SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT YEAR A:
11th/12th March 2017
Dear Parishioners,
THE SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT (Year A)
We warmly welcome into our parish family Fr. Sabu Pariyadn, RCJ. He will be with us for three to four months as our
priest until Bishop Alan makes his appointments in June. I am sure you will give him all the help and support he needs.
The Gospel reading from Matthew today (17: 1 - 9) puts before us the Transfiguration of Jesus. His face shone and
his clothes became dazzlingly white. We too can experience transfiguration. Virtue transfigures us but sin disfigures
us.
Like the story of Jesus' baptism, the transfiguration is an epiphany story. Both stories are manifestations of
Jesus as he is, or as he will be. In both there is a voice, and the voice says the same words. A mountain is a place of
divine manifestation. The cloud is a sign of the presence of God. Moses and Elijah stand for the Law and the Prophets.
It is no longer possible to say what happened on the mountain. Was it a vision? Was it a profound religious experience?
There has been a tendency to see the Transfiguration simply as a stage in education of the apostles. But its first and
chief significance was for Jesus himself. It was meant to confirm him in the course he had taken. But of course it also
benefited the apostles. And it's this that Matthew emphasises. In the transfigured Jesus they got a glimpse of the
glory of the risen Lord. Even so, they would not understand until Jesus had risen from the dead.
Hoping you are all having a holy Lent? Why not come to the Stations of the Cross on Fridays at 7.30 pm.
God bless,
Deacon Kevin
The Holy Father's Prayer intentions for 2017 in March.
(Support for Persecuted Christians)
That persecuted Christians may be supported by the prayers and material help of the whole Church.
Notices:
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MESSAGE FROM FR FRANK AND ANNE Fr Frank and Anne would like to thank friends at St Augustine's,
Chelmer Village and New Hall for their prayers and best wishes following Frank's surgery. Fr Frank is now home
and gradually getting stronger.
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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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THE ESSEX RECUSANT SOCIETY (Brentwood Diocesan Historical Society) Next meeting: 2.30pm on Saturday
1st April at The Grange, Queens Road, Brentwood CM14 4EY. Janet Cosgrove will speak on 'Anti-Catholic Feeling
in Brentwood, 1851-1861'.
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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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LENT LECTURES, CATHOLIC CHURCH HALL, EPPING CM16 4RA
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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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BRENTWOOD DIOCESE VACANCIES:
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Primary and Secondary School advisors-please see all details at http://www.dioceseofbrentwood.net/departments/education/education-vacancies-4/ or click
here to Email.
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Deputy Director of Education-to join a newly established and still evolving education
department. The Diocese of Brentwood is committed to the provision of high quality Catholic schools. In pursuit
of this, the Deputy Director will work closely with the Director of Education in support of the strategic
development, promotion and effectiveness of Catholic education in the Diocese. We are seeking to appoint a
practising and committed Catholic with a good knowledge of Catholic schools and a clear understanding of the
church's mission in education. Please see http://www.dioceseofbrentwood.net/diocesan-deputy-director-education/ for full details. Closing date
for applications Friday 24 March.
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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
Years Mind:
Monday: Fr William Luby
Wednesday: Fr Martin Horkan
Saturday: Ian McIntosh, Fr Donal Donegan
Next Sunday - Third Sunday of Lent Year A
First Reading Exodus 17:3-7
Give us water to drink.
Second Reading Romans 5:1-2, 5-8
The love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit which has been given us.
Gospel John 4:5-42
A spring of water welling up to eternal life.
