Saint Augustine of Canterbury, Springfield

FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT YEAR A
29th March 2020

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Wish and pray that all of you are keeping well. In this time of unprecedented events of our life let us stay closer to our god through our prayers and practices of piety. Yet another Sunday is coming into our lives and we are not able to physically gather together but are spiritually able to pray and meet together. So let us keep each other in our prayers.

This Sunday we are invited to reflect upon the theme Death with hope in resurrection and is challenging us to be alive and not to be spiritually dead by mortal sin.

Reporting his vision in the first reading, Ezekiel bears witness to the reanimation of the dead Israel in preparation for her return to the Promised Land. He assures them that God's life-giving Breath will restore His people, give them new life and resettle them in their land.

St. Paul, in the second reading, assures the early Roman Christians who were facing death by persecution, and us who are surrounded by a culture of death, that the same Spirit, Who raised Jesus from the dead and who dwells within us, will raise our mortal bodies to life on the Last Day. Paul considers the Resurrection of Jesus the basis for our hope of sharing in Jesus' Resurrection.

For John, in today's Gospel, the raising of Lazarus is the final and greatest sign of Jesus, the Deliverer, a symbolic narrative of his Final Victory over death at the cost of his human life and a sign anticipating his Resurrection. Describing this great miracle, the Church assures us that we, too, will be raised into eternal life after our battle with sin and death in this world. Thus, resurrection hope is the central theme of the Scripture readings for the Fifth Sunday of Lent. The readings assure us that our Faith in Jesus, who is "the Resurrection and the Life", promises our participation in his resurrection and new life.

Let us unbind ourselves from the chains of addiction to alcohol, drugs, sexual deviations, slander, gossip, envy, prejudices, hatred, and uncontrollable anger, and rise ourselves from the tombs of despair.

May you all have a safe and healthy week.

SEND O LORD, HOLY APOSTLES INTO YOUR CHURCH.

Fr Sabu Pariyadan RCJ

Notices:

Celebrations of Holy Mass
Priests who hold parochial office should continue to celebrate Mass in a church within their parish without the faithful on a daily basis. Deacons should not participate in these celebrations. SO MASSES WILL BE STILL SAID FOR YOUR INTENTIONS REGULARLY BUT PRIVATELY. Any mass requests may be dropped into the presbytery.
The continuing celebration of Mass ensures that the faithful can join in spiritual communion with the priests of the Church. Daily liturgical resources for those at home, including those for making a "Spiritual Communion" with the priest, will be available on the CBCEW website. www.cbcew.org.uk
Sacraments and sacramental
All the above stands cancelled until further notice. In case of emergency please always ring Fr. Sabu at the presbytery or Rev. Kevin on phone. We will arrange the needed.
First communion program is put on hold until further notice and we need to work out how things evolve under the Covid-19 crisis.
Sycamore For Lent is cancelled with regret. We will look to a future course, when the Covid-19 crisis abates. Please pray for the Sycamore team and the programme at St Augustine's, and for the parish and wider community in these troubled times.

From the SVP:

Our families are currently surviving although the kids are getting bored, especially teenagers and those without gardens. Any support with this would be fab - we are thinking of acquiring some games and/or craft stuff using our funds and delivering them to doorsteps.
We'll happily collect craft materials/set from people's doorsteps (call 07796 393131 or click here to Email). Contributions in cash may be left at the Presbytery (in envelopes clearly marked, please) - do observe the self-isolation and social distancing rules. Alternatively our Springfield Conference bank details are Account name: SVP, Sort code: 60-60-04, Account number: 46085602 and we can supply Gift aid forms as needed.
We already have contact with around 70 elderly people and we are just a little tight on volunteers to phone them. We expect as more people start to feel more isolated the number will grow rapidly and their practical needs will grow as well - most had made some provisions/stocked up before this happened. So we could definitely do with more help here - we have no idea how much this will grow at this time.
We have recruits we have in the pipeline which is lovely, but more volunteers will be welcome.

Scammers and hackers:

We just wanted to remind everyone that scammers and hackers have not stopped their attacks. Please think before you click on a link in an email or text message. If you are not sure please ask for help. If you think a message feels suspicious you are probably right. www.thinkuknow.co.uk is an excellent resource.

Here is some more information on current scams from Essex & Kent Police & Crime and Action Fraud https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/. If you or someone you know is vulnerable and has been a victim of fraud, please call Essex Police on 101. Report fraud or attempted fraud by contacting Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.

Re-dedication of England as the Dowry of Mary

This Sunday is the re-dedication of England as the Dowry of Mary. A day for the Christians of England (and Wales) to make a personal rededication to Our Lady (see link Behold2020.com).

Please remember to pray for:

Daily for the sick clergy of our Diocese

The sick and housebound