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12th Sept 2010

 TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY YEAR C 12 September 2010

Dear Parishioners,

This weekend and next week is the highlight of our Centenary year with our Centenary Exhibition in the Pastoral Centre and the celebration of our Centenary Mass on Monday evening, with former priests of this parish, priests of the Brentwood Deanery, and priests who worked in our parish while they were in training for the priesthood. We encourage parishioners to make a real effort to visit the Exhibition, which is excellently presented and depicts many aspects of our parish life over the past 100 years. A centrepiece of the Exhibition is the beautiful vestment, which St John Payne, the priest and martyr, who was based at Ingatestone Hall, and who ministered to the Catholics of this area in dangerous times wore to celebrate Mass.

We are delighted to welcome Fr Anthony Kazibwe, Parish Priest of our twin parish of Sacred Heart, Blaauwbosch, to our Centenary celebrations. He will be with us for 10 days and will visit our school and share in the life of our parish and school.

On Tuesday, we say goodbye to Paul Fitzsimmons, who is studying for the priesthood in Rome, and who has been here with us on pastoral training over the past 6 weeks. We express our gratitude to Paul for his commitment to visiting and ministering to people in their homes and hospital, and for his very significant contribution to the celebration of the liturgy and prayer in our parish. We wish him every blessing and happiness as he follows his vocation into the future.

This week we welcome Pope Benedict to the country and pray that his visit may be a time and blessing and strengthening of Christian faith for all our people. Our parish will be well represented at the celebrations at Westminster, Hyde Park and Birmingham. May the Lord bless us in this special week. Fr John

TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY Ordinary Time C 12 Sept 2010

Dear Parishioners,

I sometimes think that when we talk about the parable of the Prodigal Son or, as it is sometimes called, The Forgiving Father, that we focus too much on these two figures we hear about in today’s Gospel. The unforgiving or resentful son perhaps deserves due attention because the human person today tends to be more like him than the other two.

Certainly, we can find ourselves in the position of any of the three characters in Jesus’ illustration on repentance and forgiveness. The father is all too ready to forgive his wayward son. The Prodigal gives us a pattern in which we search our hearts and discern the need for repentance and what that means for us and for others in our lives. His brother displays a hardness of heart, an unwillingness to forgive, and blatant jealousy, all traits that we find so often in others and ourselves.

The Christian journey is a difficult one, but as the Gospel suggests to us, it is the opportunity for a celebration, not of our own achievements but in the effort to mend broken relationships, particularly our relationship with God. Those who refuse to join the feast, allow their hurt and other emotions to dominate the true desire of the heart, to love. Forgiveness is simply the desire to love the other and, as in the example of the Prodigal himself, to love and therefore forgive one’s self.

The person seems to be more at home with retreating into himself, somehow convincing himself that he can find salvation within his own resources. The joys that come from this are short-lived. Refusing to join in the party, the person finds himself shut out, isolated and looking on as others enjoy true happiness.

Lord God, only in you can we find real happiness. Help us to be always eager to love others and to forgive.

This is the final weekend of my pastoral placement in Billericay. I want to thank you all for your welcome, kindness and hospitality these past six weeks. It has been an enriching experience, and I have enjoyed meeting you and praying with you. I have been overwhelmed with the spirit of friendship and community in this parish, that defines Most Holy Redeemer as a place where the Gospel is treasured, the Church is alive and faith is real. I ask you to keep me in your prayers, particularly in the coming weeks. Gabhaim gach buíochas libh go léir agus go mbeannaí Dia sibh (Many thanks to you all and may God bless). Paul.

WE PRAY FOR OUR SICK AT HOME AND IN HOSPITAL:

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

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

WE PRAY FOR OUR DECEASED RELATIVES & PARISHIONERS:

TERRY CREGG RIP Terry’s family would like to thank everyone for their kindness, support and prayers at this time.

ANNIVERSARIES: Peter Fordham, Vi Howell, Sarah Gwinnell, George Perry, Georgina McBride, John Kirwan, Frederick Christie, Michael Heffron.

Clergy: Abp George Andrew Beck (third Bishop of Brentwood), Fr Theophilus Borer, Canon James Hemming, Deacon Arthur Woods, Fr Louis Heston, Fr John Bergin, Fr Anthony Mayston.

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.

“MAGNIFICAT” – A Prayer Book for the Papal Visit is in the Church Porch and at the side door. It contains the texts and liturgies and articles to explain the context and background to the other parts of the visit. A suggested donation for the book is £2,which should be placed in paper box in the Church porch.

NICK DE KEYSER begins his training for ordination this week at St John’s Seminary, Wonersh. Please hold Nick and all new Seminarians in your prayers.

ANNUAL FORTY HOURS’ ADORATION at The Church of the Immaculate Conception, Epping, from 8pm Mass Friday October 1^st to 12 noon Sunday October 3^rd (includes weekend Masses).  Our Lord invites us to keep Him company in this Sacrament of His Love:  Could you not watch one hour with Me? The sacrifice of sleep in the night hours carries its own additional reward of grace.   

WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK

TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY of ORDINARY TIME C 12 September 2010
Enrolment of First Holy Communion candidates at all Masses
		Centenary Exhibition in the Small Hall all week
MONDAY		Main Centenary Mass 7.30pm followed by a social
TUESDAY		Brownies 6 pm
		Parish Pastoral Council 8 pm (Room 3)
		SVP 9 pm (Lounge)
THURSDAY		Church Cleaners 9.45am
		Padre Pio Prayer Group 11am (Lounge)
		Choir practice: 11am Choir: 7pm, Parish Choir: 7.30pm, 9am Choir: 8.30pm
FRIDAY		Mothers’ Prayer Group 9.45am (Room 2)
SATURDAY		Fr John will be concelebrating Mass at Westminster Cathedral with Pope Benedict 10am
		Sacrament of Penance 11.00am – 12 noon & 5.00 – 5.30pm
2 pm		Wedding: Tanya Northey & William Crossman
TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY OF YEAR C 19th September 2010
Church Parade for Uniformed Organisations 11am
12.30 pm	Baptisms:			Chloe Joy Chesterton
				Harry Barwick

OFFERINGS Thank you for your generous Offerings of £1558.78 for our parish last weekend, and £24.68 for our CAFOD Project in Africa.

CAFOD – Pakistan Flood Appeal £1986.10 Thanks-you for your generosity.

BRENTWOOD CATHOLIC CHILDREN’S SOCIETY - Childcare has been chosen by Waitrose Billericay store as one of the three community good causes. This scheme gives each branch £1,000 to share out between three local good causes. Customers vote for their preferred cause using a green token each time they shop and the money each cause is given is proportional to the tokens they receive. Please support our diocesan children’s charity during September.

BAPTISMS Congratulations to the parents of Olivia Maureen Gallagher and Charlie John Michael Machin on the Baptism of their children in our Church. We pray that the Lord will help them to bring up their children in the knowledge and love of God.

CHURCH LINEN Volunteers needed to join the washing rota. If you could spare an hour or two once a month or so, please phone Mavis Kennedy on 01277 654289

SPIRITUAL LIFE & WORSHIP

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION & RECONCILIATION PREPARATION Enrolment will be at all Masses this weekend the 11/12^th September.

ALTAR SERVERS Please would those serving at the Centenary Mass on Monday evening wear: Boys: White shirts, school trousers and black shoes. Girls: White or light coloured blouse or top, skirt or trousers and dark shoes. (No jeans please)

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, the next session will be on Monday the 20^th September at 8pm (None this week due to Centenary Mass).

PAPAL VISIT Those who have not yet paid for the Papal Visit please make payment as soon as possible. Cheques are payable to Catholic Church Billericay, and should be posted through the door of the Priest’s House in an envelope marked “Papal Visit” and giving your name. Payment for Hyde Park is £5 and for Birmingham it is £25. People going to Birmingham have been contacted regarding the coach departure and their leader on the day is Janet Dean (01277 653954) who you will meet at the coach at Brentwood Cathedral at 0230hrs. Those going to Hyde Park (as already advised) will be making their own way up to London and are requested to meet their leader Olga Hadley in front of the Royal Albert Hall at 2pm where the entrance passes and wristbands will be distributed. (Nearest Underground station is Kensington). Please note that photo identification is required of everybody. If there are any late cancellations or questions could you please direct them to your leader of the day. Papal packs are available for collection from John Kelk (01277 652662).

YOUTH MASS is Saturday 2nd October at 6pm which Fr Dan Mason, the new Diocesan Youth Chaplain, will celebrate. There is a preparation meeting in the Lounge of the Pastoral Centre from 7pm - 8pm on Tuesday 21st September. Year 8 pupils and above are invited to attend. Please do your best to be there!

MASS AT WESTMINSTER CATHEDRAL As part of our 2010 celebrations we are running a coach for parishioners wishing to travel to Westminster Cathedral for the 6pm Mass on Saturday 25th September. The cost for the return journey is £12.50 per person and we will be leaving our Church at 11am and returning after the Mass - back in Billericay before 9pm. Fr John hopes to concelebrate the Mass and the singing will be by the Parish Choir. If you wish to book a place on the coach, please put you name on the list in the church porch.  We are not planning to run a second coach so places will be allocated in order of the list.  Payment to be made on the coach to John Kelk (please come with correct monies if possible).

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

ST PETERS SCHOOL Open morning visits for prospective applicants starting September 2011 We invite you to visit our school. You can tour the school and, along with other prospective parents, meet with both the Headteacher and Foundation Stage Staff, who will be happy to talk to you about St. Peter’s and answer any questions you may have. Visit dates are as follows:-

Wednesday 13^th October, Thursday 14^th October, Friday 15^th October 9.30am.

Please telephone the school office on 01277 653770 to let them know which day would be most convenient for you.  Each visit is likely to last for about an hour.

MOTHER & TODDLER GROUP will meet every Thursday in term time from 23^rd September 1 – 2.30pm. If you have any toys in good condition suitable for newborn – 4 years, please leave them in the Church porch next weekend (18/19^th Sept.) or take to the hall on 23^rd September. Any enquiries, please telephone Michelle Owers on 01277 650173 Thank you.

WORLDS LARGEST COFFEE MORNING IN AID OF MACMILLAN CANCER SUPPORT - 24^th September 9.30am to 12.30pm in the small hall of the Canon Roche Centre. Entrance is free, and there will be no charge for tea/ coffee or biscuits.  There will be homemade cakes for sale and a raffle. You can help by baking cakes, donating a raffle prize, helping serve and clear on the day, or simply by coming along. This has been a popular event over the last few years so please do support the charity by popping in for a coffee and a chat whilst helping to raise money for a cause that has touched us all in some way. Please call Deirdre Pembroke on 01277 650978 or Fiona D’Silva 01277 655172 if you wish to donate or help.

REFLECTIONS FOR THE PAPAL VISIT. In the days leading up to Pope Benedict’s arrival, starting from September 7^th, the Vocations website has been sharing reflections by Priests on what the forthcoming visit of Pope Benedict and the Beatification of Cardinal Newman means for them. Go to www.brentwoodvocations.org for the Priests’ Blog, and do direct anyone interested in Priestly vocation to this website.

More MHR 2010 CENTENARY NEWS

Sat 16^th October - MHR 2010 Centenary Ball

Tickets on sale! Please use the application forms in the Church foyer. Space will be strictly limited to 140 parishioners and demand has been high therefore we urge all those wishing to attend this event to submit their applications before tickets run out soon!

MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS

SATURDAY	6.00 pm		Thomas & Bridget Rogers RIP
TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY OF YEAR C Racial Justice Sunday
12th Sept. 2010	9.00 am		Paul Foley RIP (Patterson)
	11.00 am		Ray Edwards RIP (Anniv)
	5.00 pm		The People of our Parish
MONDAY	St John Chrysostom, Bishop & Doctor
	9.15am		Sharon Goudo’s ints (Hasson)
	7.30 pm		Main Centenary Mass
TUESDAY	The Exaltation of the Holy Cross
	10.15 am		George Perry RIP
WEDNESDAY	Our Lady of Sorrows
	9.15 am		John Kirwan RIP (Anniv)
THURSDAY	Ss Cornelius, Pope, & Cyprian, Bishop: Martyrs
	9.15 am	Cliff Weller RIP
FRIDAY	St Robert Bellarmine, Bishop & Doctor
	9.15 am Service of the Word & Holy Communion
	9.15 am		Mass at St. Peter’s School
SATURDAY Sacrament of Penance Saturday 5.00 - 5.30pm none at 11am
	6.00 pm		Mary Bowditch RIP
TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY OF YEAR C Home Mission Day
19th Sept. 2010	9.00 am		Vera Kelley RIP (Anniv)
	11.00 am		The People of our Parish
	5.00 pm		Shippy Dan Sheridan RIP

ADORATION & PRAYER BEFORE THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

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

SATURDAY (11.00am – 12.00 noon- not this week) & 5.00 – 5.30 pm

MASS ATTENDANCE 5^th September (last week) Total 870 (583): 6pm Mass 163 (134), 9am Mass 259 (146), 11am Mass 292 (210), 5pm Mass 156 (93)

WELCOMERS Copies of the rota are in the Church porch.

Copies of CTB News are in the Church Porch.

YOUTH CLUB application forms are in the Church Porch.