THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT (YEAR C):
12/13th December 2009
Gaudete Sunday
Fr Frank writes:
As Christmas approaches it is good to focus on the fact that Jesus was born into a human family. With this in mind, I shall include a few meditations on 'Home is a Holy Place' over the next few weeks.
The Christian family is a sanctuary of love and a community of the baptised. Jesus shows us the way of love, rooted in self-giving service to each other and to the world. As the Church in the home the family is the foremost educator of children, but the family is also a place of adult learning. Despite difficulties, the family reflects God's tenderness, faithfulness, forgiveness and mercy. The family become messengers of the compassionate love of Christ, for each other first of all but also for the rest of humanity. The family truly is a house of God. (Statement from the Bishops of the Americas)
Read more at www.homeisaholyplace.org.uk
May God fill you with his love.
Father Frank
ADVENT RECONCILIATION SERVICES
- 14th December: Blessed Sacrament, Melbourne: 7.30pm
- 16th December St Augustine, Springfield: 8.00pm
- 17th Holy Name, Mousham Lodge: 7.30pm
- 21st Holy Family and All Saints, Witham: 7.30pm
- 21st Our Lady Immaculate, Chelmsford: 8.00pm
- 22nd Holy Trinity, South Woodham Ferrers: 8.00pm
Parish News:
- New Hall Choir: is seeking extra singers to swell their ranks over the Christmas period! All ages very welcome from 8 upwards. If you would like to participate please contact Jackie Chester on 01245 464465.
From the Deanery:
- St. John Payne Catholic School Chelmsford: is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. To mark the occasion, a commemorative book has been published containing the school's history and stories from various personalities who attended St. John Payne. To order the book visit www.sjp.essex.sch.uk, or ring 01245 256030 to obtain an order form.
From the Diocese:
- World Youth Day, Madrid, 2011. Join 150 young adults from Brentwood Diocese, 2 million from across the World, and Pope Benedict XVI for this wonderful celebration. The trip includes time with a Spanish family, plus a week of activities in Madrid with international speakers, drama, art, dance and music, culminating in a huge open air Mass with the Pope. To read about previous WYD experiences and to apply for 2011, visit www.bcys.net/wyd The trip is open to all who will be in school year 12 and above when we travel, through to young adults in their early twenties. We are away from 9th - 23rd August 2011 and the price of £895 includes all travel, accommodation, insurance, the WYD registration fee, pre trip preparation and most meals. It is a wonderful experience - be part of it!
- Vocations' website: Visit www.brentwoodvocations.org for new resources and a 'Priests' Blog' - share with 14 Priests of the Diocese as they present a snapshot of living Priesthood, day by day. If you are interested in a vocation to the Diocesan Priesthood please speak to your Parish priest, or contact Fr Dominic Howarth or Mgr John Armitage via the vocations website.
Other:
- Day of inspiration for Catholics working with Young People: Come and hear some of the finest speakers in the world share their wisdom and knowledge about working with young people. Bob and Maggie McCarty are at the forefront of Youth Ministry in America, and they will be joined by well known Dominican author and speaker Fr Tim Radcliffe, Abbot Christopher Jamison (from the BBC series, The Monastery), and Archbishop Vincent Nichols. February 27th 2010, London - full details at www.cymfed.org/congress. Tickets £12.50 if booked by December 18th; £14 after that date, while tickets remain.
Sunday Smile:
Angels as explaineded by children (continued):
My angel is my grandma who died last year. She got a big head start in helping me while she was still down here on earth -
Katelynn, age 9
What I don't understand about angels is why, when someone is in love, they shoot arrows at them - Sarah, age
7.