SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT (C)
13th March 2022
Dear Parishioner
The apostles Peter, James, and John; the transfiguration day was the most astonishing and fortunate day. Out of the
twelve, they were chosen to accompany Jesus up on the Mount of Tabor. The more they began to ascend the mount, the more
their focus fell upon Jesus. They were separated from their companions. They began to ponder about the purpose and aim of
this unusual journey. It was hard for them to figure out, but they have learned to trust him and have followed him ever
since he called them. Jesus was the way, the truth and the life, and so Peter, James, and John were anchored in their trust
in him. This is indeed a great lesson for us. When we face ups and downs in our life, Jesus is by our side to lead us on.
Are we prepared to take the path through which Jesus wishes to lead us and like Peter, James, and John do we believe that
the Lord is with us?
They finally reached the peak of the mountain. The Lord begins to engage in prayer. The Apostles being tired were unable
to keep up with their Master in His moments of prayer and fall asleep. Then they were awakened by the sound of voices and
the bright light they felt on their closed eyes. Waking up, they are overawed at what they saw. Before them was the Master
in his Glory. At his side stand Moses and Elijah, conversing with him in an unmistakable attitude of respect. He was
dazzlingly white, almost too bright for their eyes. It was their Lord and Master. They were filled with the greatest joy.
They were overcome by their experience of Christ in his glory. Peter said what came to his mind-that he wanted to remain
there always. He had not fully understood, but he grasped that to be with Christ, to live in the light of the Master, is to
live in joy.
Moses and Elijah appear in glory. They bore witness that their mission, and that of all those sent by God throughout the
centuries of Israel's history, was a preparation for the coming of Christ. They, while on earth, spoke in a veiled
language, in symbolic language, and though they perceived a Messiah would come, they did not fully know him. They did not
know that he would be God's only Son, born of a woman. But now for them too, the veil has been removed. The New
Covenant is proclaimed by the Son himself. He speaks to the world as the Son of the Father. And it is the Father who calls
on the apostles to listen to his Son, his beloved Son. Let us ask for the grace to listen to Christ. Let us ask for the
grace to pick up the Gospel with renewed simplicity, with a generous and open heart, with faith and confidence in God, that
we might hear the words of the Son of God.
Fr Jijo George
Notices:
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Cashless giving: In response to requests from parishioners and to keep up with the times QR codes have
been provided by the Diocese to enable cashless giving. These have been placed at the doors of our church. Please scan
the amount you want to donate and the money will automatically go into the parish bank account. The Donate link has
also been set up by the diocese to pay in directly to the parish account http://stream.seccomgroup.com/donations/saoc. Thank
you for your continued generosity.
- Priest Surgery: There will be Parish Priest surgery on Thursdays 5.30pm - 6.30pm. Please in order to
book a baptism date for your child, please attend the weekly Parish Surgery.
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Baptism/Marriage Enquiries: Kindly use the parish email (click
here) for any request. Please ensure that you give us your contact number/email address for further communication.
Please do come to the Thursday priest Surgery.
- Baptism Preparation: If you have booked in for a Baptism, you are asked to take part in a Baptism
Preparation Course. The course will be conducted by the Parish priest on first Tuesday of every month at 7.30pm or by
appointment. The Parents and God-parents are expected to attend the course. The baptism dates will be available on first
and third Saturdays of every month and the time for Baptism would be at 12 noon.
- Lenten Prayer intentions: Candidates for the Sacraments; Women; The Needy and Hungry of the world;
Penitents & Wanderers
- Prayer for Ukraine: Daily recite three Hail Mary's at 6.30pm, thus interceding with mother Mary
for the people of Ukraine.
- RECEIVING COMMUNION Please consume the Body of Christ in front of the Priest or Minister of
Communion NOT in your seat.
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ST AUGUSTINE'S PRAYS FOR UKRAINE Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6086960112?pwd=eDFsVGI4SURQL2RYeUgxWUtHRXo1UT09
Meeting ID: 608 696 0112 Passcode: 289272
The 12 noon prayers every day are open to anyone in the parish wishing to join in prayer for Ukraine. No previous
knowledge or attendance is necessary, nor are people required to join every day! Everyone is welcome. Prayers start at
12 promptly and last 15 minutes.
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UKRAINE, WAYS TO HELP WITH CARITAS, DIOCESE OF BRENTWOOD Like so many charities and organisations,
Caritas Diocese of Brentwood is here in solidarity with the Ukrainian people. We have a webpage dedicated to ways that
people can help - through prayer, financial donations, and donations of food, medical supplies and clothing and all the
information is at: www.caritasbrentwood.org/ukraine
- LENTEN STATIONS OF THE CROSS AT ST AUGUSTINE'S: During Lent, there will be Stations of the Cross
on every Friday at 7.30pm from 4th March.
- EASTER LILIES Each year we ask for special donations for Easter Lilies to decorate the Church for
our Easter celebrations. If you would like to make a donation (a suggested donation of £4) 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.
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THE AUGUSTINIAN We are hoping to produce an edition of "The Augustinian" for Easter and
still have room for some articles. They can be about parish matters, other church groups or general interest locally.
Anything with pictures will be particularly welcome. To send articles, or ask for more information, click here to
email or pass copy to Chris Thompson.
- LENT TALKS AT OLI - AT 7.30PM EACH WEDNESDAY AT OLI PARISH HALL
Wed 9th March - Fr Thomas Skeats O.P. - "The Gospel and the Good Life"
Wed 16th March - Fr Stephen Morrison O.Praem. - "The Easter Liturgy"
Wed 23rd March - Fr Pius Collins O.Praem. - "Forgiveness"
Wed 30th March - Fr Lee Bennett - "Prayer"
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in OLI church from 6.30pm - 7.20pm
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THE BRENTWOOD CATHOLIC CHILDREN'S SOCIETY is inviting parishioners across the Diocese to join in
with their now-annual 'Relay 100' community event this May and June. An opportunity to remind our community
about the work we do, to reach families who may need our support and to raise some funds through sponsored walks, runs
or cycles. We are looking for 100 individuals or groups to complete a 'leg' of our relay around the diocese; we
have routes of varying distances so there is something to suit all abilities. Can you help us? To find out more, please
contact Damian Dillon: click here to
Email / 07912 308000 or visit https://www.bccs.org.uk/fundraising-and-events/all-events/relay-100 to read more about this event.
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LENT READINGS: The Scripture readings for Lent are particularly rich and a major source of help in
living a good Lent. Fr Adrian Graffy, parish priest, Scripture scholar, and member of the Pontifical Biblical
Commission, has prepared commentaries on all the readings in the Liturgy of the Word at Mass throughout Lent, from Ash
Wednesday to Good Friday. The full text of the biblical readings and commentary are accessible from the home page of
www.whatgoodnews.org
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PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES: Bp Alan will lead the diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes from 24 - 29 July; a time
to pray at the Grotto of Our Lady and enjoy the opportunities of this experience. Book now online: www.tangney-tours.com/brentwood. For further information, please phone Cathy O'Connor, the
Administrative Director: 01206 735623.
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FULLY ESCORTED PILGRIMAGE TO KNOCK SHRINE, Ireland, 23rd May 2022. £699.00 per person sharing.
Price includes flight with 10kg hand luggage, all transfers, 4 nights in Knock House Hotel with full board. All
entertainment and excursions included. Lunches on days out. Wheelchair accessible rooms. Single room supplement
£100.
Contact Patricia on 01268 762 278 or 07740 175557 or click here to Email. Knock
Pilgrimages is a member of the Travel Trust Association and is fully protected by ATOL T7613.
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BEGINNING EXPERIENCE WEEKEND: If you are single again following divorce, separation or the death of
your partner, a residential weekend to help you to heal will be held from 8th to 10th April 2022 at the Sion Community,
Brentwood, Essex. If you would like more details, please ring Freda 01322-838415 or Maura 07795-498445 or click here to Email.
- PARISH INCOME - If you do not pay by standing order and are not able to get to Church, you can pay
directly to "Catholic Church of St. Augustine of Canterbury Springfield" on account 91082884 at sort code
40-13-22. Envelopes can be dropped through the Presbytery letterbox.
- HOSPITAL VISITS: If you go into hospital or a member of your family, inform the Parish Office so
that the priest can visit you in hospital.
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DBS CHECKS: It is a legal requirement for those working with children and vulnerable adults within the
Church to be DBS checked, these checks are now carried out every three years, this must be adhered to. Our Parish
Safeguarding representative is Christina Coen or for info from the Diocese please contact Antoinette
click here to Email.
Please remember to pray for:
Daily for the sick clergy of our Diocese
The sick and housebound
Those who have recently died
Years Mind:
Sunday: Fr William Luby
Tuesday: Canon Martin Horkan
Friday: Ian McIntosh, Fr Donal Donegan
Sunday: Fr Sidney Williams
