FOURTH SUNDAY OF YEAR B:
28th/29th January 2012
Homelessness Sunday
Fr Frank writes:
This week we celebrate the feast of The Presentation of the Lord (also known as the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary in our older Missals). In times gone by this feast was celebrated as the end of the Christmas season. It commemorates the time when the infant Christ was presented, by Mary and Joseph, at the Temple. This occasion gives rise to a beautiful prayer called the Nunc Dimittis - these are the works spoken by Simeon as he received the Christ child in his arms. Simeon recognises the baby as the Messiah (in Greek, Christ) and prays in thankfulness because God has blessed his life in this way. He knows that this wonderful experience can never be surpassed in this life, and so prays that he can now die happy: Now, O Lord, you can dismiss your servant in peace, for you have fulfilled your word and my eyes have seen your salvation which you display for all the people to see (Lk 2:29-31). May our Eucharist be for each one of us a real meeting with Christ.
May the Lord who comes to us in the Mass, bless you now and always.
Fr Frank
From the Parish:
- Hall for hire: Do you need a party venue? Do you run a club or society? St Augustine's halls are available at certain times during the week. For further information contact Cathy Lyons on 460783.
- National Youth Congress 2012 'Fanning the Spirit into a Flame 2Tim 1:6-8': St John Payne is organising a trip to the Flame Congress at Wembley Arena 24th March 2012. This is a gathering of thousand of young Catholics in Years 10-13. Any young person who would like to attend should contact Christine Webb in school and secure their place before Thursday 2nd February. More info at www.cymfed.org/flame2012
- Providence Row & Farleigh Hospice collection: This weekend KSC will be collecting toiletries (ie soap, shower gel, shampoo, shaving, tooth brushes and tooth paste etc) for the rough sleepers of Providence Row, East London. Also good quality used clothing for the Farleigh Hospice Shops (raising much needed money for our local Hospice). Please keep items for Providence Row and Farleigh Hospice separate. Many thanks in anticipation of your generosity.
- Reverence before Holy Communion: the Bishop, who celebrated Mass at New Hall last Sunday, expressed concern about the number of people genuflecting before receiving Holy Communion. He feels that a bow would help the flow of people coming forward, minimise delay and the risk of accident. He also pointed out that a bow of the head is 'the norm' in England and Wales.
- Joint Management Committee work day at St Augustine's Sat. 3rd March 10am - 1pm: Many hands make light work! Please can you give an hour or two to help with the cleaning of the windows (both inside and out), clearing the gutters, tidying the car park and flower-beds and helping with any other jobs which may occur. Your time and help will be very much appreciated.
- 'Just Party' who sell First Holy Communion dresses, shoes, veils and other accessories: will be holding a sale at St Augustine's Church on Saturday 4th February from 11am to 1pm. Further information from Cath Lyons on 01245 460783.
From the Diocese:
- Abseil or ride your bike for CAFOD!: In celebration of 50 years of helping others, CAFOD Brentwood is aiming for 50 people from across the diocese to take part in the 120ft abseil down Harlow Water Tower on Sunday 6th May and also for 50 riders to take part in the Lee Valley Bike Ride (10 miles family ride or longer 19 mile ride) on Saturday 27th May. (Abseilers must be over 16 years, no upper age limit!). More details from 0208 502 9722 or click here to Email
- Praise & Worship Evening Sunday 29th January 7.30 - 9pm at SION Community: Sawyers Hall Lane, Brentwood. Everyone welcome. For those who can come earlier, there will be Adoration 7 - 7.30pm.
- Weekend retreat for Men at SION Community 24 - 26th February: 'As Iron Sharpens Iron' is a weekend retreat providing a opportunity for sharing, challenge, ministry and fellowship in a relaxed and prayerful setting; helping men to grow in their faith and take their place in the world. Cost £95 waged, £65 unwaged.
- A Foyer de Charité Retreat at Sion Community, Brentwood: from 6pm Sunday29 January - 2pm Saturday 4th February. The theme is 'God's Plan for the Fullness of Time' with preacher Mgr Keith Barltrop with help from members of the Foyer de Charité in Tressaint, Brittany. Foyer retreats are held mainly in silence, with 3 talks a day, and offer a holistic way of deepening our faith in the Church's teaching and our life in Christ. The Foyers are communities of consecrated lay people living with a priest in order to help others grow closer to Christ and live the Catholic faith more fully. Further info from Mgr Barltrop on 07879 953953 or click here to Email
Advertisements:
- Outstanding Applicants wanted for an 'Outstanding' School: St Elizabeth's School in Much Hadham, Herts is a Catholic residential/day school providing high quality education, care and health services for young people with epilepsy, autism and complex needs. We are seeking to recruit a School Principal to start in September 2012. Closing date for applications is 15 Februarys. Please see www.stelizabeths.org.uk or www.tes.co.uk for further details. St Elizabeth's School is administered by the Daughters of the Cross of Liège.
- Catholic Parliamentary and Public Policy Internships: For the last 9 years the Catholic Bishops' Conference has organised these internships for recently graduated Catholics. This year they are looking to offer 8 internship: 5 interns will be placed with Christian MPs in Westminster; 2 in Public Policy with CAFOD and CARITAS Social Action Network; and 1 in a media internship at Archbishop's House Westminster. All internships will run from September 2012 - July 2013 and include accommodation and subsistence allowances. Full details and an application form can be found at www.catholicnews.org.uk/interns. Closing date 5pm on 29th February 2012 with assessment days on 28th and 29th March 2012. If you would like to hear some first hand experience of this scheme please do feel free to speak to former intern William Redfern after Mass or click here to Email.
Sunday Smile:
Some more of those church notice boards:
Try Jesus. If you don't like Him, the devil will always take you back.
Where will you be sitting in eternity? Smoking or non-smoking?
Under the same management for over 2,000 years.