Gift Aid
The Gift Aid envelopes are available for collection after Mass this weekend. If you cannot see your name there please ask in the Parish Office.
You may wish to use the Parish website to donate on-line, or use the contactless payment facility located at the back of the church. An increasingly popular option is to donate by monthly Standing Order.
If you wish to Gift Aid your donations, please pick up a Gift Aid declaration form which can be found by the envelopes at back of church.
St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP) 'Awareness Month'
The SVP offers practical care by visiting people in need. This is one way we can put our Faith into action. Presently, we are particularly mindful of members of our parish living now in local care homes who may have lost touch with the parish community. If you know of these - or indeed any others - who would benefit from and welcome a visit from a friendly-face, then please let us know and we will seek to assist. Our Conference also annually organises a Christmas party and Mid-Summer ‘Strawberry Tea’ to bring together socially senior members of the parish community! If you are not already on our guest list but would like to be included or if you know of someone who would enjoy these sociable, festive gathering, please contact Susan Hibbert mob. 07957411373. Should you wish to learn more about the SVP or consider joining us, please contact Francis O’Brien on 07845874331. You can also support our parish Conference financially via the SVP button on the parish website.
Deanery of Southend Lent Talks 2023
Wednesday evenings at 7pm—Eastwood Parish—St Peter’s
59 Eastwood Road North, Leigh on Sea SS9 4BX
Questions & Answers facilitated by Fr Jeff Woolnough
March 15th DVD Presentation
Dr Scott Hahn—The Eucharist in Scripture
Part Two—The Fourth Cup
March 22nd DVD Presentation
Dr Scott Hahn—The Eucharist in Scripture
Part Three—Consuming the Word
Lenten Reading
At the back of church the Catholic Truth Society stand has a range of small books on prayer and the spiritual life which can be helpful for Lent.
Our Lady of Lourdes Ladies Group
We meet again on Thursday, 16th March in the Parish Centre from 10am. We are very pleased to welcome a Manager from the local Phabulous Cafe on the Leigh Road, together with one of the staff whom they help to move on to permanent employment. Many of us will have enjoyed refreshments at Phabulous and this is a great opportunity to hear in more detail the wonderful work they do, so please do come along and show your support.
All ladies in the Parish welcome with subs just £1 per session plus a fun raffle.
Repository
We have a good selection of cards and gifts for St. Patrick’s day and for Mother’s Day in the Repository so do please feel free to come and browse and perhaps choose that special gift. We are pleased to announce that cards and gifts have arrived for First Holy Communions and you are welcome to look and purchase now or in the coming weeks.
We also stock a selection of Mass cards and religious objects . Please ask if there is a particular request and we will try to help.
Flower & Craft Festival - Saturday 8th July 2023
We have begun the planning for this year’s Flower and Craft Festival. This year the theme is Parables, Miracles, and Proverbs.
We are hoping that more people will be able to take part this year, especially those who can sew or craft! The book of Proverbs and the miracles and parables of Jesus gives you a very wide scope to choose from. We have already had volunteers for flower arrangements for Jesus calms the Storm, The Feeding of the 5,000, The wedding at Cana, and the parable of the Sower.
If you would like to take part or would like more information or ideas contact me on 01702 474062, or email mcronan@btinternet.com
We would love to fill the church with flowers and crafts.
Jo Ronan
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Walsingham - Saturday 27th May
Join Bishop Alan and other parishes around the Diocese of Brentwood in Walsingham. We will celebrate Mass at the Basilica before walking the Holy Mile to the grounds of Walsingham Abbey to celebrate Vespers and Benediction on the site of the Holy House.
Missio Red Box Holders
National Novena to St. Joseph 11th - 19th March 2023. See Poster at the back of Church.
If you would like to receive a Novena booklet, email novenamhm@gmail.com or send to Novena Director
6 Colby Gardens Maidenhead Berkshire SL6 7GZ. Joan Caunce, Secretary 01268 757505
St Bernard's High School Vacancies
MIDDAY SUPERVISOR
Part time – 12.25pm – 1.40pm (Monday - Friday) Term time only
Salary Scale 1
Are you a positive role model with high expectations of children? If you are enthusiastic, flexible, reliable, and genuinely interested in working with children, come join our friendly, hardworking team!
We currently have a vacancy for a lunchtime supervisor to join our team at St Bernard’s High School in assisting management and teaching staff with the supervision of students during their lunch break.
Please complete the final teaching application form found on our website www.stbernardswestcliff.org.uk under School Information/Vacancies and email it recruitment@stbernards.southend.sch.uk – please note we do not accept CVs
FOUNDATION GOVERNOR VACANCIES
Have you ever thought about becoming a school governor? Would you like to do something that would enable you to ‘give back’ to your community? St Bernard’s needs you!
Following the long standing support of three of our foundation governors, their terms of office will complete at the end of this academic year. They have each ably supported the school and worked tirelessly in the best interests of students, staff and the wider school community. Therefore, we are keen to recruit foundation governors to continue to support the school in its endeavour to provide all of the children that walk through the doors of St Bernard’s with a holistic, authentic Catholic education that is underpinned by a commitment to further the mission of the Church whilst also maintaining high academic standards. Whilst we welcome all who feel that they would be suitable to this role, we would particularly welcome expressions of interest from potential governors with the following skill sets: Finance, Health and Safety, New Technologies and HR.
If you are interested, please send an email to recruitment@stbernards.southend.sch.uk
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 21st March.
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.
Earthquake Relief Charities
Please donate via Aid to the Church in Need or CAFOD websites.
St Helen's Catholic Primary School
St. Helen’s Catholic Primary School are looking for a dedicated, inspiring Teacher to join our friendly team. Full details are on our website https://st-helens.southend.sch.uk/about-us/our-school/staff-vacancies The closing date is Friday, 17th March midday and interviews will be on Monday, 27th March. Please contact Mrs Sears on 01702 343823 for a visit to our school.
Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School & Nursery
If your child is eligible to attend Nursery, please clink on the link below to find more information about Our Lady of Lourdes School Nursery
Second Sunday of Lent
Dear friends in Christ
Commenting on the Gospel of the Transfiguration on at Mass this Sunday, St Bede says: Our Lord in a loving condescension allowed Peter, James and John to enjoy for a very short time the contemplation of the happiness that lasts forever, so as to enable them to bear adversity with greater fortitude.
Dear friends in Christ
Commenting on the Gospel of the Transfiguration at Mass this Sunday, St Bede says: Our Lord in a loving condescension allowed Peter, James and John to enjoy for a very short time the contemplation of the happiness that lasts forever, so as to enable them to bear adversity with greater fortitude. We can presume that the memory of those moments with Our Lord on the mountain helped them through the many trials ahead. Our existence on earth is a journey towards Heaven, our ultimate goal. It is a journey that is often harsh because we live in a world and in a body that experiences all of the trials that constitute this life. But God strengthens us with the hope of Heaven; and in a particular way during the most difficult times. The thought of the glory that awaits us should act as a spur in our daily struggles. Nothing is of such value as gaining Heaven: and always bearing in mind this determination to die rather than fail to reach the end of the way. If God ever causes you to suffer from thirst as He guides you through this life, it is because He will give you drink in plenty in the next life, without any fear of it ever failing you (St Teresa of Avila).
When we participate in Holy Mass, we also go up the mountain in a similar way to the Apostles. There we hear God speak, we respond in faith, see Him present in His glory and receive Him in the Blessed Eucharist. This is the simple action of what happens at Mass. Again, like the Apostles, we do not live seeing Jesus in His glorified state, but in those rare glimpses we do have, we are given a foretaste of what eternal life will be like.
God bless you!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Second Sunday of Lent
Sunday 5th March
Second Sunday of Lent
Liturgy:
Readings Year A
The Apostles’ Creed
Preface of 2nd Sunday of Lent
5.30pm Vigil Mass The People of the Parish
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
8am Mass Albert Thomas Cook, RIP (MC)
9.30am Mass Intentions of Joseph Murphy (SM)
11.30am Mass Intentions of Tony & Janet Weale (JW)
4pm Mass Peter Griffin, RIP (FM)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Monday 6
Feria
9am Mass Marie Fitzakerly, RIP (JL)
Tuesday 7
Feria
9am Mass Anthony Hayes, RIP (MR)
Wednesday 8
Feria
9am Mass Bernard Ward, RIP (Anniv) (MW)
Thursday 9
Feria
9am Mass Alice Hole, RIP (D&RL)
Friday 10
Feria
12noon Mass Tom O'Callaghan, RIP (Anniv) (RO’C)
7pm Way of the Cross & Benediction
Saturday 11
Feria
10am Mass Intentions of Monica Swanton (AS)
10.30-11.30am: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
Sunday 12 March
Third Sunday of Lent
5.30pm Vigil Mass The People of the Parish
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
8am Mass Intentions of Rita O'Callaghan (UH)
9.30am Mass Dec'd Parents, Brothers & Sisters of Canon Gilbert, RIP (FM)
11.30am Mass Mervyn Calton, RIP (Anniv) (RC)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
We Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries
Fr Malachy Kelly, Canon Joseph Whitfield, Fr Thomas Lawton, Fr John Gordon, Fr Edmund Meyer, Fr Maurice Roche, Mgr Canon David Michael Corley, Bernard McCarthy, Ena Bartley, Mary Smith, Doris Conner,Danielle Sutherland, Sandra McGran, Philip Thomas, Anthony Conlon, Hannah Harris, Johnathan Grindley, Granley Rumsey, John Stephen Burke, Miss Sydney Compton, Edward Baigent, Elsie Killman, Janet Harris, Malcolm Cheshire, Teresa Ramsey, Henry Delaney, John Button, Constance Ryan, Joyce Quinn, Pamela Jones, Peggy Chopin, Vincent Ingham, Christopher Tyler, Joe Swann, Tom O’Callaghan, Theresa Ketterer, Joseph Collins, Lionel Clarke, Richard Young & Margaret Houston.
We Pray for our Sick
Paul Watts, Christine Reid, Rose D’Souza, Jimmy & Pauline Martin, Ben Dench, James Fegan, Muriel Matthews, 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 Kharas, 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, 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, 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.
Sanctuary Lamp
This week the Sanctuary lamp burns for the deceased members of the McManus & West Families.