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
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
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear friends in Christ
The second reading from the Letter to the Hebrews at Mass this weekend gives us multiple examples of the faith of Abraham.
Dear friends in Christ
The second reading from the Letter to the Hebrews at Mass this weekend gives us multiple examples of the faith of Abraham. They remind us that his faith was put to the test, even to the point of him being required to sacrifice his only son, Isaac. Often we find that our faith is tested too. Sometimes the response can be one of anger and confusion. At others times we accept that God is trying our faith in order to increase it so that we can see there is no alternative but to trust in Him unconditionally. Through faith, we know with certainty the fundamental truths of human existence: that we are made for heaven and therefore all else should be ordered and subordinated to this supreme end. Our Lord wants to help us reach this goal with an abundance of supernatural means. The passage from the Letter to the Hebrews reminds us that nothing should dishearten us on the road to holiness because we know of three basic truths: God is all powerful; God has a great love for me; God is faithful to His promises. It was hope and certainty that allowed Abraham to do as God wanted and to trust him even at those moments when he could not see clearly why God was asking something of him. In like manner, we trust God for everything we have and are, and above all what we need for ourselves, as we pray in the Act of Hope: My God, I hope in You for grace and for glory, because of Your promises, Your mercy, and Your power.
Next weekend we shall be celebrating the Assumption of Our Blessed Lady into Heaven. (The feast is transferred from Monday, 15th). We shall reflect on this truth, as we do each year, as a spur to our seeking holiness and the life of Heaven where she has gone—body and soul—before us.
God bless you in these days of rest and holiday!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday 7th August
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Liturgy:
Readings of Year C
The Nicene Creed
Preface of Sunday 7
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
Monday 8
St Dominic, Pr
9am Mass Michael Edwards, RIP (Anniv) (KE)
Tuesday 9
St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, V, M
9am Mass Jim Monaghan, RIP (JA)
Wednesday 10
St Lawrence, Deacon, M
9am Mass Roy Waghorn, RIP (KP)
Thursday 11
St Clare, V
9am Mass Valerie Tisi, RIP (MF)
Friday 12
St Jane Frances de Chantal, Rel
12Noon Mass Liam Armstrong, RIP (JA)
Saturday 13
Ss Pontian, P, and Hippolytus, Pr, Mm
10am Mass Tom O' Callaghan, RIP (RB)
10.30-11.30am: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
Sunday 14
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
5.30pm Mass Norbert Widera, RIP (Anniv) (C&SF)
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
8am Mass Mary Leftley, RIP (L&KW)
9.30am Mass The People of the Parish
11.30am Mass Charles de Souza-99th birthday (MF)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
We Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries
Fr Henry Tilley, Fr David Coghlan, Fr Hugh Verity, Fr David Papworth, Phylis Glazebrook, Peter Matthews, Carice Gannon, Margaret Taylor, /sheila Mazzag, teresa Baxter, Lilian Sutton, Andrea Ugliest, Maria Figg, Richard Collins, Ethel Morgan, Patrick Blissett, Daran Persaud, Lily de Lobel, Maria Robinson, Vincent Glauda, Teresa Booty, Doris Lowe, Leonard Stevenson, Christopher Barrago, William Smith, Joseph Herinckx, Ronald Hall, Les Smith, Len Murray, James Jones, Dawn Pursey, John Dillon & Gerard Rodgers.
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 intentions of Anna Kilcoyne, RIP and the Irwin Family.
We Pray for the Repose of the Souls of
ANNE SHIRLEY OWEN, RIP who died on Wednesday, 27th July. Her body will be received into the church on Thursday, 25th August at 5pm and her Requiem Mass will take place on Friday, 26th August at 11am followed by committal at Sutton Road Cemetery.
FR RICHARD ROWE, RIP who died peacefully in hospital on Friday morning.
Requiescant in pace
Music at 11.30am Mass on Sunday
Prelude: Couplet, Glorificamus Te (Messe pour les convents) - François Couperin (1668-1733)
Postlude: Tiento de Noveno Tono - Francisco Correa de Arauxo (c.1575-1654)
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.
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