SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY OF YEAR C
24th July 2022
Dear Friends,
"In old age they will still bear fruit" (Ps 92:15). These words of the Psalmist are glad tidings, a true
"gospel" that we can proclaim to all on this second World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. Many people are
afraid of old age. They consider it a sort of disease with which any contact is best avoided. The elderly, they think, are
none of their concern and should be set apart, perhaps in homes or places where they can be cared for, lest we have to deal
with their problems. This is the mind-set of the "throw-away culture", which leads us to think that we are
somehow different from the poor and vulnerable in our midst, untouched by their frailties and separated from
"them" and their troubles. Old age is not a time of life easily understood even by those of us who are already
experiencing it. On the one hand, we are tempted to ward off old age by hiding our wrinkles and pretending to be forever
young, while on the other, we imagine that the only thing we can do is bide our time, thinking glumly that we cannot
"still bring forth fruit". The fast pace of the world - with which we struggle to keep up - seems to leave us no
alternative but to implicitly accept the idea that we are useless. We can resonate with the heartfelt prayer of the
Psalmist: "Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent" (71:9). Yet that
same psalm - which meditates on how the Lord has been present at every stage of our lives - urges us to persevere in
hope.
We will come to see that growing old is more than the natural decline of the body or the inevitable passage of time, but
the gift of a long life. Aging is a blessing! For this reason, we ought to take care of ourselves and remain active in our
later years. This is also true from a spiritual standpoint: we ought to cultivate our interior life through the assiduous
reading of the word of God, daily prayer, reception of the sacraments and participation in the liturgy. In addition to our
relationship with God, we should also cultivate our relationships with others: first of all by showing affectionate concern
for our families, our children and grandchildren, but also for the poor and those who suffer, by drawing near to them with
practical assistance and our prayers. Like "green olive trees in the house of God" (cf. Ps 52:10), we can become
a blessing for those who live next to us. Our world is passing through a time of trial and testing, beginning with the
sudden, violent 2 outbreak of the pandemic, and then by a war that is harming peace and development on a global scale. Nor
is it a coincidence that war is returning to Europe at a time when the generation that experienced it in the last century
is dying out. We grandparents and elderly people have a great responsibility: to teach the women and men of our time to
regard others with the same understanding and loving gaze with which we regard our own grandchildren.
One fruit that we
are called to bring forth is protecting the world. "Our grandparents held us in their arms and carried us on their
knees"; now is the time for us to carry on our own knees - with practical assistance or with prayer alone - not only
our own grandchildren but also the many frightened grandchildren whom we have not yet met and who may be fleeing from war
or suffering its effects. Let us hold in our hearts - like Saint Joseph, who was a loving and attentive father - the little
ones of Ukraine, of Afghanistan, of South Sudan… Many of us have come to a wise and humble realization of what our
world very much needs: the recognition that we are not saved alone, and that happiness is a bread we break together. The
very fact that we allow ourselves to be cared for - often by people who come from other countries - is itself a way of
saying that living together in peace is not only possible, but necessary. Dear grandparents, dear elderly persons, let us
make ever more frequent and better use of the most valuable instrument at our disposal: prayer. "Let us too become, as
it were, poets of prayer: let us develop a taste for finding our own words, let us once again take up those taught by the
word of God." Our trustful prayer can do a great deal. The World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly is an opportunity
to proclaim once more, with joy, - in the words of the Bible - has "filled with days". Let us make sure that no
one feels alone on this day. Let us ask Our Lady, Mother of Tender Love, to make all of us artisans of the revolution of
tenderness, so that together we can set the world free from the spectre of loneliness and the demon of war. To all of you,
and to your loved ones, I send my blessing and the assurance of my closeness and affection. And I ask you, please, not to
forget to pray for me!
Pope Francis
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Brentwood Diocese Lourdes Pilgrimage, 23rd - 29th July 2022: If you would like to be part of the
pilgrimage from home, please do follow on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter by searching @brentwoodcys. You can also see
us on "Lourdes TV" at www.lourdes-france.org/en for our Grotto Mass on Tuesday 26th July at 09:30, The Torchlight (Marian)
Procession on Wednesday 27th July at 22:00 and the Blessed Sacrament Procession on Thursday 28th July at 18:00.
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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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GAP YEAR OPPORTUNITY FROM SEPT 2022 at Walsingham House for 18-22 year olds. Details on www.bcys.net.
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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.
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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.
- Little Free Pantry: Next Sunday there will be a collection of food for the Little Free Pantry. If
you are able to help we would welcome donations of dry goods, tins, baby milk and toiletries. We try to avoid anything in
glass bottles/jars. We know that the Pantry is being well used and demand is getting higher so thank you for any help you
are able to give.
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: Frs John Broadman Jones, Michael Hannan, Dermot Moore, James Cooney
Thursday: Fr John Harding
Sunday: Fr Michael O'Sullivan