Pray for the Dead
Please pray for our dead on their anniversaries:
Deacon Sidney Lewis, Canon Aloysius Roche, Fr Gerard Murphy,
Mgr Canon Jules van Meenen, Fr Clifford Beecroft, Fr David Chapman,
Mary Latham, Mary Asher, Anna McCall, Adolph Figueredo, Mary Keefe,
Frank Blaker, Jim Keniry, Mary Wildman, Joseph Mills, Vincent Sullivan,
Dominick Fanning, Maire Callanan, William Shanahan, Ernest Tobias, Olive Cale, Rose Cook, Amelia Mullins, Anne Florence, Marie Bartley, Violet Nettle,
Mary Sobota, Beau Winter-Myers, Maddalena Forte, Ronald Kitto, Janet Hurley, Michael Irons, John Holland, Violet Smith, Adolphus Miller, Claire Sharpe,
Sarah Bent, Emily Norwood, May Cooper, Mabel Smith, Michael Kieran
and Rose Brooks.
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.
First Sunday of Lent
Dear friends in Christ
Lent began on Wednesday with the urgent call that we take seriously this time of purification which, in the words of St Paul is the favourable time, the day of salvation. By custom each year on this Sunday the Bishop writes a Pastoral letter to the Clergy and Faithful of the Diocese. This year the Letter from our Bishop has a special importance because he is communicating to us some important news about future planning within our Diocese. For some months now a group of us have been meeting - clergy and lay faithful - to discern ways in which we can make better use of our Diocesan resources and prepare for future expansion. The Diocese of Brentwood is now the fourth largest in the country and is expanding: we have a constant influx of new Catholics, especially at the London-end of the Diocese - and elsewhere towns are growing. We are seeking to find new initiatives to promote priestly vocations and heighten the sense of vocation within all of the members of the Church. All this is necessary and possible if we are going to take to heart the call to be missionary disciples of Jesus Christ. Please take and read the literature that is being distributed today with the Newsletter and reflect in this Lenten season upon ways that we can live the Works of Mercy and discern ways in which we can each be a more effective proclaimer of the Truth of our Catholic Faith.
During each Friday in Lent there will be an extra Mass at 6.30am and the Way of the Cross with Benediction at 8pm. Please pray for the ten candidates from our Parish Family who will be presented to the Bishop in the Cathedral this Sunday in the Rite of Election; as they prepare for the Sacraments at Easter or later on in the year, may they grow in faith, commitment and relationship with Our Lord. Last Sunday our First Communion children presented their portrait photos during Mass; these will be displayed, as in previous years, on the special board in the Lady Chapel; please remember to hold them and their families in your prayers. If we all live each day and moment of Lent with a sincere and contrite heart, then we will surely experience joy of repentance, forgiveness and restored spiritual vigour. May God bless us as we embark on these Forty Days!
Msgr Kevin Hale
First Sunday of Lent
Dear friends in Christ
Lent began on Wednesday with the urgent call that we take seriously this time of purification which, in the words of St Paul is the favourable time, the day of salvation. By custom each year on this Sunday the Bishop writes a Pastoral letter to the Clergy and Faithful of the Diocese. This year the Letter from our Bishop has a special importance because he is communicating to us some important news about future planning within our Diocese. For some months now a group of us have been meeting - clergy and lay faithful - to discern ways in which we can make better use of our Diocesan resources and prepare for future expansion. The Diocese of Brentwood is now the fourth largest in the country and is expanding: we have a constant influx of new Catholics, especially at the London-end of the Diocese - and elsewhere towns are growing. We are seeking to find new initiatives to promote priestly vocations and heighten the sense of vocation within all of the members of the Church. All this is necessary and possible if we are going to take to heart the call to be missionary disciples of Jesus Christ. Please take and read the literature that is being distributed today with the Newsletter and reflect in this Lenten season upon ways that we can live the Works of Mercy and discern ways in which we can each be a more effective proclaimer of the Truth of our Catholic Faith.
During each Friday in Lent there will be an extra Mass at 6.30am and the Way of the Cross with Benediction at 8pm. Please pray for the ten candidates from our Parish Family who will be presented to the Bishop in the Cathedral this Sunday in the Rite of Election; as they prepare for the Sacraments at Easter or later on in the year, may they grow in faith, commitment and relationship with Our Lord. Last Sunday our First Communion children presented their portrait photos during Mass; these will be displayed, as in previous years, on the special board in the Lady Chapel; please remember to hold them and their families in your prayers. If we all live each day and moment of Lent with a sincere and contrite heart, then we will surely experience joy of repentance, forgiveness and restored spiritual vigour. May God bless us as we embark on these Forty Days!
Msgr Kevin Hale
First Sunday in Lent
Saturday 13th Feria
10am Mass Jennifer Garrett, RIP (Anniv)
5.30pm Vigil Mass Intentions of Paul Collingwood
Sunday 14th February
8am Mass Intentions of the McHale Family
9.30am Mass Pat & John Moon & Valerie Griggs, RIP
11.30am Mass The People of the Parish
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Monday 15th Feria
9.00am Mass Elaine McDonald, RIP (Anniv)
Tuesday 16th Feria
9am Mass Intentions of May Strzetelska
Wednesday 17th Feria
9am Mass Tom & Betty O’Leary, RIP
Thursday 18th Feria
9.00am Mass Violet Scott-Smith, RIP
11.00am Requiem Mass: Andrew ‘Mel’ Kenny
Friday 19th Feria
6.30am Mass Maureen Regan, RIP
12Noon Mass Intentions of Delia Maguire
8.00pm Stations of the Cross & Benediction
Saturday 20th Feria
10am Mass Patricia Joan Breslin, RIP
5.30pm Vigil Mass Guy Braggard, RIP
Sunday 21st February
8am Mass Sister Marie Gorelli O’Sullivan, RIP
9.30am Mass Frank & Barbara Blaker, RIP (Anniv)
11.30am Mass The People of the Parish
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
First Sunday in Lent
Saturday 13th Feria
10am Mass Jennifer Garrett, RIP (Anniv)
5.30pm Vigil Mass Intentions of Paul Collingwood
Sunday 14th February
8am Mass Intentions of the McHale Family
9.30am Mass Pat & John Moon & Valerie Griggs, RIP
11.30am Mass The People of the Parish
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Monday 15th Feria
9.00am Mass Elaine McDonald, RIP (Anniv)
Tuesday 16th Feria
9am Mass Intentions of May Strzetelska
Wednesday 17th Feria
9am Mass Tom & Betty O’Leary, RIP
Thursday 18th Feria
9.00am Mass Violet Scott-Smith, RIP
11.00am Requiem Mass: Andrew ‘Mel’ Kenny
Friday 19th Feria
6.30am Mass Maureen Regan, RIP
12Noon Mass Intentions of Delia Maguire
8.00pm Stations of the Cross & Benediction
Saturday 20th Feria
10am Mass Patricia Joan Breslin, RIP
5.30pm Vigil Mass Guy Braggard, RIP
Sunday 21st February
8am Mass Sister Marie Gorelli O’Sullivan, RIP
9.30am Mass Frank & Barbara Blaker, RIP (Anniv)
11.30am Mass The People of the Parish
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Praying for, and planning the future of, our parishes
Please read the inserted flyer in today’s newsletter and take home the prayer card. Let us pray for the spread of the Gospel and our work in proclaiming the Good News. If you have skills and experience in managing change, please speak to your Parish Priest about the role of “Steward of the Gospel”.
Praying for, and planning the future of, our parishes
Please read the inserted flyer in today’s newsletter and take home the prayer card. Let us pray for the spread of the Gospel and our work in proclaiming the Good News. If you have skills and experience in managing change, please speak to your Parish Priest about the role of “Steward of the Gospel”.
Reception into the Church
This Sunday the Rite of Election is to be held at Brentwood Cathedral for those wishing to be received into the Church. During the ceremony they will be presented personally to the Bishop. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
SPUC Youth Conference
If you are aged 16-35 years old and would like to go to the SPUC Youth Conference but would need transport, then please contact us as we will have cars travelling from the Southend area for the three day conference between Friday 11th March to Sunday 13th March and we have car spaces for free for a few more people. For information and to book your place at the conference please contact Rhoslyn Thomas at SPUC on 0207 820 3140 as normal and then please let either Mark Lambert (0795 101 8735) or Damian Dillon (07887 678741) know if you need a lift and we will arrange to pick you up on the Friday. For more information on the conference see the SPUC website: https://www.spuc.org.uk/get-involved/events/youth-conference-2016.
SPUC Youth Conference
If you are aged 16-35 years old and would like to go to the SPUC Youth Conference but would need transport, then please contact us as we will have cars travelling from the Southend area for the three day conference between Friday 11th March to Sunday 13th March and we have car spaces for free for a few more people. For information and to book your place at the conference please contact Rhoslyn Thomas at SPUC on 0207 820 3140 as normal and then please let either Mark Lambert (0795 101 8735) or Damian Dillon (07887 678741) know if you need a lift and we will arrange to pick you up on the Friday. For more information on the conference see the SPUC website: https://www.spuc.org.uk/get-involved/events/youth-conference-2016.
Lenten Lunches
You are warmly invited to join in the Friday Lenten Lunches. Lunches will be on the Fridays of Lent from 12.30pm in the Parish Centre, the last lunch being the 18th March. A contribution of £4.50 will include homemade soup, rolls, cheese, fruit, tea or coffee. This year all proceeds will be sent to Fr Dominic Howarth’s Calais Refugees’ Project.
Scripture Group
Fr Con Joyce’s Scripture Group will meet in the Parish Centre 8pm-9pm on Thursday, 25th February. These meetings are held to give us a better understanding of the Bible, to encourage us to read it and so help us to come closer to Jesus in our daily lives as Christians. All welcome.
ABC - About Being Catholic
The series of talks designed to give an insight into the teachings and traditions of the Catholic Church continues this Monday, 15th February at 8pm: The Sacrament of Reconciliation. 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 on 01702 712123.
Money Matters
Offertory: Thank you for your generous offerings received last weekend, which amounted to £1,625.02.
Counters: Bob Hall, Kitty Edwards & Bernadette Lane.
Newsletter Folders: Linda Wall & Bob Hall.
Romanian Penitential Service
Sfânta Liturghie în limba română, slujbă de pocăinţă şi ocazie de mărturisire pentru credincioşii români. Vă aşteptăm cu drag pentru a începe Postul Paştilor împăcați cu Dumnezeu şi cu aproapele. Biserica Romano-Catolică Holy Family, 661 High Road, Benfleet, Essex SS7 5SF. Holy Mass in Romanian, Penitential Service and confession opportunity for the Romanian faithful in the area. You are more than welcome to start Lent reconciliated with God and neighbours. Holy Family Roman Catholic Church 661 High Road, Benfleet, Essex SS7 5SF.
Romanian Penitential Service
Sfânta Liturghie în limba română, slujbă de pocăinţă şi ocazie de mărturisire pentru credincioşii români. Vă aşteptăm cu drag pentru a începe Postul Paştilor împăcați cu Dumnezeu şi cu aproapele. Biserica Romano-Catolică Holy Family, 661 High Road, Benfleet, Essex SS7 5SF. Holy Mass in Romanian, Penitential Service and confession opportunity for the Romanian faithful in the area. You are more than welcome to start Lent reconciliated with God and neighbours. Holy Family Roman Catholic Church 661 High Road, Benfleet, Essex SS7 5SF.
Friday Film Night
Following on from the successful fund-raising evening in January, the next Friday Film Night will be on Friday March 4th at 7.30pm in the Gilbert Room when the Live Simply Group invite you to watch The Way while raising money for Fr Dominic and the Calais Refugees. Refreshments will be on sale. Keep the date free! No Live Simply meeting this week (half-term) Next meeting Monday,
22nd February.
Women's World Day of Prayer
The ladies of St Margaret’s Leigh on Sea (Lime Avenue SS9 2PA) invite you and your members to join in a short ecumenical service, based on that designed by the ladies of Cuba for the Women’s World Day of Prayer. This year’s theme is “Receive Children, Receive Me” (www.wwdp.org.uk). It is to take place at St Margaret’s on Friday, March 4th at 10.00 am. We very much hope that you and your members will be able to join us. There will be a retiring collection to be sent to WWDP funds and coffee will be served after the service. Should you have any queries please feel free to email or ring.