THIRTY-THIRD SUNDAY OF YEAR C
(World Day of the Poor)
17th November 2019
Dear Parishioner,
Today is the World Day of the Poor. 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 wear! They themselves become
part of a human garbage bin; they are treated as refuse. These strong words from Pope Francis encourage all of us to
consider the poorest and most vulnerable. We will be having a second collection to send to Caritas Anchor House, a
Catholic charity based in Newham, working with over 140 homeless people every day.
The Church is called to be the epiphany of Christ, the visible body of Christ in the world. Our Christian identity,
therefore, must be acquired by the way of the cross, by progressive conversion and self-knowledge. The authentic
celebration of the dedication of a church is a commitment on the part of the community to ongoing conversion in Christ.
During this month we remember the deceased members of our families and parish. Placed in the front of the altar are the
names of our loved ones. Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord. May they rest in peace. Amen.
God bless you all and pray for me,
Deacon Kevin.
Notices:
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SVP GIVING TREE The SVP will be running the popular Giving Tree again this year and we really need
your support - we have 16 more children this year! Please help us give a gift to these children, who otherwise may
receive very little at Christmas, by taking a tag (specifying the age, gender and interests of each child) from the
tree. The tree will be available on Sunday 24th November at both Masses and we are asking for gifts (around £10
value) to be brought back, not wrapped, with the tag on Sunday 1st/8th/15th December.
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Fairtrade Breakfast Central Baptist Church, Chelmsford Sat 29 February 2020 As part of Fairtrade
Fortnight, the Chelmsford City Fairtrade Campaign is hosting this event which, it is envisaged, will be mainly
attended by representatives of faith bodies. The Bishop of Bradwell and Dean of Chelmsford will be in attendance and
a representative from our parish would be very much welcomed. This is a free and informal event with a short video
and talk about Fairtrade followed by a Fairtrade raffle. If you would like to represent Springfield parish and find
out more about the Fairtrade campaign, please do let Fr Sabu know. Many thanks.
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Rita Fletcher RIP 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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National Youth Sunday - Feast of Christ the King Next weekend we celebrate the young people in our
Church and all who accompany them. Within our Diocese the Brentwood Catholic Youth Service (BCYS) and Walsingham
House at Abbotswick offer retreats, pilgrimages and many other events for many thousands of young people every year;
most of the work is led by volunteers, trained as young leaders in the Church. The BCYS also supports our catechists
and school lay chaplains. Next week a speaker will tell us more about the BCYS and there will be a collection for
their vital work, or you can donate online at www.bcys.net/donate.
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The Brentwood Catholic Children's Society Ladies' Christmas Luncheon Friday 6th December, 12
for 12.30pm at the Rayleigh Golf Club, Hullbridge. Ladies will be treated to a delicious two course lunch with tea
& coffee in the luxurious surroundings of a private room over-looking the golf course. Tickets £25.00 each.
To reserve your place, please call Libby on 01268 784544 / click here to Email
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Annual Parish Dinner at Channels, 4th January 2020. More info to follow.
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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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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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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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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:
Sunday: Frank & Louise Stratham, Fr Richard (Dick) Ashton
Tuesday: Fr John Harden
Wednesday: Fr James Linburgh
Thursday: Brian Lynch
Saturday: Mgr Edward Watson, Canon Martin Hancock
Sunday: Valentine & Nazera Nasser
Next Sunday: CHRIST THE KING (C)
First Reading: 2 Samuel 5:1-3
They anointed David king of Israel.
Second Reading: Colossians 1:12-20
He has created a place for us in the kingdom of the Son that he loves.
Gospel: Luke 23:35-43
Lord remember me when you come into your kingdom.
