Prayers for Vocations

Sunday

Lord, you call your people to a ever deeper love of the Eucharist - may this wonderful gift to your church unite us in the bonds of love and communion with you, and with one another. Lord in your mercy....Hear our prayer.

Monday

Lord, you call each person to discover their unique relationship with you; inspire all people to seek the vocation to perfect love. By being faithful to their Baptism may all Christians be led to the fullness of life. Lord in your mercy....

Tuesday

Lord God, give your people light and strength, that they may see the path you have chosen for them and accept it with hope and trust in you - may the young find friendship and guidance. Lord in your mercy....

Wednesday

Father of all, you entrusted your Son to the care of Mary and Joseph - help Christian parents to discover the values and joys of a vocation in the service of Church and the world. May those called to marriage or single life reveal your love in their faithfulness. Lord in your mercy..................

Thursday

Eternal High Priest, strengthen those you have called to sanctify, teach and serve your people, to live their vocation with generosity - may they always be faithful stewards of the mysteries of God and find joy in their priesthood. Lord in your mercy...........

Friday

Lord God, through the prayers and witness of St. Augustine our Patron and all your saints, call others to serve you in the Priesthood, Diaconate and Religious Life - may they always receive from your people the support they need. Lord in your mercy.........

Saturday

Heavenly Father, through the intercession of Our Blessed Lady may we, like her, ponder faithfully your saving Word and accept our vocation to bear Jesus Christ to the world - may our lives announce Him through our commitment to love, holiness and truth. Lord in your mercy..........

Adapted from Intercessions for Vocations published by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brentwood

ST. JAMES THE GREAT

Today, Father Martin presided and preached whilst Father Mervyn concelebrated at the Parish Mass. Numbers were slightly down due to the fact that school holidays are now underway. In his sermon Father Martin commented on a recent event he had attended organised by Bishop David, the Bishop of Barking on “Politics and Religion” There were people from various denominations in attendance. In Father Martin’s Group there was an Orthodox priest, Baptist Minister and other clergy from the Church of England. One of the subjects they discussed was “What does your congregation think of Heaven.” One Universalist insisted that everyone went to heaven anyway. Father Martin argued that if that was the case, why did Jesus die on the cross and other martyrs, like St. James, sacrifice their lives.

At the end of Mass Father Martin explained the new arrangements about Harvest. Boxes would still be available for individual cash donations but there would also be series of tombola’s to raise funds. Gifts for this would be welcome and could be brought to Mass or to the Saturday Shop. The tombola's would be held at the Saturday Shop between now and the end of September. The money raised together with donations from the match boxes would be sent to the usual Harvest Charity. The church would be decorated using some of the items donated to give more of a feel of Harvest.

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today at the Parish Mass, Father Martin presided and Father Mervyn preached and concelebrated. Father Mervyn talked about how Martha was so concerned with domestic chores that she failed to realise there was something far more important. Jesus was with them. Mary was listening to him and Jesus said she had the better part which would not be taken away from her.

School holidays have already started in the neighbourhood which is split between two Local Authorities so some children have already broken up and people have already started their summer break. The other area will break up during this week. This was reflected in the Saturday Shop which was very quiet yesterday. Also it was the Dagenham Festival in which our Guides and Brownies had a float celebrating 100 years of Guiding.

LAST NIGHT OF THE PROMS!

Can’t afford to go the Last Night of the Proms? Well, have no fear, you can come to St. Augustine’s on Saturday 18^th September for an evening featuring Music, Hymns, jingoistic songs, recitations, monologues or anything else which celebrates “the old Country”.

Admission £3 per person but patriotic garb or a good-sized flag will merit a third off. Capacity is as many as we can fit into the church – first come, first admitted.

Want to do a turn of any of the above then see father Martin, otherwise turn up prepared to sing items like Land of Hope and Glory – I vow to Thee my Country – Rule Britannia etc., etc., and, of course, God Save The Queen

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today our Organist & Choirmaster Jon returned from his period away due to his heart operation so Father Mervyn, relieved of his spell of playing the organ, was invited by Father Martin to preside at the Parish Mass whilst Father Martin preached and concelebrated. After the well attended Service of Baptism, Confirmation and Solemn Mass on Friday with Bishop Keith, and the Concert on Saturday evening by the choir Notability we half expected our numbers would be down but, in fact, they were up on our normal attendance.

At the Peace the children who have been to Sunday School return to church and show us what they’ve been doing. They leave church after the first hymn and a prayer and go to the Church Hall for their own teaching usually based on the Gospel for the day.

During the notices we learnt that the Strawberry Tea the previous weekend made a final total of £377.60 after all expenses had been covered. A really magnificent amount! Despite many people being away on holiday or taking a day at the beach due to the wonderful weather, our Saturday Shop takings last week amounted to £172.

The Neat & Tidy Club which keeps our grounds and the hall looking neat and tidy will meet on Thursday 8^th and 29^th July and our Parochial Church Council will meet on Wednesday 20^th July at 7.30 p.m. in the Lady Chapel.

Holy Baptism & Confirmation

On Friday night at a Solemn Pontifical Mass, Bishop Keith Newton SSC, Bishop of Richborough baptised Louise and then she and Carole and Marcelle were Confirmed and made their First Communion. During the Communion of the People the Choir sang the Anthem “Lead me Lord” with Jan singing the solo part very well. The service included hymns which had been chosen by the candidates. At the end of the service Father Martin presented the candidates with Cards and Prayer Books.

After the service there was a Reception in the Church Hall where the newly Confirmed and their families were able to meet and spend time with Bishop Keith and together they cut a celebratory cake.

Father Mervyn played the organ concluding with Karg-Elert’s Chorale Improvisation on Now Thank We All Our God. After several months away our Organist returns this Sunday.