FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT (C)
31st March 2019
Dear Parishioner,
Traditionally, the Fourth Sunday of Lent is called Laetare Sunday (Rejoice Sunday). Anticipating Easter joy,
today's readings invite us to rejoice by being reconciled with God through repentance and the confession of our
sins and by celebrating our coming home to be with our loving and forgiving God.
In the first reading, the Chosen People of God are portrayed as celebrating, for the first time in their own land, the
feast of their freedom, by using wheat that had grown in the Promised Land.
In the second reading, St. Paul invites the Corinthian Christian community to rejoice because Jesus has reconciled them
with God by his suffering and death.
Today's Gospel celebrates the joy of the prodigal son on his "homecoming" where he discovers his
father's forgiving and overflowing love. It is also the story of the rejoicing of a loving and forgiving father who
celebrates the return of his prodigal son by throwing a big party in his honour. At the same time, by presenting a
self-righteous elder brother, the parable invites us to avoid self-righteousness and self-justification by imitating
the repentant younger brother.
Let us return to our Heavenly Father with repentant hearts: Holy Mass enhances our "pass over", from a world
of sin to a world of reconciliation. May god help us to make the best use of this season of Lent.
SEND, O LORD: HOLY APOSTLES INTO YOUR CHURCH
Fr Sabu Pariyadan RCJ
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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FUNERAL OF MONICA BURGESS will take place at 11.30am Friday 5th April at Chelmsford Crematorium.
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SHAPING OUR FUTURE See the latest developments and initiatives inspired by the Vision Document on
this month's bulletin by visiting our website or at the link below: https://www.dioceseofbrentwood.net/departments/development/stewards-of-the-gospel/current-e-bulletin/.
Hard copies available at the back of church.
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SVP INFORMATION EVENING MONDAY 1 APRIL 8PM at St Augustine's. An informal evening, with tea and
cake and a brief overview of some of the things the SVP get up to. Everyone very welcome whether just curious or
interested in getting involved.
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RECONCILIATION SERVICE AT OUR LADY IMMACULATE CHURCH on Wednesday April 10th at 7.30 pm. It is for
all the churches in Chelmsford.
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WORK DAY AT ST. AUGUSTINE'S Saturday 13th April, 10am to 12noon. Please come along and help with
gardening, cleaning of windows. Many hands make light work.
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A DAY OF RENEWAL THEMED 'THE LOVE OF JESUS' organised by the Diocesan Catholic Charismatic
Renewal Service Team on Sat 18th May at Blessed Sacrament Parish, 116 Melbourne Avenue 10am-4pm, finishing with Mass
at 3pm. Speaker: Charles Whitehead. Coffee and tea provided but please bring a packed lunch.
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FLOWERS FOR EASTER SECOND COLLECTION All donations to this would be very welcome for this very
special celebration in the Church's year.
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BEN HITCHEN RAFFLE FOR LOURDES As you know every Easter I travel to Lourdes on pilgrimage with HCPT
Group 26 where I look after disabled children for a week. This will be my 8th consecutive year of doing so. The
children that we take go cost-free, so group members like myself raise money by fundraising. There will be a raffle
after mass at St. Augustine's today and next week to help fundraise for the costs of taking the children to
Lourdes. I thank you in advance for your support. Ben
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200 CLUB Between now and Easter we will be collecting your subscriptions for the 2019-2020 200 Club.
For Direct payment please contact Chris Thompson click here to
Email. Last year we managed to get up to 200 and would love to keep that number, or do even better. We may have
lost some subscribers, so do take new numbers if you can. Thank you for your support of this important fundraiser.
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2019/20 GIFT AID BOXES Please look out for your 19/20 Gift Aid Boxes after Mass. If you or your
partner are a taxpayer and you are not yet a member of the scheme, please do join so that at no extra cost to you,
the parish can recover income tax on your donations.
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THE PASSAGE is raising funds through the Big Give from 12 noon Tues 19th March - 12 noon Mon 1 April
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.
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ST JOHN PAYNE SCHOOL LENTEN SERVICE The staff and pupils warmly invite you to their Lenten service
on Thursday 4 April at 6pm in the school, More info from school chaplain, Kay Adams click here to Email.
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LENT TALK THIS WEEK AT OUR LADY IMMACULATE, CHELMSFORD 3rd April - "Prayer and Scripture"
- Fr John Hemer, MHM. Holy Hour and confessions 6.30pm - 7.30pm with the talk at 7.30pm in the parish hall.
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CATHOLIC HISTORY WALKS IN LONDON:
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Islington, Sunday 7th April, 3pm. Charles Dickens, a forgotten Catholic heroine, and much more.
Meet at St John the Evangelist, 39 Duncan Road, London, N1 8AL. Nearest Tube: Angel.
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In the Footsteps of John Henry Newman, Monday 8th April, 7pm. Meet at St Elizabeth's, The
Vineyard, Richmond, TW10 6AQ. Nearest Tube & Station: Richmond.
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DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO WALSINGHAM - 25th MAY 2019: Join Bishop Alan and other parishes around the
Diocese of Brentwood in Walsingham as we honour Our Lady of Walsingham. We will celebrate Mass at the Basilica before
walking the Holy Mile to the grounds of Walsingham Abbey to celebrate Vespers and Benediction on the site of the Holy
House. If you would like to come please contact Fr Sabu.
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BILLERICAY PADRE PIO PRAYER GROUP DAY OF PRAYER to the Divine Mercy at Walsingham House at
Abbotswick, near Brentwood, CM14 5SH on Mercy Sunday, 28th April. Arrival from 10.30am for 11am start. Mass at 12
noon. Confession available. The day will end at 3.30pm. Tea and coffee available but do bring a packed lunch. Ring
Claire Wallis on 01277 658783 for more info. ALL WELCOME.
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PILGRIMAGE TO GREECE: IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF ST PAUL 7-13 October with Fr Eduard-William Fartan from
Holy Family, Benfleet. Cost £730 per person half board. Full details click here to Email
or call 01268 799082.
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NEW HALL VACANCIES including Alumni Officer, closing date 05.04.19. For full details, 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: Monica Burgess
Years Mind:
Sunday: Canon William Toft
Thursday: Fr Ronald Roberts, Canon Charles Loughran
Sunday: Deacon Geoffrey Piper
Next Sunday - FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT (C)
First Reading: Isaiah 43:16-21
See, I am doing a new deed, and I will give my chosen people drink.
Second Reading: Philippians 3:8-14
Reproducing the pattern of his death, I have accepted the loss of everything for Christ.
Gospel: John 8:1-11
If there is one among you who has not sinned, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.
