LENT 2

Today Father Martin presided and preached at the Parish Mass. (Father Mervyn officiated at St. Edwards, Romford.) In his sermon Father Martin talked about “Transforming Presence” the Bishop of Chelmsford’s Diocesan Plan. Each parish in the Diocese has been asked to devise a plan by the end of the year for Mission. Father reassured people that they are not expected to stand on a soap box outside the Co-op but to devise something suitable for effective evangelism. Using the Gospel Father Martin pointed out that Herod, the son of the Herod in power at the time of Jesus’ birth, had a way of disposing of his enemies by drowning them when they stayed as his guests at Herodian. As an aside he reminded people that the Parish Pilgrimage to the Holy Land in October would be making a visit there. Herod had misread Jesus considering him a terrorist rather than a prophet. Regrettably prophets are not recognised by people: neither Rowan , our previous Archbishop nor Pope Benedict have been seen in the prophetic roll and have been scorned by the media; it must be hoped that our new Archbishop Justin and the soon to be elected Pope will have a better treatment and that their prophetic role will be recognised.

YESTERDAYS SATURDAY SHOP TOOK AROUND £390

Monday 25th 7.30 p.m. Mass with Anointing

Tuesday 7.30 p.m. Stations of the Cross

Wednesday 27th LENT COURSE at the YMCA led by Bishop Stephen, The Bishop of Chelmsford.

CONFIRMATION CLASSES CONTINUE AFTER HALF TERM

LENT 1

Today Father Martin celebrated the Parish Mass, Pamela led us in prayer, and Father Mervyn played the organ and preached. In his sermon Father Mervyn referred to the play by Dennis Potter  “Jesus of Nazareth” In the play Jesus is depicted having doubts about who he was and about his mission. In the temptation the devil says to Jesus “if you are the Son of God”  inviting him to provide proof that he is by turning the stones into bread to satiate his hunger (a sort of divine conjuring trick) Father Mervyn pointed out that Jesus was truly human and experienced the same human doubts we all have. The wording of the temptation has echo’s of the challenge given to Jesus on the cross: "Let him come down from the cross. He said 'I am the Son of God', Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down from the cross. He saved others let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God". When we are plagued by doubts we have the consolation of knowing that Jesus, truly human and truly God, experienced the same dilemmas as we do.

Lent Course

This year the Lent Course is being organised in conjunction with the YMCA on Wednesdays from 1.00 p.m. until 2.00 p.m. This Wednesday 20th February the session is being led by Father Martin. Wednesdat 27th February the session is going to be led by the Bishop of Chelmsford.

Stations of the Cross

• Monday 18th February 7.30 p.m.
• Tuesday 26th February 7.30 p.m.
• Wednesday 6th March 7.30 p.m.

SATURDAY SHOP

Yesterday’s Saturday Shop took a magnificent £225.

CONFIRMATION PREPARATION

Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation has now started and will continue after the Half Term Holiday.

A REMINDER - CHURCH ELECTORAL ROLL

Every 6th year all churches in the CofE are required by law to recompile their Electoral Roll and 2013 is such a year.If you haven’t yet completed your enrolment form and wish to continue to stay on the roll please do so and return it to the Electoral Roll Officer or to Father Martin by 3rd March. If you are not already on the Roll but would like to be please collect a form from Father Martin or Shirley

ASH WEDNESDAY

SOLEMN MASS

with the Blessing & Imposition of Ashes 7.30 p.m.

Almighty and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all them that are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we worthily lamenting our sins, and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

from the Book of Common Prayer

5th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

At the Parish Mass this morning Father Mervyn presided and Father Martin read the Gospel, preached, led us in our Intercessions and concelebrated. In his sermon Father Martin talked about the way we should prepare to use the season of Lent, due to begin on Wednesday – Ash Wednesday. We should keep the three Pillars of Lent: Fasting, Prayer, Almsgiving and he suggested various ways we could do so.  He would amplify this in his homily on Wednesday evening he said.

The Confirmation Preparation Course commenced this Sunday after the Parish Mass.

Yesterday’s Saturday Shop took £193 with a further £200 from our eBay trading.

ASH WEDNESDAY 7.30 p.m.

Solemn Mass with the blessing and Imposition of ashes

4th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD

Today  we started Mass in the Parish Hall where candles were blessed, the Nunc Dimittis  sung, and this was followed by the procession into church for the rest of the service. Father Martin presided and Father Mervyn read the Gospel, preached and concelebrated. In his sermon Father stressed the importance of family life. Mary and Joseph brought Jesus up in the faith and this was a responsibility of all Christian families to bring their children up in the Christian Faith. He mentioned the fact that on Tuesday there was the vote in the House of Commons to legitimise gay marriage; he asked everybody to make this the subject of their prayers that those voting remembered that they are subject to God’s divine laws which defines marriage as a Sacrament between a man and a woman not between two people of the same sex.

Yesterday’s Saturday Shop made £212.

Those preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation began their course today after Mass today.