SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT (YEAR A):
17th February 2008
Fr Frank writes:
I hope you like the new setting for the image of Our Lady in St Augustine's. Our Lady is known by many titles, the particular image in St Augustine's is that of the Madonna della Strada (Our Lady of the Streets). This accounts for her peasant dress - she is the one who walks with us in our day-to-day life.
The following prayer was written by Pope Benedict XVI:
Let us pray to her, our holy Mother, so that she may help us to open our entire being always more, to
Christ's presence; so that she may help us to follow him faithfully, day after day, on the streets of our
life. Amen.
May God richly bless you, and may Our Lady of the Streets pray for you:
Fr Frank
Churches Together in Chelmsford cycle of prayer:
- Week beginning:
- 17th February: St Andrews, Melbourne Ave (Rev Paul Greenland)
- 24th February: St Andrews, Sandon (Rev Keith Plaister)
Parish News:
- Needed: Old Palm Crosses: Could you please let me have last year's Palm Crosses sometime before Palm Sunday. These will be used to make the ash for next year's Ash Wednesday celebrations. Many thanks, Fr Frank
- 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
- Irish Night - Saturday 15th March: Doors open at 19.30 for a night of music, dance and entertainment in St John Payne School, Upper School Hall licensed bar applied for until 23.30. Tickets £6 each.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Other News:
- Marriage Care: would you like the opportunity to contribute to the support of marriage in your local community? Marriage Care, a national Catholic organisation, is seeking someone with management skills and about 5 hours a week available to fill the unpaid role of Centre Manager. You will be working with professionally trained volunteers supporting marriage and family relationships here in mid-Essex. If you are interested in knowing more, please contact Ann Seward on 01245 259455.
- Private Pilgrimage to Medjugorje 16th - 23rd May 2008: from Braintree Parish with Medjugorje Peace Tours at £415 for half-board accommodation (2 people sharing), return flights from Gatwick to Dubrovnik with 3 hour coach journey to Medjugorje. Deposit of £60 payable on booking with remainder due by 21st March. Please call Sheila McKay on 01376 342449 for more info.
Sunday Smile:
Did you hear the one about the man who sent ten different puns to friends, with the hope that at least one of them would produce laughter. No pun in ten did!
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.