THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT (READINGS FROM YEAR A):
20th/21st March 2010
Fr Frank writes:
We continue our series of meditations on 'Home is a Holy Place':
Holiness does not consist in not making mistakes or never sinning. Holiness grows with the capacity for conversion, repentance, willingness to begin again, and above all with the capacity for reconciliation and forgiveness. And we can all learn this way of holiness. Pope Benedict XVI (2007)
Read more at www.homeisaholyplace.org.uk
In case you missed our Lenten Service of Reconciliation last Wednesday, there are others in our deanery:
- 22nd Blessed Sacrament, Melbourne at 7.30pm
- 25th Holy Name, Moulsham Lodge at 7.30pm
- 29th Holy Family and All Saints, Witham at 7.30pm
- 30th Holy Trinity, South Woodham Ferrers at 8.00pm
May God fill you with every blessing.
Fr Frank
Parish News:
- Papal visit: During the recent Ad Liminia Visit, the Holy Father announced his forthcoming trip to the UK. Sadly there is already opposition, headed by the Secular Society of Great Britain, who have launched an online petition which has already attracted 20,000 signatures. A petition supporting the visit now has 25,000 signatures. You are asked to visit the website and add your signature as we welcome the Holy Father to our country. Please visit www.petitiononline.com/PopeinUK/petition.html
- Chelmsford Lioness Club Fashion Show: St Augustine's Church Hall, Thursday 25th March 7.30pm for 8pm. Entry £5 including glass of wine or juice. Clothes manufactured for leading High Street stores. All ages welcome with proceeds going to Helen Rollason Cancer Charity. Call Chris Bennett (sooner rather than later!) for tickets 01245 357189.
- 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
From the Diocese:
- Praise and Worship evening at the SION community: Sawyers Hall Lane, Brentwood, Sunday March 28th 7.30pm - 9pm. Everyone welcome.
- Oasis of Peace (Medjugorje) Day: Saturday April 24th at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, 11 Church Hill, Epping CM16 4RA from 10.30am to 4pm. Includes Mass, Adoration, Rosary and discussion. Bring packed lunch - drinks provided. More info from Susan 01992 575017 or by Email
- Celebrity Organ Recital by Andrew Wright: Master of Music and Diocesan Director of Music. 7.45pm on Saturday 17th April at Church of the Most Holy Redeemer, Billericay - part of the Centenary Celebrations of the Church. Tickets £7.50 (conc £2.50), Family ticket £15.00, available from Parish Office on 01277 624891 or by Email.
- Celebrating Archbishop Oscar Romero: Mass will be held in Brentwood Cathedral on Wednesday March 24th at 7pm to mark the 30th anniversary of Archbishop Romero's assassination. It will be followed by a talk by Sarah Smith-Pearse from CAFOD in the Cathedral Hall. All welcome. Please take this opportunity to pray for Justice & Peace at this special Mass during Lent. Further info from CJSR 01277 265290.
- Day for Renewal at SION community: Sawyers Hall Lane, Brentwood, Saturday March 27th 10am-4.30pm. Theme 'I thirst', speaker: Fr Angelus. All welcome. Please bring packed lunch.
Advertisements:
- Brentwood Catholic Children's Society seeks Social Worker: to work in the Primary and Secondary schools in the Diocese on a one year temporary contract. 37 hours per week during term time and participating in the duty social work team during school holidays. This covers a period of 40 weeks per year plus public holidays and leave entitlement. Further details from Eileen Campling, Deputy Director on 01268 784 544 or by Email. Closing date 19th March 2010.
Sunday Smile:
The teacher asked to meet with Johnny's parents. I think your son cheated in a school test, she said. What do you mean? The parents asked. Well, said the teacher, I compared you son's completed test with the boy sitting beside him and I found that both had the first three answers right and the next two wrong. That doesn't prove anything, said the parents. That's what I thought, said the teacher until I came to the sixth question. What about the sixth question? Asked Johnny's parents. Well, answered the teacher, to the sixth question, the boy sitting beside your son had answered , I don't know, and your son answered, neither do I.