APF Boxholders
As we are approaching the end of the Financial Year, if your box has not been opened in the last 12 months would you please arrange to leave it in the Parish Office for my collection. If you have not received your copy of the Autumn Missio please take one from the back of the Church (on the ledge the other side from the car par entrance). Thank you. Joan Caunce (Secretary) 01268 757505
Parish Fundraising
Thank you to everyone who currently supports the Parish 200 Club. This month’s winners are:
1st prize £150 136 Mrs M Kennedy
2nd Prize £100 131 Mrs E Wilson
3rd Prize £75 206 Miss D Blaker
4th Prize £50 109 Miss P Mitchell
5th Prize £25 40 Ms J Yates
Subscription is £5.00 per month, either by cash, cheque or direct debit. We are currently 12 members short of our 200 target. If you would like to join, please fill in a form which can be found at the back of the church or ring Linda Wall on 01702 558217.
ABC - About Being Catholic
The next series of informal talks designed to give an insight into the teachings and traditions of the Catholic Church will continue, starting at 8 pm in the Parish Centre. 27th October - Sacred Scriptures - The Old and New Testaments
You are welcome to attend some or all of these talks; if you would like more information please speak to Fr Kevin or telephone Pat O’Connell, Tel 01702 712123.
Headteacher – St Anne Line Junior School, Basildon
Our Headteacher is retiring after 25 years and the Governing Body are looking for an enthusiastic Catholic to continue the wonderful work in the school. Starting date: September 2015. Application closing date: November 12th 2014. Application packs are available from Carolyn Kerr at Essex County Council, Tel: 033301 30784 or by emailing headships@essex.gov.uk.
Headteacher – St Anne Line Junior School, Basildon
Our Headteacher is retiring after 25 years and the Governing Body are looking for an enthusiastic Catholic to continue the wonderful work in the school. Starting date: September 2015. Application closing date: November 12th 2014. Application packs are available from Carolyn Kerr at Essex County Council, Tel: 033301 30784 or by emailing headships@essex.gov.uk.
Catholic Women’s League
There will be a CWL Extraordinary Meeting held on Monday, 27th October 2014 in the Newman Room at 2 pm. Please could all members do their best to attend this important meeting.
Money Matters
Offertory: Thank you for the generous offerings received last weekend, which amounted to £1,575.22p.
Counters are Bob Hall, Kitty Edwards & Vanessa Ashcroft.
Newsletter Folders are Bobby Newman & Emma Beardsell
Church Cleaning
Help is needed on a fortnightly basis to clean the main Sacristy. If anyone is able to help, please contact the Parish Office.
We pray for the departed on their anniversaries
Fr George Steadman, Fr Stephen Wyatt, Fr William Loveland, Canon Thomas Bishop, Canon Richard Gay, David Scott-Frame, James Scott, Jeremiah Brennan, John Goodwin-Self, Angelo Nikolla, Jack North, Gilbert Blanch, Joan Sullivan, Karin Chipperfield, Gwendoline Greiner, Patrick Landers, Maureen Coghlan, Stanley Watson, Alice Conway, Joyce Jones, Helen Lesley, Doris Payne, Mary Russell, William Upsher, Walter Kilman, Edward Hullett, Mary Peomore, Eileen Clark and Philip Modica.
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Year A
First Reading Exodus 22: 20-26
Second Reading Thessalonians 1: 5-10
Gospel Matthew 22: 34-40
Preface of Sunday 7
Eucharistic Prayer 3
Saturday 25th October
5.30pm Mass Mgr Daniel Shanahan, RIP
Sunday 26th October
8.00am Mass Jeremiah & Catherine Brennan, RIP (Anniv)
9.30am Mass The People of the Parish
11.30am Mass Bernadette Dellar, RIP (Anniv)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Year A
First Reading Exodus 22: 20-26
Second Reading Thessalonians 1: 5-10
Gospel Matthew 22: 34-40
Preface of Sunday 7
Eucharistic Prayer 3
Saturday 25th October
5.30pm Mass Mgr Daniel Shanahan, RIP
Sunday 26th October
8.00am Mass Jeremiah & Catherine Brennan, RIP (Anniv)
9.30am Mass The People of the Parish
11.30am Mass Bernadette Dellar, RIP (Anniv)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Year 2, Psalter Week 1
9.15am Mass: Thomas Henry Gunn, RIP
Tuesday 21st Feria
9.15am Mass: Agnes & Adam Templeton, RIP
11.00am Requiem Mass: Ronnie Olliffe, RIP
Wednesday 22nd St John Paul II, P
9.15am Mass: Mark Solecki, RIP (Anniv)
Thursday 23rd St John Capistrano, Pr
9.30am Mass: Intentions of Sharon & Norman Ferminger
(with Our Lady of Lourdes School attending)
Friday 24th St Anthony Claret, Bp
12 Noon Mass: Bertha Nesnas, RIP
Saturday 25th Our Lady on Saturday
10.00am Mass Fr Andrew Hurley, RIP
Confession – the Sacrament of Penance – is also available on request
Holy Rosary is said after morning Mass during the week
Twenty-ninth Sunday of the Year
Dear friends in Christ
As Christians we live in the world but are not of the world. This means that we are obliged to pray for those who govern us, respect legitimate civil authority and pay our taxes. Those who govern us have a great responsibility to carry out their duties with justice and integrity. The Lord recognised the civil power and its rights, but He also stated quite clearly that we have to respect the rights of God. Whenever as Christians we play a part in public affairs, in education or cultural life, we can never behave as if we are reserving our faith for some future occasion. The Second Vatican Council teaches: The lay faithful accomplish the Church’s mission in the world principally by that blending of conduct and faith which makes them the light of the world; by that uprightness in all their dealings which is for every man such an incentive to love the true and the good and which is capable of inducing him at last to go to Christ and the Church; by that fraternal charity that makes them share the living conditions and labours, the sufferings and yearnings of their brothers, and thereby prepare all hearts, for the action of saving grace; by that full awareness of their personal responsibility in the development of society, which drives them on to perform their family social and professional duties with Christian generosity (Dignitatis humanae, 11).
Elsewhere in this Newsletter I have included some notes about the reception of Holy Communion which may help in making this important moment at Mass more streamlined and reverent.
God bless you all!
Fr Kevin Hale
Twenty-ninth Sunday of the Year
Dear friends in Christ
As Christians we live in the world but are not of the world. This means that we are obliged to pray for those who govern us, respect legitimate civil authority and pay our taxes. Those who govern us have a great responsibility to carry out their duties with justice and integrity. The Lord recognised the civil power and its rights, but He also stated quite clearly that we have to respect the rights of God. Whenever as Christians we play a part in public affairs, in education or cultural life, we can never behave as if we are reserving our faith for some future occasion. The Second Vatican Council teaches: The lay faithful accomplish the Church’s mission in the world principally by that blending of conduct and faith which makes them the light of the world; by that uprightness in all their dealings which is for every man such an incentive to love the true and the good and which is capable of inducing him at last to go to Christ and the Church; by that fraternal charity that makes them share the living conditions and labours, the sufferings and yearnings of their brothers, and thereby prepare all hearts, for the action of saving grace; by that full awareness of their personal responsibility in the development of society, which drives them on to perform their family social and professional duties with Christian generosity (Dignitatis humanae, 11).
Elsewhere in this Newsletter I have included some notes about the reception of Holy Communion which may help in making this important moment at Mass more streamlined and reverent.
God bless you all!
Fr Kevin Hale
ON HOLY COMMUNION
The Church teaches us that the Mass is the source and summit of the Christian life. From this follows the essential importance of our participation at the Mass every week; this is not simply a precept of the Church but a commandment of God Who wills His People join together in worship every Sunday, the Lord’s Day. The best and ultimate expression of our participation is Eucharistic Communion. Our Holy Communion with Christ at Mass is an expression of our faith in His real presence in the Sacrament; it signifies our communion with one another; and it is an assent to the full body of teaching of the Catholic Church; this is the meaning of the Amen we pronounce at the moment of reception. There are often people at Mass who cannot receive for various reasons, either because they are not Catholic, have not received first Holy Communion or because there are spiritual obstacles which have not been overcome. Each of us participates in the Mass according to our capacity, but it is our presence at Mass that is important whether or not we receive Holy Communion. There has evolved the custom, for those not receiving, to come forward and with a clear indication (e.g. arm placed on our shoulder) to receive the sign of the Cross; this is not precisely a blessing - the blessing is given to everyone at the end of Mass - but a symbol of the touch of Christ at that moment.
In preparation for Holy Communion, if we are receiving, we should have fasted from food and drink (except water) for one hour. This is not necessary if we are elderly or have to take medicine. Above all, it is necessary that we be in a state of grace; this means that if we are conscious of serious sin we should have gone to sacramental Confession first.
In receiving Holy Communion the universal norm of the Church is reception upon the tongue; in England there is the Indult (a special permission) for receiving Communion in the hand as well. Whichever form we choose, it is important that we indicate clearly and receive with proper care and reverence. Before we receive, we should make an act of adoration in recognition of the One we are receiving; this takes the form of a genuflection or deep bow as the person in front of us is receiving. St Augustine reminds us: Adore first, what you are to receive. If receiving upon the tongue, the proper manner is to extend our tongue so that the Sacred Host can be placed upon it easily; the Host should not be pecked-at or snatched with the lips; moving targets are also difficult to communicate! If receiving in the hand, this is done by placing one hand upon the other, receiving the Host in the palm and then placing it into the mouth carefully before moving away. Children especially, are asked to ensure that they raise their hands to a suitable height and stand close to the priest or extraordinary minister. The Host should not be snatched or walked-away with; we ask everyone to be vigilant in this. When receiving the Blood of Christ from the chalice, we take the chalice carefully with both hands, sip, and carefully return it. In whichever manner we receive we pronounce a distinct and audible Amen.
The period after Holy Communion is for private prayer, and if there is a Communion chant or hymn, this is followed by a period of silent thanksgiving. It is a help and kindness to everyone else at Mass if a prayerful silence is observed, remembering that this time is an intimate moment of Communion with Jesus, our Lord and God. Those who have not received Communion might like to make what is called a Spiritual Communion at this point, using a formula such as:
I wish Lord to receive You now, with the purity, humility and devotion with which Your most holy Mother received You, and with the spirit and fervour of the Saints……
There is nothing greater in the whole of our Catholic Faith that the Presence of Jesus with us at Mass and in Holy Communion. We can never grow too-used to this Gift and Mystery and by continually reminding ourselves of Who it is we receive, then we will approach the Altar with ever greater awareness, faith and devotion.
Parish Requiem Mass
On Thursday 13th November at 8 pm Fr Kevin will celebrate Mass for all those parishioners who have died in the last twelve months. All are welcome. If you have ever been bereaved and would like them to be remembered at this Mass, please sign the list at the back of Church. During the Mass we will invite a member of each family to come forward and light a candle.
ABC - About Being Catholic
The next series of informal talks designed to give an insight into the teachings and traditions of the Catholic Church will continue, starting at 8 pm in the Parish Centre.
20th October - The Life of Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer
You are welcome to attend some or all of these talks; if you would like more information please speak to Fr Kevin or telephone Pat O’Connell, Tel 01702 712123.