SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER (YEAR B):
12th/13th May 2012
Fr Frank writes:
Next Sunday we celebrate the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord - this is one of the Holy Days which has been transferred to the nearest Sunday. It is a wonderful celebration of that glorious end to 40 days of resurrection appearances. It is only human to feel some sadness at the departure of a friend, and the apostles must have felt this as their Leader and Saviour returned to the Father before their very eyes. Ten days later, however, they were to understand all as that Advocate promised by Christ descended upon them with great power.
Speaking of celebrations. What a wonderful First Holy Communion Mass we celebrated yesterday. The children have been a real joy this year, and, more importantly, a real credit to their parents. My thanks to them, and to our catechists Cath Lyons and Bernadette Güler who do such a wonderful job each year.
May God richly bless you, and may Our Lady, the Queen of the May, pray for you.
Fr Frank
From the Parish:
- Songs of Praise service at Our Lady Immaculate Church Friday 8th June 8pm: to celebrate the end of the KSC Chelmsford Council 302's 75th anniversary year. The service will be attended by the Bishop of Chelmsford together with the Mayor and Mayoress. All are very welcome. Tea and biscuits in the Church Hall afterwards. Further details from Nigel Gardener 01245 26509
- Chelmsford OLI Catholic Women's League always welcomes new members: the CWL was founded in Brighton in 1906 and the OLI branch celebrated its 90th anniversary in December. The League organizes spiritual events, such as evenings of recollection, pilgrimages to Aylesford, Oxford and Walsingham, as well as social events with speakers on a wide range of subjects, meals out, theatre trips, coffee evenings, June strawberry tea and July Brunch. The League is also very active in raising money for charity - this year's beneficiary is the Helen Rollason Cancer Charity. Meetings are held in OLI Parish Hall on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month at 7.30pm. For more info please contact Carol Gladwin on 01245 440644.
- Brentwood Ursuline Music Places/Scholarships Year 7 School Admission Sept. 2013: The school will be holding musical aptitude tests 10th - 21st September 2012 for these awards. Parents wishing to apply for their daughter should submit an application form (available for dowload at www.buchs.co.uk or direct from the school). Completed forms must be received by 20th July 2012.
- Christian Aid Week 13-19 May 2012: It's Sunday the thirteenth already. So we can start delivering Christian Aid envelopes from today, and finish collecting them by Saturday 19th May at the latest. People's generosity always surprises me, no matter what the country's situation is.
- Government matchfunding for CAFOD: You may remember that the government has offered to match all donations made to CAFOD during the period 17th Feb. to 17th May 2012. So for every £1 received, the value of the donation is doubled. If you wish to make any 12/13 CAFOD donations early so that CAFOD can take full advantage of the government's offer, please either use a spare envelope from your Gift Aid box or use a blank envelope marked CAFOD and place it in the offertory collection by the weekend 12/13th May at the latest (please add your Gift Aid envelope no. if you have one).
- SVP Strawberry Tea Saturday June 16th: at St Augustine's from 2.30pm for retired members of our community. If you would like to come along please call Kerry on 01245 451963. Please note that this has been rescheduled from the original date of May 19th.
- Clothes appeal for Fr Charles's orphanage: In June Min, Colin, Andrew and Sandra Kirwan are off to visit Fr Charles in Uganda. They are hoping to take over some much-needed clothing for the orphans. Fr Charles has asked for new or good quality used football shirts, sports clothing, girls clothing and school uniforms, for ages 6-16. All donations can be brought to the church or by calling 01245 465850. Financial donations to buy sports and school equipment would also be very welcome. Sincere thanks for your generosity.
- Queen's Jubilee Street Party: We will be organising a street party in the car park on Monday 4th June. We are hoping to have a fancy dress - red, white & blue or royalty theme - and 'design a crown' competition. There will be games and, if our licence allows, we will show the Queen's celebrations on TV in the church hall. This will be a bring and share which we hope will appeal to the church and wider community. If you have any ideas or would like to help in the preparations or on the day - putting out tables etc or baking then please indicate on the list in church.
From the Deanery:
- Ecumenical address: Revd Dr Raed Abusahliah, priest of the Latin Patriarchate, will give an address at The Holy Family of All Saints, Witham whilst visiting England to deliver the Michael Prior Memorial Lecture at Heythrop College. He will address an ecumenical gathering on Monday 11th June at 7.30pm. Everyone is very welcome.
From the Diocese:
- CAFOD Lee Valley Bike ride: Sunday 27th May - choose from the 10 mile family ride starting at Cheshunt or the longer 18 mile ride starting from Ponders End. The routes go through Lee Valley Park and along the tow path to Broxbourne where we enjoy our picnic lunch. £6 entry fee per person. For more details click here to Email or telephone 020 8502 9722
- Healing Mass at Abbotswick: Fr Eamonn Power will be celebrating a Healing Mass at Abbotswick House of Prayer on Wed. 23rd May at 2.30pm. All welcome. For further details visit the events page of www.abbotswick.org or call 01277 373959.
- St Bonaventure's School, Forest Gate reunion: Saturday 16th June at the Golden Fleece, Manor Park, for those who joined the school in 1959, 1960 or 1961. This is the first such reunion for very many years and will be totally informal. If you would like to know more, please contact Tom Hagger on 01323 897846 or click here to Email.
- Diocesan Preparation for the Year of Faith 'How to Share the Good News': Monday 28th May 7.30 - 9.30pm at the Cathedral Conference Centre, Brentwood. Speaker: David Payne, Director of CaFE. David will explore how the word of God has the power to change and transform minds and hearts. Suggested donation £5. Please book through the Adult Religious Education office on 01277 265219/255 or click here to Email
- BCCS Ladies Jubilee Supper, Thurs 31st May at Crondon Park Golf & Country Club: BCCS are delighted to be hosting a ladies only Supper in celebration of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. Tickets £39.50 each, include drinks reception, dinner, tea/coffee and a host of entertaining activities. All proceeds will go to the Brentwood Catholic Children's Society. Further info + tickets from Julie on 01268 784544 or click here to Email.
Advertisements:
- New Hall School require Teacher of Religious Education: to start in September or January. Applicants must be fully supportive of the school's ethos and be a practising Catholic. Closing Date: Midday, Monday 21 May 2012 - Interview Date: Friday 25 May 2012. For further details & an application form please contact the HR department: Tel: 01245 467 588, Fax: 01245 467 188, click here to Email, or www.newhallschool.co.uk
Sunday Smile:
Thoughts for our time:
Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
The early bird might get the worm; but it's the second mouse that gets the cheese.
Evening news is where they begin with 'Good evening', and then proceed to tell you why it isn't.