SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER
Divine Mercy Sunday
28th April 2019
Dear Parishioner,
The readings for this Sunday are about God's mercy, the necessity for trusting Faith and the need for the
forgiveness of sins. Divine Mercy, or the unconditional love of God, is given to us in each celebration of the
Sacraments, especially that of Reconciliation.
The first reading, taken from the Acts of the Apostles, explains how the Risen Lord continued to show His Divine Mercy
to the sick through the healing and preaching ministry of the apostles in the early Church.
The second reading, taken from the Book of Revelation, given by Jesus to the Apostle John in exile on Patmos, was
intended to comfort and bolster the Faith of persecuted Christians for all time. Today's selection assures us of
the presence of the merciful Lord in our lives and encourages all of us to fight fear with Faith, and trepidation about
the future with trust and Hope.
Today's Gospel recalls Jesus' institution of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, a Sacrament of Divine Mercy. The
Risen Lord gave his apostles and their successors the power to forgive sins with the words, "Whose sins you
forgive are forgiven and whose sins you retain are retained" (Jn 20: 19-23). So let us accept God's invitation
to celebrate and practise mercy and ask God for the Faith that culminates in self-surrender to God and leads us to
serve those we encounter with love.
SEND, O LORD: HOLY APOSTLES INTO YOUR CHURCH
Fr Sabu Pariyadan RCJ
Notices:
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CELEBRATION OF 30th ANNIVERSARY DEACON KEVIN'S ORDINATION The Social Committee would like to
invite all parishioners to mark this very special anniversary with a parish celebration on Saturday 15 June
at St Augustine's with Mass at noon followed by a Bring & Share lunch. It would be very useful to
have an idea of numbers and what people can bring so there will be a list at the back of church for people to sign up
to. Names and phone numbers would be helpful. We have been so lucky to have such a stalwart member of our parish
clergy for all this time - let's give Kevin a celebration to remember!
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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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PARISH TRIP TO ST BERNARD'S ABBEY AND COVENTRY CATHEDRAL
Date for your diaries - 29 June. There will be a trip to Saint Bernard's Abbey in Coalville, Leics and Coventry
Cathedral where Mass will be celebrated. More info to follow next week. Cost will be £20 pp. Further info from:
Karin Seeman on 466167 or click
here to Email
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200 CLUB We're well on our way to our 200 target - 75% there at the last count!
Any takers for more shares to get us over the line with this important parish fundraiser?? Contributions to Chris
Thompson or online 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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FAITH EVENING ON THE LITURGICAL YEAR Wed 12th June 7 pm at the Catholic Church of Christ the Eternal
High Priest, Gidea Park, RM2 6DH. Fr David Manson will lead an evening on the Liturgical Year, exploring the main
seasons of the Church's year and explaining how the feasts of the Church are celebrated. Admission free but
please click here to Email to
book. Refreshments provided.
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CATHOLIC CHARITY SEEKS TRUSTEES WITH PROFESSIONAL SKILLS Caritas Anchor House serves some of the
most vulnerable people in East London, including rough sleepers and homeless people. As some Trustees' terms end
this year, CAH is seeking Catholic Trustees with professional expertise in marketing, finance or property, to help
guide and support the CAH Management Team in their vital work. Full details can be found at: https://reachvolunteering.org.uk/opp/marketing-trustee-14; https://reachvolunteering.org.uk/opp/finance-trustee-28; https://reachvolunteering.org.uk/opp/property-management-trustee or
click here to Email for more information.
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DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES with Bishop Alan, from Sunday 21 - Friday 26 July. Further info from
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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BRENTWOOD CATHOLIC CHILDREN'S SOCIETY has several charity places for The Vitality London 10K run
on Monday 27th May 2019. 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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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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DEVELOPMENT OFFICER SOUTH EAST CATHOLIC PARTNERSHIP (0.3FTE, 2-year Fixed term contract) working in
the Catholic Education Service (CES). Full details at or
click here to Email Sophie Russell. Closing date 9th May.
Please remember to pray for:
Daily for the sick clergy of our Diocese
The sick and housebound
Those who have recently died
Years Mind:
Monday: Fr Brian O'Higgins
Thursday: Fr John Kennedy
Saturday: Canon Thomas Norris, Fr Feargus Saurin, Fr Andrew Dorricott
Sunday: Canon Patrick Palmer, Canon Basil Booker, Fr John O'Callaghan
Next Sunday - THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER (C)
First Reading: Acts 5:27-32,40b-41
We are witnesses of all this, we and the Holy Spirit.
Second Reading: Apocalypse 5:11-14
The Lamb that was sacrificed is worthy to be given riches and power.
Gospel: John 21:1-19
Jesus stepped forward, took the bread and gave it to them, and the same with the fish.