THIRTY-THIRD SUNDAY OF YEAR B
14th November 2021
Dear Parishioner
Today's readings give us the assurance that our God will be with us all the days of our lives and that we will have
the ongoing presence of the Holy Spirit in our midst, guiding, protecting, and strengthening us. Each year at this time,
the Church asks us to consider the "four last things" - Death, Judgment, Heaven and Hell.
The readings invite us to focus our attention on the threefold coming of Jesus: 1) Incarnation of the word, as Redeemer.
2) His daily life-giving presence as we live out our Christian calling. 3) His second coming, which could happen at our
death, or at the end of time and the world, which concludes our salvation.
The reading from Daniel, gives comfort and hope to the people of God persecuted by a cruel pagan king. It recommends us
to live our lives wisely and justly in the present time and to stop worrying about the indefinite future. And the Letter to
the Hebrews dares us to look to the future with hope and serenity because Jesus has secured us forgiveness from sins and
sanctification by the sacrifice of the cross and now sits forever at God's right hand as the only Mediator between man
and God. Mark's Gospel further offers hope to Christians persecuted by the Roman Emperor Nero, by reminding them of
Jesus' words about His glorious return to earth with great power and glory as Judge to gather and reward the elect.
So, Daniel and Mark continue to remind us that God will ensure that the righteous will survive the ordeal and will find
a place with Him. Through the parable of the fig tree, Jesus warns us all to read the "signs of the time",
reminding us that we must be ever prepared to give an account of our lives to Jesus when He comes in glory as our Judge,
because we cannot know "either the day or the hour" of His Second Coming.
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.
-
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.
- Intentions for All Souls: Please collect envelopes from the church for intentions you would like
said and return them as early as possible.
-
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.
- 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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Tree of Angels This November, Brentwood Catholic Children's Society launches their virtual
Tree of Angels allowing you to light up an angel on a virtual Christmas tree in memory of a loved one
who has died while making a donation to the work of 'bccs'. Read more at https://www.bccs.org.uk/christmas/tree-angels or go
straight to https://visufund.com/treeofangels to make
your dedication and secure donation. If you have any questions about lighting an angel, please contact Julie click here to Email.
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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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World Youth Service (BCYS) Appeal BCYS and Walsingham House at Abbotswick offer retreats, pilgrimages
and many other events for many thousands of young people every year; most of the work is led by volunteers, trained as
young leaders in the Church. The BCYS also supports our catechists and school lay chaplains. Today/next week a speaker
will tell us more about the BCYS and there will be a collection for their vital work, or you can donate online at
www.bcys.net/donate.
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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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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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THE THRESHOLDS OF HOPE QUESTION: Why should we listen to the Church? on Zoom on Sundays 14th and 21st
November 4pm-5pm. The input and discussion will be led by Fr Stephen Morrison, O Praem, Chelmsford. To join this
meeting go to Events at www.thresholdsofhope.co.uk.
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Parish Administrator Our Lady of Walsingham, Royal Docks working at St Anne's RC church, Berwick
Road, E16 3DR. 20 hours p/w Mon-Thurs. Salary: £11,284 p/a (£10.85 p/h). Click
here to Email. Closing Fri 03.12.21 Start: 13.12.21.
- 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: Terry Proudfoot, Fr Terence Howes
Monday: Fr James Allis
Wednesday: Frank & Louise Stratham, Fr Richard (Dick) Ashton
Friday: Fr John Harden
Saturday: Fr James Lindburgh
Sunday: Brian Lynch
