Home Newsletters 8 August 2010

8 August 2010

 NINETEENTH SUNDAY OF YEAR C 8^th AUGUST 2010

Dear Parishioners,

As a clerical student for the diocese of Dromore in the north of Ireland, finding myself among the good people of Billericay, I want to thank everyone for their warm and gracious welcome. I am here for what is called ‘Pastoral Practice’ and after just a week, I can see that I will be returning to the Irish College in Rome with an abundance of pastoral experience. My first impression is that this is a vibrant community of committed Catholics where our faith is very much alive and an important part of life.

Our Second Reading expounds the importance of faith, focusing on the figure of Abraham who is ‘our father in faith’ (Euch. Prayer I), reminding us that ‘Only faith can guarantee the blessings that we hope for’ (Heb. 11:1). As Christian people, a community of the Resurrection nourished by the Word of God and the sublime gift of the Eucharist, we realise that our greatest Hope is in Heaven when God will grant us eternal happiness.

Today’s Gospel reminds us of this Hope. There is no need to be afraid; for fear is useless, what we need is faith and trust. Yet, complacency is an ever-present danger. Jesus, in his eschatological warning, tells us that we must always be ready, for we do not know when he will return. At Mass we proclaim our desire for the Lord’s return, when all will be united perfectly with the Father. Remaining focused on the things of Heaven, will surely help us to judge wisely the things of Earth and keep us single minded in our service of God and one another.

Lord God, all that I have is yours. You have given me the gift of your love so that I might love in return. Keep me always faithful to you. Help me never to lose sight of you in the daily distractions of my life, but let me always embrace your presence wherever I find myself so that I may rejoice in your peace forever.

I look forward to the next five weeks with you. God bless. Paul.

WHAT’S ON IN OUR PARISH THIS WEEK:

NINETEENTH SUNDAY OF YEAR C			8th August 2010
12.30 pm	Baptism:	Sophia Arabella Smith
TUESDAY	SVP 9 pm (Lounge)
	Bible Club helpers meeting 8pm (Room 3)
WEDNESDAY	Church Cleaning 9.45 am
SATURDAY	Sacrament of Penance 11 – 12 noon & 5 – 5.30pm
12.30 pm	Baptism:	James John Brentnall
ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY				15th August 2010
12.30 pm	Baptism:	Lexi Withey

WE PRAY FOR OUR SICK AT HOME AND IN HOSPITAL:

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

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

WE PRAY FOR OUR DECEASED RELATIVES & PARISHIONERS:

Anniversaries: Julian Field, Noreen Candler, Jack Healy, Frederick Slater, Allan McHugh.

Clergy: Fr Henry Tilley, Fr David Coghlan, Fr Hugh Verity, Fr Stephen Keane.

May they rest in peace and rise in glory, and may the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, console their bereaved families and friends at this time.

PASTORAL CARE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Basildon Hospital has 3 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 20^th September. For details contact the Parish Office.

PAPAL VISIT Everyone who applied to attend the papal visit events has been successful. Could you please now make your payment. Cheques should be made payable to Catholic Church, Billericay and posted through the door of the Priest’s House in an envelope marked ’Papal Visit’ and giving your name. Payment for Hyde Park is now £5 per person but does NOT include a Travelcard.  For those going to Birmingham it is £25 (no concessions) and please note that there may be a significant amount of walking to/ from the coach - up to 2 miles each way and possibly over muddy and uneven terrain.  There are still no further details regarding travel arrangements etc.

SUNFLOWER CLUB A trip to Papermill Lock has been organised for Wednesday 8^th August at 12 noon. The next share a plate will be at Jac Topple’s house on Tuesday 17^th August at 12 noon. Next meeting on 2^nd September.

MARILLAC BOOT SALE Eagle Way, Warley on Saturday, 14th August from 7am. Car £8, Commercial £12.  Sellers line up in adjacent Ford car park from 6am. Also free parking for all buyers in Ford car park.

YOUTH CLUB application forms are in the Church Porch.

JAZZ AND PICNIC AT ABBOTSWICK GARDENS on Saturday 25th September 2010. A fundraising event for everyone to enjoy. Details to follow on the events page of www.abbotswick.org.

“THE KING & I” Those who have ordered the official photos, they are now available for collection from the Parish Office on Monday, Wednesday or Friday from 9am – 1pm or telephone 624891 during those times to arrange collection. There is a display on the notice board in the Church – by the choir loft stairs.

BAPTISMS Congratulations to the parents of Daniel John Fisher and Ciaran Brian O’Donoghue - Baptised in our Church. We pray that the Lord will help them to bring up their children in the knowledge and love of God.

WEDDING: Our Congratulations and best wishes to Eve Alabaster and Jonathan Rhodes who were married in our Church. We wish them a long, blessed and very happy marriage

Important MHR 2010 CENTENARY Dates

Friday 10^th September - 8pm - Centenary Lecture 10^th to 19^th September - Centenary Exhibition

Mon 13^th September - 7:30pm - Main Centenary Mass

Sat 25^th September - Parish Choir sing the 6pm Mass in Westminster Cathedral - It is hoped to run coaches

Sat 16^th October - MHR 2010 Centenary Ball

Ticket application forms in the Church foyer

MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS

SATURDAY	6.00 pm	Phil Polley RIP (Daniels)
NINETEENTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR (C)
8th August 2010	9.00 am	Margaret Reardon RIP (SVP)
	11.00 am	Mary Whittlesey RIP (Anniv)
	5.00 pm	Catherine & Robert Exley RIP
MONDAY	St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, Virgin & Martyr
Week 19	9.15 am	Alana Boyce RIP (Spurling)
TUESDAY	St Lawrence, Deacon & Martyr
	10.15 am	Mrs Conrad’s intentions (McBurney)
WEDNESDAY	St Clare, Virgin
	9.15 am	Fred Green RIP (Coldicott)
THURSDAY	9.15 am	Kathleen & Patrick Patterson RIP
FRIDAY	9.15 am	Mary Mullins RIP (Gladding)
SATURDAY Sacrament of Penance 11.00am - 12 noon & 5.00 - 5.30pm
	6.00 pm	Jack Healy RIP (Anniv)
THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
15th August 2010	9.00 am	Paddy Harte RIP (Anniv)
	11.00 am	Ronan Rice RIP (Young)
	5.00 pm	Pat, John & Valerie Moon RIP

ADORATION & PRAYER BEFORE THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

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

SATURDAY 11.00am – 12.00 noon & 5.00 – 5.30 pm

THE DIVINE OFFICE: PSALMS for Week 19 of year are from Week 3

MASS ATTENDANCE 1^st August (last week) Total 564 (661): 6pm Mass 132 (186), 9am Mass 129 (159), 11am Mass 162 (199), 5pm Mass 141 (117)

OFFERINGS We thank you for your generous Offerings of £1486.76 for our Parish last weekend and £50.23 for our CAFOD Parish Project.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION & RECONCILIATION PREPARATION Enrolment will be at all Masses on 4/5^th September. Applications received after the 26^th July will be put on file for the course, which starts in September 2011.

TALKS ON THE CATHOLIC FAITH We invite people interested in finding out about our faith, becoming Catholic or returning to the practice of their faith to a series of talks on Monday evenings. If you are interested in these talks, which start in September, please contact Fr John.