TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY OF YEAR A
13th September 2020
Dear Parishioner,
Today's Gospel reading directly follows last week's Gospel in which Jesus taught the disciples how to handle
disputes and conflict within the Christian community. In today's reading Peter asks Jesus how many times one ought to
extend forgiveness to another. Peter proposes a reasonable number of times, perhaps seven. Jesus replies by extending
Peter's proposal by an enormous amount; not just seven times should one forgive, but 77 times. The parable of the
unforgiving servant is Jesus' elaboration of his initial reply to Peter. Through the parable we come to understand the
depths of God's mercy toward us and the results of our acceptance of God's forgiveness.
The king in the parable decides to settle accounts with his servants. We are told that one servant in particular owes
the king an enormous sum of money. Despite the promise of the servant, it is unlikely that he would ever be able to repay
the debt that he owes. The king is moved by the humility of the pleading servant and mercifully forgives the debt. Rather
than displaying gratitude for this forgiveness, the servant confronts a fellow servant who owes him a small debt-a pittance
when compared with the amount that was owed to the king. The unmerciful servant refuses the pleas of his fellow servant and
sends the servant to prison.
The king punishes the servant because he refused to show the kind of mercy he had himself received from the king. Jesus
concludes by indicating that this is how it will be with God and those who refuse to forgive one another. The lesson is
clear: If we hoard God's mercy while showing no mercy to others, we risk forfeiting the effects of God's mercy in
our lives.
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:
- SVP OUTING APPEAL At the start of the School holidays we asked for donations to send families for a
day out with a picnic. As a result of your kind donations we were able to send eight families and they enjoyed picnics at
Danbury park or Mill Beach and Hylands park. we were able to provide children with play equipment and what child does not
enjoy a football! Thank you for your donations, as they made a big difference in these difficult times. Veronica
Crittell
- WEEKDAY MASS TIMES CHANGE Please note that this week we are reverting to normal term-time Mass times
as per Newsletter.
-
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. Please contact Margaret Cook to volunteer - click here to
Email or call her on 07722 512215.
-
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. The expected closing date is Friday 2 October. For more information and a full job
description and person specification click
here to Email.
-
BRENTWOOD CATHOLIC CHILDREN'S SOCIETY CHRISTMAS CARDS NOW ON SALE! Full details at https://www.bccs.org.uk/christmas/christmas-cards
- 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
Years Mind:
Sunday: Naik Kerforne, Fr Theophilus Borer, Abp George Andrew Beck, Canon James Hemming, Deacon Arthur Woods
Monday: Fr Louis Heston
Wednesday: Fr John Bergin
Thursday: Fr Anthony Mayston
Friday: Ann Logan
Saturday: Norman Anthony
NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS - 25th Sunday Year A 20 September
First Reading: Isaiah 55:6-9
My thoughts are not your thoughts.
Second Reading: Philippians 1:20-24,27
Life to me is Christ.
Gospel: Matthew 20:1-16
Why be envious because I am generous?
