SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT (C)
17th March 2019
Dear Parishioner,
On this Second Sunday of Lent, in the first reading from the book of Genesis we learn of the solemn covenant God made
with Abraham which was the foundation of God's relationship with the people of Israel. Through Christ we are the
heirs to this covenant. To ratify a covenant, the contracting parties cut an animal (or animals) in two and walked
between the divided parts, invoking the fate of the animals on themselves should they fail to observe the terms of the
contract. Since God's covenant with Abraham is unilateral, only God (symbolised by the furnace and the torch)
passes between the pieces. The birds of prey symbolise the forces hostile to Israel. This covenant led to the covenant
at Sinai, and culminated in the new and eternal covenant which Jesus sealed in his own blood on Calvary.
The chief significance of the Tabor experience was for Jesus himself, and this is what Luke emphasises in the Gospel
reading. The incident was meant to confirm him in the course he had taken. It comforted him to know that he was
travelling and was marked by the feet of prophets such as Moses and Elijah. The transfiguration also benefited the
apostles. It prepared them for the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus, the Messiah.
Today we celebrate the feast of St. Patrick, the man who heard the Irish call. We offer our prayers and love to all
parishioners who come from the emerald Isle. On Tuesday, 19th March, we celebrate the solemnity of St. Joseph. A simple
village carpenter, Joseph, the husband of Mary and guardian of the child Jesus, has become the guardian and patron of
Christ's universal Church.
During this holy season of Lent I encourage you to attend a weekday Mass and the Stations of the Cross on Fridays at
7.30pm. And Holy Hour on Sunday from 4.00pm to 5.00pm.
St. Patrick pray for us. St. Joseph pray for us.
With every blessing and prayers,
Deacon Kevin.
Notices:
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LENT - DIARY DATES OF OCCASIONS FOR FAITH DEVELOPMENT
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Eucharistic Adoration - every Sunday during Lent at 4pm in St Augustine's.
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Stations of the Cross - every Friday during Lent at 7.30pm in St Augustine's.
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Children's Stations of the Cross - 19th April 11am in St Augustine's.
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Lent Reconciliation Service - Wednesday April 10th 7.30pm at OLI
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SANDRA AND AVJEET WEDDING Many congratulations to Sandra Kirwan and Avjeet Grewal who were married
yesterday at Our Lady Immaculate Church. We wish them many blessings and every happiness in their future. May God
Bless them both.
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IAN WILSON RIP Many of you will remember Ian Wilson who taught at Bishops' School for many
years, either as his students or their parents, and will be sorry to hear that he died recently. Ian was always very
supportive of the faith of the Catholic children in the school and is fondly remembered for his warmth and humour.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Tracey, his children and grandchildren who mourn his loss.
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EASTER LILIES Each year we ask for special donations for Easter Lilies to decorate the Church for
our Easter celebrations. If you would like to contribute (a suggested donation of £4.00) in
memory of a deceased loved one, please place your offering in an envelope marked Easter Lilies to
pass to Cath Lyons. Many thanks for your generosity.
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WEEKLY OFFERING For those parishioners who contribute to the weekly offertory using Direct Debit we
have prepared some small cards available at the back of church. You are invited to use these cards if you would like
to feel more involved in the liturgical aspect of offering during Mass. Please take a card at the beginning of Mass
and add it to the collection plate to be brought to the altar in the offertory procession. We hope that some of you
will find this a helpful symbol of your giving.
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THE PASSAGE is raising funds through the Big Give from 12 noon Tues 19th March - 12 noon Tues 26th
March to support its work with homeless people moving from Street to Home. More info (including details of the
matched giving scheme) from Andrew Hollingsworth 020 75921856 click here to Email. Donations to
www.thebiggive.org.uk/thepassage2019 all
much appreciated.
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LENT TALK THIS WEEK AT OUR LADY IMMACULATE, CHELMSFORD 20th March - "Prayer and Art" - Dr
Caroline Farey. Holy Hour and confessions 6.30pm - 7.30pm with the talk at 7.30pm in the parish hall.
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COLCHESTER LENT TALK 3 FRIDAY 22nd March Deacon Gary Dench, theme: 'Grace-filled Effort'.
Cardinal Bourne Hall, St James the Less & St Helen 7.30pm
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PILGRIMAGE TO AVILA 19 - 24 May 2019 - Based in the heart of Avila - the home of St Teresa of Avila,
visiting Segovia, Toledo & Salamanca, staying at the Palacio de los Velada www.hotelpalaciodelosvelada.com/en Led by Fr Francis
Coveney. £870 per person (inc flights twin room - single room supplement £120). More info from Gill at
Tangney Tours 01732 886 666 or www.tangney-tours.com
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THE ESSEX RECUSANT SOCIETY (Brentwood Diocesan Historical Society) next meeting Sat 30 March,
2.30pm: The Grange, 93 Queens Road, Brentwood. Mr Edward Walsh (Parish Archivist) - topic 'Our Lady Of Lourdes,
Wanstead - 100 Years Old.'
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CATHOLIC TEACHING from the Agnus Dei Teaching School Alliance
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21/3/19 - "Get Into Teaching - Catholic Education" is a drop-in event in Billericay
for anyone considering a career in teaching (primary or secondary) who wants to find out more about training and
employment opportunities.
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6/4/19 - "Moving Into Catholic Education" a Saturday networking event in Brentwood for
teachers working in any non-Catholic school.
More info from: http://tiny.cc/catholicteaching or
click here to Email
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PHYSICS AND MATHS TEACHING INTERNSHIPS The Agnus Dei Teaching School Alliance based at St
Bonaventure's Catholic School, Forest Gate, is working with the Royal Borough Teaching School Alliance to run a
four-week paid internship programme offering second year university students the opportunity to be placed in a number
for schools in East and West London. A £300 weekly bursary is available (£1200 total). Preference will be
given to penultimate year students but all undergraduates can apply. Those interested in applying are asked to
complete an application form via https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/internship_2019 or click here to Email.
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FULL-TIME BUILDINGS DEVELOPMENT OFFICER for the Education Dept at the Diocese Pay range:
£39,000 - £45,000 Full details of both vacancies can be found at https://www.dioceseofbrentwood.net/departments/education/education-vacancies-2/
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ST THOMAS MORE CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL, SAFFRON WALDEN CB11 3DW Required for September 2019
Part-time (60%) KS2 class teacher. Closing date 22nd March 2019. Enquiries click here to Email
Please remember to pray for:
Daily for the sick clergy of our Diocese
The sick and housebound
Those who have recently died: Monica Burgess
Years Mind:
Monday: Ian McIntosh, Fr Donal Donegan
Wednesday: Fr Sidney Williams
Saturday: Canon Arthur Holmes
Next Sunday - THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT (C)
First Reading: Exodus 3:1-8,13-15
I Am has sent me to you.
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:1-6,10-12
The life of the people under Moses in the desert was written down to be a lesson for us.
Gospel: Luke 13:1-9
Unless you repent you will all perish as they did.
