THIRD SUNDAY YEAR B
20th/21st January 2018
Dear Parishioner
The three readings today underline the absolute necessity for us of repentance and a prompt response
to God's call.
The first reading tells us how God had to deal with the disobedient, fleeing prophet Jonah to turn him around,
so that, repenting, he would go to Nineveh to preach repentance there. The wicked
people of Nineveh, however, accepted Jonah as God's prophet at once, and promptly responded to God's call for
repentance as Jonah preached it.
In the second reading, Paul urges the Christian community in Corinth to lose no time in accepting the message
of the Gospel and in renewing their lives with repentance because Jesus' second coming may occur
at any moment.
Today's Gospel describes how Jesus came to Galilee and began preaching, challenging people to
"repent and believe in the Gospel." Just as John did, Jesus also called for
repentance, meaning a change in one's mind or in the direction of one's life, setting new priorities.
Repentance also means hating sin, not just being sorry for the consequences of one's sins.
Believing in the Gospel demands from the hearers a resolution to take Jesus' words seriously, to translate
them into action and to put trust in Jesus' authority.
Jesus preached the Gospel, or Good News, that God is a loving, forgiving, caring and merciful Father Who wants
to liberate us and save us from our sins through His son Jesus. By describing the call of Jesus' first disciples,
Andrew, Peter, James and John, today's Gospel also emphasizes how we, sinners, are to respond to God's call
with total commitment by abandoning our accustomed style of sinful life. Jesus started his public
ministry immediately after John the Baptist was arrested. Jesus selected four fishermen right from their fishing boats.
Jesus wanted these ordinary, hard-working people as assistants for his ministry because they would be very responsive
and generous instruments in the hands of God. So let us pray for that total commitment through the conversion of our
hearts.
SEND, O LORD: HOLY APOSTLES INTO YOUR CHURCH
Fr Sabu Pariyadan RCJ
Notices:
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FRANCIS RICHARD DODSLEY RIP You will be sorry to hear of the death of Francis Dodsley, father of
Catherine Gregory. His funeral will take place at St Augustine's on Thursday 25 January at 11am.
Please pray for the repose of his soul and for Catherine and all the family. May he rest in peace.
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JIM MCEVOY RIP Jim's funeral will take place at St Augustine's on Thursday 8 February at
lOam. The Reception of the body will be on Wednesday 7 February at 4.30pm. The family have requested no flowers
except the immediate family. Instead all donations to be given to the SVP. There will be a collecting box in the
church.
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PARISH BRING AND SHARE EVENING 27 JANUARY Everyone welcome to what promises to be an enjoyable
social evening! If you'd like to come, please put your name on the list at the back of the church stating what
you are bringing. Please bring your own drink. Thank you, the Social Committee.
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KSC COLLECTION OF GOODS FOR PROVIDENCE ROW/FARLEIGH HOSPICE - Weekend 27/28 January Please bring
your donations along to Mass in separate bags labelled for Providence Row or Farleigh. Any queries, to Peter
Whitington (441736) or Chris Thompson (469161). Thank you.
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PRAISE & WORSHIP EVENING at SION Community, Sawyers Hall Lane, Brentwood, will take place this
month on Sunday 28th January 2017, 7.30pm to 9.00pm. Everyone welcome.
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INAUGURAL DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO KNOCK SHRINE, IRELAND 28 May 2018. Led by Bishop Alan Williams.
£699.00 per person sharing, includes flights from London Stansted with 15kg checked in bag, all taxes,
transfers, 5 nights in newly refurbished Knock House Hotel, in the grounds of the shrine, with full Irish Breakfast
each morning, light lunch and 4 Course Dinner. Excellent programme of prayer time, masses, liturgies, excursions and
evening activities and visits to Ballintubber Abbey, Croagh Patrick, Westport and other famous sights in Co. Mayo.
Contact 01268 762278 or click here to Email.
Knock Pilgrimages is a member of the Travel Trust Association and is fully protected by ATOL T7613. If enough
parishioners are interested in joining this pilgrimage it may be possible to negotiate a better deal - please do let
Fr Sabu, Kevin or Cath know if you're interested so that they can initiate negotiations!
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2018 DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES: Bishop Alan will lead our annual pilgrimage from Monday 23 to
Saturday 28 July. We shall be accompanied by an experienced medical team and there is plenty of help for those with
mobility needs. Equally suitable for couples, individuals, and groups of friends; all welcome. There is a full
programme to opt in and out of. Brochures at the back of the church. More info and brochures from Cathy O'Connor
on 01206 735623.
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GOVERNOR TRAINING: Saturday, 27 Jan 1O.30am - 12.00pm at Cathedral House, Brentwood. Speaker: Mr
Chris Birtles, Executive Headteacher. Topic: What makes an effective Governing Board? Contact
details Tel 01277 265285 or click
here to Email
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SPIRITUALITY SEMINARS at Cathedral House, Brentwood, Sat Feb l0 10.30am-12.00pm The Mass
Explained. Speaker: Bishop Emeritus Thomas McMahon. Sat March 24 10.30am-12.00pm Lent.
Speaker: Fr Martin Boland, Cathedral Dean. Contact Details: Tel 01277 265285 or click here to Email
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BRENTWOOD CATHOLIC YOUTH SERVICE UPCOMING EVENTS Please see www.bcys.net/events for details of all events which include the monthly Youth Mass at 8pm on the
first Wednesday of each month at Brentwood Cathedral and followed by refreshments. Also in the calendar are:
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Jack and the Beanstalk! 26th-27th January 2018, Most Holy Trinity, Basildon Come and support
some familiar BCYS faces as they put on "Jack and the Beanstalk" at the end of this month! Tickets
£10 adult and £5 child, all proceeds to support Groups 709 and 127 who will travel to Lourdes at
Easter helping vulnerable young people. More info and tickets at www.basildonpanto.uk
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Diocesan Lourdes Reunion Mass Sunday 4th February, 3pm. Bishop Alan will celebrate Mass in
honour of Our Lady of Lourdes at Brentwood Cathedral. All welcome. During the Mass, the Sacrament of the
Anointing of the Sick will be given to those who are unwell. The BCYS will be helping with music and serving
refreshments so if you are able to assist with these please let Gabby know!
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Summer Lourdes 22nd - 29th July 2018, Lourdes. Applications for those in year 10 and above need
to be in by the end of January!
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THE BCCS ANNUAL CHARITY BALL is their largest and most glamourous event of the year and takes place
this year at The Rayleigh Club, Hullbridge on Saturday 10th March. Tickets are on
sale now, costing £55 per person, which will include a drinks reception and three course dinner along with a
full evening of entertainment. Guests will be seated on tables of 12, making it the perfect opportunity to get
together with friends, family or colleagues, have a fantastic night out whilst at the same time raising vital funds
for bccs. As tickets for this event sell out quickly, please contact Julie asap to avoid disappointment: 01268 784544
/ 07912 277413 / click here to Email
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ST HELEN'S CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL AT 110 YEARS St Helen's Catholic Primary School in
Canning Town is appealing to all past pupils or their relatives for copies of old school photographs, reports and
records in preparation for their 110th anniversary, particularly from 1907-1941 when original documents were
destroyed in the blitz. 020 7476 1785 or click here to Email
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FINANCE OFFICE IN BRENTWOOD SEEK HR/OPERATIONS OFFICER (Payroll experience
essential). The role, at Cathedral House, is part-time, 3 days a week (21 hours). Please
click here to Email job description and person specification. Closing date for CVs/applications is Friday 2nd
February 2018. Interviews week commencing 12th February 2018.
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ADVERTISEMENT ON BEHALF OF MISSIO, the Catholic Church's official charity for overseas mission:
Freelance vacancy on a Casual Contract for a Proofreader to work with the fundraising team. Requires someone with
good proofreading and copy-editing skills to work on a variety of Missio's publications and educational resources
in MS Word and Adobe formats. Please contact Richard Hopper, click here to Email, 020
7821 9755 for a Job Description. Closing date 26th January 2018. Further info at www.missio.org.uk
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DEPUTY HEAD TEACHER REQUIRED, WITHAM Due to the retirement of the incumbent, The Holy Family
Catholic Primary School seeks to fill this role from Sept 2018. Contact Anne Buet on 01376 513418 / click here to
Email
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HOSPITALITY, RETREATS AND FACILITIES CO-ORDINATOR. Required for Walsingham House at Abbotswick.
Living on site, the person in this full time role will enable the smooth running of Walsingham House at Abbotswick,
ensuring a welcoming, safe and Christ-centred environment for all retreatants and visitors. Includes the leadership
of some youth retreats, as well as excellent teamworking with staff and volunteers. 2 year fixed contract, starting
late August. £18,000pa + accommodation. For full details visit www.bcys.net/vacancy-abbotswick/
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JOB OPPORTUNITIES AT NEW HALL Please see 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: Jim McEvoy, Mary Braun
Years Mind:
Sunday: : Bp Bernard Ward, Fr Christopher Quirke
Monday: Pope Benedict XV
Tuesday: Fiona Cowling, Bp Arthur Doubleday
Wednesday: Fr John O'Sullivan
Thursday: Fr John Hibbert
Friday: Fr Arthur Field, Bp Patrick Casey
Next Sunday - FOURTH SUNDAY OF YEAR B
First Reading: Deut 18:15-20
I will raise up a prophet and I will put my words into his mouth.
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 7:32-35
An unmarried woman can devote herself to the Lord's affairs; all she need worry about is being holy.
Gospel: Mark 1:21-28
He taught them with authority.
