A VERY BLESSED AND HAPPY NEW YEAR

THE HOLY FAMILY

Father Martin celebrated and preached at the Parish Mass today whilst Father Mervyn was at St. Mary’s, Ilford. During the sermon spot Father Martin organised an Ad Hoc Nativity play using children from the Sunday School. The stable was represented by chairs.

Following an appeal new editors have come forward for The Pioneer Magazine. In making the announcement Father Martin remarked that the Magazine was read by people locally and some who no longer live in the parish. As a result of an article in the last Magazine a donation of £500 has been made to the Lady Chapel Restoration Appeal.

NEW YEARS EVE PARTY – All Welcome – bring your own food and drinks and see in the New Year at St. Augustine’s from 7-30 p.m.

CHRISTMAS SERVICES

MIDNIGHT MASS

The seemingly endless rain we have endured didn’t prevent a capacity number attending the Solemn Mass of Midnight. Father Martin presided and Father Mervyn concelebrated, preached and led the Intercessions. In his sermon Father Mervyn pointed out that people often said “Christmas was a time for children”; in a way they were right. It is quite likely that the Shepherds watching their flocks by night were young – teenagers - the sons of the owners of the flocks.  Mary was probably only 13 or 14 years old when she undertook, in obedience to the Heavenly Messenger, the responsibility of becoming the Mother of Jesus, Mother of God, Theotokos. The wonder of Christmas was that Jesus, God’s only Son, should become one of us so that we could become his brother and his friend, who would, in the fullness of time, give His life for us. We needed to have the wonder of children as we approach this wonderful Solemnity.

Following the Communion, the Crib was blessed and the Bambino was placed into it. After Mass we met briefly in the hall for sherry (or fruit juice), mince pies and sausage rolls.

MASS OF THE DAY

Shocking weather, including a thunder storm prevented some from getting to Mass this morning. Those who did manage to brave the severe rain and partly flooded roads joined with our choir and full team of servers to worship “the new born King” at the Solemn Mass of the Day. Father Mervyn presided and Father Martin concelebrated, preached and led us in prayer. In his sermon Father Martin talked about each family having their own traditions at Christmas; the family of the church likewise had it’s own traditions. The importance of Christmas was the Incarnation.

CHRISTINGLE 2012 Christmas Eve

At 4.30 p.m. we celebrated the first of our Christmas Services with the annual Christingle. It was very well supported with readings from the Head of a local school and a teacher from one of the large Romford Girl’s Schools. The service was conducted by Father Martin and Father Mervyn played the organ. The crib figures were brought to the crib and placed in it by some of the children who then sang “Away in a Manger”
After the Christingle, Father Martin celebrated a Vigil Mass for those unable to attend the traditional Midnight Mass.

ADVENT 4

Today a near full church celebrated the Fourth Sunday in Advent. Father Mervyn presided and Father Martin read the Gospel and preached. Our Lay Reader Joan led us in prayer.

Father Martin based  his sermon on the Gospel and in particular on Mary’s Song the Magnificat. He contrasted how this beautiful Song had been used and played an extract from the setting Stanford in G.  Then he got the choir to sing a modern version:-

1. Join Mary's song! Sing loud and clear
of anger God is feeling
that selfish men make others poor
and legalise the stealing!
With her sing praise that he should care,
and with the wronged their burden share;
from seats of power the proud he'll tear,
and send the mighty reeling.

2. That God's with those who are oppressed
there can be no denying.
With those who're poor or dispossessed,
his heart has long been sighing.
But they shall have what's just and right,
when God shall break the men of might;
he'll lift the hungry to the height
and send the selfish crying.

We look forward to seeing many people over the next few days as we gather to celebrate the wonderful Solemnity of Christmas.

Yesterday’s Saturday shop took £141

ADVENT 3 GAUDETE

This Sunday is called Gaudete Sunday because that’s the first Latin word in the liturgy. The full line is: “Rejoice in the Lord always.”

Today Father Martin presided and Father Mervyn read the Gospel, preached and led the Intercessions. In his sermon father Mervyn reminded the congregation about the jingle “ Happiness is a things called Comfort” which he sang (rather badly)~ Happiness was not some soap powder nor was it the acquisition of great wealth and worldly possessions. True happiness came from what St. Paul said in his letter to the Philippians:" “I want you to be happy, always happy in the Lord.”   True happiness can never be found in worldly goods or in terms of wealth, true happiness is to know Jesus and to follow him. In fact, most of the message of the Gospel, is the reverse of acquisition; it is in giving away goods and money to those who need them.

This time of the year we are reminded about the poverty in our world both in the Third World but here in the UK, in Romford in Rush Green People who do not have enough to eat or somewhere to stay the night. On this forthcoming great festival of Christmas we should remember that Jesus was born in a homeless situation, we have to go, in heart and mind, to Bethlehem and find Jesus and give him our hearts, our minds, our whole self and take him into our lives and to love and care for our neighbours.

During the Intercessions we prayed for those who are mourning in Connecticut for the children and teachers murdered at Newton Sandy Hook Elementary School and for the repose of all those who had died.

YESTERDAY’S SATURDAY SHOP TOOK OVER £200

Monday 17th  7.30 p.m. THE ROSARY

Tuesday 18th   6.00 p.m.  CAROL CONCERT by Rush Green Junior School

Wednesday 19th  7.30 p.m. MASS followed by The Exploratory Group with Christmas Refreshments

Saturday  22nd CAROL SINGING in Queen’s Hospital with the Chaplaincy Team. Meet in the Atrium at 2.00 p.m.

Christmas Services 2012

Christmas Eve

Christingle Service with Carols - at 4.30 pm.

Vigil Mass - at 6.00 pm.

Midnight Sung Mass with Carols at 11.30 pm.

Mince Pies & Drinks in the Hall afterwards.

Christmas Day

Sung Mass with Carols for all the family at 10.00 a.m.

December 26th — St. Stephen’s Day

Said Mass at 10.00 am.

Said Mass on the other Feast days of Christmas. Times vary see Christmas Service Sheets for details.

The Holy Family

Sunday December 30th 2012 

Sung Mass with Carols at 10.00 am.

Epiphany

Sunday January 6th

Sung Mass with Carols at 10.00 am.

Evening Prayer with Benediction at 6.00 pm.

Confessions by appointment

UNIFORMED ORGANISATIONS CAROL SERVICE

On Tuesday evening, St Augustine Uniformed organisations held their annual Carol Service organised this year by the Guides, during which the girls of the Guide Company, Brownies and Rainbows put on a rather beautiful tableaux of the Holy Family, Angels, Shepherds, Wise men and a variety of animals including sheep. I officiated at the service. Light refreshments were served in the church hall after the service.

ADVENT 2

This morning Father Mervyn presided and Father Martin concelebrated and preached at the Parish Mass. In his sermon, Father Martin asked how many people made lists like shopping list or lists of things they had to do. Nearly everybody put their hands up. After talking briefly about the authorship of the Book of Isaiah, Father pointed out that Isaiah had a list of things which it would be necessary to look for to about the coming of the promised Messiah. The problem was that faithful Jewish people referred to the list but failed to recognise when Jesus was actually born. We must be ready for when Jesus comes again and to celebrate his birth at Bethlehem.

Yesterday’s Saturday Shop took over £200

TUESDAY 11th DECEMBER 7.00 p.m. The Uniformed Organisations have their Annual Carol Service with refreshments afterwards in the Hall. All are very welcome.

Pre-Christmas Lunch

We held this today at the Romford YMCA which is in our parish and several of our congregation serve on the board of the Association. On arrival we were offered either bucks fizz  or champagne. It was a really splendid meal with a choice of melon, soup or duck pate, followed by roast turkey or salmon en croute with roast potatoes, carrots, brussel sprouts with chestnuts, stuffing and gravy, followed by either Christmas pudding with brandy sauce or custard or warm chocolate gateaux and cream or biscuits and cheese, tea or coffee.

It was a well-supported and wonderful occasion enjoyed by everyone.

ADVENT NINE LESSONS & CAROLS

Yesterday evening we continued our celebration of the start of the Advent Season with our annual Advent Carol Service. Father Mervyn accompanied the service as our regular organist was not available.

During the service our choir sang several solo items including a setting of the Magnificat by Paul Inwood and some English Hymnal Advent Plainsong Hymns. The congregation joined in such popular Advent Hymns  as “Hark, a thrilling voice is sounding” “Come thou long expected Jesus” “On Jordan’s Bank” On this hymn Father Martin commented that he and Father Mervyn had stood on Jordan’s Bank earlier this year and we, and some of our congregation, would be doing so again on our 2013 Pilgrimage

At the end of the service Father Martin reminded us of the work of “Crisis at Christmas” by reading a short poem written about them. After the final prayers and blessing we sang O Come, O Come Emmanuel and as we left the church Father Mervyn played a Meditation based on that by Flor Peeters.

Every year, for the last 4 years our attendance at this service has increased and last night was no exception.

ADVENT SUNDAY

Today Father Martin presided and preached at the Parish Mass for Advent Sunday. Father Mervyn celebrated and preached at St. Paul’s, Goodmayes. In his sermon Father Martin pointed out that Jesus would not take a double page spread in one of the newspapers to announce to the world that he had come again. Christians had to be constantly ready by practising their faith, by regular prayer and worship so that we are ready for that day when he comes again.

Tonight we are holding our

ADVENT CAROL SERVICE & READINGS  at 6.00 p.m.

Yesterdays Saturday Shop took approx. £180

Tomorrow we are holding our pre-Christmas lunch at the YMCA