THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT (A):
10th/11th December 2016
Dear Parishioners
THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT - YEAR A
('Gaudete' Sunday) - Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near.
In the Gospel today (Matthew 11: 2 - 11) Jesus offers himself as one who heals and forgives. He does not come as
our Judge, but as our Saviour. This may be the Messiah that was expected, but in Jesus the Old Testament prophecies
find their fulfilment in a most unexpected way. The Baptist was the messenger who prepared the way. He was upright and
just and one greater than John the Baptist has ever seen before.
In this week we look forward - we look forward to Christmas, to celebrate that great feast, and in the liturgy we
make our own the thoughts and the mood of those who were waiting the Messiah.
May our prayer be "Come to us, Lord Jesus Christ, come as we search the scriptures and see God's hidden
purpose, come as we walk the lonely road needing a companion, come when life mystifies and perplexes us, come into our
disappointments and unease, come at table when we share our food and hopes, and coming, open our eyes to recognise you
(Donald Hilton)"
During the week we have one morning exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. "In the sacred Host, He is present, the
true treasure, always waiting for us. Only by adoring this Presence do we learn how to receive Him properly".
During the exposition we remain "silent" in his Presence and open ourselves to His Graces which flow from the
Eucharist. By worshiping the Eucharistic Jesus, we become what God wants us to be! Like a magnet, the Lord draws us to
Himself and gently transforms us.
Today we warmly welcome the Rt. Rev. Hugh Allan, o. praem. to celebrate our Masses. He has been appointed the Apostolic
Administrator of the Prefecture of the Falkland Islands and Ecclesiastical Superior of the islands of St. Helena,
Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. In recognition of his ecclesiastical appointment, Fr. Hugh has been elevated to the
title of "Titular Abbot of Beeleigh" by the Abbot General of the Norbertine Order. He continues to be our
Dean, parish priest of Our Lady Immaculate and the Holy Names and my immediate line manager.
God bless,
Deacon Kevin
Notices:
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CHRISTMAS MASSES will be at St Augustine's at:
8pm on Saturday 24 December (preceded by carols from 7.30pm) and at 9am on Sunday 25
December
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GRAND CHRISTMAS DRAW Thank you to all parishioners who sold raffle tickets and donated prizes. A
special thank you to Chris Thompson who sold £310 of raffle tickets. After expenses a profit of £1300 was
made.
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CHRISTMAS CAKE RAFFLE: Maura McNamara would like to thank everyone who bought raffle tickets. The
raffle was drawn after the mass on Tuesday and the cake was won by Chris Bennett. We raised £160 for church
funds. Thank you for your generous support.
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POINSETTIAS FOR DECORATING THE CRIB AT CHRISTMAS. I would be grateful if any Parishioner would like
to donate one in memory of a loved one. Please have them in the Church by December 22nd. Thank you. Cath
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ANNUAL PARISH DINNER SATURDAY 14 JANUARY 2017 £26 per person. Please remember the cut-off
date for this is 11 December. Menu choices are available at the 9am Mass at St Augustine's or you can contact me
on 466167. This is a fun event open to all. Karin Seeman 01245 466167.
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SECOND COLLECTION TODAY - S.V.P. SUDAN APPEAL
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ADVENT RECONCILIATION SERVICE TUES 13 DECEMBER 7.30PM Please note this will be at the Church
of the Holy Name, Lucas Ave, Chelmsford (NOT at OLI as previously publicized). There will be a number of
priests available for the Sacrament. Those unable to attend can make Confession at Our Lady Immaculate on Saturday
mornings between 11.00 to 12.00 noon.
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ECUMENICAL COUNCIL We are hoping to start again The Ecumenical Council in the New Year. This is a
wonderful opportunity to work with our friends from other communities. Anyone interested please contact Karen Seeman.
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MASS INTENTIONS Please note that we can only have two Mass intentions each Sunday. The third one is
always said for 'the people of the parish'. If you wish to have Masses said elsewhere Kevin can arrange for
this to be done. Some priests have few Mass intentions.
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THE AUGUSTINIAN We are preparing the next edition of "The Augustinian" for publication
early in the New Year. We will welcome any contributions for it, fact or fiction, serious or frivolous, short or
long. Please send them to Chris Thompson click here to
Email
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MASS FOR VOCATIONS TO THE PRIESTHOOD Thursday 29 December (Feast of St. Thomas of Canterbury, Patron
Saint of Pastoral Clergy) 11am at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 161 Leigh Rd, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 1NG. All are
welcome.
- "THE CHRISTMAS STORY" - SATURDAY 17 DECEMBER 2-3.30PM, at St Augustine's, hosted by the
Social Group. Primarily for children (must be accompanied by an adult) but all parishioners welcome. "The
Christmas Story" and Christmas Carols in the Church will be followed by a light tea and party games in the small
hall. Please see a member of the Social Group if your child would like to attend. Offers of party food contributions
gratefully received! Please contact Bernadette for more info click here to Email or 01245
450938.
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ST JOHN PAYNE ADVENT SERVICE 2016 Tuesday 20 December 7.30pm in Aquinas Hall. Refreshments will be
served following the service.
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PILGRIMAGE TO FATIMA & SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA SUNDAY 28 MAY - SATURDAY 3 JUNE 2017 led by Fr
Francis Coveney: £829 per person - based on a group of 40 pilgrims. 4 nights half board + 2 nights full
board. Full services of a Tangney Tours courier. Please book through Tagney Tours. Telephone 01732 88 66 66.
Please remember to pray for:
The sick and housebound
Those who have recently died
Years Mind:
Monday: Fr Geoffrey Pye, Fr Eamonn McGrath
Tuesday: Fr George Carolan, Fr William Evers, Fr Francis Kerrigan
Wednesday: Fr Gerard Kerr
Friday: Lydia Kalil
Next Sunday - Fourth Sunday of Advent (A)
First Reading Isaiah 7: 10-14
This reading foretells the birth of a very special child - a child who will be called Emmanuel, that is
God-with-us.
Second Reading Romans 1: 1-7
These opening lines from Paul's letter to the Romans draw attention to the human and divine 'roots' of
Jesus.
Gospel Matthew 1: 18-25
This shows how the prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled in Jesus.
