4th SUNDAY IN ADVENT

Father Mervyn presided at today’s Parish Mass and Father Martin concelebrated, read the Gospel, preached and led our Intercessions. In his sermon Father Martin invited a teenager, one of our teenage Christians in the congregation to do an interview with him. He pointed out that “L” was slightly older than Mary would have been when the events recorded in the Gospel had taken place. In the interview amongst the questions Father Martin asked “L” how she would have felt if an angel appeared to her: “Scared “ she replied. “L” acted the part brilliantly and gave us much food for thought.

Christmas Services 2013

Christmas Eve

Christingle Service with Carols – at 4.30 pm.

Vigil Mass – at 6.00 pm.

Midnight

SOLEMN 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 am.

December 26th — St. Stephen’s Day

Said Mass at 10.00 am

3rd SUNDAY IN ADVENT–GAUDETE SUNDAY

 

Today Father Martin presided at the Parish Mass whilst Father Mervyn concelebrated, read the Gospel and preached. Our Intercessions were led by Ann. In his sermon Father Mervyn pointed out that the colour of the day was pink or rose. He talked about how pink was a colour of Joy, a joy shared by all little girls who loved pink especially his 3 granddaughters. For Christians we were now half way through the Advent Season and this Sunday we lit the pink candle of the Advent wreath. We need to remember that the word JOY reminded us that we should put Jesus first, others next and yourself last. John the Baptist put Jesus first as he proclaimed that we should repent and that he was sent to prepare the way. This was our task; to prepare our contacts, the people we mix with day by day, so they, and we, would be ready when Jesus comes again. In the meanwhile we have opportunity to meet him every time we come to Mass for he is present in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.

YESTERDAY’S SATURDAY SHOP TOOK £210

ADVENT 2

On Friday many of the congregation went to the YMCA for our annual Christmas Meal. We started by congratulating Betty who was celebrating her 80th Birthday, we sang “Happy Birthday” and enjoyed toasting her with Buck’s Fizz.

The meal was very good – three courses – with vegetarian options.

Today Father Mervyn presided at the Parish Mass in a church which was very nearly full. Father Martin read the Gospel, preached and led our Intercessions during which we remembered Nelson Mandela and his family and South Africa. In his sermon Father Martin spoke about “I’m a Celebrity – Get me out of Here” which is currently on ITV and which finishes tonight. He talked about locusts and honey and reminded us of how the Israeli’s had diverted a small part of the River Jordan so it is on Israeli territory rather than Jordan and Lebanon. He reminded those who recently visited the area that it was in the River Jordan that John the Baptist carried out his ministry of calling people to repent very much in accord with the ministry of the Old Testament prophets looking forward to the appearance of the
Messiah.

Yesterday’s Saturday shop took £132 plus the proceeds of a raffle which finished today.

ADVENT SUNDAY

Tonight Ann and I went to our Annual Advent Carol Service and 9 Lessons. We both read Lessons and I gave the Bidding Prayer and led the prayers at the end of the service. Father Martin gave a brief introduction to each reading and carol and gave the blessing. The church looked quite lovely in candlelight. Amongst the various choir solos I particularly enjoyed the choir’s rendering of Adam lay ybounden.

ADVENT 1

Today Father Martin presided at the Parish Mass on this Advent Sunday. Father Mervyn read the Gospel, preached and led our intercessions. When the children from Sunday School came to join us Father Martin blessed the Advent Wreath and the first candle was lit by Ann who is celebrating her birthday today.

In his sermon Father Mervyn remind us that the Advent message is “keep awake – you don’t know the time or day” He quoted C S Lewis’ Screwtape Letters and talked about the bombing of the New York Trade Centre with the very sad loss of life and the tragic helicopter crash on to the roof of a Glasgow pub which had killed 8 people and injured many. in instances like these the people had no time to prepare and so it was apposite that we keep in a constant state of readiness. We should forget all the tinsel, twinkling lights, decorations, cards and other unnecessary trappings etc. evidenced in Advent (well before the event they are supposed to celebrate) and instead concentrate on what is essential: that we should be being ready to greet Jesus at Christmas and when ever he come again.

During our Intercessions we prayed for those injured in the helicopter crash in Glasgow and those who lost their lives.

ADVENT BOOKLETS “WALK WITH ME” WERE PRESENTED TO THE ADULTS AND ADVENT CALENDARS TO THE CHILDREN

YESTERDAYS SATURDAY SHOP TOOK £192

TONIGHT:  ADVENT CAROLS AND NINE LESSONS AT 6.00 p.m.

SOLEMNITY OF CHRIST THE KING

Today Father Mervyn presided at the Parish Mass, Father Martin read the Gospel, preached and concelebrated and Pamela led our Intercessions which included a sung response.

In his sermon Father Martin highlighted the differences between Shepherds in the Middle East where they lead their flocks and the UK where they walk behind.  Jesus, our Good Shepherd leads from the front even prepared to suffer death on the Cross for his sheep.

After Mass a card was presented to Ken who is currently exploring his possible vocation to the Sacred Priesthood. He currently attends a church in the Evangelical Tradition and the DDO wanted him to experience Anglo-Catholic worship which he has been doing for a number of weeks. He leave us, with our prayers, as he continues this exploration.

PARKING RESTRICTIONS

Following a meeting at the Town Hall a compromise has been reached over the proposed Parking Restrictions which were  highlighted in the Blog last week. Father Martin attended the meeting on Thursday armed with the many signatures we collected at our Winter Bazaar and at Mass last Sunday; also the Council had received objections via the on-line petition we organised on our Web Site.

The new proposals introduce Free Parking Bays on both sides of the road, near to the junction with Rush Green Road, giving a maximum stay of 3 hours stay, Monday to Saturday 8.00 a.m. – 6.30 p.m. (with no return within 2 hours) There will be no restrictions on a Sunday. This will mean people attending Sunday and/or weekday Masses, Nursery School, Beavers, Rainbows, Cubs and Brownies or folk attending a funeral or wedding or the Saturday Shop will be able to park.

Please agree to these revised proposals which meet all our requirements by contacting Streetcare, at Havering Town Hall  by email to schemes@havering.gov.uk : stating you are in favour of the proposals and if you wish to add further comment please restrict this to no more than 100 words

YESTERDAY’S SATURDAY SHOP TOOK £320 – AN INCREDIBLE RESULT.

DATES FOR DIARY’S

ADVENT SUNDAY  1st December

Mass at 8.30 a.m. and 10.00 a.m

ADVENT CAROL SERVICE

6.00 p.m. Service of 9 lessons and Advent carols and hymns

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FRIDAY 6th DECEMBER

Annual Christmas Meal at the YMCA  Cost £13.50

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TUESDAY 17th DECEMBER  The Rosary at 7.30 p.m. (Rosaries are available to borrow)

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SATURDAY 21st DECEMBER

CAROL SINGING AT QUEEN’S HOSPITAL

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“Change or face Extinction”

The retired Archbishop of Canterbury Lord George Carey recently forecast that unless the church changed it could face extinction within a generation. Is that true? Many commentators have agreed with this statement but what about those churches which are growing?

Certainly my experience at St. Augustine’s, Rush Green is that it has been consistently growing for the past five years. There are more communicants; the Sunday School flourishes; there are many members of the congregation who are in their thirties and forties – also many who are retired and quite a few teenagers. I believe that churches who preach the undiluted Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ are the churches that are growing and are either in the Catholic or the Evangelical sections of the church.