SECOND SUNDAY OF YEAR A:
Peace Sunday
14th/15th January 2017


Dear Parishioners,

THE SECOND SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME (Year A) - Peace Sunday.

Now we have celebrated the holy feasts of the Epiphany and the Baptism of the Lord we enter in to a period called "ordinary time" which is from now until the beginning of Lent, the 2nd to the 8th Sundays.

The Gospel (John 1: 29 - 34) presents to us the scene of the meeting between Jesus and John the Baptist at the Jordan River. The narrator is the eye witness, John the evangelist, who before he was a disciple of Jesus was a disciple of John the Baptist, together with his brother James with Simon and Peter. All were from Galilee and were fisherman. May their example as 'fishers of men' encourage us to give witness of our faith daily.

This coming week is the octave prayer for Christian Unity. As we share our two churches with our Anglican friends at Our Saviour and St. Augustine's, we are very aware of the importance for working closely together as we seek to be 'one with Christ'.

In our diocese we have six students studying for the priesthood including Michael Barwick. We are asked to pray for them that they have the grace of perseverance and for an increase in vocations to the priesthood.

A Prayer for Vocations: Eternal Father, your Holy Catholic Church is in need of priests to offer themselves in the sacrificial service of the Gospel through lives of dedicated love. Open the hearts of your sons. Give them the gift of understanding to discern your invitation. Give them the gift of courage to follow your divine call. May they have the spirit of young Samuel who responded with the words, "Speak Lord, for your servant is listening." We ask this humble petition through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Redeemer. Amen!

2017 marks the 100th anniversary of the formation of the Diocese of Essex on 22nd March and the subsequent erection of the Diocese of Brentwood on 20th July 2017. Events to celebrate the centenary are as follows:

ALTAR SERVERS We are very privileged to have very dedicated servers at St. Augustine's and New Hall. If anyone wishes to become an altar server at either please notify Simon Cook (MC - St. Augustine's), John Furze (MC - New Hall) or me.

Please remember me in your prayers as I pray for you all daily.

God bless,

Deacon Kevin


Notices:

Please remember to pray for:

The sick and housebound

Those who have recently died: Tony Brooks

Years Mind:
Monday: Fr Gilbert Basil Pearson, Fr Neville Banks
Tuesday: Fr Kenneth Green
Wednesday: Fr Charles Kuypers
Thursday: Jacqueline Post, Fr David Donnelly
Friday: Fr John Meehan
Saturday: Bishop Bernard Ward, Fr Christopher Quirke


Next Sunday - Third Sunday of Year A

First Reading Isaiah 8:23-9:3
In Galilee of the nations the people have seen a great light.

Second Reading 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17
Make up the differences between you instead of disagreeing among yourselves.

Gospel Matthew 4:12-17
He went and settled in Capernaum: in this way the prophecy of Isaiah was to be fulfilled.