FOURTEENTH SUNDAY OF YEAR B
7th/8th July 2018
Dear Parishioner
Today's readings introduce Jesus as a prophet and explain how prophets and other messengers from God inevitably
suffer rejection. The readings challenge us to face rejection and hardship with prophetic courage.
The first reading, taken from the book of the prophet Ezekiel, tells us about his call from God to be a prophet. Yahweh
warns Ezekiel that he is being sent to obstinate and rebellious Israelites in exile in Babylon. Hence, as God's
prophet, he will have to face rejection and persecution for giving God's message.
In the second reading, St. Paul gives us the same warning from his experience that not only the prophets, but the
apostles and missionaries also will have to encounter hardships and rejection in their preaching mission. Paul
confesses that God has given him a share in Christ's suffering - a chronic illness which gives him pain, a
"thorn in the flesh" - so that he might rely on God's grace and might glory in the power of a
strengthening God. The apostle invites us to rise above our own weakness and disability, cooperate with the grace of
God and preach the word of God by word and example as Paul did.
Today's Gospel passage, Mark 6:1-6, shows us that many people of Jesus' hometown of Nazareth
did not accept him as a prophet because they "knew" him and his family too well. They knew that he was a
carpenter with no schooling in Mosaic Law and knew that he could not be the promised Messiah who would come from
Bethlehem as a descendant of David's royal family. Besides, they were angry when Jesus not only did not work any
miracles in Nazareth but chided them with prophetic courage for their lack of Faith and warned that he would go to
other people to do his preaching and healing ministry.
So let us pray to god to give us His grace, so that, as Christians we may accept the call of Jesus and seek to follow
him, we also may face indifference and hostility, contempt and scorn, weakness, hardship and persecution, insults and
rejection, but all for the glory of god.
Fr Sabu Pariyadan RCJ
SEND, O LORD: HOLY APOSTLES INTO YOUR CHURCH
Notices:
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GDPR COMPLIANCE FOR THOSE ON ROTAS You may have noticed that new General Data Protection Regulations
(GDPR) have come into effect - it has been hard to miss! We're working to ensure that we comply with the
requirements and would be very grateful if anyone who is on one of the parish rotas could ensure that the parish
office has your email address, if you have one, so that we can advise you of your part in this. Please click
here to Email.
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WORLD CUP FOOTBALL The winner of the prized football would like it to go to a suitably appreciative
recipient! Fr Sabu will be auctioning the ball to the highest bidder after next week's Mass at St
Augustine's.
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UNWANTED CHRISTMAS PRESENT RAFFLE Many thanks to all who bought raffle tickets and congratulations
to those who won prizes. Thanks to your generosity we raised £260 towards parish funds.
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WALK FOR PARKINSON'S Pat and Bernadette McCaffrey are completing the "Walk for
Parkinson's" at RHS Garden Hyde Hall on Sunday 8th July. If you would like to support the research in
getting a cure for Parkinson's and to improve life for everyone affected by the condition, please see their
fundraising page on www.justgiving.com.
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CALAIS LIGHT Ever felt you'd like to help the destitute migrants in Calais but not known where
to start? We run regular weekend car convoys from Brentwood Cathedral to chop veg & sort Refugee donations at the
amazing Help Refugees UK Warehouse in Calais. Never mind the reasons WHY migrants are in Calais - the fact is they
are there now - without resources, hungry, struggling. We feel strongly that part of our Christian mission is to
support them one way or another. Please think about volunteering with us. If you can't, please consider donating
at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/calaislight. Next Trip 28th-30th Sept. Sign up to
volunteer on our Facebook page 'Calais Light', click here to Email us or check out the
Brentwood Cathedral Website.
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SUMMER LOURDES 2018 - THE "VIRTUAL PILGRIMAGE." From Tuesday 24th to Saturday 29th July
the Brentwood Catholic Youth Service (BCYS) will present short online videos allowing you to catch the flavour of the
Diocesan pilgrimage, led by Bishop Alan. The homily from each Mass, interviews with pilgrims from all ages, and clips
to help you pray and reflect will all be available. Links at www.bcys.net or find BCYS on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, or watch "Lourdes TV" to see Mass
at the Grotto (Tuesday 24th, 7.30am UK time); the Torchlight procession (Tuesday 24th, 8.00pm) and the Blessed
Sacrament Procession (Wednesday 25th, 4.00pm) as well as Tour de France, starting from Lourdes (Friday 27th, 8am -
11am). The link is www.lourdes-france.org/en/tv-lourdes
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THE CATHOLIC TIMES has relaunched in tabloid format and would welcome your support and subscription.
There is currently an offer of a free Our Lady of Knock (in recognition of Our Holy Father's forthcoming visit to
Ireland) statue with annual membership subscriptions. Please pick up a flyer at the back of church giving more
details about this.
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UPCOMING DATES AT ST JOHN PAYNE SCHOOL
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Prizegiving: Aquinas Hall - Thursday 12th July
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FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME 2018/2019
As you can appreciate forward planning is essential for the First Holy Communion Programme. I enclose herewith our
annual guidelines for this Sacramental Programme commencing in the autumn.
- That you are a practising Catholic (attending Mass on a weekly basis)
- That your child has been attending the Springfield Parish for at least the past year.
- That your child is eligible (8 years of age by 31st August 2019)
- If you have been attending another parish, that you obtain a letter of reference from the Parish Priest.
- This is a serious commitment by parents and children. If these guidelines have been observed please pick up an
enrolment form from Cath.Lyons and return forms to Fr. Sabu by the 28th July 2018. These are the
general guidelines adopted by parishes in our Diocese. If you have any problems please discuss them with Father
Sabu. Thank you.
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 Peter Brady
Monday: Fr Francis Gilbert
Tuesday: Fr Walter Walsh
Friday: Fr John Watson
Sunday: George Peters
Next Sunday - FIFTEENTH SUNDAY OF YEAR B
First Reading: Amos 7:12-15
Go, prophesy to my people.
Second Reading: Ephesians 1:3-14
Before the world was made, God chose us.
Gospel: Mark 6:7-13
He began to send them out.
