Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear friends in Christ
There is something rather unsettling about the parable of the workers in the vineyard.
Dear friends in Christ
There is something rather unsettling about the parable of the workers in the vineyard. We can understand the men who worked all day. They have laboured from the early morning, endured the heat of the day, and naturally expect that their reward will reflect their work. Yet when those who arrived at the very last hour receive the same payment, they are unhappy. It does not seem fair. And perhaps that is precisely why Our Lord tells us this parable. Because we have a tendency to measure everything by what we think we deserve. We look at what others have received, and we compare it with what we have been given. We look at another person's life, another person's family, another person's success, or even another person's place in the Church, and we quietly ask: What about me? But the vineyard belongs to God. The work is His work. And the reward is not something we earn as a right; it is a gift of His generosity.The workers who came at the eleventh hour remind us that it is never too late to turn to God. Perhaps someone has spent years away from Him. Perhaps they have made mistakes, wasted opportunities, or simply neglected their faith. Yet the Lord continues to call: Go you also into my vineyard. And there is another lesson for those of us who have been in the vineyard for many years. We must never allow our fidelity to become a reason for resentment. We should rejoice when another person discovers the mercy of God, even at the last moment of life.
For in the end, none of us stands before God because we have earned our place. We stand there because He is merciful. The great danger is not that God might be too generous with others. The great danger is that we might fail to recognise how generous He has already been to us. So whatever hour it may be, the invitation remains: “Go you also into my vineyard.” There is still work to be done, there is still time to return, and there is still a place for each one of us in the vineyard of the Lord.
God bless you!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings of Year A
The Nicene Creed
Preface of Sunday 5
Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Saturday 19th September
St Januarius, Bp, M
5.30pm Vigil Mass The People of the Parish
6.30pm—7.30 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
Sunday 20th September
Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
8am Mass Samuel & Johanna Beech, RIP (JC)
9.30am Mass Holy Souls
11.30am Mass Susan Griffin, RIP (Lambert Family)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Monday 21st
St Matthew, Ap, Ev
9am Mass Susan Griffin, RIP (PL)
Tuesday 22nd
Feria of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
9am Mass Holy Souls
4.30pm Body in Church Susan Griffin, RIP
Wednesday 23rd
St Pius of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio) Pr
11am Requiem Mass Susan Griffin, RIP
Thursday 24th
Our Lady of Walsingham
9am Mass Holy Souls
Friday 25th
Feria of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
12Noon Mass Dec'd Members of the Young, Hall & Bush Families (LY)
Saturday 26th September
Ss Cosmas and Damian, Mm
10am Mass Holy Souls
10.30am—11.30 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
5.30pm Vigil Mass Holy Souls
6.30pm—7.30 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
Sunday 27th September
Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
8am Mass The People of the Parish
9.30am Mass Rebecca Clarke, RIP (Anniv) (IR)
11.30am Mass Susan Griffin, RIP (CB)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
We Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries
Fr John Ryan, Moira Costello, George Hobbs, Josh Overton, Winifred Lawson, Frederick Tewkesbury, Lilian Craven, Helen Bainbridge, James Fogarty, Charles Osborne, Marie Hall, Mary Byrne, José Costan, Joyce Mary Wright. James Perry, Henry Bennett, Ethel Bubel, Kathleen Young, Mary de Souza, Peter Wilkinson, Robert Swainson, Douglas Hair, Fred Cornwell, Catherine Major, Alfred Gardener, Jane Catherine Lacey, John Houlihan, Andres Louis Hinbest, Emily Bailey, Pat MacHoughton, Moira Stuart, Violet Shrimpson, Stephen McGough, Doreen Reynolds, Eileen Scott, Christopher James, Bridget Clinton, Carolyn De Sylva, Elizabeth Butler, Elizabeth Fresh, Patrick Quinlan & Rebecca Clarke.
We pray for our sick
We pray for the sick of our parish
“Father,
by the power of your Spirit
you have filled the hearts of your faithful people
with gifts of love for one another.
Hear the prayers we offer for our relatives and friends.
Give them health of mind and body
that they may do your will with perfect love.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.”
Please pray for the repose of the souls of
SUSAN GRIFFIN, RIP who died on Thursday, 27th August. Her body will be received into the church on Tuesday, 22nd September at 4.30pm and her Requiem Mass will take place on Wednesday, 23rd September at 11am, followed by burial at Sutton Road Cemetery.
JOHN SCAIFE, RIP who died on Sunday, 6th September. His body will be received into the church on Wednesday, 14th October at 4.15pm and his Requiem Mass will take place on Thursday, 15th October at 2pm, followed by committal at Southend Crematorium.
NICHOLAS HUTCHINS, RIP who died recently.
Requiescant in pace
200 Club
The 200 Club was first formed to raised funds for the Parish Centre. Once it was completed and the building was paid for, it was decided that the funds raised by the 200 Club would be given to the charity ‘Aid to the Church in Need’ to help their missionary work.
Originally the Club had almost 200 members but sadly this has now dropped to 145 members, partly because a number of parishioners have passed away. Additionally, some of them held more than one number in the draw.
We are looking to significantly increase the number of participants in the draw. Membership costs £5 per month (payable monthly, six monthly or annually). If you wish to join, a Membership Application form and Standing Order form can be found at the back of the church.
The draw takes place monthly and there are four prizes: £150, £100, £75 and £25.
For more information, please contact Linda Wall on 01702 558217 or 07769 708231.
Journey in Faith—RCIA
This begins on Monday 12th October at 7.30pm and is specifically for those who are not Catholics but who are enquiring with a view to finding out more about the Catholic Faith and Reception into the Church. These evenings are held in the Parish Centre and last for one hour. Names may be given in advance to Father Kevin or to the Parish Office.
Those interested in reading or learning more before the course begins may wish to purchase a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church from the Catholic Truth Society, or listen to The Catechism in a Year podcast with Fr Mike Schmitz.
Certificates of Catholic Practice
Please note Fr Kevin will be issuing Certificates of Catholic Practise in September/October. These should be collected from the Parish Office Tuesday—Friday 9.00—13.00.
A Bible Study with Dr Brant Pitre
"Why We Believe – A Bible Study with Dr Brant Pitre
Join us this autumn for Why We Believe, a fascinating Bible study exploring the big questions people ask about the Catholic faith — from "Does God exist?" to the Eucharist, Confession, Mary, and Purgatory. Reasonable, biblical and beautiful, this series is for everyone: cradle Catholics, those returning to the Church, or simply the curious. No theology background needed — come as you are, questions welcome!
Two ways to join:
Mondays, 10.30am
Wednesdays, 7.30pm
Both sessions run at the Parish Centre. All are welcome!"
Further info from Heather Ward 07885737393, heatherward55@gmail.com
OLOL Ladies Group
We meet again at 10am on 24th September in the Parish Centre. All ladies welcome. This week we have a guest speaker who will be giving a talk on her move from Italy to the UK so we hope to give Ilaria Peter a very warm welcome. Subs are just £1, plus a Raffle.
Young Vincentians
Our next meeting is on Monday 21st September from 5.15pm. Young Vincentians Committee.
Repository News
We have some new stock, including Statues, plus a few items from Lourdes, in addition to books and a large selection of cards.Please feel free to browse and ask our volunteers for assistance if you can't find what you are looking for.
MISSIO Red Boxes
I have received the Autumn Missio magazines. If you have not already received one from me personally please take one from the back of the Church (usual place). If anyone has a box that is ready for paying in to the Bank please give it to me personally or leave in the office for me to collect. Thank you. Joan Caunce 01268 757505.
St Thomas More High School
Sixth Form Open Evening—Thursday 1st October 6pm—8pm
Headteachers talks at 7.30pm
For families who have students – boys and girls - in year 11 of secondary school who are intending to begin sixth form studies in September 2027. Come and visit the school and meet the staff and current sixth form students. There will be tours of the sixth form building and the rest of the school.
Seniors Exercise & Balance Class
10am Tuesdays
Parish Centre
£6
You are invited to join the Exercise & Balance Class for Seniors which is held every Tuesday morning in the Parish Centre. The class starts at 10am and lasts one hour. Exercises are done to music and each session costs £6.
St Bernard’s High School
We have a vacancy for a Social Media & Design Administrator
Please complete a support staff application form which can be found on our website in High School/Key Information/Vacancies, and email it to recruitment@stbernards.southend.sch.uk. Please note that CVs will not be accepted. Closing Date: 28 September 2026 @ 9.00am Interviews: w/c 28 September 2026.
Our Lady of Ransom Catholic Primary School
Vacancy for a Learning Support Assistant
For details, please visit our website: https://sites.google.com/olorcps.net/olor-website/school-info/vacancies