Catholic Newspapers
After 20 years, Gavin Allard is relinquishing responsibility of distributing the Catholic Newspapers every Friday. If you can drive, would be able to help and would like to find out more details, please contact the Parish Office.
Repository
Please note that the Repository will be closed for the month of August and re-open on Sunday, 7th September.
Catholic Newspapers
After 20 years, Gavin Allard is relinquishing responsibility of distributing the Catholic Newspapers every Friday. If you can drive, would be able to help and would like to find out more details, please contact the Parish Office.
PLEASE PRAY FOR THE REPOSE OF THE SOULS OF:
David Finnigan RIP, Cecil ‘Kipling’ Compton RIP, Margaret Orme RIP and Dorothy May Cole RIP who died recently.
The Body of Dorothy May Cole will be received into the Church on Wednesday 30th July at 5pm and her Requiem Mass will take place on Thursday 31st July at 11am followed by committal at Southend Crematorium.
The Funeral of Margaret May Orme will take place on Monday, 4th August at 11.15am followed by committal at Southend Crematorium.
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Reading Kings 3: 5, 7-12
Second Reading Romans 8:28-30
Gospel Matthew:13:44-52
Preface of Sunday 3
Eucharistic Prayer 3
Saturday 26th July
5.30pm Mass The People of the Parish
Sunday 27th July
8.00am Mass Alf Johnson, RIP
9.30am Mass George Hicks, RIP
11.30am Mass David & Irene Hall, RIP (Anniv)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Sanctuary Lamp
This week the Sanctuary Lamp burns for the intentions of Gareth Lewis, RIP.
We pray for the departed on their anniversaries
Fr John Harding, Fr Michael O'Sullivan, Mrs Pearce, David Bavin, Margaret Hughes, Bertha Dokk-Olsen, Mirren Button, Basil Hall, Ruth Lambert, Rory Forge, Leo Ring, Paul Swann, Irene (Molly) Kerry, Irene Hall, Mary Fiddes, Eleanor Lawson, Sylvia Gosling, Ethel Warwick, Olive Scott- Hansen, Winifred Bailey, Bernard Martin, Frances Murray, Teresa Fitzgerald, Max Button & Margaret Ring.
Year 2, Psalter Week 4
Monday 21st St Lawrence of Brindisi, Pr, D
9.15am Mass: Pedro Ayerbe (Ints)
Tuesday 22nd St Mary Magdalene
9.15am Mass Firmina Baillie
Wednesday 23rd ST BRIDGET OF SWEDEN, Rel
9.15am Mass Jan Harris, RIP
Thursday 24th St Sharbel Makhluf, Pr, Rel
9.15am Mass Esther Clark (Ints)
Friday 25th ST JAMES, Ap
12Noon Mass Joan Fairchild, RIP
Saturday 26th Ss Joachim and Anne, Parents of the BVM
10.00am Mass Tony & Margaret Downey (Golden Wedding)
Confession – the Sacrament of Penance – is also available on request
Holy Rosary is said after morning Mass during the week
Sixteenth Sunday of the Year
Dear friends in Christ
The Parable of the wheat and darnel this Sunday tells us that the world is like a field where God is continually sowing the seed of his grace; this divine seed takes root in the ground and produces the fruits of holiness. Jesus offers us His grace with such a wonderful love. For Him each of us is unique and therefore He did not hesitate to assume our human nature to redeem us. He prepares us like good soil and sows good doctrine, which is why we have to be vigilant that the poisonous weeds of false teaching never take root.
Last Sunday we celebrated our Annual Parish Meeting and Garden Party; almost a hundred Parishioners attended which is something of a record! I am grateful to all of you who came and participated in the evening which was very affirming and enjoyable. We thank all those who provided the refreshments and assisted with the proceedings. I have to say Thank-you once again for the surprise gift that was presented to mark my thirtieth anniversary of Ordination; I am deeply grateful to all who contributed to the travel vouchers. In particular I would like to thank the other Clergy of the Parish who are always ready to offer help and support: Father Con Joyce who regularly celebrates Sunday Mass in the Parish and Father Basil Pearson who is a regular supply priest for many of the local Parishes. Fr Basil continues to make a steady recovery following his recent illness and surgery, and whilst many of you have sent him Get-Well wishes I have also assured him of our continued prayers for a speedy return to health.
As our Schools and Colleges conclude another academic year, I wish everyone a very happy Summer holiday time! God bless you.
Fr Kevin Hale
Money Matters
Offertory: Thank you for the generous offerings received last weekend, which amounted to £1,477.71.
Counters are Clare English, Pauline Jordan & Jacky Hoggett.
Newsletter Folders are Bobby Newman & Emma Beardsell.
Parish Fundraising
Thank you to everyone who currently supports the Parish 200 Club. This month’s winners are:
1st prize £150 213 Mrs E Hume
2nd Prize £100 72 Mrs P Mansfield
3rd Prize £75 61 Mr I Charters
4th Prize £50 169 Mrs L Dray
5th Prize £25 84 Mrs E Hall
Subscription is £5.00 per month, either by cash, cheque or direct debit. We are currently 12 members short of our 200 target. If you would like to join, please fill in a form which can be found at the back of the church or ring Linda Wall on 01702 558217.
Chartwell House, Kent
A coach trip to Chartwell House, former home of Winston Churchill, is proposed for Thursday 18th September. Cost £30.00 each, including coach fare, entrance to house and garden and afternoon tea. If interested please phone Cynthia or Pat on Southend 477384/479795 for more details.
Parish Centre
Please note that teas/coffees will not be served in the Parish Centre after the 5.30pm Mass on Saturdays with effect from 19th July.
Rotas are available from the back of the Church.
Carmelite Meeting
The next Carmelite meeting will be held on 26th July. The Rosary will be said in the Church at 2.15 pm followed by the meeting from 2.30 – 5 pm in the Parish Centre, John Newman Room. All are welcome.
Pastoral Letter of Bishop Alan Williams
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ
This is my first pastoral letter to you as the new Bishop of Brentwood and I immediately want to thank the whole Diocese for the unfailing welcome and support I have received. The Diocese is an exciting mix of Essex and East London, full of challenges and opportunities. I look forward to working with you and for you.
When I worked as a University Chaplain some years ago one of my tasks was to welcome students, of all faiths and none, to their new life and the work of the chaplaincy. Odd though it may sound, I spoke first not of God, but of sin and human imperfection. People may or may not believe in God; sadly all human beings are confronted with the effects of human sin.
In today’s Gospel parable Jesus talks of the wheat and the weeds that are always with us - we do not live in a perfect world yet the kingdom of heaven is being established despite our weaknesses. By faith we know that it is God who truly defines our world rather than human inadequacy.
At the ordination ceremony in the Cathedral - still very fresh in my mind- Cardinal Vincent Nichols quoted Pope Francis,
“From the lips of the church comes the cry: Give us a bishop, one who will lift us up, who will watch over us with the fullness of the heart of God. Don’t send a manager, an administrator, a delegate from the agency… We need someone who knows how to reach up towards the gaze of God and who can guide us towards Him for only in His gaze is our future to be found.”
Today’s reading from the Old Testament speaks with authority of the ‘fullness of the heart of God’. There is infinite strength but also a depth of compassion in God - our God is ‘mild in judgement’, he governs us ‘with great lenience’.
Because of this we can be supremely confident in God despite our sin and weakness which pull us downwards to despair.
Cardinal Vincent also reminded us that Pope Francis has given Bishops clear guidelines for ministry. My first work is to be prayer; I am mandated to stay close to the people and to be the servant of the Word of God and of His people.
When I hear these challenges, like Saint Paul, I know that the Holy Spirit helps me in my weakness. I also believe that the Holy Father’s words are not directed to me alone. I ask that all the people of the Diocese will respond to the Holy Father’s invitation to prayer, communion and service.
Life in Christ will transform our Parishes, Schools and Diocesan Communities. By the grace of God, the closer we are to Christ, the more Christ-like we become.
Please pray for me in the weeks and months ahead as I will certainly pray for you.
In Christ and Mary,
+ Alan Williams sm
Pastoral Letter of Bishop Alan Williams
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ
This is my first pastoral letter to you as the new Bishop of Brentwood and I immediately want to thank the whole Diocese for the unfailing welcome and support I have received. The Diocese is an exciting mix of Essex and East London, full of challenges and opportunities. I look forward to working with you and for you.
When I worked as a University Chaplain some years ago one of my tasks was to welcome students, of all faiths and none, to their new life and the work of the chaplaincy. Odd though it may sound, I spoke first not of God, but of sin and human imperfection. People may or may not believe in God; sadly all human beings are confronted with the effects of human sin.
In today’s Gospel parable Jesus talks of the wheat and the weeds that are always with us - we do not live in a perfect world yet the kingdom of heaven is being established despite our weaknesses. By faith we know that it is God who truly defines our world rather than human inadequacy.
At the ordination ceremony in the Cathedral - still very fresh in my mind- Cardinal Vincent Nichols quoted Pope Francis,
“From the lips of the church comes the cry: Give us a bishop, one who will lift us up, who will watch over us with the fullness of the heart of God. Don’t send a manager, an administrator, a delegate from the agency… We need someone who knows how to reach up towards the gaze of God and who can guide us towards Him for only in His gaze is our future to be found.”
Today’s reading from the Old Testament speaks with authority of the ‘fullness of the heart of God’. There is infinite strength but also a depth of compassion in God - our God is ‘mild in judgement’, he governs us ‘with great lenience’.
Because of this we can be supremely confident in God despite our sin and weakness which pull us downwards to despair.
Cardinal Vincent also reminded us that Pope Francis has given Bishops clear guidelines for ministry. My first work is to be prayer; I am mandated to stay close to the people and to be the servant of the Word of God and of His people.
When I hear these challenges, like Saint Paul, I know that the Holy Spirit helps me in my weakness. I also believe that the Holy Father’s words are not directed to me alone. I ask that all the people of the Diocese will respond to the Holy Father’s invitation to prayer, communion and service.
Life in Christ will transform our Parishes, Schools and Diocesan Communities. By the grace of God, the closer we are to Christ, the more Christ-like we become.
Please pray for me in the weeks and months ahead as I will certainly pray for you.
In Christ and Mary,
+ Alan Williams sm
Serving the Homeless
After Mass on Sunday members of the Serving the Homeless committee will be selling raffle tickets for the Summer Draw Bonanza. There are fantastic prizes to win, including tickets to a show at the Cliffs Pavilion, photo shoot including digital photos, tickets to Colchester Zoo and many more. The tickets cost £1 each or £5 per book. All proceeds will go directly towards helping the vulnerable young homeless people in our community. The raffle will be drawn at the end of August.
Summer holiday fun activity—the ‘Hawk Eye’ walk through Leigh hunting for clues with a prize for the winning entry. Copies, price £3, will be on sale after Masses this weekend 19th/20th July, or contact Nina Bridgeman on 01702 472536.
First Holy Communion 2015
If you have a child in Year 3 or above who wishes to make their First Holy Communion in 2015, please complete and return a Registration Form which is available at the back of the Church or can be downloaded from the Parish Website. Please note completed forms must be returned to the Parish Office by Sunday 31st August 2014.
We pray for our sick
Fr Basil Pearson, Fr Andrew Hurley, Pat Lynch, Rose Craft, Teresa Yates, Addi Brady, Gerard Rodgers, Ben Wilson, Patricia Fleming, Nicky Wigmore, Brita Irons, Eileen Wilson, Margaret Orme, Patricia Spikin, Patricia Breslin, Sandra Fagan, Edna Wallace, Beryl Dixon, Nan Carrit, Jim Quinn, Nick Evans, Margaret Harrington, Lyn Gopee, Kristin Hallenga, Anne O’Neill, Cheryl Shallis, Vicky Jack, Vera Farrow, Anthony McEvoy, Sheila Netherton, Dympna Addecott, Marcia Clarke, Barbara Blaker, Justin Stark, Andrew & Monica Neate, Stella Hale, Margaret Roberts, Roy Widdecombe, Anne Breen, David Blyth, Ellen Laurence, Lynne Hilkene, Johanna Lynch, Janet Woods, Thomas Corrigan, Mary Boyce, June Moncaster, Breda Lynch, Sheila McBrearty, Anthony King, Trudy Sighe, Norma McCleverty, Belinda Balazsi, Kathleen Farrell, Edward Martin, Joanna Luciani, Pauline Wilsher, Simon Marshall, Johnnie Poole, Nicola Hanna, Kriston Barnes, Barbara Sheaf, Antonella McConalogue, Josephine Griggs, Maureen Regan, Coleen Worley, Fr Jean Laurent Marie, Eddie McConalogue, Georgina Cornwell, Pat Armstrong, Lois McLennan, Lorraine Hart, Dawn Deleigh, Noel Kolb, Wyn McCafferty, Maria Clark, Annie Holland, Chas Taylor, Fr Martin Buckley, Peter Wilkinson, Vi Coveney, Martha Braun, John Lavery, David Finegan, Mrs F Olley, Phyllis Tait and children Thomas Ball, Liam Davis, Albert Chambers, Fergus Grant, Peter Robson, Lucy Price, Mary Isherwood and Frazer Gregory.