FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT (A)
1st December 2019
Dear Parishioner,
Today is the first Sunday of Advent, which is also the first Sunday of a new liturgical year for the Church. The Advent
season includes the four Sundays that precede Christmas. It is a time of preparation for the coming of the Lord. In
this season, we recall two central elements of our faith: the final coming of the Lord in glory and the incarnation of
the Lord in the birth of Jesus. Key themes of the Advent season are watchful waiting, preparation, and justice.
In this new liturgical year, the Gospel of Matthew will be the primary Gospel proclaimed (Lectionary Cycle A). In
today's Gospel, we hear Jesus speak about the need for wakefulness, for watchful waiting, for the coming of the Son
of Man.
The passage from Matthew we read today is rather straightforward. No one knows the precise time of the coming of the
Lord in glory, so watchful waiting and vigilance are required. The passage speaks to the uselessness of looking for
signs; there will be none. As a thief sneaks in during the night, so will the Lord's coming in glory be.
The question for us as members of the Christian community, then, is how do we prepare for this? Today's passage
speaks more about the manner of waiting, rather than the details of the preparation. Jesus compares the vigilance
required of Christians to the vigilance of a homeowner who knows the plans of the thief. If one knows that the
thief's action is imminent, one remains watchful. As Christians, we know that our Lord is coming even if we cannot
know the precise timing. Jesus calls us to be watchful and vigilant, like the homeowner. If we become lax in our
Christian living, we may be caught unprepared.
So let us be watchful for the coming of the Lord and prepare ourselves for a meaningful celebration of the Christmas.
SEND, O LORD: HOLY APOSTLES INTO YOUR CHURCH
Fr Sabu Pariyadan RCJ
Notices:
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205 CLUB Congratulations to Mary Blaxall, winner of the November draw.
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Carols by Candlelight Sunday 15 December 6.30pm. Come and join our Anglican friends to listen to the
story of Christmas and enjoy some traditional carols. Mulled wine and mince pies afterwards.
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Chelmsford Community Sponsorship It is now quite popular to make a Charity donation in place of
Christmas cards or as presents. If you wish to use this way of giving, Chelmsford Community Sponsorship, the project
to settle a refugee family, can benefit. For details of how, find the Chelmsford Community Sponsorship envelope on
the repository stand, or click
here to Email.
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Parish Renewal - Sycamore is an informal course about the Christian faith and its relevance for life
today. It gives 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. NEXT SESSION FRIDAY 6TH DECEMBER at St
Augustine's at 7pm (session begins 7.30pm) - the title is THE BIBLE; one last session on Friday December 13. All
welcome. Each session stands alone, so if you missed one, or cannot make another, please do still come along.
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Advent Service St John Payne School Thursday 19 December 6pm in Aquinas Hall. The whole community is
warmly invited to celebrate this most wonderful time of preparation and prayer. Light refreshments will be offered
after the service. With a record number of pupils participating, we hope the evening will promote youth in our
community giving a visual display of our shared faith.
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Brentwood Catholic Children's Society Crib Donations; Advent week 1 - Hope
Thousands of years ago, the faithful held fast to the prophecies that the Messiah would arrive, and they ardently
hoped that God would fulfil His promises to them. The first week of Advent honours that longing. We are encouraged to
contemplate His coming and to reach out to Him knowing that He will lead us through the darkness. With your support
the BCCS offers hope by providing fully trained dedicated professionals to guide, support, help, listen and nurture
children and young people through difficult times.
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Vocations evening The next "Enquirers' Evening" for those considering or interested in
a vocation to the priesthood is on Tuesday 3rd December at St Edmund of Canterbury Church in Loughton. For further
information please contact Fr Mark Swires - click here to
Email.
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The Passage is raising funds through the Big Give from 12 noon Tues 3 December - 12 noon Tues 10
December to support its work Helping Homeless People this winter. Double your Donation, Double your
impact. This is a matched giving scheme for online donations. If someone (can be company, individual or
trust) gave £10 online matched giving of £10 would bring the Gift up to £20 (and for individuals to
£22.50 with Gift Aid with higher rate tax relief it may cost the donor less than £10). For more
information ring Andrew Hollingsworth 020 75921856 click here to Email. Donate at
https://bit.ly/2KJ29hH.
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Readers Rota I will shortly be preparing the readers' rota for 9am Mass at St. Augustine's.
A couple of readers have asked to be taken off the rota. If you would like to join the rota and read at Mass please
contact Margaret Cook, click here to
Email or 07722 512215. If you are unsure and have any questions please also contact me.
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SVP GIVING TREE The SVP are running the popular Giving Tree again this year and we really need your
support for children who otherwise may receive very little at Christmas - we have 16 more children this year! If you
have taken a tag from the tree we would be very grateful if you could bring your gift (around £10 in value)
unwrapped with the tag, to one of the Masses on Sunday 1st, 8th or 15th December. Thank you.
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Learning Support Assistant required at St Peter's School, Billericay Full info at: http://www.essexschoolsjobs.co.uk/Vacancies/Details.aspx?VacancyId=56330
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: Fr Bartholomew (Bart) Lynch
Monday: Fr James (Pat) Hannon
Wednesday: Christopher McIntosh
Thursday: Kate Redfern
Friday: Fr Brian Drea
Saturday: Fr Michael Healy
Sunday: Fr Bernard Pownall
Next Sunday: SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT (A)
First Reading: Isaiah 11:1-10
He judges the wretched with integrity.
Second Reading: Romans 15:4-9
Christ is the saviour of all men.
Gospel: Matthew 3:1-12
Repent for the kingdom of God is close at hand.
