THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD
9th January 2022
Dear Parishioner
The baptism of Jesus is considered a manifestation of God in Jesus, another "epiphany". On this, the last day
of the Christmas season, our Gospel reveals to us Jesus' relation to God: the son of Mary and Joseph is also God's
own Son. In Luke's Gospel, all three members of the Trinity are manifested here: God the Father in the voice, the Holy
Spirit descending, and Jesus the Son. At the beginning of his Gospel, Luke is communicating to us important information
about the identity of Jesus. In the verses that follow, Luke lists the genealogy of Jesus, tracing Jesus' ancestry back
to the first person, Adam, who is also identified as the son of God. We, the children of Adam and Eve, are again made
children of God through Baptism.
The baptism of Jesus reminds us of our identity. It reminds us of who we are and whose we are. (a) By Baptism we become
sons and daughters of God, brothers and sisters of Jesus, members of his Church, heirs of Heaven, and embodiment of the
Holy Spirit. (b) Jesus' baptism speaks to us of our own mission: i) to be aware of the indwelling of God within us, to
identify our own self-worth as God's children, and to recognise and honour the image of God in the one standing next to
me, offering them love and care with sincerity; ii) to keep purity in thought, word and action. iii) to lead simple and
holy lives without desecrating our bodies by wickedness or evil; iv) to be tranquil in the face of good and bad that comes
our way and accept it as a stepping stone in our relation to the father; v) to come and see the Lord through personal and
family prayers, by meditative reading of the Word of God, by participating in the Holy Mass, and by frequenting the
Sacrament of Reconciliation. (c) It is a day to thank God for the graces we have received in Baptism, to renew our
Baptismal promises and to preach Christ#39;s "Good News" by our transparent Christian lives of love, mercy,
service and forgiveness.
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 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.
- MESSAGE FROM KEVIN AND CATH We would like to thank all Parishioners who sent us Christmas cards,
gave us Christmas gifts, some lovely bottles, and chocolates. It is very kind of you all. Assuring you of a remembrance
in our daily prayers. God bless you.
-
SECOND SUNDAY MASS SURVEY - LAST CALL: Thank you to those who responded positively to the idea of a
second Sunday mass with a choice of 5pm on Saturday or 6pm on Sunday. There is still time to vote for a second Sunday
mass and its timing, but you need to do this sooner rather than later by clicking here to Email Roger
Sclater or by phoning him on 01245 469458. Many thanks.
-
SYNODAL PATHWAY: Reminder: Just a reminder that anyone interested in participating in the Synodal
Pathway listening phase at the 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/ or on the parish's Facebook page. Many thanks.
-
'BE A CATHEDRAL CHORISTER FOR A DAY' Brentwood Cathedral will be hosting this opportunity for
boys aged 7-12 on Saturday 29th January 2022. The day will begin at 10.30am with a welcome for families and will end
with Choral Vespers at 4pm, an opportunity for everyone to hear the boys sing. We hope the day will be of interest to
all boys who enjoy singing, whatever their prior musical experience. We will be holding a similar day for girls later
in the year. For more details and to register a place, please visit www.cathedralbrentwood.org or telephone 01277 265288.
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THRESHOLDS OF HOPE QUESTIONS: What is the point of canon law? will be given by Fr Gary Dench,
assistant priest at Brentwood Cathedral on Sundays 9th and 16th January 4.00 - 5.00 p.m.. To join this Zoom meeting
simply
click here to forward a contact email. For more information go to www.thresholdsofhope.co.uk. Thank you for any support that you can give this initiative. For those of you
who are reflecting on mission and how a missionary character may be deepened in your parish, the following may be of
interest: 2022-timeformission
(cathedralbrentwood.org)
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BE PART OF THE WALSINGHAM HOUSE TEAM 2022/23: If you are 18+ and looking for an exciting gap year
opportunity, then a year on the Walsingham House Team could be for you. Spend a year as a volunteer in a thriving young
Catholic Community, working with thousands of young people from Essex and East London. We are looking for inspiring
individuals who want to share their faith with other young people and are also looking to learn new skills, grow deeper
in their own faith and enjoy a challenge. For more information please contact Joseph Beattie, manager of Walsingham
House, by clicking
here to Email or calling 01277 373959. There is more information about our work on our website (www.bcys.net) and social media @Brentwoodcys.
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BISHOP'S CERTIFICATE IN CATECHESIS AND YOUTH MINISTRY: The Bishop's Certificate is designed to
be an entry level qualification to help in the ongoing formation of adults involved in sacramental preparation or youth
ministry in the Diocese of Brentwood. It includes both the development of practical skills & the deepening of
theological knowledge. The course is online and taught through engaging, short videos with expert interviews. The
course will begin on the evening of 24th February, with an introduction and welcome evening, held at Walsingham House
at Abbotswick. For more information please see our website: https://bcys.net/bishops-cert/ or
click here to Email your expression of interest by Monday 22nd February.
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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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DIOCESAN VACANCY We are looking to recruit a suitability experienced Health & Safety
Co-ordinator. This role will have responsibility to promote and develop the Diocesan safety culture, acting as
the focal point guidance and training in relation to Health & Safety throughout the Diocese. Working with the
Health and Safety Consultant to ensure all responsibilities associated with Health and Safety within the Diocese are
adhered to including establishing, managing and monitoring standards, policies, processes, communications, training and
systems. Further information in respect of this and other vacancies within the Diocese can be found in the Vacancies
section of the Diocesan website: https://www.dioceseofbrentwood.net/diocese/working-for-us/
- 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.
-
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:
Wednesday: Canon Francis Dobson
Friday: Fr John King
Sunday: Fr Gilbert Basil Pearson, Fr Neville Banks
