Home 22nd July 2012

22nd July 2012

SIXTEENTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME B      22^nd JULY 2012

Dear friends,

Jesus said to the apostles, “You must come away to a lonely place all by yourselves and rest for a while”; for there had been so many coming and going that the apostles had no time even to eat (Mark 6:30-34). Jesus took his apostles away from the busyness of life, “to a quiet place where they could be alone by themselves”. Here, we see going away for a break and a rest as part of the journey with our Lord, which we might call a retreat, rest or holiday.  Jesus did with his friends, what we want to do with family or friends on our holidays. He shows the need to get the balance right between work and relaxation, and to be renewed for work.

The 23^rd Psalm shows the Lord is the Shepherd of his people. He brings his people to green pastures to give them rest; he leads them to restful waters to revive their drooping spirits.  In this Psalm, there is much to reflect on and apply to our lifestyle and holidays at this time of year.  On holidays, some people forget about God, faith or prayer, and may even go on a self-indulgent expedition. Others visit cathedrals or churches, and sniff-around to take-in the spiritual atmosphere of the holy places and perhaps light a candle and offer a prayer. We should thank God for holidays in which we can spend time relaxing with family or friends. Holidays are a blessing and enrichment of life when we see them as a gift from God, a time to be with others, and to be refreshed in mind, body and spirit. We pray asking the Lord, who gives us our Guardian Angel, to protect all who travel by land, sea or air. 

On Tuesday, we welcome Fr Dariusz Dąbek who returns to us from The Catholic University at Lublin, Poland. We are most grateful to him for being here with us for the next four weeks or so, as I go on holidays on Wednesday. We wish all the children and young people who start at new schools, colleges or universities in September a happy and enjoyable move as they go forward in their life. 

May the Lord bless all of you with a safe and happy holiday. Fr John 

WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK

PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR SICK AT HOME AND IN HOSPITAL:

Maeve Walmsley, Denise Zarb, Sue Broughton, Ellen Redmond, Marie Liddall, Patricia Stocks, George Pritchard, Bernard Regan, Gerry Ryan, Caroline Hill, Dorothy Wheeler, Maura Stone, Michael Howlett, Peter Bion, Rhona Sullivan, Joe McCreanor, Michael Glavin, Martin Wakelin, Barbara Flynn, Isabel Jasinska, Beryl Barr, Regina Barnes, Aileen Fleetwood, Isabella Butler, Eileen Beard, Mavis Reed, Maureen Tall, Bridget Edwards, Maeve Freeman, Delia Birch, Maureen Travers, Patricia McGeown, Pam De Keyser, Jim & Diane Bowen, Gavin & Brian Gelder, Debbie Dowds, Elizabeth Smith, Patricia Nicholson, Dorothy Robertson, Mary Carr, Maureen Phillips, Pauline Wallace, Ann Hurcombe, Marlene Hawkins, Kirsti Dennett, Kay McCabe, Janice Bignall, Eileen Molloy, Julie Bouchel, Elsie Jackson, Julie Halstead, Anne Babb, Gertie Walsh, Edith Snook, Lily Warner, Margaret Sefton, Sarah Stewart, Beryl Barclay, Jean French, Mary Keilthy, Anne Cannon, Mary Shane, Tommy Campbell, Michael Pierce, Erroll Newman, John Nolan, Denzil Reeves, Jamie Taylor, Francis Monk, Lyle Wheeler, Bob Boon, Nick Ramsey, Bryce Smith, Brian Mardle. Clergy: Fr Conrad Smith, Bishop Michael Rowland, Mgr Chris Brooks, Rev Warner Pidgeon. Children: Helen Slattery, Savannah & Cayde Lewis, John Quilligan, Mark Selwood, Daisy Locker and Grace. May the healing power of the Holy Spirit come down upon them. **We have heard recently that Bishop Michael and Fr Conrad are very unwell. 

ILL IN HOSPITAL If you or a relative are going into hospital please inform your priest, or a Catholic Priest at the hospital. It is essential for all who are ill to receive Holy Communion and the Sacrament for the Sick.

WE PRAY FOR OUR DECEASED RELATIVES & PARISHIONERS:

Anniversaries: Lily Rainbird, Cathy Woodham, Patricia Jannece, Bernardine Metcalfe, Kenneth Bulpitt, Ida Burke, Paul Giorgi, Frank Price, Joseph “Ted” Goodspeed . Clergy: Fr John Jones, Fr Dermot Moore, Fr James Cooney, Fr John Harding.  Eternal rest grant to them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION & RECONCILIATION 2013 Application forms to enrol children who will be in School Year 3 or above in September 2012 can be collected by parents from the Repository Shop in the Church porch before or after the Masses at weekends. Please collect only your own child’s application form.  Completed forms must be returned to the Parish Office by Tuesday, 31^st July. Application forms received after that date will be put on file for the Preparation Course which starts in September 2013.

TALKS ON THE CATHOLIC FAITH will resume in September and we will welcome anyone interested in finding out about our faith or becoming Catholic. 

ST PETER’S SCHOOL This week the Year 6 celebrated their Leavers Mass. They reflected on their time at St Peter’s and the way in which they have grown together. They remembered that Jesus is with us through all stages of our lives and we wish them every success and joy as they move on to new horizons. 

CHILDREN’S LITURGY Does your child attend one of our Parish Liturgy Groups? Can you spare one hour every half term? The current team are desperate for new volunteers. There has been a poor response to previous pleas and the only way to ensure the groups continue to run weekly (term time only) is for more recruits. Help is needed for the 9am toddler group (babies to pre-school) and the school age group (Reception up to year 3). The liturgy groups enable children to participate in the celebration of Mass at a level they understand and enjoy. Each week a different 'theme' is discussed (you will be provided with the information). If you are able to help or would like to attend a session before committing, please contact Tricia Murphy 01277 633964, email: triciamur2@talktalk.net. All volunteers will be asked to complete a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check.

DIOCESAN VOCATIONS DISCERNMENT GROUP – open to men and women aged 17 – 30. If you are reflecting on where and who God is calling you to be, and you want company and conversation with others, guided by Fr Dominic Howarth and Sr Anne Spilberg OSU, then you are very welcome on Friday 3^rd August. We meet in Brentwood, testimony – Fr Graham Smith will share his vocation story. Fr Graham has been Ordained for ten years, and is Parish Priest of Shoeburyness. The evening also includes a fish and chip supper, and a time of quiet prayer and Adoration, as well as a chance for discussion and questions. For full details, email frdominic@brentwoodvocations.org or call 01268 281732. 

BARLEYLANDS COUNTRY SHOW 8/9^th September.  Churches Together in Billericay needs volunteers to help set up, man their various activities, provide refreshments.  Volunteer forms are available in the Church porch.

NEW PUBLICATION The Catholic Parish of the Royal Docks: Silvertown, Custom House, Beckton - 125 Years (1887-2012) by Father Stewart Foster.160 pages, illustrated in colour and black & white. £10 (includes postage & packing) from: Parish History, St Anne’s Church, 1 Berwick Road, London E16 3DR. Cheques payable to ‘St Anne’s Church, Custom House’.

MASS TIMES AND INTENTIONS

SACRAMENT OF PENANCE Saturday 11.15am to 12 noon and 

                               5pm to 5.30pm and by request to the priest.

ADORATION & PRAYER BEFORE THE BLESSED SACRAMENT 

TUESDAYS 9.30am to 10.15am & 10.45am to 11.15am  

SATURDAYS    11.00am to 12.00 noon and 5.00pm to 5.30pm 

MASS ATTENDANCE SUNDAY 15^th July 2012 (Previous Week)

Total 708 (616):    6pm Mass 155 (132), 9am Mass 236 (207), 

11am Mass 204 (146), 5pm Mass 113 (131)

OFFERINGS THANK YOU for your generous Offerings £1643 (£1234.92 was Gift Aided) for our Parish last weekend and for £20.92 in the CAFOD Box for our Parish CAFOD Project Connect2Rwanda. Our Retiring collection for CHILDCARE amounted to £1168.08 (£499.80 was Gift Aided)

The 100 Club draw for July was won by David Mullen, who receives a cheque for £100 and a further £100 will be donated to a charity, yet to be decided.