✝   To know Christ and to make Him known
📍 129 Fronks Road, Dovercourt, Harwich, Essex, CO12 4EF📞 01255 503383✉ harwich@brcdt.org

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time 20 January 2019

Fr Frank writes:

 

Today’s readings are about new beginnings. Isaiah prophesies about the renewal of Sion and the Gospel proclaims that the new wine offered by Jesus (i.e. the new covenant) is vastly superior to that which has gone before.

 

The readings also tell us something important about working as a community.

 

We might be able to do something at a given moment to help another in a difficult situation; but we might know someone (or some group – like one of the two parish Care Teams, for example) who can do it better. Noticing the need is the starting point for any good work; doing something or getting someone to do it is the next, just as Mary did at Cana.

 

In our second reading, St Paul speaks of varieties of gifts and services entrusted by the Lord to the people. Once we realize that different people are endowed with different gifts and talents, we understand why Mary could confidently tell the servants at the wedding feast, “Do whatever he tells you”.

 

Let us pray today that we may always recognise, encourage and rejoice in the gifts of others.

 

May God, the giver of all good gifts, bless you now and always.

 

Frank ofs

 

Sunday Smile:

 

More Christmas crackers:

Q: What do you call a man with a car on his head?

A: Jack.

Q: What do you call a man with a paper bag on his head?

A: Russell.

The Baptism of the Lord (Year C) 13 January 2019

Fr Frank writes:

 

In the account of Jesus’s baptism, the Gospel tells us that He is anointed and presented as the Son of God.

 

When we hear this Gospel passage we are reminded of our own baptism, the beginning of our Christian life. As Jesus began his mission as God incarnate in the world with baptism, we too began our Christian journey by water and the Spirit.

 

Today his mission is our mission. The same Spirit that was with him accompanies us as we try, with His help, to live the Gospel.

 

We have made a commitment to the Catholic faith; may this feast remind us of the promise we made to live that faith with fidelity, enthusiasm and joy.

 

Baptism is the beginning of Christian Initiation and is followed by Confirmation. If you will be at least 14 by Pentecost this year (9th June) and would like to be Confirmed, please make your request to me in writing, giving your full contact details. If you are an adult and would like to receive the Sacraments of Initiation at Easter, please write to me without delay.

 

May our good and gracious God bless you today and always.

 

Frank ofs

 

Sunday Smile:

 

These are all donated by my grandchildren (blame them!)

Q: What do you call a deer with no eyes?

A: No idea.

Q: What do you call a deer with no eyes and no legs?

A: Still no idea.

Q: What do you call a man with no body and no nose?

A: Nobody knows.

Q: What do you call a fly with no legs and no wings?

A: A currant.

The Epiphany of the Lord (Year C) 6 January 2019

Fr Frank writes:

 

The message of Epiphany is that Christ’s birth is for everyone! Not just poor shepherds, but for the wise and wealthy too – and the Magi were not Jewish. Jesus is for everyone, all people of every race, culture and time!

 

We note that the Magi followed the star, but this light was only reliable to a point (it led them to the royal palace in Jerusalem): it was misleading, and needed the superior light of Holy Scripture to point them in the direction of Bethlehem. Let us make it our resolution this New Year to be guided always by the light of the Gospel in all that we say or do.

 

On a personal note, Anne and I would like to thank you for your Christmas greetings, for your gifts and for the generous Christmas Offertory. You are very generous and we feel privileged to be living among you.

 

May the New Year bring you peace and happiness,

 

Frank ofs

 

Sunday Smile:

 

Maybe you are planning summer holidays (a common pastime on a cold winter afternoon), so here are a few Holiday Complaints (genuine ones, I’m led to believe):

 

“I think it should be explained in the brochure that the local store does not sell proper biscuits like custard creams and ginger nuts.”

 

“There was no egg slicer in the apartment.”

 

“No-one told us there would be fish in the sea. The children were startled.”

DOUBLE EDITION Fourth Sunday of Advent and Holy Family 23 December and 30 December 2018

Fr Frank writes:

 

CHRISTMAS IN THE TWO PARISHES.

 

Harwich & Dovercourt:

Christmas Eve – Christmas Family Mass 6.00pm

This Mass is for everyone. All children are invited, should they wish, to come dressed in Christmas costume: shepherds, angels, Mary, Joseph, Kings, donkey, sheep etc. Please invite your family, friends and neighbours to come and join us on this joyful occasion.

Christmas Day: Mass of the Day 10.45am.

 

Frinton & Walton:

Christmas Eve – Night Mass of Christmas. Begins with Carols at 8.00pm. Mass begins as soon as I get back from Harwich/Dovercourt. This is a very popular Mass and you are advised to come early to get a seat.

                Christmas Day: Mass of the Day 8.30am

 

Anne and I wish you all a happy, holy and peaceful Christmas.

 

We will be taking a short post-Christmas break from 31st. As always, my profound thanks go to the Eucharistic Ministers at Frinton and to Fr Bill at Dovercourt who will ensure that daily worship continues in both parishes.

 

May Jesus Christ, who became a little child for your sake, bless you now and always.

 

Frank ofs

 

Sunday Smile:

Little Johnny’s three aunts each gave him a Christmas present. One gave him a jumper, one gave a scarf and the third gave him socks. But Johnny didn’t even thank them. As they were leaving the house they stopped to admire the crib. Hoping to give Johnny a hint that he should have said ‘Thank you’, one of the aunts said, “If Baby Jesus could have spoken, I wonder what he would have said to the Wise men?” Johnny promptly replied, “I think he might have said, ‘I expected toys!’”

Second Sunday of Advent 9 December 2019

Fr Frank writes:

 

Advent is a time of watching and waiting. It is a season for making new beginnings – a time when we reflect on our own lives as we anticipate the coming of Christ. In order to help with this there are special events in both parishes this week and next.

 

MASS OFHEALING

 

There will be a Mass of Healing (i.e. with anointing of the sick) at Frinton and Walton on Wednesday (12th) at 12 noon and at Harwich and Dovercourt on Friday (14th) at 10.00am.

 

ADVENT RECONCILIATION SERVICES 2018:

 

Harwich & Dovercourt: Saturday 15th December 10.00am

Frinton & Walton: Saturday 22nd December 10.00am

 

Should you wish to do so, there will be three priests present on each occasion to hear individual confessions. Whether you intend to make individual confession or not, please come along to share in this moving act of repentance.

 

CHRISTMAS MASSES

 

Harwich and Dovercourt: Christmas Eve 6.00pm, Christmas Day 10.45am

Frinton and Walton: Christmas Eve 8.00pm, Christmas Day 8.30am

 

May Christ, the one we long for, bless you now and always.

 

Frank ofs

 

Sunday Smile:

The vicar’s wife was trying hard to open the sauce bottle. During the struggle the phone rang so she asked her 4-year old daughter to answer it. “Mummy can’t come to the phone to talk to you right now. She’s hitting the bottle.’

Christ the King (Year B) 25 November

Fr Frank writes:

 

Today, the last Sunday of the Church year, is marked by the observance of the Solemnity of Christ the King. On this special feast day, I invite you to contemplate Christ as King: