SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER
(Divine Mercy Sunday)
24th April 2022
Dear Parishioner
This Sunday is Divine Mercy Sunday, where we recall the absolute mercy and love that Jesus has for all humanity.
Speaking of God's divine mercy. God's mercy is better and more profound than any human mercy or compassion. The
significance of the apparitions of Christ is of tremendous importance to each of his disciples and for us his future
disciples. After all, Jesus had been betrayed and abandoned by most of his followers and almost all of his disciples, even
to this day. Only a few loyal women stayed with him through it all. His chosen disciples were mostly scattered in fear. The
foundation stone, Peter on which he would build his church, denied him three times. Now he is risen and he returns to meet
them. What else could you expect if this were merely an earthly drama, there would be revenge, retribution, or at least an
extended session of guilt trips and finger-pointing. But amazingly there is not a hint of judgement in our Lord's
return. He does not even punish Thomas for his doubt and his demands before he would believe the news that Our Lord had
indeed risen.
Christ meets Thomas where he left off the gathering and shows Thomas what he needed to be assured, he shows him his
hands and his pierced side. That is fullness of mercy. That is fullness of compassion. That is life in abundance. It is
also service and love. This is how God acts, a way which is very different from that of the world. Thomas, in the gospel is
so inspiring, he doubted, but he did not leave. He was still with the disciples the next week, he struggled. But the others
did not reject him and Jesus strengthened him in his struggle and doubts. At times in life, we will have doubts and fears.
Jesus shows us all that we are right to trust in his promises, even when we do not always experience the confirmation of
the truth of these promises with our own eyes, hands and ears. Thomas is a gift to us in another way. He shows us that the
apostles were not foolish. What they experienced in the Risen Jesus was the experience of sensible people, just like you
and me. Thinking people, who do not easily swallow everything we are told, but nevertheless, they truly did experience
Jesus risen body and soul and this is what they have steadfastly passed on to all future generations. This is the testimony
of sensible, deep-thinking people who know what they mean and mean what they say.
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 make use of 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.
- 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.
- SVP SOUTH SUDAN APPEAL A huge thank you for all the very generous donations for South Sudan. With
Gift Aid recovery, the amount raised is now just over £800. Thank you so much.
- PARISH GIFT AID If you have not yet collected your Gift Aid envelopes for the tax year April 2022 -
March 2023, please contact Dee Davey direct or pass on a message via Cathy or Kevin so that we can get the envelopes to
you. Similarly, if you wish to make your offertory donations via a standing order rather than the weekly donations,
please contact us for more details. If you are not yet a member of the Gift Aid scheme but you or your partner are a
tax-payer then the parish can recover the tax that you have already paid on your earnings - increasing the value of your
contribution by 25% at no additional cost to you. We do not need any information about your income - just confirmation
that you are a tax-payer. If you are a higher rate taxpayer, then you can recover the difference between the basic and
higher rate tax through your annual tax return. The Gift Aid tax recovery scheme is a very important part of our parish
income. Thank you for your support.
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ONLINE AUCTION FOR AFGHAN SETTLEMENT SUPPORT GROUP Caritas Diocese of Brentwood are inviting people
from April 22nd to May 2nd, to take part in an online auction organised by The Kelvedon Parish of St Mary Immaculate
and the Holy Archangels. This is to raise awareness and money to help to settle an Afghan refugee family. If you would
be interested in considering such a project, then please click here to
Email. To access the online auction, go to: https://auction.kelvedoncatholicparish.org.uk/.
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ACTS IN EASTER - THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES Throughout the fifty days of Easter we read from the Acts of
the Apostles, the New Testament book which narrates the early years of the Church. Fr Adrian Graffy, parish priest of
Gidea Park and member of the Pontifical Biblical Commission, has prepared faith talks on 'The Acts of the
Apostles' and 'Paul in Acts', for your use through the Easter season. To access these free audio recordings
please go to the home page of www.whatgoodnews.org and
scroll down to 'Acts in Easter'. Thank you.
- DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO WALSINGHAM 28TH MAY Join Bishop Alan and other parishes around the Diocese of
Brentwood in Walsingham as we celebrate the Year of the Family 'Hearing and Doing the Word of God'. We will
celebrate Mass at the Basilica before walking the Holy Mile to the grounds of Walsingham Abbey to celebrate Vespers and
Benediction on the site of the Holy House. If you would like to join our parish in participating in this, please let Cath
Lyons know so that a coach can be arranged.
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HOUSE BLESSING AFTER EASTER If you would like your House to be blessed, please do click
here to Email the details so that this can be arranged.
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Deputy Headteacher Vacancy at St Peter's Catholic Primary School, Billericay. For more information
please visit Essex Schools. Closing Date is midday on 12th May. http://www.essexschoolsjobs.co.uk/Vacancies/Details.aspx?VacancyId=74639
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REFUGEE COMMUNITY SUPPORT GROUP: A volunteer group is being set up at St John Payne RC Church,
Greenstead, in conjunction with the Diocese of Brentwood and Caritas Brentwood, to raise funds and provide practical
support for a refugee family, to be housed in Colchester. Anyone interested in becoming involved or finding out more is
warmly invited to attend a meeting, chaired by Fr Dominic Howarth, on Saturday 7th May 2022 at 1.30pm, at St John Payne
Catholic Church Hall, Blackthorn Avenue, Colchester CO4 3QD. Please click here to Email for
more information.
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GOOD COUNSEL NETWORK THANKSGIVING MASS Holy Mass in Thanksgiving for 25 Years of the Pro-Life Work of
the Good Counsel Network. Main Celebrant Fr Richard Whinder. Saturday 30th April at 12.00 (New Rite Mass) St James'
Church (Spanish Place), 22 George St, London W1U 3QY. Followed by Refreshments in the Hall. All Welcome. www.GoodCounselNetwork.com
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CARITAS POVERTY CHALLENGE: SEE, JUDGE ACT Following the pandemic, many thousands now face new
hardships as prices rise. Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN), the Catholic agency addressing poverty and injustice in
England and Wales, has released a free new booklet to increase awareness of Catholic Social Teaching on poverty, and to
inform local responses. Please take a moment to read and encourage groups and individuals to engage with it. Download
from www.csan.org.uk
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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
- 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.
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Vocations: The next "Enquirers' Evening" for those considering or interested in a
vocation to the priesthood is on Tuesday 3 May at St Edmund of Canterbury Church in Loughton. The speaker will be Fr
Gary Dench. For further information please contact Fr Mark Swires click here to
Email.
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LATE VOCATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD: A vocation discernment weekend for men between the ages of 30 and 55
will take place at St Beuno's in North Wales from Friday 2nd to Sunday 4th September 2022. The direct link for
further details and booking: Discernment Weekend https://www.pathwaystogod.org/courses-events-retreats/discernment-weekend-older-men-2
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 Simon Sullivan
Monday: Fr Myles O'Reilly
Wednesday: Fr George Stokes
Friday: Fr Brian O'Higgins