FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT (C)
19th December 2021
Dear Parishioner
Ask any parent, or grandparent, about the birth of a baby into the family and the resounding emotion is overwhelming
joy. The nature of this joy can be hard to express but it is a profound emotion, touching us all and reaching the very core
of our being.
We encounter this joy today as Mary visits Elizabeth. What is remarkable is that Elizabeth's joy isn't focused
on her own imminent delivery, but on the fruit of Mary's womb. Indeed, so wonderful and overwhelming is her joy that
even her unborn baby leaps for joy.
What was at the heart of the joy of Mary, Elizabeth and John the Baptist in the womb? We could call this the 'joy of
salvation'. This special, unique joy is the fruit of the Holy Spirit at work within the heart, giving it a sense of
delight and wellbeing in God, his plans and his purposes. As St. Augustine observed, 'There is a joy which is not given
to the ungodly, but to those who love thee for thine own sake, whose joy thou thyself art'. Faith gives us joy and joy
deepens our faith. Elizabeth shed light on this when she said of Mary: 'Blessed is she who believed that there would be
a fulfilment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.'
We too can know this joy as we move towards Christmas day and the birth of Our Saviour. In Jesus God accomplished
everything he needed to rescue us from sin, Satan and death. The Father's joy in his Son is our joy too. As the great
and holy day approaches, let us ensure we make some time to be still and receive the joy of Christ into our hearts.
'O Come, O Key of David, come, and open wide our heavenly home; make safe the way that leads on high, and close the
path to misery.'
Wishing you all a happy and blessed Christmas.
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.
- CHRISTMAS CAKE RAFFLE A big thank you to everyone who bought tickets for the Christmas cake raffle.
£100 was raised. The raffle was drawn after Mass on Tuesday 14th and the winner was Mim Doherty. Thank you for your great
support.
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SECOND SUNDAY MASS SURVEY: At our recent PPC meeting, attended by Fr Jijo, it was proposed that there
should be a second Sunday mass at St Augustine. Two mass times were put forward, one at 5pm on Saturday and one at
6.00pm on Sunday. If you support the idea of a second Sunday mass, would you please indicate which mass time you prefer
by clicking here to Email
Roger Sclater or by phoning him on 01245 469458. If there is sufficient demand, the more popular mass time will be
introduced. Also, if you know of any former parishioners who might be interested in attending one of the extra masses,
would you please forward the above information to them.
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SYNODAL PATHWAY: Pope Francis has acknowledged the need for change and has initiated a 'synodal
journey' for the universal Church, the Synodal Pathway. This began in October 2021 and culminates in the 16th Synod
of Bishops in Rome in October 2023. Between October 2021 and April 2022, there is a diocesan listening phase and every
diocese is asked to consult as widely as possible, listen, reflect and discuss, "How does this 'journeying
together' allow the Church to proclaim the Gospel in accordance with the mission entrusted to her?" Anyone
interested in participating in the listening phase at parish level should approach Fr Jijo or click
here to send him an email. Further details on the Synodal Pathway can be found by following the diocesan link
https://www.dioceseofbrentwood.net/synod-2021-2023/
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NEW YEAR YOUTH 2000 RETREAT Why not try something NEW this New Year? Join Youth 2000 at Trinity
Catholic High School in Woodford Green. NEW will be a weekend filled with fun, friendship, inspiring talks and, of
course, lots of praise as we welcome in 2022. The retreat will run from Fri 31 Dec - Sun 2 Jan 2022. Book today at
https://www.youth2000.org/new
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CHRISTMAS POSTERS Last Christmas, the Knights of St. Columba made available a poster to print and
display in your windows. If you still have the poster file, please print it and display it again, and print one for a
friend or neighbour who cannot do it themself. If you need a copy again, please click here to
Email.
- FLOWERS FOR THE CHURCH AT CHRISTMAS We are always grateful for any donations to help make the Church
suitably beautiful for the feast of Christmas - please do consider putting a donation in an envelope marked Flowers and
leaving with Cath Lyons after Mass or popping through the Presbytery door.
- The Reconciliation service in preparation for Christmas will be held on 22nd December at 7.30pm. The
Christmas eve mass will be celebrated on 24th December at 8 pm and The Christmas day
mass will be celebrated on 25th December at 9 am, St. Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Church, Springfield.
- POINSETTIAS FOR CHRISTMAS If you would like to donate one in memory of a loved one please bring it
to the Church on Sunday 20th December. Thank you for your support. Cath Lyons.
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GIDEA PARK STUDY DAY: THE EVOLUTION OF THE MASS Sat 15th Jan Professor John Morrill will lead this
Study Day, tracing the development of the Eucharistic liturgy from the earliest centuries to the present day. He will
explore in particular the teaching of Trent and Vatican II, and the latest papal instructions on the celebration of
Mass. To access this free live stream event simply go to www.whatgoodnews.org. The event begins at 11am and ends by 1.30pm. No prior registration needed. To join
the mailing list simply follow the instructions on the home page of the website.
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FIVE BIBLE STUDIES ON THE ADVENT SUNDAY GOSPELS Mauro Iannicelli will break-open the forthcoming
Advent Sunday Gospels with in-depth teaching and stimulating questions. Helping to experience Sunday Mass in a new way!
5 Wednesdays: 24 Nov, 1 Dec, 8 Dec, 15 Dec, 22 Dec (7-8pm). Free of Charge. LIVE on YouTube. Info & registration
https://comeandsee.org/advent.
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FAITH TALK ON THE CHRISTMAS GOSPELS: As Christmas draws closer we shall be reading the sections of the
gospels commonly known as 'infancy narratives' with their stories of the births of John the Baptist and of
Jesus. The three parts of this talk consider Matthew chapters 1-2, Luke chapters 1-2 and John chapter 1. The videos
given by Fr Adrian Graffy, parish priest, Scripture scholar and member of the Pontifical Biblical Commission are
available free of charge on www.whatgoodnews.org.
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ADVENT SERVICE VIDEO is available to watch on youtube. "The season of Advent, restores this
horizon of hope, a hope which does not disappoint for it is founded on God's Word. A hope which does not
disappoint, simply because the Lord never disappoints! He is faithful! He does not disappoint! Let us think about and
feel this beauty." Pope Francis. Go to Thresholds of Hope on youtube or copy https://youtu.be/c2KQhRXzOFU.
- 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.
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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. Our Parish
Safeguarding representative is Christina Coen or for info from the Diocese please
click here to Email Antoinette.
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: Fr William Guinevan
Wednesday: Fr Arthur Cowd
Thursday: Bp Brian Foley
Saturday: Canon Wilfrid Thompson
Sunday: Fr Francis Wilson
