Sacrament of Confession
If anyone would like to go to the Sacrament of Penance, please do ask Father Kevin. It will need to be in one of the side chapels or even in the open-air as the Confessionals cannot be used at the preset time due to the hygiene issues.
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
The Parable of the Sower, which is the Gospel of this Sunday, is full of rich teaching for us about the way the Word of God is received and spread throughout the world.
Dear friends in Christ
The Parable of the Sower, which is the Gospel of this Sunday, is full of rich teaching for us about the way the Word of God is received and spread throughout the world. It is also a parable for us to meditate on how we receive the word of faith that comes to us individually. God hopes that we will be good soil, that will receive His grace and bear fruit. The greater our generosity towards God, the better and more abundant will be the fruit we produce. St John Chrysostom comments: The only thing that matters, is that we should not be a beaten-down thoroughfare, or rocky ground, or thorns but that we should be good soil…Our hearts must not be that path from which the enemy, like the birds, snatches the seed trodden underfoot by passers-by. Our hearts must not be the rocky ground where the shallowness of the soil causes the seed to germinate immediately, so that it is scorched by the sun. Our hearts must not be a thistle-bed of human passions strangled by the cares of this world.
This is now the second weekend of public worship resumed. It has been a relief and a joy for many of us to be back at Holy Mass. This can only continue if there are sufficient stewards to volunteer keeping the church as a safe environment for those who come in. We have begun with a slightly reduced schedule of Masses which is necessitated due to the need to clean and air the building. I am also one priest saying all of the Masses currently. I am grateful for your understanding and your great support in making the Masses possible. A number of Parishes and churches have not yet resumed collective worship, so we are fortunate here to have been able to achieve this. Please continue to use the website for the booking-in of Mass and volunteering to steward and clean.
Please pray for Adrian Lowe who is Ordained a Priest this weekend in Colchester. Father Adrian will be going as Assistant Priest to my home Parish of Our Lady of Lourdes in Wanstead. God grant him a long and fruitful priestly ministry!
May God bless all of you, and thank you!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Fifteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time
Saturday 11 July
5.30pm Vigil Mass The People of the Parish
6.30pm Holy Hour: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament — livestreamed
Sunday 12
8am Mass Intentions of Issac Bennett (AF)
11.30am Mass Intentions of Brendan Dempsey and Karen Morgan (DT)
5.30pm Holy Hour: Exposition & Benediction — livestreamed
Monday 13
St Henry II, Roman Emperor
9am Mass Intentions of Bernardette Timothy (KA)
Tuesday 14
St Camillus de Lellis, Pr
9am Mass Patricia Armstrong RIP anniversary
Wednesday 15
St Bonaventure Bp, D
9am Mass Canon Francis Gilbert RIP
Thursday 16
Our Lady of Mount Carmel
9am Mass Vivien Clancy RIP (CB)
Friday 17
12noon Mass Frank and Mary Cope RIP (MG)
Saturday 18
Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary
10am Mass Intentions of Blake Mackay (SD)
Sixteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time
5.30pm Vigil Mass Andrew Regan RIP anniversary
6.30pm Holy Hour: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament — livestreamed
Sunday 19
8am Mass Bill and Josie Russell RIP anniversary
11.30am Mass The People of the Parish
5.30pm Holy Hour: Exposition & Benediction - livestreamed
Pray For Our Sick
Paul Bloomberg, Marie Karaf, Richard Collins, Christine Reid, Gilberte Cook, Garry Pearman, Anne Owen, Adrian Barclay, Patricia Ann Darroch, Peggy Larman, Sylvia Langley, Patricia Vanner, Amy Louise Fox, Sarah Savage, Bill O’Connell, Janet Weale, Charlotte O’Neil, Ella Williams, David Kislingbury, Mark Shepherd, Eileen Bines, Breege McCaffrey, Mark Hartley, Austin Butler, John Lavery, Paul Keane, Rosemary Bragard, Pat Lynch, Maureen Gooding, Dympna Addecott, Ben Wilson, Christian Ryan, Mike Rubbert, Tina Doveaston, Addi Brady, Patricia Fleming, Nicky Wigmore, Rose Craft, Nan Carrit, Eileen Wilson, Patricia Spikin, Sandra Fagan, Edna Wallace, Beryl Dixon, Nick Evans, Vicky Jack, Mary Boyce, Kristin Hallenga, Anne O’Neill, Cheryl Shallis, Anthony McEvoy, Justin Stark, Sheila Netherton, David Blyth, Janet Woods, Lynne Hilkene, June Moncaster, Laura & Anne Breen, Breda Lynch, Maria Clark, Roy Widdecombe, Johanna Lynch, Anthony King, Chas Taylor, Norma McCleverty, Belinda Balazsi, Johnnie Pool, Edward Martin, Joanna Luciani, Pauline Wilsher, Simon Marshall, Kriston Barnes, Hugh Isaacs, Josephine Griggs, Colleen Worley, Dawn Deleigh, Lorraine Hart, Linda Dean, Wyn McCafferty, Georgina Cornwell, Antonella McConalogue, Eddie McConalogue, Sharon Levill, Annie Holland, Ivor & Joanne Knight, Brian Beresford, Rebecca Peake, Connor Bourke, Mattia Mollica, Bernadette Lane, Irena Solecki, Ianto Bellis, Doreen Troughton, Marguerite Harris, Andrew Exley, Elizabeth McConalogue, Kean Smith, Keith Maliff & children, Thomas Ball, Liam Davis, Connie Price, Albert Chambers, Fergus Grant, Mary Isherwood, Lucy Price & Frazer Gregory.
Pray for Our Dead on Their Anniversaries
Fr John Watson, Canon Daniel Harnett, Fr Edmund Dobson, Fr James McEvoy, Betty Gray, Dorothy May Cole, Kathleen Scaife, Margaret Simpson, Monica Gray, Patricia Armstrong, Josephine Russell, Ronald Gibson, Robert Wright, Margakita Ekers, Mary James, Andrew Wardle, Hope Bailey-Pillow, Jarman Madeleine Bullock, Joan Slatterly, Norah Jordan, Donald Joyce, Ellen Gardner, Joseph Ketterer, James Dawson, Andrew Regan, Mabel Buckley, Bill Prior, Margaret May Orme, David Finnigan, Reginald Copley.
Sacrament of Confession
If anyone would like to go to the Sacrament of Penance, please do ask Father Kevin. It will need to be in one of the side chapels or even in the open-air, as the Confessionals cannot be used at the present time, due to the hygiene issues.
Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
It has been a great joy for many of us having the church open for private prayer over the last three weeks; a steady stream of people have been coming each day to pray, and long may this custom of visiting Jesus present in the Tabernacle continue.
Dear friends in Christ
It has been a great joy for many of us having the church open for private prayer over the last three weeks; a steady stream of people have been coming each day to pray and long may this custom of visiting Jesus present in the Tabernacle continue.
From this weekend, it is possible for us to resume public Masses. This is also a great moment of joy, after these months of lockdown and the 'eucharistic fast' which has been imposed. However, public Masses present some challenges. We will need to observe the Guidelines from the Government and from the Church. This means that we need to observe safe distance during Mass, so that everyone feels and is, safe. For this reason the numbers at Mass will be limited and it will be necessary to reserve places ahead of coming to Mass. This can now be done via the Parish website: simply reserve a time when you as an individual or as a family wish to attend Mass. It is on a first come, first served basis. Because the Sunday Mass obligation has been suspended during the lockdown, you could come to Mass on any day of the week. For this first weekend there will be fewer Masses than usual and a space between the morning Masses to allow for cleaning and adjusting to the requirements. If you know someone who would like to come to Mass but doesn't have internet access, you might be kind enough to offer to book a place for them.
Coming to Mass will be different to what we have been used to; we need to sanitise our hands upon entering and leaving the church, there won’t be a printed Newsletter, nor the use of the Mass books, there cannot be any congregational singing, no sign of peace, no Holy Communion from the Chalice and Communion is given and received silently and must be received in the hand. Due to this last restriction, there will not be a general Communion at the Extraordinary Form Mass. At the end of Mass the priest has to return directly to the Sacristy. Your weekly offerings for the Parish can be left in the baskets at the back of the church as you leave.
Confessions can be heard now but not using the Confessionals. I will make myself available in the Lady Chapel on Saturday morning so that a safe distance can be maintained.
We all know and understand why these Guidelines need to be adhered to but as the weeks go on, life should become easier and we can begin to reintroduce more of the normal elements of the liturgy. In the meantime, I do ask you to be patient. Many Parishioners have been working hard behind the scenes with Health and Safety, stewarding, cleaning and so on. We shall still need volunteers for each Mass and you can sign-up on the website for this, as you have been doing over the last weeks. I do thank you for your encouragement, patience and above all, your prayers, which have sustained me and the Parish during this time of trial.
God bless you!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Fourteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time
Saturday 4 July
5.30pm Vigil Mass The People of the Parish
6.30pm Holy Hour: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
Sunday 5
8am Mass Charles and Alice Whitehead RIP
11.30am Mass Alf and Mary Johnson RIP anniversary (CM)
4pm Mass in Extraordinary Form Paula Baker RIP
5.30pm Exposition & Benediction
Monday 6
St Maria Goretti V M
9am Mass Guy Braggard RIP anniversary (RB)
Tuesday 7
9am Mass Jean Vaulbert de Chantilly RIP
Wednesday 8
9am Mass Ted Wilson RIP anniversary (EW)
Thursday 9
St Augustine Zhao Rong Pr and his Companions Mm
9am Mass Intentions of John Zovaro (BT)
Friday 10
12noon Mass Julia Federman RIP (HF)
Saturday 11
St Benedict Ab, Patron of Europe
No Morning Mass Today
Fifteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time
5.30pm Vigil Mass The People of the Parish
6.30pm Holy Hour: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
Sunday 12
8am Mass Intentions of Issac Bennett (AF)
11.30am Mass Intentions of Brendan Dempsey and Karen Morgan (DT)
5.30pm Holy Hour: Exposition & Benediction
Pray For Our Sick
Marie Karaf, Richard Collins, Christine Reid, Gilberte Cook, Garry Pearman, Anne Owen, Adrian Barclay, Patricia Ann Darroch, Peggy Larman, Sylvia Langley, Patricia Vanner, Amy Louise Fox, Sarah Savage, Bill O’Connell, Janet Weale, Charlotte O’Neil, Ella Williams, David Kislingbury, Mark Shepherd, Eileen Bines, Breege McCaffrey, Mark Hartley, Austin Butler, John Lavery, Paul Keane, Rosemary Bragard, Pat Lynch, Maureen Gooding, Dympna Addecott, Ben Wilson, Christian Ryan, Mike Rubbert, Tina Doveaston, Addi Brady, Patricia Fleming, Nicky Wigmore, Rose Craft, Nan Carrit, Eileen Wilson, Patricia Spikin, Sandra Fagan, Edna Wallace, Beryl Dixon, Nick Evans, Vicky Jack, Mary Boyce, Kristin Hallenga, Anne O’Neill, Cheryl Shallis, Anthony McEvoy, Justin Stark, Sheila Netherton, David Blyth, Janet Woods, Lynne Hilkene, June Moncaster, Laura & Anne Breen, Breda Lynch, Maria Clark, Roy Widdecombe, Johanna Lynch, Anthony King, Chas Taylor, Norma McCleverty, Belinda Balazsi, Johnnie Pool, Edward Martin, Joanna Luciani, Pauline Wilsher, Simon Marshall, Kriston Barnes, Hugh Isaacs, Josephine Griggs, Colleen Worley, Dawn Deleigh, Lorraine Hart, Linda Dean, Wyn McCafferty, Georgina Cornwell, Antonella McConalogue, Eddie McConalogue, Sharon Levill, Annie Holland, Ivor & Joanne Knight, Brian Beresford, Rebecca Peake, Connor Bourke, Mattia Mollica, Bernadette Lane, Irena Solecki, Ianto Bellis, Doreen Troughton, Marguerite Harris, Andrew Exley, Elizabeth McConalogue, Kean Smith, Keith Maliff & children, Thomas Ball, Liam Davis, Connie Price, Albert Chambers, Fergus Grant, Mary Isherwood, Lucy Price & Frazer Gregory.
Pray for Our Dead on their Anniversaries
Fr John Watson, Canon Daniel Harnett, Fr Edmund Dobson, Fr James McEvoy, Betty Gray, Dorothy May Cole, Kathleen Scaife, Margaret Simpson, Monica Gray, Patricia Armstrong, Josephine Russell, Ronald Gibson, Robert Wright, Margakita Ekers, Mary James, Andrew Wardle, Hope Bailey-Pillow, Jarman Madeleine Bullock, Joan Slatterly, Norah Jordan, Donald Joyce, Ellen Gardner, Joseph Ketterer, James Dawson, Andrew Regan, Mabel Buckley, Bill Prior, Margaret May Orme, David Finnigan, Reginald Copley.
Sanctuary Lamp
The lamp burns this week for the deceased members of the McManus and West Families.
Serving the Homeless
Thank you to all our parishioners who have supported us during the past few challenging months, especially those who won prizes in our June 200 Club prize draw and returned their cheques, asking for the money to be used to help the homeless people in our town. Most of our charity fundraising events for this year have been cancelled but we are going ahead with our Summer Raffle. There are at least 18 hampers to be won. Tickets cost £5 per book and, if you would like to purchase a book, please ring Linda Wall on 01702 558217. The draw will take place on Monday 7th September.
School Assistants Required
St. Helen’s Catholic Primary School are looking for 2 Midday Assistants to join our friendly team in September or October 2020.
Forms and details are on our website www.st-helens.southend.sch.uk
Closing date: Midday Friday 17 July
Interviews: Early September
Any questions please contact Mrs Sears on 343823
Seating arrangements for Mass
When you arrive at church, please queue in your group at a safe distance from everyone else. Tell the steward how many are in your group and your steward will guide you to a suitable pew. Please do not change seats unless asked to do so by a steward. When you leave, your seats will be sanitised before they can be used again.
To keep a safe distance, we will only use every other row; there will be empty rows between each seated row. The north and south aisles can accommodate a single person or up to 3 adults or 2 adults+2 children as a family group. The central nave pews have access from either end and so can seat 2 single adults. They are also longer, so can seat 2 separate couples. They can also accommodate a larger group, up to 5 adults or 2 adults+4 children as a family group.
Families of up to 3 adults or 2 adults+2 children: book 1 spot
Families of up to 5 adults or 2 adults+4 children: book 2 spots
Larger groups: please contact us for booking advice
Please review your existing bookings in case you have overbooked
Space is very restricted in the church under distancing rules, and most of the congregation will be excluded even if we do this well. If you have booked more than you need, please amend your reservation, or cancel it and start again.
Please note that once a Mass is fully booked, it no longer shows in the booking system.
SS Peter and Paul
The weekend we are celebrating Saints Peter and Paul. In this celebration we are signalling the beginnings of Christianity.
Dear Friends in Christ
This weekend we are celebrating Saints Peter and Paul (the feast is transferred from 29th). In this celebration we are signalling the beginnings of Christianity. In the words of Pope Saint Paul VI: The Apostles Peter and Paul are considered by the Faithful and rightly so, to be the pillars, not only of the Holy Roman See but also of the Universal Church of the living God, spread to the utmost bounds of the earth. Peter, whom Our Lord Jesus Christ chose as the foundation of His Church and Bishop of this illustrious City and Paul the Doctor of the Gentiles, teacher and friend of the first community founded here. When we consider their lives in the cold light of day, it seems extraordinary that God has chosen two weak men to be the foundation stones of the Church. Their humanity and also their strong and indomitable faith, gives us courage to witness to Jesus in these difficult times in which we live and to live confidently in the realisation that He has chosen us too.
As we continue to come gradually back to church, I am grateful for the many offers of help that we have received; especially those who have volunteered to be stewards during the hours when the church has been open Monday - Saturday. It has been a comfort for many of us just to be able to visit the church for private prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. As from Saturday 4th July we can resume public Masses. Obviously this will need to be done in accordance with the guidelines. This means that numbers will be limited in church and there will be a booking system in operation through the Parish website; this will provide further details. (There can’t be any singing for the present!) If you know someone who does not have internet, please ask them if they would like you to book them in. We will also need four volunteers for stewarding and to clean the church after each Mass, as we have been doing these last two weeks. This also applies to weekday Masses, as the obligation to attend Sunday Mass continues to be suspended throughout this period. Please be patient as we shall need to proceed cautiously.
Pope Francis last weekend, added three new invocations to the Litany of Our Lady (Loretto): Mother of Hope, Mother of Mercy and Comfort of Migrants. These beautiful little expressions of the solicitude of the Mother of God for the human race, remind us to always go confidently to ask her help.
May Mary, Queen of Apostles, with Saints Peter & Paul, intercede for us and keep us united in Faith, the Faith that we profess each week as One, Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. May God bless us as we continue to live in that same Church which they established on earth!
Msgr Kevin Hale
SS Peter and Paul
Saturday 27 June
5.30pm Vigil Mass The People of the Parish
6.30pm Holy Hour: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament with
Divine Mercy Chaplet
Sunday 28
11.30am Mass Teresa Parascandolo RIP anniversary (PP)
5.30pm Holy Hour: Exposition & Benediction with
6pm Divine Mercy Chaplet
Monday 29
9am Mass Gareth Lewis RIP anniversary (JL)
6pm Divine Mercy Chaplet
Tuesday 30
First Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church
9am Mass Patrick Clarke RIP anniversary (BH)
6pm Divine Mercy Chaplet
Wednesday 1 July
St Oliver Plunket Bp
9am Mass John Kidney RIP anniversary (JL)
Thursday 2
9am Mass Msgr Frederick Miles RIP
Friday 3
St Thomas Ap +First Friday
9am Mass Frank Clancy RIP anniversary (VC)
7pm Holy Hour & Benediction
Saturday 4
St Elizabeth of Portugal
10am Mass James Cornelius Forde RIP
10.30am Holy Hour: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
Fourteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time
5.30pm Vigil Mass The People of the Parish
6.30pm Holy Hour: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
Sunday 5
8.00am Mass Charles and Alice Whitehead RIP
11.30am Mass Alf and Mary Johnson RIP anniversary (CM)
4pm Mass in Extraordinary Form
5.30pm Holy Hour: Exposition & Benediction