SIXTEENTH SUNDAY OF YEAR A
22nd/23rd July 2017
Dear Parishioner,
Today's readings tell us about a very patient and compassionate God Who is hopeful that the so-called
"weeds" among us will be converted. They warn us that we should not be in a hurry to eliminate such elements
from the Church or society or the family based on unwarranted and hasty judgment.
The first reading shows us a merciful and patient God, rather than the disciplining and punishing God
presented in the book of Genesis. The second reading reminds us that the Spirit of God goes on
empowering us in our prayers and in our weakness. So, we should be patient with ourselves and with others. The
Gospel: "parable of the wheat and the weeds", Jesus presents a wise and patient God who
allows the good and the evil to coexist in the world and blesses the evil ones for the little good they may have done,
so that the evil ones may come to conversion before their time ends.
"Why is there is so much evil in the world?" is a very popular question in today's world. One of the best
answers to the question would be based on today's parable. "Let the wheat and the weeds [darnel]
grow together till the harvest time." In other words, God awaits repentant sinners, giving them the
strength to acknowledge their weakness. He calmly recognizes that there is evil in the world, but He sees that evil as
no excuse for the good people not to do good with the power of God at their disposal.
Through the parable of the wheat and the weeds in today's Gospel, Jesus calls us to be patient with those who fail
to meet the high ethical standard expected of a Christian. At the same time God is asking us to use our freedom
properly to make the right choice to be the weed or the wheat. Being in the world and not being of the world is the
choice that every Christian is to make in this short life. If we choose to be of the world, Jesus reminds us, that
there is a time when all those will be gathered in to be burned in fire. So let us grow in the presence of our lord as
healthy grains absorbing from our Lord all the strength we need.
"SEND, 0 LORD: HOLY APOSTLES INTO YOUR CHURCH"
Fr. Sabu Pariyadan RCJ
Notices:
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DERRICK HANDS RIP You will be sorry to hear that Derrick Hands died on Monday morning. Please pray
for the repose of his soul and for Derrick's family and friends who mourn his loss. Funeral arrangements to
follow.
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DATE FOR THE DIARY - SVP QUIZ, 7 OCTOBER at St Augustine's. Details to follow.
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SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION is available at St Augustine's on most Saturday mornings
1O-1O.45am, unless Fr Sabu has to be elsewhere. You can check on the Mass times schedule on the Newsletter or the
website.
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PARISH INDIAN EVENING: A big thank you to the Sebastian family, to Cily and Tomy for masterminding
the event, to Sebin for raising £257 selling raffle tickets on the night and to his sister Sruthi and the
wonderful dancers who performed on the night. We thank Babu the Chef and Lilly and also Jacob and his wife Leena who
gave us an insightful presentation on the work of the Familia charity in Kolkata. A special thank you also to Cath
Lyons for selling a vast amount of tickets and helping out on the day and to Father Sabu for his support and
enthusiasm.
The parish Social Group
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YOUNG CATHOLIC ADULT WEEKEND AT DOUAI ABBEY 20-22 Oct 2017. Are you 18-40, do you want to
deepen your knowledge of the Catholic faith, learn its devotions and meet like minded people? Young Catholic Adults
are organizing a weekend at Douai Abbey in Berkshire with Lawrence Lew O.P., and Canon Poucin ICKSP. You'll be
able to hear catechetical talks, learn how to sing Gregorian Chant, say the Rosary, socialize and have fun. Book soon
as places are limited!
Book at: https://v1.bookwhen.com/youngcatholicadults-douai2017
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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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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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NEW HALL SCHOOL VACANCIES for one-to-one Learning Support Assistant (LSA) from Sept 2017.
Closing date 04.08.17. For details, please see www.newhallschool.co.uk/Job-Opportunities
Please remember to pray for:
The sick and housebound
Those who have recently died: Derrick Hands
Years Mind:
Tuesday: Fr John Boardman, Fr Michael Hannan, Fr Dermot Moore, Fr James Cooney
Wednesday: Anne Thompson
Friday: Fr John Harding
Saturday: Yves Kerfone
Next Sunday - SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY OF YEAR A
First Reading 1 Kings 3:5, 7-12
You have asked for a discerning judgment for yourself.
Second Reading Romans 8:28-30
God intended us to become true images of his Son.
Gospel Matthew 13:44-52
He sells everything he owns and buys the field.
