St Bernard's High School Open Evening
St Bernard’s High School—A Catholic Academy for Arts and Science
Open Evening for Prospective Year 12— Thursday 30 November 2023—7.00pm to 9.00pm
We would be delighted to welcome to our Sixth Form Open Evening prospective students who are interested in joining St Bernard’s High School’s Sixth Form in September 2024
We welcome applications to our mixed Sixth Form from students of all faiths and none, who meet our entrance requirements and are seeking a school with a Christian ethos.
‘St Bernard’s High School is a welcoming, inclusive school’. Ofsted 2023
‘Leaders have high expectations of pupils in terms of learning and behaviour. Pupils live up to these expectations.’ Ofsted 2023
‘St Bernard’s High School is an outstanding Catholic school - attainment and progress of students is outstanding’ (Diocesan Inspection, 2017)
www.stbernardswestcliff.org.uk, Milton Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex SS0 7JS
BCCS
Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society (BCCS) offers therapeutic support directly to children, young people, families and parents through their Child and Family Counselling Service (CFCS) located in their centre in Billericay. Their CFCS team consists of several experienced and highly qualified therapists working in specially adapted therapy rooms. Families can contact BCCS directly by emailing Donna Booth dbooth@bccs.org.uk who will outline the type of support that will be provided for them or their child. There is a charge for this service, but they urge any families needing support to contact them. More information is available on their website: www.bccs.org.uk
Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear friends in Christ
The Gospel of the Mass this weekend speaks of the Tribute to Cæsar.
Dear friends in Christ
The Gospel of the Mass this weekend speaks of the Tribute to Cæsar. The Pharisees attempt to trap Jesus with their question about whether they should pay their taxes. Jesus gives them a profound response, going far beyond their expectations: give to Cæsar what belongs to him—obedience to just laws, but nothing more. The State does not enjoy absolute dominion. As ordinary citizens, Christians have the obligation of rendering to the State whatever material and personal services are required for the common good (Vat II, GS,75). For their part, the civil authorities are obliged to act with equity and justice in the distribution of their goods and services. They have to serve the common good without looking for personal gain. They have to govern and legislate with the greatest respect for the natural law and rights of people. For our part, we are obliged to pray for those who exercise civil authority. What has come to pass in our society is what Cardinal Luciani—later Pope John Paul I—once pointed out: Today all seem frantically direct toward material conquests: make money, invest, surround oneself with new comforts, live the 'good life'. Few think also of 'doing good'. God--who should fill our life--has on the contrary, become a very distant star, to which people look only at certain moments. People believe they are religious because they go to church; but outside of church, they want to live the same life as many others, marked by small or big, deceits, acts of injustice, sins against charity; and thus they totally lack coherence. We have to live consistent lives as we render to God and to others their proper due. May we live lives entirely for God and use everything in this life for His greater glory.
FINANCE COMMITTEE For the twenty years that I have been Parish Priest, Mr Philip Henwood has Chaired our Parish Finance Committee. However, Philip was long in this position before I arrived and has served the Parish devotedly for fifty-five! Now he has moved away from the area to enjoy retirement after a long and successful career in the legal profession. Philip has been an indispensable and loyal support to me down the years, giving of his time and expertise; he will be greatly missed but remains an associate parishioner! Ten years ago he was awarded the Papal honour Bene Merenti in recognition for all his work, especially for his efforts in getting the Parish Centre built.
The new Chair of the Finance Committee is Mr Bernard Hannah, another longstanding parishioner. The other members are: Mr David Lesley, Mrs Marie Rubbert, Mr Allan Long, Miss Joanne Watkins, Mr Darrell Binding and Mrs Jacky Hoggett (Secretary). The Committee meets six times per year and advises on matters relating to Parish finance and fabric. They are an invaluable source of help and support in freeing-me-up to focus on matters pastoral. I am deeply grateful for all their help and hard work on behalf of the Parish.
God bless you all!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time—Month of the Holy Rosary
Liturgy:
Readings of Year A
The Nicene Creed
Preface of Sunday 2
Saturday 21
Feria
5.30pm Vigil Mass The People of the Parish
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
Sunday 22 October
Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
8am Mass Thomas Patrick Costello, RIP (Anniv) (KC)
9.30am Mass Peter Boardman, RIP (AP)
11.30am Mass Mark Solecki, RIP (Birthday) (IS)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Monday 23
St John of Capistrano, Pr
9am Mass Intentions of Frances Scott (MR)
1pm Requiem Mass John Williams, RIP
Tuesday 24
St Anthony Mary Claret, Bp
9am Mass Caroline Geoghegan, RIP (CO’B)
Wednesday 25
Feria
9am Mass Sybil Swann, RIP (Anniv) (MD)
Thursday 26
St Cedd, Bp
9am Mass Roseleen Armstrong, RIP (JA)
Friday 27
Feria
12Noon Mass Ian Irwin, RIP (MI)
Saturday 28
SS Simon and Jude
10am Mass Intentions of the Speirs Family
10.30-11.30am: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
5.30pm Vigil Mass Joan Herbert, RIP (SVP)
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
Sunday 29 October
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
8am Mass The People of the Parish
9.30am Mass Teresa Massalska, RIP (AA)
11.30am Mass John Butler, RIP (Anniv) (RB)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
We Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries
Canon William O’Neill, Mgr Daniel Shanahan, Fr (James) Kieran Dodd, Fr Kevin Lyons, Norman Halligan, Clara Donnelly, Catherine Hevey, David Scott-Frame, James Scott, Jeremiah Brennan, John Goodwin-Self, Angelo Nikolla, Maria Michele Lena, Jack North, Gilbert Blanch, Joan Sullivan, Karin Chipperfield, Gwendoline Greiner, Patrick Landers, Maureen Coghlan, Helen Williams, Noel Hayter & Maureen Gooding.
We Pray for our Sick
Yvonne Ashwell, Lucy Moreno, Jose Luis Lira, Richard Poole, Pamela Uglietti, Michael Mapson, Deana Ince, Susan Griffin, Eva Paviour, Gy Rampersaud, Mary O’Sullivan, Ian Spacie, Bobby Newman, Paul Watts, Christine Reid, Rose D’Souza, Jimmy & Pauline Martin, James Fegan, David Lesley, Kenneth Biebuyck, Zach Stokes, Andrew Stokes, Noel Conroy, Marjorie Jay, Paul Sutton, John Murphy, Jennifer Biebuyck, Moira Scott, Jill Yates, Leonora Maguire, Brian Mountier, Renata Butler, Margaret Bartle, Tony Downey, Kristy Monferrari, Fred Ring, Russell Short, Marie Kharas, Garry Pearman, Patricia Ann Darroch, Patricia Vanner, Amy Louise Fox, Sarah Savage, Bill O’Connell, Charlotte O’Neil, Ella Williams, David Kislingbury, Mark Shepherd, 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 Poole, 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, Florence Hownam & children: Thomas Ball, Liam Davis, Connie Price, Albert Chambers, Fergus Grant, Mary Isherwood, Lucy Price, Frazer Gregory & baby Forest Gallagher.
Please pray for the repose of the souls of
JOHN WILLIAMS who died on Saturday 2nd September. His Requiem Mass will take place on Monday, 23rd October at 1pm followed by committal at Basildon Crematorium.
Mrs MURIEL MATTHEWS Her body will be received into the church on Wednesday, 8th November at 4.30pm and her Requiem Mass will take place on Thursday, 9th November at 2.30pm, followed by committal at Southend Crematorium.
Requiescant in pace
Responsorial Psalm at 11.30am Mass
Prelude: Andante in C—John James (18th Century)
Postlude: Voluntary in C—John James (18th Century)
Responsorial Psalm
Dates for your Diary
Monday 23rd October—Journey in Faith (RCIA) continues—8pm Newman Room
Thursday 16th November—Annual Requiem for the deceased of the Parish Family in the last year 7pm
Friday 10th November—Sung Latin Requiem 7pm
Sunday 26th November-Sea of Voices Annual Christmas Concert—3pm Parish Centre
Thursday 30th November—Saturday 2nd December—Forty Hours’ Prayer
Sunday 3rd December—Parish Bazaar
Friday 15th December—Carol Service—Serving the Homeless
Monday 22nd—Saturday 27th July 2024—Parish Pilgrimage to Lourdes
Parish Christmas Bazaar - Sunday 3rd 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.
OLL School Fireworks Night
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School and Nursery in Leigh-on-Sea is hosting a spectacular professional fireworks display on Saturday 28th October.
Tickets are £7pp (children under 3 are free) and can be booked on www.ticketsource.co.uk searching ‘Our Lady of Lourdes Fireworks’. Gates open for food at 5.30pm, with the display starting at 7pm.
We hope to welcome many of you to our school grounds for this fantastic evening, in aid of PTA fundraising.
Sea of Voices Annual Christmas Concert
The Sea of Voices Choir, our Parish community choir, will be holding its Christmas Concert on Sunday 26th November at the Parish Centre from 3pm. Tickets £5 will shortly be available and any donations of raffle prizes and help with refreshments are very welcome!
All money raised will go to a local charity (name of charity/charities to be advised next week along with ticket availability). Please put a note in your diary!
Contact Darrell Binding on 07825686249 for any details/informations.
Guided Meditation on a Travelling Icon
Leigh on Sea Third Order of Carmelites invite you to a Guided Meditation on a Travelling Icon.
Come and hear about the creation of the Icon and the story of the Carmelites, told through imagery and symbols, in Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Centre on Saturday, 28th October, starting at 2.30pm.
All very welcome to attend.
JOURNEY OF FAITH—RCIA
RCIA will meet on Monday, 23rd October and is specifically for those who are not Catholics but who are enquiring with a view to finding out more about the Catholic Faith and Reception into the Church. These evenings begin at 8pm, are held in the Newman Room of the Parish Centre (the door is beside the Memorial Garden) and usually last just over an hour. Names may be given in advance to Fr Kevin or the Parish Office.
Repository Open
We have a very nice selection of new stock which includes a small selection of Statues. Thinking ahead to “All Souls” in November we have a selection of Graveside lights, Lanterns and some small Remembrance tokens. These will of course be available each week . You are all welcome to come and browse and if you do not see what you are looking for please ask one of the Volunteers.
If you have a short time to spare before and after a weekend Mass, please consider volunteering at the Repository. Please leave your name and contact number at the Parish Office.
Missio - World Mission Sunday (Sunday 22 October)
The Holy Father invites all Catholics to contribute to a special collection for Missio, his charity for world mission. Please support Missio in helping missionaries to work alongside communities throughout the world that are poor or in need , regardless of their background or belief.
To donate please see the Freepost envelopes at the back of the Church to send direct to Missio or place in the church collection.
Thank you.
Joan Caunce, Secretary.-
BCCS
Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society (BCCS) offers therapeutic support directly to children, young people, families and parents through their Child and Family Counselling Service (CFCS) located in their centre in Billericay. Their CFCS team consists of several experienced and highly qualified therapists working in specially adapted therapy rooms. Families can contact BCCS directly by emailing Donna Booth dbooth@bccs.org.uk who will outline the type of support that will be provided for them or their child. There is a charge for this service, but they urge any families needing support to contact them. More information is available on their website: www.bccs.org.uk