THIRTY-FIRST SUNDAY OF YEAR C
3rd November 2019
Dear Parishioner,
The common theme of today's readings is the benevolent, compassionate and forgiving mercy of God for sinners and
the response of repentance and conversion expected from us.
The first reading reminds us that God's Almighty Power includes His strength to be merciful. That is why God, who
created the universe mercifully, waits for sinners to repent. God continues to love us, even when we do not love Him in
return.
In the second reading, St. Paul encourages the Thessalonians to persevere in their Christian Faith, giving glory to
God, without idly waiting for the "second coming" of Christ in their lifetime. He advises them to continue to
live a good Christian life every day, allowing God to work in their lives so that they may be worthy of their vocation
as Christians.
Today's Gospel presents the story of the instantaneous conversion of the tax-collector, Zacchaeus. God's grace
led him to a moment of conversion. The episode emphasizes the fact that such a conversion can only result from a
person's fully receiving the love, acceptance and grace offered to everyone one by a merciful Lord.
So let us accept the Divine invitation for repentance. We are all sinners to a greater or lesser degree. Therefore let
us love others as Jesus loved Zacchaeus, despite his sins. Thus we will be able to produce the fruits of repentance.
SEND, O LORD: HOLY APOSTLES INTO YOUR CHURCH
Fr Sabu Pariyadan RCJ
Notices:
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AUGUSTINIAN We are working on the next edition of the Augustinian and would welcome articles. Items
with pictures particularly welcome. Please send contributions to Chris Thompson (click here to
Email).
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Annual Parish Dinner at Channels, 4th January 2020. More info to follow.
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205 CLUB Congratulations to Mrs M Celon, winner of the October draw.
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Shaping Our Future See this month's bulletin at: 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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Next Vocations "Enquirers' Evening" Tuesday 5th November at St Edmund of Canterbury
Church in Loughton. Further info from Fr Mark Swires click here to
Email.
GRAND CHRISTMAS SALE AT ST AUGUSTINE'S
Friday 15 November 3pm
Do come along and stock up with gifts and decorations.
VERY competitive prices! Proceeds to Church funds. All welcome.
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Support for Diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes Numbers are increasing and we are looking to recruit
pilgrims who can offer medical support (either doctors or nurses) and pilgrims who would be happy to assist in other
ways such as acting as a companion to a pilgrim during the week. We will be holding an information evening at St
Augustine's Church on 26 November at 7.30pm. More info from Cathy O'Connor click here to Email
tel.01026 735623 or Patrick Parsons click here to
Email Tel. 01621 851875.
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Summer Lourdes 2020 with the Brentwood Catholic Youth Service. Open to anyone currently in school
year 10-13. We travel on Saturday 25 July, return Saturday 1 August. Cost £600 includes return coach travel,
hotel accommodation, insurance and all meals in Lourdes. Full details at https://bcys.net/events/summer-lourdes-2020-pilgrimage/. Applications open Sunday 27 October and close
10 January 2020; places will be allocated on 14th January and no deposit is required until then. Bursary support is
available for those in financial hardship.
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Christmas Concert Join homelessness charity Caritas Anchor House for a night of festivities at their
Christmas Concert, Wednesday 27th November at St Margaret and All Saints Church, 79 Barking Road, Canning Town E16
4HB, 2 minutes from Canning Town DLR and Tube, 6.30 - 7.45pm, followed by refreshments. Guest speaker Jeremy
Paxman! CAH, in Newham help 140 homeless people every day - well worth supporting. Tickets click here
to Email or 020 7476 6062.
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Climate Change - No Planet B! The Canonesses of the Holy Sepulchre warmly invite you to a
presentation by Jack Wakefield, Campaigner at Tearfund Action, at St John Payne Parish Hall,
Colchester CO4 3QD on Sat 30 November, 2pm-5.30pm, to mark the beginning of Advent. Bookings on 01206-867296 0r
click here to Email.
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Spirituality Morning - Saturday 16 November 10.30am-12noon, Cathedral House, Brentwood CM15 8AT.
Topic: Preparing for the Advent Journey. with Bishop Alan Williams,sm, Tel. 01277 265285 click here to Email
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Mass of Remembrance and Commemoration of loved ones, Sunday 10 November, 2.30pm, Walsingham House.
If you are the friend or family member of someone who is remembered at Abbotswick, you are very welcome to this Mass.
More info from 01277 373959 or
click here to Email.
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The Scriptures in Advent - Fr Nicholas King Sj, part of 'Year of the God who Speaks'
promoted by the Bishops of England and Wales, will be a study day on 'The Scriptures in Advent', with
renowned biblical scholar, Fr Nicholas King SJ, at the RC Church of Christ the Eternal High Priest, Gidea Park RM2
6DH 10.30am - 3pm, Sat 23 Nov. Admission free, but do reserve your place at 01708 449914 or click here to Email. Refreshments
available but please bring packed lunch.
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More News of the Year of God who Speaks Video of the events of the launch day, including the talks
by Fr Adrian Graffy on the Book of Genesis, can be found on the website www.whatgoodnews.org. The Bishops' Conference has a very rich website for the Year of the God who
Speaks. Go to www.cbcew.org.uk/ and follow the links. Pope
Francis in his recent Motu Proprio has decreed that the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (26th January in 2020) will be
kept as the Sunday of the Word of God. This is an opportunity to underline the importance of prayerful listening to
the Word.
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22nd Pan-African Annual Mass for the African Communities will be celebrated on 10 November at 3pm
prompt, at St George's Catholic Church, 132 Shernhall Street, Walthamstow, London E17 9HU. The main celebrant
this year is Rt. Revd. Msgr. Keith Newton, the Ordinary of the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham. The
African Chaplains and other Clergy together with the various African Community Choirs will be in attendance, theme
"African Catholic Youth in the Church, today and tomorrow". Two speakers will speak on Knife Crime and
share personal experience with the youth during the Mass. Special Reception follows immediately after the Mass in the
Parish Hall. All are cordially invited.
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: Dr Lieutenant Peter William Geddes
Thursday: Cardinal John Carmel Heenan
Friday: Fr William Philpot, Deacon Norman Wiseman
Next Sunday: THIRTY-SECOND SUNDAY OF YEAR C
First Reading: 2 Macc 7:1-2,9-14
The King of world will raise us up to live again for ever.
Second Reading: 2 Thessalonians 2:16-3:5
May the Lord strengthen you in everything good that you do or say.
Gospel: Luke 20:27-38
He is God, not of the dead, but of the living.
