THIRTEENTH SUNDAY OF YEAR C
26th June 2022
Dear Parishioner
The Samaritan village rejected Jesus. They did not welcome Him because they have a different agenda or traditional
belief. Do we also have some beliefs that may hinder us from accepting Jesus as our Lord and Master?
The disciples wanted to take revenge by calling fire from heaven to consume them; perhaps recalling what the great
Prophet Elijah did. Somehow, we are like these disciples. As human beings, we have the tendency to punish right away anyone
who rejects us or contradicts us. But not Jesus. He gives people enough time to repent and accept Him.
They journeyed to another village. Jesus wants to teach us that there are far more people who are willing to listen than
those have hearts of stone who refuse. While God wants everyone to be saved, perhaps we need to focus our preaching on the
willing souls for the time being. If Jesus were alive today and He had social media page, how many of us would like and
follow His account? He has nowhere to rest His head and even foxes and birds are better off than Him! Who would like to
follow a homeless itinerant preacher? And when He was arrested for crime He was innocent of, the majority of the people
wanted Him crucified. Yet we follow Him because He is our Lord who saved us from by His death and resurrection. We follow
Him because He is the way, the truth and the life.
The call of Jesus to follow Him is not without cost. A lot has to be sacrificed - family, loved ones, and career. In
fact, He calls us to deny ourselves (Matthew 16:24). Moreover, He wants us to decide once and for all to set our focus on
Him without turning back. Lord, I am distracted by so many things in life. Even though many of them are legitimate, I must
learn to keep my eyes focused on you and trust in you. Half-way surrenders do not interest you. You want all of my heart.
Help me to give it to you willingly and joyfully.
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 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.
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VISIT TO INGATESTONE HALL 13 SEPTEMBER although 3 months away, the KSC woud like to finalise plans re
this visit to Ingatestone Hall. Please contact Mike Hiom on 01245 265159 or click here to Email if you would like to attend or require
further details. Those of you that have replied will already be on the list.
- BRADWELL PILGRIMAGE AND GATHERING 2nd JULY with Churches Together In Essex & East London,
10.30am-4pm. Please see noticeboard or parish website for full details.
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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
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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.
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CATHOLIC BIBLICAL ASSOCIATION OF GREAT BRITAIN next Scripture talk on 'Jonah: Prophet for
Today', to be given by Fr Adrian Graffy, parish priest and member of the Pontifical Biblical Commission. Attend
in-person at Christ the Eternal High Priest Catholic Church, Gidea Park, RM2 6DH, from 11am Sat 9th July. Coffee in the
hall from 10.30. Please book at Jonah: Prophet for Today Tickets, Sat 9 Jul 2022 at 11:00 | Eventbrite. Or do join the livestream
at www.whatgoodnews.org at 11am on 9th July. The talk will
then be available on YouTube and www.whatgoodnews.org.
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TRANSYLVANIA: RELIGION, HISTORY & CULTURE 18-25 October 2022 organised by Fr Eduard Fartan from
Holy Family in Benfleet. Beautiful churches and monasteries often set amongst stunning Romanian countryside. The approx
cost will start at £850 for one place in a double room. More info or to register your interest please click here to
Email.
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BCYS YOUTH MASS 7 JULY at Brentwood Cathedral - join us for Pizza in the Parish Hall at 6pm, followed
by a Music Workshop in the Cathedral led by Art Wangcharoensab of the Cathedral Music Dept. Singers, instrumentalists
and young people (roughly year 9+) are all very welcome, whether you wish to join in or simply watch and listen! Mass
will begin in the Cathedral at 7:30pm, celebrated by Fr Damien Wade. See full info at www.bcys.net/events.
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GAP YEAR OPPORTUNITY FROM SEPT 2022 at Walsingham House for 18-22 year olds. Details on www.bcys.net.
- 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:
Sunday: Canon James Dace
Wednesday: Fr James Hawes
Saturday: Fr James Edward Littleton
