EIGHTH SUNDAY OF YEAR A:
(Day for the Unemployed)
25th/26th February 2017
Dear Parishioners,
THE EIGHTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME (Year A)
MATTHEW 6: 24 - 34
God's love for his people is like the steadfast love of a mother for her child - only greater (Isaiah 49: 14
- 15). In the Gospel Jesus reminds us that we are God's precious children. The knowledge of this should free us
from fretting and worrying. Worry is essentially distrust in God. Such distrust may be understandable in a heathen who
believes in a jealous, capricious, unpredictable god; but not in one who has learned to call God by the name of the
Father. The Christian must put his future in the hands of and pray only for the modest needs of today.
Have a very happy and Holy Lent. I offer my support and prayers to you all.
God bless
Deacon Kevin
THE HOLY FATHER'S PRAYER INTENTION for March,
Support for Persecuted Christians, 'That persecuted Christians may be supported by the prayers and material help of
the whole Church.'
Thoughts for Lent:
Lent is a season of Christian Year where Christians focus on simple living, prayer and fasting in order to grow close
to God. It is the forty days before Easter. Lent excludes Sundays because every Sunday is like a little Easter.
At the Ash Wednesday service the Priest or the Deacon marks the sign of the cross on a person's forehead with
ashes. In Jewish and Christian history, ashes are a sign of mortality and repentance. Mortality, because when we die,
our bodies eventually decompose and we become dust. Repentance, because long ago, when people felt remorse for
something they did, they put ashes on their head and wore "sackcloth" to remind them that sin is pretty
uncomfortable and leads to a sort of death of the spirit. This was their way of confessing their sins and asking for
forgiveness. The ashes we use come from on what we now call Palm Sunday. Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem while
people waved palms and cheered him on. Less than a week later, Jesus was killed. The palms that were waved in joy
became ashes of sorrows. We get ashes for Ash Wednesday by saving the palms from Palm Sunday, burning them, and mixing
them with a little oil. During Lent we shall have a reconciliation service in the parish and visiting priests available
for the sacrament of Confession.
Some suggestions for Lent:
- Pray for others and your family during the day
- Write or phone someone saying 'thank you', for people who have helped you on your Christian journey.
- Spending time daily in quiet prayer in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament.
- Giving up something and so help you to come closer to Christ.
- Forgive someone who doesn't deserve it.
- Spend time in reading the Bible or a religious book.
- Making the Stations of the Cross. Every Friday we will have them at 7.30 pm
Notices:
-
FROM ABBOT HUGH: "I'm delighted to tell you that from 6th March, Fr Sabu Pariyadan RCJ will
be resident in the presbytery and will be looking after the parish, at least until the summer when the Bishop makes
his parish moves. I can't tell you much about the good father - I haven't met him yet! I know you will
give him a warm welcome when he arrives. Thank you for your patience and a very special thank you to Deacon Kevin
(and the wonderful Cath) for all their hard work. It has been really lovely to spend time with you all and getting to
know you a little better. We're only down the road, so always pop down to see us (kettle is always on!). God
bless. +Hugh
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1 MARCH: ASH WEDNESDAY - a day of fasting and abstinence. We will be having Liturgy of the Word
and blessing of Ashes at 3.30pm and 7.30pm at St. Augustine's. Please make an effort to attend one of the
services as we begin the holy season of Lent. Please take note of the guide lines for Lent.
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SATURDAY 4 MARCH: WORK DAY at St. Augustine's, 10am - 12noon. Many hands make light work
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GEORGE FARDELL RIP: You will be sad to hear of the recent passing of George Fardell, father of
Andrew Fardell, who often attended Mass at St Augustine's. Our love and prayers are with Andrew, his mother and
their families at this sad time.
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JOINT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE TREASURER REQUIRED Can you help? 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.
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BRENTWOOD DIOCESCAN PILGRIMAGE TO WALSINGHAM Saturday 22 July. This year being the centenary of the
diocese, Bishop Alan will be leading a special celebration from 1 noon to 3pm 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 8am and
returning at 5pm. The cost will be £15. If you are interested in going please put your name down on the list.
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VACANCY - DIOCESAN PROPERTY CONSULTANT working out of Cathedral House in Brentwood.
Full-time role. If you, or any of your family/friends, are interested in applying, please
click here to Email for a job description and person specification. You should then send in your CV, with a
covering letter demonstrating how your experience and skills match the essential requirements and attributes of the
role. Closing date for CVs/applications is 19.00 on Tuesday 28th February 2017. Interviews week commencing 6th March
2017.
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BCCS SEEKS NEW TRUSTEE: Brentwood Catholic Children's Society (based in Rayleigh) is looking for
a new Trustee to join the Board. If you have accounting or finance skills and would like to join the talented Board
of this wonderful diocesan charity please contact Steven Webb on 01268 784544 or click here to Email.
Please remember to pray for:
The sick and housebound
Those who have recently died: George Fardell
Years Mind:
Sunday: Fr Jules van Meenen, Fr Clifford Beecroft
Monday: Fr David Chapman
Tuesday: Fr John Wall
Saturday: Fr Patrick O'Donnell, Fr Brian Galvin, Fr Francis Hastings
Sunday: Fr Malachy Kelly
Next Sunday - First Sunday of Lent Year A
First Reading Genesis 2:7-9, 3:1-7
The creation and sin of our first parents.
Second Reading Romans 5:12-19
However great the number of sins committed, grace was even greater.
Gospel Matthew 4:1-11
Jesus fasts for forty days and is tempted.