Mediation/Presentation
Leigh-on-Sea Third Order of Carmelites warmly invite you to join them on Saturday 22nd April at 3.00pm in the upstairs hall of the Parish Centre.
There will be a guided Meditation/Presentation on a specially commissioned Travelling Pilgrim Icon by Rosie Bradshaw, the National Moderator of Lay Carmel. She has recently completed this Icon and it is currently travelling around the country. Anyone interested is very welcome to attend.
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 18th April.
If you are in need of support as a result of Bereavement and loss would you please give your name and contact details in to the Parish Office.
CARITAS
Interested in the Catholic response to homelessness, welcoming refugees and migrants, assisting with the Cost of Living Crisis, or tackling the causes and effects of climate change? Come to the first Caritas Brentwood networking day, Saturday 10th June, 10am – 2.30pm, at Sacred Heart of Mary School, Upminster (on C2C & District lines, close to M25 & A127). Hear national speaker Raymond Friel, OBE, Chief Executive of the Catholic Social Action network.
This day is a chance to be sustained, share ideas and good practices with people from parishes across Essex and East London and hear about charities and resources available.
Details and Registration (free!) at www.caritasbrentwood.org/network
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.
School Vacancies
There are a range of vacancies for staff in our parish schools across the diocese. Please find further information by following this link https://www.dioceseofbrentwood.net/departments/education/vacancies/school-vacancies/
St Bernard's High School
St Bernard’s High School is holding a careers fair on Wednesday 19th April, 8:00am – 3:30pm and we are looking for delegates to support our school community. We are keen to introduce role models to our students to raise aspirations and hope the event will give them the opportunity to speak with delegates about their industries and careers. Please contact hli@stbernards.southend.sch.uk if this is something you would like to be a part of.
LEARNING MENTOR VACANCY
Five Days Per Week, Term Time Only, 8.00am – 4.00pm, Scale 6 – 11 (£20,043 - £22,129 pro rata)
An opportunity has arisen for a Learning Mentor to join our Pastoral Team. We are looking for someone to work alongside our Learning Mentor Team supporting identified students.
You will be joining a successful, friendly and supportive department within a high- performing school, supporting students from Years 7 – Y11. An interest in SEMH (Social Emotional Mental Health) is desirable but not essential.
For further information please see our website: www.stbernardswestcliff.org.uk
All new staff are supported within the positive ethos of this happy and high performing school, and to this end all staff complete an applicable induction training programme. The community at St Bernard’s welcome applications from people of all faiths or none.
Please complete a non-teaching application form which can be found on our website under School Information/Vacancies, and email it to recruitment@stbernards.southend.sch.uk. Please note that CVs will not be accepted.
Closing Date: 16 April 2023, 12.00pm Interviews: tbc
MIDDAY SUPERVISOR VACANCY
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
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
Dear friends in Christ
We begin Holy Week this weekend listening to Saint Matthew’s account of the Passion of Our Lord.
Dear friends in Christ
We begin Holy Week this weekend listening to Saint Matthew’s account of the Passion of Our Lord. As we listen, there can be a virtue or lesson we can learn for ourselves. Above all, we can reflect that Jesus underwent all of it for love of each of us. This is the greatest Week of the year and Christians everywhere follow the last days and hours of Jesus’ life with faith and devotion. The Church through her liturgy makes present again those events. We come to church often this week, not to view a drama, but to participate in those acts of our redemption as they are made present again, through the action of the Holy Spirit. Palm Sunday re-presents to us the entry of Jesus into His City where He begins the work of our salvation. On Wednesday morning at 11am in Brentwood Cathedral, our Priests will gather with our Bishop for the Mass of Chrism; this is the moment for the Blessing of the Holy Oils used in the Sacraments for the coming year, and priests renew their Priestly Commitment—all are welcome to attend this. Thursday evening is the commemoration of the Last Supper—the first Mass—and the institution of the Priesthood of the New Covenant. On Good Friday we keep the solemn and sacred day of the Lord’s Passion and Death; we make an effort to attend one of the services that day in church. On Holy Saturday, the Church keeps an expectant vigil at the tomb of Jesus and in the evening of Saturday the Easter Vigil and First Mass of Easter is celebrated; during the Vigil several new members will be admitted to the life of the Church and receive Confirmation and First Holy Communion. Easter Sunday is the most important Day of the year as we rejoice that Christ has overcome the final enemy—death—and given us the hope of eternal life with Him. So, a full Week ahead and one which brings us to the very core of our Faith.
Some thoughts from a sermon of Pope St Leo the Great set the mood for us:
True reverence for the Lord’s passion means fixing the eyes of our heart on Jesus crucified and recognising in Him our own humanity.The earth—our earthly nature—should tremble at the suffering of its Redeemer. The rocks – the hearts of unbelievers – should burst asunder...No one, however weak, is denied a share in the victory of the cross. No one is beyond the help of the prayer of Christ. His prayer brought benefit to the multitude that raged against Him. How much more does it bring to those who turn to him in repentance...The business of this life should not preoccupy us with its anxiety and pride, so that we no longer strive with all the love of our heart to be like our Redeemer, and to follow His example. Everything that He did or suffered was for our salvation: He wanted His body to share the goodness of its head...Again, who cannot recognise in Christ his own infirmities? Who would not recognise that Christ’s eating and sleeping, his sadness and his shedding of tears of love are marks of the nature of a slave? The body that lay lifeless in the tomb is ours. The body that rose again on the third day is ours. The body that ascended above all the heights of heaven to the right hand of the Father’s glory is ours. If then we walk in the way of his commandments, and are not ashamed to acknowledge the price he paid for our salvation in a lowly body, we too are to rise to share his glory. The promise He made will be fulfilled in the sight of all: "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I too will acknowledge him before my Father who is in heaven."
God bless us all as we walk with Him this Week.
Msgr Kevin Hale
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
Liturgy:
Readings of Year A
The Apostles’ Creed
Preface of Palm Sunday
5.30pm Mass Guy Bragard, RIP (Anniv) (RB)
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
8am Mass Stephen Hymas, RIP (Anniv) (GM)
9.30am Mass Intentions of Irena Strzetekska (MS)
11.30am Mass The People of the Parish—Preceded by the Blessing and Procession of Palms
4pm Mass Intentions of our Priests (ML)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Confessions after all Masses
Monday 3
Monday in Holy Week
9am Mass Rev Fr Jeremy Davies, RIP
Confessions after Mass
Tuesday 4
Tuesday in Holy Week
9am Mass Intentions of the Podgorscy Family (MS)
Confessions after Mass
Wednesday 5
Wednesday in Holy Week
9am Mass Samuel & Johanna Beech, RIP (JC)
Confessions after Mass
(11am Mass of Chrism—Brentwood Cathedral)
Thursday 6
Maundy Thursday
9am Office of Lauds
7pm Solemn Mass of the Lord’s Supper Intentions of Marie Rubbert (80th Birthday) (MR)
Watching at the Altar of Repose until Midnight;
Confessions after Mass; Compline 11.45pm
Friday 7
Good Friday
9am Office of Readings & Lauds
10am Children’s Way of the Cross
3pm Solemn Liturgy of Our Lord’s Passion
7pm Way of the Cross
Confessions after all the Services
Saturday 8 April
Holy Saturday
9am Office of Readings & Lauds
Confessions 11-12Noon
8pm Easter Vigil & First Mass of Easter The People of the Parish
Sunday 9 April
Easter Sunday
8am Mass Intentions of Simone Dann (MC)
9.30am Mass Intentions of Anna Maggio & Beppi (LM)
11.30am Mass John Joseph Butler, RIP (RB)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
We Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries
Fr Ronald Roberts, Canon Charles Loughran, Deacon Geoffrey Piper, Pope John Paul II, Daisy Spicer, Vera Stuart, Lt Cdr James Scott, Marjorie Bowen, Leslie Poole, Stella Finn, Jean Bethell, Vi Coveney, Christine Fisher, Patrick Maloney, Donald McMahon, Catherine Nelson, Baby Ben Blaker, Catherine Dace, Nora White, Charles Thompson, Elizabeth Tyrell, Bernard Foley, Peggy Cockerell, Robert Lee, Kitty Stanley, Patricia Quinn, Patrick Dunbar, Dr Ronnie Shapiro, Leslie Drayton, Rene Sanctuary, Harry McNally, Antonia Donna, Rose Mary Brinkley, Donald Cussen, Mary McKenzie, Michael Maloney, Miriam Cunniffe, Marjorie Pollard, James Tully, John Pelham, Laurence Westwood, Will Coveney, Robert Ellis, Anthony Irons, Clare Ann Houlihan, James Poskitt & Mary McKeever.
We Pray for our Sick
Bobby Newman, 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.
We Pray for the Repose of the Souls of
MARTIN COVENEY RIP who died on Friday, 17th February. His Requiem Mass will take place on Thursday, 20th April at 10.30am followed by committal at Southend Crematorium.
ROY BUCK RIP who died on Monday, 13th February. His Requiem Mass will take place on Wednesday 26th April at 2pm followed by committal at Southend Crematorium.
BRIDGET MORRISS RIP who died on Tuesday, 14th March. Her Requiem Mass will take place on Thursday 11th May at 10am followed by committal at Southend Crematorium.
Also please pray for Gillian Terry RIP who died recently.
Requiescant in pace
Sanctuary Lamp
This week the Sanctuary lamp burns for the living and deceased members of the Dzwlg Family.
Dates for your Diary
Monday 3rd April—Journey in Faith-RCIA continues
Saturdays 13th & 20th May—First Holy Communion Masses 10.30am
Sunday 28th May—Pentecost Sunday—Confirmation Mass 11.30am
Sunday 11th June—Corpus Christi Procession 4pm
Saturday 8th July—Flower Festival
Gift Aid
The Gift Aid envelopes are available for collection after Mass. 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.
Our Lady of Lourdes Ladies Group
Our next Meeting will be after Easter on Thursday 13th April in the Parish Centre. All ladies in the Parish are welcome, with an entry sub of just £1 .00 which includes all refreshments .
We are pleased to announce that we are very honoured to welcome Monsignor Canon Kevin Hale as our guest speaker, known to us all as our much loved Parish Priest for almost 20 years! Father Kevin has kindly agreed to give a talk about his work as Vicar General of the Diocese, so we hope all the ladies of the Parish will give him a very warm welcome.
NB: Given Father Kevin’s heavy schedule we would like to suggest ladies arrive at the Parish Centre as soon as possible after 9.30am, in order to have coffee and tea so we can try to ensure a prompt start at 10am. There will, of course, be plenty of time later for refreshments, social chat and our poplar Raffle.
Repository
This weekend will be the last chance prior to Easter to purchase Easter cards and gifts. Newly arrived are a good selection of Easter cards from the Latin Mass Society. We also have First Holy Communion cards and gifts available.
After Easter we will have gifts and cards in stock for Confirmation.
NB: The Repository will NOT be open over the Easter weekend.
CARITAS
Interested in the Catholic response to homelessness, welcoming refugees and migrants, assisting with the Cost of Living Crisis, or tackling the causes and effects of climate change? Come to the first Caritas Brentwood networking day, Saturday 10th June, 10am – 2.30pm, at Sacred Heart of Mary School, Upminster (on C2C & District lines, close to M25 & A127). Hear national speaker Raymond Friel, OBE, Chief Executive of the Catholic Social Action network.
This day is a chance to be sustained, share ideas and good practices with people from parishes across Essex and East London and hear about charities and resources available.
Details and Registration (free!) at www.caritasbrentwood.org/network
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 18th April.
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.
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.