200 Club
Thank you for your membership of the 200 Club. With your continued support, over the past two years the money raised from this has been used to repair the Bells and, more recently, restoration works. Although the 200 Club was started primarily to raise money for the new Parish Centre, now the money is being used to finance repairs or items required in the Church.
However, membership numbers are falling, mainly due to the loss of parishioners who have passed away. We now have 38 vacancies. If you would like to join the 200 Club, there are forms to fill in at the back of the Church or, alternatively, please ring Linda Wall on 01702 558217.
We Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries
Fr William Luby, Canon Martin Horkan, Fr Donal Donegal, Rev John O’Neill, Fr Justin Dawson, George Burnham, Lydia Upton, Maura Harley, Eric Wilding, Stefan Gyms, Frank Keenan (Snr), Philip Hale, Eleanor Hayes, June Hazel White, David McGowan, George Conway, James Kennedy, Kathleen Hosford, Julian Felix Asselberghs, Catherine Isobel Jago, Anthony Slattery, Mary Russell, Henry McIlwee, Nina Clarke, Alfred Marshall, Dolores Cutter, John Flynn, Gabrielle Haiser, Henry De Souza, Andrew Shanahan, John Moon, Guy Bragard, Eric Newman, Doreen Wall, Margaret Foster, Mary Blundell, Dorothy Burke & Lesley Dorey.
We Pray for our Sick
Gerry Clarke, Dominic De Souza, Val Tisi, Ann Owen, Gerry Clark, Roland Clark, Kenneth Biebuyck, Zach Stokes, Andrew Stokes, Noel Conroy, Marjorie Jay, Paul Sutton, John Murphy, Mary Monaghan, Jennifer Biebuyck, Moira Scott, Jill Yates, Leonora Maguire, Brian Mountier, Renata Butler, Margaret Bartle, Tony Downey, Kristy Monferrari, Fred Ring, Ian Irwin, Russell Short, Marie Karaf, Garry Pearman, Patricia Ann Darroch, Peggy Larman, 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, Ben Wilson, Christian Ryan, Mike Rubbert, Tina Doveaston, Addi Brady, Patricia Fleming, Nicky Wigmore, Rose Craft, Patricia Spikin, Sandra Fagan, Edna Wallace, Beryl Dixon, Nick Evans, Vicky Jack, Mary Boyce, Kristin Hallenga, Anne O’Neill, Cheryl Shallis, 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, Norma McCleverty, Belinda Balazsi, Johnnie Pool, Edward Martin, Joanna Luciani, Pauline Wilsher, Simon Marshall, Kriston Barnes, Hugh Isaacs, Josephine Griggs, Dawn Deleigh, Lorraine Hart, Linda Dean, Georgina Cornwell, Antonella McConalogue, Sharon Levill, Annie Holland, Ivor & Joanne Knight, Brian Beresford, Rebecca Peake, Connor Bourke, Mattia Mollica, Bernadette Lane, Irena Solecki, Ianto Bellis, Marguerite Harris, Andrew Exley, Elizabeth McConalogue, Kean Smith, Keith Maliff, Bradley & children: Thomas Ball, Liam Davis, Connie Price, Albert Chambers, Fergus Grant, Mary Isherwood, Lucy Price & Frazer Gregory.
We Pray for the Repose of the Souls of
MARY TERESA RIGDEN, RIP who died on 15th February. Her Requiem Mass will be on Wednesday, 16th March at 10.30am followed by committal at Sutton Road Cemetery.
TOM O’CALLAGHAN, RIP who died on 9th March. Funeral details to follow.
Requiescant in pace
Ukraine Appeal
We thank you all sincerely for the volunteer support and donations appeal for Ukraine. All the donations that have been collected either at Rayleigh Megacentre, Our Lady of Ransom or Leigh Community Centre will be making their way to Moldova in the safe hands of the charity UK AID https://www.uk-aid.org/ via Megacentre Rayleigh who forged this link. At this time we have ceased collecting donations. Thank you ALL. The response from this local area has been staggering.
If anyone would like to know how to offer further practical support this can be made through Aid to the Church In Need:
https://acnuk.org/news/ukraine-charity-rolls-out-emergency-aid/
or via the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in London:
https://www.ucc-gb.com/post/helpukraine-emergency-appeal
These Charities are working on the front-line to bring humanitarian relief and the funds will go there directly.
Sanctuary Lamp
The Sanctuary Lamp burns for the intentions of the Dec’d Relatives & Friends of Norman & Sue Hibbert & the Intentions of Oscar (20.2.22)
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.