SIXTH SUNDAY OF YEAR C:
13/14th February 2010
Today we welcome Fr Franco Mastromauro Mccj
Fr Frank writes:
We continue our series of meditations on 'Home is a Holy Place':
Spousal spirituality, by involving human experience which is never separated from moral life, has its roots in Baptism and Confirmation. By celebrating the memory of Christ's giving to the Church, the Eucharist develops the affective love proper to marriage … (Pontifical Council for the Family. Preparation for the Sacrament of Marriage § 41)
Read more at www.homeisaholyplace.org.uk
I am away on holiday this week. My thanks to Fr Franco who is celebrating our Masses today and to a member of the Norbertine Community who will be celebrating our Mass on Ash Wednesday. My thanks too to Deacon Kevin and our Eucharistic Ministers who will be holding services of Holy Communion on other days.
During Lent do look out for extra devotions - Stations of the Cross (Friday) and Exposition, Stations and Benediction (Sunday). Also, don't forget our Lent Course on Home is a Holy Place. Extra devotional effort brings wonderful results, and Lent is THE time to make that extra effort!
May God bless you now and always.
Fr Frank
Parish News:
- Palm Crosses: the tradition is that we hand in last year's palm crosses at the beginning of the following Lent for them to be turned into ash for use on Ash Wednesday. Would you please bring your old Palm Crosses and hand them in at church sometime during Lent so that my ash making factory can spring into action ready for Ash Wednesday 2011. Many thanks, Fr Frank.
- Home is a holy place: I hope you have found the extracts from the 'Home is a Holy Place' website published in the Newsletter over the past number of weeks interesting, uplifting and challenging. Maybe you have even been tempted to look at the website. During lent we shall be holding four sessions on successive Thursdays using material from theHome is a Holy Place team - DVDs, suggestions of topics for discussion etc. This promises to be a stimulating Lent course which I recommend to everyone. It is particularly relevant to parents, grandparents and anyone who wishes to discover more about faith in the home. The first session will take place at St Augustine's on Thursday 25th February between 8 and 9pm. Please do come along and make this part of your Lenten discipline. Fr Frank.
From the Deanery:
- St John Payne School - Saturday 27th Feb, General Knowledge Quiz: Following huge disappointment after cancellation of the quiz, we have managed to secure our quizmaster for this new date. Teams of up to 8. Arrive 7.15pm for 7.30pm sharp start. Tickets £5. Bring your own drinks and nibbles. Raffle prizes very welcome. Great fun for all the family and a wonderful way to support our school.
- A Mid Essex Deanery Pilgrimage to celebrate the Year of the Priest: to Ars and Paray Le Monial from Mon 12th-Thurs 15th April with Pax Travel. Cost £499 inc travel, 3 nights hotel accommodation, breakfast & dinner, full prog of Devotions and guided tours. Travel from Ashford by train. Full info from Karin Seeman on 466167
From the Diocese:
- Essex Recusant Society outing Sat. 20th February: to the church of St Patrick, Soho Square. This will be an opportunity to see the church before it closes for a year for restoration work at the end of February. Vestments and other items not normally on display will be shown. Meet inside the church at 2pm. If you wish to attend please contact Miss Isobel Parks on 01268 289678.
- Catholic Handicapped Fellowship: Annual Mass with Bishop Thomas for all those with special needs at Brentwood Cathedral on Sunday 14th February at 3pm. Refreshments to follow. All welcome.
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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:
- 'Thinking Faith' a holiday and study week 24th-30th July 2010: for Catholic students and young professionals at Boarbank Hall, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria LA11 7NH. Talks and discussions, Prayer and Liturgy, trips and activities, social and spiritual opportunities. Cost inc. full board £240 (£190 students). More info from www.boarbankhall.org.uk or by Email
Advertisements:
- Our Lady Immaculate Catholic Primary School: requires Reception class teacher from September 2010. Please contact the School Office (01245 353755) to arrange a visit and to obtain application details. Closing date 22.02.2010
Sunday Smile:
A biker went to the doctor with hearing problems.
Can you describe the symptoms to me? asked the doctor.
Yes, Homer is a fat yellow slob and Marge is a skinny bird with big, blue hair.