St Thomas More High School Carol Service
This will be taking place at 7.00 pm on Thursday 12th December at St Peter’s Catholic Church. We hope that you and your family will be able to join us on this night to help celebrate the true meaning of Christmas as part of our Christian Community. There will also be an opportunity to socialise at the end of the service over some refreshments. Donations of mince pies, bottles of wine or festive refreshments would be appreciated for after the service; these can be left at the school reception.
The Year of the Word
Some booklets are available at the back of Church, which are a useful resource in this year ahead. The God who Speaks to us contains some helpful material about the Bible.
Brentwood Catholic Children's Society Gift Mass
There will be a Gift Mass on Sunday 15th 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.
Good news! The reverse Advent calendar is back!
The Live Simply group has been asked to support men from Chelmsford prison who, having served their sentence, will be released without having homes to return to.
The reverse Advent calendar is a way to give rather than receive in the days approaching Christmas. Each day, a small item can be collected which could make all the difference to a homeless person. Full details on the leaflet. Further inquiries: Cathy 07762 107920 or Fran 07981 741788.
Knights of St Columba
We are organising a Christmas Painting competition of an event occurring around the Nativity for school year groups 3-4 and 5-6. Entries certified as to age group by a Catechist or teacher to Brian Dillon, ℅ Sacred Heart Church, 418 Southcurch Road,Southend, SS1 2QB by 31st January 2020. Judges will be: Fr Graham Smith, a teacher from Sacred Heart School and the Grand Knight of Council 192, Southend.
Sacred Heart Winter Night shelter
Items now being requested are: new adult sized socks and pants, jogging bottoms, and toiletries. A box has been placed in the sacristy – marked ‘Sacred Heart Night Shelter’ - where donations can be placed. Thank you in anticipation for any help you can give!
Christmas Carol Concert
Sunday, 8th December at the Nazareth House Chapel, starts at 3pm. Two choirs - refreshments afterwards in the hall.
Brentwood Diocesan Directory 2020
These are now available from the back of Church at a cost of £2.80.
Penitential Service
There will be a Penitential Service at St Helens Church, Milton Road, Westcliff on Sea on Wednesday, 11th December from 7pm to 9pm.
Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine
Fully escorted Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine, Ireland, led by Bishop Alan Williams. 25th May 2020. £649.00 per person sharing. Price includes flight with 10kg hand luggage, all transfers, 4 nights in Knock House Hotel with breakfast and dinner. All entertainment and excursions included. Lunches on days out. Single supplement £100. Contact Patricia on 01268 762 278 or 07740 175557 or email knockpilgrimages@gmail.com. Knock Pilgrimages is a member of the Travel Trust Association and is fully protected by ATOL T7613.
Year of the God Who Speaks - the Gospel of Matthew
Fr Adrian Graffy will lead an exploration of the Gospel of Matthew, the lectionary gospel for Sundays in 2020, from 7 pm until 8.30 pm on Wednesday 15th (changed from 22nd) January, and Wednesday 29th January at the Catholic Church of Christ the Eternal High Priest, Gidea Park.
Admission is free, but please book your place by email to GPstudydays@gmail.com Copies of the recently published ‘Revised New Jerusalem Bible’ will be on sale for £30 (reduced from the normal price of £39.99). Full details and video of earlier talks available on www.whatgoodnews.org
OLL Ladies Group
Next Meeting 12th December from 10.30am. Come and enjoy a Festive morning of fun, music, quiz, plus some delicious seasonal fare with Prosecco. PLUS our fantastic bumper Christmas Raffle. All women in Parish welcome. Subs £1.00 plus Raffle.
HARP
Our grateful thanks for all your recent donations of food and clothing. At this time of the year we think of the vulnerable people in our community, not having a safe place to call home or not knowing where the next meal will come from. HARP have now launched their Christmas appeal – could you sponsor a Christmas meal for £10? They hope to provide 250 meals for homeless and vulnerable people over the festive period. You can do this online at www.harpsouthend.org.uk, leave your donation in the office or give it to Linda Wall.
CAFOD World Gifts for Christmas
If you are looking for an alternative Christmas gift that can transform peoples lives, take a look at CAFOD's World Gift ideas. As well as being able to buy a fairtrade gift for a member of your family, you can give a gift to someone in a developing country, such as providing a school starter pack for a child, helping to plant a tree or buy a family a chicken or goat. Take a look at their website and see what you think. Thank you. https://worldgifts.cafod.org.uk/search?q=christmas+gifts
Counters & Folders
Counters: Linda Wall & Peter Smythe
Folders: Angie Martin & Joseph Martin
Carols & Readings for Christmas
Join us in the church on Friday, 13th December at 7.30pm for a short service of carols and readings for Christmas, followed by mince pies and mulled wine in the Parish centre. Our ‘Sea of Voices’ choir and YMCA musicians will be taking part. Any donations received will go to support YMCA, HARP and the Churches Winter Shelters projects. Jo Ronan, Serving the Homeless.
Journey of Faith (RCIA)
A series of informal talks, designed to give an insight into the teachings and traditions of the Catholic church, continues on Monday 9th December at 8pm in the Parish Centre with Journey of Faith (Mary and the Saints). You are welcome to attend some or all of these talks; if you would like more information please speak to Fr Kevin.
Parish Pilgrimage to the Holy Land 2020
An eight day pilgrimage (including one overnight flight), departing on the evening of 1st November 2020, is being planned, flying with El Al from Heathrow. The tour will start in Galilee and end in Jerusalem, staying at 4-Star hotels in Jerusalem and Tiberias. Anyone interested might like to indicate this to the Parish Office. Fuller details will follow shortly.
Dates for your Diary
Friday 13th December Serving the Homeless Carol Concert 7.30pm
Sunday 14th December Children’s Gift Mass 9.30am
Saturdays 16th & 23rd May First Holy Communions - 10.30am
1st Thursday of every month Meeting of Parish Evangelisation Team 8pm