FIFTEENTH SUNDAY OF YEAR A
15th/16th July 2017
Dear Parishioner,
15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A): Matthew 13: 1 - 23.
In the Gospel reading today Jesus takes up the image of the sower from the first reading (Isaiah 55: 10 - 11) and
gives us an extensive parable. Wherever the seed of the word finds a receptive seed ground it will be extraordinarily
fruitful. Jesus is inviting us to ponder on his words. His words carry deep meaning and if we are to engage with that
word properly in our lives we must take time over it and allow it to take root in our lives.
Christ comes to us in two ways which are really only one. There is a Christ of history and a Christ of faith; but the
two are one: it would be dangerous to regard only the one or the other. Jesus, a man living in time, could not redeem
us; the Christ we see in the mysteries alone would move in a breathless air. Our redemption rests upon the fact that
God has really appeared in the flesh and that this man is the Son of God and Kyrios, glorified at the Father's
right. [The Mystery of Christian Worship]
Pope Francis prayer for July for lapsed Christians:
We pray for our brothers and sisters who have strayed from the faith, through our prayer and witness to the Gospel may
rediscover the merciful closeness of the Lord and the beauty of the Christian life. Amen.
Dates to remember:
Walsingham Pilgrimage - 22nd July. Programme for the day:
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8.00am
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Coach departs St. Augustine's
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10.30am
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Arrive Walsingham
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12 noon
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Dedication of the Diocese to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in the grounds of the Basilica
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12.30pm
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Lunch
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1.30pm
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Procession to Little Walsingham Village
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3.00pm
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Mass in Priory grounds. Bishop Alan has advised that this Mass fulfils your Sunday Obligation. Adults are
requested to kindly donate £2 each towards the upkeep of the Priory.
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5.00pm
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Depart Walsingham Coach Park
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Please bring your packed lunches and you are advised to bring a waterproof in case of rain. You will need to bring a
packed lunch and something to sit on that you can comfortably carry with you during the one mile procession.
For those who cannot walk the distance, mobility coaches will leave the R.C. Shrine car park 15 minutes before the
procession is due to begin. Please listen out for announcements during the day.
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes: 23rd to 28th July.
Please pray for me as I pray for you.
Deacon Kevin
Notices:
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MICHAEL'S ROAD TO VOCATION On Wednesday 19th July at 7.30pm in Brentwood Cathedral, Michael
Barwick is sharing his vocation story with a Holy Hour for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. All are
welcome to come along.
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ENJOY A TRIP TO LOURDES REMOTELY The Brentwood Catholic Youth Service (BCYS) will this year be
filming parts of the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes and packaging them as short clips which can be viewed on YouTube.
These will include prayerful reflections and homilies from Lourdes, and will create a "virtual pilgrimage"
for those in their homes. You will find the clips via www.bcys.net
from the evening of Monday 24th to Saturday 29th July.
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THE ESSEX RECUSANT SOCIETY AGM Saturday 29 July 2.30pm at The Grange, 93 Queens Road, Brentwood CMl4
4EY. All welcome. The meeting will be followed by a talk from Nigel Parker, Director of the Catholic Union of Great
Britain, which is charged with keeping the Church's concerns before government and politicians at the national
level.
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SCHOOL OFFICE MANAGER WITH FINANCE for St Peter's Catholic Primary School Billericay CMll 2UB.
Deadline for applications is noon on Monday 17th July. Details at: www.essexschoolsjobs.co.uk/Vacancies/Details.aspx?VacancyId=36820
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FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME 2017/2018 As you can appreciate forward planning is essential for the
First Holy Communion Programme. I enclose herewith our annual guidelines for this Sacramental Programme commencing in
the autumn.
- That you are a practicing Catholic (attending Mass on a weekly basis)
- That your child has been attending the Springfield Parish for at least the past year.
- That your child is eligible (8 years of age by 31 st August 2018)
If you have been attending another parish, that you obtain a letter of reference from the Parish Priest. This is a
serious commitment by parents and children. If these guidelines have been observed please pick up an enrolment form
from Cath Lyons and return forms to Fr. Sabu by the 28th July 2017. These are the general guidelines
adopted by parishes in our Diocese. If you have any problems please discuss them with Father. Thank you.
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JOB OPPORTUNITY IN ST BONAVENTURE'S, FOREST GATE We are seeking to employ a member of staff to
lead the boys in the development of their singing. Includes assisting the Chaplain with hymns in daily Year group and
Termly whole school Assembly, Liturgies, Whole School Masses, Christmas Carol Service. There is a compulsory Year 7
Choir - the person would need to be capable of leading this. Full-time and part-time will be considered,
It is not expected that this post will be filled by a qualified Teacher. Salary will depend upon experience and
expertise. An excellent opportunity for an experienced Musician seeking to supplement their income or find a pathway
to teacher qualification. Contact via Headteacher click here to Email
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NEW HALL SCHOOL VACANCIES for Senior School Administrator and Part-time Cleaner. For details, please
see www.newhallschool.co.uk/Job-Opportunities
Please remember to pray for:
The sick and housebound
Those who have recently died: Mary Sullivan
Years Mind:
Sunday: Bernard Thompson, Fr Daniel Harnett
Wednesday: Fr Edmund Dobson
Friday: Fr Patrick Taylor
Next Sunday - SIXTEENTH SUNDAY OF YEAR A
First Reading Wisdom 12: 13, 16-19
After sin you will grant repentance.
Second Reading Romans 8:26-27
The Spirit expresses our plea in a way that could never be put into words.
Gospel Matthew 13:24-43
Let them both grow till the harvest.
