FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
(World Day of Prayer for Vocations)
12th May 2019
Dear Parishioner,
The fourth Sunday of Easter, known as Good Shepherd Sunday, is also the "World Day of Prayer for Vocations".
The Scripture lessons for this day concern the role of the shepherds of God's flock in the Church. Each year on
this Sunday, we reflect on the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd who devotedly and kindly takes care of his flock.
The title "pastor" means shepherd. A shepherd leads, feeds, nurtures, comforts, corrects, and protects his
flock - responsibilities that belong to every Church leader. The earliest Christians saw Jesus as the fulfilment of the
ancient Jewish dream of the Good Shepherd who also wished to include the Gentiles as part of God's flock.
Today's first reading describes how Paul and Barnabas opted to listen to the voice of Jesus the Good Shepherd and
follow him, and how they were rejected when they tried to share the good news of salvation.
The second reading, taken from the book of Revelation, encourages his readers with the assurance that every person who
has ever followed Christ and led others to him will share everlasting life with him.
The challenge for us today is that each of us should be good shepherds to those entrusted to our care. So let us try to
be good shepherds and good sheep as well according to the will of God.
SEND, O LORD: HOLY APOSTLES INTO YOUR CHURCH
Fr Sabu Pariyadan RCJ
Notices:
-
PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL (PPC) SEEKING NEW MEMBERS! If you would like to help with important work of
our PPC and contribute to the life of our parish, please do make yourself know to Fr Sabu or Deacon Kevin. New faces
and fresh ideas are always welcome!
-
PHIL PERRIER'S CHARITY TOMBOLA SUNDAY 2 JUNE AT NEW HALL EVERYONE'S A WINNER! Tickets are
£1 each and every ticket wins a prize. The proceeds will go towards the work of the Denis Hurley Centre in
Durban, South Africa.
-
UNWANTED CHRISTMAS GIFTS We plan to hold a Raffle to raise funds to go towards repayment of the
Church debt. Any bit of fundraising, big or small, helps to bring down the debt - every penny counts! Your unwanted
gifts would be very gratefully received. Thank you all for your support. Cath.
-
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!
-
ST BERNARD'S ABBEY, COALVILLE AND COVENTRY CATHEDRAL
The Parish is organising this trip on 29 June. Coach leaves St Augustine's at 7.45am sharp and
departs from Coventry at 5.30pm. Saint Bernard's Abbey was the first permanent monastery founded in England and
is the only Trappist house in the country. The iconic Coventry Cathedral is a centre of spiritual and artistic beauty
that speaks of peace and reconciliation. Cost £20 pp. Please contact Karin Seeman on 466167 or click here to Email if you would like
to come.
-
LONDON TO BRIGHTON BIKE RIDE 15 SEPTEMBER Brentwood Catholic Children's Society has several
charity places remaining! Riders are asked to pay a registration fee of £55 and make a commitment to raise
£150 for 'bccs'. More info at www.bccs.org.uk/fundraising-and-events/all-events or 01268 784544/07912 277413 Julie Abbott
-
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.
-
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.
-
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:
Thursday: Fr James (Jim) McCormack
Friday: Fr John William Hayes
Sunday: Canon Thomas Clarke
Next Sunday - FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER (C)
First Reading: Acts 14:21-27
They gave an account to the church of all that God had done with them.
Second Reading: Apocalypse 21:1-5a
God will wipe away all tears from their eyes.
Gospel: John 13:31-35
I give you a new commandment: love one another.
