St. Augustine of Canterbury, Springfield

THE FOURTEENTH SUNDAY OF YEAR C:
3rd/4th July 2010

Fr Frank writes:

Next week is Sea Sunday, when the Church remembers all those who live and work at sea. This year is also 'The Year of the Seafarer', and so is a very important year for Apostleship of the Sea and for seafarers.

Seafarers are commonly recruited from poorer countries where wages are lower. They work in difficult and often dangerous conditions suffering from loneliness, spiritual deprivation and even exploitation as they transport the goods we use and consume every day.

The Apostleship of the Sea is the Catholic agency which works to help seafarers - offering pastoral and practical help. It relies on voluntary donations. I am sure you will give generously to our retiring collections after Masses next weekend.

Help to make a real difference in the lives of seafarers!

May Our Lady, Star of the Sea, pray for you, and may God bless you today and always.

Father Frank

Clergy Moves:

Please pray for these priests, for the communities they will be leaving, and those they will be joining:

Fr John Meehan - is taking a year's Sabbatical and has resigned as PP of Tilbury
Fr David Clemens is taking time away for health reasons, and has resigned as PP of Stanford-le-Hope
Fr Dominic Howarth becomes PP of Basildon
Fr Paul Dynan moves from Basildon to become PP of Stanford-le-Hope & Tilbury

Assistant Priests:

Fr Brett Adams moves from Colchester to Basildon
Fr Mark Riley (recently ordained) goes to Forest Gate
Fr James Mackay (recently ordained) goes to the Cathedral
Rev Neill Brett (to be ordained priest in September) goes to Colchester.

All appointments take place from the first weekend in October.

From the Parish:

Congratulations to Deacon Kevin: who has been invited by our Bishop to MC this year's Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes. Deacon Kevin has also been asked to represent the Diocesan Deacons at the Pope's Mass in Westminster Cathedral this coming September. Well done Kevin, we are all proud and pleased. Fr Frank.
Tuesday's Mass will be at 10.30am this week. Followed by tea/coffee and social time. Everyone welcome.
Prayer petitions for Lourdes: Deacon Kevin will be in Lourdes on the Diocesan pilgrimage led by Bishop Thomas from 19th to 25th July. If any parishioner wishes to send prayer petitions please give them to him in an envelope marked 'GROTTO' by 18th July. They will be placed at Our Lady's grotto on your behalf.
Many thanks from Raymond Perrier: to all parishioners who supported the 'every ticket wins a prize' Tombola which raised £500 for Jesuit charities in South Africa over 3 Sundays. Many thanks also to his mother, Phil, who donated all the prizes for the draw.
First Holy Communion Programme 2010/2011: If your child is eligible for receiving First Holy Communion next year, please arrange for an interview with Father Frank and pick up an enrolment form from the Presbytery. Please return all forms by 11th July 2010. The guidelines are as follows:
1. That you are a practising Catholic (attending Mass on a weekly basis)
2. That your child has been attending the Springfield Parish for at least the past year
3. That your child is eligible (8 years of age by 31st August 2011)
4. That you obtain a letter of reference from the Parish Priest if you have been attending another Parish

From the Diocese:

Essex Recusant Society: will be visiting the church of St Peter and St Paul, High Road, Ilford on Saturday 17th July. During the visit Fr Stewart Foster will speak to us about Canon Palmer and the history of the parish. We will meet at the church at 2pm. All are welcome.
Brentwood Catholic Children's Society Charity Skydive: Saturday 11th September, Headcorn, Kent. BCCS are looking for people from all over the Diocese to make a sponsored 10,000 feet freefall tandem parachute jump. Minimum sponsorship £300 to jump for free. Further info from Julie Abbott on 01268 784544 or 07912277413 or by Email.
Music for a Summer's Evening, Sunday 4th July 6.30pm: at the historic Church of Holy Cross and All Saints, Warley with Brentwood Cathedral Singers and some friends from Brentwood Choral Society. Join us for sweet music and a glass of wine. Retiring collection. Further info from Shirley Timmins 01277 233302 or 01277 219944 or by Email

Sunday Smile:

I was watching the Blackburn game on TV on Sunday when it flashed on the screen that George (Ndah) had scored in the first minute at Birmingham. My first reaction was to ring him up. Then I remembered he was out there playing. Ade Adinbiyi