The assisted suicide bill
Very many people of all faiths and none will be concerned about a Bill to legalise Assisted Suicide in England and Wales which will be debated in the House of Commons on 11th September 2015. This private members Bill will have a free vote and it is important that people make their views known to their own MP ahead of this important debate. Please take one of the postcards at the back of Church and send it to your MP. There are excellent resources available on the Bishops Conference website catholicnews.org.uk/assisted-suicide and the website of the Anscombe Bioethics centre bioethics.org.uk.
The assisted suicide bill
Very many people of all faiths and none will be concerned about a Bill to legalise Assisted Suicide in England and Wales which will be debated in the House of Commons on 11th September 2015. This private members Bill will have a free vote and it is important that people make their views known to their own MP ahead of this important debate. Please take one of the postcards at the back of Church and send it to your MP. There are excellent resources available on the Bishops Conference website catholicnews.org.uk/assisted-suicide and the website of the Anscombe Bioethics centre bioethics.org.uk.
First Holy Communion 2016
If you have a child in Year 3 or above who wishes to make their First Holy Communion in 2016, please complete and return a Registration Form which is available at the back of the Church. Please note completed forms MUST BE returned to the Parish Office by Sunday 30th August 2015.
There will be a parent’s meeting on Wednesday 9th September at 8pm in the Parish Centre for those parents who have registered for their child to make their First Holy Communion next year.
Money Matters
Offertory: Thank you for your generous offerings received last weekend, which amounted to £1,420.09.
Counters: Jan Lewis, Sandie Hippard and Nina Bridgeman.
Newsletter Folders: Bobby Newman and Emma Beardsell.
Pray for the Repose of the Soul
Mary Johnson died on Wednesday,19th August
Her Body will be received into the Church at 5pm on Tuesday 15th September and her Requiem Mass will be held on Wednesday 16th September at 10.30am followed by committal at Sutton Road Cemetery.
Pray for the Dead
Please pray for our dead on their anniversaries
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them
May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace
Canon Vincent Cameron, Fr Bernard Collings, Eileen Shears, John Ryan, Valerie Griggs, Marian Hart, Dorothy Scott, Stephen McGough, Stephen Cornell, Margaret Acaster, Col Ernest Petter, Bernard Squires, John Lowndes, Louise Newman, Veronica Maguire, Alan Tate, Stella Stanley, William Pearson, Kathleen Shanahan, Charles Capon, Nellie Aynsley, Marjorie Clarke, Sheila King, Vera Goldman, Margaret Knight, Antoni Byczynski and Campbell Coe
Twenty-First Sunday
First reading Joshua 24:1-2, 15-18
Second reading Ephesians 5:21-32
Gospel John 6: 60-69
Preface Sunday 8
Eucharistic Prayer 3
Saturday 22nd August
5.30pm Mass Eddie O’Connell, RIP
Sunday 23rd August
8am Mass Mary McDonnell, RIP
9.30am Mass The People of the Parish
11.30am Mass Thanksgiving from Evelyn Pazda
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Assumption of The Blessed Virgin Mary
Dear Friends in Christ
This Solemnity of Our Blessed Mother is transferred so that we celebrate it on Sunday this year. It is the truth proclaimed by the Church that, after her falling asleep, Mary was taken body and soul into Heaven, there to sit at God’s right hand. It is something we contemplate in the fourth and fifth glorious mysteries of the Holy Rosary. Let us look at Our Lady, already taken up into where we too hope one day to be.
Just as a traveller, gazing out to contemplate a vast panorama, seeks some human figure in his surroundings to bring the distant objects into perspective, so do we look towards God with amazement, but can identify and welcome a purely human figure at the side of His throne. A ship has finished its passage, a destiny has been fulfilled, a human perfection has existed. Through her, His masterpiece, we see God’s relations with humanity more clearly and with greater insight
Ronald Knox on The Assumption
On this solemnity of The Assumption of Mary, our prayers are full of confidence, because our Mother sits beside her Son, awaits our prayers, hears them and is ready to ask Him for what is needed. May God bless you all on this beautiful feast, full of hope and promise for us, and may you continue to enjoy these days of Summer and rest!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Assumption of The Blessed Virgin Mary
Dear Friends in Christ
This Solemnity of Our Blessed Mother is transferred so that we celebrate it on Sunday this year. It is the truth proclaimed by the Church that, after her falling asleep, Mary was taken body and soul into Heaven, there to sit at God’s right hand. It is something we contemplate in the fourth and fifth glorious mysteries of the Holy Rosary. Let us look at Our Lady, already taken up into where we too hope one day to be.
Just as a traveller, gazing out to contemplate a vast panorama, seeks some human figure in his surroundings to bring the distant objects into perspective, so do we look towards God with amazement, but can identify and welcome a purely human figure at the side of His throne. A ship has finished its passage, a destiny has been fulfilled, a human perfection has existed. Through her, His masterpiece, we see God’s relations with humanity more clearly and with greater insight
Ronald Knox on The Assumption
On this solemnity of The Assumption of Mary, our prayers are full of confidence, because our Mother sits beside her Son, awaits our prayers, hears them and is ready to ask Him for what is needed. May God bless you all on this beautiful feast, full of hope and promise for us, and may you continue to enjoy these days of Summer and rest!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Assumption Week
Monday 17th Feria
9am Mass Bernadette Perry, RIP (Anniversary)
Tuesday 18th St Helena
9am Mass Margaret McFarlane, RIP (Anniversary)
Wednesday 19th St John Eudes, Priest
9am Mass Fr Andrew Hurley, RIP (Anniversary)
12noon Requiem Mass Carole Richards, RIP
Thursday 20th St Bernard, Abbot, Doctor of the Church
9am Mass Ione and Robert Waite, RIP
Friday 21st St Pius X, Pope
12noon Mass John Watkins, RIP and Susan Conibeer, RIP
Saturday 22nd The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary
10am Mass Thomas Walsh, RIP (Anniversary)
Assumption Week
Monday 17th Feria
9am Mass Bernadette Perry, RIP (Anniversary)
Tuesday 18th St Helena
9am Mass Margaret McFarlane, RIP (Anniversary)
Wednesday 19th St John Eudes, Priest
9am Mass Fr Andrew Hurley, RIP (Anniversary)
12noon Requiem Mass Carole Richards, RIP
Thursday 20th St Bernard, Abbot, Doctor of the Church
9am Mass Ione and Robert Waite, RIP
Friday 21st St Pius X, Pope
12noon Mass John Watkins, RIP and Susan Conibeer, RIP
Saturday 22nd The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary
10am Mass Thomas Walsh, RIP (Anniversary)
Dowry of Mary Pilgrimage
Sunday 6th September in Walsingham
Bishop Alan Hopes, Bishop of East Anglia will lead the Dowry of Mary Pilgrimage in Honour of Our Lady at Walsingham
11.30am Reception of flags at the National Shrine
12noon Pilgrim Mass (celebrated by Bishop Alan Hopes)
3.15pm Procession and Prayers at the original Shrine Site
Dowry of Mary Pilgrimage
Sunday 6th September in Walsingham
Bishop Alan Hopes, Bishop of East Anglia will lead the Dowry of Mary Pilgrimage in Honour of Our Lady at Walsingham
11.30am Reception of flags at the National Shrine
12noon Pilgrim Mass (celebrated by Bishop Alan Hopes)
3.15pm Procession and Prayers at the original Shrine Site
Marriage, Divorce & Remarriage
From time-to-time Catholics enquire, and are not sure where they stand in
relation to the Church, with regard to their personal circumstances such as Divorce and a second Marriage. For a Marriage to be valid in the eyes of the Church, it is necessary that a Catholic be married – even if to a non-Catholic
– in the presence of a Priest using the Catholic form of Marriage; any other form
is invalid for a Catholic (unless a Dispensation has been granted by the Bishop). Divorce is not in itself a bar to receiving Holy Communion and the Church accepts that in some circumstances Catholics may need to initiate proceedings to protects their rights in civil law. However, the Church presumes that all marriages are valid and bind until death, unless and until nullity is proven on specific grounds. However, Register Office Marriage does bind non-Catholics. Consequently, the Church cannot bless a Marriage which She regards as invalid, and those who are in a Marriage the Church regards irregular are not free to receive Holy Communion or Absolution. A recent Decree from the Congregation of the Faith in Rome states
In fidelity to the words of Jesus Christ, the Church affirms that a new union cannot be recognised as valid if the preceding marriage was valid. If the divorced are remarried civilly they can find themselves in a situation that objectively contravenes God’s law. Consequently, they cannot receive Holy Communion as long as this situation persists.
This document also recognises that this is a heavy burden, one that needs the support of the Catholic community. The sadness of Marriage breakdown now affects many families. Those who cannot receive Holy Communion can, and should, still participate in weekly Sunday Mass. At the moment of Communion it is possible to ask the Priest to give you a blessing: if you cross your arms he will know to do this. Anyone, Catholic or non-Catholic, wishing to enquire about
the possibility of a declaration of nullity, or wanting to discuss their situation further, should contact their local Parish Priest in the first instance.
Marriage, Divorce & Remarriage
From time-to-time Catholics enquire, and are not sure where they stand in
relation to the Church, with regard to their personal circumstances such as Divorce and a second Marriage. For a Marriage to be valid in the eyes of the Church, it is necessary that a Catholic be married – even if to a non-Catholic
– in the presence of a Priest using the Catholic form of Marriage; any other form
is invalid for a Catholic (unless a Dispensation has been granted by the Bishop). Divorce is not in itself a bar to receiving Holy Communion and the Church accepts that in some circumstances Catholics may need to initiate proceedings to protects their rights in civil law. However, the Church presumes that all marriages are valid and bind until death, unless and until nullity is proven on specific grounds. However, Register Office Marriage does bind non-Catholics. Consequently, the Church cannot bless a Marriage which She regards as invalid, and those who are in a Marriage the Church regards irregular are not free to receive Holy Communion or Absolution. A recent Decree from the Congregation of the Faith in Rome states
In fidelity to the words of Jesus Christ, the Church affirms that a new union cannot be recognised as valid if the preceding marriage was valid. If the divorced are remarried civilly they can find themselves in a situation that objectively contravenes God’s law. Consequently, they cannot receive Holy Communion as long as this situation persists.
This document also recognises that this is a heavy burden, one that needs the support of the Catholic community. The sadness of Marriage breakdown now affects many families. Those who cannot receive Holy Communion can, and should, still participate in weekly Sunday Mass. At the moment of Communion it is possible to ask the Priest to give you a blessing: if you cross your arms he will know to do this. Anyone, Catholic or non-Catholic, wishing to enquire about
the possibility of a declaration of nullity, or wanting to discuss their situation further, should contact their local Parish Priest in the first instance.
Afternoon Tea on the Terrace
In the Parish Centre from 2-4pm on 12 September. Why not come along for a lovely Afternoon Tea and try our selection of delicious sandwiches and home made cakes etcetera, plus unlimited tea or coffee. All this for only £5 per person!!
Tickets on sale after Mass from weekend 22/23 August or Cynthia telephone 477384 or Jan telephone 478105
Organised by Catholic Women’s League, Leigh-on-Sea Branch
Afternoon Tea on the Terrace
In the Parish Centre from 2-4pm on 12 September. Why not come along for a lovely Afternoon Tea and try our selection of delicious sandwiches and home made cakes etcetera, plus unlimited tea or coffee. All this for only £5 per person!!
Tickets on sale after Mass from weekend 22/23 August or Cynthia telephone 477384 or Jan telephone 478105
Organised by Catholic Women’s League, Leigh-on-Sea Branch
Money Matters
Offertory Thank you for your generous offerings last weekend, which amounted to £1,405.63
Counters Bob Hall, Kitty Edwards & Bernadette Lane
Newsletter Folders Tom & Rita O’Callaghan