Catholic Parish of
Saint Augustine of Canterbury, Springfield

FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
10th May 2020

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Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

The readings for the last few Sundays have been about the Resurrection, but today's Gospel takes us back in time to an event in Jesus' life before his Passion. Jesus tells his disciples that he is going to prepare a place for them in his Father's house. He promises that where he is going, his disciples will be able to follow. Thomas, who will later doubt the disciples' reports that they have seen the Risen Lord, contradicts Jesus by saying that the disciples don't know where Jesus is going or how to get there. Jesus explains that he himself is the way, the truth, and the life. In knowing and loving Jesus, the disciples now love God the Father.

Philip then makes a request that challenges Jesus' words. Philip wants Jesus to show the Father to the disciples. Recall that Jesus has just told his disciples, "If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him." As a good teacher, Jesus responds to Philip by repeating and elaborating on what he has just told the disciples: they have seen and known Jesus, so they have seen and known the Father. Then Jesus offers another reassurance about his departure: because of faith in God and in Jesus, the disciples will do the work that Jesus has done and more.

The connection between Jesus and his Father, between Jesus' work and the work of the Father, is made clear in today's Gospel. Jesus is in the Father, and God the Father is in Jesus. As God spoke his name to Moses, "I am," so too Jesus speaks his name to his disciples: "I am the way and the truth and the life."

The revelation of the Trinity is completed in the passage that follows today's reading, and it is the Gospel for next Sunday. Because Jesus goes away, the Father will send in Jesus' name the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, who will continue the work of the Father and of Jesus.

Wishing you all a peaceful and serene time. Stay safe and healthy. May the blessings of risen Christ fill you with hope.

SEND O LORD, HOLY APOSTLES INTO YOUR CHURCH.

Fr. Sabu Pariyadan RCJ

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Notices:

• From Fr. Sabu: A very special thank you to all for your calls and emails. Thank you everyone for your prayers and support in this season of pandemic. Keep up the good spirit and continue to stay safe and healthy and stay at home. I am regularly praying for you all and most especially for all those suffering with Covid-19. Let us look forward with hope to the new measures which will be released on this Sunday.
• Looking out for our friends: If you know any of our parishioners or your neighbours, who live alone and who may not be using the new world media and communication technologies like internet and smart phones, it would be great if you have their telephone numbers, to give a call and offer words of support and make them feel connected.
• Parish Email Chain: There is a parish group of email chain circulating around, connecting people and sharing their lockdown activities and advices. So if you wish to be added to the email chain please click here to Email the parish address or click here to Email directly to Margaret cook who is coordinating it. Thank you all for the good job.
• Appeal From Pope Francis: On February 4, 2019, Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar met in Abu Dhabi to sign the Document on Human Fraternity - a joint statement calling for the reconciliation of people of goodwill in service of universal peace. With the support of the United Arab Emirates, who themselves are deeply committed to harmonious coexistence through dialogue and understanding, the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity was founded www.forhumanfraternity.org. Pope Francis made the following appeal on Wednesday: "As prayer is a universal value, I have accepted the proposal of the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity so that on Thursday May 14th believers of all religions unite spiritually in a Day of Prayer and Fasting and Works of Charity, to implore God to help humanity overcome the coronavirus pandemic. Remember May 14, all believers together, believers of different traditions, to pray, fast, and do works of charity." Please join in this initiative in whatever ways you can.
• The Good Friday Collection for the Holy Places, mandated by the Holy See, will now take place on the Feast of the Exultation of the Holy Cross.
• Deputy Headteacher Vacancy
  Our Lady Of Lourdes Catholic Primary School, Leigh-On-Sea
  Manchester Drive, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, SS9 3HS
  Required for September 2020
  Salary Range: Group 2, L9-14
  Assisi Catholic Trust and Governors of Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School are looking for an enthusiastic, inspiring Deputy Headteacher with exceptionally strong values.
  Applications are welcomed from experienced, enthusiastic and suitably qualified practising Catholic Leaders to play a key role in building on the school's successes and reputation.
  Candidates are warmly encouraged to visit the school.
  Please contact Mrs Victoria Blake-Lawson to arrange a telephone conversation or virtual tour on 01702 475689 or click here to Email
  Application packs are available from Miss Nikita Parr at the Assisi Registered Office on 01702 606762 or click here to Email. Full details of the post are also available on the school's website https://www.olol.co.uk/.
  Applications should be sent by clicking here to Email.
  Closing Date: 13th May 2020 (noon).
  Shortlisting: 15th May 2020.
  Formal Interviews: 21st and 22nd May 2020 (to be held virtually as necessary)
  CVs or applications from agencies are not accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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Novena for the Safe Re-opening of the Churches and the Restoration of Public Mass as soon as possible:

The following Litany will be said by Catholics across the UK from Sunday, 26th April, until the following week Monday, 4th May, the Feast of the English Martyrs.

Please join us. If you hear about it later than those dates, please join anyway. This novena petitions Our Lord, the Good Shepherd, that it may be safe to re-open Churches and restore public Masses as soon as possible.

The Litany of the Sacred Heart

For the Intention that it may be safe to re-open the Churches and restore public Masses as soon as possible, we pray:

Lord, have mercy on us.
-	Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
-	Christ, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
-	Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven,
-	Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
-	Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit,
-	Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Son of the Eternal Father,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Formed by the Holy Ghost in the womb of the Virgin Mother,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Substantially united to the Word of God,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Of Infinite Majesty,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Holy Temple of God,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Tabernacle of the Most High,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, House of God and Gate of Heaven,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Burning Furnace of charity,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Vessel of Justice and love,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Full of goodness and love,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Abyss of all virtues,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Most worthy of all praises,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, King and centre of all hearts,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, In Whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, In Whom dwelleth all the fulness of the Divinity,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, in Whom the Father is well pleased,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Of Whose fullness we have all received,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Desire of the everlasting hills,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Patient and abounding in mercy,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Rich unto all who call upon Thee,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Fountain of life and holiness,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Atonement for our sins,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Filled with reproaches,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Bruised for our offenses,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Made obedient unto death,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Pierced with a lance,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Source of all consolation,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Our Life and Resurrection,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Our Peace and Reconciliation,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Victim for our sins,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Salvation of those who hope in Thee,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Hope of those who die in Thee,
-	Have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Delight of all the Saints,
-	Have mercy on us.
Lamb of God Who takest away the sins of the world,
-	Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God Who takest away the sins of the world,
-	Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God Who takest away the sins of the world,
-	Have mercy on us.
Jesus, meek and humble of heart,
-	Make our hearts like unto Thine.

Let us pray.

Almighty and eternal God, look upon the Heart of Thine most-beloved Son, and upon the praises and satisfaction He offers Thee in the name of sinners; and appeased by worthy homage, pardon those who implore Thy mercy, in Thy Great Goodness in the name of the same Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, world without end.
Amen.

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Please remember to pray for:

Daily for the sick clergy of our Diocese

The sick and housebound

Those who have recently died

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