TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY OF YEAR A
30th September/1st October 2017
Dear Parishioners,
Today's Scripture passages remind us that it is our final decision for or against God, that is, our choosing to
obey Him gracefully by doing His will or our choosing to go against His will, which will decide our eternal reward or
eternal punishment. As free beings, it is we who choose our eternal destiny.
In the first reading, the Lord God, through His prophet, Ezekiel, corrects the Jewish beliefs that children inherit the
guilt of their ancestors and are punished for it and that God is more strict than merciful. God explains that His mercy
overrules strict justice and that He will punish us only for our sins, not for the sins of our ancestors.
The second reading, Paul's Letter to the Philippians, also affirms the truth that the final choice for God, made by
perfect obedience to Him, will be rewarded. Paul emphasizes the fact that it is because of Christ's obedience to
God's will by emptying himself, taking human form and humbling himself by accepting death on a cross, that God the
Father exalted Christ, bestowed on him the Name above every other name, and made Jesus the recipient of universal
adoration.
In the parable in today's Gospel, a man with two sons tells both to go out to work in the vineyard. The first son
says he won't go, but later regrets it and works. The second son says he will go but does not. In each case, it is
the final decision that is more important. Jesus teaches through this short parable that repentant tax-collectors and
prostitutes, represented by the first son who initially refused to go, will make their way into the Kingdom of God
before the chief priests and the elders, represented by the second son in the parable. By their pride and their refusal
to obey God's call to repentance, the scribes and the Pharisees are excluding themselves, while the tax-collectors
and sinners whom they despised are repenting of their sins and will be accepted into God's Kingdom.
So, it is our choice as free beings to choose the reward we need by being consistent in our words and deeds. Let us
really mean what we say and practice it with our life.
"SEND O LORD: HOLY APOSTLES INTO YOUR CHURCH"
Fr Sabu Pariyadan RCJ
Notices:
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ESCALATlON OF ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR AT ST. AUGUSTINE'S We have had several quotes now for the
security measures we need to take.
CC TV = £1800
Fencing 3 options
- Church building = £3,984 + VAT
- Whole car park fence = £8,792 + VAT
- Posts around car park and gate on entrance = £3,642 + VAT
2 x fire doors for main entrance = £14,000 (we will not be going for this option)
If you do see any untoward behaviour please ring the police and report it (or go online - it's quicker). The more
incidents we report the higher priority it will be but please do NOT approach the culprits. We do not know if they
have weapons etc. We do not wish to be alarmist but better safe than sorry.
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200 CLUB (186 Club this year in fact!) Congratulations to Mark Wiseman, winner of the recent draw.
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"CUTTING THROUGH COMPASSION FATIGUE How the Optician of Lampedusa Calls Upon Us to See
Clearly." Knights of St Columba (Chelmsford & Maldon) - Annual Lecture - Wed 11 October. This talk
by Emma Jane Kirby will be held in the main hall at St Augustine's, commencing 8.l5pm after the 7.30pm Mass. We
are delighted to have secured BBC correspondent, Emma Jane Kirby, currently regularly heard on BBC Radio 4 and former
pupil of Chelmsford County High School for Girls, to deliver this year's lecture. The talk will be based on Emma
Jane's 2016 book, 'The Optician of Lampedusa', which centres on the true story of one man's moral and
social conscience in the light of the migration crisis and challenges us to open our eyes to the suffering. The
evening will also include a brief insight into Emma Jane's career with the BBC and time for questions. Entrance
is free and tea/coffee will be provided. More info from Peter Whitington on 01245 441736.
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ST JOHN PAYNE CATHOLIC SCHOOL'S OPEN EVENING for Year 7 entry in September 2018 Thurs 5
October 5.30 pm - 7.30pm. Full details on notice board.
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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 today. We are asking each family to take 4 books of
draw tickets to sell to family and friends.
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PRIESTS AND PEOPLE REVUE WITH COMPERE DES KELLY in celebration of the centenary year of the
Brentwood Diocese, at St John Payne School, Chelmsford, Friday 3 November 7.30pm. Tickets: £5 per Adult,
£1 per child (first come, first served). Advanced email booking through Hannah Kelly detailing names and number
of tickets required click here to
Email. All proceeds will go towards funding the training of priests in our diocese.
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CANONESSES OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE Finding Hope in Fragile Places with Prof Tina Beattie on Sunday
29th October 2017 at New Hall Preparatory School, 2pm for 2.l5pm. Please book via our website www.canonesses.co.uk/event-bookings/ or 01206
867296.
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CANONESSES OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE: Annual Mass for the Dead at New Hall Chapel Saturday 4th Nov, 2pm.
We are celebrating the Annual Mass for our deceased relatives and friends in particular those buried in our Cemetery.
You would be most welcome to join the Community that afteruoon and there will be an opportunity to go to the Cemetery
if you wish.
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PILGRIMAGE TO THE SHRINES OF NORMANDY WITH OLl PARISH 20-26 May 2018, to visit the Norbertine abbey
of Mondaye, the shrines at Lisieux, Alencon and Mont St Michel and the shrine of Our Lady of Montligeon. Travel by
coach and ferry. Cost £699. Booking forms (to be returned to Pax Travel) now available from the OLl parish
office (10am-2pm Monday to Friday) 01245 352898.
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WALSINGHAM HOUSE AT ABBOTSWICK - THANK YOU. We have received an email from Fr Dominic and Gabby
Fusi, who co-ordinated last weekend's appeal across the Diocese, to thank us for the generous donations to the
appeal, and for the warm welcome and encouragement we gave to our appeal speaker. There is still some way to go to
reach the £430,000 target, so if you would like to donate online at any point, the link is www.bcys.net/abbotswick. If you know of companies or trust funds
that could support the project financially please click here
to Email. Thank you.
Please remember to pray for:
The sick and housebound
Those who have recently died:
Years Mind:
Tuesday: Fr Michael Hopkins
Thursday: Fr Heury Healy, Fr David Logue
Friday: Fr Edward Heery
Saturday: Fr Harold Cahill
Sunday: Fr Alfred Clements
Next Sunday - TWENTY-SEVENTH SUNDAY OF YEAR A
First Reading: Isaiah 5:1-7
The vineyard of the Lord God of hosts is the House of Israel.
Second Reading: Philippians 4:6-9
The God of peace will be with you.
Gospel Matthew 21:33-43
He will lease the vineyard to other tenants.