PALM SUNDAY YEAR B
24th/25th March 2018
Dear Parishioner
Today we begin Holy Week in which we celebrate the Mystery of our Salvation in Jesus Christ. These final days in the
earthly life of Christ begin with his triumphal entry into the Holy City, Jerusalem. The liturgy of Palm Sunday too
begins with this joyful entry into Jerusalem, the procession with palm branches. These branches are not simply blessed
objects, but signs of joyful participation in this procession and an expression of the faith of the Church in Christ.
Later during the Liturgy of the Word, we listen to the account of the Passion from Mark's Gospel (Mk. 14: 1 - 15:
47.) The great suffering of Jesus is made clear in this account, and it is from the depths of that suffering that hope
and light come once more into the world. Christ is presented as the saviour on the cross. The Roman centurion is the
first to give words to the new reality which has appeared: this man is the Son of God.
As we begin this final week of Lent I encourage you all to take part fully in the liturgies. On Wednesday we have the
Mass of Chrism at Brentwood Cathedral (7pm). This liturgy is focused on our sharing in the mission of Jesus Christ.
Those who have been ordained to the priesthood share in a particular way in the ministry of Christ, for the building up
of his Body, the Church. At this Mass, which is celebrated by Bishop Alan together with the Priests of the diocese,
Priestly promises are renewed. Please pray for them as they make their commitment to this service. The Bishop blesses
the Oil of the Sick and the Oil of Catechumens and the consecration of the Chrism. If you have never been, I encourage
you to attend. The blessing of the Oil of the Sick takes place before the end of the Eucharistic Prayer and the
blessing of the Oil of Catechumens and the consecration of the Chrism take place after Communion. At the end of Mass
the Deacons distribute the sacred oils to a member of each parish in the diocese.
I encourage you to stay watching before the Blessed Sacrament on Maundy Thursday until midnight. On Good Friday we have
the children's Stations of the Cross. Please parents do come along with your children (11am). The example of the
faith from their parents means so much to them. Please note we have Tenebrae on Good Friday and Holy Saturday at 9am.
On behalf of Fr. Sabu and I, may this special Holy Week bring you and our parish family many blessings.
God bless,
Deacon Kevin
Notices:
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EASTER OFFERING Please remember that the church collections over Easter are your personal gift to Fr
Sabu. This forms an important part of his income for the year. If you give by standing order or use the weekly
envelopes please use the envelope marked 'Easter Sunday' for your offering. Thank you, Rowena, Finance
Committee secretary.
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186 CLUB Congratulations to Louise De Souza, winner of the recent draw.
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2018/19 GIFT AID BOXES Please look out for your new Gift Aid Boxes after mass. If you or your
partner are a tax payer please do join the scheme as we can recover the tax at no extra cost to you. And if you are a
higher rate tax payer you can personally recover the higher rate tax element. We don't need any information about
your income other than confirmation that you pay tax.
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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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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 in time, please make sure you hand them in before Good Friday.
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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 28th March at 7.30pm in Aquinas Hall. The staff and students have put together a
creative and reflective service preparing for the joy of Easter. Refreshments will be served following the service.
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REFRAME - CATHOLIC VOICES Engaging speakers will share the Church's story in the media and help
ordinary Catholics to change controversy into opportunities to celebrate our faith. At St John Payne Catholic School,
Chelmsford: Saturday 28th April 10am - 3pm. The Campion School, Hornchurch: Saturday 2nd June 10am - 3pm Register at
https://doodle.com/poll/zhmvqkyfyvi8sch5
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VACANCY - EDUCATION OFFICE IN BRENTWOOD. PA/Executive Assistant (PA or Senior Secretarial experience
essential) required to support the Director and Deputy Director in the education Department. 35 hours a week, 5 days
a week over 42 weeks a year. If you - or any of your family or friends - are interested, please click
here to Email for job description and person spec. Then send in your CV, with a covering letter demonstrating how
your experience and skills match the specified essential requirements and attributes of the role. Closing
date Friday 30th March 2018. Interviews and tasks on 4th or 5th April 2018.
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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 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
info 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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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 Teacher of Computer Science. 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: Fr John Sherlock
Monday: Colin Bennett, Mgr Alfred Gilbey, Fr Denis Hall
Tuesday: Leia Iago
Thursday: Fr Joseph Tuohey
Saturday: Fr William Toft
Next Sunday - EASTER SUNDAY
First Reading: Acts 10:34,37-43
We have eaten and drunk with him after his resurrection.
Second Reading: Colossians 3:1-4
You must look for the things that are in heaven, where Christ is.
Gospel: John 20:1-9
He must rise from the dead.
