Catholic Parish of
Saint Augustine of Canterbury, Springfield

TWENTY FIRST SUNDAY OF YEAR A
23rd August 2020

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Dear Parishioner,

It is important to read today's Gospel and next week's Gospel as two parts of a single story. These readings are a turning point in Matthew's Gospel. This week we hear Jesus name Simon Peter as the rock upon which he will build his Church. Next week we will hear Jesus call this same Simon Peter "Satan" when he reacts negatively to Jesus' prediction about his passion and death.

In today's Gospel, Jesus asks his disciples what people are saying about his identity. The disciples indicate that most people believe that Jesus is a prophet of Israel. Then Jesus asks his disciples who they believe that he is. Simon Peter answers, identifying Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God.

Jesus commends Simon Peter for this profession of faith, indicating that this insight has come from God. Because of Simon Peter's response, Jesus calls him the "rock" upon which Jesus will build the Church. This is a word play on the name Peter, which is the Greek word for "rock". Peter is then given special authority by Jesus, a symbolic key to the Kingdom of Heaven. Peter will play an important role in the early Christian community as a spokesperson and a leader.

In today's Gospel, Peter's recognition of Jesus' identity is credited to a revelation by God. This will contrast sharply with Jesus' rebuke of Peter in next week's Gospel. When Peter rejects Jesus' prediction of his passion and death, Peter is said to no longer be thinking as God does but as humans do.

The use of the term church in today's Gospel is one of only three such occurrences in Matthew's Gospel. Peter in this Gospel is being credited as the foundation for the Church, a privilege granted to him because of his recognition of Jesus' identity. The Church continues to be grounded in the faith that Jesus Christ is Lord.

 

Wishing you all a peaceful and serene time. Stay safe and healthy.

SEND O LORD, HOLY APOSTLES INTO YOUR CHURCH.

Fr. Sabu Pariyadan RCJ

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Notices:

• Reservation for mass attendance
  For a convenient lay out and to gain the maximum benefit out of our flexible seating at church we have a new system of reservation for mass attendance. Please click here to Email or call/text Judith Wiseman on 07950 924349 (If the call is diverted to the voicemail make sure you leave a message) with your NAME, CONTACT DETAILS, NUMBER OF SEATS and WHAT DAY/S you wish to attend mass. Please do the reservation before 5pm on the day before you wish to attend mass. Please bear in mind that you will have to do this every week. We will not accept reservation more than two weeks in advance.
  If you just turn up without a reservation and if our capacity has been reached, unfortunately, you may be turned away for safety concerns and to abide with the guidelines. Please try to be at least 15 minutes early to allow stewards enough time to get you seated to start the mass promptly.
• Face Coverings Face coverings will be mandatory in Places of Worship from Saturday 8th August 2020. All those who are attending churches must wear a face covering unless they are exempt from doing so. This is for the good of all who gather in the Church for Mass as it is an enclosed public space where there are people from differing households who they do not normally meet. So please consider this as your personal responsibility and social commitment.
  Care should be taken by people in unlooping their face covering for the reception of Holy Communion and replacing the covering afterwards. This is to prevent contamination of the covering by the hands. However, the risk is regarded as minimal providing there is no hand-to-hand contact between the minister of Communion and the communicant.
• SVP Outing Appeal If you have not yet managed to donate to this appeal and would still like to do so, you can donate via: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/svpspringfield. All donations most gratefully received. Many thanks in advance for your generosity.
• From Fr Sabu: Special thanks to all those who are being very generous in this special time, with your regular Sunday collections, special donations and secret offerings for charity. This will help our Church and bring a smile on some faces. God bless you all for your generosity.

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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: Leon Stelmaszyk, Andrew Perrott

Years Mind:
Sunday: Frank Hyland, Canon Vincent Cameron
Tuesday: Tony Cornish, Anthony Saloman Saad
Friday: Fr Bernard Collings
Sunday: Canon John Sloane

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NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS - 22nd Sunday Year A

First Reading: Jeremiah 20:7-9
The word of the Lord has meant insult for me.

Second Reading: Romans 12:1-2
Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice.

Gospel: Matthew 16:21-27
If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself.

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