FOURTH SUNDAY OF YEAR A:
28th/29th January 2017
Dear Parishioners,
THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME (Year A)
The Gospel is taken from Matthew 5: 1 - 12.
In the beatitudes we see the values a Christian should live by. While they present a great challenge, they also offer
great rewards both here and hereafter. Sadly, the values we live by often have little to do with the values of the
Gospel. Moses encountered God on Mount Sinai and brought back the teaching of the law carved on two stone tablets.
Jesus taught on the mountain and the 'Law' given by him there were the Beatitudes. In eight short precepts,
Jesus lays out a complete programme for the Christian life, a life that gives privilege to mercy, purity of heart and
the hunger for justice.
The beatitudes are the badges of a true disciple of Christ. They are the marks of a child of God. They make us rich in
the sight of God. They open our minds and hearts to a new way of seeing and judging. They give us a whole new set of
bearings. The things the beatitudes stand for are very beautiful and very precious - things such as peace,
goodness, joy, love, gentleness, compassion, mercy, integrity … A person who lives according to the beatitudes
is already living in the kingdom of heaven. Eternal life will merely be the full blossoming of a plant that is green
with life.
On Thursday, 2nd February, we celebrate the Presentation of the Lord. This feast
reminds us that forty days after the birth of her firstborn son, Mary took the infant Jesus to the Temple to offer him
to the Father with a sacrifice of two turtle doves or pigeons in accordance with the Law of Moses. This fulfilment of
the Law is also Jesus' first official encounter with his people, in the person of the elderly Simeon and Anna.
Today is 'World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life'. We pray for all religious who make vows of Poverty,
Chastity and Obedience to serve the Lord faithfully in the religious life and we give thanks for their dedicated life
to the Church.
Our Bishop Alan asks us all to pray for vocations to the priesthood in our diocese. "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!" Try to say this prayer daily and pray for our seminarians, including Michael, for the grace of
perseverance.
I would like to express our sincere thanks to the Norbertine community for saying Mass for us each week.
Deacon Kevin
Notices:
-
MESSAGE FROM ABBOT HUGH:
I know I speak for Fr Stephen and Fr Pius when I say how much we really enjoy celebrating Mass with you. It is a
privilege to be with you and we are always grateful for your kind welcome. Thank you as well for your on going
patience in waiting for a new parish priest. In the meantime, my heartfelt thanks to Deacon Kevin (and the wonderful
Mrs Lyons!) for all their hard work and patience. Please remember that whilst you await news of the future, Deacon
Kevin is responsible for the day to day life of the parish and everything should be referred back to him. All will be
well! God love you and bless you, +Hugh
-
ALTAR SERVERS Last Sunday at New Hall sadly we had only one altar server. If anyone wishes to become
an altar server at this Mass please notify John Furze (M.C.) or Deacon Kevin.
-
BRENTWOOD DIOCESCAN PILGRIMAGE TO WALSINGHAM Saturday 22nd July. This year being the centenary of
the diocese, Bishop Alan will be leading a special celebration from 12.00 noon to 3.00 pm ending with Mass. This will
be a concelebrated Mass with the clergy of the diocese. Authorisation has been given by the Bishop that all attending
the Pilgrimage will fulfil their Sunday obligation. We have booked a coach leaving St. Augustine's at 8.00 a.m.
and returning at 5.00 p.m. The cost will be £15.00. If you are interested in going please put your name down on
the list.
-
A DONATION TO PARISH FUNDS FROM THE TAXMAN If you or your partner are a taxpayer - please do
join our Gift Aid scheme. By using a gift aid number we can reclaim a further 25% on all your donations. We don't
need any information about your income. If you pay tax at the higher rate you can personally claim further tax relief
on the difference between the basic and higher rates in your annual tax return. You can use the weekly collection
envelopes or pay by standing order. Please contact Kevin or Dee Davey (Parish Gift Aid Organiser - click here to Email or 01245 353657). Thank
you if you are already a member of the scheme. Please do remember to quote your envelope number on all donations
including contributions for flowers, mass intentions etc. We've already recovered £13,885.25 in respect of
the 2015/16 tax year.
-
BCCS ANNUAL CHARITY BALL at The Rayleigh Club, Hullbridge on Saturday 4th March 2017. Tickets
£55 per person to include a drinks reception, three-course dinner, tea & coffee, dancing &
entertainment. For tickets offers of raffle or auction prizes from Julie 01268 784544 / 07912 277413 / click here to Email
-
JOINT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE TREASURER Many thanks to Paul Mear who has for over 30 years been
treasurer of the Joint Management Committee which is responsible for the upkeep of the Church buildings. Paul has
however now decided the time is right to step down and we are now looking for a new treasurer. It is not too onerous
a task. We meet about 3 times a year, usually on a Thursday evening for about 1 hour from 7:30pm. The main task is
producing an income and expenditure sheet at the year end. If you would like to join the committee please let
Jane/Kevin know. Many thanks.
-
THE BRENTWOOD CATHOLIC CHILDREN'S SOCIETY Quiz Night, Sat 25 Feb, 7pm - 10pm, Brentwood
Ursuline School. Teams of 8, £7.50 per person, all funds raised to bccs. Please bring drinks & nibbles.
Please pre-book all teams with Julie Abbot click here to Email 01268 784544 /07912277413
-
ST. HELEN'S CATHOLIC INFANT SCHOOL, Sawyers Hall Lane, Brentwood seeks Teacher Foundation
Stage/KS1,Fulltime, permanent post. The Summer Term 2017 is likely to be in EYFS and from September 2017 EYFS/KS1.
Required 18th April 2017. For further information and application forms and/or to arrange visits, please contact the
school office on 01277 215626 or click here to
Email Closing Date: 4p.m. Monday 6th February 2017.
Please remember to pray for:
The sick and housebound
Those who have recently died: Patricia Grainger, Kay Knight (sister of Fr Leslie Knight)
Years Mind:
Sunday: Fr John (Jack) Clifford
Monday: Terri Dubois, Alick Kalil
Wednesday: Fr Joseph Burns
Friday: Fr Eric Bindloss Smith
Saturday: Bonnie Geddes
Sunday: Jean Francois Kerforne
Next Sunday - Fifth Sunday of Year A
First Reading Isaiah 58:7-10
Then will your light shine like the dawn.
Second Reading 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
During my stay with you, the only knowledge I claimed to have was about Jesus as the crucified Christ.
Gospel Matthew 5:13-16
You are the light of the world.
