His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI
Requiem Mass
7pm Wednesday 4 January 2023
For the eternal repose of his soul
Mary, Mother of God
Dear friends in Christ
I wish you all a very happy New Year!
On the Octave day of Christmas—New Year’s Day—we celebrate the Divine Motherhood of our Blessed Lady.
Dear friends in Christ
I wish you all a very happy New Year!
On the Octave day of Christmas—New Year’s Day—we celebrate the Divine Motherhood of our Blessed Lady. We begin 2023 close to Our Lady, having contemplated her in these days close to Jesus and lovingly embracing Him. Each of us should make a decisive effort at the start of a new year, to have a close relationship with Mary. She is the Mother of Jesus, Mother of God, and therefore she has a special affection and care for each of us sons and daughters of God. May she assist us every day of this New Year and guide our steps along the ways of peace and holiness.
This Newsletter gives me the opportunity, as each year, to express my deep gratitude to everyone who has sent me greetings, cards and gifts over the Christmas season; also for the Christmas Offerings—I am so very grateful! This also provides the occasion for me to thank those in our Parish Family who work tirelessly so that the mission of the Parish and the local Church here can flourish. I am thinking at this time of all those who work to make our worship of God in the liturgy something noble: Musicians, Altar Servers, Readers, Sacristans and Florist. Also, those who work throughout the year to keep the interior and exterior of the church looking fine and orderly, especially the Cleaners. I think you will agree this Christmas that the outside decorations made the church look resplendent! Thanks to all of you who contribute to the workings of our Parish, and above all, those who daily pray for all our intentions.
Under the protecting mantle of Mary, may we all go forward in this year to live our Faith vibrantly, serve Christ in the most needy, and seek holiness of life in all we do.
I pray that God and His Blessed Mother will bless abundantly all of the homes and families of our Parish!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Mary, Mother of God
Sunday 1st January
Mary, Mother of God
Liturgy:
Readings of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.
The Nicene Creed
Preface of Our Blessed Lady 1
5.30pm Vigil Mass William Underwood, RIP (Anniv) (RB)
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
8am Mass Lucrecia Conlu, RIP (Anniv)
9.30am Mass Teresa McGeeney, RIP (MI)
11.30am Mass The People of the Parish
4pm Mass Intentions of Fr Kevin (RB)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Monday 2
SS Basil the Great & Gregory Nazianzen, Bpp, Dd
10am Mass Maureen Regan, RIP (Anniv) (CR)
Tuesday 3
The Most Holy Name of Jesus
9am Mass Frank Sadio, RIP (JS)
Wednesday 4
Feria of Christmastide
9am Mass Ernie Cotgrove, RIP (AMcC)
Thursday 5
Feria of Christmastide
9am Mass Fr Francis Leader, RIP (PM)
Friday 6
The Epiphany of The Lord—Holyday of Obligation
9.30 Mass Tom O'Callaghan, RIP (SH) (With OLOL School)
12Noon Mass Terence & Maisie Renehan, RIP (MH)
7pm Mass The People of the Parish
Saturday 7
Feria of Christmastide
10am Mass Peter Wilkinson, RIP (MH)
10.30-11.30am: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
Sunday 8 January
The Baptism of the Lord
5.30pm Vigil Mass The People of the Parish
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
8am Mass Intentions of Maureen Ward (RO’C)
9.30am Mass Fr Richard Rowe, RIP (CB)
11.30am Mass Ellen Walsh, RIP (Anniv) (MC)
5.30pm Blessing of Recently Baptised Children & Benediction
We Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries
Canon Patrick McKenna, Fr Francis Keenan, Canon John Bloomfield, Fr Jim Wilkinson, Fr Denis Cantwell, John Sinclair, Mrs Joan Gubbins, Kate Lessons, Kathleen Lewin, Gregory Power, Maureen Suihen, Emily Swann, Mary O’Toole, Annie Friend, Jules O Deuss, Ethel Milo, Simon Burgoyne, Violet Jackson, Millicent Ransom, Joseph Hazell, Eileen Murray, Maureen Regan, Helen Cotton, Peter Quinn, Eileen Bull, Frances Ryan, Brita Irons, Len Plummer, Anthony Ryan, Hilda Edwards, Walter Burden, Ricky (Lola) Clarke, Lena Austin, Lucien Saw, Eric Tarrant, Niall Cooney, Essie Glauda, Mary Josephine Herbert, Arthur Jackson, Ivy Whiting, Phyllis Sullivan, Patricia Dear, Sibyl Hardy, Gerald Vickers, Claire Mellish, Duncan Boyle, John Bloomfield, Minnie Fogarty, Brian McInerney, Blodweh Owen, Louise Alexandra Marsden & Hester Masi.
We Pray for our Sick
Rose D’Souza, Jimmy & Pauline Martin, Ben Dench, 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
PETER HAIGH RIP who died on Wednesday, 30th November. His funeral will take place on Wednesday, 18th January at 11am followed by committal at Basildon Crematorium.
MARIA LUISA PAGE RIP who died on Friday, 16th December. Her Requiem Mass will take place on Monday, 9th January at 2pm followed by committal at Basildon Crematorium.
JOHN McCARTHY RIP who died on Saturday, 17th December. His body will be received into the church on Tuesday, 24th January at 5pm and his Requiem Mass will take place on Wednesday, 25th January at 11am followed by burial at Herongate Wood Cemetery, Brentwood.
Requiescant in pace
Music at 11.30am Mass on Sunday
Prelude: Basse de Trompette - Jacques Boyvin (1650-1706)
Postlude: This Day that is so full of Joy - BWV 605 J.S. Bach (1685-1750
Response to Psalm
Saint Vincent de Paul Society (SVP)
If returning to school expenses are a worry for you please contact the parish SVP on 07845874331. The Society is always available to help families or individuals experiencing financial difficulty. All matters are dealt with confidentially. The Society appreciates the continued support from our parish community.
Serving the Homeless
On Sunday, 29th January 2023 Serving the Homeless are holding a Sunday Lunch in the Park View Suite, Chalkwell Park, 12.30pm for 1pm.
Tickets cost £24 and are available from any Committee member or please ring Linda Wall on 01702 558217.
OLL Ladies Group
Our next Meeting is on 5th January from 10.15am in the Parish Centre .
To start off the New Year, we are delighted to announce that our guest Speaker is Councillor Bernard Arscott, who will talk about his experiences as a member of Southend Council and also as a member of our local Town Council in Leigh on Sea. Many of you will know Bernard as a well known member of our Parish, and in particular as the Parish M.C. We hope many ladies in the Parish will be there to give Bernard a warm welcome! As ever all ladies welcome with subs of just £1 plus our usual fun raffle.
We wish everyone a Blessed and peaceful Christmas and hope to see you all at the start of another happy New Year.
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 17th January.
We are aware that this time may not be convenient for everyone who feels they need support following the loss of a loved one. We are therefore considering a possible change of day and time. For example Saturday morning or afternoon or a weekday morning or evening might be more convenient for people.
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.
If interested please give your name, contact details, and preference of day/ time to the Parish Office. Thank you.
Christmas Day
Dear friends in Christ
Together with the other Priests our Parish, I wish you all a very blessed Christmas!
Dear friends in Christ
Together with the other Priests in our Parish, I wish you all a very blessed Christmas!
May the Infant Jesus, with Mary & Joseph, watch over our homes and families in a special way at this time, as we celebrate the great mystery of the Incarnation—God become man. We can reflect on some lovely words of Pope St Leo the Great, which we find in a Homily for Christmas:
Dearly beloved, today our Saviour is born; let us rejoice. Sadness should have no place on the birthday of life. The fear of death has been swallowed up; life brings us joy with the promise of eternal happiness.
Let us put-off then the old man with his deeds, and since we are allowed to share in the birth of Christ let us renounce the works of the flesh. Christian, realise your dignity! Since you now participate in the divine nature, do not backslide by returning to the degenerate conduct of your past life. Remember the Head to whom you belong and the body of which you are a member. Recall that you were rescued from the power of darkness and brought out into the light and the kingdom of God. By the sacrament of Baptism you were made a temple of the Holy Spirit. Beware of driving such a noble guest away by evil deeds, and falling again into slavery to the devils, because you have been purchased by the blood of Christ.
I hope you will all have a wonderful Christmas Week celebrating the Birth of our Saviour!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Christmas Day
Sunday 25th December
Christmas Day
Liturgy:
Readings Year A
The Nicene Creed
Preface of Christmas 1
5.30pm Vigil Mass Sybil Mary Swann, RIP (MTD)
Preceded by Carols 5pm
9pm Night Mass The People of the Parish
Preceded by Vigil of Readings & Carols 8.30pm
Christmas Day 25
8am Mass Private Intention
9.30am Mass Private Intention
11.30am Mass Private Intention
Monday 26
St Stephen, the First Martyr
10am Mass Altar Servers and their Families
Tuesday 27
St John, Ap, Evangelist
10am Mass Noel Charles Auger, RIP (Anniv) (YA)
Wednesday 28
The Holy Innocents,
9am Mass Hugh Hyland, RIP (CMcH)
Thursday 29
St Thomas of Canterbury, Bp, M
9am Mass Adrian Dann, RIP (Anniv) (SD)
Friday 30
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph
12Noon Mass Steve & Agnes McManus, RIP (Anniv) (SW)
Saturday 31
Seventh Day within the Octave of Christmas
10am Mass Kieran O'Shea, RIP (SM)
10.30-11.30am: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
Sunday 1 January
Mary, Mother of God
5.30pm Vigil Mass William Underwood, RIP (Anniv) (RB)
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
8am Mass Lucrecia Conlu, RIP (Anniv)
9.30am Mass Teresa McGeeney, RIP (MI)
11.30am Mass The People of the Parish
4pm Mass Intentions of Fr Kevin (RB)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
We Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries
Fr Francis Greenan, Fr Francis Wilson, Canon John Byrne, Fr Brian Reeves,
Fr Wilfred Thompson, Fr James Duffy, Bridget McDonald, Julia Upsher, Eddie Gillman, Clare Whomes, Douglas Hurley, Charles Stokes, Lynda Quinlivan, Guido Lauria, Janet Newby, Michael Manning, John Hurley, Amelia Eaglesfield, Flor Perez de Pina, P.A. Holcombe, Mrs Beeching, James O’Donnell, Francis Gibson, Mary Fitzroy, Deirdre Gray, James Keefe, Doris Swinney, Joseph Dologhan, Audrey O’Connell, Catherine Rankilor, Doreen Foley, Nora Phillips, Adrian Dann, Francis Cook, Peter Whale, Frederick Thomas Ross, Stephen McManus, Anna Siani, David Scott-Frame, Sylvia Sippitt, Louis Mooney, George Lane, Leslie Dawson, Mary Reilly, Michael McGaughey & Thomas Woolcott.
We Pray for our Sick
Rose D’Souza, Jimmy & Pauline Martin, Ben Dench, 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
PETER HAIGH RIP who died on Thursday, 1st December. His Requiem Mass will take place on Wednesday, 18th January at 11am followed by committal at Basildon Crematorium.
MARIA LUISA PAGE RIP who died on Friday, 16th December. Her Requiem Mass will take place on Monday, 9th January at 2pm followed by committal at Basildon Crematorium.
JOHN McCARTHY RIP who died on Saturday, 17th December. Funeral details to follow.
Requiescant in pace
Music at 11.30am Mass on Christmas Day
Prelude: In Dulci Jubilo BuxWV 197 - Dietrich Buxtehude (1637-1707)
Postlude: Finale (Symphony I) - Louis Vierne (1870-1937)
Response to Psalm
Serving the Homeless Committee
A huge ‘Thank you!’ from the Serving the Homeless Committee
Firstly thanks to all who turned out on a bitterly cold evening for our Carol Concert on 16th December, and to Fr Kevin who hosted the evening. We raised £700 in donations on the night.
This year, with your generous help and support,
We have:
Given HARP £300 per month for food ; £1,683 for a Defibrillator at the Bradbury Centre and £3,500 for meaningful activities and general support. In addition, we also provided approximately £500 worth of turkeys for Christmas dinners at HARP properties.
HARP now houses over 220 clients and provides almost 6,000 hot meals a year as well as helping clients overcome trauma, learn skills and find work. Their Bluebird Project which will house and provide training for a further 50 clients is now almost complete. In total we have given HARP £9,033.60 this year.
Seen the Southend YMCA new housing project come to fruition. This will house very young vulnerable youngsters in a family style environment. We have been able to provide £7,600 to this project this year.
Provided 40 Christmas bags of ‘goodies’ to the young people who live at, and are looked after by, Southend YMCA.
Financed 2 nights emergency hotel accommodation for a young person while they were found support.
Given £1,000 to support the work of the St. Vincent Centre in Southend.
In all, with your help, we have spent approximately £17,633 this year on programmes to support the homeless.