PALM SUNDAY (C)
10th April 2022
Dear Parishioner
Today we begin Holy Week, in which the mystery of our Salvation is celebrated. These final moments in Jesus' life
begin with His triumphal entry into the Holy City, Jerusalem. The procession with the palms reminds us of this Joyful
entry. As the liturgy unfolds the passion of Christ, we listen to the word of God from Luke's Gospel (Luke
22:14-23:56). The agony that brings forgiveness, light and hope to many plunged in sin.
The Passion Sunday calls us to contemplate on the scene of the Crucifixion; what do we see, and what do we hear. There
are three crosses and three men crucified. The man in the middle has a sign on his cross which read: "Jesus the
Nazarene, the King of the Jews". Who is this king? We see the elders of the Jewish people ridiculing him, and the
soldiers who stood by mocking him. And the man on the cross beside him deriding him. Jesus meek and humble, pinned to the
cross provokes strong reactions from these varied individuals; he continues to provoke strong reactions even today.
We tend to overlook the crowd who stood by watching. As Jesus was mocked and ridiculed and scorned, they remained silent
and did nothing. Even today the silence is overwhelming, we remain silent, watching and standing by, but not standing
up?
The good thief put his faith in Christ. He was able to see Christ the King in all his humble glory, and he reached out
for salvation. This king was a political failure. He had no success, no power to save his own life. The power he did have
he freely surrendered rather than use it for personal gain. But he loved his own in the world. He loved them to the end.
Would I follow such a king?
As we enter into our Easter journey let us fully take part in the liturgies that follow. In the Mass of Chrism, the
priests together with the Bishop renew their priestly promises; do pray for all our priests. The Oils are prepared and
blessed during the celebration and finally distributed to every parish in the diocese. Maundy Thursday brings out the
institution of the Holy Eucharist and Priesthood. The institution of the priesthood is enacted in the washing of the feet.
On the night of Holy Thursday, Eucharistic Adoration takes place, keeping vigil with Christ till midnight. On Good Friday
we commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The adoration of the Cross and the universal prayers hold a special place
in the liturgy. Holy Saturday we have the Easter Proclamation or Exsultet, the proclamation of the word of God, and the
renewal of baptismal promises. Then comes Easter Sunday were we celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord. God bless You.
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.
-
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
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PASTORAL HOUSE VISITS AFTER EASTER If you, or anyone you know, would like Fr Jijo to visit them at
home, please click
here to Email the details so that this can be arranged.
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THE PASSAGE, A CATHOLIC CHARITY WORKING WITH HOMELESS PEOPLE is raising funds through the Big Give, a
matched giving scheme. Every £1 donated online by 12.00 noon on Tuesday 19 April makes £2 and £2.25
if you are a taxpayer through Gift Aid. Please visit: https://bit.ly/BigGiveMarch22 to support the campaign. The campaign 'It takes more than a house to
make a home' focuses on the services we provide to people who have been homeless in their journey to being happily
settled in a new home. The Passage would be very grateful for your support. For more info or to make a donation please
ring 020 7592 1856.
- EASTER EGG RAFFLE IN SUPPORT OF UKRAINE Many thanks to all who supported this raffle so generously.
We have raised a total of £480 which will be very welcome.
- 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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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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CARITAS POVERTY CHALLENGE: SEE, JUDGE ACT Following the pandemic, many thousands now face new
hardships as prices rise. Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN), the Catholic agency addressing poverty and injustice in
England and Wales, has released a free new booklet to increase awareness of Catholic Social Teaching on poverty, and to
inform local responses. Please take a moment to read and encourage groups and individuals to engage with it. Download
from www.csan.org.uk
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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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LENT READINGS: www.whatgoodnews.org
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MARY'S MEALS PRAY IN MAY CAMPAIGN Please click here for details about how to
participate
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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 Anthony Lawson
Tuesday: Fr Patrick Donohoe
Friday: Fr William Donelan, Fr George Duckett
Saturday: Stephen Bedell
Sunday: Frank McElligott
