TWENTY-NINTH SUNDAY OF YEAR B
17th October 2021
Dear Parishioner
In the first reading from the prophet Isaiah, the person who is mentioned was promised both longevity and a very special
role in God's own plan for everyone. That would indeed have been good news for those who were in exile at the time, yet
longing to go home. But who was this anonymous person? Was he just created by the author to personify all those who yearn
for a better life or was he some specific person who had suffered but who could and would obtain for his 'heirs'
the life that all desire? Today it seems that he could have been both. Where do we see ourselves?
In the second reading from the letter to the Hebrews, Christ is portrayed, not in Isaiah terms, but as supreme High
Priest, that is as one who, by offering of himself to God, obtained, and can pass on to all of us, the life that our own
inmost selves desire. As we hear these words today, we too may be inspired to see that, even though we cannot attain that
yearned-for life by ourselves, it can, because of him, become our own.
In the Gospel reading from Mark, we are challenged 'what do we really want?'. The sons of Zebedee were forced to
face this question when they came to Jesus, asking for honours which were then attracting them. His answer may have been a
shock. It certainly occasioned them to reconsider what they really needed and how much their way of life until then had
been conducive to receiving it. We have to ask ourselves what we really want and pray to live Christ like lives.
Fr Jijo George
Notices:
-
Cashless giving: In response to requests from parishioners and to keep up with the times QR codes have
been provided by the Diocese to enable cashless giving. These have been placed at the doors of our church. Please scan
the amount you want to donate and the money will automatically go into the parish bank account. The Donate link has
also been set up by the diocese to pay in directly to the parish account http://stream.seccomgroup.com/donations/saoc. Thank
you for your continued generosity.
- Priest Surgery: There will be Parish Priest surgery on Thursdays 5.30pm - 6.30pm. Please in order to
book a baptism date for your child, please attend the weekly Parish Surgery.
-
Baptism Enquiries: Kindly use the parish email (click
here) for any request. Please ensure that you give us your contact number/email address for further communication.
Kindly do not leave your contact number via the phone answering machine. Please do come to the Thursday parish priest
Surgery.
- Baptism Preparation: If you have booked in for a Baptism, you are asked to take part in a Baptism
Preparation Course. The course will be conducted by the Parish priest on first Tuesday of every month at 7.30pm or by
appointment. The Parents and God-parents are expected to attend the course. The baptism dates will be available on first
and third Saturdays of every month at 12pm.
- RECEIVING COMMUNION Please consume the Body of Christ in front of the Priest or Minister of
Communion NOT in your seat.
-
The Augustinian We are aiming to produce an edition of "The Augustinian" for Christmas. We
are looking for items which may interest people, about Parish events, Parish people or general interest. If you have
pictures that would be very welcome. Click here to
Email your contributions, if possible by early November.
-
Teams of Our Lady (Equipes Notre-Dame) are an organisation set up to help couples to grow spiritually
together. Our Chelmsford Team is seeking couples to join us. We meet monthly, in each others homes, over a meal to
share (in confidence), pray and discuss a topic. If you are interested, the GB website www.teamsgb.org.uk provides extra information or contact Chris and Dom
Thompson 01245 469161 or click here to
Email.
-
Join with the St Augustine's Methodist, URC and Anglican community Parishioners are warmly invited
to these upcoming events.
Cream Tea: Sunday 24th October 2-4pm at St Augustine's. Claim 2 free cream teas if you pre-book
click here to Email
or call Revd Caroline Brown on 01245 468192 or text 07956 790221. Otherwise £2.50 per cream tea. Stalls and free
games/craft for children.
Christmas Fayre: 2-4pm on Sunday 21st November at St Augustine's. Christmas gifts and games for
the children, tea and Christmas snacks
-
Tea and Coffee Rota: At some point in the future we are hoping to resume offering tea and coffee and
social time after mass on Sunday. As and when this happens volunteers will be needed. If you would be interested in
joining a rota for preparing the tea and coffee please contact Margaret Cook - click here to
Email or 07722 512215.
-
St John Payne School Mass for those who have died in their Community Thurs 4th November at 7pm in
Medici Hall. You are warmly invited to attend. In the Mass we remember and pray for lost loved ones in and of the St
John Payne Community, of which all our feeder parishes are a part. If you have any names of those who have died in the
last 2 years and you'd like them prayed for in this Mass, please click here to Email with their full name.
-
THE THRESHOLDS OF HOPE QUESTIONS Talks and discussion take place on Zoom from 4.00 - 5.00 p.m. on a
Sunday afternoon. The next talks will be on the 17th and 24th October exploring "What is the
universal call to holiness?" with Fr Adrian Lowe. If you would like to join this discussion, please forward a
contact email
click here to Email. More info at www.thresholdsofhope.co.uk
-
WORLD YOUTH SUNDAY 21ST NOVEMBER - BCYS is looking for volunteers to speak about the work of BCYS, and
their own experience of it, in their parishes on World Youth Sunday. Please see full details of the resources available
and how to offer your services at https://bcys.net/events/youthsunday21/
-
SUMMER LOURDES BCYS PILGRIMAGE 23-30 JULY for school year 11 aged 16yrs. Full details at https://bcys.net/events/sl22/
- Mass Intentions Requests Welcome: Apologies for a gremlin in the system which suggested that the
Mass intentions diary was full until the end of the year. This is not the case and we welcome all requests for your Mass
intentions which we will always try to fit in at the times requested if the dates are free.
-
Rest and Reflection a Retreat for adults (3pm Friday 19th - 3pm Sunday 21st November 2021) Walsingham
House: A weekend of reflection and prayer in Walsingham House at Abbotswick. For 2 nights accommodation and
meals the cost £150 for a single room, £200 for a twin, all ensuite, (twin bookings must be made together
with someone known to you). More info and bookings from Joe Beattie on 01277 373959 or click
here to Email.
-
Vacancies Diocese of Brentwood - The Diocese currently has a vacancy for a PA to HR and the
Finance team (Closing date 25.10.21) For full details see: https://www.dioceseofbrentwood.net/diocese/working-for-us/
-
School Vacancies: Chaplaincy Assistant at St Thomas More School in Westcliff on Sea. Closing date 28
October. Special Needs Assistant at St Mary's Primary School in Chingford. Closing date 29
October. Full details at: https://www.dioceseofbrentwood.net/departments/education/vacancies/school-vacancies/
-
Remembrance Service: Those who have loved ones remembered within the ground at Walsingham House at
Abbotswick are warmly invited to a special Mass of Remembrance on Sunday 7th November at 3pm. Due to capacity please
contact Joseph Beattie in advance to reserve a place either on 01277 373959 or click
here to Email.
- Parish Income - If you do not pay by standing order and are not able to get to Church, you can pay
directly to "Catholic Church of St. Augustine of Canterbury Springfield" on account 91082884 at sort
code 40-13-22. Envelopes can be dropped through the Presbytery letterbox.
- Hospital Visits: If you go into hospital or a member of your family, inform the Parish Office so
that the priest can visit you in hospital.
Please remember to pray for:
Daily for the sick clergy of our Diocese
The sick and housebound
Those who have recently died
Years Mind:
Monday: Mary Kate Coyne, Theresa Kiw
Wednesday: Fr Bernard Clay
Friday: Canon William O'Neill
NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS - THIRTIETH Sunday Year B
First Reading: Jeremiah 31:7-9
I will comfort the blind and the lame as I lead them back
Second Reading: Hebrews 5:1-6
You are a priest of the order of Melchizedek, and for ever.
Gospel: Mark 10:46-52
Master, let me see again.