THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD (YEAR A):
13th January 2008
Fr Frank writes:
I hope and pray that you all had the opportunity for physical and spiritual re-creation over the Christmas and New Year period. On a personal note: thank you, once again, for your acts of kindness and generosity - for the cards, gifts and record-breaking Christmas offering. You are truly wonderful people; may God bless you for it.
The 'Buy a Chair' fund continues to grow - albeit at a slower rate. Owing to a good deal with a local (Catholic) supplier and to your giving we will soon be able to enjoy a number of new chairs. To save money, the old wooden chairs will be recovered and repaired - at a relatively low cost to us owing to the good will of the son of a parishioner. If you would like to contribute a chair (perhaps in memory of a loved one), you are still able to do so.
We have a new altar frontal at St Augustine's - I hope you like it. It's meant to complement the colour of the new stained glass window!
With every blessing for 2008.
Fr Frank
Churches Together in Chelmsford cycle of prayer:
- Week beginning:
- 13th January: Chelmsford Christian Festival
- 20th January: Our Lady Immaculate & Holy Name (Fr Brian O'Shea)
Parish News:
- Christmas 2007: Many thanks for your good wishes, greetings cards, gifts and wonderful Christmas offertory. You are very generous and kind. With very many prayers, Fr Frank and Anne
- Cath and Deacon Kevin: would like to thank all parishioners for their Christmas cards, greetings and gifts. May the New Year bring your families grace and blessings.
- Vigil Mass: on Saturday 26th January there will be a Vigil Mass (for the Third Sunday of the Year) at 6.30pm in Great Waltham Anglican church. The Mass will be followed by some social time at Badynghams, the home of Professor Paul and Mrs Theresa Sauven. For catering purposes, if you intend staying after Mass (and you are all welcome), could you please let Paul or Theresa know (tel: 360527).
- Cath and Henry McIntosh: would like to thank Fr Frank and Deacon Kevin for all their assistance at Christopher's funeral, also Cath and her helpers for the catering and the many Mass cards and sympathy card from the people of the Parish.
- Providence Row & Farleigh Hospice collection: On the weekend of January 20th KSC will be collecting Toiletries (ie soap, shower gel, shampoo, shaving, tooth brushes and paste etc) and blankets for the Rough Sleepers of Providence Row, East London as well as good quality used clothing for Farleigh Hospice Shops (raising much needed money for our Hospice). Please keep items for Providence Row and Farleigh Hospice separate. Many thanks in anticipation of your generosity. Please bring your contributions to church on the 20th January.
- What's Up Doc? Holiday Bible Club 11th - 17th Februrary 2008: for 5 - 11 year olds at Church of Our Saviour 9.45am - 12.30pm Tuesday to Friday with some special events at the weekend. £3 per child per day payable at COS on Monday 11th February between 10am and 12noon. Parent volunteers most welcome! Please contact Revd Ann Mackenzie on 01245 460205 to offer your services or for more info.
A Lourdes Prayer Book for the 150th Anniversary of the Apparitions in Lourdes: Illustrated with full colour pictures taken at Lourdes, this booklet brings together many of the most popular Marian prayers of the Church - antiphons, litanies etc - as well as prayers and devotions most associated with Lourdes and Saint Bernadette. The collection of prayers to Our Lady will inspire and support personal prayer or parish devotions. The booklets are £4.50 payable on receipt. Please give Fr Frank a note of your order with your name and address by 2nd February.
Other News:
- SOS Prayerline 020 7434 9211: because nothing is impossible to God. 7 days per week 7pm - 11pm. Here to pray for you!
- Easter Lourdes with young adults and HCPT - the Pilgrimage Trust: Travel to Lourdes in Easter week (23 - 30th March) as part of an 18+ group dedicated to helping with music, art workshops, parties, leading prayer and much more. The HCPT week is for children with many special needs - call 01277 265286 or visit www.bcys.net. Final deadline for applications 31st January 2008
- Join 150 young people aged 15 - 18 in Lourdes this Summer: from 24th July - 2nd August and help the elderly and those who cannot walk by guiding them in wheelchairs. The week includes a trip to the Pyrenees. Enjoy a time of friendship and fellowship. Photos from previous years and application forms at www.bcys.net, email sarah@bcys.net or call 01277 265286.
- Oasis of Peace (Medjugorje) Day: on Saturday 26th January with Fr Seamus Keenan at Newtimber, 18 Kendal Avenue, Epping CM16 4PW from 10.30am to 4pm. Includes Mass, Adoration and Rosary . Bring and Share lunch - drinks provided. Please let Susan know if you are coming on 01992 575017 or marys_nook@talktalk.net
- Essex Recusant Society: next meets on Saturday 26th January at 2.30pm at The Grange, 93 Queens Road, Brentwood. Mr John Ashdown-Hill will speak about his research into a mediaeval place of pilgrimage: the shrine of the Holy Rood at Dovercourt. All welcome. Further info from Isobel Parks on 01268 289678.
- Free CEF study day: Rediscovering Saint Paul: The Brentwood Diocese Commission for Evangelisation and Formation (CEF) invites you to an ecumenical study day at Brentwood Cathedral on Saturday 8th March 10.30am - 3pm. Admission free with sandwich lunch and refreshments provided. Oxford University Scholar and Bible Translator, Fr Nicholas King SJ, will lead the day and Bishop Thomas McMahon will be present. To book your place please call 01277 265289 or email cef@dioceseofbrentwood.org.
Sunday Smile:
Two Eskimos sitting in a kayak were chilly, so they lit a fire in the craft. Unsurprisingly it sank, proving, once again, that you can't have your kayak and heat it.
Items for the Newsletter:
Your views are always welcome. Please deliver your contributions to the Presbytery before noon on the preceding Wednesday.
Parish Weekly Income:
Grateful thanks for your continued generosity.