St Thomas of Canterbury

WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY

There will be a service at St. James United Reformed Church, Buckhurst Hill on Sunday 22nd January at 5pm. All welcome.

In 1926 Dom Lambert Beaudoin wrote . . .
In order to unite with one another, we must love one another, in order to love one another, we must know one another; in order to know one another, we must go and meet one another.

And so the call for Catholics to unite with other Christians through this special week was born. 86 years in Buckhurst Hill you are invited to continue with this important request by joining local Christians of other denominations to pray together for the unity Christ wills. Refreshments will follow the service.

The 43rd Epping Forest South Scout Group is sponsored by our parish and it operates from the Scout hut alongside the Becket Centre. The 43rd is a thriving and well organized group, which has been in existence for many years. It supports three sections Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts and Scouts and entry, for Catholic children from local Parishes, is normally via the Beavers around the age of 6 years of age.

If you are interested in registering your child, application forms can be obtained from the Parish Office. It should be noted that whilst every effort will be made to assist your child to join at the appropriate age, there is a waiting list in operation and you are advised to put their name down several years before their 6th birthday.

If anyone is interested in helping with the work of the sections, or would like to contribute to the Scout movement and benefit the children of the Parish be becoming a leader, then please contact Peter (Group Scout Leader) on 020 8501 0332.

SOUP R

UN FOR THE HOMELESS

The Soup Run has been chosen by Waitrose, Buckhurst Hill as one of their charities. Please put your green chips in the allotted cylinder in store.

We would like to say a special thank you to Fr. Brian who took on both DVLA and Transport for London to ensure we can continue to use our mini bus following the new emissions requirements.

We are up London on Wednesday night, 25th January, and would be grateful to receive sandwiches, fruit, tins, cakes, sweets and warm men’s clothing. Items can be left in the parish office on Wednesday morning or in the Becket Centre between 7pm and 8pm on Wednesday evening. Please continue to support those people who have fallen on hard times.

FRANCISCAN MISSIONS

During 2011 the parish contribution to the Franciscan Missions amounted to £10,750 to date. We are still waiting for the repayment of Gift Aid from those donations and when that arrives the total will go up to £13,134 for the year. Thank you to all who have supported the F.M.U.

The latest copy of the Troubadour is available for you to take as you leave the church. Alternatively, it can be downloaded by following this link.

If anybody needs a Gift Aid certificate for their tax return please speak to Frank Fitzpatrick (020 8504 1466).

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY . . .

Tuesday, 24th - TUESDAY SOCIAL CLUB
2pm, Becket Centre. Vast turnout last time. Thank you very much! For the future, it would be great if parishioners/friends/anyone would give us a talk about experiences or interests they’d like to share. Please leave details with Parish Office.

Friday, 27th - ASSISI LUNCH
12.30pm, Becket Centre.

Thursday, 26th - CONFIRMATION 2012
8pm, William Scott Room. Catechists’ Meeting has been transferred to Thursday, 9th February at 8pm.

Thursday, 26th - MESSENGERS’ MEETING
8pm, Assisi Room. The first Messenger Meeting for 2012 will take place as scheduled. If you would like to find out more about this initiative please come and join us.

ADVANCE NOTICE . . .

Saturday, 4th February - HOLY FAMILY SISTERS: SHARE OUR THANKSGIVING
11am—3pm, No. 5 The Green. The Holy Family Sisters at 5 The Green and the Lay Associates would like to invite you to share with them a day in thanksgiving on the occasion of the 150th Anniversary of Our Founder’s death. We warmly welcome parishioners to pray and share together. We look forward to welcoming you.

Thursday, 9th February - CONFIRMATION 2012
8pm, William Scott Room. Catechists’ Meeting - transferred from 28th January.

Saturday, 11th - CHIGWELL SISTERS (NEARLY NEW JUMBLE SALE)
2pm, Becket Centre. Please leave your donations in the porch. Proceeds from this event will support the mission in the Philippines.

Saturday, 25th February - MINISTERS OF COMMUNION
There will be a Day of Recollection for all Ministers of Communion at Chigwell Convent. Further details to follow.

NEWS FROM CAFOD

BRENTWOOD

On the first day of Christmas the CAFOD Brentwood December newsletter gave to me …

one World AIDS Day Mass …
two new office volunteers …
three Fast Day stories …
four sponsored events …
five Christmas fayres …
six stories from young people …
seven opportunities to take action …
eight parishes supporting connect2:

Read more by clicking HERE to download the Supporters newsletter – December 2011.