FIFTEENTH SUNDAY OF YEAR B
14th/15th July 2018
Dear Parishioner
Today's readings remind us of our Divine adoption as God's children and of our call to preach the Good News of
Jesus by bearing witness to God's love, mercy and salvation as revealed through Jesus.
The first reading warns us that our witnessing mission will be rejected, as happened to the Old Testament prophets like
Amos. He was ordered by Amaziah, the angry chief priest serving in the Northern Kingdom of Israel at Bethel, to take
his prophesying back to his own country, the Southern Kingdom of Judah. Amos defended his prophetic role with courage,
clarifying that it was not his choice but his God's choice to elevate him from a shepherd and tree-dresser to a
prophet.
In the second reading, St. Paul explains the blessings that we have received through our Baptism and the responsibility
we have to become missionaries. Then Paul reveals the Divine secret that it is God's eternal plan to extend
salvation, through Jesus, to all mankind. Hence, all Christians need to love, help and respect one another and thus
proclaim Jesus, giving true witness by their lives.
In today's Gospel, the evangelist tells the story of Jesus' commissioning of the twelve apostles to preach the
"Good News" of repentance, forgiveness of sins, liberation and salvation through Jesus. Today's Gospel
reports the instruction Jesus gave his disciples for their first mission. They should be walking illustrations of
God's love and providence in action. They should preach repentance - a change of heart and a change of action
taking people from a self-centred life to a God-centered life.
Just as God sent the prophet Amos to preach repentance to ancient Israel and St. Paul to preach the Good News of
salvation to the Gentiles, so Jesus sends forth his followers to proclaim the Good News of God's Kingdom and to
bring healing to those who need it most. So today we ask God for the necessary grace to be missionaries in our daily
life.
Fr Sabu Pariyadan RCJ
SEND, O LORD: HOLY APOSTLES INTO YOUR CHURCH
Notices:
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REV. JANE ANDERSON Jane will be leaving St. Augustine's at the end of the month after nineteen
years of dedicated service both to her community and ours. She will be very much missed. We thank her most sincerely
for all her help and support. May God bless her and John as they return to home and family in the north of England.
There will be a FAREWELL SERVICE FOR JANE at 4pm on Sunday 29 July at St Augustine's with tea
and cakes to follow. All are warmly invited.
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SECOND COLLECTION FOR REV. JANE We would like to arrange a farewell and thank you gift for Jane and
will be taking a second collection next Sunday for those who would like to contribute to this in recognition of the
work Jane has done with several of our priests going right back to Fr John Harvey.
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PARISH QUIZ Many thanks to all who came along and supported the quiz last weekend and helped make it
such a successful evening. Special thanks to David Kimberlin for his excellent quizmastering! A fantastic £190
was raised for parish funds.
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CONGRATULATIONS TO MARY BALL who has recently been appointed as a foundation governor of St John
Payne School. Foundation governors are appointed to represent the interests of the Trustees of the Diocese. Paramount
among these are maintaining and developing the Catholic character of the school and ensuring that the school fulfils
its proper, educational role in the life of the community. An important role - many congratulations!
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THE PARISH COMMUNICATIONS GROUP is looking for a new member for its Working Group. We are concerned
to develop all avenues for communication, and though we are comfortable with the old style of communications, we need
someone who is comfortable with all kinds of social media. If you can help us, contact Roger Sclater (click here to Email) or Chris
Thompson (click here to
Email) or have a chat with us.
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THE DOWRY TOUR AND THE STATUE OF OUR LADY OF WALSINGHAM The Slipper Chapel statue of Our Lady of
Walsingham will visit Brentwood Cathedral from Thursday 19th - Saturday 21st July. An opening Mass will be celebrated
by Mgr John Armitage at 7.30pm on 19th July in Brentwood Cathedral to which everyone is invited. For more details
about the Dowry pilgrimage and Cathedral events please go to http://www.cathedral-brentwood.org/blog-2/ Our Lady of Walsingham, pray for us.
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BRENTWOOD CATHOLIC CHILDREN'S SOCIETY is inviting supporters from all over the diocese to come
and take part in the Barleylands Fun Walk on Sunday 2nd September. This is a great fun, family event with a choice of
walks on the Barleylands site, the longest being no more than 3 miles and a shorter walk which is suitable for
children & toddlers. This community event starts with a BBQ at 12.00 and with walks due to start at 1pm &
finish around 2pm, it is an ideal opportunity for families or parish groups to get together & have a fun
afternoon while raising much needed funds for 'bccs'. For a sponsorship form and more information, please go
to www.bccs.org.uk or contact Alison click here to
Email.
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SAINT JOHN PAYNE PTA PHOTOMARATHON (no running involved!) You are warmly invited to attend a
photomarathon competition at Saint John Payne on 29th September. Entry is £5. Registration 9:30am for a 10:00am
start. Competitors will have 4 hours to take 8 photos on topics given to them at registration and must be back to
Photo HQ by 2pm. Digital cameras and mobile phones are permitted. Please invite all friends and family as this is a
whole community event. If you have any queries, please contact Joe Kelly at school on 01245 256030.
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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.
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: George Peters
Monday: Bernard Thompson, Fr Daniel Harnett
Thursday: Fr Edmund Dobson
Saturday: Fr Patrick Taylor
Next Sunday - SIXTEENTH SUNDAY OF YEAR B
First Reading: Jeremiah 23:1-6
The remnant of my flock I will gather and I will raise up shepherds to look after them.
Second Reading: Ephesians 2:13-18
Christ Jesus is the peace between us, and has made the two into one.
Gospel: Mark 6:30-34
They were like sheep without a shepherd.
