We Pray for our Sick

James Fegan, Muriel Matthews, Charles D’Souza, David Lesley, 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, Johnny 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, Bradley & children: Thomas Ball, Liam Davis, Connie Price, Albert Chambers, Fergus Grant, Mary Isherwood, Lucy Price, Frazer Gregory & baby Forest Gallagher.

We Pray for the Repose of the Souls of

FR KIERAN DODD RIP—His Funeral will take place at SS Peter & Paul’s, Ilford on Thursday 10th November at 11.30am. Vigil—Wednesday 9th November at 7pm.

ESME ROBINSON RIP who died on Tuesday, 25th October. Her Requiem Mass will take place on Tuesday, 22nd November at 11am followed by committal at Sutton Road Cemetery.

DR NOEL HAYTER RIP who died on Friday, 28th October. His body will be received into the Church on Tuesday, 22nd November at 5pm and his Requiem Mass will take place on Wednesday, 23rd November at 11.45am followed by committal at Southend Crematorium.

Requiescant in pace

Music at 11.30am Mass on Sunday

Prelude: Recit tendre pour le nazard Gaspard Corette (c.1703)

Postlude: Grand Plein Jeu Gaspard Corette

Response to Psalm

Holy Souls Box

During November we customarily keep the memories of our Beloved Dead in our prayers. Their names can be placed under the Altar by using one of the envelopes at the back of church and placing it in the box provided, including an offering if you can, for Holy Souls Masses. In this way, we present them to God in the Masses and Offices during this month of the Holy Souls.

To obtain a Plenary Indulgence for Souls in Purgatory this November

Every year between 1–8 November the Church grants a plenary indulgence that can be applied only to the souls in purgatory. The faithful can receive this indulgence each of the eight days to apply to a particular soul — a parent, spouse, relative, friend, or anyone even unknown.

1) Pray At A Cemetery or in our Memorial Garden

The Church asks the faithful to visit a cemetery and pray for the deceased, even if only mentally. Some suggested prayers include the Prayer of St. Gertrude or the Eternal Rest prayer.

2) Go to Confession and receive Holy Communion

In order for one to obtain a plenary indulgence, whether it be for the poor souls or for oneself, the person must detach oneself from all sin. If the soul is not detached, a partial indulgence will be applied.

However, for the sick, elderly, homebound, or those who cannot go out due to coronavirus restrictions, they can “unite themselves spiritually to other members of the faithful.”

The Church encourages this prayer “before an image of Jesus or the Blessed Virgin Mary, reciting pious prayers for the deceased, for example, Lauds and Vespers of the Office of the Dead, the Marian Rosary, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, other prayers for the deceased dearest to the faithful, or occupy themselves in considered reading of one of the Gospel passages proposed by the liturgy of the deceased, or perform a work of mercy by offering to God the sorrows and hardships of their own lives.”

The individual must also have “the intention of complying as soon as possible,” to the three conditions (sacramental confession, holy communion, and praying for the Holy Father).

3) Pray for the Pope

The Church suggests that the faithful pray one ‘Our Father’ and one ‘Hail Mary’ for the Holy Father.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let the perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in peace. Amen.

Dates for your Diary

Monday 7th November—Journey in Faith-RCIA continues.

Thursday 17th November 7pm
Annual Parish Requiem for the deceased of the last year

Thursday 24th—Saturday 26th November
Annual Solemn Days of Eucharistic Exposition

Sunday 4th December—Christmas Bazaar

Serving the Homeless

Thank you to all our parishioners for their continuing support. Recently we have been able to give HARP £3,500 and the YMCA £500. 

The Committee are now selling tickets for their big Christmas hamper raffle. Tickets cost £1, or £5 for a book of tickets. If you would like to buy some, please see a member of the Committee or ring Linda on 01702 558217.

Parish Christmas Bazaar - Sunday 4th December, 8.45am - 1.00pm

We are pleased to announce that our Annual Parish Bazaar is back once again and we need your help and generosity. If you have any unwanted gifts, toiletries, bottles, raffle prizes or bric-a-brac that you would like to donate, please leave them in the Old Baptistry.

If you would like to help on the day, please contact us.

Sue Lawford - 07816 141492, Angela Clements - 07940 183452, email angelaclements47@gmail.com. Thank you.

Baptism Preparation

Due to unforeseen circumstances the preparation planned for 6th December, 2022 has been moved to Tuesday 13th December, 2022 from 8 - 9:30 pm.

Journey in Faith-RCIA

The Monday evening sessions of our Journey in Faith—RCIA—continue. Week-by-week we shall explore the Catholic Faith as set-out by the Catechism of the Catholic Church. These evenings are suitable especially for those thinking of becoming a Catholic or for anyone who wants to know more about their Catholic Faith. 8-9.15pm in the Newman Room of the Parish Centre (entrance beside the Memorial Garden).

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.

Tea/Coffee Mornings in the Parish Centre

Please join us for tea, coffee and cake in the Parish Centre after the 9am Mass on Mondays and Thursdays and after the 8am, 9.30am and 11.30am Masses on Sundays.

BCCS Christmas Craft & Gift Fair

The Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society Christmas Craft and Gift Fair is being held at The Mill Hall Arts & Events Centre, Bellingham Lane, Rayleigh SS6 7ED on Sunday 6th November from 10.30am - 4pm. Come along and browse 40 local stalls with many unique items to offer and pick up an early Christmas present. Entrance is £1.50 and under 14’s enter for free.

MISSIO Red Box Holders

If you have a box that needs emptying please either give it to me personally or leave it in the Parish Office for me to collect. Due to the current problems with lack of Banking facilities please let me have the boxes by the 27th November at the latest. Thank you. Joan Caunce, Secretary, 01268 757505.

St Bernard's High School - Year 12 Open Evening on Wednesday 9 November

St Bernard’s High School

A Catholic Academy for Arts and Science

 Open Evening for Prospective Year 12

 Wednesday 9 November 2022

7.00pm to 9.00pm

 We would be delighted to welcome to our Open Evening

prospective students who are interested in joining

St Bernard’s High School’s Sixth Form in September 2023.

www.stbernardswestcliff.org.uk

 We welcome applications to our mixed Sixth Form

from students of all faiths and none,

who meet our entrance requirements and are seeking a school with a Christian ethos.

 ‘The school is welcoming and inclusive.  In 2015, many pupils made significantly better progress than other pupils nationally’ Ofsted 2016

 'The gifted, able and talented programme provides challenging enrichment across all year groups and is acknowledged by the NACE Award' Ofsted 2016

 ‘St Bernard’s High School is an outstanding Catholic school…Attainment and
progress of students is outstanding’ (Diocesan Inspection, 2017)

 www.stbernardswestcliff.org.uk           

Milton Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex SS0 7JS 

Bereavement Support Group

The Group meets on the third Tuesday of every month in the Parish Centre (Bernadette room) at 2pm. Our next meeting will be on Tuesday 15th November.

The Group is open to people who have experienced loss and Bereavement and who feel they might find sharing their experience with others in a confidential and caring environment. We try to ensure that nobody is under any pressure to talk but participants are gently encouraged to express their feelings supported by other Group members and experienced Counsellors. If further information is required please contact the Parish Office or phone Cynthia on 07783 094312 with your name and contact number.

St Thomas More High School Sixth Form Open Evening

Thursday 24th November, 6.00-9.00pm

For families who have students – boys and girls - in year 11 of secondary school who are intending to begin sixth form studies in September 2023. Come and visit the school and meet the staff and current sixth form students. There will be tours of the sixth form building and the rest of the school.

London Marathon 2023

Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society has a number of Gold Bond Charity places for runners in the LONDON MARATHON taking place on SUNDAY 23rd April 2023. If you are an experienced runner or someone who would value the opportunity to participate in this renowned event please contact Damian Dillon for further details on 07912 308000 / ddillon@bccs.org.uk. The closing date for completed applications is Friday 11th November and please note that there is a minimum sponsorship requirement of £1800 (excluding Gift Aid). If you have been lucky enough to secure your own running place through the ballot, we would invite you to join us and run for Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society. The London Marathon is a unique opportunity to raise much needed funds for the Diocesan Children’s Society and perhaps achieve a lifetime ambition at the same time.

World Youth Sunday 20th November 2022

World Youth Sunday is a unique opportunity to celebrate the role and significance of young people in the Catholic Church in England and Wales, along with the global Church.

A representative of The Brentwood Catholic Youth Service will be speaking about their work, and holding second collection on this weekend. (you can also donate online at www.bcys.net/donate )

Anything you can give is so greatly appreciated, as any money raised will go towards supporting those in need of financial support to go on pilgrimages and to events, as well as allowing us to continue running our events, provide support and training to those working with young people and so much more.

And of course, please do pray for all young people in your parish, in our Diocese and around the world.

Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear friends in Christ

The Gospel of this Sunday relates the meeting of Jesus and Zacchaeus. Famously of small stature, this man climbed a tree to get a better view of Jesus, who was passing by. But he was also an unpopular man, because he was the one who extracted (often unjust) taxes, from the Jewish people on behalf of the Romans. So when Jesus notices him and calls him down so that he may dine with him, this was an affront to the people of Jericho. But Zacchaeus must have had a burning desire to see Jesus for him to have been so bold. Surely this is an example for us, in our desire to be close to Christ. Pope Saint John Paul II commented on this passage back in 1980: Do I want to see Christ? Do I do everything to see him? This question, two thousand years later, is as relevant as it was then, when Jesus passed through the cities and villages of His land. It is a relevant question for each of us personally today: Do I want to? Do I really want to? Or do I perhaps rather avoid the encounter with Him? Do I prefer not to see Him and do I prefer Him not to see me (at least in my way of thinking and feeling)? And if I already see Him in some way, then do I prefer to see Him from afar, not drawing too near, not venturing before His eyes so as not to perceive too much… So as not to have to accept the whole truth that is in Him, that comes from Him—from Christ. The figure of Zacchaeus should remind us that no one is beyond redemption, beyond God’s grace and mercy.

We have two important days during the coming week: All Saints and All Souls. These two celebrations remind us of what should be foremost in our minds in the month of November—month of the Holy Souls. All Saints is the celebration of all the Blessed already in Heaven. All Souls is the commemoration of those who have died and are experiencing purification before they receive the vision of God. Let us pray in thanksgiving and praise of all the Saints. Let us pray for those in Purgatory. I remind you of the Plenary Indulgence for the Holy Souls which we are encouraged to obtain on their behalf; the conditions for which are in this Newsletter.

God bless you all as we hasten towards eternal life!

Msgr Kevin Hale