24th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Today Father Martin was officiating at St. James, Clacton so Father Mervyn celebrated and preached. Although we did not keep the anniversary of 9/11 formally, the hymns, the Gospel with the Parable of the Unforgiving Steward were strangely appropriate. During the Intercessions we remembered those who were still suffering as a result of 9/11 and all those who had died.

In his sermon Father Mervyn related how Corrie ten Boom a Dutch woman, the author of the well known book “No Hiding Place had been incarcerated by the Nazis together with her sister Betsie who had died as a result of her ill-treatment. Corrie survived and was released and after the war toured Europe and the United States talking and lecturing mainly in churches. It was at one of these meetings that she saw in the congregation one of her former guards at the concentration camp at Ravensbruck.

After the meeting, she stood outside the church she saw her former guard, walking towards her, beaming with delight; he thanked her for her message saying how pleased he had been  to hear her say that through Jesus all our sins are forgiven The he stretched out his hand to shake hers.  She drew back; what was she to do?

She had often spoken to others about the need to forgive, now found herself in a position where it seemed impossible for her to do so. She tried to respond to his smile, tried to raise her hand to his, but was unable to do so. And then she breathed a silent prayer: "Lord, I can't forgive; give me your forgiveness." And something quite extraordinary happened: she felt empowered to take his hand in hers and as she did so, experienced love for this man who had once treated her and her sister so appallingly.

Father Mervyn pointed out that today’s Gospel in effect challenged us to forgive: to forgive those who had carried out the dreadful events of 9/11; to forgive those who had carried out other terrorist attacks and, of course, to forgive those who offended us. And to do so not once or twice but seventy time seven.

BUILDINGS COMMITTEE 12th NOVEMBER

The Committee will meet following the  7.30 p.m.Mass according to the Book of Common Prayer in the Lady Chapel at approx. 8.00 p.m.

THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION

Please keep Katherine, Mark, Sky, Aaron and Billy in your prayers as the prepare for their Confirmation. Katherine will be Confirmed at St. Edward’s Church on Sunday 18th September. The other candidates will be confirmed at St. Augustine’s on Sunday 25th September at 6.39 p.m.

HARVEST FESTIVAL

We will be celebrating Harvest Festival at the Parish Mass  at 10.00 a.m. on Sunday 25th September.

HARVEST SUPPER

This year the HARVEST SUPPER will be on Saturday 1st October. 7.00 p.m. for 7.30 p.m.

Menu

Choice of Tomato or Onion Soup

Bangers and Mash with Baked Beans (Gravy optional)

Fruit Pie or Apple Crumble with either custard, cream or ice cream.

TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT £5 adults £3 children under 11

REQUIEM FOR KEN RICHARDSON

 

Today we celebrated a sung Requiem Mass for Ken Richardson. The church was full for this celebration of Ken’s life and our prayers for the repose of his soul. In his Homily Father Martin outlined some of the many features of Ken’s life and, especially, how much he had done for St. Augustine’s Church from the time it was built until quite recently when illness had slowed him down. He had served as Church Treasurer, a role now taken by his son-in-law. When the church suffered the devastating fire, Ken had been at the forefront of working to restore the damage done by the fire and the water that put the fire out. Ken was a Yorkshire man and tomorrow he will be taken to St. Helen’s Church, Waddington for the interment on Wednesday. Waddington is the village where Ken as a young serviceman met Mary his wife and St. Helen’s is the church where they were married.

Donations for the Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity in memory of Ken can be given to Father Martin or can be sent to the Co-op Funeral Directors.

Jesu mercy – Mary pray.

May he Rest in Peace and Rise in Glory

 

23rd SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Today Father Martin presided and preached at the Parish Mass whilst Father Mervyn read the Gospel and Concelebrated. During his sermon Father Martin drew our attention to the Walsingham Bible Week next year based on the Epistle to the Ephesians. Forms are at the back of church and further information can be obtained from either Father Martin, or Father Mervyn & Ann who went to a similar event last year.

BUILDINGS COMMITTEE

The Committee will meet following the  7.30 p.m.Mass in the lady Chapel at approx. 8.00 p.m.

THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION

Please keep Katherine, Mark, Sky, Aaron and Billy in your prayers as the prepare for their Confirmation. Katherine will be Confirmed at St. Edward’s Church on Sunday 18th September. The other candidates will be confirmed at St. Augustine’s on Sunday 25th September at 6.39 p.m.

HARVEST FESTIVAL

We will be celebrating Harvest Festival at the Parish Mass  at 10.00 a.m. on Sunday 25th September.

 

HARVEST SUPPER

This year the HARVEST SUPPER will be on Saturday 1st October. 7.00 p.m. for 7.30 p.m.

Menu

Choice of Tomato or Onion Soup

Bangers and Mash with Baked Beans (Gravy optional)

Fruit Pie or Apple Crumble with either custard, cream or ice cream.

TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT £5 adults £3 children under 11