THIRTY-SECOND SUNDAY OF YEAR C
(Remembrance Day)
10th November 2019
Dear Parishioner,
Today the word of God fills us with the hope of eternal life: the readings assure us of immortality; we will pass
through death, retaining our personal individuality; until our bodies re-join them in the resurrection of the body when
Jesus returns at the end of time.
In the first reading we are told of the martyrdom of seven brothers and their mother. Their strong faith, which united
them to God, sustained them in the love of God. They preferred to die rather than break a commandment of the Law of
God. Here we see the marvellous power of faith that connects us to God drawing fortitude from him to be able to endure
horrendous sufferings, even cheerfully.
In the second reading we are encouraged to pray for the quick spreading of the message of God. St. Paul is so certain
that God will strengthen us in everything good that we do or say. He is praying for us that our hearts may turn towards
the love of God and fortitude of Christ.
When we look at the Gospel of today however, we find that the "Sadducees … deny that there is a
resurrection". The case the Sadducees presented to Jesus is intended to show the absurdity of belief in the
resurrection. For the Sadducees, the levirate law made belief in the resurrection ridiculous because if there is
resurrection, there would be struggles in heaven over women inherited by brothers. Jesus' answer attacks the basic
premise of the Sadducees: They thought that the life of the age to come was a continuation of this life and therefore
the need for human propagation lest it die out. But they had it all wrong. We pass through death to a totally new mode
of existence.
SEND, O LORD: HOLY APOSTLES INTO YOUR CHURCH
Fr Sabu Pariyadan RCJ
Notices:
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Rita Fletcher RIP You will be sorry to hear of the death of Rita Fletcher on Friday 25 October.
Rita's funeral will be held at St Augustine's at 12noon on Friday 22 November. Please pray for the repose of
her soul, for her family and all who mourn her loss. May she rest in peace.
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Parish Renewal - Sycamore is an informal course about the Christian faith and its relevance for life
today. It gives you space to meet other people, share ideas, explore your beliefs, and think about questions that
really matter. Each session involves a short film, time for discussion and some food. In preparation for Christmas we
will run four sessions at St Augustine's, on succeeding Friday evenings, beginning on 22 November at 7.30 pm.
Everyone is welcome. Each session is stand-alone, so if you cannot make all of the sessions, or can only make one,
please do come along.
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Annual Parish Dinner at Channels, 4th January 2020. More info to follow.
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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Walsingham House at Abbotswick Volunteer Team 2020-21. We are looking for young adults aged 18+
either currently in year 13 or coming to the end of their degree or apprenticeship, who would like to take up a gap
year opportunity like no other. You will live alongside 9 other people your age at our beautiful house in the
countryside and lead retreats for over 7000 young people, from ages 10-18 and help them engage with their faith in a
new way. Over the year you will develop communication and public speaking skills whilst growing in faith and
friendship. Accommodation, food and two trips abroad are all included. See more of what we do at www.bcys.net and
click here to Email to apply.
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World Day of the Poor, Sunday 17 November. "How many times do we see poor people rummaging
through garbage bins to retrieve what others have discarded as superfluous, in the hope of finding something to live
on or to wear! They themselves become part of a human garbage bin; they are treated as refuse." With strong
words, Pope Francis encourages all of us to consider the poorest and most vulnerable - you will find the full text of
his message on www.vatican.va. Our Diocese has a website full of
charitable action projects that all need volunteers - have a look at www.caritasbrentwood.org and consider donating to the upcoming collection for Caritas Anchor
House, a Catholic charity based in Newham, working with over 140 homeless people every day. More at www.caritasanchorhouse.org.
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Support for Diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes 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 at7.30pm. More info from 01026 735623 click here to Email or
01621 851875 click here to
Email.
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Summer Lourdes 2020 with the Brentwood Catholic Youth Service. Open to anyone currently in school
year 10-13. 25 July - 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.
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Talks series: How to defend your faith without raising your voice Most of us have been challenged at
some point to speak about or defend our faith. This could have been in the pub, chatting with friends or other people
at church. At times, it can be difficult to find the words or courage to speak out. To help with this, we will be
hosting a series of talks taking place over five Wednesdays during Advent 20-Nov to 18-Dec at 7pm. Cost: free. Full
details at: https://www.sttheresastansted.org/events
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Christmas by Candlelight in the beautiful chapel at Walsingham House at Abbotswick. Thursday 19
December at 6pm. A reflective time of Advent and Christmas music, interspersed with scripture readings, poems and
inspiring words about Christmas. After around an hour in the chapel we will move to the main house for mince pies,
mulled wine and luxurious hot chocolate. Tickets are just £10, and there are a maximum of 60 tickets available.
All money raised will support young adults travelling to Lourdes next Easter with HCPT - The Pilgrimage Trust - to
help children with additional needs. For tickets
click here to Email or phone 01277373959 and ask for Joe.
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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 020 7476 6062 or
click here
to Email.
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Calais Light - next convoy to support refugees 31 Jan to 2 Feb 2020 Help us to plan ahead by signing
up now to volunteer at www.calaislight.com. Thank you.
Please remember to pray for:
Daily for the sick clergy of our Diocese
The sick and housebound
Those who have recently died: Rita Fletcher
Years Mind:
Monday: Canon Denis Petry
Thursday: Terry Proudfoot, Fr Terence Howes
Friday: Fr James Allis
Sunday: Frank & Louise Stratham, Fr Richard (Dick) Ashton
Next Sunday: THIRTY-THIRD SUNDAY OF YEAR C
First Reading: 3 Malachi 19-20
For you the sun of righteousness will shine out.
Second Reading: 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12
Do not let anyone have food if he refuses to work.
Gospel: Luke 21:5-19
Your endurance will win you your lives.
