Music at 11.30am Mass on Sunday
Prelude: Improvisation on the Introit 'Oculi mei semper and Dominum'
Postlude: Jesus Christus, unser Heiland BWV 665 - J S Bach (1685-1750)
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.
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.
Donation to Aid to the Church in Need
Thank you for your kind gift to Aid to the Church in Need; we really appreciate your solidarity with those who are suffering at this time. We gratefully acknowledge the sum of £1,000 received by us at ACN UK which we are assigning according to your wishes; to help those suffering in Ukraine.
As you stand with ACN you are supporting those in such need, as we work with the local Church – through Bishops, Priests, Sisters and the faithful. From Syria to Ukraine, and in more than 130 countries, you and the dear friends of ACN offer the Hope of Christ amidst so much suffering. Thank you!
As a bishop in Ukraine once said to me, so pertinently for today: “The help from your benefactors is our existence. You are assured of our daily prayers in all your own needs and difficulties. Thank you. For you are the Amen of our prayers for this people of suffering - and we have hope.”
May you be truly blessed and may Our loving Lord support you in your faithful endeavours this Lent. You are in the hearts, prayers and Masses of those helped by your charity.
Gift Aid Envelopes
Please note that boxes of Gift Aid envelopes for the forthcoming tax year 2022/2023 are now available at the back of the Church. Would you advise the Parish office if you do not find your numbered box.
Alternative methods of making donations can be made online via the Parish website or by using the contactless payment facility. You may also wish to open a Standing Order and forms are also available.
Thank you for your continued support.
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.
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!
Bereavement Support Group
We are pleased to announce that the Bereavement Support Group will start again on Tuesday, 22nd March and will meet 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.
Parish Fundraising
Thank you to everyone who supports the 200 Club. The results of the February draw are as follows:
1st prize £150 41 Mr S Ravinet
2nd Prize £100 184 Mrs A Peoples
3rd Prize £75 78 Mr Martin O’Brien
4th Prize £25 24 Miss A Emmerson
Please remember: if you move house, please notify me of your change of address. Yet again, we have had two families move away without notifying us of their new address and we have been unable to process their winning cheques.
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.
Rosaries for Vietnam
A parish in Vietnam has asked for rosaries! If you have any additional rosaries (full and intact!) at home in cupboards or drawers and would like to respond to this request, please place the rosaries in the box we have placed at the back of the Church for this purpose. We are collecting up until Sunday, 3rd April, after which we shall parcel up the donations and send them to our fellow Catholics in Vietnam! Thank you if you are able to help!
Brentwood Catholic Children's Society
Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society has several charity Gold Bond places for the TCS London Marathon taking place on the iconic London course on Sunday 2rd October 2022. If you would like to be considered for one of our places and think you could raise a fundraising total of £1800 before Gift Aid, please email Julie jabbott@bccs.org.uk All information is available on our website where our application form can be downloaded: https://www.bccs.org.uk/fundraising-and-events/all-events/tcs-london-marathon
Please note that the closing date for applications is Friday 8th April.
Save the Date! Saturday 3rd September 2022.
The March for life (M4L) will take place on Saturday 3rd September 2022. The theme this year is ’10 Million Too Many’ since to date around 10 million children have been legally aborted in the UK.
Vicariate for Adult Formation
THRESHOLDS OF HOPE QUESTION: What does it mean to talk about Christ as our Redeemer? Input will be given by Mgr John Armitage on Sunday 20th March 4.00 – 5.00 p.m. via Zoom. To join this Zoom meeting simply forward a contact email to adultformationvicariate@dioceseofbrentwood.org. For more information go towww.thresholdsofhope.co.uk
Walsingham House Team 2022/23
Be part of the Walsingham House Team 2022/23: If you will be 18+ in September, and are looking for an exciting gap year opportunity, deepening teamworking and practical skills in a context of youth leadership, and developing your faith, then a year on the Walsingham House Team could be perfect for you. For more information please contact Joseph Beattie, by emailing josephbeattie@dioceseofbrentwood.org or calling 01277 373959. There is an open afternoon from 2-4pm on Sunday 10th April; for more information and to register, go to www.bcys.net/events/whopenday/
Is God calling you to be a Priest?
The next Enquirers’ Evening for those considering or interested in a vocation to the priesthood is on Tuesday 5th April at St Edmund of Canterbury Church in Loughton. The speaker will be Mgr Kevin Hale.
For further information please contact Fr Mark Swires vocprom@dioceseofbrentwood.org
Live Simply Recycling Sack
Last chance to de clutter and raise funds for CAFOD! Our recycling sack is nearly full and we will be sending it off in a couple of weeks.
Many thanks to all who have donated their old phones, watches, cameras, game consoles and used stamps.
If you have any of these items which you no longer use, please place them in the pink sack at the back of the Church and CAFOD will earn much needed money. Live Simply Group
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.
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.