SECOND SUNDAY OF YEAR C:
16/17th January 2010
Exchange of Pulpits Day & SVP Recruitment Drive
Fr Frank writes:
We continue our series of meditations on 'Home is a Holy Place':
Difficulties, exhaustion, conflicts and daily worries are part of life for all families. When parents - despite their troubles and despite their imperfections and weaknesses - choose kindness over aggression, tenderness over violence, forgiveness over bitterness, the family proclaims the victory of love, the victory of the Cross. When this happens, family members become witnesses to the incredible news of Jesus Christ, in whom love triumphed over death, once and for all. Such is the mystery of family life - human beings who transform the world by living the life of Jesus, a full life that fulfils the deepest hopes. Not only is this a challenge and an adventure, it is the Good News! (Bishops of the Americas)
Read more at www.homeisaholyplace.org.uk
Today, on Exchange of Pulpits day, we welcome Rev Ann Mackenzie to our Vigil Mass, and Rev Jane Anderson to our 9.00am Mass.
May the God of love richly bless you lives now and always.
Fr Frank
Parish News:
- The Augustinian: we are looking for articles (about 500 words) for the February edition of our parish magazine. All contributions welcome. Please email offerings to Nigel Gardener, or to me. Many thanks, Fr Frank
- Chelmsford Knights of St. Columba Annual Dinner: Saturday 6th February at the County Hotel. All parishioners who would like to join us are welcome. Guest speaker this year is Fr. Hugh Allen who is sure to do justice to the occasion. Tickets are £33 per person and can be obtained from Chris Thompson (469161) or any Knight.
- Parish Quiz: Andrew Webb, one of our faithful team of Altar Servers, is going on a world challenge expedition to Madagascar in June. To help finance Andrew we are holding a Quiz Night at St Augustine's on Saturday 30th January, beginning at 7.30pm. I am hoping that this will be a wonderful social event and fundraiser. Tickets are now on sale at £4.00 each. Be there or be ■. Fr Frank
- Providence Row and Farleigh Hospice collection: On the weekend of January 23/24 KSC will be collecting Toiletries (i.e. soap, shower gel, shampoo, shaving, tooth brushes and tooth paste etc) for the rough sleepers of Providence Row, East London as well as good quality used clothing for Farleigh Hospice Shops (raising much needed money for our local Hospice). Please keep items for Providence Row and Farleigh Hospice separate and clearly labelled. Many thanks in anticipation.
- Priest and People Revue, Friday 22nd January 7.30 p.m: at St. John Payne School in aid of The H.C.P.T. and the School's Jubilee Celebrations. Tickets are available from the School Office at a cost of £5.00 on receipt of a stamped addressed envelope, cheques should be made payable to 'St. John Payne School'.
- Quiz night in aid of SVP: at 7.15pm on Saturday 6th March at St Augustine's Church Hall. Tickets £6 with fish and chip supper. Tickets from James McEvoy (Tel: 353512).
From the Deanery:
- Scripture Course on the Christology of the New Testament starts on Monday 18th January, from 1.45pm to 3.45pm at Canon Wilson Hall, Lucas Avenue, Chelmsford. Everyone Welcome! For more information contact Ray Savage on 01245 362986.
From the Diocese:
- Essex Recusant Society next meeting Saturday 30th January: at 2.30 p.m. at The Grange, 93, Queens Road, Brentwood. The speaker, Br. Rupert Allen, O.Praem will talk about his research on 'The Premonstratensian Order in Essex: Great Parndon, Beeleigh and Chelmsford'. For further information or to join the Society, please contact the Secretary, Miss Isobel Parks on 01268 289678.
- Understanding Priesthood: Sharing In The Priesthood Of Christ. An Ecumenical Study Day on this theme will be given Fr John Farrell OP, Provincial of the English Dominicans, on Saturday 20th February at Brentwood Cathedral Hall from 10.30 until 3pm. The event is free and a buffet lunch will be provided. Please book your place by phoning 01277 265289 or by Email
-
Diary Dates from Diocesan Adult Religious Education & Formation for Ministry:
- Saturday 27th Feb: HOPE - Inspiration for Catholics working with young people at Friends Meeting House, Euston, London. Tickets £12.50/£14. www.cymfed.org
- Saturday 13th March: Annual Spirituality Diocesan Day 'The Two Journeys' - into the Heart and into the World. 10am - 3.30pm, Cathedral Conference Centre, Brentwood with Fr Daniel O'Leary. Cost £10.
- Tuesday 20th April: Exploring the Spirituality of Dementia. 7.30pm - 9.30pm at Cathedral Conference Centre, Brentwood with Dr Davnet Barker & Fr Paul Fox and viewing the DVD 'It's still me, Lord.' Cost £5.
- Tuesday 15th June: An introduction to the new Missal. For Catechists and Ministers of the Word (Readers) 7.30pm - 9.30pm at Cathedral Conference Centre. Brentwood with Mr Martin Foster, National Liturgy Office, London. Cost £5.
Other News:
- Evangelisation: A route to Discerning our Personal Vocation: A talk for young adults aged 18-38 by Fr Nino Vinciguerra of the Sion Community on Friday 22nd January 7.30 - 9pm in the Hinsley Room at Westminster Cathedral (off Morpeth Terrace). Further info from www.free2become.org or 01277 373848.
- Oasis of Peace (Medjugorje) Day: Saturday 30th January at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Epping CM16 4RA, from 10.30am to 4pm, led by Canon Seamus Keenan. Includes Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, Rosary and discussion. Bring packed lunch, drinks provided. "In prayer you will find your deepest joy" (Our Lady of Medjugorje).
- Lighthouse Centre Service of Remembrance: at 3pm on 7th February at Holy Trinity Church, Trinity Road, Chelmsford. The purpose of this service is to give men and women who have suffered the loss of a baby, either before or shortly after birth, for whatever reason, either recently or some time ago, the opportunity to remember in a sensitive and healing atmosphere. All are welcome whether or not they attend church. More info from 01245 494838.
Sunday Smile:
When the Vicar of Putney leads his secretary to think that he is out on important church business when in fact he is playing golf with his Roman Catholic opposite number is he not guilty of being ecumenical with the truth? (Seen in The Times).