ALL SAINTS DAY:
1st November 2009
Retiring Collection for the SVP at all Masses today
Fr Frank writes:
There are many Saints in heaven - a wonderful thought in itself. But even more wonderful is our communion with them. The Church on earth and the Church in heaven is one! The saints are a living reality and their closeness to God means that their intercessions on our behalf can be very powerful. And so we ask the numberless saints to join their prayers with ours as we offer our Masses today.
November is the month of the holy souls. If you would like your departed loved ones to be remembered during Mass, pick up one of the brown "Month of Holy Souls" envelopes as you leave or enter church, and place the names of those you wish to be remembered inside.
During all Masses this month I will pause for a longer period during the Eucharistic Prayer at the point where we pray for our departed loved ones. This is to enable us all to remember those special to us during the silence.
May our heavenly Father bless you now and always.
Father Frank
Parish News:
- 2008/09 Gift Aid Donation letters: have been distributed after Masses for the last few weeks. If you are a member of the scheme, please look out for your letter after Mass. We are required to give you a letter about your donations for the last financial year and if we have to post all the letters it would cost us £60! Many thanks.
- Day trip to France: The Knights of St Columba will be making their coach trip on Tuesday 10th November. The coach will cost £25, with optional meal at approx. £30, and opportunity for shopping at Cité Europe. Please contact Bernard Storkey (441267) or Chris Lewington (463728) if you would like to join us.
- Anglia Singers with The Choir of the Bishops' School: will perform a selection of light classical and popular music from the 16th century to the present day at St Augustine's on Saturday 14th November at 7.30pm. Tickets £5 (children aged 5-16 £1, under 5s free) available from 01245 350988, St Augustine's Church or Bishops' School.
From the Deanery:
- Parish Concert in Witham tonight!: from 3pm at The Holy Family and All Saints Catholic Church as part of their 20th Anniversary celebrations. There will be a harp and cello duet and various performances from congregation members. Admission free.
From the Diocese:
- London Marathon Sunday April 25th 2010 places on offer!: If you are an experienced runner or someone who would value the opportunity to participate Brentwood Catholic Children's Society has bond places for runners. Please contact Sarah Kendall on 01268 784544 or by Email. It is an excellent way to raise much needed funds for the Diocesan Children's Society and perhaps achieve an ambition!
- Essex Recusant Society: the next meeting will be at 2.30pm on Saturday 7th November at The Grange, 93 Queens Road, Brentwood. Fr Brian Croughan, Portsmouth Diocesan archivist, will give a talk entitled 'A brief history of devotion to Our Lady Vulnerata'. Further info from Miss Isobel Parks on 01268 289678.
- Annual Reunion Mass for Lourdes Pilgrims: All pilgrims past and present are reminded of this year's Annual Reunion Mass which will be celebrated at the Cathedral in Brentwood on Saturday 31st October at 3pm, followed by refreshments in the Hall.
- Mary: Grace and Hope in Christ: A study day exploring Roman Catholic and Anglican understandings of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saturday 14th November at Chelmsford Cathedral Chapter House 2-5pm followed by Vespers of Our Lady in Chelmsford Cathedral. Further info and booking on 01245 451087 or by Email
- Faith and HIV & AIDS: "If the yardstick of our faith is unconditional love ... then our response to people living with HIV and AIDS will be a measure of our faith" Ghana Bishops' Conference. All are welcome to join CJSR and CAFOD at a special liturgy "Faith and HIV & AIDS" to mark World AIDS Day on Sunday 15th November 3pm-4pm followed by refreshments at Our Lady and St George, Shernhall Street, Walthamstow, E17 9HU with a CAFOD speaker and healing. Further info from Elisabeth Abbott (CJSR) 01277 265290 or by Email or Denise Grierson (CAFOD) 0208 502 9722 or by Email
Other:
- Oxfam Sunday Opening Hours: From Sunday 25th Oct until Christmas, The Oxfam Book and Music shop in the High Street will be opening from 10.30 am - 3.30 pm on Sundays in addition to their normal Monday to Saturday 9am - 5pm working hours. Please come and see the new stock of Christmas goods: there is a range of gifts for adults and children including jewellery, calendars, diaries, candles, Christmas cards, small toys and new Unwrapped gifts. Fairtrade food products such as chocolate, tea and coffee are also available, as are good quality second-hand books and, upstairs in the music department, CDs, vinyl, tapes, DVDs and sheet music. Please support Oxfam's work with people in poverty throughout the world. Thank you.
- Not in my Neighbourhood week: volunteers required to help out at Sainsburys on Thursday 5th November 11am - 3pm to hand out advice, literature, goodies and freebies at the request of the police. If you can help please click here to Email.
- Catholic Singles: is an organisation which helps single, widowed, separated and divorced Catholics of all ages (over 18 years) meet, either one to one or through social events. All members receive a monthly bulletin, called Catholic Networking. For more information please tel. 0161 941 3498, visit the website www.catholicsingles.org.uk or by Email
Sunday Smile:
Some true answers to RE questions (or so I'm told!).
The greatest miracle in the Bible is when Joshua told his son to stand still and he obeyed him.
David was a Hebrew king who was skilled at playing the liar.
Solomon, one of David's sons, had 300 wives and 700 porcupines.