FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT YEAR B
17th/18th March 2018
Dear Parishioner
Today's readings focus on the approaching death of Jesus which Paul considers a priestly sacrifice and John
considers the moment of Jesus' "exaltation" and "glorification". The readings offer us a
challenge. Just as Jesus became the "Promised Messiah of Glory" and the "Conquering Son of
Man" by offering his life for others, we, too, must possess Heaven by dying to self and by spending our lives
in self-giving, sacrificial service.
The first reading, taken from the book of the Prophet Jeremiah, explains how God will replace the Old Covenant of
Judgment with a New Covenant of Forgiveness of sins. This New or Renewed Covenant prophesied by Jeremiah was fulfilled,
at least in part, through Jesus' life, death and Resurrection.
The Responsorial Psalm (Ps 51) is our cry for mercy from God as we ask Him to cleanse us from sin and guilt and create
a "new heart" for us.
In the second reading, we are told that it is by Jesus' suffering and death, in obedience to his Father's will,
that Jesus established the New Covenant. Using metaphors of the "sown wheat-grain" and the
"spent life" in today's Gospel, Jesus teaches the same lessons.
The Gospel hints at the inner struggle of Jesus in accepting the cup of suffering to inaugurate the New and everlasting
Covenant. However, Jesus accepts the cross as his "hour", meaning the stepping-stone to his passion,
death, Resurrection and exaltation.
He also considers his "hour" as the way of glorifying his Heavenly Father and of being glorified by
his Father. In addition, it is the way by which Jesus draws all people into the saving action of God. Finally, the
"lifting up" of Jesus on the cross and later into Heavenly glory by Resurrection and Ascension is the
assurance of our own exaltation and glorification, provided we accept our crosses.
So we ask the Lord all the blessings we need to spend our lives as a selfless service for our fellow brothers and
sisters.
Fr Sabu Pariyadan RCJ
SEND, O LORD: HOLY APOSTLES INTO YOUR CHURCH
Notices:
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EASTER TRIDUUM 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.
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UNWANTED CHRISTMAS GIFTS We plan to hold a Raffle after Easter to raise funds to go towards
repayment of the Church debt. Any bit of fundraising, big or small, helps to bring down the debt - every penny
counts! Your unwanted gifts would be very gratefully received. Thank you all for your support. Cath.
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HOLY SATURDAY REFLECTION March 31st at 11.30am, you are invited, by Sisters Moira & Margaret, to
a reflection on the themes of the day - waiting, emptiness, disappointment - at the Blessed Sacrament Church,
Melbourne - 30/40 minutes.
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SISTER CATHERINE CARDIS CRSS REQUIEM MASS will be held in New Hall Chapel at 10.15am on Thursday 5
April followed by burial.
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MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING Thurs 22 March 7.30pm
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LENT RECONCILIATION SERVICE Tuesday 20th March at 7.30 pm. Visiting priests will help Fr. Sabu with
the Sacrament of Confession.
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PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR LOURDES Ben would be happy to take parishioners' prayer intentions to have
them prayed for at the grotto in Lourdes during the HCPT Easter pilgrimage. Please place prayer intentions in an
envelope Ben will put them at the grotto. Please put them in the collection basket or give them to Ben, Kevin or
Cathy. To ensure they get to Ben it time, please make sure you hand them in before Good Friday.
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PARISH FUNDRAISING QUIZ SATURDAY 7TH JULY 7.30 pm at St Augustine's. Tickets £5 per head -
please bring your own drink and nibbles.
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PARISH BARBECUE SUNDAY 9 SEPTEMBER 2pm - 5pm in the Presbytery garden (thank you Father!)
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ANNUAL PARISH DINNER - DATE FOR YOUR DIARY! Our annual parish dinner will be held on 12 January 2019
at Channels by popular demand so save the date!
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BISHOP ALAN GOES #SILENT! For 12 hours, from 8am to 8pm, on Tuesday 27th March, the Tuesday of Holy
Week, Bishop Alan will be completely silent (except for occasional communication with his cat, Delia). This is part
of a national initiative, "Million Minutes", adopted this year by the BCYS, to encourage all of us to
(re)discover the peace, tranquility and value of silence: within the stillness, God speaks. Every minute of silence
can also be sponsored, raising money for projects led by young people in our Diocese. More details and resources at
www.millionminutes.org/Brentwood. To sponsor
Bishop Alan go to https://be.wonderful.org/bishop.alan/2018/staysilent. To find out more about all our opportunities for
young people go to www.bcys.net
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VACANCY: HEADTEACHER, ST JOHN PAYNE CATHOLIC SCHOOL. Application pack from www.essexschoolsjobs.co.uk or Monica Morley, School Business
Manager, at the school on 01245 256030 or click here to Email. Deadline for
applications: Wednesday 21st March, Noon.
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ST PETERS CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL IN BILLERICAY has vacancies for a Teacher and a Teaching
Assistant. Details can be found at the following links:
Teacher http://www.essexschoolsjobs.co.uk/Vacancies/Details.aspx?VacancyId=40940
Assistant http://www.essexschoolsjobs.co.uk/Vacancies/Details.aspx?VacancyId=40941
Closing date for applications Friday 23 March. Please call 01277 653770 for more info.
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HOLY FAMILY PARISH, BENFLEET REQUIRE ADMIN MANAGER 20 hours per week, timing or hours can be
negotiated. Please contact Fr Eduard Fartan on 01268 792082 or the office on 01268 792082 or click here to Email
for a job description and person specification. Closing date Tues 3rd April.
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NEW HALL VACANCIES including Housemaster, Teachers of Geography, French with Spanish, History and
Biology. 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: Ian McIntosh, Fr Donal Donegan
Tuesday: Fr Sidney Williams
Friday: Fr Arthur Holmes
Sunday: Fr John Sherlock
Next Sunday - PALM SUNDAY (B)
Procession: Mark 11:1-10
Blessing on him who comes in the name of the Lord!
First Reading: Isaiah 50:4-7
I did not cover my face against insult - I know I shall not be shamed.
Second Reading: Philippians 2:6-11
He humbled himself but God raised him high.
Gospel: Mark 14:1-15:47
The passion of our Lord Jesus Christ.