TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY OF YEAR A
23rd/24th September 2017
Dear Parishioners,
Today's readings are all about the sense of justice and the extravagant grace of a merciful God. While God is both
just and merciful, God's mercy often overrides His justice and, hence, God pardons us unconditionally and rewards
us generously by opening Heaven for us.
In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah reminds the exiles in Babylon that their God is more merciful than they are,
and more forgiving. He is ready to pardon the infidelity which has resulted in their exile. Their merciful God will
bless them with material and spiritual blessings. Hence, Isaiah exhorts them, and us, to seek the Lord and to put aside
evil ways in order to receive His mercy and forgiveness.
In the second reading, Paul offers himself as an example of total submission to God's grace and God's will. He
is ready to live continuing his mission if that is God's will. At the same time, he is ready to die and join the
Lord if that is God's will.
In today's Gospel Jesus tells us the strange parable of a landowner who hired labourers at five different times
during the course of one day to work in his vineyard but paid the same living wage for a full day's work to all of
them. This story of the landlord's love and generosity represents God's love and generosity to all of us. It
illustrates the difference between God's perspective and ours. God's provisions for our spiritual lives will
never rnn out, and when we share our blessings with others, we tap into the inexhaustible Divine supply. This story
shows us how God looks at us, sees our needs and meets those needs generously and mercifully.
"SEND O LORD: HOLY APOSTLES INTO YOUR CHURCH"
Fr Sabu Pariyadan RCJ
Notices:
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SVP QUIZ FOR SUDAN, SAT 7 OCTOBER 7:15PM AT ST AUGUSTINE'S Tickets are now available from
members of the SVP and are priced at £6 each. Please bring your own drinks and nibbles - we are not having a
fish and chip supper this year. Money raised will go towards the SVP work in the Sudan.
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GRAND CHRISTMAS DRAW TICKETS will be handed out next Sunday 1 October. This is our main fundraising
event of the year - this year we will miss Chris Thompson's sterling work selling over £300 worth to his
coworkers now that he's retired! Thank you Chris for all you have done over the years. We are asking each family
to take 4 books of draw tickets to sell to family and friends.
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MEETING THE LIVING GOD AUTUMN SEMINARS
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7th October 10.30am-12.00noon The Legacy of Saint Pope John Paul 11, speaker: Fr Martin Boland,
Cathedral Dean.
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11th November 10.30am-12.00noon Endings and Beginnings, speaker: Bishop Emeritus Thomas McMahon.
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25th November l0.30am-12.00noon The Advent Journey, speaker: Bishop Alan Williams,sm.
All at Cathedral House conference centre Ingrave Road, Brentwood CMl5 8AT. Tel. 01277 265285 click here to Email.
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THE ROYAL SCHOOL OF CHURCH MUSIC CHORAL FESTIVAL will take place this year in Brentwood Cathedral on
21st October, and will celebrate the Centenary of Brentwood Diocese. All singers are invited to take part. The
Festival will take form of a workshop starting at l0am to prepare the music which will be used in the Centenary
Celebration Service at 4pm in the afternoon. The specially chosen music for the occasion is all contained in a book.
(Cost £5). For further details please click here to
Email, or telephone 01277 233302 (answerphone).
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DIOCESAN CENTENARY CONCERT, SATURDAY 28TH OCTOBER at Brentwood Cathedral. We are now recruiting a
choir to perform at this concert, an ideal opportunity for Parish choirs and individual singers to join together with
the Cathedral Choir to perform with a professional orchestra at this prestigious event. An ability to read music is
essential. The programme will include the Vivaldi 'Gloria', Vaughan Williams 'Serenade to Music' and
Schubert 'Mass in G'. There will be 2 rehearsals on Monday 9th October and Wednesday 25th October, both at
7.30pm in the Cathedral. We will also be joined by Brentwood Choral Society. To express interest or for more info
please please contact Shirley Timmins, click here to
Email. Hire cost for the music is £2 per score, or £5 for all three. Tickets for the concert are
available by clicking here to
Email at a cost of £12 all unreserved.
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STUDY DAY AT CHRIST THE ETERNAL HIGH PRIEST GIDEA PARK The next study day at Christ the Eternal High
Priest, Gidea Park, will be led by Mgr David Manson, former Vicar General of the Diocese of Brentwood and expert in
Liturgy. He will take as his topic 'The Significance of Sunday', and will explain the contents of Pope John
Paul II's Apostolic Letter Dies Domini (The Day of the Lord). The study day will take place on Saturday 28th
October, with coffee available from 10.30 and ending at 3 p.m, Please make your booking in the usual way by clicking here to Email There is no
charge for the days. You are invited to bring a packed lunch.
Please remember to pray for:
The sick and housebound
Those who have recently died: Flora Noronha
Years Mind:
Wednesday: Fr Gordon Godfrey
Thursday: Pope John Paul I
Saturday: Fr Bernard Wakeling
Next Sunday - TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY OF YEAR A
First Reading: Ezekiel 18:25-28
When the sinner renounces sin, he shall certainly live.
Second Reading: Philippians 2:1-11
In your minds you must be the same as Christ Jesus.
Gospel Matthew 21:28-32
He thought better of it and went. Tax collectors and prostitutes are making their way into the kingdom of God before
you.
