Home Newsletters 27th March 2011

27th March 2011

THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT A 27^th March 2011

LENT & PREPARING FOR EASTER

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will be held in Church on the Fridays of Lent from 9.15 - 10.15am and after the 10.15am Mass until 12 noon, as well as the usual times on Tuesdays and Saturdays. We need to have people in Church during these times. Please put your name on the rota in Church if you can offer half an hour on Friday. Morning Mass will be at 10.15am on the Fridays of Lent.

Stations of the Cross and Mass will be prayed every Friday in Lent at 7.30pm. During our Centenary year we had First Friday Masses for our parish groups. On the Friday evenings of Lent we will have Mass for our various Parish groups and ask all involved in different ministries or groups to attend their Mass as follows:

LENT Masses at 7.30pm on the Fridays of Lent

April 8th Parish Choirs & Musicians

15th Faith Formation Groups & Catechists

The Mass for the Pastoral Development Group & Parish Council due to be celebrated on Friday next, the 1^st of April has been postponed, as we will be celebrating two Requiem Masses on that day for our deceased parishioners.

PRAYER “Lord, teach us to Pray” Sr Camilla, from the Diocesan House of Prayer, Abbotswick, will give the second of two talks on Prayer and lead people in meditative prayer in the Small Hall of the Pastoral Centre on Tuesday, 29^th March from 8.00 to 9.15pm. All parishioners are most welcome.

LENT TALK with Sr Helen Costigan, SHCJ- What does it mean to forgive and to be forgiven? Tuesday 5^th April Cathedral Conference Centre, 7.30pm. Cost £5 per person. To book contact the Adult Religious Education office 01277 265255 or email arefm@dioceseofbrentwood.org

THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT A 27^th March 2011

Dear Friends,

Jesus said, “Anyone who drinks the water that I shall give will never be thirsty again: the water that I shall give will turn into a spring inside him welling up to eternal life” (Jn.4:5-42). In the Gospel Jesus speaks to the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well and teaches us about the “water of life”, which he offers to all who have faith in him. The picture in the Church, under the gallery, shows the woman looking down into the well and seeing a reflection of Christ’s face as well as her own in the water. It clearly shows that if we look deep enough, we can unexpectedly see the face of Christ in other people and in ourselves.

It is a sin to not reverence the face and presence of Christ and God’s divine nature in every person. If we really understood this we would have tremendous reverence for ourselves and other people as dwelling places of God’s Spirit. The priest and people reverence the body of a dead person at a funeral, by sprinkling with holy water and using incense. At that time, we show the link between the life of God, which a person enters through the waters of Baptism, and which we come to share fully in the eternal life of heaven.

The grace of God and fountain of life is given to Christians by water and the Holy Spirit in Baptism. We are washed clean of sin and given the life of grace in the holy and life-giving water. The Spirit of God living in our heart gives us a share in the life and divine nature of God. He makes us holy and sacred, and sustains and renews our relationship with God in the Christian community. The woman who came to the well found Jesus, and he opened her heart to the new life of faith and a relationship with God. Christ gave her the truth and a new dignity and we share in that dignity as children of God. When we sprinkle and bless ourselves with holy water we are renewed in grace by Christ, the spring of living water in our heart. It is only by his grace that we are able to grow in love of God and other people, and to love ourselves as God wills.

Try to draw closer to God during Lent by coming to Mass on weekdays as well as on Sunday. We have evening Mass with Stations of the Cross on Fridays for people who go out to work, and for those working at home, it may be possible to come to morning Mass. We have Adoration and prayer in silence before the Blessed Sacrament on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturday mornings.

Bishop Thomas enjoyed his Pastoral Visit to our Parish last weekend and has written to thank everyone in the parish who prepared for the visit and helped make such beautiful celebrations of the Mass and Confirmation. A copy of his letter has been placed in the Church porch. We thank the Catechists who prepared the twenty-two young people for Confirmation and congratulate them and their parents on their Confirmation by Bishop Thomas, last Sunday.

May God bless us in our journey of faith with Christ in Lent. Fr John

WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK

THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT (YEAR A)			27th March 2011
12.30pm	Baptism	Cole John Beesley
MONDAY	Yoga 1st Session 10am – 2nd Session 12pm (Small Hall)
	Chair Yoga 2pm (Small Hall)
	Guides 7.30 pm
	RCIA 8 pm (Room 2)
TUESDAY	Coffee in the Lounge after 10.15am Mass
	Brownies 6pm
	Talk on Prayer by Sr Camilla 8pm (Small Hall)
	SVP 9 pm (Lounge)
WEDNESDAY	Fr John attends Deanery meeting in Wickford
	Brownies 5.30pm
THURSDAY	Church Cleaners
	Padre Pio Prayer Group 11am (Lounge)
	Reception of the body of Philip Parks RIP 4pm
	Reception of the body of Lilian Cox RIP 5pm
	Choir practice: 11am Choir: 7pm 9am Choir: 8pm
FRIDAY	Mothers’ Prayer Group 9.45 am (Room 2)
	Requiem Mass for Lilian Cox RIP 10.30 am
	Requiem Mass for Philip Parks RIP 1.45pm
SATURDAY	First Holy Communion Preparation 9.20 am
	Sacrament of Penance 11 – 12 noon & 5 – 5.30pm
FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT (YEAR A)			3rd April 2011
Refreshments after 9am Mass in the Hall
Children’s Mass at 11am followed by refreshments in the Hall

OFFERINGS We thank you for your very generous Offerings of £1766.21 last weekend, and £1438.72. Our retiring collection for the CAFOD LENT FAST DAY raised £1438.72 – thank you for your great generosity.

CONCERT FOR CAFOD - Sunday 27th  March 7.30pm - Brentwood Theatre.
For Lent, the Christian folk band “Meditation” from Kelvedon parish will be perform “The Journey” - a selection of music & readings following the life of Jesus. All proceeds to CAFOD. Tickets £10 each from the Brentwood Theatre Box Office 01277 200305. The CAFOD Brentwood team welcomes supporters.

The 100 Club draw for March was won by Miss Penny Bell who receives a cheque for £100 and £100 has been sent to Fr. Fiacra to help with hjis work with the desperately poor people in Malawi.

SPIRITUAL LIFE & WORSHIP

CONGRATULATIONS to Stefan Ashdown, Holly Baker, Katherine Bishop, Caitlin Brown, Laura Clarke, Joseph Cook, Matthew Cook, Jodie Everitt, Christina Forkan, Isobel Fewster, Holly Hasson, Olivia Marshall, Laura Mills, Philippa Moreton, Dominic Murphy, Thomas Murphy, Hannah Musselwhite, Josephine Rourke, Matthew Scott, Ruby Vanner, Charlotte Warren and Nicola Wojcik, on their Confirmation last weekend by Bishop Thomas

ALTAR SERVERS Please write your name on the lists in the sacristy for the Easter Services you will be attending.  You must be able to attend the practice if you wish to serve on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday or Holy Saturday.  The practices are: on: Maundy Thursday - 18th April, time tba; Good Friday - 19th April, time tba; Holy Saturday - 22nd April at 4:30pm, after the Good Friday Service. If you have any questions please call Sarah - 653954.

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS At our Monday evening course on the Catholic faith Neil Duller, David Ford and Stephen McBurney are preparing for Reception into the Church and the Sacraments of Confirmation & Holy Communion at Easter. Julie Callis is preparing for Confirmation & Holy Communion and Rossella Provenzano for Confirmation. We support them with our prayers as they make their journey of faith to the Sacraments in the celebrations at Mass in these Sundays of Lent.

An Invitation to attend/set up new Prayer Groups in the parish We are looking for people who are interested in attending or setting up new prayer groups in the parish. We are proposing a new prayer group on a Wednesday or a Thursday evening, which could include hymns, scriptural reflections, prayers of intercession, rosary or devotions of your choice.  We would follow the meeting with coffee!  We would meet fortnightly. If interested please send your details to the Parish Office or email: office@mostholyredeemer.org.uk. 

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY 1^st May St. Cedd’s Catholic Church, High Road, Goodmayes. Starts at 2.45 pm and ends with Mass at 6.30pm. Details of the full programme are published on the Church notice board.

PYXES We ask Eucharistic Ministers to return Pyxes, which belong to the Church to the Sacristy or Priest’s House, when they are next here. We are short of Pyxes at the moment, so some of them must be in the homes of ministers.

Prayers for the Traveller Community Since a decision has been made to evict many of the Traveller community from Dale Farm, we have a Christian responsibility to remember them in our prayers at this difficult time

FORTHCOMING EVENTS & NEWS

LOURDES QUIZ – A date for your diary. Ray Keilthy, and David & Patricia Clark will be running the ninth Annual Lourdes Quiz on Saturday May 7th.  This quiz raises money to help our youngsters who will be going with the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes in the summer as carers.  The cost will be £5 per head and the bar will be open but bring your own nibbles.  Book early as it is always a very popular event.  As usual you can make up a table or we can put you on one.  Tickets and further information from Gail Childs tel:01277 650503.

BCYS SPRING YOUTH GATHER: Years 7-9, Saturday 9^th April. Join us and nearly 100 other young people at Stubbers Adventure centre for a day of outdoor activities, finishing with Mass together at the end of the day. For info go to www.bcys.net. Booking forms are in the Church porch.

ST. PETER’S SCHOOL Recently our children were enlivened and thoroughly entertained during ’Carnival week’. Across the school the children took part in a number of activities, all of which helped them to cultivate and extend their knowledge of other cultures. The activities included; Samba dancing, a story- teller and drumming. The children displayed their creative flair by designing and constructing either an individual or class float, which they then paraded at the culmination on Friday. Indeed, on the final day the children brought in donations in order to wear their own clothes, totalling approximately £600,which will be sent to our partner school, the Sisizakele Primary school in Blaauwbosch.

DEPAUL UK CANTERBURY PILGRIMAGE Whitsun weekend, 11-13th June. Founded by Cardinal Basil Hume in 1989, Depaul UK is the largest youth homelessness charity in the country. You will cover 50 miles along the beautiful North Down’s Way, taking in the Pilgrim’s Way. A Priest will join you throughout the journey to offer prayers and guidance and the experience will culminate in a private Mass at Canterbury Cathedral. Cost £150 registration fee. For information pack and to sign up go to: www.depauluk.org/pilgrimage

ST. FRANCIS PRIMARY SCHOOL MALDON Due to the retirement of our Headteacher, the governors are seeking to welcome an inspirational, enthusiastic and dedicated person to lead our happy school community at this exciting time. Details on Church notice board or email: headships@essex.gov.uk.

COOK BOOK FOR HELP FOR HEROES Illustrated cookbook with recipes from celebrity chefs and other personalities at £7.50 – every penny goes directly to H4H. See poster on Church notice board or contact Clare McCarthy on 01277 651752 or claremccarthy48@hotmail.com

WE PRAY FOR OUR SICK AT HOME AND IN HOSPITAL:

Bernard Regan, Marie Liddall, Irene Yarrow, Dorothy Wheeler, Eileen Beard, Margaret Andrews, Jacques Visser, Peter Bion, Maura Stone, Pam De Keyser, Ken Brook, Denzil Reeves, Aileen Fleetwood, Regina Barnes, Sarah Stewart, Isabel Jasinska, Delia Birch, Mavis Reed, Maureen Travers, Barbara Flynn, Miriam Gregory, Ruth Gillespie, Marlene Hawkins, Elizabeth Smith, Rhona Sullivan, Lily Warner, George & Julia Pritchard, Pauline Wallace, Jill Field, Mary Carr, Jim & Diane Bowen, Dorothy Robertson, Maureen Phillips, Patricia Nicholson, Bridget Edwards, Maureen Tall, Isabella Butler, Mary de Souza, Debbie Dowds, Elsie Jackson, Ann Hurcombe, Kirsti Dennett, Eileen Molloy, Beryl Barclay, Julie Halstead, Julie Bouchel, Gertie Walsh, Margaret Sefton, Anne Cannon, Kay McCabe, Mary Shane, Jean French, Mary Keilthy, Tony Wilkinson, Michael Glavin, John Nolan, Francis Monk, Michael Pierce, Brian Mardle, Erroll Newman, Lyle Wheeler, Tommy Campbell, Bryce Smith Nick Ramsey, Jamie Taylor. Clergy: Bishop Michael Evans, Bishop Michael Rowland, Fr John King, Mgr Chris Brooks, Fr David Papworth, Fr Dick Ashton, Rev Warner Pidgeon. Children: Savannah & Cayde Lewis, Daisy Locker,, Helen Slattery, Mark Selwood and Grace.

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

WE PRAY FOR OUR DECEASED RELATIVES & PARISHIONERS:

MRS LILIAN COX, mother of Joan (Brand) and David, who died on Wednesday, 16^th March at Woodbury Care Home, Laindon. Her body will be received into our Church on Thursday, 31^st March at 5pm. Requiem Mass will be celebrated on Friday 1^st April at 10.30am, followed by committal at Basildon Crematorium. May she rest in peace.

MR PHILIP PARKS RIP, father of Isabel, who died on Wednesday, 16 March at Basildon Hospital. His body will be received into our Church on Thursday, 31^st March at 4pm. Requiem Mass will be celebrated at 1.45pm on Friday, 1^st April, followed by committal at Basildon Crematorium. May he rest in peace.

We offer our sympathy and prayers to all their families at this sad time.

ANNIVERSARIES: Frank Giorgi, Frank Markey, Joy Coates, Anne Paloyannidis, James Sullivan, Christopher Roche, Ellen Dowden, Jean Fernando, Patricia O’Rourke, Angela Scott, Maud Price. Clergy: Pope John Paul II,

Fr Joseph Tuohey, Canon William Toft.

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

MAUREEN BOON RIP Maureen’s family would like to thank everyone who came

to Maureen’s Funeral Mass, and all who sent messages of comfort and support. Your kindness has made a difference and we ask God to bless you for it.

MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS

SATURDAY	6.00 pm	Michael John Murphy RIP
THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT (A)
27th March 2011	9.00 am	Linda O’Boyle RIP
	11.00 am	Bob & Marjorie Martin RIP
	5.00 pm	The People of our Parish
MONDAY	9.15 am	Johnny Roche RIP recently (Murray)
TUESDAY	10.15 am	James Sullivan RIP (Anniv)
	2.15 pm	Class 3D Mass at St. Peter’s School
WEDNESDAY	9.15 am	Group Captain Tom Rice RIP
THURSDAY	9.15 am	Teresa Ellerby RIP (Diffley)
FRIDAY	10.30 am	Lilian Cox RIP Requiem Mass
	1.45 pm	Philip Parks RIP Requiem Mass
SATURDAY Sacrament of Penance 11.00am - 12noon & 5.00pm - 5.30pm
	6.00 pm	Jean & Pat Fernando RIP (Diffley)
FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT (A) MOTHERING SUNDAY
3rd April 2011	9.00 am	Joyce Cannon RIP
	11.00 am	The People of our Parish
	5.00 pm	John Flynn RIP

ADORATION & PRAYER BEFORE THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

TUESDAYS 9.15am - 10.15am & 10.45am - 11.15am

Not on Friday of this week

SATURDAYS 11am - 12 noon & 5pm - 5.30 pm

MASS ATTENDANCE SUNDAY 20^th March 2011 (previous week)

Total 972 (915): 6pm Mass 186 (151) 9am Mass 279 (265),

11am Mass 340 (278), 5pm Mass 167 (221)

BOOKLETS FOR LENT ON SALE IN THE CHURCH PORCH

Walk with Me – A Lenten Journey of Prayer, price £1

My Day by Day - gives daily Bible texts for Lent, price £1

Stations of the Cross and many other booklets suitable for Lent

There are many booklets on Lent available in the Church Porch

DVD’s of Pope Benedict XVI visit to the UK, with the title

“Heart speaks unto heart” are in the Repository - price £10