There are three “big” themes for us to think about today:-

 

1.  Being sorry for our sins, confessing them and receiving the wonderful gift of God’s forgiveness (this is what today’s story of the prodigal son is all about).  We all have the opportunity to do this on Thursday at our Lenten Penitential Service at 7pm- hope to see you there!

 

2. Mothering Sunday. We thank God today for our mothers. You might like this poem by Ruth Burgess.

 

Out of your Womb

 

Out of your womb

into the light

YOU PUSH US IN LOVE

 

Out of Childhood

into adult responsibility

YOU PUSH US IN LOVE

 

Out of dependence

into freedom and risk

YOU PUSH US IN LOVE

 

3. Reducing waste and pollution (week 4 of our parish “Lenten rule”).  Most of us recycle- great- but sadly our annual volume of waste is increasing faster than the amount going into recycling. Change is up to us. We have choices. We are responsible for the amount of waste we create and the way we dispose of it. Do have a look at our week 4 sheet. 

 

There are connections between all these 3 things. Make your own. As Groucho Marx would say, “think about it.....”

 

A warm welcome to everyone today – to all mothers, to our uniformed organisations (11.30am) and to new members of our parish community. Last weekend we logged the highest Mass attendance at St James for many years and this is to be welcomed. The challenge now is to ensure that everyone    feels valued and able to participate fully in the Body of Christ and the parish teams are working on this. Shalom!  

 

Notices and Items of interest

Today

Holy Week choir practice - 3.15pm

 

Stations of the Cross -5pm

 

Taize meeting (not service) - 7pm social centre – for all who have been to Taize.

Monday

Confirmation prep – 7pm

 

Evangelium 8.30pm (Scripture and Tradition)

Tuesday

16/3/2010

Mass at 7.15pm.  This is celebrated in the St James Chapel front right and is informal and is attracting more and more people.  Why not come along after a hard day’s work?

 

8pm Petts Wood Festival Chorus - We desperately need tenors so please come along guys and do your Pavarotti!

Wednesday

17/3/2010

Mass with St James School here in church at 9.30am.

Thursday

18/3/10

7pm Lenten Penitential Service  at 7pm (NB time) I encourage everyone to make their confession (choice of priests) – and we have timed this so that families with young children can come.  (Year 4 and upwards.) This is the best possible preparation for Easter.

Friday

19/3/2010

Many of our confirmees will be making their retreat at our Diocesan Youth Centre at Whitstable (returning Sunday afternoon.) Please pray for them.

Saturday  20/3/10   

KSC Family race night.  St James Social Centre first race 7pm. Tickets from Peter Benson or Frank Simon. Full details on  parish website

Monday 22/3/10

Passover Supper Celebration - 7.30 pm -9pm in the social centre.  Last chance to sign up for our Passover Supper Celebration. If you wish to be there, please sign the list in the church lobby as you leave church today.  Flyers are available in the porch.

Saturday 27/3/10

Church clean up for Easter (9am -12noon). Can you please spare an hour or two to prepare the church for Holy Week and Easter – please sign list in porch. Many thanks. 

 

Mass in celebration of the sacrament of marriage (Cathedral, June 12th).

If you are celebrating your 10th, 25th, 40th, 50th, or 60th+ wedding anniversary. Please sign up if you would like to go.  

 

Fr. Arbo will be cycling 60 miles to build classrooms. Please sponsor him by clicking here

Waster Wannabe (a poem by John Polhill)

 

Get me

    I don’t give an alu can

        For your eco-speako

 

Get me I eat half my chips

   Chucked the rest on the verge

      Helps to make jobs for litter-pickers

         Puts a bit of blossom on yer hedge bottom

 

Get me

   I turn on all the lights

     Bang up the music

        Shove my foot on the  gas

            Live in the fast lane

                Couldn’t give an eco-hoot

 

Get me

    You never will

        Or make me want to care

            Or share

                Your eco-attitudes

                     Until I feel

                         You care for me

 

Every blessing.  Fr. Bryan

 

Mass attendances last week were 771 . .

Mass Intentions for Sunday  14th March 2010

Fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday)

Sunday

6pm

People of the Parish

 

10am

Deceased Members of the Kelly family (Margaret Kelly)

 

11.30am

John and Lily Colonnesse RIP (Ned)

Monday  

 Feria

9.30am

Florence and Richard Angel WELF

(Denis Nelligan)

Tuesday

Feria

9.30am

Mgr. Patrick Keaveny RIP (Denis Nelligan)

7.15pm

Deceased Relatives and Friends of the Nelligan family (Denis Nelligan)

 Wednesday

St Patrick

9.30am

Kenneth Jackson RIP ( M Jackson)

Thursday

Feria

9.30am

Bill Gudge RIP (the Scott family)

Friday

St Joseph

9.30am

Mr  SL Itsagwede RIP (the Itsagwede family)

Mass Intentions for Sunday  21st March 2010;  Fifth Sunday of Lent

Sunday

6pm

Agnes Ryan & Mary Thomas RIP (E Thomas)

 

10am

People of the Parish

 

 

11.30am

Deceased Relatives  and Friends of the Warrier family (Denis Nelligan)

 

Morning Prayer:- Monday - Friday at 9.10am

Weekday Masses:- Monday- Friday at 9.30am and Tuesday 7.15pm  

Confessions are heard:- Saturday at 5.30-6pm and Monday at 10-10.30am

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament:- Mondays at 10-10.30am

Don’t forget to visit our parish websitewww. stjamespettswood.org 

Please make sure you are registered with the parish! (forms on porch) and that our current info is up to date.