWL- Military Whist Drive

The Catholic Women’s League will be holding their popular annual Military Whist Drive on Saturday 21st October in the Community Centre. 7.30pm for 8pm start. Entrance is £6 and includes a ploughman’s supper. It is a fun evening suitable for 10 - 110 year olds. Don’t know how to play? – Come along at 7.30 and learn how! Tables of 4 – make up your own table or join others.

To book places please email the Parish Office by 15th October (remember to mention any dietary requirements).

Why not give Firm Believers a try?

Firm Believers is our inter-church Fun-Fitness class to music every Tuesday (in term-time), 7.00-7.45 pm, in our Community Centre here at St James’. The class improves all aspects of fitness and well-being by using a combination of low-impact, pulse-raising activities, dance activities (for fun, improved co-ordination and balance), Pilates, stretching, relaxation and toning. Stay for a cuppa 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: Fru Bird on 07904 329788 or email firm.believers@stjamespettswood.org). Maybe bring a friend. Wear trainers, any comfortable clothing and bring a mat or towel, and get fit and trim.

Friends of St James'

Saturday 11^th November, 7.00pm

Iron Mountain in concert at St James’ Community Centre!

Cost: £10 adults, £5 children, £25 family

Bar open, bring your own nibbles.

Tickets on sale after Mass from next week.

Seeing a Chaplain if You Are Admitted to Hospital

Protecting personal information (data protection) is really important when you become an inpatient in hospital.

So please specifically ask hospital staff to pass on your details to the hospital’s Roman Catholic chaplain as soon as you are admitted if you would like a Chaplain to visit you.

Fr David would always be very happy to visit you too, so please ask a relative or friend to let him know about your admission. You or they can email Fr David on father.david@stjamespettswood.org, or phone the parish office on 01689 827100.

Weekend Rotas: Thank you for helping.

Saturday 14^th October
Cleaning the Church	S Lams, L Monsah, D Generowicz, K Salter, M Gallagher

Wednesday Coffee 18^th October

T Forde, E Cushman

15^th October
Mass	Saturday 6pm (Vigil)	Sunday 9.15am	Sunday 11am
Welcomers	M Sands	M Howell K Drabowicz	L McDonald S May
Readers	L Rusmini A Prifti	C D’Souza C Hairs	R Rowan R Del Guercio
Ministers of Holy Communion	J Callinan P Crosland C Wakefield C Coisgrave P Cosgrave	A Hawkins D Hairs B Cotta W David B D’Arcy	V Terry N Longhurst T Willad R Mwansa K Chan
Bar	P Benson M Wright
Coffee		D Delf F Curran E Aletta	C D’Arcy T Lowe

Tellers

C Delf, M Troy