FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT (B)
2nd/3rd December 2017
(Migrants' Day)
Dear Parishioner
Today is the 1st Sunday of Advent and it marks the beginning of a new Liturgical Year. In the literal sense, the word
'advent' means 'coming of someone', and we wait for the coming of someone we love,
and in the Christian spirituality, it specifically implies to 'the coming of HIM, who became EMMANUAEL-
"God with us" and challenges us to be "God within people" to our
families, parish communities and world.'
Today's Scripture Readings assure us that the Lord is coming. But an individual has to be alert and must be on
watch to be God's people. The First Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah brings us face to
face with a God who is Father and with the reality of our own sinfulness before Him. St. Paul in the Second Reading
from his 1st Letter to the Corinthians stresses fidelity, asking people to remain faithful to Jesus to the end. The
Gospel Reading from St. Mark invites all to a spiritual vigilance. We are told to be always watchful and ever alert so
that the coming of the Lord does not find us unprepared, instead, proven to be 'God's people all through our
life'.
As we start walking through Advent again in the midst of all the excitement, elaborate decorations and expensive
commercialization which surround Christmas today, we are given another opportunity to pause, to consider again the
event of "God with us" and become more God-within people so as to add more
meaning to world.
A note of gratitude to all of you for your love and concern during my short stay here with you, in particular to Deacon
Kevin and Cathy. Thank you very much for what you have been to me.
Please remember me once in a while in your prayers and have a special prayer for our forthcoming establishment of care
and service to orphan children at Hewadiwala, Srilanka.
God Bless and Stay Blest!
Fr. PG Varghese RCJ
Notices:
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DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
- Sun 10 December: Ecumenical Advent Service at 6pm followed by tea and cake. Please try to join with our friends
as we seek to rebuild our bond with the Anglican community.
- Wed 13 December: Reconciliation Service 7.30pm at the church of the Holy Name
- Sun 17 December: Second collection for Sudan, SVP
- Sun 17 December: Festival of 9 Lessons and Carols at Brentwood Cathedral, 4pm
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CHRISTMAS CAKE RAFFLE Maura McNamara will be running her annual Christmas cake raffle this and next
weekend. As a lucky winner in the past, I highly recommend buying tickets - it's a great cake!! All proceeds are
for church funds.
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OLI LONDON ROAD MASS FRIDAY 8 DECEMBER 7.30PM for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Fr Paul
Cracknell will be preaching and there will be refreshments to follow.
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186 CLUB Congratulations to N Mendoza, ticket no. 161, winner of the recent draw.
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PAM DE KEYSER RIP Pam's funeral Mass will take place on Monday 11 December at 1 pm at The Holy
Family and All Saints Church, Guithavon St, Witham followed by burial in the churchyard at All Saints Church in
Stock.
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CATHOLIC SCHOOLS LETTER PETITION There is a danger that the Government will not follow through on a
promise to remove the 50% cap on Catholic admissions to new Catholic schools. This is important as the cap hinders
the opening of new schools in areas that need them because Canon Law prohibits Catholic schools from discriminating
against Catholics. If you would like to support the removal of the cap, please go to the following site http://cbcew.org.uk/education-cap. If you fill in the first
form and press submit, it leads you to the letter and you press the submit button again to send. Further details can
be obtained by going to the Events and Publications page of the Parish Web site, namely http://www.staugustine-springfield.com/events.html.
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MASS FOR VOCATIONS A Mass for those enquiring or discerning a vocation to the priesthood will be at
Our day of Lourdes at Leigh on Sea at 12:00pm on the feast of St. Thomas Becket, the 29th December 2017. All are
welcome to come and pray for vocations and to meet our seminarians.
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ADVENT SERVICE OF REFLECTION SUN 17 DECEMBER 7PM led by the Community at Blessed Sacrament Parish,
Melbourne and lasting about 40 minutes in the Parish church. It will be followed by some light festive refreshments.
All are welcome. Thank you. Sisters Moira & Margaret
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UNDERSTANDING THE CREED On Wednesdays 24 and 31 January from 7pm until 8.30pm Fr Adrian Graffy will
lead an exploration of the Nicene Creed recited at Sunday Mass. These 'Gidea Park Faith Evenings' will take
place in the hall at Gidea Park Catholic Church (410 Brentwood Road, Gidea Park, RM2 6DH). Please book by clicking here to Email. Refreshments
provided. Admission free.
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WALSINGHAM HOUSE AT ABBOTSWICK - FUNDRAISING APPEAL Thank you for your great generosity to the
appeal; so far over £60,000 has been raised from parish collections, individuals, and donations from Religious
Orders and Companies, to add to the £125,000 raised before the Diocesan Appeal began. However there is still a
long way to go to reach the £430,000 total needed, so if you are able to donate please visit www.bcys.net/abbotswick or send a cheque payable to
"Abbotswick Funding" to Fr Dominic Howarth, Abbotswick, Navestock Side, Brentwood, Essex CMl4 5SH. There
will be an open afternoon on Saturday 13th January 2018 for anyone who would like to visit and see the completed
refurbishments.
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INAUGURAL DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO KNOCK SHRINE, IRELAND 28 May 2018. Led by Bishop Alan Williams. For
full details see last week's Newsletter or contact 01268762278 or click here to Email.
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MASS FOR TRAVELLERS ON AT WESTMINSTER CATHEDRAL on Saturday 24 February at 2.30pm. More info from Fr
Dan Mason, the National Catholic Chaplain for Gypsies, Roma and Travellers on 01277 624891.
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MIDDAY ASSISTANTS REQUIRED St Peter's Catholic Primary School Billericay, either permanent or as
a cover Midday Assistant. Hours 12.00 to 1.30pm, days negotiable. More info from 01277 653770.
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NEW HALL SCHOOL REQUIRES 2 Graduate Sports Assistants up to July 2018 Closing date midday Dec 13,
interview 18 Dec. Further details at www.newhallschool.co.uk/job-opportunities
Please remember to pray for:
Daily for the sick clergy of our Diocese
The sick and housebound
Those who have recently died: Pam De Keyser
Years Mind:
Monday: Christopher McIntosh
Wednesday: Fr Brian Drea
Thursday: Fr Michael Healy
Friday: Fr Bernard Pownall
Saturday: Fr John Lane
Next Sunday - SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT (B)
First Reading: Isaiah 40:1-5,9-11
Prepare a way for the Lord.
Second Reading: 2 Peter 3:8-14
We are waiting for the new heaven and new earth.
Gospel: Mark 1:1-8
Make his paths straight.
