Free Jesse Tree Booklet for Families
The Jesse Tree is a wonderful resource for families to prepare for Christmas during Advent, telling the story of God's unfolding plan of salvation through the ancestors of Jesus Christ. A free, printable Jesse Tree booklet containing daily short scripture passages, simple reflections and prayers, as well as tree ornaments are available for all families in the Diocese of Brentwood by following this link: www.dioceseofbrentwood.net/departments/marriage-family-life/family-life/
St Bernard's High School
A Catholic Academy for Arts and Science
Milton Road, Westcliff on Sea
Essex
SS0 7JS
Tel: 01702-343583
E-mail: zmb@stbernards.southend.sch.uk
Exam Invigilators
The School is looking to recruit further Exam Invigilators to join its bank of staff who oversee examinations in the School. Full training will be provided.
Hourly rate: £10.00
The Governing Body is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share in this commitment.
If you are interested, please fill in a non-teaching application form found on our website under https://www.stbernardswestcliff.org.uk/School Information/Vacancies and email it tozmb@stbernards.southend.sch.uk
Many thanks for your help.
Kind regards
Mrs Z Booker
HR Lead & PA to the Headteacher
St Bernard’s High School
Milton Road
Westcliff-on-Sea
Essex SS0 7JS
Brentwood Diocesan Yearbook 2023
The 2023 Diocesan Directory is now available from the back of the Church—£2.95
Carols & Readings for Christmas
You are invited to
‘Carols and Readings for Christmas’
Friday 16th December at 7pm
Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Leigh on Sea
Please join us for carols with the
‘Sea of Voices Choir’ and YMCA
And afterwards for mulled wine and mince pies in the Parish Centre
Donations to ‘Serving the Homeless’
A combined local initiative of, Catholic, Anglican and Methodist Churches in Leigh; Supporting Southend YMCA, HARP, and St Vincent’s Centre Southend
Charity no. 1018354
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes
The annual Diocesan Pilgrimage, led by Bishop Alan Williams, will take place from Monday 24—Saturday 29 July. All are welcome, including those 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.
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/
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.
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.
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.
Bereavement Support Group (2)
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 20th December.
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.