We Pray for the Repose of the Souls of
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.
PATRICK BURKE RIP who died on Tuesday, 25th October. His Funeral will take place at 10am on Wednesday, 30th November at Southend Crematorium.
DJANET CHESHIRE RIP who died on Monday, 31st October. Her Requiem Mass will take place on Wednesday, 7th December at 2.45pm followed by committal at Southend Crematorium.
MAUREEN GOODING RIP who died on Friday, 28th October. Her Requiem Mass will take place on Friday, 16th December at 10am followed by committal at Southend Crematorium.
REGINALD JOHNSON RIP who died recently. His Requiem Mass will take place on Friday, 16th December at 12.45pm followed by committal at Sutton Road Cemetery.
Requiescant in pace
Dates for your Diary
Monday 21st November—Journey in Faith-RCIA continues.
Thursday 24th—Saturday 26th November
Annual Solemn Days of Eucharistic Exposition
Sunday 4th December—Christmas Bazaar
Friday 16th December—Serving the Homeless Carol Service
Candles for the Forty Hour's Prayer
These can be had in the Sacristy (£5) and will burn before the Blessed Sacrament with your intention written on the base. The remaining lamps will be used as the Sanctuary Lamp throughout the coming year.
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes
The annual Diocesan Pilgrimage, led by Bp Alan, will take place from Monday 24 – Saturday 29 July. All are welcome, including those of us who need assistance.
The cost is £790 per person sharing, flying British Airways from Heathrow Airport and staying at the Hotel Moderne.
If you are interested, please leave your name and contact details with the parish office.
Music at 11.30am Mass on Sunday
Prelude: Voluntary William Boyce (1710-1779)
Postlude: Fantasia Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706)
Response to Psalm
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.
World Youth Sunday - 20th November
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.
The Brentwood Catholic Youth Service will be speaking about their work, and holding a second collection this weekend. (you can also donate online at www.bcys.net/donate )
Your support is 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 the young people in your Parish, in our Diocese and around the world.
A Christmas Party!
Your Parish SVP (Society of St Vincent de Paul) Conference is delighted to announce the date and place of its annual '"Christmas Party" to which all senior citizens of the parish are most warmly invited!
Our "Christmas Party" is being held in the Parish Centre on Saturday, 10th December, commencing at 2pm and concluding at 4pm! Carols, good company and Christmas fare to get you into the seasonal spirit!
If you - or someone you know - would like to join us on this happy parish occasion please call/text Francis O'Brien on 07845 874331. You will be most welcome!
Bin a tin for Vin
The St Vincent Centre is doing wonderful work in Southend helping the poorest amongst us.
You can help the food bank there by bringing a tin of something with you when you come to mass and putting it in VINNIE'S BIN, which will be in the OLD BAPTISTERY.
This will be emptied twice weekly.
St. Vincent de Paul Society (SVP), Our Lady of Lourdes & St. Joseph
We need your help!
Serving the Homeless has been working in the parish for over 30 years but our present committee members are all getting older. We need some younger people to join us in our fundraising efforts which support Southend YMCA, HARP and St Vincents Centre
New members on the committee would be very welcome. We meet once a month for about an hour to plan events.
However, if committees are not your thing, maybe you could offer to give practical events at our fundraising events eg at our Wine Tasting at St Margaret’s in October we could have done with more support with setting out tables, chairs, food etc. and with the clear up afterwards.
On 16th December we are having our annual Carol Service at Our Lady of Lourdes and help with the refreshments afterwards would be greatly appreciated. At present we aim for a fundraising event every 2 months, and if you could help with just one, it would help us to continue operating.
If you would like to help, or join the committee please contact Jo 01702 474062, Or Linda 01702 558217
Or email ninabridgeman@btinternet.com
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.
Serving the Homeless
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.
Calais light Help Needed
Spaces are now open for the next car convoy to volunteer at @Care4Calais, which is an amazing grass-roots charity delivering essential aid and support to refugees living in the worst conditions across Northern France and Belgium.
Volunteers will work in their warehouse sorting clothes and preparing its vital services for distribution. (currently in need of DARK ADULT WINTER COATS - please text clare mason 07757138345 if you have any!) Calais Light volunteers also get the unique and humbling opportunity to go out and meet refugees to offer solidarity and kindness as well as aiding Care4Calais with its distribution process. For more information go to:https://www.caritasbrentwood.org/charity/calais-light/
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.