THIRD SUNDAY OF YEAR C:
23rd/24th January 2010
Homelessness Sunday
Fr Frank writes:
We continue our series of meditations on 'Home is a Holy Place':
The family is the domestic Church. The meaning of this traditional Christian idea is that the home is the Church in miniature. The Church is the sacrament of God's love. She is a communion of faith and life. She is a mother and teacher. She is at the service of the whole human family as it goes forward towards its ultimate destiny. In the same way the family is a community of life and love. It educates and leads its members to their full human maturity and it serves the good of all along the road of life. The family is the first and vital cell of society. In its own way it is a living image and historical representation of the mystery of the Church. The future of the world and the Church, therefore, passes through the family. (Pope John Paul II: 1986)
Read more at www.homeisaholyplace.org.uk
During this Year of the Priest, the Community at Abbottswick are holding 'Days of Adoration' (days of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament) for priests. On Thursday this week (28th), they are praying for the priests of our Deanery. As it is not possible for many to get to Abbottswick, I shall be holding a Holy Hour (an hour of prayer for the priests of our Deanery) at St Augustine's from 4pm that day. Do come along and pray for our priests.
May the God of love richly bless your lives now and always.
Fr Frank
Parish News:
- Help Needed: A Comboni Missionary (Verona Father) will be visiting the parish on the weekend of 13/14th February. Are you able to help by providing an evening meal on Saturday, a bed for the night, breakfast and (possibly) lunch on Sunday? If you can help, please let me know as soon as possible. Many thanks. Fr Frank.
- Haiti Earthquake Appeal: Many thanks to all who contributed to our retiring collection last Sunday. We were able to send an impressive £1,131.95 to the appeal. Thank you for your generosity. Fr Frank.
- Signed Mass at Church of Our Saviour 5pm January 30th: by the Diocesan Deaf Service. Fr Frank Jackson will be the celebrant with readings signed by people who are deaf. All welcome. More info from Sr Margaret Duffy by Email
- The Really Really Wild Show, Half Term holiday club: at Church of Our Saviour, Feb 15th to 21st for children aged 5 to 11 years. Registration 10am - 12noon Monday, club runs 9.45am - 12.30pm Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri with a family service at Church of Our Saviour at 10am on Sunday 21st February. Cost £3 per day or £10 for the week. More info from 01245 460205, www.churchoos.org.uk or by Email
- 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: This weekend the 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.
- 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:
- Pro-life Vigil: The next prayer for life vigil will take place at Our Lady Immaculate on 6th February between 11am and 12noon.
From the Diocese:
- Centenary Celebrations - Sacred Heart Church, Southend-on-Sea: a Solemn Mass presided over by Bishop Thomas will be held on Thursday 18th February at 7.30pm. Everyone welcome.
- BRES Annual Spirituality Morning, Saturday 30th Jan 9.30-12noon: 'Keeping our compass right'. Half way through St Luke's Gospel we have the central teaching of loving God and neighbour illustrated by the 'Good Samaritan' and 'Martha and Mary'. The implications of these will be teased out in our retreat morning. As Christians we need to look at: Practice of the presence of God, commitment, spiritual balance, activism, cultivation of a relationship wil God.
- 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
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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:
- 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:
Did you hear about the explosion at the Roget's Thesaurus factory?
Onlookers were shocked, astonished, stupefied, speechless, amazed, stunned, dumbfounded, flabbergasted, taken aback
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