Adult Confirmation
If there are any adults within the Parish who, for whatever reason, have not been Confirmed and would wish to be when the Bishop visits us on Wednesday, 25th May, then please give you name to Fr Kevin.
Staff Vacancy - St Thomas More
St Thomas More High school are looking to recruit a part time receptionist, Wednesday – Friday, 8am – 4pm. If this is of interest, please contact recruitment@st-thomasnore.southend.sch.uk or telephone the school on 01702 344933.
Mums, Dads and Toddlers Coffee Mornings
It is with regret that, due to lack of support, the Mums, Dads & Carers with Toddlers coffee morning on Mondays has now been disbanded.
Lourdes Pilgrimage
There is hope that there will be a Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes: 24-29th July. If there was sufficient interest, there could be a group from our Parish which would join with the Diocese as in previous years.
The flight will depart from London Heathrow on 24th July at around midday and return on Friday 29th July at about 6pm. The cost per adult, which includes 5 nights full board staying at the 4 Star Grand Hotel Moderne Soubirous (closest to Sanctuary) and return luxury coach transfer from Lourdes airport will be £780. There is a £200 supplement for a single room.
If anyone would be interested, could you please register this by giving your name into the Parish Office.
Dates for your Diary
Wednesdays March 16th, 23rd & 30th—Marriage Preparation Evenings
Saturdays 14th & 21st May—First Holy Communion Masses
Wednesday 25th May—Visitation of the Bishop & Confirmation
Sunday 19th June—Corpus Christi Procession
Saturday 10th September—Flower Festival
Music at 11.30am Mass on Sunday
Prelude: Improvisation on the Introit 'Tibi dixit cor meum'
Postlude: Chorale Prelude on 'Rockingham' - C Hubert H Parry (1848-1918)
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Walsingham - 28th May 2022
Join Bishop Alan and other parishes around the Diocese of Brentwood in Walsingham as we celebrate the Year of the Family ‘Hearing and Doing the Word of God’.
We will celebrate Mass at the Basilica before walking the Holy Mile to the grounds of Walsingham Abbey to celebrate Vespers and Benediction on the site of the Holy House.
If you would like to come please contact the Parish office. Depending on the numbers going we may be able to arrange a coach to be shared by local Parishes.
Your Parish SVP
The SVP ( St Vincent de Paul Society) is a Christ-centred organisation with a mission to seek and find those who are in need, to help them in the spirit of justice and to tackle the causes and effects of poverty where it can. Members visit and befriend people living in loneliness and isolation, be they elderly, homeless, hospitalised or in care-homes, people with mental health issues or offenders. Our funds have become depleted through coming to the aid of families and individuals during the course of the pandemic but you can assist our endeavours by donating to your parish SVP group via our parish website - you can also now 'Gift Aid' any such donation at no additional cost to yourself! Our parish SVP group meets regularly in the Parish Centre for an hour or so on a Wednesday evening - we also seek new, committed members! Should you be thinking of joining us or wish to know more, please contact Francis O'Brien on mob: 07845874331 or email: obrjam@btinternet.com . Thank you for any help you can give!
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 and begin at 8pm.
OLL Ladies Group
Next meeting is on Thursday 17 March, none other than Saint Patrick’s day!!! We look forward to welcoming all women in the Parish for a special Irish morning of celebration with music, a fun quiz, homemade Irish cake and much more. Subs are only £1.00 per session plus a special St. Patricks day raffle!
Pilgrimage to Knock
Fully escorted Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine, Ireland, 23rd May 2022. £699.00 per person sharing. Price includes flight with 10kg hand luggage, all transfers, 4 nights’ in Knock House Hotel with full board. All entertainment and excursions included. Lunches on days out. Wheelchair accessible rooms. Single room 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.
Missio AF
The National Novena to St. Joseph will take place from 10th March to 18th March 2022 at St. Joseph's Church in Maidenhead. If you would like a booklet of daily prayers and reflections for during the Novena please write to the Novena Director at 6 Colby Gardens, Maidenhead Berkshire SL6 7GZ or email novenahm@gmail.com or telephone 01628 676909.
Please also see the poster at the back of the Church. Thank you. Joan Caunce Secretary 01268 757505
Bereavement Support Group
We are pleased to announce that the Bereavement Support Group has started again on every third Tuesday of each month.
The Group is open to all men and women who have experienced loss and bereavement and are welcome to join us in a warm, friendly and confidential environment. We will meet in the Bernadette room, Parish Centre, and sessions begin promptly at 2pm. Refreshments are available.
If further information is required please contact: Cynthia on 01702 477384.
Universe Catholic Weekly
The Universe Catholic Weekly is thrilled to announce that we have launched our new online newspaper with the full support of our first subscriber none other than His Eminence Cardinal Vincent Nichols.
Order your Digital 4 weeks FREE trial supply by calling Michelle on 0743 661 7650 or email: michelle.jones@universecatholicweekly.co.uk
Vicariate for Adult Formation
THRESHOLDS OF HOPE QUESTION: How has Catholicism enriched culture, music and the arts? Input will be given by Fr David Clemens, parish priest at Our Lady of Compassion, Saffron Walden, on Sunday 13th March 4.00 – 5.00 p.m. via Zoom. To join this meeting simply forward a contact email to adultformationvicariate@dioceseofbrentwood.org. For more information go to www.thresholdsofhope.co.uk
I would like to bring to your attention a short video www.youtube.com/watch?v=97Q7DNCExMA Trevor Lopez is currently studying medicine at Imperial College, London. He has also wanted to deepen his understanding of his Catholic Faith and has begun a theology degree at Maryvale. The Vicariate of Adult Formation is following his journey with a view to it inspiring other lay men and women to consider deepening their theological understanding in some fashion.
First Sunday in Lent
Dear friends in Christ
We have begun Lent this year conscious of the unspeakable acts of terror in the Ukraine.
Dear friends in Christ
We have begun Lent this year conscious of the unspeakable acts of terror in the Ukraine. Our brothers and sisters there are experiencing terrible suffering as they struggle to defend their country and preserve their human rights and life itself. We are doing what we can from afar: assisting by the charity of our prayers and also with what practical means we can muster. Aid to the Church in Need is on the frontline of charitable assistance to Ukrainians. If you can help, you will find this link takes you to the ACN website where you can donate: https://acnuk.org/news/ukraine-charity-rolls-out-emergency-aid/
In the meantime, we have entered the holy season of Lent: forty days preparation for Easter. Every First Sunday of Lent we hear one of the accounts given by the Evangelists, of Jesus’ temptations in the wilderness. By prayer and mortification, Jesus was able to repel the onslaught of the Evil One. This will be true for us too. If we pray and exercise self-control, we shall be fortified and empowered for the spiritual battles we face. Peace comes—in nations, and in our souls—as a result of that constant struggle to maintain order and harmony. These days of Lent provide us with the yearly opportunity to exercise courage and bravery in the interior battles we all experience.
Please remember to pray for all those within our Parish Family who are making their final preparations for the Sacraments: those who will be Received into the Church at Easter (and will this Sunday meet the Bishop); the First Communicants; our young adults for Confirmation; the engaged couples…all of whom are looking forward in faith to being regenerated and renewed by the grace of Jesus Christ in His Sacraments.
May Mary, Queen of Peace and Help of Christians, come to our aid. May St Michael the Archangel, assist us in the day of battle. May God bless you all this Lent!
Msgr Kevin Hale
First Sunday of Lent
First Sunday of Lent
5.30pm Mass The People of the Parish
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
8am Mass Intentions of Franchesca, Joseph & William Conlu
9.30am Mass Bernard Ward, RIP (Anniv) (MW)
11.30am Mass Madelaine Sighe, RIP (Anniv) (MR)
4pm Mass Maureen & Janice Bridge RIP & Holy Souls (EP)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Monday 7
Feria
9am Mass Intention of Joe Hurley (JH)
Tuesday 8 March
Feria
9am Mass In Thanksgiving to the Clergy (G&JA)
Wednesday 9
Feria
9am Mass Mary Porter, RIP (AC)
Thursday 10
Feria
9am Mass Sheila de Chantilly, RIP (G&JA)
Friday 11
Feria
12Noon Mass Marian Payne, RIP
7pm Way of the Cross & Benediction
Saturday 12 March
Feria
10am Mass Eileen Condon & Family (T&RO’C)
10.30-11.30am: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
Sunday 13 March
Second Sunday of Lent
5.30pm Mass The People of the Parish
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
8am Mass Anita Robinson, RIP (LM)
9.30am Mass Special Intentions of The Nye Family (SM)
11.30am Mass Mervyn Calton, RIP (RC)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
We Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries
Canon Joseph Whitfield, Fr Thomas Lawton, Fr John Gordon, Fr Edmund Meyer, Fr Maurice Roche, Mgr Canon David Michael Corley, Ena Bartley, Mary Smith, Doris Conner, Danielle Sutherland, Sandra McGran, Philip Thomas, Anthony Vonlon, Hannah harris, Johnathan Grindley, Granley Rumsey, John Stephen Burke, Miss Sydney Compton, Edward Baigent, Elsie Killman, Janet Harris, Conor Joseph Whitfield, Teresa Rumsey, Henry Delaney, John Button, Constance Ryan, Joyce Quinn, Pamela Jones, Peggy Choppin, Vincent Ingham, Christopher Tyler, Joe Swann, Theresa Ketterer, Joseph Collins, Lionel Clarke, Richard Young, Margaret Houston, Benjamin Dawson, Leo King, Edith Smith, Eileen Greaves.