Dates for your Diary
Monday 18th October Journey in Faith (RCIA)
Parish Centre, Bernadette Room—8pm
Thursday 4th November Annual Parish Requiem—8pm
Thursday 25th—Saturday 27th November
Annual Days of Eucharistic Exposition
Sunday 5th December Christmas Bazaar—8.45am to 1pm
Friday 17th December Serving the Homeless Carol Service—7pm
Wednesday 25th May Visitation of the Bishop & Confirmation
Saturdays 14th & 21st May First Holy Communion Masses
Prayer for the Synod 2021/2023
We stand before You, Holy Spirit, as we gather together in Your name. With You alone to guide us, make Yourself at home in our hearts; Teach us the way we must go and how we are to pursue it. We are weak and sinful; do not let us promote disorder. Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path nor partiality influence our actions. Let us find in You our unity so that we may journey together to eternal life and not stray from the way of truth and what is right. All this we ask of You, who are at work in every place and time, in the communion of the Father and the Son, forever and ever. Amen.
Numbers of people at a Baptism
How many people can attend a baptism in the church now? It is now possible for any number of people to attend a baptism. However, the baptisms that took place when Covid restrictions only allowed small numbers of people to attend proved to be intimate, prayerful, and focussed on Christ into whose death and resurrection we are baptised. The parents who experienced the baptism of their child during that time have commented on how this allowed them to appreciate the spiritual meaning of the sacrament and that it was also less stressful. Many couples are now deciding to have godparents and immediate family at the Church for the baptism of their child and then inviting other friends and acquaintances to join them for any celebration afterwards.
Music at 11.30am Mass on Sunday
Prelude: Improvisatione JD
Postlude: Prèlude (Suite, Op. 5) - Maurice Duruflé (1902-1986)
Applications to Catholic Schools
If there are any remaining letters of Catholic Practice to be signed, these can be applied for on the Thursday or Friday of half term week, after mass.
Journey in Faith (RCIA)
The Journey in Faith sessions continue on Mondays. These evenings are for those wishing to discover more about the Catholic Faith with a view to Reception into the Church. If you know anyone who is interested in learning more about our Faith and wishing to become Catholic, please direct them to Fr Kevin or these evenings. They will be in the Parish Centre—Newman Room—and begin at 8pm.
The Thresholds of Hope Questions
THE THRESHOLDS OF HOPE QUESTIONS are a series of talks for adults who want to grow in understanding and confidence when questioned or speaking about their Catholic Faith. The talks and discussion take place on Zoom from 4.00 - 5.00 pm on a Sunday afternoon.
The next talks will be on the 17th and 24th October and the question being explored is "What is the universal call to holiness?” Fr Adrian Lowe, assistant priest at Our Lady of Lourdes, Wanstead, will consider this question.
If you would like to join this discussion, please forward a contact email to adultformationvicariate@dioceseofbrentwood.org For more information about The Thresholds of Hope Questions go to www.thresholdsofhope.co.uk
Parish Mission
Our Lady of Canvey and the English Martyrs Parish Mission, given by John Pridmore, will be from Monday 18th to Wednesday 20 October, at 7.30pm
Monday: God's love
Tuesday: God's mercy
Wednesday: God's healing
Parish Fundraising
Thank you to everyone who supports the 200 Club. The results of the September draw are as follows:
1st prize £150 180 Mr G Robinson
2nd Prize £100 43 Mr C Luft
3rd Prize £75 101 Mr P Fisher
4th Prize £25 34 Mrs J Allard
Thank you to those parishioners who have joined the 200 Club over the past few weeks.
We are still looking for new members. The subscription is £5 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.
OLL Ladies Group
Our next Meeting is on Thursday 21st October in the Parish Centre from 10.15am to 12Noon.
We will be giving a big welcome to Helen Ansell, who will be telling us about her work as a Prison Chaplain, so please come along and show your support. All women in the Parish are welcome to come and enjoy our varied programme of presentations, plus an opportunity to make new friends over coffee, chat and cake.
Subs are only £1 per session. We also have a fun Rafflle and would appreciate any donations as raffle prizes stocks are getting a bit low!!
Diocesan Vacancies
We are looking to recruit a suitability experienced and self-motivated individual to provide office management and oversight of the administration of the HR and Finance Team. This role will have responsibility for providing robust administrative and secretarial support to the HR Manager and Director of Finance and teams across all areas but particularly in relation to the IT, Telephony, and Data Protection. This role will also provide secretarial support including distributing of papers, minute taking and post meeting follow-up as required at monthly Board Meetings.
Further information in respect of this and other vacancies within the Diocese can be found in the Vacancies section of the Diocesan website:
https://www.dioceseofbrentwood.net/diocese/working-for-us/
Please note the closing date has been extended to 12 noon on 25th October 2021.
Tea/Coffee Mornings in the Parish Centre
Please join us for tea, coffee and cake in the Parish Centre after the 9am Mass on Mondays and Thursdays and after the 8am, 9.30am and 11.30am Masses on Sundays.
We look forward to seeing you again!
St George's Catholic Primary School
St. George’s Catholic Primary School are seeking an SEN Learning Support Assistant for 30hrs a week, to join our school family in November 2021; someone who has experience of working, understanding and supporting children.
Further details and an application form can be found on our website: https://www.sgcps.co.uk/vacancies/ If you would like any more details or to arrange a visit to the school please call Mrs Parascandolo on 01702 293522
Closing date: 1st November 2021.
St Bernard's High School Year 12 Open Evening
St Bernard’s High School, Milton Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex SS0 7JS.
A Catholic Academy for Arts and Science
Wednesday 10 November 2021 - 7.00pm to 9.00pm
We would be delighted to welcome to our Open Evening prospective students who are interested in joining St Bernard’s High School’s Sixth Form in September 2022.
We welcome applications to our mixed Sixth Form from students of all faiths and none, who meet our entrance requirements and are seeking a school with a Christian ethos.
‘The school is welcoming and inclusive. In 2015, many pupils made significantly better progress than other pupils nationally’ Ofsted 2016
'The gifted, able and talented programme provides challenging enrichment across all year groups and is acknowledged by the NACE Award' Ofsted 2016
‘St Bernard’s High School is an outstanding Catholic school…Attainment and
progress of students is outstanding’ (Diocesan Inspection, 2017)
Retrouvaille Virtual Weekend - October 2021
Rediscover Your Marriage – Retrouvaille simply means ‘rediscovery' and is a programme that offers you the chance to rediscover yourself, your spouse, and a loving relationship in your marriage. Tens of thousands of couples having difficulties in the marriage and even heading for divorce have successfully saved their marriages by attending and using the tools provided. There is no group therapy or group work.
For confidential information about ‘Retrouvaille’ or to register for the programme commencing with a ‘Virtual’ weekend on 21st –24th October 2021… Call or text +44 788 7296983 or +44 797 3380443 – or Email retrouvailleukinfo@gmail.com or visit www.retrouvaille.org.uk
Brentwood Catholic Children's Society
Please find attached an electronic version of our Autumn Newsletter which we hope that you will enjoy reading; it includes a round-up of our very successful diocesan-wide sponsored walks The Relay 100, and some information about how our work is adapting post-pandemic.
We have also included our Christmas card flyer should you wish to purchase some of our religious-themed cards.
Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear friends in Christ
The texts of the Mass this Sunday speak to us of divine wisdom. We should value it above all other goods.
Dear friends in Christ
The texts of the Mass this Sunday speak to us of divine wisdom. We should value it above all other goods. Jesus Christ, the son of God incarnate, is divine wisdom that has been hidden from all eternity in the heart of the father. He is now accessible to all people who are supposed to open their hearts to Him. To possess Christ is to process everything. That is why we commit the greatest folly whenever we choose some other good in place of Christ, be it honour, wealth, good health, anything at all. Nothing is worth more than the Master.
The Gospel story of the conversation between Jesus and the rich young man was one of St Pope John Paul II’s favourites and is featured in many of his writings. The Pope sees three great moral themes in this narrative: the objectivity of the good, the indispensability of the commandments, and finally, the call to radical self-gift. The rich young man accepts the first two but balks at the third–and this is his tragedy. How radically are we willing to live the moral life? Will we follow Jesus, or walk away sad?
God bless you all during the coming week!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Month of the Holy Rosary
5.30pm Vigil Mass Sukhjivan Lal Bhandari, RIP (CdS)
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
8am Mass Intentions of Sarah Diggines (JL)
9.30am Mass John & Doreen Harley-70th Wedding Anniversary (PL)
11.30am Mass The People of the Parish
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Monday 11
St John XXIII, P
9am Mass Curtis Duncan, RIP (LM)
Tuesday 12
Ss Ethelburga, Hildelithe & Cuthberga, Rel
9am Mass Robert & Marian Caunce, RIP (JC)
Wednesday 13
St Edward the Confessor, King
9am Mass Intentions of Cynthia Bush (SH)
Thursday 14
St Callistus I, P, M
9am Mass Christopher Adams, RIP (HR)
Friday 15
St Teresa of Jesus (Avila) V, Rel, D
12Noon Mass John & Anne Young, RIP (Anniversary) (LY)
Saturday 16
St Margaret Mary Alacoque, Rel
10am Mass Gilberte Cook, RIP (CB)
10.30-11.30 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
Sunday 17 October
Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
5.30pm Vigil Mass The People of the Parish
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
8am Mass Adrian Ausareny, RIP (AA)
9.30am Mass Frances Emmerson, RIP (AE)
11.30am Mass David Thomas, RIP (PT)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction