THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT (C)
20th March 2022
Dear Parishioner
'What's in a name? A rose by any other name would smell as sweet', asks Juliet all the while knowing that it
is precisely Romeo's name that is the problem, and it is his name that will inevitably bring about a tragic result. The
reality is that names are very important - that is why we hate the idea of simply being 'a number' in society.
The passage from Exodus of Moses at the burning bush is significant precisely because of the revelation of God's
name changes the relationship between God and his people. Much has been written by scholars about the actual way of
understanding the enigmatic name that God shares with Moses, but the importance is that, knowing God's name puts the
people in a unique relationship with him.
All human relationships are different when we know the name of the person we encounter, and often we will adopt
nicknames or pet names which express something special about that relationship. In the Scriptures, Abram, Sarai, Simon and
Saul are all given new names to express their new identity as those entrusted with God's work. So we should recognise
that when we begin Mass or prayer, we begin 'In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit' - something which expresses the very nature of our relationship with the God who comes to us as
Trinity.
The Gospel is one of the teachings of Jesus in the Gospels that is unique to Luke. It is very appropriate text for Lent
as it challenges its hearers to take the call to repentance seriously. At the same time, the parable of the fig tree,
offers hope that there is still time for that repentance to be effective and produce the fruit required.
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/Marriage 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.
Please do come to the Thursday 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.
- DISASTERS EMERGENCY COMMITTEE (DEC) HUMANITARIAN APPEAL The DEC, of which CAFOD is a member,
provides food, water, shelter & healthcare to people remaining in Ukraine and to refugees. £30 could provide
hygiene supplies for 3 people for one month, £50 could provide blankets for 4 families, £100 could provide
blankets for 4 families, £100 could provide emergency food for 2 families for one month. Can you help by putting
money aside during Lent? This appeal will run until Sunday 24 April when donations can be brought to Sunday Mass or
dropped in at the Presbytery for forwarding to DEC. Gift Aid members please do include your Gift Aid no. or name and
first line of address to allow us to increase the donation.
- GIFT AID MEMBERS This year's envelopes are now available for collection from Dee Davey after
Mass. Please do relieve her of these!
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ST AUGUSTINE'S PRAYS FOR UKRAINE Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6086960112?pwd=eDFsVGI4SURQL2RYeUgxWUtHRXo1UT09
Meeting ID: 608 696 0112 Passcode: 289272
The 12 noon prayers every day are open to anyone in the parish wishing to join in prayer for Ukraine. No previous
knowledge or attendance is necessary, nor are people required to join every day! Everyone is welcome. Prayers start at
12 promptly and last 15 minutes.
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UKRAINE, WAYS TO HELP WITH CARITAS, DIOCESE OF BRENTWOOD Like so many charities and organisations,
Caritas Diocese of Brentwood is here in solidarity with the Ukrainian people. We have a webpage dedicated to ways that
people can help - through prayer, financial donations, and donations of food, medical supplies and clothing and all the
information is at: www.caritasbrentwood.org/ukraine
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THRESHOLDS OF HOPE QUESTION: What does it mean to talk about Christ as our Redeemer? Input will be
given by Mgr John Armitage on Sunday 20th March 4.00 - 5.00 p.m. via Zoom. To join simply
click here to forward a contact email. For more information go to www.thresholdsofhope.co.uk.
- LENTEN STATIONS OF THE CROSS AT ST AUGUSTINE'S: During Lent, there will be Stations of the Cross
on every Friday at 7.30pm from 4th March.
- EASTER LILIES Each year we ask for special donations for Easter Lilies to decorate the Church for
our Easter celebrations. If you would like to make a donation (a suggested donation of £4) in
memory of a deceased loved one, please place your offering in an envelope marked Easter Lilies and pass
it to Cath Lyons. Many thanks for your generosity.
-
THE AUGUSTINIAN We are hoping to produce an edition of "The Augustinian" for Easter and
still have room for some articles. They can be about parish matters, other church groups or general interest locally.
Anything with pictures will be particularly welcome. To send articles, or ask for more information, click here to
email or pass copy to Chris Thompson.
- The pantry was set up in December and we are delighted to be officially opening it now. This is a
joint initiative between the Roman Catholic and Ecumenical churches both based at St Augustine's. We invite you to
join us for the opening ceremony for the Little Free Pantry by The Mayor of Chelmsford Cllr Jude Deakin on Sunday 27th
March at 10.45am followed by a short service for Mothering Sunday at St Augustine's church and then
refreshments.
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VOCATIONS "ENQUIRERS' EVENING" for those considering or interested in a vocation to the
priesthood, Tuesday 5 April at St Edmund of Canterbury Church in Loughton. The speaker will be Mgr Kevin Hale. Click here
to Email for further info from Mark Swires.
- LENT TALKS AT OLI - AT 7.30PM EACH WEDNESDAY AT OLI PARISH HALL
Wed 23rd March - Fr Pius Collins O.Praem. - "Forgiveness"
Wed 30th March - Fr Lee Bennett - "Prayer"
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in OLI church from 6.30pm - 7.20pm
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LENT READINGS: The Scripture readings for Lent are particularly rich and a major source of help in
living a good Lent. Fr Adrian Graffy, parish priest, Scripture scholar, and member of the Pontifical Biblical
Commission, has prepared commentaries on all the readings in the Liturgy of the Word at Mass throughout Lent, from Ash
Wednesday to Good Friday. The full text of the biblical readings and commentary are accessible from the home page of
www.whatgoodnews.org
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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. Book now online: www.tangney-tours.com/brentwood. For further information, please phone Cathy O'Connor, the
Administrative Director: 01206 735623.
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FULLY ESCORTED PILGRIMAGE TO KNOCK SHRINE, Ireland, 23rd May 2022. £699.00 per person sharing.
Price includes flight with 10kg hand luggage, all transfers, 4 nights in Knock House Hotel with full board. All
entertainment and excursions included. Lunches on days out. Wheelchair accessible rooms. Single room supplement
£100.
Contact Patricia on 01268 762 278 or 07740 175557 or click here to Email. Knock
Pilgrimages is a member of the Travel Trust Association and is fully protected by ATOL T7613.
- 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 contact Antoinette
click here to Email.
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: Fr Sidney Williams
Wednesday: Canon Arthur Holmes
Friday: Fr John Sherlock
Saturday: Colin Bennett, Mgr Canon Alfred Gilbey, Fr Denis Hall
Sunday: Leia Iago
