Diocesan/Parish Pilgrimage Lourdes 2017
Monday 24th to Friday 28th July. More details will follow after Christmas.
Mass for Vocations to the Priesthood
Thursday 29th December (Feast of St. Thomas of Canterbury, Patron Saint of Pastoral Clergy) at 11am at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 161 Leigh Road, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 1NG. All are welcome.
Dates for your Diary
Sunday 11th December Children’s Gift Mass- 9.30am
Friday 16th December Carol Service (Serving the Homeless)- 7pm
Sunday 18th December Blessing of the figures of baby Jesus at the Masses
Wednesday 21st December Advent Service of Penance with Confessions - 8pm
Saturday 6th & 13th May First Holy Communion Masses- 10.30am
Saturday 22nd July Walsingham Centenary Pilgrimage
Please Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries
Fr Brian Drea, Fr Michael Healy, Fr Bernard Pownall, Fr John Lane, Irene Rice, Timothy Murphy, Louise De Souza, Maurice Brazier, Agnes Nisbett, Yvonne Lovett, Ryszard Burzynski, Vera Walls, Anne Woods, Hugh Smyth, Barbara Clarke, Brigid Hill, Doris Masters, Ann Dawson, William Johnson, Bruce Pond, John Newton, Thomas O’Hanlon, Mary Alice Ring, Walter Scott, Mary Dulcie O’Leary, John Parsons, Patrick Lyons, Clare Clarke, Karen Anderson, Hilda Eid, Georgina Francis & Ann Dunbar.
May their Souls & the Souls of all the Faithful Departed rest in peace.
First Sunday of Advent
We have just concluded another year in the life of the Church and this Sunday we begin Advent. During the last year we have celebrated a special Jubilee Year of Mercy in which Pope Francis asked us to rediscover afresh the infinite mercy of God the Father. The Church has gone to the peripheries of society in order to draw souls to Christ and His Church; may the graces and lessons of this last year remain with us as we now go forward - thinking of the Second Coming of Jesus - into a new era. Very soon we shall begin the celebrations in our Diocese of it's Centenary. Over the coming twelve months we will celebrate our ‘coming of age’ through a number of initiatives and special events. Our hope is that, at the start of another century, we will find renewed confidence and faith in order to proclaim Christ and His Church.
I am very grateful for the generous and enthusiastic way that many of you have engaged with the invitation through the Stewards of the Gospel initiative to think about the ways we work as a Parish, Deanery and Diocese. These reflections and your responses through the Questionnaires, will help us to form strategy for the future of Brentwood Diocese. However, as I said in my Homily last Sunday, any pastoral plan or renewal for the Church, must begin with the perspective of our Faith and through intensive prayer. Any pastoral plans or discussions, however elaborately conceived and well-intentioned are worthless unless they bring us humbly to the Heart of Jesus in the Blessed Eucharist. God bless you in this Advent Season as we prepare for the Coming of Christ at the Incarnation, in our lives and at the end of time.
God bless you!
Msgr Kevin Hale
First Sunday of Advent
Sunday 27th November - First Sunday of Advent
Saturday 5.30pm Vigil Elizabeth Spargatis, RIP (PP)
6.30pm–7.30pm Exposition & Confession
8.00am Mass Cornelius Joseph Burke & Elizabeth Winifred Burke, RIP (PB)
9.30am Mass Holy Souls
11.30am Mass The People of the Parish
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Monday 28 Feria
9.00am Mass Pietro Tisi, RIP (Anniv) (T&VI)
Tuesday 29 Feria
9.00am Mass Tom O’Callaghan (80th birthday) (MR)
5.00pm Body in Church Marcia Clarke, RIP
Wednesday 30 St Andrew, Ap
9.00am Requiem Mass Marcia Clarke, RIP
Thursday 1 December Bl John Beche, Ab, M
9.00am Mass Clare Chadwick, RIP (MI)
Friday 2 Feria
12Noon Mass CWL Intentions (CWL)
12.30pm Exposition after Mass until
8.00pm Holy Hour & Benediction
Saturday 3 St Francis Xavier, Pr
10.00am Mass Andrew & Mary Murray, RIP (Anniv) (UO’K)
10.30am-11.30am Exposition & Confessions
The Holy Rosary is prayed after morning Mass during the week
Divine Mercy Chaplet ~ 3pm daily
Sunday 4th December - Second Sunday of Advent
Saturday 5.30pm Vigil Intentions of May Strzetelska
6.30pm–7.30pm Exposition & Confession
8.00am Mass Margaret Sheaf, RIP (BS)
9.30am Mass The People of the Parish
11.30am Mass Intentions of Fatima Balolong (FB)
4.00pm Mass Holy Souls- Extraordinary Form
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
The Sacrament of Penance is available on request
Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society Gift Mass
There will be a Gift Mass on Sunday 11th December at 9.30am. Please write clearly on the gift whether it is for a boy or girl and what age range it would suit. Gifts for teenagers would also be much appreciated and if you are struggling with ideas, then Gift Vouchers are always very welcome.
Marriage Care Ilford
We are looking for a volunteer to carry out administration work for Marriage Preparation. We are also looking for suitable volunteers (male or female) to be trained as Marriage Preparation Providers and Counsellors. Training will be provided for both. Please email Glenda at marriagecareilford@hotmail.co.uk.
Parish Fundraising
Thank you to everyone who supports the 200 Club. The results of the October draw are as follows:
1st prize £150 24 Mrs M Maguire
2nd Prize £100 152 Mr D Binding
3rd Prize £75 165 Mrs J Lewis
4th Prize £50 203 Mrs A Snell
5th Prize £25 79 Mr G Dillon
Subscription is £5.00 per month, either by cash, cheque or direct debit. 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.
Live Simply Group Film Night - Christmas Special
We will be showing Danny Boyle's film 'Millions' next month on Friday 9th December at 7.30pm. Join us for a free glass of wine to celebrate the forthcoming season of goodwill. Thank you for your support this year in the raising of money for refugees in Calais. Next year we will be supporting CAFOD in the work they do around the world.
Brentwood Diocesan Directory 2017
These are now available from the back of the church at a cost of £2.75.
Christmas Eve Lunch 1pm - Sacred Heart School
We are planning a Christmas lunch for those who may be alone this Christmas. We hope to serve Christmas Dinner with all the trimmings as well as celebrate with Christmas Carols with friends from our community.
We hope too that Father Graham Smith may be able to mark the occasion with a special service before all of the fun. Tickets will be available from early December, please contact the school office to book your ticket on 01702 534546.
ABC - About Being Catholic
The series of informal talks designed to give an insight into the teachings and traditions of the Catholic church continues every Monday, starting at 8pm in the Parish Centre. 28th November: Mary, The Mother of God. 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 712123.
Catholic Women's League Cake Sale
The CWL are having their next social meeting on Monday, 28 November at 2pm in the Newman Room. Please do join us, you are very welcome.
Christmas Bazaar - 3rd December 2016
This years Bazaar is just around the corner, we would not be able to have this annual family and community event without all of your fabulous donations! If you've been meaning to have a good clear out now is the time! We are now ready for all donations of bric a brac, books, grand draw prizes, sweets, craft, toys, new gifts and toiletries and anything else in a new or re-saleable condition. (No jumble or electrical please). Please leave all donations at the back of the church in the old baptistery apart from donations of bottles for the bottle stall, which will be collected over one weekend a bit nearer the time, due to problems with storage. Prize draw tickets will be handed out and available at the back of the church after masses from this weekend. Many thanks in advance and if you have donations you would like collected or any suggestions/ideas for stalls, or would like to help
Scripture Group
Fr Con Joyce’s Scripture Group will next meet in the Parish Centre 8pm-9pm on Thursday, 1st December. Fr. Con will be talking about the prophets. All welcome.
APF Boxholers
If you have not had your box opened in the last six months would you please hand it in to the Parish office no later than Sunday 4th December. I have received the Autumn Missio Magazines, please take one from the back of the Church (usual place) if you have not already been given one. Joan Caunce(Secretary) 01268 757505.
Counters & Folders
Counters: Toni Cousins, Mary Cook & Jacky Hoggett.
Newsletter Folders: Linda Wall & Bob Hall.