PENTECOST SUNDAY:
31st May 2009
Day of Prayer for the Church
Fr Frank writes:
Today we welcome Ven David Lowman to our 9am Mass.
What wonderful celebrations of Mass we had with our Bishop last Sunday - a really joyous Ascension Sunday! Congratulations to our young people who received the Sacrament of Confirmation at the 12 noon Mass, and many thanks to their Catechists: Christine, Steve, Judith and Emma; their sponsors; their prayer partners; and their parents, family and friends. Please do continue to pray for them and for all our children and young people.
Today we recollect how the disciples spoke in many languages, and were understood by the Parthians, Medes, Elamites, those from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Libya, Cyrene, visitors from Rome, Cretans and Arabs. As a powerful reminder our readings today will be in Spanish, French, German and Dutch. My thanks to all our volunteer readers for enhancing our celebration. My thanks, too, to Sister Margaret and the Deaf Community who were with us at 12 noon - the Deaf Choir is truly inspirational.
May the Holy Spirit come down upon you and fill you with every good gift.
Fr Frank
Churches Together in Chelmsford cycle of prayer:
- 31st May: The Salvation Army
- 7th June: Trent Road, North Ave, Little Waltham & Writtle URC (Rev Jane Mortimer)
Parish News:
- Tuesday's Mass will be at 10.30am. This will be followed by tea/coffee, biscuits and social time. Everyone welcome.
- Volunteers needed for The Coffee Shack: where everyone is welcome to drop in for coffee and a chat at Church of Our Saviour, Chelmer Village on Tuesdays from 9.15am to 11.45am starting on Tuesday 2nd June. Please contact Fr Frank if you are able to help.
- Christian Aid Week Result May 2009: I can hardly believe it! Christian Aid has raised an all time record sum of £3,939.82 this year in Chelmer Village and Chancellor Park. It is enough to pay the annual salaries of 20 specially trained teachers in Nigeria who work in HIV kids clubs and who can each help hundreds of children to cope with their situation. The new collection outside ASDA raised a splendid £337.90. Congratulations and thanks go to the very many people who were involved, especially perhaps the generous person who stunned us with our first ever four-figure donation! Special thanks also go to Fr Frank for his unstinting support and to COS parishioners for your lovely warm welcome. Maureen Henes.
- Composting: We've installed a temporary composter at St Augustine's in an attempt to produce something to improve the tired soil in the church garden. Can you help by providing 'cross cut' shredded paper? Thank you. Fr Frank.
-
First Holy Communion Programme 2009/2010: If your child is eligible for receiving First Holy Communion
next year, please arrange for an interview with Father Frank and pick up an enrolment form from the Presbytery. Please
return all forms by 30th June 2009. The guidelines are as follows:
- That you are a practising 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 2010)
- That you obtain a letter of reference from the Parish Priest if you have been attending another Parish
From the Deanery:
- Take and Read Day, Saturday 13th June 10am - 4pm: at Holy Family and All Saints Catholic Church, Guithavon St, Witham CM8 1BN. Led by Fr Adrian Graffy and Mrs Anne Dixon the day will be about making known Catholic teaching on scripture, encouraging scripture reading, supporting facilitators of scripture groups, introducing resources and programmes and sharing experiences. Please see Fr Frank for an application from.
- The Diocesan Deaf Service: is celebrating a Signed Mass at Our Lady Immaculate, New London Road on 21st June at 7pm. Fr David Clemens will be the celebrant and people who are deaf will sign the readings. All are welcome, hearing, hard of hearing and deaf. More info from Sr Margaret Duffy on 0208 504 0406 or by Email
From the Diocese:
- Ladies of the Parish Summer Luncheon, Friday 19th June: This ladies only lunch is being held in a marquee within the beautifully landscaped gardens of a private farm in West Hanningfield. £25 per ticket includes a summer luncheon served buffet style, live Jazz Band along with the opportunity to purchase designer jewellery and vintage clothing. All proceed to Brentwood Catholic Children's Society. Contact Claire on 01268 784544 or by Email.
- Interpreting Genesis: to mark the Darwin anniversary this year, Fr Adrian Graffy will be giving an Ecumenical Study Day on the creation stories in the Book of Genesis on Saturday 6th June at Brentwood Cathedral Hall from 10.30am to 3pm. There are now limited places available for this event, so please book your place by phoning 01277 265289 or by Email. There is no charge for the event and a sandwich lunch will be provided.
- CAFOD sponsored bike ride: Sunday 7th June through Lee Valley Park and along the tow path to Broxbourne. 10 and 19 mile routes to choose from. For more info. call Brentwood CAFOD on 0208 502 9722 or click here to email
Other News:
- Were you at St Angela's Ursuline Convent, Forest Gate from 1957 - 1961?: We (Margaret Foley, Carole Edwards and Marjorie Beck) are trying to arrange a reunion for old Brownies for the aforementioned years on Saturday 4th July at 12.30 at a local restaurant in Brentwood. Could you please call Margaret Foley on 0208 529 5599 if you are able to attend.
Sunday Smile:
(this is true - or so I'm assured):
THE WEAKEST LINK
Anne Robinson: In traffic, what 'J' is where two roads meet?
Contestant: Jool carriageway?