THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD (C)
6th January 2019
Dear Parishioner,
The Greek word Epiphany, means appearance or manifestation. First, the angels revealed Jesus to the
shepherds. Later, in the synagogue at Nazareth, Jesus revealed himself as the promised Messiah, and at Cana Jesus
revealed his Divinity by transforming water into wine. These multiple revelations are all suggested by the Feast of the
Epiphany.
Today's Gospel reminds us that if God permitted the Magi - foreigners and pagans - to recognize and give Jesus
proper respect as the King of Jews, we should know that there is nothing in our sinful lives that would keep God from
bringing us to Jesus. Gospel teaches us how Christ enriches those who bring him their hearts and offer their lives to
Him. The adoration of the Magi fulfils the oracle of Isaiah.
So let us actively worship Jesus at Mass with the gold of our love, the myrrh of our humility and the frankincense of
our adoration.
SEND, O LORD: HOLY APOSTLES INTO YOUR CHURCH
Fr Sabu Pariyadan RCJ
Notices:
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VISION DOCUMENT: SHAPING OUR FUTURE At the beginning of Advent the Diocesan Stewards of the Gospel
initiative published the Vision Document: Shaping Our Future. Most parishioners received a hard copy of this
important and informative document at Mass on the first Sunday of Advent - I would encourage everyone to read it
carefully to understand the proposals to address the challenges ahead. It is also available on the Diocesan website
by clicking on the Vision Document 1 link at: https://www.dioceseofbrentwood.net/departments/development/. If you have read your copy and have
access to the website for future reference, perhaps you could pass on your hard copy to someone who may not have
received it and has no internet access. If you are in this position and would like a copy, please let me or Deacon
Kevin know. Many thanks. Fr Sabu.
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THANK YOU FROM FR SABU Many, many thanks for all the cards, generous gifts, good wishes and prayers
that you were kind enough to send my way over Christmas. I am truly grateful and wish you all a blessed New Year. Fr
Sabu.
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A CHRISTMAS THANK YOU Kevin and Cath would like to say a big thank you to all the Parishioners who
sent them Christmas Cards, for the many bottles and for the various gifts received. We are most grateful to you all.
Assuring you of a special remembrance in our prayers. God Bless you all.
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NEXT PPC MEETING in the Presbytery on Tuesday 15th January 2019 at 8pm.
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MEETING FOR ALL PARISHIONERS There will be a meeting in St Augustine's Hall for all parishioners
on Wednesday 23rd January at 8pm following the 7:30pm Mass. The focus of the meeting will be the latest vision
document issued by Bishop Alan at the beginning of Advent 2018 and entitled Shaping our Future. Some
parishioners were given a hard copy of this document (the blue booklet) but many will have accessed it online
Development - Brentwood
Diocese. The meeting will be an opportunity to discuss the future of our parish within the Diocese and the
opportunities for renewal and reorganisation outlined in the vision document. If you are unable to attend the meeting
but would like your ideas/comments to be shared please send them in writing to Christine Webb (Chair of the PPC) in
advance of the meeting or click here to Email.
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THE GOSPEL OF LUKE On Wednesdays 23rd and 30th January at 7pm Fr Adrian Graffy will lead an
exploration of the Gospel of Luke, the gospel being read on Sundays in 2019. These 'Gidea Park Faith
Evenings' will take place in the hall at Gidea Park Catholic Church (410 Brentwood Road, Gidea Park, RM2 6DH).
Please book by clicking here to
Email. Refreshments provided. Admission free.
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SPRING SPIRITUALITY TALK Mgr David Manson will be giving a talk on The Spirituality of Pope
Francis - Saturday 19th January, 10.30am-12noon at Cathedral House Conference Centre, Brentwood. Contact
details: click
here to Email, Tel. 01277 265285.
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GOVERNOR TRAINING Saturday 26th January, 10.30am-12noon at Cathedral House Conference Centre,
Brentwood. The topics are: Preparing for OFSTED and Section 48 Inspections - led by Debbi Botham
Diocesan Coordinator for Governance and Derek Kelly Educational consultant and Section 48 Inspector. Contact details:
click
here to Email, Tel. 01277 265284.
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ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY REQUIRE ADMINISTRATION ASSISTANT for the Young Vincentians (based in
London SE1). Closing date Tues 8 January 5pm. Please see full details at: https://www.svp.org.uk/current-vacancies-paid-and-voluntary.
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GOOD COUNSEL NETWORK On Saturday 12th January, please pray and fast for the end of abortion and
euthanasia in this Country. Your prayer and fasting is urgently needed, and it really does save lives. This is the
day before the 22nd anniversary of the founding of the Good Counsel Network, for details of our live saving work see
www.GoodCounselNetwork.com
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ANNUAL PARISH DINNER 12 JANUARY 2019 Our annual parish dinner will be held at Channels on the 12th
of January 7pm for 7.30pm.
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HOW WOULD YOU COPE WITHOUT ELECTRICITY FOR A SHORT SPELL? UK Power Networks looks after the
electricity network in your parish (no matter who you pay your energy bill to) and also runs a free Priority Services
Register for people with medical needs, families with babies and the elderly. This gives you free access during a
power cut to services including a welcome pack with useful advice about preparing for a power cut, a home visit by
our staff or the British Red Cross and a 24-hour priority phone number. To join the Priority Services Register call:
0800 169 9970, click
here to Email, visit: ukpowernetworks.co.uk/priority
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NEW HALL VACANCIES Various - please see 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: Cathy Harrison, Ursula Furze
Years Mind:
Monday: Canon John Bloomfield
Saturday: Canon Francis Dobson
Next Sunday - THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD (C)
First Reading: Isaiah 40:1-5,9-11
The glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all mankind shall see it.
Second Reading: Titus 2:11-14,3:4-7
He saved us by the cleansing water of rebirth and by renewing us with the Holy Spirit.
Gospel: Luke 3:15-16,21-22
While Jesus after his own baptism was at prayer, heaven opened.
