Catholic Parish of
Saint Augustine of Canterbury, Springfield

THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST (A)
14th June 2020

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Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

This Sunday we celebrate a second solemnity during this period of Ordinary Time in the liturgical calendar. Today is the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. This day was once called Corpus Christi, which is Latin for "Body of Christ". In the revised Lectionary the name for this day is expanded to reflect more completely our Eucharistic theology.

Today's Gospel is taken from the Gospel according to John. The reading is part of a discourse between Jesus and a crowd of Jews. The discourse comes shortly after the miracle of Jesus' multiplication of the loaves and fishes. In John's Gospel, miracles such as this are identified as "signs" through which people come to believe that Jesus is the Son of God. These signs are followed by dialogue, or discourse that interprets and explains the miracle. In John's Gospel, Jesus' multiplication of the loaves is said to have occurred near Passover, thus linking it to the Exodus story and God's saving action toward the Israelites.

Having seen Jesus multiply the loaves and fishes, the crowd pursues him, perhaps seeking more food but also looking for another sign. Jesus tells the crowd that he is the bread of life. He explains that just as God gave the Israelites manna to sustain them in the desert, so now God has sent new manna that will give eternal life. It is in this context that Jesus repeats those words in today's Gospel and tells them again that he is the living bread that came down from heaven.

Jesus' words are not well understood by the crowd; they argue that Jesus is not from heaven but born of Mary and Joseph. The crowd also has trouble understanding how Jesus could give them his flesh to eat. Jesus tells them that when they eat his flesh and drink his blood, they will remain forever connected to him. These are difficult words, but they are important because they seek to show us our intimate connection with Jesus.

This is the mystery that is at the heart of our Eucharistic theology. In the elements of bread and wine, Jesus' Body and Blood are truly present. When we share in the Body and Blood of Christ, Jesus himself comes to dwell within us. This communion with the Lord makes us one body, brings us eternal life, and sends us forth to be Christ's Body in the world.

In this week we also celebrate the solemnity of the sacred heart of Jesus and the memorial of immaculate heart of Mary. The heart of Jesus is the seat of mercy for human kind who in his love and mercy embrace everyone into him. Whereas the immaculate heart of Mary treasured in her heart all the words of our lord Jesus Christ and became his first and true disciple, who was very much a silent follower of the will of god and the teachings of Christ.

In this blessed week let us earnestly pray for that day when we can celebrate and receive again the body and blood of Christ and prepare ourselves to be formed according to the hearts of Jesus and Mary.

Wishing you all a peaceful and serene time. Stay safe and healthy. May the faith in the body and blood of Christ help us to live according to the hearts of Jesus and Mary.

SEND O LORD, HOLY APOSTLES INTO YOUR CHURCH.

Fr. Sabu Pariyadan RCJ

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Notices:

• From Fr. Sabu: As you may know from the media, churches are allowed to re-open for private prayer from 15th of June. We are still discussing with the JMC a possible date for re-opening, as we have to respect the directions from all the members who share our church. What is more the replacing of the most awaited church doors will be happening in the coming week. Once that is done the JMC will set a date for re-opening which will be announced here.
  The guidelines from our dioceses require at least two stewards to be present at every time we keep the church open. When we do open the church we will need volunteers to open the church, to be there whilst it is open and to clean the church (by wiping down chairs, door handles etc.) at the end of each session. Thus it is possible only with the help of generous hearts. So may I request anyone who is available to let the parish office know by clicking here to Email or by ringing parish office at 01245 465333. In light of what we know about who may become most seriously ill with Coronavirus, please can we have volunteers aged 69 yrs and younger.
• Youth member to PPC: We have recently held a Pastoral Parish Council meeting to review our parish situation, as we usually do every quarter or thereabouts. We are still looking for a member under the age of 30 yrs. IS THIS YOU? Please, if you think you might like to be involved, let Fr Sabu know.
• Mass for the children who would have been celebrating First Holy Communion: This Sunday - Corpus Christi - we have a special Mass for the children who would have been celebrating First Holy Communion in May and June. You have had the key details already - this is just to give you two links, in case it is helpful to share them via your social media and email groups. All the details about the Mass can be found at https://bcys.net/fhccorpuschristi/. The direct link to the YouTube streaming of the Mass is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYbigOMOFJU.
• Keeping In Touch: As a parish, we have our website, Facebook and the email chain to keep us in touch. The SVP have been phoning some of those among us who do not have internet access. Please, if you know someone who would like to see our news, and if you cannot print off from the webpage for them, do let Father Sabu know, so that we can produce hard copy and arrange to deliver it.
• The Brentwood Catholic Children's Society (bccs) is unable to host its popular Ascot Ladies' Lunch this year but is asking for people to get involved in their 'Hats On for bccs' event in their homes or gardens at some point on Friday 19th June or over that weekend. We are asking for families to have a little get-together at home or via an on-line medium, put on their hat or fascinator, raise a glass to absent friends and make a small donation to our fundraising page: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Team/Hatsonforbccs.
  Everyone is welcome to get involved - read more on our website https://www.bccs.org.uk/fundraising-and-events/all-events/hats-bccs. Thank you for your support at this difficult time.
• 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.
• St Paul In Acts: During the Easter period we have been hearing excerpts from the Acts of the Apostles at the Liturgy of the Word at Mass. It is from Scriptures such as these, which point to the priorities of Christian faith lived in the world, that we can reinvigorate our faith as we go forward from Pentecost to face new problems for the world and for the Church. Fr Adrian Graffy, Scripture scholar and parish priest of Gidea Park, has prepared a new talk 'Paul in Acts' which can be accessed by going to www.whatgoodnews.org/faith-talks
• Director of Communications The Diocese of Nottingham seeks to appoint a Director of Communications to work with the Bishop of Nottingham and the Parishes, Chaplaincies and Schools of the Diocese to lead the development and implementation of an effective communications framework across the Diocese, promoting the Diocesan Vision and Mission and the three themes of Encounter, Discipleship and Missionary Discipleship. This would suit a committed Catholic with a strong track record in communications; an experienced media professional (or journalist) who has recently been involved in leading communications in a dispersed organisation. Salary: £45,000 - £50,000 dependent on qualifications and experience. For more information and an application pack click here to EMail. Closing date 22 June 2020.
• 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.

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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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