FATHER ERNIE STROUD RIP

Yesterday Father Martin and  I , together with at least 25 priests, the Bishop of Richborough and the retired bishop of Chichester, The Rt. Revd. John Hind concelebrated the Funeral Mass of Father Ernie Stroud, whilst the ...Bishop of Chelmsford gave the address. Amongst the congregation were other priests, Anglican and Ordinariate and people from congregations where Fr. Ernie had served prior to becoming the Archdeacon of Chelmsford. Bishop Stephen told the packed church that it was through Father Ernie that he became a Christian and was subsequently ordained. It was an inspiring service and afterwards Father Mervyn was able to talk to some of his relatives from Bristol whom he had known since in Bristol Diocese.

May he rest in peace and rise in glory

14th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Today Father Martin officiated at St. Alban’s, Romford as some of the parish are on their annual Walsingham Pilgrimage. Father Mervyn celebrated the Solemn Parish Mass, and preached. Veronica, one of the Churchwardens, led our intercession. In his address Father Mervyn pointed out that parents have the responsibility of teaching children to be obedient; we say things like “go to bed”, “get up” “tidy you room”. “don’t interrupt people when they’re speaking” “clean you teeth”. We learn from our parents as children and put that into practice as we mature. The things parents, teacher and priests teach us form our conscience when we grow up. We learn how to listen to our conscience, not in some act of blind obedience but by listening to what is good, honest and the  kind thing to do. It enables us to grow into spiritual maturity and greatness.

Yesterday’s Saturday Shop took £147 and the Charity Stall £137

SS PETER & PAUL

Today we celebrated the Solemnity of SS Peter and Paul, the two pillars of the Church. Father Martin presided at the Solemn Parish Mass and Father Mervyn concelebrated, read the Gospel and preached. In his sermon Father Mervyn drew attention to the differences in character of the two men , who complemented each other in their Apostolic Ministry. Peter the impetuous, chosen by Jesus to lead the embryonic church Paul the great missionary and writer. It is at this time of year that ordinations to the Diaconate and Sacred Priesthood take place. Each person brings into ministry their different abilities and talents. Father Mervyn then reminded the congregation to listen to see if they were being called to serve as Ministers in God’s Holy Church and to bring into their ministry their own special, and different, talents.

At the end of Mass the Altar Party and Choir went to the hall for the dismissal and to sing Marjorie a “Happy 90th Birthday”  Marjorie cut her birthday cakes which we enjoyed with our usual after-Mass refreshments.

Yesterday’s Saturday Shop took a £152

TRINITY 1–12th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Today, Father Martin went to St Paul’s, Goodmayes to celebrate Corpus Christi, swopping with Father Mervyn who officiated at St. Augustine’s. Father Mervyn hasn’t been too well lately and it was decided that the celebration of Solemn Mass, Procession and Solemn Benediction must just bit a little too much for him. .

As St. Augustine’s had observed Corpus Christi on Thursday, today was the usual Parish Mass. Father Mervyn preached and led the Intercessions. Father Mervyn talked about the need to use the wonderful gift of the Eucharist as something we celebrate frequently. We were privileged to take into our hands the precious Body of Our Lord: a gist he had given to us just before his crucifixion.

Yesterday’s Saturday Shop took £242.

Items are needed for the Shop so why not have a late spring clean and give any surplus items you no longer need to the shop and we will turn them into cash for the church.

THE ROSARY

Tuesday 24th June 7.30 p.m. The Rosary. ALL WELCOME. If you don’t have a rosary one can be borrowed on the night.

THE GLORIOUS AND MOST HOLY TRINITY

Today Father Mervyn presided at the Solemn Mass in celebration of the Most Holy Trinity; Father Martin concelebrated, read the Gospel and preached. In his sermon Father referred to a previous sermon on the Trinity when ,as an illustration and an egg had been used. He said the the Trinity was a difficult concept which had kept theologians debating for many years until they had agreed on the words of the Nicene Creed which we would be saying shortly. In the end what we needed to believe was that God is love. After the sermon, Ann led us in ourintercessions.

Yesterday the Saturday Shop produced £150

Items are needed for the Shop so why not have a late spring clean and give any surplus items you no longer need to the shop and we will turn them into cash for the church 

WW1 – 100 years

On Monday 4th August the church will be open all day with a Requiem Mass at 11.00 a.m. We need volunteers to be in church during the opening hours so if you can help please talk to Father Martin.

 

PENTECOST 2014

As Father Martin was away for the weekend Father Mervyn presided and preached at the Solemn Mass and our Intercessions were led by Joan our retired Lay Reader. In his sermon Father Mervyn talked about how fear can paralyse us; the disciples locked themselves in the Upper Room because they were afraid. The Holy Spirit removed their fear and instead of be frightened by the authorities, they found the strength and inspiration to preach the Gospel far and wide even facing martyrdom for the sake of the Gospel. If we are open to receive the Holy Spirit into our lives he will rid us of our fears and qualms so that we too can proclaim the good news of the Gospel of Jesus.

Yesterday’s Saturday Shop took £163

FOR DIARIES

Monday 9th June Mass 7.30 p.m. according to the BCP

Thursday 12th June 9.30 a.m. Mass Please note change of time as there is a funeral at 11.00 a.m.

Monday 16th June 7.00 p.m. Mass followed by PCC

Have you seen our new Tradecraft Stall. Sales to date = £62.90

 

ASCENSION 1

Today we continued our celebration of the Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Father Martin was officiating at St.Andrew’s, Romford. so Father Mervyn was the celebrant at St. Augustine’s. During his sermon he reminded people about Captain Kirk asking Scotty to beam him up in Star Trek. Is this what some thought had happened at the Ascension? If that was so, we had a wrong understanding of the event. We knew that Jesus was taken from their sight by a cloud but he was still with them although no longer visible to them – he is still with us but we can’t actually see him. He returned to his Father so that the gift of the Holy Spirit could come to be part of His church. We shall think more of this next week which is Pentecost.

Yesterday’s Saturday shop took £226