THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (C)
Word of God Sunday
23rd January 2022
Dear Parishioner
The Sacred Scripture and the sacraments are inseparable because Jesus speaks to us in and through the sacred Scripture,
and if people "hear his voice and open the doors of our minds and hearts, then he will enter our lives and remain ever
with us in the sacrament".
We are also encouraged to read the Second Vatican Council's dogmatic constitution, Dei Verbum, and Pope Benedict
XVI's apostolic exhortation, Verbum Domini, whose teaching remains "fundamental for our communities".
The other best thing about the third Sunday in Ordinary Time is that it falls during that part of the year when the
Church is encouraged to strengthen its bonds with the Jewish people and to pray for Christian unity. That means the
celebration of the Sunday of the Word of God "has ecumenical value, since the Scriptures point out, for those who
listen, the path to authentic and firm unity".
So, today's Gospel, presenting Jesus' "inaugural address" in the synagogue of Nazareth and outlining
his theology of total liberation, marks a great moment in Jesus' ministry. The Scripture readings for today focus our
attention on the importance and liberating power of the Word of God as "sacramental", making God present in our
midst. The readings challenge us to listen to the Word, accept it into our hearts, then put it into practice as we live out
our lives, thus liberating ourselves and others from all types of bondages.
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.
-
BCYS FEBRUARY YOUTH MASS THURSDAY FEBRUARY 3rd at Brentwood Cathedral with Talk from Million Minutes.
From 6pm join the BCYS for pizza and drink in the Parish Hall, and from 6:30pm Beth Warren, former Walsingham House
Assistant Manager and now Senior Parish Engagement Officer for "Million Minutes" will help us prepare for the
upcoming Lenten Season, with their SiLENT campaign and other exciting ventures! Followed by Mass at 7:30pm, with Fr
Paschal Uche and Fr Michael Barwick who will preach the gospel. Full info and other events at www.bcys.net, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram by searching
@brentwoodcys.
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THRESHOLDS OF HOPE Question: What do the Martyrs teach us about the life of faith? Input will
be given by Fr Paul Keane, Vice Rector at Oscott seminary, Birmingham on Sundays 23rd and 30th January 4.00 - 5.00 p.m.
via Zoom. To join this Zoom meeting simply
click here to forward a contact email. For more information go to www.thresholdsofhope.co.uk.
- ALMSHOUSE VACANCY INGATESTONE A vacancy has arisen at the Almshouses situated along the High St in
Ingatestone. One-bedroom property for single persons. Candidates must be over 50 years of age and in need. Preference may
be given to Roman Catholics. Please apply to Mike Falcone, Trustee, Ginge Petre Trust on 07935 959388.
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WESTMINSTER CATHEDRAL CHOIR SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES for budding choristers aged 7 or 8. Please see full
details at: https://www.choirschool.com/admissions-year-4-chorister.php.
- KSC CAKE MAKING COMPETITION The Chelmsford Knights of St Colomba that come from all the Parishes in
Chelmsford invite Parishioners to enter a cake making competition. There will be an adults' and children's
competition. The KSC does lots of things behind the scenes in all the Parishes and would be very grateful for your
participation. This is being held to raise funds for charity as the cakes will be sold. It is being held on Saturday the
29th January with cakes plus the name of the 'baker' in a sealed envelope being brought to The Blessed Sacrament
Church, Melbourne, Chelmsford, CM1 2DU between 9.30am and 10.00 am. Please contact Mike Hiom on 01245 265159 should you
require further details.
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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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'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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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. More info at: https://bcys.net/bishops-cert/ or
click here to Email to express interest by Mon 22nd February.
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DIOCESAN SCHOOL VACANCIES can be viewed at https://www.dioceseofbrentwood.net/departments/education/vacancies/school-vacancies/.
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PARISH SECRETARY REQUIRED, Our Lady of Ransom, 50 London Hill, Rayleigh, Essex, SS6 7HP. Full details
at: https://www.dioceseofbrentwood.net/diocese/working-for-us/. Minimum of 12 hours per week, negotiable at
interview. Closing date for applications is Friday 28th January.
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VACANCY SITE MANAGER BRENTWOOD CATHEDRAL Full time, Permanent. 35 hours per week, Mon - Fri 8am to
6pm. £20,000 - £25,000 pa depending on experience. Closing date: 5pm on Tues 1st Feb. Full info and Job
Description 016 at 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:
Sunday: Bp Arthur Doubleday
Monday: Fr John O'Sullivan
Tuesday: Fr John Hibbert
Wednesday: Fr Alfred Field, Bp Patrick Casey
Saturday: Fr John (Jack) Clifford
Sunday: Terri Dubois, Alick Kalil
