SECOND SUNDAY OF YEAR C
20th January 2019
Peace Day
Dear Parishioner,
On this second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) we are asked to pray for peace within our homes and family, in our
parish and in the troubled areas of the world. Often we see and hear on the news terrible destruction caused by war. We
feel inadequate but each one of us should and must pray for peace daily.
In the Gospel reading Jesus was at the wedding in Cana when he changed water into wine. There are many things in our
spiritual lives that should be changed. Jesus' power is available to us too. Let us reflect on our need of his
power in order to change things in our lives that need to be changed.
The first reading from the prophet Isaiah contains a message of hope for God's people at one of the lowest moments
in their history. Jerusalem lay in ruins. The city's plight reflected that of the nation as a whole. Israel, once
God's bride, was now like a widow bereft of children. However, her husband, God, has not forgotten her. There will
be a new wedding feast, and God and his people will be like newlyweds again.
In the Gospel reading John depicts Mary as involved the beginning of Jesus' ministry, and again at the end of it
when she is present at the foot of the Cross. Mary is thus associated with the whole of his ministry.
God bless,
Deacon Kevin.
Notices:
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VAL BARRETT RIP, DEBBIE BRAGG RIP You will be sorry to hear that both Val and Debbie died on
Saturday. Please pray for the repose of their souls, for their families and all who mourn their loss. Funeral details
are not yet known. May they rest in peace.
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HENRY FLOYD FUNERAL MASS will take place at 12 noon on Thursday 7 February at St Augustine's.
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DATES FOR THE DIARY (See full detail in items below):
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WED 23 JANUARY 8pm, St Augustine's, Open Parish meeting
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TUES 5 FEBRUARY 7.30pm, St John Payne School, Parish Partnerships' meeting
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CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR (COS), CHELMER VILLAGE In light of the current renewal and structuring
initiatives in the diocese, and in the face of considerable financial costs required to repair and renovate the
church following last year's fire, the diocese has decided to discontinue the Saturday evening mass at COS.
Sadly, after many years of sharing the church with our friends in the other faith communities, the cost of continuing
has become unsustainable.
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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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PARISH PARTNERSHIPS In the recent Vision document issued by Bishop Alan the parishes of the Diocese
have been grouped into parish partnerships. St Augustine's has been grouped with the other parishes of Chelmsford
and now is the time that the Bishop would like us to begin exploring possibilities for renewal and resturcturing
together. There will be a meeting to share ideas on Tuesday 5th February held at St John Payne School at 7:30pm. We
hope this will offer an opportunity to meet with others across the partnership and to begin the conversations that
will shape our future.
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KSC COLLECTION FOR THE HOMELESS AND FARLEIGH HOSPICE 27 January, the Knights of St Columba will hold
their annual collection of (new) socks and toiletries for the homeless and (good quality) old clothes for the
Farleigh Hospice shops. Please bring them to Church and we will collect them and deliver them.
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CHELMSFORD COMMUNITY SPONSORSHIP QUIZ NIGHT at St. Augustine's, at 19.30 (doors open at 19.00)
on Saturday, 9 February, in support of our refugee family project. We will have a Ploughmans' Supper so we need
to know in advance who will be there. Tickets £9 each inc supper, but please bring your own drinks (and
glasses). Click here to
Email for further information. If you can't attend but want to support the event, there will a bottle raffle
(large and small) if you would like to donate a prize.
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ST JOHN PAYNE SIXTH FORM The deadline for submission of application forms is 8th February. Course
and the application process info may be found in our prospectus, in the sixth form area of the school web site.
Should you require any further information, please contact Mrs T. Fearn, Head of Sixth Form, via the school office.
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ST JOHN PAYNE CATHOLIC SCHOOL PTA AFTERNOON TEA DANCE Saturday 16th February from 2.00-4.30pm at the
school to try and raise funds for a new school minibus. Tickets are £5 each with complimentary tea, coffee and
cake and a raffle on the day. Any enquiries, please click here to Email.
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WORLD YOUTH DAY (WYD), PANAMA. This week a group of 35 young people, led by Bishop Alan, are
travelling to WYD - where Pope Francis meets young people from across the world - in Panama City 24-27 January. The
group will also spend time on environmental work in Costa Rica and receiving catechesis in Panama. WYD will be
covered on Catholic TV channels EWTN and Salt & Light TV. Follow the young people from our Diocese on Instagram,
Facebook and Twitter @BrentwoodCYS. Please keep them all in your prayers.
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SLEEP OUTSIDE AT WALSINGHAM HOUSE 12 - 13 APRIL Help get homeless people out of the cold! This
winter Catholics are leading projects providing 45,000 nights of care, warmth and shelter for the homeless in Essex
and East London. Support them! Join 1000 people from across the Diocese sleeping outside for the night at Walsingham
House at Abbotswick on 12th-13th April. No tents! Just you and a sleeping bag. Open to all ages, from 15+.
Sponsorship target of £100/participant. Why not ask your company to match fund your sponsorship? Money will
help local homeless charities and the work of the BCYS with young people. Mass at 11.15pm, sleep out Midnight - 7am.
Info and sponsor forms https://bcys.net/events/sponsored-sleepout-walsingham-house-abbotswick/
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ANNUAL LOURDES MASS LEIGH ON SEA celebrated by Bishop Alan at 3 pm on Sunday 10 February at Our Lady
of Lourdes, Leigh-on-Sea. During this Mass there will be an opportunity to receive the Sacrament of the Anointing of
the Sick. It will be lovely to see all those of you who have a particular devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes.
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SVP LONDON VACANCY for Head of Digital and IT. Please see noticeboard.
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NEW HALL VACANCIES 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: Val Barrett, Debbie Bragg
Years Mind:
Sunday: Fr John Meehan
Monday: Bp Bernard Ward, Fr Christopher Quirke
Tuesday: Fiona Cowling, Pope Benedict XV
Wednesday: Bp Arthur Doubleday
Thursday: Fr John O'Sullivan
Friday: Fr John Hibbert
Saturday: Alfred Field, Bp Patrick Casey
Next Sunday - THIRD SUNDAY OF YEAR C
First Reading: Nehemiah 8-10
Ezra read from the law of God and the people understood what was read.
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:12-30
You together are Christ's body; but each of you is a different part of it.
Gospel: Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21
This text is being fulfilled today.
