SIXTEENTH SUNDAY OF YEAR C
17th July 2022
Dear Parishioner
In today's gospel Luke gives an account of a remarkable and beautiful incident in Jesus' life. Some claim that
the Mary before us today is Mary Magdalene, but scholars think that it's unlikely to be the same person, instead
believing this woman to be a different Mary. What is clear is that, like Mary Magdalene, Mary of Bethany loved the Lord. In
this account, she didn't wash his feet with her weeping or anoint his body with expensive nard; instead, she showed
that one thing was needed: to sit at the Master's feet and learn from him.
There has always been a tension between the contemplative and apostolic arms of the Church. The contemplatives are
accused of being too focused on prayer; whereas those engaged in the apostolate are criticized for being too preoccupied
with social action and not placing enough emphasis on the interior life. Of course, this is overly simplistic, but,
nevertheless, there's an element of truth in it.
It is, however, hard not to feel some sympathy for Martha, who here embodies the apostolic approach. She has no airs and
graces, and is a worker, not a shirker. Clearly both women were serving the Lord, but Mary, in Jesus' own words, was
doing it in a better way. This doesn't mean that what Martha was doing wasn't good or noble, or even the right
thing for her to be doing; it simply means that ultimately, sitting at the Lord's feet and learning from him, who is
humble and gentle of heart is the goal of our faith.
The great saints of the Church did not hesitate to serve others practically. It was said of St. Catherine of Genoa, for
example, that she used to be so preoccupied in prayer that she appeared to be in a trance. However, if others needed her
she would stop praying immediately to respond. Pope Francis is calling us all to serve others in a spirit of love and
charity, but this must first be rooted in prayer and hearing God speak through his Word.
Lord, grant me your peace and clarity so that I may, like Mary, sit at your feet every day and learn from you.
God bless you all.
Deacon Kevin.
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.
- RECEIVING COMMUNION Please consume the Body of Christ in front of the Priest or Minister of
Communion NOT in your seat.
-
SVP SUMMER CAMP APPEAL 2022 This year The SVP will again be hosting a weekend camp for some of the
families we support at Skreens Park Scout camp site, near Chelmsford. This follows a very successful camp last year,
where not only did our families have an opportunity to try many new activities, building confidence, but also make new
friends. The children were able to return to school in September full of stories of their adventures there including
paddle boarding and toasting marshmallows at the campfire. We are also hosting a Fun Day at St John Payne which will
provide an opportunity for our younger children to have a special day. If you are able to support us, please find
payment details below:
Online to: Catholic Church of St Augustine of Canterbury, Springfield
Account No. : 91082884 Sort Code.: 40-13-22. Reference "SVP"
Or through: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/svpspringfieldsummer22
Thank you in advance for your support.
-
7-9TH OCT 2022 YOUNG CATHOLIC ADULTS (YCA) WEEKEND
Theme: "The Communion of Saints' prayer and the veneration of Holy Relics". During the weekend of the 7-9
October, Young Catholic Adults will be running a retreat at Douai Abbey with the Schola Gregoriana of Cambridge, who
will be holding Gregorian Chant workshops. There will also be a Marian Procession, Rosaries, Sung Masses, Confession,
talks (and socials). The talks are - Rachael Mackenzie from "Rachael's Vineyard" will be telling her
conversion story (Sat) and Fr. Glaysher will be talking about the Communion of Saints' prayer and the veneration of
Holy Relics (Sun). Prices from £12 (come for the day) and £55 per person per night (residential). Places
are limited and must be booked before 16 September at: https://bookwhen.com/youngcatholicadults-douai2022. More info at: http://youngcatholicadults-latestnews.blogspot.co.uk/ or http://www.youngcatholicadults.co.uk.
- "BUY A TILE" Please consider buying a tile (or two! Suggested donation £10 each) to
help towards the £13,500 needed to meet the costs of essential repairs to the church roof. See full payment info on
website. Many thanks for your generosity and support.
-
ADVENTURE IN FAITH FOR 17-27 YEAR OLDS - journey towards World Youth Day, Porto and Lisbon, July 26th - August
9th 2023. An amazing opportunity for anyone who will be aged 17 - 27 in August 2023. See https://bcys.net/events/wyd23/. Click here to Email to
express your interest. Only 40 places.
-
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
-
GAP YEAR OPPORTUNITY FROM SEPT 2022 at Walsingham House for 18-22 year olds. Details on www.bcys.net.
-
PARISH SECRETARY REQUIRED HALSTEAD in St Francis of Assisi, 90 Colchester Road, Halstead, Essex, CO9
2EW. 3 hours per week. £10 per hour. Closing date 29th July 2022. Click here to
apply by sending a CV and covering letter. Full job description at https://www.dioceseofbrentwood.net/diocese/working-for-us/.
- 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:
Tuesday: Fr Edmund Dobson
Thursday: Fr Patrick Taylor
Friday: Deacon David Balmer
