TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY OF YEAR A
6th September 2020
Dear Parishioner,
Today's Gospel reading is sometimes called the "discourse on the Church" or the "church order"
discourse. In this part of Matthew's Gospel, Jesus speaks more directly about matters of Church discipline and order.
In today's reading we find one of only three instances in which Jesus uses the word church in Matthew's Gospel.
In today's Gospel, Jesus addresses a common occurrence in the Christian community: a dispute between two members of
the Church. Jesus outlines a procedure for settling such matters fairly. The victim should privately address the offender
and attempt to resolve the dispute without outside involvement. If that fails, then the victim should bring two or three
witnesses and confront the offender again. If the dispute is still unresolved, the matter should be brought to the
attention of the entire community. If the offender refuses to adhere to the reparations prescribed by the community, then
Jesus suggests that the offender may be expelled from the Church.
Jesus does not discourage disagreement within the community of the Church; he acknowledges the reality of conflict and
error and offers his disciples a means for addressing such matters. It is in the conclusion to this teaching that the
message of hope is found: Jesus is present with the community and will guide the community in its relations. If decisions
are taken in prayer, then the community can be assured of God's assistance.
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:
- WEEKDAY MASS TIMES CHANGE Please note that this week we are reverting to normal term-time Mass times
with weekday Masses moving back to 9.30am, apart from Tuesday which will be 10.30am and Wednesday at 7.30pm as
previously.
-
STEWARDS NEEDED FOR MASSES With the schools returning and the change in Mass times, some of our
faithful stewards are no longer able to continue. To keep our daily Masses available to all, we would be very grateful
for volunteers who are able to offer some of their time. If you feel you can help, please contact Margaret Cook who is
doing sterling work coordinating stewarding of the Masses - click here to
Email her or call her on 07722 512215.
- SPARE MOBILE PHONE? We're thinking of having a Parish mobile phone to facilitate the bookings
reservation process. If anyone has a reasonably good one they could spare, it would be much appreciated. Please let Fr
Sabu know - many thanks.
-
MASS BOOKING - NEW SYSTEM: We have created an 'Event' for each of several Masses beginning
with Sunday 13th September, on Ticket Tailor. Bookings already made will be carried forward, so please do not use the
system for 13 September if you have already booked using the old system. To make a booking:-
- the link to Ticket Tailor is https://www.tickettailor.com/events/saintaugustineofcanterbury
- the site will ask you to put in your name, and e-mail address (the email address will be used by the site to
confirm your booking)
- the site will confirm your booking, but there will be no 'tickets' issued. Stewards will have a list on
the day, as previously
- you should ask first for the number of seats you want, but if that exact number is not available, please ask for
the next larger size group e.g. if you ask for two seats and there are none available, ask for three seats. There are
41 "tickets" on Saturday and Sunday, 19 on Monday - Friday
- If you cannot access the online booking, please ask a friend to help you, if possible.
- If you need assistance please, for the time being, continue to call or text 07950924349 and leave your name,
telephone number, the date you want to attend Mass and the number of seats you require.
- Please make your booking (at latest) before 5pm on the day before you wish to attend Mass. Please book no more
than two weeks in advance.
As before, if you do not make a booking, it may be that you will be turned away at the church door, if all places
are taken. Please also remember that windows and doors will be kept open for ventilation, so that you may find your
seat draughty or cold.
- 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.
-
DIOCESE SEEKS SITE MANAGER FOR CATHEDRAL to manage the routine maintenance of the buildings and
grounds at the Cathedral Site. A job description is available upon request but the key elements are as follows:
Overall premises management - maintain the premises in a safe and healthy condition, identify anything
requiring repair or maintenance and action as required, ensure all matters are logged as appropriate, liaise with
Contractors as required.
The expected closing date is Friday 2 October. Click
here to Email for more information and a full job description and person specification.
-
Brentwood Catholic Children's Society has registered for the Fun Walk which normally takes place
at the Barleylands Farm site in Billericay. This year, participants and parish groups are invited to walk 2k or 5k
anywhere they wish at any time during September and ask for sponsorship from friends and family to
help support our work. All details & sponsorship forms are available on www.bccs.org.uk under the Events/Virtual Fun Walk tab or follow us on social media for updates. We would
be very happy to hear from parish or family groups who would like to walk for us - please click here to Email Libby.
- 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.
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:
Monday: Mgr Canon Michael Wilson
Friday: Fr Charles Johnson, Fr Conrad Smith
Sunday: Naik Kerforne, Fr Theophilus Borer, Abp George Andrew Beck, Canon James Hemming, Deacon Arthur Woods
NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS - 24th Sunday Year A 13 September
First Reading: Ecclesiasticus 27:30-28:7
Forgive your neighbour the hurt that he does you, and when you pray, your sins will be forgiven.
Second Reading: Romans 14:7-9
Alive or dead we belong to the Lord.
Gospel: Matthew 18:21-35
I do not tell you to forgive seven times, but seventy seven times.
