Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear friends in Christ
Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul…The image in our Newsletter this weekend is the famous painting of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales.
Dear friends in Christ
Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul…The image in our Newsletter this weekend is the famous painting of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales. The times in which they lived required them to make the ultimate sacrifice of their lives. This week we celebrate Saints John Fisher and Thomas More (not depicted in the canvass) who suffered martyrdom in June 1535: Saint John Fisher as Bishop of Rochester and Saint Thomas More as Chancellor of England; both refused to take the Oath of Succession which ultimately was to proclaim Henry VIII as Head of the Church in England. They, and the many others martyred in the land and throughout the history of the Church, were given the courage and fortitude to give their lives motivated by the words of Jesus in the Gospel of this Sunday. These martyrs were not afraid to speak the truth, to defend their Catholic Faith, and stand firm against the tides of change. Nowadays we will also be met with opposition to the Truth, in matters of Catholic doctrine and ethics. Jesus assures us that we should never be concerned about slander or criticism when it comes to proclaiming, with clarity and charity, what we believe. Jesus encourages us to be afraid of nothing, except sin, which destroys our friendship with God and can lead to the loss of eternal life. A good fear of God is a gift of the Holy Spirit given in Confirmation. It helps us to struggle against sin, against everything that separates us from God. It prompts us to avoid the occasions of sin, not to trust ourselves, remembering always that we are fragile vessels of the grace of God. Bodily evils, even death itself, are nothing compared to the evils of the soul, the evil of sin. God always gives us the grace to ensure we grow in our interior life. He told Saint Paul: My grace is sufficient for you. God says this to us also. As we think on the sacrifice of the Martyrs this week, let us thank God for the freedom of religion that we enjoy, by which we can serve God in holiness of life.
God bless you!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Saturday 20th June
St Alban, M
5.30pm Vigil Mass Holy Souls
6.30pm—7.30 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
Sunday 21st June
Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time
8am Mass Andrea & Pamela Uglietti, RIP (LM)
9.30am Mass Tom & Benitta Skellon, RIP (RM)
11.30am Mass The People of the Parish
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Monday 22nd
SS John Fisher & Thomas More, Mm
9am Mass Betty Gray, RIP (Anniv) (JH)
Tuesday 23rd
St Etheldreda (Ab)
9am Mass William Armstrong, RIP (Anniv) (JA)
Wednesday 24th
Nativity of St John the Baptist
9am Mass Fr Peter Dwyer, RIP
Thursday 25th
Feria of the Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time
9am Mass Paul Hiscock, RIP (CC)
Friday 26th
Feria of the Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time
12Noon Mass Holy Souls
Saturday 27th June
Feria of the Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time
10am Mass Holy Souls
10.30am—11.30 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
5.30pm Vigil Mass Connie Robbins, RIP (MS)
6.30pm—7.30 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
Sunday 28th June
SS Peter & Paul, App
8am Mass The People of the Parish
9.30am Mass Patrick Clarke, RIP (Anniv) (IR)
11.30am Mass Chalkwell Park Anniversary (IS)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
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.”
We Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries
Fr Edward Thomas, Canon James Dacey, Bridget Parsons, Eileen Ketterer, Angela Balcombe, David Gurney, Mary Wright, Doreen Faux, Patricia Larman, Frances Woodward, Sidney Baldwin, Anthony Gwatkin, Francesco Antonio Ciccone, Peter Liddell, Rosemary Conway, Frank Cope, Marie Patricia Kidd, Margaret Smith, Stella Migdalska, Mildred Turner, Henry Adamson, Rory MacNaughton, Julie Emerson, Dr Pat Collins, Joseph Whomes, Rosemary Montgomery, Esther Wilkins & Teresa Parascandolo.
Please pray for the repose of the soul of
MIKE WORSLEY, formerly of this Parish, who died on Wednesday, 10th June. His Requiem Mass will take place on Monday, 13th July at 10.45am followed by committal at Southend Crematorium.
KITTY LYDON who died on Firday, 19th June. Funeral details to follow.
Requiescant in pace
Dates for your Diary
Saturday 11 July
Flower Festival
Saturday 11 July
3pm Mass of Thanksgiving for Marriage and Family Life, Brentwood Cathedral
Wednesday 15 July
9.30am OLOL Leavers Mass
Sunday 19-Friday 24 July
Lourdes Pilgrimage
DAY FOR LIFE (Assisted Dying Bill)
This Sunday is designated Day for Life by our Bishops. Each year we are asked to pray and reflect in a particular way on the value of human life and how it is our duty as Catholics to uphold and guard this most precious of gifts. More information can be found on the website of the Bishops’ Conference here
The Assisted Dying Bill is going to return to Parliament in the Autumn and it is imperative that we bombard our Members of Parliament with petitions to vote against the introduction of this Bill which would make assisted suicide a reality. You will find a link for more information here
Parish Funding—200 Club
The winners of the May draw are:
1st Prize £150 68 Mr A Cousins
2nd Prize £100 185 Mrs E Humpage
3rd Prize £75 194 Mrs A Hayter
4th Prize £25 13 Mrs C Harris
The funds raised from the 200 Club now contributes to the overall costs of the tuition and expenses of trainee priests who, on completion of their formation, will be available for mission appointments strengthening the Church within Nigeria and elsewhere in the world. These missionary priests are known as Spiritans and are part of Aid to the Church in Need.
Please support this fundraising. There are some places available in the 200 Club, and if you wish to join, there is a monthly regular donation of £5. Forms are available at the back of the church. Alternatively, you can telephone Linda Wall on 01702 558217.
Food Donations
Please add any donations to the SVP box in the Repository. DRY GOODS only please, hygiene items also welcomed.
Dani Cauchi, who leads the St. Vincents center in Southend gave a talk recently explaining the SVP Centre are able to offer a discounted food market service, for those in need. Any contribution is appreciated. Thank you.
Sallie Pollock SVP @ OLOL
MISSIO Red Boxes
I have received the summer Missio magazines. If you have not received one from me personally please take one from the back of the Church in the usual place. Thank you. Joan Caunce, Secretary.
Internal Vacancy -Deputy Director OF Education– Cathedral House
An internal vacancy has arisen for a Deputy Director of Education to join the Education Department at Cathedral House, Brentwood. The position is a permanent full-time role , working term time only plus 5 days. The start date for the role will be around January 2027 or earlier.
The Diocese serves a network of 90 schools: comprising 72 primary and 18 secondary schools, providing for the formation and educational needs of some 40,000 children and young people. The role of Deputy Director of Education is an inspiring, rewarding and fulfilling position. The successful candidate will join a dedicated and committed team at a significant time for the education sector, for Catholic education nationally, and for the schools and colleges across our own Diocese as we look to serve Bishop Alan and the mission of our Church with Christ as the foundation of our entire educational enterprise. As Deputy Director you will be expected to establish good relationships with each authority as well as engaging with the Regional Director, DfE, and Ofsted so that our schools and their staff are well served. The role offers the opportunity to utilise your existing skills, gifts and talents in new and innovative ways as we look to preserve and protect our distinctive educational heritage and history whilst forming and co-constructing an authentically Catholic educational landscape for the future.
We are looking for someone who has:
Extensive leadership experience in an education context, at Headteacher/Deputy level in school/academy/diocesan leadership or local authority/SIP setting
A strong grasp of current educational issues (including CMATs’ evolving role within the parish, diocese and local community)
A deep knowledge and understanding of Catholic education as structured in this country
A requirement of the post is that applicants must be practising Catholics. If you would like to apply for this role please forward your CV to hr@brcdt.org.
Initial approaches will be treated in strict confidence. Closing date: Monday 29 June at 5 pm, interviews will be carried out in July.
Flower & Crafts Festival 2026
Saturday 11 July
It is getting closer..... Thank you to all those parishioners who have already volunteered to take part. To make the day a success we now need to make sure that we encourage friends and neighbours to visit on 11th July. Some people are very nervous of entering a church and need an invitation to do so. Please try to be pro-active in advertising the event and of course make sure that you visit yourself.
On the day we will need people in the church to welcome visitors and also we need donations of cakes and biscuits to serve as refreshments in the Parish Centre. Cake makers we need you! These can be dropped off on Friday morning 10th July or on Saturday morning itself.
This is our chance to open up our wonderful church to our local community, to let people explore what it means to be a Christian. Our theme this year of The Beatitudes can be seen as a handbook for our Christian life.
Jo Ronan
Talks on the Gospels
Jesus opens the Scriptures to his disciples
Let Him do this for you through these inspirational talks from Brant Pitre
Monday mornings 10.30am in the Parish Centre
June 29th, July 13th The Gospel of Matthew
Wednesdays 7.30pm in the Parish Centre
June 24th, July 8th & 22nd The Four Gospels
Mass of Thanksgiving for Marriage and Family Life
Bishop Alan Williams will preside at the annual Mass at Brentwood Cathedral on Saturday, 11th July at 15.00; followed by a Reception.
If any married couples—with their family—would like to participate in this celebration, please let fr Kevin know and he will give you a formal invitation. We would like to invite especially any couples who are celebrating a significant anniversary of Marriage this year.
St John Bosco Children’s Camp—Summer 2026
Children’s Summer Camp places are filling fast! Applications are open for children currently in school year 5 – 7 (i.e. aged 9-12 in August 2026) to spend a week at camp. 25th July – 1st August or 1st – 8th August. Activities include archery, fishing, AquaPark visit, football, kayaking and much more. The camp is especially for children who may not otherwise have a summer holiday. Suggested donation £200, but full bursaries are available. All application details and full information are at www.boscocamp.co.uk. Places are going quickly – you are encouraged to apply this week.
Young Vincentians
Our next meeting is on Monday 22nd June from 5.15pm. Young Vincentians Committee.
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
Vacancy for a Learning Support Assistant—Full time, term time only (37 hours per week)
For details, please visit our website: www.stbernardswestcliff.org.uk under School Information/Vacancies.