Retrouvaille: A Programme for Couples Struggling in their Marriages
Help Your Marriage – Do you feel alone? Are you frustrated or angry with each other? Do you argue … or have you just stopped talking to each other? Does talking about it only make it worse? Retrouvaille is a programme to support couples who have difficulties in their marriage. It brings a positive focus, new hope and helps nourish and grow your marriage. Tens of thousands of couples headed for divorce have successfully saved their marriages by attending and using the tools provided. The programme helps spouses uncover or re-awaken the love, trust and commitment that originally brought them together. It helps them through difficult times whether they are disillusioned or in deep misery. There is no group therapy or group work. For confidential information about ‘Retrouvaille’ or to register for the next programme commencing with a Virtual weekend on 13 - 16 October 2022 or a Face to Face weekend in Welwyn Garden City on 24 - 26 February 2023, call or text 07887 296983 or 07973 380443 or email retrouvailleukinfo@gmail.com - or visit www.retrouvaille.org.uk
Children's Liturgy
We are hoping to start children's liturgy at 9.30am Mass every Sunday in September. It will be open for children aged 3-11, Pre-School to Year 6.
To lighten the load of all involved, we would be grateful for more volunteers from the parish family. We are hoping to offer liturgy on a rota basis, perhaps volunteering once a month. Help and support will always be given and the plan is to split children into an infant and junior group, run by two adults for each session. If you feel you have an hour once a month to offer, please contact Sam Miller - 0787 967 6341.
Bereavement Support Group
The Bereavement Support Group will not be meeting during August, but If further information is required please contact Cynthia on 01702 477384 or the Parish Office.
The next meeting will be on Tuesday, 20th September at 2pm.
Transylvania: Religion, History & Culture
Fr Eduard Fartan from Holy Family in Benfleet is organising a Pilgrimage to Transylvania from 18th - 25th October 2022. The tour will include many beautiful churches and monasteries often set amongst the stunning Romanian countryside and focus on the melting pot of ancient cultures that have been present in the area. The cost will start be £850 for one place in a double room, with an additional charge of £165 for single occupancy. Flights, half board at 3 and 4 star hotels, travel in Romania and tour guides are included in the price. For more information or to register your interest please send an email to benfleet@dioceseofbrentwood.org
Sharing the Church's Story Conference
This Conference aims to bring people together for an experience of profound personal renewal and to be equipped for mission. With world-class speakers, including Bishop Robert Barron, panels, and moments of powerful prayer and worship, we are excited for what God will do through this event. The Conference takes place on Saturday 17th September in London, to find out more about this important conference and to book go to www.sharingthechurchsstory.com
Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear friends in Christ
The first reading of the Mass this Sunday opens with the well-known and sombre words: Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.
Dear friends in Christ
The first reading of the Mass this Sunday opens with the well-known and sombre words: Vanity of vanities, all is vanity. The brevity of life is also dwelt upon by Jesus in the Gospel, and how we must be ready for the moment God calls us to Himself, and not be more concerned with accumulating treasure on earth. A persons life is not made secure by what he owns, even if he has more than he needs. Time here on earth is one of testing. On a certain day the Lord will come to settle the accounts with us, to determine how well or ill we have administered His gifts. These include our intelligence, health, material goods, capacity for friendship, and the power to spread joy to those around us. When He comes to bring us home, God should find us well-prepared. This means that we are not tied-down to the things of the world. Inasmuch as the good things of this world are intended for the glory of God, and secondarily for our happiness and well-being, we should aim to live detached, not complaining when we don’t have what we would like. In these times of economic hardship—relatively speaking—we should attempt to identify with those who have much less than ourselves and who struggle. Our meditation on the things of eternity will always be a good antidote against sin and for giving us a proper Christian perspective on life.
We returned from our Lourdes Pilgrimage Friday evening, after a safe and full few days. We thank God and His Blessed Mother for the graces we hopefully have been given. Although it was a smaller group than usual (200) we hope that next year travel will have returned to greater normality. I would particularly like to acknowledge the contribution our young adults made to the Pilgrimage—there were seven from our own Parish—they were at all times cheerful, helpful and dedicated in all they did!
I hope that many of us can enjoy some holiday-time in this coming month, and that we don't forget our Sunday duty to celebrate Holy Mass wherever we are and with whomever we are with.
God bless you!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday 31st July
Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Liturgy:
Readings of Year C
The Nicene Creed
Preface of Sunday 6
5.30pm Mass Elizabeth Pallis, RIP & Arthur Joseph Mills, RIP (Anniv) (D&JL)
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
8am Mass The People of the Parish
9.30am Mass Valerie Tisi, RIP (SVP)
11.30am Mass Paul Pham Van Loc, Anne Hoang, Paul Do Dinh Chuomy & Holy Souls
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Monday 1 August
St Alphonsus Liguori, Bp, D
9am Mass Robert & Marian Caunce, RIP (JC)
Tuesday 2
St Peter Julian Eymard, Pr
10.15am Requiem Mass David Dilley, RIP
Wednesday 3
Feria
9am Mass Clare Chadwick, RIP (Anniv) (MI)
Thursday 4
St John Vianney (Curé of Ars), Pr
9am Mass Maureen Mann, RIP (Anniv) (RM)
Friday 5
Dedication of the Basilica of St Mary Major-First Friday
12Noon Mass Dominic De Souza, RIP (SVP)
No Exposition this Friday
Saturday 6
Transfiguration of the Lord
10am Mass Charles & Alice Whitefield, RIP (FM)
10.30-11.30am: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
Sunday 7
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
5.30pm Mass Diana Underwood, RIP (Anniv) (RB)
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
8am Mass Lily de Lobel, RIP (Anniv) (JL)
9.30am Mass Intentions of Foyster Family (MF)
11.30am Mass The People of the Parish
4pm Mass Tom O'Callaghan, RIP (LM)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
We Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries
Pope Paul VI, Fr Michael O’Sullivan, Fr Thomas Jordan, Deacon Frederick Wall, Mary Ellen Fiddes, Eleanor Lawson, Sylvia Gosling, Ethel Warwick, Olive Scott-Hansen, Winifred Bailey, Bernard Martin, Frances Murray, Teresa Fitzgerald, Max Button, Margaret Ring, Noel Auger, Cecelia Newton, Phyllis Fairman, John Higgins, Maureen Mann, Walter Owen, Stella Blackburn, Sister Vincent, Catherine Hayes, Timothy O’Shea, Anthony Poulton, Denise McDermott, Jim Collins, John Joseph Sanford, Phyllis Mabel Burke, Arthur Holdstock, Michael Christopher Edwards & Michael Bourke.
We Pray for our Sick
David Lesley, Tony Tisi, 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, 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, John Lavery, Paul Keane, Rosemary Bragard, Pat Lynch, Maureen Gooding, Ben Wilson, Christian Ryan, 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, German Morfin, Bradley & children: Thomas Ball, Liam Davis, Connie Price, Albert Chambers, Fergus Grant, Mary Isherwood, Lucy Price, Frazer Gregory & baby Forest Gallagher.
Sanctuary Lamp
The Sanctuary Lamp burns for the living and deceased members of the Hiscock and Mapson Families.
Music at 11.30am Mass on Sunday
Prelude: Domine Deus, Chromhorne en Taille (Messe pour les couvents) - François Couperin (1668-1733)
Postlude: Prelude and Fugue in E minor, BWV 533 - J S Bach (1685-1750)
Response to Psalm
First Holy Communion
If your child is in Year 3 or above and you would like them to make their First Holy Communion in May 2023, please submit the online form which can be found on the parish website under Sacraments - Communion.
Please note that the deadline for submitting forms is Monday, 5th September 2022.
Dates for your Diary
Saturday 10th September—Flower Festival
Monday 19th September—Journey in Faith-RCIA commences.
Children's Liturgy
We are hoping to start children's liturgy at 9.30am Mass every Sunday in September. It will be open for children aged 3-11, Pre-School to Year 6.
To lighten the load of all involved, we would be grateful for more volunteers from the parish family. We are hoping to offer liturgy on a rota basis, perhaps volunteering once a month. Help and support will always be given and the plan is to split children into an infant and junior group, run by two adults for each session. If you feel you have an hour once a month to offer, please contact Sam Miller - 0787 967 6341.
Bereavement Support Group
The Bereavement Support Group will not be meeting during August, but If further information is required please contact Cynthia on 01702 477384 or the Parish Office.
The next meeting will be on Tuesday, 20th September at 2pm.
Sharing the Church's Story Conference
This Conference aims to bring people together for an experience of profound personal renewal and to be equipped for mission. With world-class speakers, including Bishop Robert Barron, panels, and moments of powerful prayer and worship, we are excited for what God will do through this event. The Conference takes place on Saturday 17th September in London, to find out more about this important conference and to book go to www.sharingthechurchsstory.com
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear friends in Christ
Th readings of the MAss this weekend deal with Prayer.
Dear friends in Christ
The readings of the Mass this weekend deal with Prayer. Abraham gives us a moving example of pleading with God to save those cities that had offended God. Jesus gives His disciples the model of all Prayer, when they ask Him to teach them. However we pray, humility is the prerequisite. We have to always approach God humbly, like poor people with out-stretched hands, seeking with gratitude anything that he chooses to grant us. Let us think of ourselves as the children of God, our Father, and like all those in the Gospel, ask him humbly and sincerely for what we need. Above all remember, prayer is never in vain!
This month the Community of the Norbertines in Chelmsford will be leaving our Diocese to take-on a larger church and Parish in Peckham, south London. Last Wednesday I preached at their final Mass of Thanksgiving and was able to offer gratitude on behalf of our Diocese, for all that they have contributed to life here over the last fourteen years. We offer them our prayers and good wishes as they embark on their new apostolate in the Archdiocese of Southwark.
This Sunday afternoon we depart on the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes; it has been three years since the last one and there is a great senses of anticipation amongst the pilgrims. We are a small group from our Parish as the numbers are limited this year, but there will be four of our young adults joining the youth wing of the Pilgrimage. Be assured that we will hold our Parish Family in our hearts and in our prayers as we spend these days together at Our Lady’s shrine.
May God bless you all.
Msgr Kevin Hale
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday 24th July
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
MONTH OF THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHRIST
Liturgy:
Readings of Year C
The Nicene Creed
Preface of Sunday 5
5.30pm Mass Charles & Margaret Kelly, RIP (MS)
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
8am Mass Samuel Patchai, RIP (Anniv) (RP)
9.30am Mass Valerie Tisi, RIP (CC)
11.30am Mass The People of the Parish
NO VESPERS OR BENEDICTION
Monday 25
St James, Ap
9am Mass Roland Clark, RIP (MD)
Tuesday 26
Ss Joachim & Anne, Parents of the BVM
9am Mass Intentions of Sister Elizabeth Mary (RM)
Wednesday 27
Feria
9am Mass Tom Lydon, RIP (SVP)
Thursday 28
Feria
9am Mass Tom O'Callaghan, RIP (SVP)
Friday 29
Ss Martha, Mary & Lazarus
12Noon Mass Intentions Lambert Family—Anniv of Ruth (LL)
Saturday 30
St Peter Chrysologus, Bp, D
10am Mass Paul Swann, RIP (Anniv) (MD)
10.30-11.30am: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
Sunday 31
Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
5.30pm Mass Elizabeth Pallis, RIP & Arthur Joseph Mills, RIP (Anniv) (D&JL)
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
8am Mass The People of the Parish
9.30am Mass Valerie Tisi, RIP (SVP)
11.30am Mass Paul Pham Van Loc, Anne Hoang, Paul Do Dinh Chuomy & Holy Souls
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
We Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries
Fr John Boardman Jones, Fr Michael Hannan, Fr Dermot Moore, Fr James Cooney, Fr John Harding, Fr John Jones, Eva Bartley, Silvester Smolarczyk, Marie Ann Brand, John Maguire, Stefan Nowacki, John O’Brien, Gertrude Mortelman, Daisy Houlihan, Frederick James Hardy, Mrs Pearle, David Bain, Margaret Hughes, Bertha Dock-Olsen, Emma Alexander, Mirren Button, Dorothy Pogue, Basil Hall, Ruth Lambert, Rory Forge, Richard Wallner, Leo Francis Ring, Pearl Swann, Irene (Molly) Kerry, Irene Hall, Caroline Richards & Wendy Morgan.