THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT YEAR B
3rd/4th March 2018
Dear Parishioner
This week's readings from Holy Scripture teach us that Lent is the ideal time for cleaning out the Temple of our
own hearts and to offer to God proper Divine worship by obeying the Ten Commandments. They also teach us that our
New Covenant with God demands that we should keep our parish Church holy and our Divine worship vibrant by our
active participation in the liturgy with hearts cleansed by repentance, and holy by allowing the Holy Spirit to control
our hearts and lives.
The first reading teaches us that the Ten Commandments are the basis of our religious and spiritual life. Instead of
restricting our freedom, the Commandments really help us to love and respect our God and our neighbours.
The second reading reminds us that we must appreciate the Divine "foolishness" of the crucified Christ and
obey His commandment of love as expression of our Divine worship. Today's Gospel gives us the dramatic account of
Jesus' cleansing the Temple of its merchants and money-changers, followed by a prediction of his death and
Resurrection. The synoptic Gospels place the "cleansing of the Temple" immediately after Jesus'
triumphant arrival in Jerusalem on the back of a colt on Palm Sunday, while John places it at the beginning of his
Gospel. Jesus cleansed the Temple which King Herod began to renovate in 20BC. The abuses which kindled the prophetic
indignation of Jesus were the conversion of God's Temple into a "noisy market place" by the
animal merchants and into a "hideout of thieves" by the money-changers with their grossly unjust
business practices - sacrilege in God's Holy Place. Jesus' reaction to this commercialized Faith was fierce.
Since no weapons were allowed inside the Temple, Jesus had to construct his own weapon, a whip of cords to drive out
the merchants and money-changers from the Court of the Gentiles.
Let us be in the temple of god with hearts pure to love and be loved by God.
Fr Sabu Pariyadan RCJ
SEND, O LORD: HOLY APOSTLES INTO YOUR CHURCH
Notices:
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THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION is a sacrament in which the priest, as the agent of God, forgives
sins committed after Baptism, when the sinner is heartily sorry for them, sincerely confesses them and is willing to
make satisfaction for them. By his death on the Cross, Jesus Christ redeemed man from sin and from the consequences
of his sin especially from the eternal death that is sin's due. So it is not surprising that on that very day he
rose from the dead, Jesus instituted the sacrament by which our sins could be forgiven. The season of Lent is an
ideal time and we will be having a Reconciliation Service on Tuesday 20 March at 7.30pm. Fr. Sabu
will be assisted by visiting priests.
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ST JOHN PAYNE LENTEN SERVICE You are warmly invited to attend St John Payne Catholic School's
annual Lenten Service on Wednesday 28 March at 7.30pm in Aquinas Hall. The staff and students have put together a
creative and reflective service with music, readings, drama and more. Refreshments will be served after the service.
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THE MINISTRY OF MUSIC is one of the most vital ministries we have in the Church. Discovering your
call begins with a desire to be used by God. We are blessed with having Music sung at our Sunday celebrations for St.
Augustine's and New Hall. If you would like to be actively involved in this ministry in the choir please let
Judith Wiseman know for St. Augustine's or Jacqui Chester for New Hall.
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EASTER TRIDUUM Christ redeemed mankind and gave perfect glory to God principally through his paschal
mystery; by dying he destroyed our death and by rising he restored our life. The Easter Triduum of the passion and
resurrection of Christ is thus the culmination of the entire liturgical year. The evening Mass of the Lord's
Supper is on 29 March at 8pm. The solemn liturgy of the passion of the Lord on Good Friday is at 3pm. The liturgy of
the Paschal Vigil is on Saturday 31 March at 8pm. Please make a note of these dates.
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PILGRIMAGE TO KNOCK SHRINE, IRELAND 28 May. Led by Bishop Alan Williams. £699 per person
sharing. Just a few places left. Contact 01268 762278.
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EASTER LILIES Each year we ask for special donations for Easter Lilies to decorate the Church for
our Easter celebrations. If you would like to make a donation (a suggested donation of £4) in
memory of a deceased loved one, please place your offering in an envelope and write for Easter
Lilies and pass it to Cath Lyons. Many thanks for your generosity.
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THE AUGUSTINIAN Many thanks to all who have submitted contributions to this issue which is now being
finalised. If you were hoping to put something in, please do still pass it on to Chris Thompson Thompson, click here to Email, for inclusion in
the next edition.
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SAFEGUARDING REPRESENTATIVE The Diocese requires every parish to have a safeguarding representative
to ensure the wellbeing of vulnerable people in the parish. If you feel you could help with this and would like to
know more about what it involves, please talk to Fr Sabu or Deacon Kevin. Many thanks.
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THE BILLERICAY PADRE PIO PRAYER GROUP invite you to a Day of Devotion to the Divine
Mercy at the former Diocesan House of Prayer, now known as Walsingham House at Abbotswick, Navestock Side,
near Brentwood, CM14 5SH, on Mercy Sunday, 8th April 2018. Arrival from 10.30am for 11am start. Confession available.
Mass 3.30pm. Tea and coffee will be available but please bring a packed lunch. Ring Claire Wallis 01277 658783 for
more information. ALL ARE WELCOME.
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RETREAT FOR THOSE AGED 19-27. Experience the Holy Week liturgies in the tranquil and beautiful
setting of Walsingham House at Abbotswick. From the stillness of Adoration on Holy Thursday evening to an Easter
Vigil finishing with champagne and chocolates. £30 covers meals and accommodation 7.30pm Thurs 29 March - 9am
Easter Sunday morning. Limited places. Full info at www.bcys.net
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NEW HALL VACANCIES including Lay Chaplain, Teacher of Classics, Head of Politics and Graduate Sports
Assistant. Please see www.newhallschool.co.uk/job-opportunities for full details and how to apply.
Please remember to pray for:
Daily for the sick clergy of our Diocese
The sick and housebound
Those who have recently died
Years Mind:
Sunday: Mgr Patrick O'Donnell, Fr Brian Galvin, Fr Francis Hastings
Monday: Fr Malachy Kelly
Thursday: Fr Joseph Whitfield
Friday: Fr Thomas Lawton, Fr John Gordon
Saturday: Fr Edmund Meyer, Fr Maurice Roche, Mgr David Michael Corley
Next Sunday - FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT (B)
First Reading: 2 Chronicles 36:14-16
The wrath and mercy of God are revealed in the exile and in the release of his people.
Second Reading: Ephesians 2:4-10
You who were dead through your sins have been saved by grace.
Gospel: John 3:14-21
God sent his Son so that through him the world might be saved.