THIRTY-SECOND SUNDAY OF YEAR B
7th November 2021
Dear Parishioner
Today, the thirty second Sunday of ordinary time, the church encourages us to learn, and appreciate the virtues of
generosity and hospitality. The first reading and the Gospel today present poor widows who sacrificially gave their whole
lives and means of income to God, prefiguring the supreme sacrifice Jesus would offer by giving His life for others. In the
first reading, taken from the First Book of Kings, a poor widow who has barely enough food for herself and her son welcomes
the prophet Elijah as a man of God, offers all she had and receives in return a continued supply of food by the grace of
God.
Today's Responsorial Psalm reminds us that everything that exists belongs to the Lord and that He sustains us all,
so that when we return thanks to Him, as the widows did, we please Him. That prepares us for the second reading which tells
us how Jesus, as the High Priest of the New Testament, surrendered His life to God His Father totally and unconditionally
as a sacrificial offering for our sins - a sacrifice far beyond the sacrifices made by the poor widows.
In the Gospel, Jesus contrasts the outward show of the scribes with the humble, self-denial of a poor widow and
announces that she has found true admiration in the eyes of God. The two poor widows through their selflessness give the
greatest glory to God. The self-giving of the widows in the first reading and the Gospel reflects God's love in giving
His only Son for us, and Christ's love in sacrificing himself on the cross. Scripture readings for today remind us that
we are created to love God by loving others and to love others as an expression of our love for God.
Fr Jijo George
Notices:
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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.
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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 and the time for Baptism would be at 12 noon.
- RECEIVING COMMUNION Please consume the Body of Christ in front of the Priest or Minister of
Communion NOT in your seat.
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Please consider Gift Aiding your donations If you or your partner are a taxpayer and you are not yet a
member of the parish Gift Aid scheme, please do join. At no extra cost to you, we can recover the tax that you have
paid on your donations. If you are a higher rate taxpayer, you can also personally reclaim the difference between the
basic rate of tax and the higher rate of tax that you pay on your donations. Gift Aid tax recovery is an important part
of our parish income.
We still have a lot of 2021/22 Gift Aid boxes to be collected - please contact Dee if you are a member
of the scheme and don't yet have your current year box. The form to set up a standing order payment is available
from Dee or the parish website.
You can contact Dee Davey (Parish Gift Aid Organiser) click here to Email or 07951661072 or ask Fr
Jijo or Kevin to pass on your details to Dee.
- Bereavement Group Requiem Mass: will be celebrated on 12th November at 7.30pm. Kindly contact Anna
Doube for any enquiries.
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Annual Parish Dinner - Update: Please let Karin know (tel.01245 466167) if you would like to attend
this light-hearted and enjoyable evening at the County Hotel, Chelmsford on Saturday the 8th January at 7.30 pm. The
cost will be £30.00 a head. Menus available after Mass on Sunday. Do phone or email Karin if you have any
questions: click here to Email.
- Intentions for All Souls: Please collect envelopes from the church for intentions you would like
said and return them as early as possible.
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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.
- 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.
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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.
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DBS Checks: It is a legal requirement for those working with children and vulnerable adults within the
Church to be DBS checked, these checks are now carried out every three years, this must be adhered to. Please
click here to Email Antoinette.
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Advent Carol Service: Sunday 12th December at Walsingham House at Abbots wick with Christmas carols
both classic and contemporary performed by our incredibly talented BCYS musicians, accompanied with readings from
scripture and Christmas poems & stories. This year we are running two concerts, at 3pm or 7pm - limited capacity at
each event (dependent on any Government restrictions in place at the time). Tickets £10 - proceeds to supporting
our pilgrimages to Lourdes. Please book with Joe Beattie, Walsingham House manager click
here to Email or 01277 373 959.
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The Passage, a Christian Charity working with homeless people, is holding a fundraising concert at the
Royal Festival Hall on Thursday 25 November on the theme Bohemian Rhapsody, featuring works by Dvořàk, Mahler
and Smetana. Full details and booking at https://passage.org.uk/night-under-the-stars-2021/ or telephone 020 75921856.
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BCYS Summer Lourdes Pilgrimage 2022: 23rd - 30th July 2022: Applications are now open for those in
Years 11-13, with those of school leaver age (18+) invited to join us as young leaders. This is one of our most popular
events and after a 2 year gap we are excited to be returning next year. The week is spent travelling alongside the main
Diocesan pilgrimage as we assist the elderly and infirm with going to Masses and services, as well as visiting shops
and cafes within the town. For those travelling with the BCYS the week will also include a retreat, reconciliation
service, as well as social events and a party. Please see www.bcys.net/events/sl22/ for full info of visas, vaccinations and how to apply.
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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.
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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/
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Inaugural lecture of the Centre for Ecclesial Ethics, Thursday 2nd December at 6pm on zoom.
Professor Jim Keenan SJ will explore how an ecclesial ethics of vulnerability can offer a pathway of renewal for our
Church and enable us to become the different, attentive and vulnerable Church that God calls us to be in service of a
fragile world emerging from Covid. Tickets are free. Please book at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/centre-for-ecclesial-ethics-inaugural-lecture-tickets-192356893647. All
welcome and further details at www.mbit.cam.ac.uk.
- 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.
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: Cardinal John Carmel Heenan
Monday: Fr William Philpot, Deacon Norman Wiseman
Thursday: Canon Denis Petry
Sunday: Terry Proudfoot, Fr Terence Howes
NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS - Thirty-Third Sunday Year B
First Reading: Daniel 12:1-3
When that time comes, your own people will be spared.
Second Reading: Hebrews 10:11-14,18
By virtue of one single offering, he has achieved the eternal perfection of all whom he is sanctifying.
Gospel: Mark 13:24-32
He will gather his chosen from the four winds.
