Parish of the Assumption of Our Lady, Old Harlow, Essex CM17 0HA
THE ASSUMPTION OF OUR LADY
Old Harlow, Essex CM17 0HA
01279 434203
www.catholicchurchoftheassumption.co.uk
email: [email protected]
The 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year A
(Peace Sunday)
18th January 2026
Old Harlow, Essex CM17 0HA
01279 434203
www.catholicchurchoftheassumption.co.uk
email: [email protected]
The 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year A
(Peace Sunday)
18th January 2026
PAX CHRISTI – World Day of Peace
Following the release of Pope Leo's ‘World Day of Peace’ message, we are encouraged to continue working with others to build a more peaceful world.
Pope Leo’s message is now available to download on the Pax Christi website:
paxchristi.org.uk/peace-sunday-2026/
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PARISH ADMINISTRATOR
A vacancy has arisen at Our Lady of Compassion, Upton Park, for a Parish Administrator to work alongside our experienced Parish Administrator, to provide administrative support services to the Parish Office and a welcoming, appropriate service to those attending the parish office.
The post will be part-time working 10 hours per week – (10-12pm Monday- Friday).
The salary is £13.85 per hour
The closing date for applications is 12pm on 31st January 2026 and we will then invite suitable applicants to interview.
If you have any queries or if you would like to apply, please send your CV by email to: [email protected]
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DATE OF EASTER & MOVABLE FEASTS
- On the 18th of February will fall ASH WEDNESDAY,
- On the 5th of April we will celebrate with joy EASTER DAY,
- On the 14th of May will be THE ASCENSION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.
- On the 24th of May, the feast of PENTECOST. (Confirmations)
- On the 7th of June, the feast of THE MOST HOLY BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST. (First Communions)
- On the 29th of November, the 1st SUNDAY OF THE ADVENT of our Lord Jesus Christ,
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MASS TIMES THIS WEEK
Sunday 18th 10:00 Solemn Mass – 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year A.
(Peace Day)
18:00 Solemn Mass – People of the Parish
Tuesday 20th 10:00 Mass – Feria
Wednesday 21st 10:00 Mass – St Agnes, V.Mr.
Sunday 25th 10:00 Solemn Mass – 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year A.
(Sunday of the Word of God)
18:00 Solemn Mass – People of the Parish
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GOSPEL REFLECTION
« “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” »
Today, when seeing Jesus, we have heard John saying “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” (Jn 1:29). What may all those people have thought? And what do we think, ourselves? In the celebration of the Eucharist we all pray “Lamb of God who remove the sins of the world / have mercy on us.” And the priest invites the congregation to the Communion, by saying: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world...”
When John said, “Behold, the Lamb of God” we should have no doubts they all understood what he meant, as the lamb is a metaphor of messianic character that prophets like Isaiah had already used, and it was very well known to the good Israelites.
On the other hand, the lamb is the animal Israelites sacrifice to celebrate their Passover, marking freedom for the Israelites from the Egyptian slavery. The Pasch dinner consists of eating a lamb.
And even the Apostles and the Fathers of the Church state that the lamb is a sign of purity, simplicity, goodness, meekness, innocence... And Christ is Purity, Simplicity, Goodness, Meekness and Innocence. Saint Peter will say: “realizing that you were ransomed from your futile conduct… but with the precious blood of Christ as of a spotless unblemished lamb.” (1Pet 1:18.19). And St. John, in “Revelation” uses thirty times the word “lamb” to describe Christ. Jesus Christ is the lamb that takes away the sins of the world, which has been immolated to give us Grace. Let us fight to always live by Grace, to fight against sin, to hate it. The beauty Grace gives to the soul is so great that no treasure can compare with it. It makes us agreeable to God and worthy of being loved. This is why, the “Gloria” of the Mass mentions the peace of those men the Lord loves, of those who live by Grace.
While urging us to live by the Grace the lamb has given us, Saint John Paul II told us: “Pledge to live by the Grace. Jesus was born at Bethlehem precisely for that reason... To live by Grace is the supreme dignity, the ineffable joy, the guarantee of peace, and the marvellous ideal.”
Fr. Joaquim FORTUNY i Vizcarro (Cunit, Tarragona, Spain)
Courtesy of Evangeli
This Parish operates in accordance with Statutory Safeguarding Guidance and the National and Dioceses policies & procedures at all times. Our Parish Safeguarding Representative is Anne Marie Taylor, and may be contacted at: [email protected] Alternatively, the Diocesan Safeguarding team may be contacted on Tel: 01277 265234 or by Email: [email protected] should you have any concern.
www.catholicchurchoftheassumption.co.uk
01279 434203
