Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear friends in Christ
In the Gospel this Sunday, Our Lord gives us the parable of the ten bridesmaids, five wise and five foolish, who go out to meet the bridegroom.
Dear friends in Christ
In the Gospel this Sunday, Our Lord gives us the parable of the ten bridesmaids, five wise and five foolish, who go out to meet the bridegroom. All ten carry lamps, all ten are waiting, and all ten grow tired as the hours pass. But when the bridegroom finally arrives, only five are ready to welcome him. It is a parable about the importance of being prepared, not simply for the unexpected events of life, but above all for the coming of Christ. The bridegroom represents Our Lord, and the wedding feast is an image of the Kingdom of Heaven. The delay reminds us that the Christian life requires patience, perseverance and, above all, faithfulness. The oil in the lamps is particularly significant. It represents that interior life of grace which cannot simply be borrowed from somebody else or acquired at the last moment. We cannot live on the faith of our parents, the goodness of our friends or the religious practice of those around us. Each of us must cultivate our own relationship with God through prayer, the Sacraments, charity and a faithful observance of the Gospel.
There is a danger that, amidst the busyness and distractions of everyday life, we can become spiritually drowsy. We may intend to pray more, to go to Confession, to forgive someone, or to put our relationship with God in order, but somehow there is always another day. The parable reminds us that the time to prepare is now. We must keep the flame of faith alive, so that whenever the Lord comes, He will find us ready.
As we observe Remembrance Sunday, we are invited to remember with gratitude and solemnity those who have given their lives in the service of others and for the sake of peace. We recall especially those who never returned home, and the families who have carried the sorrow of their loss through generations. Their sacrifice should never be forgotten. There is, too, a profound connection between Remembrance Sunday and this Sunday's Gospel. The poppy reminds us of lives given in sacrifice; the Gospel reminds us that every human life is lived in the light of eternity. We pray for the faithful departed, asking that those who have died may be welcomed into the eternal wedding feast of Heaven. May we never allow the lamp of faith to grow dim, but live each day with our hearts prepared for the coming of Christ. And when at last the Bridegroom comes, may we be among those who hear the words of welcome: Come, you whom my Father has blessed; take as your heritage the kingdom prepared for you. Requiem æternam, dona eis Domine..light eternal shine upon them, O Lord; may they rest in peace.
Msgr Kevin Hale
Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Saturday 7th November
St Willibrord, Bp
5.30pm Vigil Mass Jerzy (George) Wislocki, RIP (Anniv) (PW)
6.30pm—7.30 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
Sunday 8th November
Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
8am Mass Intentions of the Foyster Family (MF)
9.30am Mass The People of the Parish
11.30am Mass The Dead of the Wars
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Monday 9th
The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica
9am Mass Dec'd Members of the Holland & Chantilly Families (LC)
Tuesday 10th
St Leo the Great, P D
9am Mass Nick Flach, RIP (Anniv) (MF)
Wednesday 11th
St Martin of Tours, Bp
9am Mass Susan Griffin, RIP (IS)
Thursday 12th
St Josaphat, Bp, M
9am Mass Daniel Ibekwe, RIP (ZI)
7.00pm Annual Parish Requiem for the deceased of the last year
Friday 13th
Feria of the Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time
12Noon Mass Ian Spacie, RIP (IS)
Saturday 14th November
Saturday Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary
10am Mass Roland Selvini, RIP (Anniv) (Fr Selvini)
10.30am—11.30 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
5.30pm Vigil Mass The People of the Parish
6.30pm—7.30 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
Sunday 15th November
Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
8am Mass Adrian Dann, RIP (SD)
9.30am Mass Dec'd Relatives of the Wall & Rockell Families (LW)
11.30am Mass Intentions of Pete & Erin Underwood (Lambert Family)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
SVP Appeal
This weekend the St Vincent de Paul Society will be making a short appeal at the end of the Masses. They are always grateful for your generous support.
We Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries
Fr William Philpot, Deacon Norman Wiseman, Canon Denis Petry, Fr Terence Howes, Fr James Ethrington, Robert Drew, Clare Murphy, Emma Harley, Reginald Johnston, Francis Whelan, Dorothy Stuart, Sydney Hamilton, Thomas Horner, Dr Gerry Leyden, Marie Daniels, Sidney Hempstead, Pearl Scaife, Lucy Tombleson, Joan Lucey, Galvin Donald, Eileen Stanshall, Anne Britt, Isobel Good, Joan Read, Albert Rogers, Janet Conway, John Owen, Rene Solecki, John William Cavanagh, Jack O’Riordan, Vincent Kelly, John O’Nell, Kathleen McIlwee, Richard Sparrow & Emily Root.
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.”
Sanctuary Lamp
The Sanctuary Lamp burns for the unity of Daniel Ibekwe’s Family for their personal intentions.
Please pray for the repose of the soul of
MARY SAUNDERS, RIP who died on Wednesday, 21st October. Her body will be received into the Church on Sunday, 22nd November at 6.15pm and her Requiem Mass will take place on Monday, 23rd November at 10am, followed by committal at Southend Crematorium.
MONSIGNOR WILLIAM NIX, RIP who died on 4th Novemeber. His Requiem Mass will be celebrated in Brentwood Cathderal on Friday, 20th November t 12.15pm.
JANE ALLARD, RIP who died on Monday, 2nd November. Funeral arrangements to folllow
Requiescant in pace
Dates for your Diary
Thursday, 12th November—Annual Parish Requiem—7pm
Sunday, 22nd November—Christmas Bazaar 8.30am—1pm
Thursday 26th-Saturday 28th November—Forty Hours’ prayer
Sunday 29th November—Sea of Voices Annual Christmas Concert—3pm
Friday, 18th December—Annual Carol Service—7pm
Saturday, 8th May—First Holy Communion Mass—10.30am
Sunday, 16th May—Confirmation Mass—11.30am
Sunday 30th May—Corpus Christi Procession—4pm
Invitation to a Mass of Thanksgiving
All parishioners from across the diocese are warmly invited to attend a Mass of Thanksgiving to be Celebrated by Bishop Timothy Menezes following his appointment as Bishop of the Diocese of Brentwood. Join us as we gather in prayer and thanksgiving to welcome our new Bishop and seek God's blessing upon his ministry. All are welcome.
Masses will be celebrated in three locations:
Tuesday 8th December: 11:00 a.m—Cathedral Church of St Mary & St Helen, Ingrave Road, Brentwood CM15 8AT
Tuesday 8th December: 7:30 p.m—St Antony of Padua Church, St Antony’s Road, Forest Gate, London E7 9QB
Wednesday 9th December: 7:00 p.m - St James the Less and St Helen Church, Priory Street, Colchester CO1 2QB
CHAPTER OF CANONS MASS will take place in the Cathedral Church of St Mary & St Helen, Brentwood on Monday, 14th December at 10.30am Celebrated by Bishop Timothy Menezes. All are very welcome to attend.
In the New Year there will be an opportunity for each deanery to welcome Bishop Timothy.
Why we believe
Wednesday 11 November: What do you say when someone says Jesus' presence in the Blessed Sacrament is only symbolic? Or believing that you're truly eating Jesus' flesh makes you a cannibal?
We'll be looking at questions like these—and more—in our next talk by Brant Pitre, in the Parish Centre at 7.30pm. It will make you think more deeply about the Eucharist, enliven a thirst for adoration, confirm your appreciation of the eucharist as "the source & summit" of your Christian life.
Blessing of Graves
Father Graham will be at Sutton Road Cemetery on Sunday 8th November at 2pm. We all gather by the large cross near the entrance for a short service and then Father will attend individual graves to bless them. You are very welcome to come and join us.
Journey in Faith—RCIA
This continues on Monday 9th November 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.
Lenten Retreat Day
Looking ahead to next year, some of us are planning a Retreat Day on a Saturday in Lent—at either St Michael's Abbey in Farnborough or Clare Priory.
If you would be interested please let Heather Ward know—tel 07885 737393 (my phone is temperamental, so be ready to leave a voicemail!); heatherward55@gmail.com
Sea of Voices Annual Christmas Concert
Tickets for our Christmas Concert on Sunday 29th November, 3pm at the Parish Centre, are now available from the Parish office at £5 each. All funds raised will go to the choir’s piano organ fund and the new instrument will be used for both choir and Church purpose. Donations for the concert raffle will be gratefully received.
Darrell Binding - contact seaofvoiceschoir@outlook.com or on mobile 07825686249 to enquire about tickets, etc.
Sent from my iPad
Poppy Appeal
Poppies will be available at the back of church before and after all Masses this weekend.
Parish Christmas Bazaar - Sunday 22nd November, 8.30am - 1.00pm
We’re getting ready for our Parish Christmas Bazaar, and we need your help to make it a wonderful success! This year the Bazaar will be on Sunday 22nd November, running all morning from 8.30am until 1pm. Put the date in your diary and come along for breakfast and a little shopping too!
If you are free to offer an hour or two on the day, please call or message Sue on 07816 141492.
Draw tickets are now available at the back of the Church after all Masses, to be completed & returned to the Parish Office with payment as soon as possible please.
Donations Needed for Our Parish Christmas Bazaar
Alll donations are most welcome but we’re especially looking for donations of:
Unwanted bottles of alcohol – perfect for our bottle tombola and raffle prizes.
Unwanted jewellery – costume or fine, to add sparkle to our jewellery stall.
Unwanted toiletries – always popular on our “Smellies” stall!
If you have any of these items tucked away at home, please consider donating them to support the Parish.
Donations can be left in the old Baptistry. If you need us to collect, (locally), just give us a call
Sue 07816 141492 Angela 07940 183452
Every contribution helps – and together, we can make this year’s Bazaar the best yet!
Thank you for your generosity and continued support.
MISSIO RED BOX
Thank you to all who donated to the World Mission Sunday Appeal. If anyone has a box needing to be emptied please give it to me personally or leave in the office for me to collect.
Please let me have any boxes by Sunday 22nd November 2026.
Thank you. Joan Caunce, Secretary, 01268 757505.