FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT (YEAR A):
10th February 2008
Fr Frank writes:
Many congratulations on raising enough money to buy 74 new chairs for St Augustine's. Eventually we will be able to re-cover the 40 existing wood-framed chairs in the same fabric as the new chairs. Hopefully by Easter the church will be aglow with yellow and orange. My thanks to all who have so generously contributed to the 'Buy a chair fund'. Everyone who has given, together with their dedicatees will be remembered at an annual Mass at or around the feast of St Augustine of Canterbury (27th May).
I shall be away from Monday to Thursday afternoon this week - enjoying some amateurish bird watching and gentle walking in Blakeney (not to mention the luxurious comfort of the Blakeney Hotel!). My thanks to Deacon Kevin and to our Ministers who will be holding services of Holy Communion in my absence.
With every blessing.
Fr Frank
Churches Together in Chelmsford cycle of prayer:
- Week beginning:
- 10th February: Springfield Park Baptist (Rev Roger Stark)
- 17th February: St Andrews, Melbourne Ave (Rev Paul Greenland)
Parish News:
- Parish Pilgrimage to Padua and Venice 21st - 27th September 2008: led by Fr Frank, staying in Padua - City of Anthony and visiting Venice - City of St Mark, Verona and the Venetian Islands. The price of £699 includes return flights + taxes, half board accommodation, guided tours, boat trips and entrance fees. Further info from Tony Cornish on 264821 or tonycornish@talktalk.net
- Thanks from Michael: Sincere thanks to everyone who gave so generously to my appeal for sponsorship of my trip to Lourdes to help give children with special needs a holiday to remember. I was overwhelmed to receive £450 from the congregations at St Augustine's and Church of Our Saviour. Thank you so much for your generosity.
- KSC on behalf of Providence Row and Farleigh Hospice: would like to thank all Parishioners for their generosity and support in respect of the recent collection of toiletries, blankets and clothing.
- The Singing Group at St Augustine's: would be pleased to welcome new members. We rehearse on Fridays at 8pm and are preparing for Easter during the next few weeks. Just come along! If anybody would like to join the group of instrumentalists on Holy Saturday please let us know so that we have music for your instrument. (The practice for this will be on the afternoon of Good Friday).
- Easter Lilies: Each year we ask for special donations for Easter Lilies to decorate the Church for our celebrations. If you would like to make a donation (a suggested donation of £3) in memory of a deceased loved one, please place your offering in an envelope marked Easter Lilies and pass it to Cath Lyons. Many thanks for your generosity.
- A Night at the Musicals Friday 29th February 7.30pm: As part of her fundraising for her trip to the World Youth Day in Sydney Maria Webb has helped to organize an evening of songs from hit musicals to be performed by members of the St John Payne community past and present. Tickets (£5 or £4 for concessions), and the chance to win vouchers for any theatre in London, available from Maria after Mass.
- 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.
- First Reconciliation Programme: If your child was on last year's First Holy Communion Programme, it is now time to enrol them on to the Reconciliation Programme. This will consist of 2 one hour sessions on Monday 25th February and 10th March from 4pm - 5.15pm. I look forward to seeing you on the 25th Feb. Cath Lyons.
- The Catenian Association Bursary Fund: exists to help any young Catholic aged 16 - 24 prepared to work, unpaid, anywhere in the world, to help under-privileged people. It can usually help with a contribution towards the cost of fares, subsistence, injections and special clothing. More info from Paul Newman on 01245 355451.
- Re:fresh Chelmsford Christian Festival 2008: In the run up to the Festival Boo Hewerdine and Andy Thornton will be in concert at the Central Baptist Church, Victoria Road South in Chelmsford at 7.30 on Saturday 23rd February. Tickets £10 (£8 concessions) from rachelhorn@centralbaptist.f9.co.uk. The Re:fresh website can be found at www.refresh08.com
- Kingdom Come - the Life of Christ, 1st March 7.30pm at St Augustine's: talented actor, Eric Petrossian, presents a one-man dramatisation of the gospel playing over 30 parts. A wonderful opportunity to focus on Christ's life as part of our Lenten journey. Critics have hailed his performance as brilliant, mesmerising, impressive, excellent and dignified - come and judge for yourselves! Tickets £6 from Karin Seeman 466167.
From the Diocese:
- Almshouse vacancy in Ingatestone: for a single person consisting of cottage with living room, bedroom, kitchen and bathroom. Residents need to be able to live independently and, due to listed building constraints, the property may not be suitable for anyone with a severe disability. Applicants must be practising Catholics, over 50 and in need. More info from Elisabeth Abbott at Cathedral House on 01277 265236.
- St Theresa's Golf Day, Monday 21st April at Heydon Grange Golf Club: to help meet the expenses of the young helpers on the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes. Open to golfers of all standards, individuals or teams of 3 welcome. Contact John Richardson on 01279 817102 or jrichardson1@btconnect.com. View the golf course at www.heydongrange.co.uk.
- Living in Multi-Faith Britain, 10am - 3.30 pm Sat. 16th February: at Cathedral Parish Hall, Brentwood with guest speakers Fr Michael Barnes SJ, Director of Studies, Heythrop College, and Harjinder Singh, Sikh chaplain and writer. Lunch included. More info from Elisabeth Abbott on 01277 285236
Sunday Smile:
Mahatma Gandhi walked barefoot most of the time, which produced an impressive set of calluses on his feet. He also ate very little, which made him rather frail and with his odd diet, he suffered from bad breath. This made him a super calloused fragile mystic hexed by halitosis.
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.