THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST (C)
19th June 2022
Dear Parishioner
Today we celebrate the feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. The Eucharist is the source and summit of the
Christian life. The phrase 'source and summit' is a rather awesome one. St. Irenaeus put it beautifully when he
said, 'Our way of thinking is attuned to the Eucharist, and the Eucharist in turn confirms our way of
thinking.'
The word Eucharist has its roots in the Greek words 'eucharistein' and 'eulogein', which recall the
Jewish blessing - especially during a meal - of God's works of creation, redemption and sanctification. The Eucharist
is giving thanks to God. The Eucharist is a celebration of praise and thanksgiving at which Christ is made real and
present. This is why when we entering a Church where the Eucharist is in the tabernacle we recognise the presence of Christ
and always genuflect to the Blessed Sacrament.
St. Cyril said, 'Do not doubt whether this is true, but rather receive the words of the Saviour in faith, for He is
truth, He cannot lie.' The Eucharist is our greatest gift, our richest blessing and most cherished treasure …
Nothing in the Christian life compares to it for in the Eucharist is Christ himself, the 'Godhead here in
hiding'.
'Godhead here in hiding, whom I do adore, masked by these bare shadows, shape and nothing more, see, Lord, at Thy
service low lies here a heart, lost, all lost in wonder at the God thou art.' (St. Tomas of Acquinas)
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 AGM: Come Holy Spirit, consecrate the people of God through ministry and the Sacraments.
Grant us Your special gifts in the exercise of the Christian apostolate to build up the whole Body, the Church in
charity. Help us to use them in the Church and in the world for the good of human beings. Fill every void, uncertainties,
pain and sorrows created by the pandemic in our life with Your all-pervading love. Prompt us in our endeavour to build
the community at St. Augustine in unity, peace, joy and freedom. Amen.
- 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.
- DATE FOR YOUR DAIRY: PARISH AGM 29TH JUNE 2022 after the evening Mass we meet for the AGM. Please
remember to pray for the day and please do come for the meeting dear Augustinians.
-
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME 2022/2023
As you can appreciate forward planning is essential for the First Holy Communion Programme. I enclose herewith our
annual guidelines for this Sacramental Programme commencing in the autumn.
- That you are a practicing Catholic (attending Mass on a weekly basis)
- That your child has been attending the Springfield Parish for at least the past year.
- That your child is eligible (8 years of age by 31st August 2023)
- If you have been attending another parish, that you obtain a letter of reference from the Parish Priest.
- This is a serious commitment by parents and children. If these guidelines have been observed, please arrange for
an interview with Father Jijo and pick up an enrolment form from him. Fr. Jijo has a surgery every Thursday from
5.30pm to 6.30pm. Please return all forms by the 22nd July 2022. These are the general guidelines adopted by parishes
in our Diocese. If you have any problems please discuss them with Father Jijo. Thank you
- SVP QUIZ FOR SUDAN POSTPONED TO 22 OCTOBER when we hope people's diaries will be less full!
Apologies for any inconvenience. Please put this date in your diary for a fun evening to raise much needed funds for this
worthwhile cause. Thank you.
- MONTHLY ROSARY AT ST AUGUSTINE'S The Rosary is to be said on the first Monday of each month at
7.30pm. The purpose is to pray for the parish and for parishioners to know that there is a group of people to whom they
can turn for prayer. Everyone is welcome.
-
RAISING MONEY FOR OUR SISTERS IN DRCONGO & RWANDA & their work with the most poor - on Sat 10
& Sun 11 July - delivery of TEA BOXES. Each one is designed for two people & costs £25. Contents are
homemade. If interested please contact Sister Moira or Margaret - click here to
Email or 01245 604108 for further details.
-
GAP YEAR OPPORTUNITY Just finished A-levels or Uni? Aged 18-22? Interested in working with young
people? Join the Walsingham House Team 2022/23 for an amazing Gap Year opportunity starting September 2022. Details on
www.bcys.net or contact Joseph Beattie - phone 01277 373959 or click
here to Email.
-
CHORAL DIRECTOR VACANCY - The Diocese of Brentwood Schools Singing Programme are seeking to appoint a
Choral Director, a new and exciting post which is part of the National School Singing Programme. Further info at
https://www.dioceseofbrentwood.net/diocese/working-for-us/. Closing date for applications is 12 noon on
Monday 4 July 2022.
-
ST PETER'S CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL BILLERICAY, part of The Christus Catholic Trust, are seeking to
recruit a Catering Assistant to join our established catering team preparing approximately 250 meals a day. Candidates
must have experience of a similar environment as well as a passion for great food. Closing date: 22/06/22 midday. More
info at: http://www.essexschoolsjobs.co.uk/Vacancies/Details.aspx?VacancyId=76759
- 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:
Monday: Fr Vincent Dutton
Thursday: Fr Edward Thomas
Sunday: Canon James Dacey
