THIRTY-THIRD SUNDAY OF YEAR C:
18th November 2007
Day of Prayer for Prisoners and their Dependants
Fr Frank writes:
Each day we pray for justice and peace in our world, and we do our best to support agencies such as CAFOD who help those who enjoy less than their fair share of justice. One way we can support our poorer brothers and sisters, in addition to direct giving, is by ensuring that we buy Fair Trade products whenever this is possible. Tea and coffee have long been sold as Fair Trade, but now we can easily buy fairly traded chocolate, wine, bananas and many other goods from our supermarkets. Why does it matter? It matters because the only way we can ensure that poor producers get a reasonable return for their hard work is by buying Fair Trade.
Our town and diocese have achieved Fair Trade status and I have been proud to call our parish a fair trade parish in the past. I have noticed, however, that at some church and related functions tea and coffee are on offer which are not fairly traded (e.g. Nescafe). This fills me with deep disappointment.
Fair Trade matters and we have no choice but to support it. As Christians we cannot ignore the plight of the poor. Buy Fair Trade now, and let's ensure that fairly traded goods are always on offer at our parish functions.
May God bless you all.
Fr Frank
Churches Together in Chelmsford cycle of prayer:
- Week beginning:
- 18th November: Holy Trinity, Springfield (Rev Tim Ball)
- 25th November: Little Baddow URC (Rev Dr Michael Powell)
Parish News:
- Advent Service: 'The Journey' Sunday 2nd December 6pm at St Augustine's: An Ecumenical evening of music and readings following the life of Jesus performed by Meditation the Catholic Church Folk Band of Kelvedon. All welcome
- London Marathon Sunday April 13th2008: Brentwood Catholic Children's Society has a few places for runners to raise money for the Diocesan Children's Society whilst maybe achieving a personal ambition! Please contact Claire Mathews on 01268 784544 no later than 7th December to register your interest.
- Free Christmas Celebration to raise money for the SVP: from 6 - 10.30pm Friday 7th December at the Springfield Parish Centre. Live music by 'Dusty Egg Shed'. Carols sung by local singers, Tombola, stalls, raffle prizes and refreshments! Come along for a relaxing evening out.
- Buy a Chair: The total raised at the time of writing this is £3,672.91 or 73 chairs. We are over half way to our target of 120 chairs (i.e. £6,000). If you would like to buy a chair in memory of a loved one, forms are available after Mass.
Other News:
- Signed Mass by the Diocesan Deaf Service: at 5.30pm on December 16th at Holy Trinity, Trinity Square, South Woodham Ferrers CM3 5FG. Fr Paul Fox will celebrate the Mass and people who are deaf will sign the readings. All welcome - hearing, hard of hearing or deaf. More info from Sr Margaret Duffy 0208 504 0406 or bpds@dioceseofbrentwood.org
- Praying the Psalms: a short course on how to pray the Prayer of the Church and use the Breviary at Blessed Sacrament Church Hall 7.30 - 9pm Wednesdays 21st, 28th November and Wed. 5th December. More info from Sr Pauline on 01245 604128.
- Re:fresh - New Year's Party: on Saturday 12th January 7 - 9pm in Chelmsford Cathedral to launch the Chelmsford Christian Festival 2008. If you would like tickets at £5 each please let Fr Frank know by Sunday 25th November at the latest.
- Choral and Orchestral Concert at Brentwood Cathedral 15th December 7pm: to celebrate Director of Music, Andrew Wright's 25th anniversary in the post. The Aurelian Ensemble & Friends will accompany the Cathedral Choir, Cathedral Girls' Choir, Cathedral Singers, Brentwood Choral Society and Bravissima. Ticketes £10 adults, £9 senior citizens, £5 child/student from Cathedral House.
- Friendsfirst: If you've been thinking and praying for someone special to share your life with, meeting someone by contacting and joining friendsfirst - the UK and Irish Christian friendship organisation - may be God's answer to your prayers. For more information call Katharine Gray on 0121 427 1286 write to her at PO Box 8377, Birmingham, B17 9TE. Info also on www.friends1st.co.uk
- Springfield Green Almshouse available: to a prospective resident who is single, over 55 years of age and resident in the area of the Ecclesiastical Parish of All Saints' Springfield (this includes North Springfield and Chelmer Village). The trustees will welcome and consider all applicants on their merits. The accommodation has been upgraded and is suitable for an ambulant disabled person and includes a living room, bedroom, kitchen and bathroom with walk in shower. Weekly maintenance charge currently £99.50 per week. Further info from Clerk to the trustees, Mrs E Belsham, 14 Lawn Lane, Springfield CM1 6NR
Sunday Smile:
Shop sign: Ear and body piercing with or without pain. Your choice.
Sign outside a camping shop in London: Now is the discount of our winter tents.
There is a firm of solicitors in Leamington Spa called: Wright Hassle.
All courtesy of The Guardian.
Items for the Newsletter:
Your news and views are always welcome. Any items for inclusion need to be at the Presbytery by Wednesday noon.
Parish Weekly Income:
Grateful thanks for your continued generosity.