THE SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT (YEAR C):
27/28th February 2010
Fr Frank writes:
We continue our series of meditations on 'Home is a Holy Place':
God wished to be born and to grow in a human family. Thus he consecrated (the family) as the basic and ordinary way of His meeting with humanity. Pope Benedict XVI, December 2006.
Read more at www.homeisaholyplace.org.uk
As we begin the second week of Lent, don't forget the importance of spiritual preparation as a means of ensuring a worthy celebration of Easter. It is so easy to let things slip; to say 'I'll leave it until next week'. The benefit of a little effort is large spiritual dividends. Why not come along to Stations; or to a weekday Mass; or come and join our Lent Course, HOME IS A HOLY PLACE? - even if you missed the first session last Thursday, do consider coming along on 4th March - I promise you'll find it an interesting and enjoyable way of focussing on your faith.
Friday is Women's World Day of Prayer. If you cannot get along to a special service, you could attend Holy Hour at 3.00pm (men and children also welcome!).
May the God of love fill you with His love.
Fr Frank
Parish News:
- 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: 256754).
- The 'Brainsof Brentwood Diocese' Quiz at Walsingham House 13th March 7pm: Chris Thompson is organizing a team for this inter-parish quiz which Maria Webb is masterminding to raise money for Walsingham House. If you would like to participate in this bid for our parish to be awarded the coveted title of 'Brian of Brentwood Diocese', please contact Chris on 469191 or by Email. Tickets £5 for 19+, £3.50 for 16-19 and £2 for under 16s.
- Reconciliation classes: for the children who made their First Holy Communion in May 2009, will be held on the following Mondays - March 1st, 8th and 15th at St Augustine's from 4pm - 5pm. This is a refresher course. Please let Fr Frank know if your child will be attending the course. Thank you Cath Lyons.
- Easter Lilies: Each year we ask for donations for Easter Lilies to decorate St Augustine's for our Easter Celebrations. If you would like to make a donation (a suggested donation of £3) in memory of a deceased loved one, please place your offering in an envelope marked "Easter Lilies" and pass it to Cath Lyons. Many thanks for your generosity
- 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.
From the Deanery:
- SJP PTA St Patrick's Day rugby trip, Sunday 28th March: St John Payne School's PTA is organising a trip to watch London Irish Exiles take on Sale Sharks on 28th March, kick off 3pm, for this year's St Patrick's party at the Madejski Stadium in Reading. Ticket price includes return coach travel fro SJP school departing Chelmsford 10.30am and returning at approx 8pm. Adults £35 each, concessions (over 60s, students and children) £20 each. Please contact Tim Higgins by Email for tickets.
- Lenten talks at Our Lady Immaculate: The Four Last Things (3 remaining) 8pm after Expositions and Confessions on the following Wednesdays 3rd March 'Judegment' with Fr Tony Churchill parish priest of Bognor W Sussex, 10th March 'Heaven' with Fr Patrick Doyle Cong. Orat. Priest of the Brompton Oratory London, 17th March 'Hell' with Fr Hugh Sommerville-Knapman OSB, monk of Douai Abbey Berks
- 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
Other News:
- The Lion the Witch & the Wardrobe: presented by Offspringers at The Cramphorn Theatre, 16 - 20th March with performances from our very own 'junior' parishioners, Ben and Laura Hitchen and Alexander and Henry Whitington! Tickets available from 07765 772059.
- Accommodation wanted: A single woman, a teacher, in her 30s, is looking for accommodation - a bedroom with bathroom facilities in a Christian home. She is a former New Hall student. If anyone might be able to help & would like to have more details, please contact Sister Margaret - 01245 604108. Thank you.
Advertisements:
- YMCA Trustees Voluntary appointment: Chelmsford YMCA seeks to welcome and encourage everyone, especially children, young people and their families to belong, contribute and thrive, and achieve their full potential. We are seeking to appoint up to 4 trustees to strengthen our board as we expand our work. We are looking for people with experience in Finance/Fundraising, Buildings, Childcare, Marketing/IT or Youth Development. Board meetings take place 6 weekly - a commitment of approximately 8 meetings per year, plus additional Board Training and sub committees as needed. If you are an active Christian and have motivation, commitment, experience to support and promote our Christian ethos, please apply for an application pack from www.chelmsfordymca.co.uk. More info about the role can be obtained informally from Rowena Kerslake on 01245 200470.
Sunday Smile:
NOTICES (genuine, so I am assured!)
In the lobby of a Moscow hotel, across from a Russian Orthodox monastery: You are welcome to visit the cemetery where
famous Russian and Soviet composers, artists, and writers are buried daily except Thursday.
Airline ticket office, Copenhagen: We take your bags and send them in all directions.