Dates for your Diary
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
Parish Pilgrimage to Lourdes (24 - 29 July 2022)
The pilgrimage has been confirmed and booking has now closed. Due to limited seats available with the airline, we already have a stand-by waiting list.
All parishioners who have registered and have been accepted, will be required to complete and return their booking forms before midday on Monday 11th April. After this date, any places unfilled will be assigned to those on our waiting-list.
This year, the booking form will be available for completion online; a link to the form will be available from the parish office from Monday 4th April. Alternatively, please give your full name, preferred contact number, email address and those with whom you intend to travel (if applicable) to the parish office, the link can then be emailed directly to you. A hardcopy can be requested from the parish office.
Our travel arrangements this year will be handled by Anam Cara Travel; whom we have used in the past.
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.
Ukraine Appeal
If anyone would like to offer further practical support for the Ukraine, 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.
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!
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.
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
Bereavement Support Group
We are pleased to announce that the Bereavement Support Group has re- started and meets every third Tuesday of each month. Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, 19th April.
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.
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.
Leadership Vacancies in Diocesan Schools for September
Headteacher St Alban’s Primary, Elm Park
Headteacher St Joseph’s Primary, Upminster
Headteacher Holy Family Secondary School, Walthamstow
Deputy Headteacher St Mary’s, Tilbury
Deputy Headteacher St Alban’s, Elm Park.
Deputy Headteacher, St Joseph’s Primary School, Harwich
Details of all positions can be found at the following link https://www.dioceseofbrentwood.net/departments/education/vacancies/school-vacancies/
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.
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/
Missio-Red Box Holders
I have received the Spring Missio Magazines. If you have not received one from me personally please take one from the ledge at the back of church. If there are any boxes that need emptying please let me have them or leave them in the office for me to collect. Thank you Joan Caunce Secretary 01268 757505
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!
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.
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.
Fourth Sunday in Lent
Dear friends in Christ
There are several considerations on this Fourth Sunday of Lent.
Dear friends in Christ
There are several considerations on this Fourth Sunday of Lent. The first comes at the start of the Mass in the words of the Introit or Entrance Antiphon: Laetare Jerusalem… Rejoice, Jerusalem, and all who love her… The joy that the Church celebrates on this Sunday is paradoxically the result of the Cross. There can be no day in our Christian lives without the Cross, but borne and lived with joy. This optimism and lightness of heart makes it possible to live in the world confident as children of God. It also reminds us that Easter is only three weeks away, and therefore to keep-up our spiritual warfare.
The second consideration comes from the Gospel of the Mass: The Parable of the Prodigal Son. Here Jesus gives us a complete catechesis or teaching on the Sacrament of Penance, Confession. We know the story so well: the son leaves home and squanders his inheritance, finds himself destitute, returns home contrite, and the father welcomes him with open arms. As in the Sacrament those four stages of: sorrow, confession of sins, absolution and penance. Use this Lent to discover again the mercy of God and the joy that comes from receiving pardon.
Thirdly, we think of all mothers on this Sunday and how their untiring love keeps us safe and secure. We thank God for the gift of motherhood by which we can know something of the tender love of Almighty God. St Thérèse of Lisieux puts it beautifully: The loveliest masterpiece of the Heart of God is the heart of a mother.
Last Friday—The Annunciation—Pope Francis joined with Bishops around the world to make the Act of Consecration of Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Let us have great confidence, that by this collegial act, the hearts of the people of violence may be converted before it is too late.
God bless you!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Fourth Sunday of Lent
Fourth Sunday of Lent-Laetare Sunday
Liturgy:
Readings of Year C
The Apostles’ Creed
Preface of Lent 2
5.30pm Mass The People of the Parish
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
8am Mass Lucille Tarrobel, RIP
9.30am Mass Barbara Ann Neagle, RIP (Anniv) (DB)
11.30am Mass John Joseph Swann (Joe), RIP (Anniv) (MD)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Monday 28
Feria
9am Mass Intentions of James, Ryan and Edelberto Visperas
Tuesday 29
Feria
9am Mass Patrick McCarthy, RIP (T&RO’C)
Wednesday 30
Feria
9am Mass Patrick Ignatius, RIP (Anniv) (RP)
Thursday 31
Feria
9am Mass For peace in the Ukraine
5pm Body in Church Tom O’Callaghan, RIP
Friday 1 April
Feria
9.45am Requiem Mass Tom O’Callaghan, RIP
12Noon Mass Pamela Ball, RIP (JA)
12.30pm Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament until
7-8pm Holy Hour & Benediction
Saturday 2 April
Feria
10am Mass Intentions of Chelsea, William and Joseph Conlu
10.30-11.30am: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
Sunday 3 April
Fifth Sunday of Lent
5.30pm Mass Intentions of Dominic de Souza (LdS)
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
8am Mass The People of the Parish
9.30am Mass Private Intention of Aneta Ausareny (AA)
11.30am Mass Intentions of Anne Bonifacio (CH)
4pm Mass Dec'd Members of the Beech & Fegan Families (JC)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
We Pray for the dead on their Anniversaries
Fr Joseph Tuohey, Canon William Toft, Pope John Paul II, Leo Winter, Jane Adamson, Herbert Maddocks, Pamela Shenstone, Anne Jennett, Winifred Edith Lawson, Ellen Mary O’Connor, Hugh Devine, Kathleen (Kit) Collins, Ann Turner, Frederick Duggans, Bessie Higgle, Sheila Townsend, Veronica Redhouse, Bartholemew Guihen, Alan Read, Geraldine Gwilliam, Herbert Robertson, Mary Leonard, Marjorie Nolan, Eugene Read, Winifred Maguire, Albert Thorne, Ronald Black, Daisy Spicer, Vera Stuart, Lt Cdr James Scott, Marjorie Bowen, Leslie Poole, Stella Finn, Jean Bethell, Vi Coveney, Christine Fisher & Patrick Maloney.