PENTECOST SUNDAY
(Day of Prayer for the Church)
5th June 2022
Dear Parishioner
The great feast of Pentecost, today's celebration, concludes the season of Easter. On Pentecost, we celebrate the
descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles gathered in the upper room in Jerusalem and it also marks the beginning of the
Church. The story of Pentecost is found in the Acts of the Apostles, today's first reading. The account in today's
Gospel, taken from the Gospel of John, also recounts how Jesus gave the gift of the Holy Spirit to his disciples. These two
accounts are a clear indication of how after his death, Jesus fulfilled his promise to send to his disciples a helper, an
advocate, who would enable them to be his witnesses throughout the world.
In the context of the feast of Pentecost, this reading reminds us about the integral connection between the gifts of
peace and forgiveness and the action of the Holy Spirit. Jesus greets his disciples with the gift of peace. Jesus then
commissions his disciples to continue the work that he has begun, "As the Father has sent me, so I send you." As
he breathes the Holy Spirit upon them, Jesus sends his disciples to continue his work of reconciliation through the
forgiveness of sins.
This Gospel reminds us that the Church is called to be a reconciling presence in the world. This reconciling presence of
Christ is celebrated in the Church's sacramental life. In the Sacrament of Baptism, we are washed clean from sin and
become a new creation in Christ. In the Sacrament of Penance, the Church celebrates the mercy of God in forgiving sins.
This reconciling presence is also to be a way of life for Christians. In situations of conflict, we are to be agents of
peace, harmony and reconciliation among people. God bless you all.
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 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.
-
URGENT REQUEST FOR CORPUS CHRISTI PROCESSION 12 JUNE Des Kelly is appealing for people to offer their
help to steward this very special and important event in our Deanery. Please do let Des know click here to Email or 01245
265323 if you are able to help. There will be rehearsal at OLI on Thursday 9 June at 7.30pm and stewards will be needed
from 2.30pm on the day of the event. Many thanks.
- LUNCHTIME HARP RECITAL WEDNESDAY 8 JUNE AT BRENTWOOD CATHEDRAL 1PM - 1.45pm performed by Caroline
Nielssen-Breman recently graduated from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. No admission fee, but any affordable
donations welcome. Refreshments are served afterwards in the adjacent Song School.
-
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.
- 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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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:
Wednesday: Fr Edmund Tyler
Friday: Fr Gerard Butcher
Saturday: Fr Thomas Crowe
Sunday: Fr John Gallagher, Fr Robert Mortimer-Anderson
