Sanctuary Lamp
The Sanctuary Lamp burns for the intentions of the Lawrence Family and Thanksgiving for God’s Healing.
We Pray for the Repose of the Soul of
VALERIE MARGARET HUNTLEY, RIP who died on Friday, 19th August. Her Requiem Mass will take place on Wednesday, 14th September at 10.15am followed by committal at Southend Crematorium.
Requiescat in pace
Music at 11.30am Mass on Sunday
Prelude: Movements from 'Visions de l'Abbeye de Senanque - Eugene Reuchsel (1900-1988)
Postlude: Movements I & II (Suite Gothique) - Léon Boëllman (1862-1897)
Response to Psalm
Dates for your Diary
Saturday 10th September—Flower Festival
Monday 19th September—Journey in Faith-RCIA commences.
Flower & Arts Festival - 10th September
Our Annual Flower & Arts Festival is fast approaching! This year will be difficult due to the prolonged drought which means that there are far fewer flowers and foliage around. Flowers are also very expensive to buy, so we would be very grateful for any donations of flowers or plants. These could be delivered to the parish centre on Friday 9th September after 9.30am.
We also ask you to invite friends and neighbours to visit our beautiful church on Saturday, 10th September to experience what has always been a wonderful and prayerful occasion. The theme this year is Christian Feasts & Festivals.
Please do try to visit the church yourselves on 10th September. Refreshments will be available in the parish centre.
Huge thanks to all who are contributing to the Festival this year.
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.
Sea of Voices Community Choir
Our Sea of Voices choir returns to rehearsals from Thursday 8th September onwards at the Parish Centre meeting from 7.30pm, for singing from 8pm to 9.30pm. Subs are £3 each session, part of which goes to the Church.
Any parishioner or friends who fancy singing with us can join or rejoin us for our Autumn season and we hope to do some performances in December as in previous years.
Please contact Darrell on 07825686249 or email manybindings@hotmail.co.uk if you are interested or know someone who may be. Particularly interested in more Bass and tenor singers to join our sopranos and altos!
Vocations Talks for Enquirers
The next “Enquirers’ Evening” for those considering or interested in a vocation to the priesthood is on Tuesday, 6th September at St Edmund of Canterbury Church in Loughton. The speaker will be Bishop Alan.
For further information please contact Fr Mark Swires vocprom@dioceseofbrentwood.org
Relics Tour
As a reminder, the relics will be visiting Brentwood Cathedral on 16/17 October and Our Lady of Lourdes, Wanstead on 18 October. Those wishing to attend should register through the tour website in order to manage numbers safely: (https://stbernadette.org.uk) Registration - St Bernadette
Church Courtyard Parking
Please use only the allocated bays for parking in the courtyard of the church. If there are no vacant bays this means the courtyard is full. You can also use on-road parking! Please DO NOT double-park or block-in others. Also, please do not drive across the West doors of the church. These directives are for the health and safety of everyone.
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.
The Universe Catholic Weekly
The Universe Catholic Weekly is thrilled to announce that we have launched our new online newspaper with the full support of our first subscriber, none other than His Eminence Cardinal Vincent Nichols.
Order your Digital 4 weeks FREE introductory offer by calling Michelle on 0743 661 7650 or email: michelle.jones@universecatholicweekly.co.uk
We invite you to submit articles/news and celebrations about your local parish activities.
Michelle Jones, Circulation Sales Manager
Email:-michelle.jones@universecatholicweekly.co.uk
Mobile:- 0743 661 7650
Website: www.universecatholicweekly.co.uk
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
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
Parish Administrator Vacancy at Our Lady Help of Christians and St Helen, Westcliff
The successful applicant will ideally be an administrator with substantial experience in office organisation. They must have excellent communication and Microsoft office skills, including Word and Excel and financial experience.
Hours: 16 hours per week.
Apply by sending a CV and covering letter (no longer than A4) to westcliff@dioceseofbrentwood.org
Closing date for applications is 30th August 2022 and Interviews to take place 13th September 2022.
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
Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear friends in Christ
Running through the readings of the Mass this Sunday, is the call to salvation.
Dear friends in Christ
Running through the readings of the Mass this Sunday, is the call to salvation. This is why the Church exists and what Jesus came to bring—salvation. God wants everyone to be saved; He desires everyone to be with Him in Heaven. When Jesus is asked in the Gospel: Will everyone be saved? He doesn't answer directly but instead exhorts us to enter by the narrow gate. They ask Him about numbers but He speaks about the manner. And He goes on to teach them that in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven—which is the only thing that counts—it is not enough to belong to the Chosen People, or to have a false confidence in Him. What is required is a faith joined with good works, the kind of faith to which we have all been called. In addition, Our Lord wants us all to play a part in His mission to save mankind. Those of us who follow Jesus Christ have a definitive responsibility to help others find and enter the narrow door that leads to salvation. As the Second Vatican Council stated: Inserted as they are into the Mystical Body of Christ by Baptism and strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit in Confirmation, it is by the Lord Himself that they are assigned to the apostolate. All of us Catholics, whatever our age or backgrounds, in all circumstances of life, are called to bear witness to Christ all the world over (Apostolicam actuositatem, 3).
Our Lord needs us to light up the way of salvation for others. We have to do this even if we don’t think we are very good at it, or that we are so few for what has to be done. God will multiply our strength. We are within the octave of Mary’s Assumption into Heaven and as the Queen of Apostles she remains ever our help and guide towards the salvation we so desire.
God bless you!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary time
Sunday 21st August
Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time
Liturgy:
Readings of the Solemnity
The Nicene Creed
Preface of Sunday 8
5.30pm Mass Michael Rubbert, RIP (K&LW)
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
8am Mass The People of the Parish
9.30am Mass Una Young, RIP (Anniv) (LR)
11.30am Mass Intentions of Rita O’Callaghan (JA)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Monday 22
The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary
9am Mass Thomas Walsh, RIP (Anniv) (MC)
Tuesday 23
St Rose of Lima, V
9am Mass Margaret McFarlane, RIP (Anniv) (MW)
Wednesday 24
St Bartholomew, Ap
9am Mass Ann & Roger O'Boyle, RIP (MI)
Thursday 25
St Louis
9am Mass Eugene Renehan, RIP (Anniv) (MH)
5pm Body in Church Anne Owen, RIP
Friday 26
Blessed Dominic of the Mother of God, Pr
11am Requiem Mass Anne Owen, RIP
Saturday 27
St Monica
10am Mass Valerie Tisi, RIP (F&JO’B)
10.30-11.30am: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
Sunday 28
Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
5.30pm Mass Margaret Owens, RIP (Anniv) (SO)
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
8am Mass Roland Clark, RIP (M,C&NC)
9.30am Mass Marian Payne, RIP (Anniv) (VP)
11.30am Mass The People of the Parish
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction