HARVEST GIFTS FROM ST. AUGUSTINE'S CHURCH, RUSH GREEN, ROMFORD DELIVERED TO FOOD BANK

Today Ann and I filled her car with Harvest Gifts from St. Augustine's and delivered them to one of Havering's several Food Banks. Whilst there we heard a little about the work they are doing and how every person who receives three day's  food is referred by an agency such as School Welfare, Citizen's Advice, Clergy etc. At this one outlet they are giving 1.3 tonnes of food to hungry people a month. We were told how many local children are going hungry; we heard how one teacher takes packets of biscuits to school for kids in her class who haven’t anything to eat. We learnt how one teenager has just been given a job and a contract by a national shopping chain of 3 hours a week at the minimum wage. This, it appears, is considered a job by the Employment Agency. This youngster can only pay his rent and buy food if, and when , he is employed doing “overtime” which he sometimes gets taking his hours to 20 a week.

26TH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR - HARVEST

Father Mervyn presided at the Harvest Parish Mass whilst Father Martin concelebrated, read the gospel, talked to the children and gave a commentary so people not familiar with the Mass understood what we were doing. The church was full to capacity with additional chairs brought in to accommodate all those who came. It was a Parade Service so the Scouts,Beavers Brownies and Rainbows presented their flags at the beginning of the service collecting them at the end. The Guides were not able to be with us as they had a prior engagement.

 

Gifts were collected for the Havering Food Banks and will be taken to them during the week to replenish what has been an unprecedented demand during the summer.

 

In his talk Father Martin asked the children what their favourite foods were and had a variety of answers. He picked one that seemed to be a firm favourite with both the children and adults: the pizza. He then talked about where all the various ingredients used to make a piazza originated and how we needed to show our thanks to God for all his gifts and our thanks to those who worked hard to harvest and supply them.

YESTERDAY’S SATURDAY SHOP TOOK £209

During the Notices Father Martin reminded people that the Harvest Tea is next Saturday

25th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Today Father Martin presided and Father Mervyn concelebrated, read the Gospel, preached and led our Intercessions at the Parish Mass. Special prayers were said for those injured and those who continue to be held hostage at the Shopping Mall in Nairobi in Kenya and we prayed for the repose of those killed by this terrorist atrocity . In his sermon Father Mervyn related a story about an Indian boy who had attempted to steal a bottle of medicine because his father was ill. The chemist caught him and threatened to call the police but a neighbouring shop keeper paid the bill, and owning a food take away gave the child food as well. Years later that same man had a heart attack in his shop so his daughter called an ambulance and he was admitted to hospital where his daughter was presented with an invoice for the treatment he would need amounting to many thousands of rupees. As they didn’t have the money she put their business up for sale but when she returned to the hospital she found a fresh invoice showing “no charge” for any treatment. The boy who had stolen the bottle of medicine was now a surgeon who could repay the kindness showed to him.

YESTERDAY’S SATURDAY SHOP TOOK £215

VISIT OUR NEW WEBSITE 

http://www.staugustinechurch.co.uk

“O Sing to the Lord with joyful voice”

We need more voices for our choir. Could you join and help “Sing to the Lord” For more details come to church on Sunday morning at 9.15 a.m. Preparations will soon begin for our Christmas Music.

HARVEST APPEAL

Harvest Festival next Sunday

This year there are two options for Harvest Gifts. One is for cash donations to US(PG) for famine relief; the other is for items for the Havering Foodbank which is desperately in need of supplies following an increased demand during the children’s Summer Holidays.

HARVEST SOCIAL EVENT

Saturday 5th October

3.30 pm – 6.30 pm

A family centred session of Harvest type games with snack food and cakes provided

Under 5’s free 5-11 £1 11 & over £2

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time

TODAY’S GREAT NEWS IS THAT WE NOW HAVE OUR OWN WEBSITE

                  TO VISIT click here

Father Martin presided at the Parish Mass and Father Mervyn concelebrated and preached. Sunday School reopened today after the holiday with a reasonable number of children attending.  After the Gospel, and before the sermon Father Martin read a Pastoral Letter which had been prepared following Monday’s meeting of the PCC outlining the provision of care we are making for very young children.

In his sermon Father Mervyn referred to the attitude of the Scribes and Pharisees who criticised Jesus for eating with sinners failing to recognise the love God has for sinners who repent. If we are not careful we can become like them finding unnecessary fault with people.

YESTERDAY’S SATURDAY SHOP TOOK £182

VISIT OUR NEW WEBSITE  http://www.staugustinechurch.co.uk

23rd Sunday of the Year

Today Father Martin presided at the Parish Mass ; Father Mervyn was at St. Andrew’s, North Weald. Father Martin blessed the new flagon given in loving memory of  Jean who had been a member of the parish for many years. This will be used for the first time next week.

In his sermon Father Martin talked about commitment. He used the illustration of the chicken and the pig. For breakfast the chicken makes a contribution in her egg whilst the pig shows total commitment  making a sacrifice in giving bacon. When the Apostles followed Jesus they made a total commitment becoming “vagabonds” i.e. giving up their homes and families in their commitment to Jesus. If we want God to be the centre of our lives we need to make a commitment to him.

YESTERDAY’S SATURDAY SHOP MADE £353 WHICH INCLUDED THE SALE OF RAGS.

KEEP IT NEAT AND TIDY CLUB

5TH SEPTEMBER AT 7.00 p.m.

 

WEDNESDAY 18TH SEPTEMBER

 

The Rosary will be prayed in the Lady Chapel. Rosaries are available to borrow.

 

 

HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE MEETING

Sunday 15th September

Solemn Evensong & Benediction 6.00 p.m.

followed by the meeting.

22nd SUNDAY OF THE YEAR

Father Martin, now returned from his holiday, presided at today’s Parish Mass. Father Mervyn read the Gospel, preached and concelebrated. Ann led us in our Intercessions.

In his sermon, based on today’s Gospel,Father Mervyn said how the Pharisees were very good at doing the right things but for the wrong reasons. Jesus reminded people present at the Sabbath meal with him, that they should take the lower place rather than the higher so that they can be invited to go up higher  When they were giving a banquet they should invite the poor, the lame, the outcasts in society who would not be able to reciprocate by inviting them back.  Jesus reminds his listeners and us: “Everybody who exalts themselves will be humbled”

 

Yesterday’s Saturday Shop took £232

KEEP IT NEAT AND TIDY CLUB 5TH SEPTEMBER AT 7.00 p.m.

 

WEDNESDAY 18TH SEPTEMBER

 

The Rosary will be prayed in the Lady Chapel. Rosaries are available to borrow.

 

 

HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE MEETING

Sunday 15th September

Solemn Evensong & Benediction 6.00 p.m.

followed by the meeting.