FOURTEENTH SUNDAY OF YEAR B:
5th July 2009
Day for Life
Fr Frank writes:
This coming Saturday we celebrate Evangelisation Day with an Evangelisation Workshop led by Emily Davis of CaFÉ. This promises to be an interesting day, which, I hope and pray, will energise us in our mission to evangelise those who have fallen away from the practice of the faith. There are an estimated 4m Catholics in England, and the average Sunday Mass attendance is just over 1m. A simple extrapolation would produce a Catholic population in our parish of something of the order of 1,700. Wouldn't it be wonderful to see all of them at Mass each Sunday? Come along on Saturday and see what you can do!
Next Sunday we celebrate once more with our First Holy Communion and First Reconciliation children, their parents, siblings and other family members. This time the celebration takes the form of a Garden Party at the Presbytery. Pray for fine weather! If it rains, we'll meet in St Augustine's church hall.
And finally: don't forget the parish AGM on Wednesday!
May our Wonderful and Compassionate God bless you now and always.
Fr Frank
Clergy Appointments: Parish Priests (with effect from October)
- Mgr William Nix from the Cathedral to Braintree
- Fr John Meehan from Canvey to Tilbury
- Fr Bob Hammil from Elm Park to East Ham
- Fr Anthony McKentey from Braintree to Colchester
- Fr James McShane from Tilbury to Elm Park
- Fr Joseph Whisstock from Colchester to Westcliff
- Fr Jean-Laurent Marie from Westcliff to Canvey and Benfleet
- Fr Martin Boland from Brightlingsea to the Cathedral
- Fr Paul Keane from Brentwood to Brightlingsea (and Essex University)
- Fr George Ranahan (Pallotine) to Becontree
Parish News:
- Tuesday's Mass: is at 10.30am. This will be followed by tea/coffee and social time. Everyone welcome.
- Parish Annual General Meeting: takes place at St Augustine's following the 7.30pm Mass this coming Wednesday 8th July. Why not come along, find out what's happening, and have your say?
- Many thanks to Charlotte Mirrington: who has been St Augustine's litter picker for some time. Owing to other commitments, Charlotte can no longer continue with this vital work. CAN you help? If you are willing to spend 20-30 minutes a week picking up litter from the church gardens and car park I would like to hear from you. Many thanks. Fr Frank.
- Evangelisation Workshop Saturday 11th July: at St Augustine's. Mass at 9.30am for 10am start, finishing at 2.45pm. Lunch will be provided. The theme will be 'understanding evangelisation within our communities' and is led by Emily Davis of CaFE. Please contact Karin Seeman on 01245 466167 if you would like to attend.
- Hymn Books: The number of hymn books in church is on the decline again. Please check your sock drawers! Many thanks. Fr Frank.
- First Holy Communion/Reconciliation Garden Party: will be held in the Presbytery Garden on Sunday 12th July at 2.30pm. Don't forget to let me know whether or not you are able to come. Fr Frank.
From the Deanery:
- Ecumenical Praise and Worship at Our Lady Immaculate Church: London Road, Chelmsford on Wednesday 8th July at 8pm with speaker Revd. Tim Ball from Holy Trinity Church in Springfield. An evening of music, prayer and fellowship with refreshments. Everyone welcome. More info from Jane Parker on 01245 473652
From the Diocese:
- Year for Priests' celebration: To celebrate the Year for Priests there is Adoration every Thursday 11am - 5pm at Abbotswick House of Prayer. Please do come and join us in praying for our Priests. For further details and directions visit our website www.abbotswick.org or call 01277 373959.
Other:
- Oxfam's first Nationwide Book Festival: 4-18th July at Chelmsford's Oxfam Bookshop, High Street, Chelmsford. The festival celebrates the nation's love of books and aims to fight poverty through the love of reading. Late openings until 6pm on Thursdays 9th & 16th July with a chance to meet Hadleigh author Nick Ardley from 4.30pm on July 9th. Nick Ardley's book 'The May Flower' is an insight into Nick's unusual childhood on a Thames spritsail barge with tales of family life aboard the vessel, constant travel and repairs, and holidays on the Essex coast.
Advertisements:
- Brentwood Catholic Children's Society: has a vacancy for a full-time Senior Administrator based at the head office in Rayleigh, Essex. The successful candidate will be literate in up-to-date IT software packages; have proven administration experience at a senior level and ability to manage a small team. The closing date is 16th July 2009 and interviews will be conducted on Friday 24th July 2009. For more information and an application pack please call 01268 784544
Sunday Smile:
(this is true - or so I'm assured):
QUIZMANIA:
Caller: I've been ringing 0700 2300 for two days and can't get through to enquiries. Can you help?
Operator: Where did you get that number from, sir?
Caller: It was on the door to the travel centre.
Operator: They're our opening hours.