14+ Youth Group
Our 14+ Youth Group continues to meet every other week in the Parish Centre. Our next meeting is on Wednesday, 26th August at 7:30 & all parishioners aged 14 and above will be afforded a warm welcome. The group provides an opportunity for you to explore, examine and discuss your faith and connect with young people across the diocese. Come and learn the power and beauty of the Catholic faith!
PARISH FUNDRAISING
We are now twelve members short of our 200 target. Could you help us reach our target? Subscription is £5.00 per month, either by cash, cheque or direct debit. If you would like to join, please fill in a form which can be found at the back of the church or call Linda Wall on 01702 558217.
This month’s winners
- £150 Mr S Ravinet 41
- £100 Mr F Maguire 86
- £75 Mr R Luft 66
- £50 Mrs L Wall 106
- £25 Mrs M Maguire 24
Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries
Canon Peter Prendergast, Canon Vincent Hurley, Fr Andrew Hurley, Fr George Gresley, Fr Arthur Ryan, Francis Bartley, Mary Attersley, Bernadette Perry, Andre Lince, Annie Gallacher, John Walmsley, Margaret McFarlane, John Power, Edwin Martin, Catherine McGowan, Noreen Selet, Edward Chavner, Rocco Forgione, Agnes Harding, Daisie Seebold, Edith Seymour, Mary Saegar, Rhoda Addecott, Teresa Griffiths, Anne McCarthy & Ronald Abnett.
Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries
Canon Peter Prendergast, Canon Vincent Hurley, Fr Andrew Hurley, Fr George Gresley, Fr Arthur Ryan, Francis Bartley, Mary Attersley, Bernadette Perry, Andre Lince, Annie Gallacher, John Walmsley, Margaret McFarlane, John Power, Edwin Martin, Catherine McGowan, Noreen Selet, Edward Chavner, Rocco Forgione, Agnes Harding, Daisie Seebold, Edith Seymour, Mary Saegar, Rhoda Addecott, Teresa Griffiths, Anne McCarthy & Ronald Abnett.
The Assumption Of The Blessed Virgin Mary
First reading Apocalypse 11:19; 12:1-6, 1- 19:4-8
Second reading Corinthians 15:20-26
Gospel Luke 1: 39-56
Preface of The Assumption
The Roman Canon
Saturday 15th August
5.30pm Mass Intentions of the Lamparter Family
Sunday 16th August
8am Mass The People of the Parish
9.30am Mass Intentions of Fatima Balolong
11.30am Mass Mary Byrnes, RIP (Anniversary) & Mary Merrick, RIP (Anniversary)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Nineteenth Sunday of the Year
Dear friends in Christ
As we continue reading at Mass the sixth chapter of St John’s Gospel, it is linked this weekend with that of the journey of Elijah in the first reading. Elijah is given bread by God so that he may continue his journey to Horeb, the mountain of God. The true Bread from Heaven is that which is given by God for our journey to the next life. The types and images of this food for our soul, is often seen in images in the Old Testament. It is Jesus Christ who would give us the Bread that is His Body in the Eucharist. This Bread, containing all of the spiritual nourishment that we need, satisfies all our body and spiritual hunger. It is the Bread that a person eats so that they may not die. One of the expressions for the Blessed Eucharist is pricelessly this: Viaticum, food for the journey; it is food for journey through this life and is given to us as our final food before death so that we may make the transition from earth to Heaven. St John Vianney, whose feast we celebrated last Tuesday says:
Holy Communion is for the pledge of eternal life, so that it guarantees Heaven to us. It is the pledge sent to tell us that it will one day be our dwelling place…Jesus Christ will raise up our bodies as much more glorious as we shall have more often and more worthily received Him. There is nothing we do which adorns the body more for Heaven than Holy Communion. At the day of judgement, the Body of Our Lord will shine through our glorified body. His adorable Blood through our blood, as we see gold shine in copper and silver in lead.
God bless you!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Monday 10th St Lawrence, Deacon, Matyr
9am Mass Diana Underwood, RIP (Anniversary)
Tuesday 11th St Clare, Virgin
9am Mass Susan Griffin (Special Intentions))
Wednesday 12th St Jane Frances de Chantal
9am Mass Intentions of the Corrigan Family
Thursday 13th Saints Pontian, Pope, and Hippolytus, Priest, Martyrs
9am Mass Fr James McCormack, RIP
2.30pm Funeral Service Marie Brand,RIP
Friday 14th St Maximilian Kolbe, Priest, Martyr
12noon Mass Kathleen Farrell, RIP
Saturday 15th August
10am Mass Frank Mann RIP (Anniversary)
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 wether 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.
SERVING THE HOMELESS
The Committee of Serving the Homeless are organising an Indian buffet meal
at the Shagor Restaurant in Hamlet Court Road on Wednesday 16th September
at 7.30 pm. Tickets cost £15 and are available from Jo Ronan 474062,
Nina Bridgeman 472536 or Linda Wall 558217
First Holy Communion 2016
If you have a child in Year 3 or above who wishes to make their First Holy Communion in 2016, please complete and return a Registration Form which is available at the back of the Church. Please note completed forms MUST BE returned to the Parish Office by Sunday 30th August 2015.
14+ Youth Group
Our 14+ Youth Group continues to meet every other week in the Parish Centre. Our next meeting is on Wednesday, 12th August at 7:30 & all parishioners aged 14 and above will be afforded a warm welcome. The group provides an opportunity for you to explore, examine and discuss your faith and connect with young people across the diocese. Come and learn the power and beauty of the Catholic faith!
Money Matters
Offertory: Thank you for your generous offerings received last weekend, which amounted to £1,816.23.
Counters: Mary Cook, Jacky Hogget & Sheila West.
Newsletter Folders: Tom O’Callaghan & Rita O’Callaghan.
Tea on the Terrace
Saturday 12th September from 2pm-4pm in the Parish Centre. Tickets at £5 will be on sale the weekend of 22nd/23rd August. Details from CWL to follow.
Please pray for the Repose of the Souls of:
EILEEN McHUGO who died in Nazareth House on Tuesday, 21st July after
a long illness. Her funeral will be held in the chapel at Nazareth House at 11.15am on Tuesday, 11th August.
CAROLE RICHARDS (formerly of Dundonald Drive) who died peacefully in
East Sussex on Thursday 30th July. Her Requiem Mass will be held on Wednesday, 19th August at 12 pm followed by committal at Southend Cemetery.
Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries
Fr David Papworth, Fr Stephen Keane, Ethel Morgan, Patrick Blissett, Daran Persaud, Lily De Lobel, Maria Robinson, Vincent Glauda, Teresa Booty, Doris Lowe, Leonard Stevenson, Christopher Barrago, William Smith, Joseph Herinckx, Les Smith, Len Murray, James Jones, Dawn Pursey, John Dillon, Magdalaine Rubick, Philippa Soggee, Jean Kerr, Arthur Watkins, Frank Mann, Helen Enright, Dr Anna (Reggie) Kemmerling, Carmen Georges & Bridie Corrigan.