FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT (C)
6th March 2022
Dear Parishioner
Have you noticed in the gospels that the only times we see Jesus being tempted by the devil are those in which Christ
was in prayer or was doing penance? It's when he's in prayer or fasting that he is assailed by the devil, as in
today's Gospel reading or the Garden of Gethsemane on Holy Thursday. A similar pattern frequently appears in our lives,
too. We decide to do something good and then promptly find it hard to do. What can we conclude from this? The fact is that
when we're mediocre, we run no risk of becoming holy and spoiling Satan's plans. Thus, he has no concern for us.
It's when we start to strive for holiness that we will find ourselves face-to-face with temptation because the devil
begins to put all sorts of obstacles in our paths.
Lent is a time for us to renew our awareness of the suffering Jesus endured for our sake. That awareness should lead us
to action. In this Lenten season, the Church invites us to greater self-sacrifice. Sacrifice helps us to be more detached
from the sources of temptation that can keep us from reaping the full fruits of Christ's redeeming work and from loving
God with an undivided heart. That's why our Lenten sacrifice should be something that purifies our hearts and makes us
more generous with others. Our sacrifice should make us less self-centred. It should make us better followers of
Christ.
Overcoming temptation is not an easy business. It's impossible without God's grace. When Jesus was tempted, he
showed us what our reference point should be: God. All three times the devil tempted him in the Gospel, he answered by
putting God's word and God's will first. For us to persevere in our Lenten resolutions, we must centre ourselves on
God and rely on his grace. That means living close to Christ in Scripture - especially the Gospels. It means staying close
to him in the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist and Reconciliation.
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.
- Lenten Prayer intentions: Candidates for the Sacraments; Women; The Needy and Hungry of the world;
Penitents & Wanderers
- Prayer for Ukraine: Daily recite three Hail Mary's at 6.30pm, thus interceding with mother Mary
for the people of Ukraine.
- RECEIVING COMMUNION Please consume the Body of Christ in front of the Priest or Minister of
Communion NOT in your seat.
- DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO WALSINGHAM - 28th May 2022: Join Bishop Alan and other parishes around the
Diocese of Brentwood in Walsingham as we celebrate the Year of the Family 'Hearing and Doing the Word of God'. We
will celebrate Mass at the Basilica before walking the Holy Mile to the grounds of Walsingham Abbey to celebrate Vespers
and Benediction on the site of the Holy House. Please let Fr Jijo know if you are interested in going.
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THRESHOLDS OF HOPE QUESTION: What is new about the new evangelisation? Input will be given by Fr
Pachal Uche, assistant priest at St James the Less, Colchester, today, Sunday 20th February, 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.
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PARISH OFFICE ADMINISTATOR: A vacancy has arisen for a part time Parish Office Administrator
(approximately 15 hours per week) in Our Lady of the Rosary and St Patrick, Walthamstow Parish. Application forms can
be obtained by contacting Father Kevin via the Parish email address:
click here to Email. Closing Date for Applications: 14th March 2022.
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PA/Executive Assistant to the Director of Education: 35 Hours a week. 42 weeks a year, which is term
time plus 4 weeks. Pay range: £24,785 - £26,148. If you are interested in joining our friendly and
supportive staff please send a CV and a covering letter, highlighting how your skills and experience match the job
description and person specification, click
here to Email by 1:00pm on Wednesday 16th March 2022, with interviews and tasks to take place on Wednesday 23rd
March 2022.
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Pilgrimage to Lourdes: Bp Alan will lead the diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes from 24 - 29 July; a time
to pray at the Grotto of Our Lady and enjoy the opportunities of this experience. You can book now on-line: www.tangney-tours.com/brentwood. For further information, please phone Cathy O'Connor, the
Administrative Director: 01206 735623.
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BCYS LENTEN REVISION RETREAT 2nd - 3rd April, Walsingham House In years 11 -13 and preparing for exams
this year? Get a change of scenery and a fresh perspective at Walsingham House at Abbotswick this lent for times of
prayer, socialising and activities, but mostly to revise, alongside friends and the Walsingham House team members. As
always the chapel is here for times of quiet reflection throughout the day. Book online NOW at www.bcys.net/events.
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Beginning Experience Weekend: If you are single again following divorce, separation or the death of
your partner, a residential weekend to help you to heal will be held from 8th to 10th April 2022 at the Sion Community,
Brentwood, Essex. If you would like more details, please ring Freda 01322-838415 or Maura 07795-498445 or click here to Email.
- LENTEN STATIONS OF THE CROSS: During Lent, there will be Stations of the Cross on every Friday at
7.30pm. Commencing from 4th March 2022.
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BCYS SPONSORED SLEEPOUT 8th - 9th April, 8pm - 8am Wherever you are in the Diocese, take part in your
gardens, schools or parishes, on your own or as part of a group and spend 12 hours sleeping rough outdoors to raise
money for a local charity supporting the homeless. Click here to
Email for more information and to take part.
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BCYS YOUTH GATHER 22nd - 23rd October, Mersea Island Stay in cabins and try a brilliant range of
outward bound activities from climbing high ropes, archery, zip wires and much more to keep you challenged and
entertained, with guest speakers and workshops which will give you fresh insights into yourself, and your faith, by
telling their stories. Open to all those in years 9 and above, book NOW at www.bcys.net/events.
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DIOCESAN SCHOOL VACANCIES for Sept 2022 can be viewed at https://www.dioceseofbrentwood.net/departments/education/vacancies/school-vacancies/.
- Deputy Headteacher - Holy Family Catholic School, Walthamstow Deadline for applications:
3.30pm Friday 11th March
- Headteacher, St Alban's Catholic Primary School, Hornchurch, Deadline for applications:
12noon on Friday 11th March
- Deputy Headteacher, St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Tilbury, Deadline for applications:
3:30 pm on Wednesday 9th March
See: https://www.dioceseofbrentwood.net/diocese/working-for-us/.
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Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School, Wanstead is looking to appoint a friendly, experienced
receptionist/admin assistant for a part time role (term time only, 4 hours per day, 5 days a week). For further details
and an application pack please contact the school
click here to Email
- 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: Deacon Sidney Lewis
Wednesday: Deacon Dwight Hayter
Thursday: Canon Aloysius Roche, Fr Gerard Murphy
Saturday: Mgr Canon Jules van Meenen, Fr Clifford Beercroft
Sunday: Fr David Chapman
