FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT YEAR A:
(Laetare Sunday)
25th/26th March 2017
Dear Parishioners,
THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT - John 9: 1 - 41.
The Gospel theme today highlights our Christian baptism. The water of the pool and the imagery of light are used as
baptismal motifs. The cure of the man born blind presents Jesus as the light of the world, the day without night. The
name Siloam means 'sent'. The man born blind is the model for a faith which is growing towards maturity. At the
end of Gospel reading the man born blind has his sight restored and searches for Jesus so that he might worship him.
Our parents and godparents on the day of our Baptism were told "You have come here to present these children
(adults) for baptism. By water and the Holy Spirit they are to receive the gift of new life from God, who is
love." We must pray daily that we will be faithful to our Baptis-mal promises and give witness of our faith.
As we approach Easter the Chelmsford parishes are having a Sacrament of Reconciliation at the church of the Blessed
Sacrament, Melbourne on Tuesday 4th April at 7.30 pm. I encourage you all to attend when priests will
be available for the administering of the Sacrament. If you are not able to attend there is a Sacrament of
Reconciliation at the church of the Assumption of Our Lady, Victoria Road, Maldon, on Wednesday 5th April at
7.30 pm.
The Paschal Triduum is the three days of the Christian paschal celebration. Christ, redeemed mankind and gave perfect
glory to God principally through his paschal mystery: by dying he destroyed our death and by rising he restored our
life. The Easter Triduum of the passion and resurrection of Christ is the culmination of the entire liturgical year.
Our services are on Maundy Thursday, Mass of the Lord's Supper at 8.15 pm, 13th April. On Good Friday we have the
Children's stations at 11.00 am and the Passion of the Lord at 3.00 pm. On Holy Saturday the Easter Vigil, 15th
April, at 8.00 pm. All services take place at St. Augustine's. Please make a note of them and try to come.
Wishing you all the blessings of Lent as we prepare for Easter.
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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EASTER FLOWERS Each year we ask for special donations for flowers to decorate the Church for our
Easter celebrations. With this in mind, there will be a collection after all Masses next weekend (1/2 April) to
ensure that we can make the church suitably beautiful for this very special feast! Many thanks in advance for your
generosity.
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HELP NEEDED PLEASE! Please come along and help reach out to those who have recently moved to the
area and are living in the Beaulieu Park development, by distributing information about our parish and detailing the
Easter services in particular. In order to distribute as many leaflets as possible we are proposing that on the
evening of Wednesday 29th March as many parishioners as possible gather together at 6pm at St Augustine's to
distribute flyers. If anyone is unable to come along then, but would like to help, there will be further flyers and
instructions for designated roads to collect after Mass on Sunday to distribute before Holy Week. Any queries please
feel free to call Christine on 07585 331615.
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SVP COLLECTION OF EASTER EGGS: for distribution to families in need by Chelmsford Foodbank.
Donations gratefully received at Mass on the weekend of the 1st/2nd April. Many thanks for your generosity in helping
the great work of the Foodbank.
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STEWARDS OF THE GOSPEL Our parish is required to submit the responses to the Questionnaire to our
Diocese before Easter. The draft is awaiting your approval on our website and we also have a few hard copy versions
available only for families who cannot access the website (to avoid printing) If you have any suggested amendments to
make to it please notify Steven Webb by clicking here to Email or by phoning
07718 271229. This is your last chance to have a say before our representations about the future of our parish are
made and the consultations move on to the next stage. Steven will deliver the final version on Wednesday 12th April.
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WELCOME PARTY FOR FATHER SABU A party will be held on Saturday 8 April 7pm-10pm to welcome
Father Sabu to our parish. There will be a food list to fill in after all Masses so please ensure that your name is
on it if you are coming. It is envisaged that we will set up after the Saturday morning Mass and the church will need
to be made ready for Sunday Mass after the event. All welcome! Thank you.
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MINISTRY OF WELCOMING We are looking for parishioners to help out on Sunday mornings at the 9.00 am
Mass to welcome and hand out hymn books before Mass and to organise the collection and give out newsletter at the end
on Mass. If you can help please contact Cath Lyons on 460783 or see her after Mass.
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SUNDAY MORNING COFFEE ROTA We are looking for volunteers to help set up before Mass and to serve
after Mass coffee and tea. Anyone able please contact Cladis Manson 468784.
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2017/18 GIFT AID BOXES READY FOR COLLECTION Please collect your 2017/18 Gift Aid box - there
should a full annual set if you use the weekly envelopes and a small set for special collections etc if you usually
pay by standing order. If you are not a member of the scheme and you or your partner are a taxpayer - please do
join. The parish can recover the tax on donations from tax payers (25% extra on all your donations). We don't
need any information on your income other than confirmation that you are a tax payer and have paid at least as much
tax as the tax we will reclaim. The donor pays by standing order or numbered envelope so that we can link the
donations to the taxpayer. If you pay tax at the higher rate then you can personally recover the difference between
the basic rate and higher rate of tax on all your donations through your own tax return
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DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY 23April The Biller icay Padr e Pio Prayer Group invite you to a Day of Devotion
to The Divine Mercy at Abbotswick House of Prayer, Brentwood, CM14 5SH. Arrival 10.30am for 11.00am start. Confession
available. Mass 3.30pm. Refreshments available - please bring a packed lunch. For more information, call Claire
Wallis 01277 658783. ALL ARE WELCOME.
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BRENTWOOD CATHOLIC CHILDREN'S SOCIETY EVENT An evening of classical music in the beautiful
surroundings of Ingatestone Hall, Sat 6 May 7.30pm. Come and enjoy an exciting and varied programme with three
professional musicians performing a selection of classical favourites. Tickets £25 include prosecco and
nibbles. For tickets or further info, please call Libby Phillips on 01268 784544 or click here to Email.
Please remember to pray for:
The sick and housebound
Those who have recently died
Years Mind:
Sunday: Fr Alfred Gilbey, Dennis Hall
Monday: Leia Iago
Wednesday: Fr Joseph Tuohey
Friday: Fr William Toft
Next Sunday - Fifth Sunday of Lent Year A
First Reading Ezekiel 37:12-14
I shall put my spirit in you, and you will live.
Second Reading Romans 8:8-11
The Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you.
Gospel John 11:1-45
I am the resurrection and the life.
