TWELFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (A)
21st June 2020
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
We read today's Gospel in the context of last week's Gospel in which Jesus sent the twelve disciples to proclaim
the kingdom of heaven. In between last week's reading and today's reading, Jesus has predicted that the disciples
will face difficulties in their mission. Many people will not receive them well, even within the land of Israel. Even
family members will turn away from the disciples because of the disciples' commitment to Jesus and the kingdom.
Today's Gospel offers the disciples consolation against this difficult truth.
This section of Matthew's Gospel should be read in the context of Matthew's intended audience, a
Jewish-Christian community. The Gospel alludes to the dangers and persecutions that this community has most likely already
faced and will continue to face. To reassure this community, Matthew recalls for them the encouraging words of Jesus that
we read today.
In this Gospel passage, Jesus might be understood as putting suffering in perspective. The disciples of Jesus are called
upon to keep their focus on God. Those who can harm the body do not have ultimate power; God does. Still persecution and
suffering cannot be avoided or prevented. But Jesus reassures his disciples that God knows and cares about what happens to
his children.
We might not face the same type of persecution, but we do experience difficulties as we endeavour to live a Christian
life. Sometimes we let the opinions of others prevent us from doing what we know to be right. We need the reminder that
what God thinks about us is more important. We are reassured by the promise that God cares for us and protects us.
Wishing you all a peaceful and serene time. Stay safe and healthy.
SEND O LORD, HOLY APOSTLES INTO YOUR CHURCH.
Fr. Sabu Pariyadan RCJ
Notices:
-
From Fr. Sabu: As you may have known from the media, churches are allowed to re-open for private
prayer from 15th of June. We were in consultation with the JMC for a possible date for re-opening as we have to
respect the directions from all the members who share our church. The most awaited church doors will not be now
happening until the first week of July. So we will be opening our church from this Tuesday, 23rd of
June onwards for private prayer. This will only be made possible with the help of generous stewards. The
timings to accommodate different groups will be as follows*:
| Monday: |
11.00-12.00 Noon |
| Tuesday: |
11.00-12.00 Noon |
| Wednesday: |
8.00-9.00 AM |
| Thursday: |
7.30-8.30 PM |
| Friday: |
11.00-12.00 Noon |
| Saturday: |
11.00-12.00 Noon |
| Sunday: |
9.00-10.00 AM |
*Timings will be reviewed from time to time according to the need. So it may be extended, changed or cancelled
if there is a better reason to do so. So watch the space and notices for any changes.
The guidelines from our diocese require that at least two stewards 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 the parish office at 01245 465333. In the 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.
- 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.
- 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.
-
"Lourdes in your Living Room": Join this amazing virtual pilgrimage with Bishop Alan and
people from across the Diocese during the week of 27th - 31st July, with daily Mass, Reflections, Rosary and Angelus,
as well as the Marian ("Torchlight") procession, and a talent show at the end of the week. It will all be on
YouTube, and all the information you need is at www.bcys.net/lourdes2020, including a timetable for the pilgrimage. If you know someone who you could help
to get online to participate, now is the time! If you would like to be more directly involved, there are several
opportunities - just have a look at the website. The pilgrimage is for those of all ages, with a special additional
programme for those aged 15-23. It is all completely free.
The Summer Lourdes pilgrimage usually involves about 250 adults from across the Diocese, including many who are frail
and ill, as well as 250 young people who travel to serve those who need extra help to move around Lourdes. This year,
as we cannot travel to Lourdes, we are bringing Lourdes to your Living Room!
We are very pleased to share with you the details of this virtual experience of Lourdes. With many parishioners still
unable to leave their homes, or rather frightened about doing so, we hope that this will be a wonderful week of
connection, prayer and inspiration for those of all ages
The outline programme for adult pilgrims will be available on our website or at www.bcys.net/lourdes2020.
All the Prayers, Masses and Reflections will be on YouTube (@BrentwoodCYS) as well as the Friday evening talent
show.
Additional details are:
- A "green screen" in the Walsingham House chapel will give you the effect of being in some of the iconic
places in Lourdes.
- We are asking for photos of parishioners holding a lighted candle, standing in their house or garden, to help us
create the best possible virtual torchlight procession - to send these click here to Email.
- Could you record the Hail Mary in a foreign language? To let us know click here to Email and we'll be in touch about recording.
- Could you provide an act for the talent show? To let us know click here to Email and we'll be in touch about filming.
- There will be a full liturgy booklet to download from the BCYS website on 15th July.
- For young people (those aged approx. 15-23), the BCYS are also adding a programme around the main programme. It
is available on our website. The simplest way to stay updated is to follow us on Instagram (@BrentwoodCYS), as well
as subscribing to the @BrentwoodCYS YouTube channel.
- For young people the pilgrimage will begin with "The 18 hour challenge". Our coach journey to Lourdes
usually takes about 18 hours, and, as you know, Mary appeared to Bernadette 18 times. So we are encouraging young
people to consider something around the number 18 (walk 18km, bake 18 cakes for people in your street, wash 18 cars
…) that they can accomplish between 4.30pm on Saturday 25th July and 10.30am on Sunday 26th July. Sponsorship
will be split between Cafod's "Summer of Hope" appeal and the BCYS, and can be offered via www.bcys.net/donate.
-
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
- 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.
Please remember to pray for:
Daily for the sick clergy of our Diocese
The sick and housebound
Those who have recently died
