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.
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
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/
Repository
The Repository reopens on the weekend of 15th/16th April with new stock of First Holy Communion and Confirmation gifts and cards.
EASTER SUNDAY The Resurrection of the Lord
Dear friends in Christ
A blessed and joyful Easter to you all!
Dear friends in Christ
A blessed and joyful Easter to you all!
For the duration of Lent we have anticipated the celebration of these days of Easter. The ancient and time-honoured greeting amongst Christians on this Day is: Surrexit Dominus—surrexit vere!...The Lord has risen—He has truly risen! This Easter we can repeat those words with faith and emotion.
Easter is the time when new Catholics enter the Church through the Sacraments of Initiation—Baptism, Confirmation and The Blessed Eucharist. During the Easter Vigil, Tina Brown, Kirsty Masterton & Lissa Smith were Received into the Church here and so into the fullness of Christian Truth in the Catholic Church. We offer them our warmest good wishes and prayers as they take their places with us at the Altar of God.
I thank all of you for your tireless example and perseverance which, on a a daily basis keeps our Faith alive in this corner of God’s Kingdom. To all of those who work daily behind the scenes, and who ensure the good order and beauty of what we celebrate in Faith, I express gratitude on behalf of the entire Parish Family.
The Lord has truly risen, to Him be glory and power for all the ages of eternity, alleluia, alleluia! (Introit of Easter Sunday Mass).
With my prayers and greetings to all of you this Eastertide!
Msgr Kevin Hale
EASTER SUNDAY The Resurrection of The Lord
The Resurrection of the Lord
Liturgy:
Readings of Year A
Renewal of Baptismal Promises
Preface of Easter 1
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
Monday 10
Monday within the Octave of Easter
10am Mass Michelle Power, RIP (MI)
Tuesday 11
Tuesday within the Octave of Easter
9am Mass Kathleen Young, RIP (Anniv) (LY)
Wednesday 12
Wednesday within the Octave of Easter
9am Mass Francis Mullan, RIP (HB)
Thursday 13
Thursday within the Octave of Easter
9am Mass Roy Buck, RIP (SB)
Friday 14
Friday within the Octave of Easter
12 Noon Mass Intentions of Agnieska Tkacz (MS)
Saturday 15 April
Saturday within the Octave of Easter
10am Mass Martin Payne, RIP (Anniv) (VP)
10.30-11.30am: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
Sunday 16 April
Second Sunday of Easter—Divine Mercy
5.30pm Vigil Mass Elizabeth Pallis, RIP (DL)
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
8am Mass People of the Parish
9.30am Mass Intentions of Bob Sighe (MR)
11.30am Mass Neil O'Keefe, RIP (Anniv) (UO’K)
2.30pm Devotions for Divine Mercy & Benediction
We Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries
Fr Thomas Adkins, Fr Anthony Lawson, Fr Patrick Donohoe, Fr Owen Fitzgerald, Fr John O’Mahoney, Fr William Donelan, Fr George Duckett, Canon Owen O’Neil, Esther Martin, Frances Phillips, Christopher Bennett, Francis Hoey, Patrick Manning, Patricia Logan, Frank Nagle, Winifred Duffield, Patricia Abram, Jean Connolly, Lilian Larman, May Provera, Andrew Trainer, Eileen Goodwin-Self, John Clements, Ian Walker, John Adams, Agnes Dorothy Ransom, Martin Payne, Peter Abel & James Kennedy.
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 deceased relatives and friends of Norman and Sue Hibbert.
Dates for your Diary
Monday 17th 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
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 popular Raffle.
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