FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT (C)
3rd April 2022
Dear Parishioner
The passage from the Gospel of John in today's readings is very familiar to us. A woman caught in adultery is
brought to Jesus by the elders for judgement. The scripture indicates that they were trying to trap Jesus hoping that he
would go against "the law of Moses". This is obvious without Jesus having to say one word because in reality, the
pious elders would have already sentenced her to die by stoning. But they do not. They are here trying to get rid of this
man who speaks about love all the time.
The religious leaders of the day understood Jesus as rejecting the Law of Moses when he expressed Love and compassion in
the way he did it. What they saw in Jesus was the flouting of the Mosaic Law, the fabric of their society, when healing
people on the Sabbath, eating with Gentiles, speaking to Samarians, associating with tax-collectors, and touching the
lepers. But if they had paid attention to what Jesus was saying, they would have understood that the very foundation of the
law that made them a unique people was … love. The love that God has for all of his creation. This can be seen in
the reply of Jesus to the question posed by the scholar of the law, "Teacher, which commandment in the law is the
greatest?" Jesus said to him, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and
with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment." The second is similar to it, "You shall love
your neighbour as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments" stressed Jesus.
What are we supposed to do? Are we supposed to ignore the sin? No. What he is trying to say is that we are to always
recognize the sin in ourselves! Therefore in Matthew 7:1-5 Jesus tells us to stop judging so that we will not be judged.
The measure with which you measure will be measured unto you. Do not be hypocrites. Splinter in your brother's eye -
wooden beam in yours etc.
Jesus did not ignore the sin in the adulterous woman. Recall his words: "Go, and from now on do not sin
anymore." However, the words preceding these are the key to this whole passage: "Woman, where are they? Has no
one condemned you?" She replied, "No one, sir." Then Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you." If
anyone can throw a stone it would be Jesus, the spotless one but he did not throw a stone, instead He showed compassion. He
threw love. And that is precisely what we are called to do - throw love, rather than stand in judgment of others, love
them. Do not preach or criticise them for their faults, bring them to God by the way you live your life - a life of loving
God and others as yourself. Perhaps St. Teresa of Calcutta said it best: "If you judge people, you have no time to
love them."
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.
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TEA & COFFEE, We are hoping to recommence tea and coffee after Sunday Mass from Easter Sunday. We
are therefore looking for volunteers to prepare this. If you are on your own I am happy to pair you up with other
volunteers. It will be dependent on how many volunteers come forward on how often tea and coffee can be offered after
Mass i.e. weekly, fortnightly or monthly, but it would be lovely to offer this chance of all meeting after Mass with
fellow parishioners. If you would like to help, please contact Margaret Cook on 07722 512215 or click here to
Email
- GIFT AID MEMBERS This year's envelopes are now available for collection from Dee Davey after
Mass. Please do relieve her of these!
- EASTER SUNDAY MASS & EASTER EGG HUNT There will be coffee after Mass on Easter Sunday at which
we will welcome some of our Anglican/Free church friends who will be hosting an Easter Egg Hunt for all our young
children. Come and enjoy!
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REFLECTIONS FOR THE TRIDUUM FROM SRS MARGARET & MOIRA at Melbourne
ALSO: LIVE in Blessed Sacrament Church on Holy Saturday 11.30am - A Reflection for Holy Saturday.
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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
- 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.
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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.
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LENT READINGS: www.whatgoodnews.org
- 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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TCS LONDON MARATHON BRENTWOOD CATHOLIC CHILDREN'S SOCIETY has several charity Gold Bond places for
the TCS London Marathon taking place on the iconic London course on Sunday 2rd October 2022. If you would like to be
considered and think you could raise a fundraising total of £1800 before Gift Aid, please click here to Email Julie. Full info and
application form at https://www.bccs.org.uk/fundraising-and-events/all-events/tcs-london-marathon. Closing date for
applications is Friday 8th April.
- 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.
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BCYS EVENTS including Youth Mass at Brentwood Cathedral on 7 April, Lenten
Revision Retreat at Walsingham House 2-3 April, Sponsored Sleepout 8-9 April. Full details
and booking at www.bcys.net/events or http://staugustine-springfield.com/outside.html.
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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.
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ASSISTANT MANAGER, WALSINGHAM HOUSE AT ABBOTSWICK. Walsingham House are seeking to appoint an
Assistant Manager to begin in late summer. A residential role and involving working alongside existing staff to help to
form the volunteer team and lead retreats for schools and parishes across the diocese. All info at https://bcys.net/news/vacancies/. Closing date for applications
is midday on Friday 22nd April 2022.
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HOUSEKEEPER - OUR LADY & ALL SAINTS, BASILDON A vacancy has arisen for a part time Housekeeper in
Holy Trinity Presbytery and Hall, St Therese Hall and occasionally in St Basil's Presbytery in Basildon Parish.
Part-time (approx 15 hours per week - Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday). Application forms from Father Sabu click here to
Email. Closing Date for Applications: 22nd April 2022.
- 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:
Monday: Fr Ronald Roberts, Canon Charles Loughran
Thursday: Deacon Geoffrey Piper
Saturday: Fr Thomas Adkins
