FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT YEAR A:
4th/5th March 2017
Dear Parishioners,
FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT (Year A)
Lent is a new beginning, a path leading to the certain goal of Easter, Christ's victory over death. As our Holy
Father Pope Francis reminds us, this season urgently calls us to conversion. Christians are asked to return to God
"with all their hearts", to refuse to settle for mediocrity and grow in friendship with the Lord. Jesus is
the faithful friend who never abandons us. Even when we sin, he patiently awaits our return; by that patient
expectation, he shows us his readiness to forgive (Homily, 8 January 2016).
Lent is a favourable season for deepening our spiritual life through the means of sanctification offered us the Church:
fasting, prayer and alms giving. At the basis of everything is the word of God, which, during this season, we are
invited to hear and ponder more deeply.
During Lent we will have the Stations of the Cross every Friday at 7.30pm. I encourage you all to come and walk with
Christ. I shall be arranging for a Penitential service with visiting clergy.
Here is a reflection 'Pruning time' for us to take on as we prepare for Easter. Pruning time is a painful time
for a fruit tree. The pruner rids it of all those suckers which use up a lot of energy but produce no fruit. However,
the aim of this surgery is not to inflict pain, but to help the tree produce more and better fruit. Lent is a kind of
spiritual pruning time. There is much that is useless and perhaps harmful in our lives, which saps our energy, and
diminishes our spiritual fruitfulness. Of what shall we prune ourselves this Lent so that we may become more fruitful
branches of Christ, the Vine?
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.
- Give up something which will help you to come closer to Christ.
- Spend time in reading the Scriptures or a religious book.
- Making the Stations of the Cross. Every Friday we will have them at 7.30 pm
Let us walk together, helping one another, on the road to Calvary. With all my prayers and blessings.
Deacon Kevin
Notices:
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PLEASE PRAY FOR Fr. Sabu Pariyadan, RCJ, who arrives on the 6th March as our Priest.
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EASTER LILIES Each year we ask for special donations for Easter Lilies to decorate the Church for
our Easter celebrations. If you would like to make a donation (a suggested donation of £4) in
memory of a deceased loved one, please place your offering in an envelope and write for Easter
Lilies and pass it to Cath Lyons. Many thanks for your generosity.
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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. Coach leaves St. Augustine's at
8am and returns at 5pm. Cost £15. If you are interested please put your name down on the list-only a few
places left!
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RELATIONSHIP COUNSELLING Marriage Care, Chelmsford Centre, is looking for skilled relationship
counsellors to help couples and support them towards a positive outcome. If you are a qualified counsellor
(relationship or otherwise for training will be given) and would like to volunteer your skills and 2 hours a week in
making a tremendous difference to the lives of couples and individuals in our community please contact Tom Reilly on
07919 264089 or click here to
Email for more information.
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MARRIAGE PREPARATION FACILITATOR If you like people and can give our engaged couples 2 hours a week
(evening or weekend) Marriage Care will train you. The 7 of us that do the work at present really enjoy it but there
are so many couples wanting to marry that we need new recruits. To learn more please call Tom Reilly on 07919 264089
or click here to Email - we
will not pressure you in any way - we only want willing volunteers.
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PRAISE AND WORSHIP Wednesday 8 March at 8pm with refreshments before-hand. Our speaker this
month is Allegra Muttanda from the Sion Community in Brentwood. All welcome. Venue is the hall behind Our Lady
Immaculate Church.
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BRENTWOOD DIOCESE VACANCIES for Primary and Secondary School advisors with a role to contribute to
the achievement of the Church's mission and ministry in education by, supporting the Director of Education with
allocated shared responsibilities; supporting development of high quality educational, religious and spiritual
standards in the Diocesan Catholic schools, contributing to the effectiveness of Diocesan services and operations;
participating in the formulation of Diocesan education policy; and contributing to effective planning and
organisation within the Education Department. There are currently 3 vacancies to fill-please see all details at
http://www.dioceseofbrentwood.net/departments/education/education-vacancies-4/ or click
here to Email.
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HEALING MASS AT ABBOTSWICK HOUSE OF PRAYER Brentwood, to be celebrated by Fr Eamonn Power at 2.30pm
on Wednesday 15th March 2017. Please call 01277 373959 or visit www.abbotswick.org for more info. All welcome.
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LENT LECTURES, CATHOLIC CHURCH HALL, EPPING CM16 4RA
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'The Privilege of Suffering' Dr Colin Harte Monday 6 March at 8pm
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'The Joy of Love - Amoris Laetitia' Fr Alban McCoy OFM, Dean of St Edmund's College,
Cambridge, Monday 13 March at 8pm
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'Being a Catholic Doctor in 21st Century England & staying true to the Catholic Faith -
lessons for a lay Catholic' Dr Charlie O'Donnell FRCP, Consultant on Emergency Medicine &
Intensive Care, Monday 20 March at 8.00pm
All are welcome and admission is free.
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NEW HALL SCHOOL VACANCIES for teaching posts and support staff-please see http://www.newhallschool.co.uk/job-opportunities for full details.
Please remember to pray for:
The sick and housebound
Those who have recently died: George Fardell
Years Mind:
Sunday: Fr Malachy Kelly
Wednesday: Fr Joseph Whitfield
Thursday: Fr Thomas Lawton, Fr John Gordon
Friday: Joseph Byrne, Fr Edmund Meyer, Fr Maurice Roche
Next Sunday - Second Sunday of Lent Year A
First Reading Genesis 12:1-4
The call of Abraham, father of the People of God.
Second Reading 2 Timothy 1:8-10
God calls and enlightens us.
Gospel Matthew 17:1-9
His face shone like the sun.
