SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
(World Communications Day)
29th May 2022
Dear Parishioner
The Gospel reading is part of Jesus' prayer for unity among his followers. It comes from his long discourse during
the Last Supper as given to us in John's gospel. In this particular part of the prayer, he is praying not for those
disciples who are with him at the supper but "for those who will believe in me through their word".
Jesus prays that "they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that
the world may believe that you sent me". For this is the way that people will come to recognise the true identity of
Jesus. To be a follower of Jesus is not simply to believe in him and lead a good life. It means we are invited to partake
in the loving relationship of the Trinity. The Father's plan is to love us, to bring us into Trinitarian love. He wants
to love us in his Son with a Father's eternal love. God so loved the world that he sent his only begotten son into the
world. Love is at the heart of the universe.
God is love, and if he is in us, it is as love. God pours his love, himself, into our hearts. As he shares his life, he
shares his love. This is the love that he wants us to give to others. Jesus gave his disciples the love he had received
from his Father, and sent them forth to continue his work of sharing that love with all of humanity.
Therefore, the Christian life is essentially communal. And Jesus is saying here that the most potent witness we can give
of who he is, is that we who claim to follow him do so as part of a fellowship. It is said that in the early Church there
was a saying: "See those Christians how they love one another!" That was one of the most striking characteristics
to the pagan eye, namely, that people who came from different ethnic and social backgrounds could live together in such
harmony. This was something strange to societies which strongly and defensively identified with their own group. People
need to hear the good news of God's love. This is our mission. God bless you all.
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 make use of 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.
- 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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VISIT TO INGATESTONE HALL TUES 13 SEPTEMBER planned by the KSC. The suggestion is that the visit will
take place late afternoon and evening and is available to all parishioners and friends. The proposed format would be to
arrive late afternoon and have tea and cake. This would be followed by a guided tour and time to explore the gardens
before supper in the summer parlour. If you are interested or would like more details, please contact Mike Hiom on
01245 265159 or click here to Email.
- SVP QUIZ FOR SUDAN 18 JUNE - HOLD THE DATE! We hope that you can join us for a Quiz on the evening
of Saturday 18th June. More details nearer the time. The format will be bring your own drinks and nibbles but we'll
have some cakes for sale at the interval.
- THE QUEEN'S PLATINUM JUBILEE BRING AND SHARE LUNCH 5TH JUNE Please add your names to the
attendance list after Mass on Sunday. As well as 'food to share' with Pudding/cake/ cupcakes, we would ask you to
bring your own drink and glasses to this event. Thank you the Social Group.
- CORPUS CHRISTI PROCESSION SUNDAY 12th JUNE 3pm starting from Our Lady Immaculate school, going down
New London Rd on to New Writtle St, Up Moulsham St, right on to Southborough Road, right on to New London Road finishing
with Benediction at Our Lady Immaculate School playground, followed by a reception in the school. All very welcome.
- WEEKEND OF 10/11 JUNE, TOMBOLA IN AID OF DENIS HURLEY CENTRE in Durban, South Africa where they have
recently had catastrophic floods. Houses were washed away and hundreds of people died. Please do participate if you are
able. Many thanks.
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NEXT "ENQUIRERS' EVENING" TUESDAY 7 JUNE at St Edmund of Canterbury Church in Loughton,
for those considering or interested in a vocation to the priesthood. The speaker will be Mgr John Armitage. Further
info from Fr Mark Swires click here to
Email.
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SISTERS MOIRA & MARGARET are appealing for a few more helpers for Homework Club on a Thursday in
term time - 3.30-4.45 in Langton Hall CM1 2BP. The aim is to be able to work one to one with children who are mainly
Primary School age & many of whom are in need of extra support. If you would like to see how it works, do visit on
a Monday or a Thursday & have a look. More details 01245604108 or click here to
Email.
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TEA AND COFFEE AFTER 9AM SUNDAY MASS: Thanks to some very kind volunteers there will be tea and coffee
available after Mass every fortnight commencing on Sunday 8th May 2022. Please take this opportunity to share some
social time with your fellow parishioners. Hopefully this will become a weekly event if more volunteers come forward.
If you are interested in helping out please contact Margaret Cook click here to
Email or telephone: 07722 512215.
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RE-INSTATEMENT OF SUNDAY MASS OBLIGATION From Fr Martin Boland of the Vicariate for Adult formation
'With the news that the Bishops of England and Wales are reinstating the obligation to attend Sunday Mass on
Pentecost Sunday, you might consider using this as an opportunity to reflect on the centrality of Sunday Mass in our
lives and how this obligation to keep the Day of the Resurrection holy does not limit our freedom but is the fulfilment
of all freedom. To help you do this you might consider using the following link: The Journey Home Resources | Thresholds Of Hope
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YOUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN - A STUDY DAY FROM GIDEA PARK Saturday 18th June from 11 am led by Fr Gerard
Bradley exploring the sacrament of pardon and peace. Follow this free live streamed event at www.whatgoodnews.org Fr Gerard Bradley, is a parish priest in the
archdiocese of Southwark and taught Liturgy and Spirituality at St John's Seminary, Wonersh. Two sessions will be
followed by the opportunity for questions. The event will end by 1 pm. Recording of the study day will then be made
available on www.whatgoodnews.org.
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ST BONAVENTURE'S ALUMNI EVENT - 17TH JUNE 2022, 4-6:30PM All former students and staff are welcome
to attend - please help spread the word! Order a ticket at: www.stbons.org/alumni - click here to
Email any questions.
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ST PETER'S CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL are hoping to engage with teachers that may be looking for a
career move now or in the near future. We are a two-form entry school with fantastic children and very supportive
parents. We invest a lot of time and resources into our CPD so there are great opportunities for you to develop your
career here with us. If you would like an informal chat with our Headteacher or a visit to the school, please contact
Teresa Lammin click
here to Email or telephone 01277 653770.
- 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:
Tuesday: Sadru Bhanji
Thursday: Bp John Petit, Canon Eric Goldingay, Fr Donald Clover
Friday: Emile Saad, Canon Jerome Deady