performance. In particular, help is needed with costumes and backstage. We also need more singers who can join the rehearsals at Brentwood School on CATHEDRAL OF ST MARY AND ST HELEN Monday evenings between 7.30 and 9.30 p.m. Tickets are on sale via HOLY CROSS AND ALL SAINTS Eventbrite.co.uk – search St Nicolas and Popular Choral and Orchestral Classics. For further information please contact David Worsfold on 01277 221445 or Father Martin Boland Father Patrick Daly email [email protected]. Email: [email protected] NEXT SUNDAY’S READINGS: Isaiah 50:5-9, James 2:14-18 and Mark 8:27- Website: www.cathedral-brentwood.org 35. Facebook: www.facebook.com/BrentwoodCathedral/ THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK is available to anyone who is gravely ill or Twitter: cathedralb about to have an operation, so if you know someone who would like to receive Clergy House: 01277 265235 this important sacrament then please speak to a member of the clergy or ring the office on 265235. Deacon Paul: 01277 810321 Deacon Quentin: 01277 200925 Deacon Simon: 01277 225237 SICK AND HOUSEBOUND PARISHIONERS: If you know anyone who is unable to come to Mass but would still like to receive Holy Communion in their TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (B) home, please contact Clergy House so we can put them on our Sick Communion visits list. Sunday 9th September 2018 GENERAL NEWS A DAY FOR READERS Calling all who proclaim the Word of God at Mass. A day of reflection has been arranged to take place at The Becket Centre, Woodford Green on Saturday 20th October 10.00 am – 4.00 pm led by Dr Marian Tolley from Shrewsbury Diocese. Please book by the Doodle link https://doodle.com/poll/h49mzkv7hxxqu8tw. For further information email [email protected] or [email protected] or phone 01206 385881. AUTUMN SPIRITUALITY TALK: Conference Centre. Cathedral House, Ingrave Road, Brentwood CM15 8AT on Saturday 15th September 2018 - 10.30 a.m. - 12.00 noon. ‘One Bread One Body’. by Thomas McMahon, Bishop Emeritus of Brentwood. Call 265285 / email: [email protected]. BRENTWOOD URSULINE YEAR 7 OPEN EVENING Tuesday 25th September from 6.30 – 9.00 p.m. with Headteacher’s talks at 6.30 and 7.30 p.m. Open mornings will be held on Wednesday 26th and Thursday 27th September (by appointment only) from 9.30 – 11.00 a.m. ROYAL SCHOOL OF CHURCH MUSIC AREA FESTIVAL Saturday 29th September, Chelmsford Cathedral. A special one-day come and sing event for choirs and individual singers led by James Davy, Master of the Music, Chelmsford Cathedral and featuring the music of Martin Shaw who died 60 years ago in 1958. All choirs and individual singers are welcome. Registration 10 a.m. Festival Service 4 p.m. Registrations For more information, telephone 01277 Please ensure that you are aware of the position of 233302 or e-mail [email protected]. all the emergency FIRE EXIT doors in the Cathedral The Brentwood Diocesan Trust – Registered Charity No. 234092 3) Being friendly. Taking time before Mass to say hello, to greet others (not CATHEDRAL PARISH NEWS just our friends but especially visitors and people we do not know), to offer Parish Office Hours: 8.30 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. Monday to Thursday a handshake of welcome and a friendly glance—these acts are an essential part of our participation. This should not be a full blown conversation (that How we can Participate More Actively in the can happen after Mass), but if you see someone sitting on their own, say “hello” to them. Like Christ who welcomed all who came to him—even Celebration of the Mass sinners – we are called to do the same. Thank you for coming to Mass. Thank you for joining the community in this It’s not the priest’s “job” alone to welcome others especially in a community public worship of God. Thank you for coming into the presence of Christ and as large as our own and with so many visitors and new people each week. being a witness of Him to others. This is everyone’s “job”. There are those among us on Sunday who feel But now that we are here as a community, how might we actively and fully isolated and alienated, so many hungry for a sign of welcome. We know participate in this celebration? How might we become participants and not that when we pray God listens, God has time for us. But not all of our mere spectators at this Holy sacrifice? How can we move from just passively brothers and sisters believe this; they need signs in order to believe. Every one of us should be a sign of God's hospitality. watching what is going to actively entering into these mysteries? 4) Being well located. Where do you sit? Do you find this is a place that Here are some practical ideas that might help: helps you to engage with the liturgy and the community? Or do you 1. We Come Together (especially if you have children) make for the back rows of the Cathedral, thinking that you cannot be seen or heard? Might it not be better to be 1) Being there. The first action required of us is being present. We need to nearer the front, where any children can better see what is going on and be here because of the importance of our presence as a sign of our faith to you are closer to a door so you can easily slip out if your child gets restless? the other members of the congregation. Christ is present in the Sacrifice of the Mass not only in the consecrated bread and wine but, also, in the 5) Being mindful that we are coming in to the presence of the living God proclamation of the Sacred Scriptures and in the assembly, our gathering and that we are here to worship and give thanks to Him. We do this by together. blessing ourselves with holy water which helps us to recall that we have been baptised into the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. At Sunday Mass we "make visible and manifest to others the mystery of Also, we should take proper time to settle our restless minds, to still our Christ's Body". When we gather together to form God's Holy People, we give active bodies and to pray that our hearts will be open to receiving God’s powerful witness to others of Christ’s real presence among us and, at the transforming life. same time, we help strengthen each other’s faith. 6) Being a responding and singing believer. Praying and taking part in the Your presence makes a real difference. Your presence is needed not to fulfil responses at Mass mean we are participating. A community where every an obligation but as a witness to the community that you care enough to member responds confidently and sings heartily is a participating come to Mass. Your presence says that you believe enough to plan your community. A community that murmurs the responses and that does not weekend so that you can be here with us to proclaim the death and sing cannot be said to be worshipping God with any visible conviction or joy. resurrection of the Lord. By being at Mass, you are making a very real and Please do not hesitate to ask the ushers for a Mass sheet if you need help visible declaration of your faith in Jesus. This sign, this witness, not only with the responses and prayers that are said by the congregation. strengths and nourishes your faith but strengthens the faith of those who see it. Without your presence, our community is diminished and our witness If you do not have the greatest singing voice that does not matter. We to Christ is weakened. should all join in and reflect upon the words we are saying and singing. We can make the thoughts and feelings of the prayers, responses and hymns 2) Being prompt. Being on time and ahead of time says that we consider our own. None of us should stand tight lipped throughout Mass, but all of us what we are going to do to be important to us, more important than the have a duty to contribute to the community’s worship of God: Father, Son things that would keep us at home or any other distractions. and Holy Spirit. THANK YOU for the collection on the weekend of 1st/2nd September: JOURNEY IN FAITH PROGRAMME Are you an adult who is interested in £3,696.79 of which £2,618.65 was Gift Aided. Thank you for your continued finding our more about the Catholic Faith, perhaps, with a view to becoming a generosity and support of the parish. Catholic? Have you been baptised a Catholic but have never been confirmed and have not received the fullness of the gifts of the Holy Spirit? If you are THERE WILL BE A SECOND COLLECTION TODAY, Education Sunday, for interested in the course please contact the Parish Office on 01277 265235 to the diocese’s education work and the Catholic Education Service. There are register your interest. more than 2200 Catholic schools, academies and colleges in England and Wales educating over 850,000 pupils. The Catholic Church and the Church of England DO YOU HAVE AN ENQUIRING MIND? Are you 18-35? Do you want to think together provide one-third of all of the schools in the country and account for more deeply about who God is and what the death and resurrection of Christ 98% of all schools with a religious character.