CHRIST THE ETERNAL HIGH PRIEST 410 Brentwood Road, Gidea Park, Romford RM2 6DH Brentwood Diocesan Trust Registered Charity No. 234092 Parish Website: www.christtheeternalhighpriest.com REV FR ADRIAN GRAFFY e-mail: [email protected] Tel: 01708 449914 THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 26th January 2020 Sunday 26th January 9.00 am People of the Parish Sunday of the Word of God 11.00 am Ann Wallace RIP 6.30 pm Brendan Purtill RIP Monday 27th January No Mass Tuesday 28th January No Mass St Thomas Aquinas Wednesday 29th January 9.30 am Nuala Murphy Thursday 30th January 9.30 am Frank Mack RIP Friday 31st January 9.30 am Pat Doyle RIP St John Bosco Saturday 1st February 9.30 am Renée Bosson RIP 11-11.30 am Confessions Sunday 2nd February 9.00 am Ellen Kennedy The Presentation of the Lord 11.00 am Hans de Vrind RIP (World Day for Consecrated Life) 6.30 pm People of the Parish The church remains open after Mass on Wednesday to Saturday until about 12.30 pm Readings for 26th January Isaiah 8:23-9:3 1 Corinthians 1:10-13;17 Matthew 4:12-23 Readings for 2nd February Malachi 3:1-4 Hebrews 2:14-18 Luke 2:22-40 SUNDAY OF THE WORD OF GOD: Today we observe the Sunday of the Word of God, an opportunity to ask ourselves how we might better listen to the word of God and practise it. During all Masses on this day our Readers will be asked to renew their commitment to reading at Mass. We depend on them to help us to take in the words of Scripture which they proclaim. If you wish to read the readings as part of your preparation for Mass, remember that the biblical references are given a week in advance in our parish newsletter (accessible also on www.christtheeternalhighpriest.com). You could also go to www.whatgoodnews.org, our evangelisation website and search for Sunday Gospels, or even download to your mobile for free the ‘Daily Readings’ or ‘Laudate’ app. We should remember that at Mass we are fed both by the table of the Word and the table of the Sacrament and we should do whatever we can do to enhance our understanding of the readings. CATHOLIC BIBLICAL FEDERATION: This Federation was set up after the Second Vatican Council to help encourage understanding and love of the Bible. In 2020 the Federation celebrates 50 years. I have the privilege of representing England and Wales at meetings of the Federation. We will have a special collection today to assist in the work of promoting the Scriptures in the Catholic Church all over the world. THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD: Next Sunday we will celebrate this Feast, which includes the Blessing of the Candles. We recall the words of Simeon that Jesus will be a “light to enlighten the nations”. YEAR OF THE GOD WHO SPEAKS – THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW: Fr Adrian will lead the second part of an exploration of the Gospel of Matthew, the lectionary gospel for Sundays in 2020, from 7pm until 8.30pm on Wednesday 29th January in the hall. YEAR OF THE GOD WHO SPEAKS: Our third study day for the Year of the Word will be held in the Church and hall on Saturday 29th February, when Fr Victor Darlington, lecturer on John’s Gospel at St John’s Seminary, Wonersh, will give two talks entitled ‘John Among the Gospels’, providing a fresh reading of the Fourth Gospel. The day will conclude at 3pm. Admission is free, but please book by email to [email protected] or by ‘phone to 01708 449914. During the day there will be the chance to buy copies of the ‘Revised New Jerusalem Bible’ at the discounted price of £30 (RRP £39.99). Refreshments will be available but please bring your own packed lunch. COFFEE MORNING as usual in the hall after 11am Mass in support of St Francis Hospice. LUNCH CLUB in the hall from 12.30 to 3pm on Mondays. ‘LIVE SIMPLY’: At the second meeting we set out our plan (visit the website for more information). Also, a copy will be displayed on the notice board following submission. You will find Fairtrade tea and coffee being supplied in the parish as old stocks are used up. We hope to use www.traidcraftshop.co.uk for future orders. PILGRIMAGE TO POLAND: Fr Britto of English Martyrs, Hornchurch, will be leading a pilgrimage to Poland from 22nd to 27th April 2020. Full details and a form are available in the porch. This will include a visit to Auschwitz. PARISH FAMILY DAY: A note for your diaries – our main Parish social and fundraising event for all the family will be held on Saturday 6th June. Further details will follow in the coming weeks; in the meantime, however, if you have any unwanted/surplus Christmas presents which you could put aside to donate, they’d be most welcome. YOUTH MASS: Wednesday 5th February 8pm, Brentwood Cathedral. Anyone age 14+ is very welcome; the February Mass includes a live interview with Rob Green, a former Campion pupil who – using his own resources – went to Greece last summer and worked in a refugee camp for a month. Hear his fascinating story, and be inspired about some unusual Lenten resolutions. More details www.bcys.net FUN EVENING FOR THE YOUNG AND OLD - Beetle Drive: Saturday 7th March 2020. 6pm for 6.15pm in the Church Hall. Proceeds to Ha-Lu and Kenya Orphanage. Admission by ticket only - sold on a “first come, first served” basis. Contact Kathleen for tickets on 01708 440084. LENTEN REFLECTION AND REVISION RETREAT: Walsingham House at Abbotswick, 27th-29th March. In school year 11-13? Struggling to find a quiet space to study for GCSEs, BTEC or A-levels? The weekend retreat will include reflective prayer, generous time for personal study, and relaxed social time, and will conclude with Mass. 8pm Friday 27 th – 3pm Sunday 29th. Meals included. Cost £35. SPONSORED SLEEPOUT: Friday 3rd – Saturday 4th April, in the grounds of Walsingham House at Abbotswick. The evening begins at 8pm with a film and talk; or arrive at 11pm for Mass. Sleepout midnight – 7am. In this freezing weather, it is very difficult for those who are sleeping on the streets. The Sleepout is a powerful way to understand what it feels like to sleep outside, while raising money for homeless charities. Groups should register by emailing [email protected]; individuals can register on www.bcys.net. Open to anyone aged 15-105 (those aged 15- 18 must be part of a group, and have parental consent). ADULT QUIET RETREAT: Enjoy the peace, prayer and stillness of Walsingham House at Abbotswick for a long weekend this summer; Friday 7th August (5pm) to Monday 10th August (11am). Optional programme including Mass, Adoration, Reconciliation and social time; accommodation and all meals provided; single en-suite £225; twin en-suite £150 per person. Bursary for anyone in financial hardship. Full details from [email protected], and on the website www.bcys.net. Maximum of 18 people – places will go quickly! HEALING WELL: The first English Martyrs Healing Service of 2020 will take place 6-8pm on Saturday 25th January with a theme of ‘New Beginnings and New Journeys’. For further information and future dates, visit our website www.english- martyrs.com or email [email protected] DIOCESE OF BRENTWOOD has a number of job vacancies. See notice board in the porch for details. ANNUAL LOURDES MASS will be celebrated at Brentwood Cathedral on Sunday 16th February at 3pm. This is an opportunity to give thanks for graces received in Lourdes and to seek prayers for the sick. During the Mass, the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick will be celebrated. DIOCESAN LOURDES PILGRIMAGE: Bishop Alan, supported by our Youth Service, will lead a pilgrimage to Lourdes from 26th – 31st July, flying from Southend Airport. This is a wonderful opportunity, including for the frail and those with needs, to pray at the Grotto, grow in faith, and enjoy the company of fellow pilgrims. Some brochures and booking forms are available in the parish or you can contact the tour operator, Tangney Tours, directly: www.tangney-tours.com/brentwood or 01732 886885. THE BRENTWOOD CATHOLIC CHILDREN’S SOCIETY is holding its Annual Charity Ball at The Rayleigh Club, Hullbridge on Saturday 7th March from 7pm. Tickets are on sale now, costing £55 per person, which will include a drinks reception and three-course dinner along with a full evening of entertainment. Guests will be seated on tables of 12, making it the perfect opportunity to get together with friends, family or colleagues, have a fantastic night out whilst at the same time raising vital funds for bccs. As tickets for this event sell out quickly, please contact Julie asap to avoid disappointment: 01268 784544 / 07912277413 / [email protected] ST JOHN’S SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS COLLEGE (ages 19-25) invite you to an Open Day on either Friday 7th February or Friday 13th March 10am – 2pm, providing an opportunity to visit and see what we can offer prospective students, with the opportunity to meet the staff and current students. IG8 8AX, 020 8504 1818. NOTICE BOARD: Details of pilgrimages, job vacancies, Youth Service, and Music events are on display in the porch. PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SICK OF THE PARISH: Abbey Ahmed, Eve Barnwell, Derek Barton, Marc Bernard, Denise Bevis, Marie-Thérèse & Serge Bosson, Val & Mark Carter, Nina Clarke, Carys & Megan Coldham, Steve Criddle, Brenda Curtis, Marc & Margaret Dalton, Christy Davey, Daniella & Lucia di Lisio, Steve Donnelly, Selina Etherton, Derek Finnerty, Grace Fuller, Maria Gordon, Gregory Hart, Kevin Hartie, Pat Hurley, Fr Tom Jordan, Maria Judd, Ellen & Gerard Kennedy, Elsie & James King, Theresa Lawlor, Mary Loftus, Bernie Loughran, Joan Lynch, Noreen Mack, Adrian McCarthy, Anne (Nancy) McCarthy, McGregor family, Dolores McGuinness, Peter Madden, Joe Mallett, Tom Marshall, Maureen Morris, Michael Moyne, Mick Murphy, Maureen O’Mahoney, Theresa Prentice, Edward Rajadurai, Pete Rawlinson, Bill & Billy Rayment, Peter Ringrose, Tony Rogers, Rosa Maria Santos, Margaret Savitsky, Kath Sims, Mike Smith, Ann Sullivan, Elaine Sullivan, John Sullivan, Helen Sweeney, Alex Tecza, Emma Tolan and all who are sick in hospital or housebound at this time and those who care for them.