SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER (B)
12th/13th May 2018
(World Communications Day)
Dear Parishioner
Christian love resulting in Christian unity is the main theme of today's Scripture lessons. Following the Passover
washing of the Apostles' feet, Jesus begins to prepare the disciples for his departure. He foretells his betrayal,
gives them the great commandment of love and foretells Peter's denial. He then tells them that he is going to the
Father's house where he will prepare a place for them and that he will come again to take them with him. He
promises them the gift of the Holy Spirit and assures them that the Holy Spirit will teach them everything. He warns of
the world's hatred and explains that the Spirit cannot come unless Jesus goes. Finally, he promises them joy and
peace. Jesus then prays his "High Priestly Prayer," of which our Gospel lesson is part.
The first reading, taken from Acts, tells us how the eleven apostles as one unit, relying on the power of God, elected
Matthias to replace Judas. This incorporation was done by the whole community under the chairmanship of Peter, choosing
Matthias by lot. The outcome was taken to be the will of the Holy Spirit.
The second reading, taken from John's first Letter to the Church, emphasizes the centrality of love in our
Christian living. It shows us how the apostle dealt with disunity in the Church by teaching the members the basis of
true Christian love and unity. For John, love and unity among Christians is the first and most important witness for
believers to bear.
In today's Gospel passage, Jesus prays in particular for those disciples who are sharing the meal with him. The
core of Jesus' message is love, a love that is to be manifested not only in nice-sounding words but, more
convincingly, in the genuine acts of love that bind his disciples together into one community.
Fr Sabu Pariyadan RCJ
SEND, O LORD: HOLY APOSTLES INTO YOUR CHURCH
Notices:
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200 CLUB We are doing the first Draw for the 200 Club soon and we need to sell about another two
dozen shares to get to our target of 200. If you have not renewed your shares yet, please do it quickly: if you want
to pay directly to our bank, Chris Thompson can give instructions. Speak to Chris or click here to
Email him
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KSC WALK FOR BCCS The Knights of St. Columba will be doing their annual Walk to raise money for
Brentwood Catholic Children's Society next weekend. We will be walking 15km in the Benfleet area from 9am -
anyone who wishes to join us is welcome (contact Chris Thompson for details). We will be collecting after Masses on
that weekend. BCCS does a huge amount of excellent work and depends on the money raised by volunteers so please give
generously, and put your donation in a Gift Aid envelope.
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CORPUS CHRISTI PROCESSION SUNDAY 27 MAY 3PM This Mid Essex Deanery Procession starts at Our Lady
Immaculate School and does a circuit down London Rd and up Moulsham Street finishing with Benediction at OLI Church.
Refreshments to follow. The procession will follow the Holy Eucharist carried in a processional monstrance by Abbot
Hugh. A marching band will accompany the hymns. Please see notice board for more details.
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JUSTICE AND PEACE CONCERT Saturday 2 June 2pm-5pm at the Blessed Sacrament Church Hall, Melbourne
Avenue with the Fleeting Shadows playing Shadows hits from the Sixties. ADMISSION FREE. All donations are welcome and
will go to the Syrian Refugees and CHESS Chelmsford homeless. There will be a raffle and you will need to bring your
own food and drinks. Don't forget your dancing shoes!
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DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO WALSINGHAM Saturday May 26th. We are booking a coach. It is a wonderful
prayerful and spiritual place to visit. If you have never been before please think about it. There is a list at the
back of the Church to put your name on. God Bless you. Cath Lyons.
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BRENTWOOD CATHOLIC CHILDREN'S SOCIETY LADIES' DAY luncheon, Thursday 21 June, Rayleigh Golf
& Country Club to coincide with Royal Ascot Ladies' Day. Ladies are encouraged to dust off their best hats
and enter into the spirit of a 'Day at the Races'. Tickets £25.00 each for two course luncheon with tea
& coffee served in our own private dining room, with plenty of time to enjoy some racing from Ascot before the
school-run. More info & booking: 01268 784544 / click here to Email
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BRENTWOOD DIOCESE'S PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES with Bishop Alan, from Mon 23 - Sat 28 July. For
further info, please 'phone Tangey Tours on 01732 886 666
Flight times: Depart Stansted Monday 10 am. Return arrives Stansted Saturday 28 July 12.20 pm
(departs Lourdes 11.30 am). Parish Groups: If you are bringing independently your own parish group
at the same time as the diocesan pilgrimage, please inform the pilgrimage's administrator Cathy O'Connor, so
that we can plan well: click here to Email.
We would ask for a donation of £10 per pilgrim for which you will receive a diocesan lanyard, liturgy booklet
and pilgrimage booklet
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CANONESSES FUNDRAISING SUMMER GARDEN PARTY SUN 15 JULY 12.30pm for 1pm. The Canonesses of the Holy
Sepulchre invite you, by kind permission of the Clayton family, to this Garden Party at Buftons House, Waltham Rd,
Boreham, to raise funds in support of the work of their sisters in the war-torn area of East Kivu Mirhi D.R. Congo.
Tickets £15 each include meal and welcome drink. Booking forms at back of church or click here to
Email or telephone 01245 604108.
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TANDEM SKYDIVE FOR BCCS Brentwood Catholic Children's Society has secured Tandem Skydiving
places on Saturday 7th July 2018 at Headcorn Airfield in Kent and is inviting applications from adventurous who can
commit to raising £500 for bccs. More info from Julie Abbott 07912 277413 / click here to Email
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SITE SUPERVISOR REQUIRED to join the current team of a Site Manager and Site Supervisor at St
Bonaventure's Comprehensive School, Boleyn Road, Forest Gate. Scale 4 - Range 18-21 - £19,917 -
£21,873. All applicants must fully support the Catholic nature and identity of the school and be committed to
contributing towards our Catholic ethos. Full details and application forms at http://www.stbons.org/site-supervisor
Deadline Thursday 31st May 2018 at 12pm.
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NEW HALL VACANCIES for Boarding Assistant in senior girls' house. Please see www.newhallschool.co.uk/job-opportunities for
full details and how to apply.
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FINANCE/ADMIN ASSISTANT ST HELEN'S CATHOLIC INFANT SCHOOL, Brentwood, 35 hours per week, 41
weeks per year, Mon - Fri 8.30am to 4.30pm Closing date 16th May 2018 at 12 noon. For further information, please
contact the school office on 01277 215626 or click
here to Email.
Please remember to pray for:
Daily for the sick clergy of our Diocese
The sick and housebound
Those who have recently died: Paul Newman
Years Mind:
Tuesday: Norah May Kelly
Wednesday: Fr James (Jim) McCormack
Thursday: Fr John William Hayes
Friday: Fred Wiseman
Saturday: Fr Thomas Clarke
Sunday: Fr Michael Fitzpatrick, Fr Brendan Sheppard
Next Sunday - Pentecost Sunday (B)
First Reading: Acts 2:1-11
They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak.
Second Reading: Galatians 5:16-25
The fruit of the Spirit.
Gospel: John 15:26-27; 16:12-15
The Spirit of truth will lead you to the complete truth.
