Home Newsletters 23rd May 2010

23rd May 2010

PENTECOST SUNDAY 23^rd MAY 2010

FIRST HOLY COMMUNIONS 2010

A MESSAGE FROM YOUR CATECHISTS:  Congratulations to the children who received their First Holy Communion during May.  On their behalf, we would like to say a big ‘thank you’ to Mrs Underhill for her beautiful musical accompaniment, and to Mrs Maskell and the children in the choir who gave up their Saturday mornings to sing so beautifully for us. Thank you also to the members of the school staff for their presence and help during the Masses, to Sarah Dean and her band of altar servers who assisted Father John so ably each week, and to Kim Brand and Donna McLeod who organised the car park and the repository. 

BLESSED SACRAMENT PROCESSION at 3pm on Sunday 13 June is for all parishioners. We look forward to seeing the children again in their Communion outfits (meet at 2.45pm Pastoral Centre) for the Blessed Sacrament Procession, when we follow Christ, who is present to us in Holy Communion, into the Church.

Our final session is on Saturday 19^th June at 9.20am to prepare for the GOING FORTH MASS on Sunday 20^th  June at 11am.  The children will be presented with their First Holy Communion Certificates and there will be a celebration afterwards in the Hall for all the families.

PENTECOST SUNDAY 23^rd May 2010

My dear People,

“No one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ unless he is under the influence of the Holy Spirit”(1Cor.12: 3-13). The apostles were silent and afraid to witness Christ’s life, sufferings, death and resurrection until they received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Filled with the power of the Holy Spirit and freed from fear, they went out into the city and preached the Gospel, calling people to repent of their sins and be Baptised. Under the influence of the Holy Spirit, over 3,000 people repented and were Baptised that day. Neither we, nor anyone else, can repent or profess Jesus as Lord and Saviour unless we are influenced by the Holy Spirit and given the gift of faith.

A number of young parishioners will receive the Holy Spirit in the Sacrament of Confirmation, soon. The Holy Spirit gives them and us gifts of wisdom, understanding, right judgement, courage, knowledge, reverence for God, wonder and awe in his presence. We pray for our young people as they grow into adulthood, that they will use these gifts to make the right choices in life. The Holy Spirit protects our dignity and relationship with God and people, and he gives us wisdom to make important decisions correctly. In Confirmation, He seals and marks us as children of God with a mission to witness to his presence in the world. Jesus described the Holy Spirit as the Comforter the Father will send you. Many in our parish suffer from illness, break down of relationships or bereavement. The Holy Spirit, who lives in our heart and community, is there to comfort, console and strengthen us. We need him to help us overcome the hurts of life, and find healing and peace.

We are most grateful to Bishop Graham Rose, of our twin Diocese of Dundee, South Africa, for visiting our Parish and St Peter’s School, last Monday. He was welcomed to St Peter’s with a wonderful assembly and Zulu dancers, who made it seem like home from home for him. At Mass on Monday evening, he read out a Blessing from Pope Benedict for our Parish.

We thank Fr Fiacra Cotter, for being with us in our Parish for the next ten days, while I am at the Passion Play in Oberammergau, Germany, with 30 parishioners. Fr Fiacra and I went to school together in Ireland and he has been a Missionary priest in Malawi for about 35 years. Some parishioners very generously helped him build a Church and extend schools in his parish of Chilumba, last year. This will be a good opportunity to meet him.

This Pentecost, I wish you the joys and gifts of the Holy Spirit. Fr John

WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK

OFFERINGS We thank you for your very generous Offerings of £1451.72 for our parish last weekend, and £94.64 for our African CAFOD Project.

Thank you for the very generous £1550 which you gave last weekend for Blaauwbosch, our twin parish, which was presented to Bishop Graham last Monday evening, together with another £1,000 cheque from the parish. St Peter’s School, most generously, presented him with a cheque for £2376 to help the school in Blaauwbosch. Thank you so much to the staff, parents, children and our good parishioners

RETIRING COLLECTION next weekend, 29^th/30^th May is to support the Sick & Retired Priests of our Diocese. Cheques are payable to “Catholic Church Billericay”. Gift aid envelopes may be used.

THE 100 CLUB DRAW for May was won by Mrs L Johnson who will receive a cheque for £100 and a further £100 will be given to Father Fiacra for his work with the poor in Malawi.

Copies of Churches Together in Billericay Newsletter in the Church porch.

SPIRITUAL LIFE & WORSHIP

CONFIRMATION will be celebrated in our Parish on Sunday 27^th June at the 11am Mass. We have 18 young people for Confirmation. We ask parishioners who normally attend 11am Mass to try to attend another Mass that weekend. Please pray for our young people who are soon to be Confirmed.

PASTORAL CARE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Basildon Hospital has 2 full-time and 4 part-time chaplains, covering over 40 wards with several hundred in-patients at any one time. Pastoral care volunteers offer patients a friendly face, time to listen and someone to offer a prayer with them. An 8 weeks training course for new volunteers will begin on Monday 7^th June. For details contact Father John.

SION COMMUNITY RETREAT from 6pm Friday 11^th June to Sunday 13^th June. Theme: ’Come to the Water’. Places limited. For details please call Allegra on 01277 215011 or allegra@sioncommunity.org.uk

VOCATIONS WEEKEND for Young Women considering Religious Life organised by the sisters, Faithful Companions of Jesus (www.fcjsisters.org) on May 28th - 30th in Broadstairs, Kent. Contact Sr Lynne on lynnefcj@hotmail.com

LOURDES 19^th – 25^th July. There are places on this year’s Diocesan Pilgrimage. Travel from Stansted, full board in a choice of hotels, full liturgical programme. Contact Cathy O’Connor 01206 501146 or Tangney Tours on 01732 886666

A HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF BRENTWOOD (1917-1992) By Father Stewart Foster. This book is available for £5 post free (please make cheques payable to BRCDT). Orders should be sent to: Brentwood Diocesan Archives, Cathedral House, Ingrave Road, Brentwood, Essex CM15 8AT.

BRENTWOOD CATHOLIC YOUTH SERVICE

London Treasure Hunt – Sunday 6^th June – for those in school years 6, 7 & 8.

Pilgrimage to Taizé (ages 18-35) August 14^th–23^rd Experience the unique love, prayer, and welcome of the Taizé community. For details of these events, visit www.bcys.net or contact the youth office on 01277 265286.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ST PETER’S SCHOOL on their recent Section 48 Inspection of the Religious Education in the School. The report endorses last year’s Ofsted report, which said, “St Peter’s is an Outstanding School with numerous strengths. It prepares its pupils so that they transfer to their Secondary School as happy, well-adjusted young people who are a credit to themselves, their parents and their school. The school owes much of its success to the inspirational and outstanding leadership of the Headteacher and his Leadership Team and to the valued support and expertise of his staff and governors.” Copies of the report are in the church porch.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

PARISH CHOIR All members are invited to participate in a special recording of “Sunday Half Hour” at St Martin in the Fields, London, on Sunday 13^th June  to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the BBC programme - only 4 Choirs are singing so we are most fortunate in being invited. A coach will leave MHR at approx 1pm, returning 10pm approx at the latest. Please let Kathy Underhill know asap if you would like to take part. Deadline 30th May. Contact 01277 626661/ 07810123122 or email kathyunderhill@btinternet.com.

HOLIDAY BIBLE CLUB 23^rd-27^th August 2010 We need youth helpers who are in Yr 8 and above to help during the week. We would greatly appreciate if anyone can donate or loan the following: - easels/airers for our painting activities. Any queries please contact Julia 07957 698105 or Fiona 626689.

TEACHER (Foundation Stage/Key Stage 1) required by St. Helen’s Catholic Infant School, Brentwood, for 1^st September. For details, application forms and/or visits, please contact the school office on 01277 215626 or visit website www.sthelensinf.ik.org. Closing Date:  4pm, 14/06/10 Interviews: 18/06/10.

PARISH MUSICAL “The King & I” will be performed on 15^th-16^th July - ticket details coming soon! Wanted to borrow - Chaise (backless for preference) old-fashioned telescope, 2 tall screens, 2 packing crates, 2 old fashioned stools, old fashioned easel, monocle, gong with striker. If you can help, please phone Margaret Goldstone on 652747 or the Parish Office 624891.

MHR 2010 CENTENARY NEWS

Thanks to everyone who attended the Special Centenary Mass for Bishop Graham Rose and to those who enjoyed the Parish Summer Cabaret. Photos from these (and most MHR 2010) events can be found on our website.

MHR 2010 CENTENARY BALL at Crondon Park Golf Club on Saturday 16th October. Tickets for the major social event of MHR 2010 will be on sale later in June. Space will be strictly limited to 140 parishioners

and high demand is expected – so watch this space!

Coming soon: -

Friday 4^th June - 7:30pm - First Friday Mass for our

Eucharistic Ministers, Readers and Choirs

Saturday 5^th June - 1:30pm - “Family Fun Day” at

St Peter’s School. All parishioners are welcome

Sunday 25^th July - Centenary CAFOD Garden Party –

more details to follow

WE PRAY FOR OUR SICK AT HOME & IN HOSPITAL:

Peter Bion, Mary Carr, Tony Foley, Nick Hogg, Sean Brown, Michael Cannon, John Brentnall, Margaret Williams, Ann Hurcombe, Irene Yarrow, Maura Stone, Pam De Keyser, Sarah Stewart, Beryl Barclay, Denzil Reeves, Jill Field, Delia Birch, Marie Bristow & Regina Barnes, Pierce & Marie Norton, Michael Glavin, George & Julia Pritchard, Jim & Diane Bowen, Ken Brook, Patricia Nicholson, Maureen Travers, Rhona Sullivan, Dorothy Robertson, Maureen Tall, Maureen Phillips, Aileen Fleetwood, Pauline Wallace, Isabel Jasinska, Barbara Flynn, Elizabeth Smith, Isabella Butler, Eileen Beard, Marlene Hawkins, Lilian Cox, Debbie Dowds, Elsie Jackson, Julie Halstead, Mary Keilthy, Bridget Edwards, Gertie Walsh, Bridget Stevens, Kirsti Dennett, Ruth Gillespie, Mavis Reed, Margaret Sefton, Jean French, Julie Bouchel, Anne Cannon, Mary Shane, Jamie Taylor, Tony Wilkinson, Bryce Smith, Tommy Campbell, Michael Pierce, Philip Parks, Erroll Newman, Francis Monk, Brian Mardle, Lyle Wheeler. Clergy: Mgr Chris Brooks, Fr Dick Ashton, Fr Conrad Smith, Fr David Papworth, Bishop Michael Rowland, Rev Warner Pidgeon Children: Oliver Hegedus, Savannah and Cayde Lewis, Mark Selwood, Helen Slattery, Annie Boon, Daisy Locker & Grace.

May the healing power of the Holy Spirit come down upon them.

WE PRAY FOR OUR DECEASED RELATIVES & PARISHIONERS:

ANNIVERSARIES: Eileen Seal, Mabel Christie.

Clergy: Fr Henry Peace, Fr Charles Carless, Fr Austin Thorburn. Arthur Awcock, Ellen Aiken, Mary Bowditch, Arthur Sparke, Frances Bundock and Bob Candler

May they rest in peace and rise in glory and may the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, strengthen and console their families all who mourn for them.

PRAYER FOR THE COMING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

“Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful,

and kindle in them the fire of your love.

Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created:

and you shall renew the face of the earth.

O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit,

taught the hearts of the faithful,

grant that by the gift of the same Spirit,

we may be always truly wise

and ever rejoice in his consolation,

through Christ Our Lord.”

THE ANGELUS, is recited during the day at 9am, 12 noon and 6pm from Monday. The times at which our Church bell rings to call people to prayer

MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS

ADORATION & PRAYER BEFORE THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

TUESDAY 9.15am to 10.15am & 10.45am to 11.15am

SATURDAY 11am – 12 noon & 5 – 5.30 pm

THE DIVINE OFFICE: PSALMS for Week 8 of year, are from Week 4

MASS ATTENDANCE 16 May (last week) Total 764 (789): 6pm Mass 166 (163), 9am Mass 217 (222), 11am Mass 260 (235), 5pm Mass 121 (169)

BAPTISM We congratulate the parents of Lula Josie Garcia on the Baptism of their child on Sunday, 16^th May. We pray that the Lord will help them to bring up their child in the knowledge and love of God.

WEDDING Congratulations to Michelle Sale and James O’Brien who will be married in Dublin on Saturday 29^th May.