St James The Great
Catholic Church
A Shining Light in Petts Wood
Catholic Church
A Shining Light in Petts Wood
"A very warm welcome to all of you who are visiting our parish website today. We truly hope that you will discover a faith filled, vibrant, diverse and welcoming community here at St James. In person and online, our parishioners stay connected even when it’s not possible to be together physically."
Fr. David Camilleri, Parish Priest
Fr. David Camilleri, Parish Priest
Statement from the Archbishop of Southwark
Following the Vote on Assisted Dying in the House of Commons
I am deeply saddened and extremely worried by the progress made in the House of Commons towards the legalisation of assisted suicide. While this is not yet the final step in enacting this legislation, it represents a seismic and concerning shift in our nation’s approach to caring for the most vulnerable among us.
Compassion, rightly understood, means standing with those who suffer, sharing their burdens, and honouring their dignity until the natural end of their lives. It does not mean hastening death, even in the face of pain or despair. Every human life is of immeasurable value, and our response must always be to protect and support those who are most in need.
The experience of other countries where assisted suicide has been introduced serves as a grave warning. Promised safeguards are eroded over time, leaving the elderly, disabled, and seriously ill at risk of feeling their lives are a burden to others. The subtle, and sometimes overt, pressure this creates threatens the very fabric of a society built on care and protection for the weakest.
Legalising assisted suicide also undermines the essential trust between patients and healthcare professionals. Those who dedicate their lives to healing and comforting the sick are being placed in an untenable position. Conscientious objection — the right of medical practitioners, nursing and care staff, and institutions to refuse to participate in practices that violate their deeply held ethical or religious convictions — must be upheld and protected. Without this assurance, the ethos of our healthcare system and the integrity of those who serve within it are at serious risk. Instead of moving towards assisted suicide, we must commit to improving palliative care, ensuring that expert pain relief, emotional support, and spiritual care are available to all who need them. No one should feel alone or abandoned in their suffering.
As we face this challenging moment, I call on Catholics and all people of goodwill to advocate for the protection of life at every stage and to stand in solidarity with those who are most vulnerable. Let us also turn to the Lord Jesus, who shared in human suffering and revealed the depth of his love through his death and resurrection. Through him, we find the strength to defend the dignity of every person and to build a society that values the gift of life from conception to natural death.
Archbishop John Wilson
29 November 2024
Compassion, rightly understood, means standing with those who suffer, sharing their burdens, and honouring their dignity until the natural end of their lives. It does not mean hastening death, even in the face of pain or despair. Every human life is of immeasurable value, and our response must always be to protect and support those who are most in need.
The experience of other countries where assisted suicide has been introduced serves as a grave warning. Promised safeguards are eroded over time, leaving the elderly, disabled, and seriously ill at risk of feeling their lives are a burden to others. The subtle, and sometimes overt, pressure this creates threatens the very fabric of a society built on care and protection for the weakest.
Legalising assisted suicide also undermines the essential trust between patients and healthcare professionals. Those who dedicate their lives to healing and comforting the sick are being placed in an untenable position. Conscientious objection — the right of medical practitioners, nursing and care staff, and institutions to refuse to participate in practices that violate their deeply held ethical or religious convictions — must be upheld and protected. Without this assurance, the ethos of our healthcare system and the integrity of those who serve within it are at serious risk. Instead of moving towards assisted suicide, we must commit to improving palliative care, ensuring that expert pain relief, emotional support, and spiritual care are available to all who need them. No one should feel alone or abandoned in their suffering.
As we face this challenging moment, I call on Catholics and all people of goodwill to advocate for the protection of life at every stage and to stand in solidarity with those who are most vulnerable. Let us also turn to the Lord Jesus, who shared in human suffering and revealed the depth of his love through his death and resurrection. Through him, we find the strength to defend the dignity of every person and to build a society that values the gift of life from conception to natural death.
Archbishop John Wilson
29 November 2024
Gifts for Christmas
This year St James is supporting Demelza, a local charity whose hospice in Eltham, provides care and support for children in south east London. Their website explains their work.
https://www.demelza.org.uk/about/our-history.
At all Christmas Masses you are invited to bring a gift of a brand-new toy to put around the Christmas tree, or, if you prefer, to the parish office (281A Crescent Drive) Gifts can be for a child up to the age of 16. Demelza have prepared a wish list, which you are welcome to look at
https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/3HFQG8AWOIFL6?ref_=wl_share
Please DO NOT wrap the gift.
https://www.demelza.org.uk/about/our-history.
At all Christmas Masses you are invited to bring a gift of a brand-new toy to put around the Christmas tree, or, if you prefer, to the parish office (281A Crescent Drive) Gifts can be for a child up to the age of 16. Demelza have prepared a wish list, which you are welcome to look at
https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/3HFQG8AWOIFL6?ref_=wl_share
Please DO NOT wrap the gift.
The Church is located at the corner of Lakewood Road and Crescent Drive.
The Parish Office is at 281a Crescent Drive, Petts Wood, BR5 1AY and is normally open from Monday to Thursday from 9am until 2pm.
Telephone 01689-827100 or email [email protected]
The Presbytery is next door to the Parish Office.
Normal Mass Times are at 6pm Saturday, 9.15am and 11am Sunday and 10am Monday to Thursday. On Holy Days of Obligation masses are at 10am and 7pm. Note that all masses are now live streamed except for the 9.15am on Sunday.
Confessions take place from 5pm to 5.45pm on Saturday or by appointment with Fr. David.
Eucharistic Adoration takes place each Wednesday after Mass from 10.45 am to 11.15 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. Eucharistic Adoration also takes place on the first Friday of the month from 5pm to 7pm.
Refreshments are available in the Community Centre after Sunday and Wednesday masses. Tea and Coffee are served and the licensed bar is usually open after the Sunday 11am mass. Do come and join us.
Our Community Centre is actively used by parishioners and parish groups, and is also available for parishioners to hire. Contact the Parish Office for enquiries and bookings. Please note that the Parish Hall is only available to hire by parishioners and parish groups.
The Parish Office is at 281a Crescent Drive, Petts Wood, BR5 1AY and is normally open from Monday to Thursday from 9am until 2pm.
Telephone 01689-827100 or email [email protected]
The Presbytery is next door to the Parish Office.
Normal Mass Times are at 6pm Saturday, 9.15am and 11am Sunday and 10am Monday to Thursday. On Holy Days of Obligation masses are at 10am and 7pm. Note that all masses are now live streamed except for the 9.15am on Sunday.
Confessions take place from 5pm to 5.45pm on Saturday or by appointment with Fr. David.
Eucharistic Adoration takes place each Wednesday after Mass from 10.45 am to 11.15 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. Eucharistic Adoration also takes place on the first Friday of the month from 5pm to 7pm.
Refreshments are available in the Community Centre after Sunday and Wednesday masses. Tea and Coffee are served and the licensed bar is usually open after the Sunday 11am mass. Do come and join us.
Our Community Centre is actively used by parishioners and parish groups, and is also available for parishioners to hire. Contact the Parish Office for enquiries and bookings. Please note that the Parish Hall is only available to hire by parishioners and parish groups.
Forthcoming Parish Events
click on an event for full details
click on an event for full details
Application Forms
Fr. David Camilleri
Fr David was born on the Mediterranean island of Malta. He was ordained in 1992, having previously completed a BA degree in Philosophy and Human Sciences, a BA in Sacred Theology (BSTH) and Licentiateship in Pastoral Theology at the University of Malta. He also had the privilege of spending some months working as a deacon in Pakistan. After his ordination, he was assigned to work in Melbourne Australia where he was involved in Vocation Ministry, as Chaplain of a Sixth Form College. He left Australia in 2001 and moved to Ottawa Canada where he studied for his MA in Pastoral Counselling for two years.
Fr David was subsequently assigned as a curate to St Anselm’s Parish in Dartford for 10 months and was then asked to take over the parish of St Benet’s Abbey Wood. He stayed there for five years, after which his ministry took him to the south west of the Diocese, ministering to the sick and dying at St Helier Hospital and St Raphael’s Hospice Cheam.
In 2014 he took a sabbatical, during which Fr David spent time returning to his roots in Malta for some months, but he also went to Rome. There he took a theological refresher course with other English speaking priests at the North American College. In April 2015, Fr David was asked by Archbishop Peter Smith to become the Parish Priest of St James the Great in Petts Wood.
Fr David was subsequently assigned as a curate to St Anselm’s Parish in Dartford for 10 months and was then asked to take over the parish of St Benet’s Abbey Wood. He stayed there for five years, after which his ministry took him to the south west of the Diocese, ministering to the sick and dying at St Helier Hospital and St Raphael’s Hospice Cheam.
In 2014 he took a sabbatical, during which Fr David spent time returning to his roots in Malta for some months, but he also went to Rome. There he took a theological refresher course with other English speaking priests at the North American College. In April 2015, Fr David was asked by Archbishop Peter Smith to become the Parish Priest of St James the Great in Petts Wood.
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