PALM SUNDAY (C)
14th April 2019
Dear Parishioner,
In Holy Week we celebrate the Mystery of our Salvation in Jesus Christ. These final days in the earthly life of Christ
begin with his triumphal entry into the Holy City of Jerusalem. The liturgy of Palm Sunday too begins with this joyful
entry into Jerusalem, the procession with the palm branches. These branches are not simply blessed objects, but signs
of joyful participation in procession and an expression of the faith of the Church in Christ. Later, during the Liturgy
of the Word we listen attentively to the account of the Passion from Luke's Gospel. There is therefore this double
characteristic, glory and suffering, the characteristic which is present through the entirety of Holy Week.
Maundy Thursday features a ceremony in which the priest washes the feet of twelve people to commemorate Jesus washing
the feet of his disciples. On Good Friday we commemorate the death and later resurrection of Jesus Christ, whose life
and teachings are the foundation of Christianity. We meditate on Jesus' suffering and death on the cross, and what
this means for our faith. The Easter Vigil takes place on the night of Holy Saturday, the Paschal candle is lit during
this service. It begins outside the Church where we gather around a fire. The Liturgy of the Word is celebrated in the
light of the Paschal Candle, the light of Easter. The readings help us to see anew that in Christ we pass from darkness
to light, from death to life, from slavery to freedom. Towards the end of the Liturgy of the Word, the joy of Easter
breaks out afresh in the singing of the Gloria, the ringing of the bells, the lighting of the altar candles, and the
triple Alleluia, before the Gospel of the Resurrection. I encourage you all to fully take part in the Liturgies of Holy
Week as we prepare for the celebration of Easter.
Deacon Kevin.
Notices:
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EASTER OFFERING Please remember that the church collections over Easter are your personal gift to Fr
Sabu. This forms an important part of his income for the year. If you give by standing order or use the weekly
envelopes please use the envelope marked 'Easter Sunday' for your offering. Thank you, Rowena, Finance
Committee secretary.
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PROCESSION OF WITNESS The Springfield Procession of Witness will go from St. Augustine's at
9.30am and the Church of Our Saviour at 9.25am on Good Friday. Calling at the usual places & finishing with a
public Service at the top of the High Street at 11am.
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200 CLUB We are just over half way to our 200 shares. We are continuing to collect, so we can take
cash, but it is more convenient to pay directly to Catholic Church of St. Augustine of Canterbury, account 91082884,
sort code 40-13-22. Put your name and "200 Club" on the reference and click here to
Email Chris Thompson so that numbers can be checked off.
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DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES Come this summer on Brentwood Diocese's pilgrimage to Lourdes
with Bishop Alan, from Sunday 21 - Friday 26 July. For further information, please 'phone Tangey Tours on 01732
886 666. Please note that we shall be flying from Southend Airport. We are able to support those with medical needs.
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WORK AND PRAY AT SION COMMUNITY 6th - 10th MAY volunteering your time and talents helping us with
some essential upkeep of our large house and gardens. Each day will include community prayer and Mass at the
cathedral. You can stay with us and experience a little of community life or come along on a daily basis. Meals
provided (you can even take a turn in the kitchen if you would like to!). If you are interested in joining us, please
contact Mary: click
here to Email or 01277 215011
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CALAIS LIGHT On 21-23 June, Calais Light, the car-sharing convoy which takes a bunch of like-minded,
friendly volunteers to Calais to work with refugee charities - sets off again. Trip 11! We're returning to
Care4Calais, to sort aid in their amazingly well-run warehouse. Every afternoon all volunteers go out with
Care4Calais's team to meet refugees living rough. We chat with them, listen to their stories, offer them
solidarity, normality, kindness & essential services. Our March weekend was a huge success - moving, unexpectedly
joyful, crucial. So come with us! Sign up for a convoy at www.calaislight.com or donate by clicking here to Email
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MASS FOR MIGRANTS celebrating the diversity of London, Essex, Kent and Hertfordshire. ALL WELCOME!
The Dioceses of Westminster and Southwark join in this joyful celebration of the diversity of our Dioceses, as well
as reflecting on and praying for the great hardships that many migrants face. Please join Bishops, Priests and
thousands of people from across London and the home counties for this Mass on Bank Holiday Monday, 6th May, at
Westminster Cathedral at 10.30am. It will be preceded by a banner procession at 10am - banners from parishes and
different ethnic groups are very, very welcome - gather outside the Cathedral from 9.30am.
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ST HELEN'S PARISH, WESTCLIFF-ON-SEA 150TH ANNIVERSARY EVENTS:
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Friday 24th May mass 5.30pm followed by a special dinner with Bishop Alan
Williams at 7pm in celebration of all the couples who were married at St. Helen's Church over the
years. Please contact the office on 01702 342324 for tickets.
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Saturday 25th May 6.00 - 8.15pm Concert featuring beautiful songs, instrumentals and dance by
talented young people from Brentwood Diocesan schools and churches. No tickets required, donations welcome.
Coffee and cake available in during the interval.
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Saturday 26th May International Food Festival starting with a cultural show at 12noon. Adult
£8/ Children £3 (please contact the office on 01702 342324).
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HOLY SATURDAY REFLECTION AT BLESSSED SACRAMENT 20th April - 11.30am at Blessed Sacrament Church - a
reflection in music & words on the themes of Holy Saturday - the forgotten day - disappointment & hope. All
welcome.
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BRENTWOOD CATHOLIC CHILDREN'S SOCIETY has several charity places for The Vitality London 10K run
on Monday 27th May 2019. This May bank holiday event has a lovely atmosphere and takes in many of London's iconic
landmarks, finishing in front of Buckingham Palace with all the event facilities, food and entertainment close by in
Green Park. For each place, we ask for a pledge to raise a minimum sponsorship of £100 before Gift Aid. More
info from Julie click here to Email or
07912 277413.
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HEALING MASS CANVEY ISLAND There will be a healing Mass of the resurrection, otherwise known as a
family tree healing, on Tuesday 16th April, starting at 7.00pm with rosary. Full schedule: 7.00pm Rosary, with
preliminary prayers for family tree healing, 7.30pm Mass, 8.15pm family tree prayers after Mass with Adoration of the
Blessed Sacrament, chaplet and prayers for healing. Those who wish to do so are invited to sketch out their family
lines on paper and place this on the altar, otherwise just come and submit them in your hearts. Our Lady of Canvey
Church, 224 Long Road, Canvey Island SS8 0JS. All are welcome.
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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.
Please remember to pray for:
Daily for the sick clergy of our Diocese
The sick and housebound
Those who have recently died
Years Mind:
Sunday: Fr Owen Fitzgerald, Fr John Mahoney
Monday: Fr William Donelam, Fr George Duckett
Sunday: Fr Arthur Ryan, Fr Michael Enright
Next Sunday - EASTER SUNDAY
First Reading: Acts 10:34,37-43
We have eaten and drunk with him after his resurrection.
Second Reading: Colossians 3:1-4
You must look for the things that are in heaven, where Christ is.
Gospel: John 20:1-9
He must rise from the dead.
