We pray for the departed on their anniversaries
Fr John Hibbert, Fr Alfred Field, Bp Patrick Casey, Fr John Clifford, Canon John Byrne, Kathleen Cooke, Phylis Faulkner, Ida Wallace, Bridget McGrath, Huguette Farrelly, Vera Plummer, May Fazio, Elsie Tyrrell, Phyllis Collins, Michael MacDermott, Gloria Dickens, Maud Darnell, Frank Russell, Edward Armitage, William Cooper, Robert Waller, Mark Solecki, Maureen Leyden, Gerard Tait, Carmel Abi-Aad, Joyce Reilly, Noel Calnan, May Ferry, Norah Kelly, Wyndham Richards, Mary Abel, Florence White, May Keane, William Moroney, Lizzie Burnham, Elizabeth Ray & Peter Griffin.
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Year B
First Reading Jonah 3: 1-5, 10
Second Reading Corinthians 7: 29-31
Gospel Mark 1: 14-20
Eucharistic Prayer 4 (with Preface)
Saturday 24th January
5.30pm Mass Mary de Souza, RIP
Sunday 25th January
8.00am Mass The People of the Parish
9.30am Mass Gabriel & Lilian Craven, RIP
11.30am Mass Intentions of the Lambert Family
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Year B, Psalter Week 4
9.15am Mass: Margaret Orme, RIP
9.15am Mass: Kathleen Webster, RIP
Wednesday 21st St Agnes, V, M
9.15am Mass: Ron Lendon, RIP
Thursday 22nd St Vincent, Deacon, M
9.15am Mass: Intentions of the Corrigan Family
Friday 23rd Feria
12 Noon Mass: John Kelly, RIP
Saturday 24th St Frances de Sales, Bp, D
10.00am Mass Fr John O'Sullivan, RIP
Confession – the Sacrament of Penance – is also available on request
Holy Rosary is said after morning Mass during the week
Second Sunday of the Year
Dear friends in Christ
We have begun the liturgical season known somewhat blandly as Ordinary Time, during which no particular mystery of the Life of Christ is celebrated but simply the mystery of Christ and His Church in general. It is only a few short weeks until we begin Lent in mid-February and so we can use these days to consider what the Mass Readings suggests to us this weekend: the call to follow Christ daily with every greater commitment and fidelity. Our Lord asks each and every one of us to live on intimate terms with Him. We can do this daily through prayer, by a life rich with the grace of the Sacraments and by fulfilling the duties of our vocation with love and perfection.
Since my appointment as Vicar General two weeks ago, I have received numerous messages, cards and personal greetings from so many of you; I am deeply appreciative of this. I have also been assured by so many of your prayers, and I can certainly say that already I feel enveloped by this prayerful support as I begin new responsibilities. As with any office or role in the Church, we simply have to remember that Christ is the one who really does everything and that brings with it tremendous serenity. Many of you have asked if I will be moving from the Parish; at the moment there are no plans but I need to discern over the coming weeks, as my work as the sole Vicar General evolves, what is going to be best for me, the Diocese and our Parish Family. With this is mind, I humbly ask you to be patient with me as I shall probably have to spend more time out of the Parish and therefore things may not happen as effectively as I would wish. Above all, I ask you to hold me in prayer each day as I shall endeavour to serve the Bishop and our Diocese with the care and diligence they deserve.
With my prayers for all of you and God’s blessing!
Fr Kevin Hale
Dates for your Diary
Sat 31st January/Sunday 1st February
Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society Appeal
Wednesdays 25th February, 4th, 11th & 18th March
Parish/Deanery Marriage Preparation Course from 7.45 pm
Thursdays, 26th February, 5th, 12th & 19th March
Deanery Lenten Evenings of Recollection at Nazareth House on the theme of the Synod on Marriage and Family Life
Sunday 22nd March (after 11.30am Mass)
Passion Play in Parish Centre by St Bernard’s students
Monday 23rd March 8pm
Lenten Penitential Service - St Peter’s, Eastwood
Saturday 28th March 3pm
Maryvale Graduation Ceremony for the Course in Parish Catechetics in the Parish Church. Bishop Alan Williams will present Certificates
Saturdays 9th, 16th & 23rd May 10.30am
First Holy Communion Masses
Sunday 7th June 4pm
Corpus Christi Procession
Parish Centre Cleaning
We are desperately seeking help to clean our Parish Centre. Would you be able to volunteer one hour a week for light cleaning duties, on a rota basis? If so, please ring Steve Fleming on 07929 391890.
Parish Centre Cleaning
We are desperately seeking help to clean our Parish Centre. Would you be able to volunteer one hour a week for light cleaning duties, on a rota basis? If so, please ring Steve Fleming on 07929 391890.
ABC - About Being Catholic
The next series of informal talks designed to give an insight into the teachings and traditions of the Catholic Church will re-commence on Monday, 12th January at 8pm in the Parish Centre. 19th January - The Fall and Baptism. You are welcome to attend some or all of these talks; if you would like more information please speak to Fr Kevin or telephone Pat O’Connell, Tel 01702 712123.
Lenten Lunches
We are hoping to arrange lunches during Lent in the Parish Centre beginning 20th February. The CWL would appreciate it if any ladies in the Parish are able to assist in any way e.g. serving, clearing away etc. For further information please phone Cynthia 01702 477384 or 01702 470608.
Money Matters
Offertory: Thank you for the generous offerings received last weekend, which amounted to £1,709.60
Counters are Kitty Edwards, Sheila West & Mary Cook.
Newsletter Folders are Linda Wall & Bob Hall.
Serving the Homeless
Next weekend, 24th/25th January, there will be a special collection at all masses for ‘Serving the Homeless.‘ Due to your continuing generosity we have been able, during 2014, to purchase £200 worth of meat, milk and cheese every month to be used at the Homeless Day Centre and the other houses run by HARP. This has enabled them to provide good nourishing breakfasts and lunches throughout the year. This is in addition to the most generous donations of dried goods that we also take every week to the Centre.
We also financed (£1,900) a week-long trip for ten young clients of the centre to take part in a Trees for Life Conservation programme in Scotland which taught them many practical and life skills. It is this type of meaningful activity that can help youngsters find new meaning to their lives. We have, in addition, given £1,000 to the Southend Winter Churches programme to help them fund their overnight shelter during the winter months. On average 22 people per night seek shelter in Southend when HARP’s Night Shelter is full. We have also given £4,000 to Southend YMCA new building programme, and £3,500 to HARP for emergency funding. Thank you for your support. Jo Ronan, 'Serving the Homeless’
Accommodation
2 bed flat with family bathroom and en-suite to master bedroom. Both rooms full double. New double glazing and oven, fitted hard wood floors throughout. Can be furnished (£775pm rent) or unfurnished (£700 pm rent) 4 minute walk to Rochford train station. Please call Kevin Rennie on 07904301758
The Carmelites
The next meeting of the Carmelites is on the 24th January. This is open to all Parishioners who want to deepen their faith. You can join us for the Rosary at 2.15pm in the Church or 2.30pm in the Parish Centre, Newman room for tea/coffee plus the meeting, which includes lectio divina. We normally finish by 5 pm. You are all welcome to join us for part or all of the meeting.
The Carmelites
The next meeting of the Carmelites is on the 24th January. This is open to all Parishioners who want to deepen their faith. You can join us for the Rosary at 2.15pm in the Church or 2.30pm in the Parish Centre, Newman room for tea/coffee plus the meeting, which includes lectio divina. We normally finish by 5 pm. You are all welcome to join us for part or all of the meeting.
Sanctuary Lamp
This week the Sanctuary Lamp burns in memory of the Clark and Walsh Families.
We pray for the departed on their anniversaries
Canon Charles Kuypers, Mgr Canon David Donnelly, Fr John Meehan, Bp Bernard Ward, Fr Christopher Quirke, Pope Benedict XV, Bp Arthur Doubleday, Fr John O’Sullivan, Maud Reddy, Catherine Woods, Eugene Regan, Anne Ryan, Bernard Leonard, John Dillon, Ilene Axson, Dora Armott, Teresa Moule, Courtney Choat-Kelly, Kathleen Goddard, Hubert Conolly, Jimmy Baker, Catherine Morris, Rose Nice, Isobel King, Conor Hartley-Anderson, Mary Vermeulen, John Dillon, T. Fitzpatrick, Mary Clarke, Ellen Brooks, Sarah Mann & William Hands.
Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Year B
First Reading Samuel 3: 3-10, 19
Second Reading Corinthians 6: 13-15, 17-20
Gospel John 1: 35-42
Preface of Sunday 1
Eucharistic Prayer 3
Saturday 17th January
5.30pm Mass Breda Hayes, RIP (Anniv)
Sunday 18th January
8.00am Mass The People of the Parish
9.30am Mass Andrew & Mary Murray, RIP (Anniv)
11.30am Mass Christopher Howard, RIP
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Year B, Psalter Week 3
9.15am Mass: Joe De Lobel, RIP (Anniv)
Tuesday 13th St Hilary, Bp, D
9.15am Mass: Tim McCarthy, RIP (Anniv)
Wednesday 14th Feria
9.15am Mass: Eric Major, RIP (Anniv)
4.30pm Body in Church: Mario Piacentini, RIP
Thursday 15th Feria
9.15am Mass: Elpedio Bonggot, RIP & Holy Souls in Purgatory
10.00am Requiem Mass: Mario Piacentini, RIP
Friday 16th Feria
12 Noon Requiem Mass: Christopher Mabey, RIP
Saturday 17th St Anthony, Ab
10.00am Mass Thomas McNee, RIP
Confession – the Sacrament of Penance – is also available on request
Holy Rosary is said after morning Mass during the week