EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY OF YEAR B
4th/5th August 2018
Dear Parishioner
The readings for this week challenge us to be more concerned with spiritual food than physical food and to get our
spiritual food regularly from the word of God and from the Holy Eucharist.
The first reading shows us how God satisfied the physical hunger of His chosen people in the desert by giving them
manna and quail. The restrictions imposed by God for the collection of manna remind us to acknowledge humbly our total
dependence on God and to trust that He will always provide for what we need. In the second reading, St. Paul advises
the Ephesians to satisfy their spiritual hunger by turning away from their former evil ways and by leading renewed
lives of love, kindness, compassion and forgiveness. Paul reminds us that our acceptance of Jesus as the real source of
our life and the nourishment of our souls effects a total transformation in us.
Today's Gospel passage is taken from the "Bread of Life Discourse" in John's gospel. Here Jesus makes
the unique and bold claim: "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever
believes in me will never thirst." Jesus is offering the crowd Bread from Heaven, Bread that nourishes them
for eternal life, the Bread available to people who have Faith in Jesus Christ. When Jesus instructed those, who had
sought after him for earthly food, that they should be fed by the Bread of his word or teaching. Some accepted his
teaching. But others turned away disappointed, because Jesus' challenge required a commitment that they were
unwilling to make.
So let us pray for that spiritual nourishment that we need from the word of God and from the Holy Eucharist. Let us
remember that the "Bread of Life" is Jesus Christ himself, not merely human bread. He is Food for our souls
giving us a share in God's life and assurance of eternal life with Him.
Fr Sabu Pariyadan RCJ
SEND, O LORD: HOLY APOSTLES INTO YOUR CHURCH
Notices:
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200 CLUB Congratulations to Simon Cook, winner of the recent draw.
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PLANT SALE It is only 2 months to our Plant Sale on the 30th September. Any plants you can grow for
us will earn more funds for St. Augustine's. Your weeds are someone else's flowers!! Everybody loves herbs,
hostas, fuchsias, indoor plants etc. If it will root we will love it. Annette 01371 499 333.
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BCYS YOUTH GATHER 20 - 21 October 2018, Essex Outdoors, East Mersea
This event is open to those in school year 9 and above. We are delighted to be back at Essex Outdoors on Mersea
Island for our annual Youth Gather, where there is new cabin accommodation and a brilliant range of outward bound
activities - climbing high ropes, abseiling, zip wires and much, with workshops and guest speakers including Fr Paul
Keane, Vice Rector of St Mary's College, Oscott. The cost of £50 includes lunch and dinner on
Saturday 20th, breakfast and lunch on Sunday 21st, two Mersea activities, 2 BCYS workshops, and a night in a Mersea
log cabin. This fantastic price is thanks to National Youth Sunday parish collections, to help us subsidise
such opportunities. Applications are now open! Create an account at www.bcys.net and apply on the Events page.
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PARISH BBQ SUNDAY 9 SEPT FROM 2PM - DATE FOR YOUR DIARY! by kind permission of Father Sabu we are
holding our annual BBQ in the presbytery garden once again. Please bring your own food and drink and come and enjoy
yourselves and help make this another great parish event … The Social Group
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KNIGHTS OF ST COLUMBA RACE NIGHT, 22 SEPTEMBER KSC will be having a Race Night on 22 September to
raise money for their work in Chelmsford and the Diocese. Put the date in your diary: tickets will be on sale at the
end of the holidays but we are looking for people to sponsor horses for £5 and companies to sponsor races for
£25. Info for race sponsors from Chris Thompson click here to
Email.
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YOUR GIFT AID SCHEME NEEDS YOU! If you or your partner are a taxpayer and you are not yet a member
of the gift aid scheme then please do join. You can use the weekly offertory envelopes or a standing order. The
parish can reclaim 25% tax on your contributions at no extra cost to you. This is an important source of income to
the parish. Please contact Dee Davey on 01245 353657 or click here to Email or give your contact
details to Deacon Kevin for us to contact you to find out more.
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ORGANIST AND DIRECTOR OF MUSIC REQUIRED FOR SEPTEMBER 2018 For Our Lady of Grace 1 Kings Road
Chingford E4 7HP. The successful applicant will train both an adult choir and a children's choir to lead the
music at the 10.30am Mass on alternate weeks & also play the organ at the 8.30am & 10.30am Sunday Masses.
This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS check. Remuneration negotiable, based on RSCM rates. For more information,
please contact: Fr Francis Coveney on 020 8529 1804 or
click here to Email
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A DAY OF REFLECTION & ENRICHMENT FOR READERS - Advanced Notice for Saturday, 20th October in
Woodford Green. READERS & PROSPECTIVE READERS PLEASE PUT THIS DATE IN YOUR DIARIES. Details to follow.
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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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NEW HALL SCHOOL SEEKS HR OFFICER ASAP Closing date for applications Thurs 9 August, Interviews Wed
15 August. Full details can be found at: www.newhallschool.co.uk/job-opportunities
Please remember to pray for:
Daily for the sick clergy of our Diocese
The sick and housebound
Those who have recently died: Pauline Hepworth
Years Mind:
Monday: Deacon Frederick Wall
Tuesday: Frederick Westhorp
Wednesday: Fr Henry Tilley, Fr David Coghlan, Fr Hugh Verity
Saturday: Fr David Papworth
Next Sunday - NINETEENTH SUNDAY OF YEAR B
First Reading: 1 Kings 19:4-8
Strengthened by the food he walked until he reached the mountain of the Lord.
Second Reading: Ephesians 4:30-5:2
Follow Christ by loving as he loved you.
Gospel: John 6:41-51
I am the living bread which has come down from heaven.
