Saint Vincent de Paul Society (SVP)
If returning to School expenses in the New Year 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 it receives from our Parish Family.
Third Sunday of Advent—Gaudete
Dear friends in Christ
The Mass of this Sunday opens with the words of Saint Paul, in which he urged the first Christians of Philippi.
Dear friends in Christ
The Mass of this Sunday opens with the words of Saint Paul, in which he urged the first Christians of Philippi: Rejoice in the Lord always, again, I say, rejoice! And the apostle goes on to give the basic reason for his profound happiness: the Lord is at hand. This is also the joy of Advent, and that of every day: Jesus is very near us. Even though we have many difficulties in life, to have the certainty that God is our Father, and wants everything that is best for us, gives us a serene and joyful confidence. In order to reach God and to grow in virtue, we need to have profound joy. Moreover, if we live each day in all its aspects with joy, we will be a great inspiration and help to those around us; because happiness draws others to God.
One of the best ways we can be ready for Christmas is by being close to Mary and Joseph. One of the ways we get ready for the holy season of Christmas is by nurturing an atmosphere of serene peace where we live and work, and by doing all we can in small ways to bring pleasure and affection to those around us. Our world needs to be convinced that Christ has really been born in time, in Bethlehem, and few things are more convincing than the joy of Christians, even in the midst of so much pain and suffering in the world. Our Lady and Saint Joseph knew many such sufferings, but their problems did not cause them to lose joy, because God became flesh and dwelt amongst us.
God bless you!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Third Sunday of Advent—Gaudete
Liturgy:
Readings of Year B
The Nicene Creed
Preface of Advent 2
Saturday 16
Saturday of the Second Week of Advent
5.30pm Vigil Mass The People of the Parish
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
Sunday 17 December
Third Sunday of Advent—Gaudete
8am Mass John McCarthy, RIP (Anniv) (M&RMcC)
9.30am Mass Hilary Barry, RIP (MI)
11.30am Mass Winnie McClafferty, RIP & Noel Dixon, RIP (A-MM)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Monday 18
Weekday of Advent
9am Mass Paul Emmerson, RIP (Anniv) (AE)
Confessions after Mass
Tuesday 19
Weekday of Advent
9am Mass Sheila Vaulbert de Chantilly , RIP (LP)
Confessions after Mass
Wednesday 20
Weekday of Advent
9am Mass Anthony Alan Fleming, RIP (Anniv) (SF)
Confessions after Mass
5pm Body in Church Suzanne Reynolds
Thursday 21
Weekday of Advent
9am Mass Bernadette Perry, RIP (KH)
Confessions after Mass
2pm Funeral Service Suzanne Reynolds
Friday 22
Weekday of Advent
12Noon Mass Pauline Godfrey, RIP (MI)
Confessions after Mass
Saturday 23
Weekday of Advent
10am Mass Clare Chadwick, RIP (MI)
10.30-11.30am: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
5.30pm Vigil Mass William Underwood, RIP (Anniv) (RB)
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
Sunday 24 December
Fourth Sunday of Advent
8am Mass Roy & Marjorie Worsley, RIP (JC)
9.30am Mass Annamma Cherian, RIP (Anniv) (BC)
11.30am Mass Clare Collins, RIP (PL)
Christmas Eve
5.30pm Vigil Mass Holy Souls
8.30pm Carols & Readings
9pm Night Mass The People of the Parish
We Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries
Fr William Guinevan, Fr Arthur Cowd, Bp Brian Foley, Kevin Shanahan, Herbert Marriott, Evelyn Tobias, Ronald Buckley, Patricia Bishop, Andrew Hills, Mary Hurley, Alice Chapman, Barbara Althorpe, John McCarthy, Miss E Parker, Paul Emerson, Sylvia Walton, Gladys Symons, Mabel Walmsley, John Baigent, Anthony Fleming, Bernard Murphy, Paola Murch, Mary Poole, Peter Robson, Christopher Maybe, Terry Martin, Mabel Carter, Francis Brady, Eleanor Dillon, William Smith, Grace Greiner, Veronica Barrett, Cathy Baker, Robert Kirsch, Teresa Evans, Roland Glazebrook, David Middleton, Mario Piacentini, Elsie Osborne, Mary Heather, Teresa Riley & Winifred McClafferty.
We Pray for our Sick
Carol Emerson, Kitty Lydon, Isabel Coombs, Lucy Moreno, Jose Luis Lira, Richard Poole, Pamela Uglietti, Michael Mapson, Deana Ince, Susan Griffin, Gy Rampersaud, Mary O’Sullivan, Ian Spacie, Bobby Newman, Paul Watts, Christine Reid, Rose D’Souza, Jimmy & Pauline Martin, James Fegan, David Lesley, 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.
Sanctuary Lamp
This week the Sanctuary Lamps burn for the intentions of the Rubbert Family.
Please pray for the repose of the soul of
Mrs SUZANNE (SUE) REYNOLDS who died on 7th November. Her body will be received into the church on Wednesday, 20th December at 5pm and her Requiem Mass will take place on Thursday, 21st December at 2pm, followed by committal at Southend Crematorium.
Requiescat in pace
Responsorial Psalm at 11.30am Mass
Prelude: Voluntary—Johann Pepusch (1667-1752)
Postlude: Sonata per Organo—Giovanni Pergolesi (1710-1736)
Dates for your Diary
Monday 18th December—Journey in Faith (RCIA) continues—8pm Newman Room
Monday 22nd—Saturday 27th July 2024—Parish Pilgrimage to Lourdes
Saint Vincent de Paul Society (SVP)
If returning to school expenses in the New Year 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 it receives from our parish community.
Advent Recollection Talk and Penitential Service—Westcliff Parish—Friday, 22nd December
Join us for an enriching evening of spiritual preparation and reflection as we anticipate the joy of Christmas. The esteemed Rev. Fr. Jose Maria Ezpeleta, RCJ, Vicar General of the Rogationists of the Heart of Jesus Congregation, will lead our Advent Recollection Talk.
5pm—Recollection Talk by Rev. Fr. Jose Maria Ezpeleta, RCJ
6pm to 8pm— Penitential Service and Individual Confessions
This event is an excellent opportunity for members of the Southend Deanery parishes to deepen their Advent journey. A penitential service will be held after the talk, offering a time for reflection and spiritual renewal. For those seeking the Sacrament of Reconciliation, priests from our Deanery will be available to hear confessions until 8pm.
We warmly invite all parish members to join us in this time of prayerful recollection. Let us come together to prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ this Advent season.
Merry Christmas in advance.
Fr. Alex Poblador, RCJ
HARP
As we approach this festive time of year, particularly after what has been a really challenging year for so many people, our thoughts often turn to people who are less fortunate than ourselves.
The ongoing cost of living crisis has forced many people to make difficult decisions about whether to eat, heat or pay their rent. As a result, more and more people have been forced into homelessness in Southend and Essex. Many of those people are currently sleeping rough or sofa surfing, not knowing where their next meal will come from, without a safe place to call home or family to turn to for support.
This is why we are extremely grateful for the support you’ve provided us with in the past. I wanted to thank you for this and ask if you could support us again this Christmas? A gift of just £10, or whatever you can afford, will help us do more for people who need us.
You can donate online at harpsouthend.org.uk or give your donation to Linda Wall who will pass it on to HARP
Serving the Homeless—200 Club
Dear member of Serving the Homeless 200 Club
Please note that the final draw will take place on Monday 18th December 2023. On that date the balance of all monies received into the 200 Club Account will be divided in half, with 50% to be distributed as prize money and 50% transferred to the Current Account of Serving the Homeless.
Please remember to cancel your Standing order by the end of December. Any monies received into the 200 Club Account after the 18th of December will be transferred to the Current Account of Serving the Homeless to form part of the final distribution.
Thank you all for your magnificent support over the last 30 years.
Journey of Faith—RCIA
RCIA will meet on Monday, 18th December 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.
Interested in a Vocation to the Priesthood?
Evenings for Vocations enquirers
We are planning to continue the Evenings for Vocations enquirers in the new year on Tuesdays 6th February, 5th March, 9th April, 7th May and 4th June. Canon John Harvey has kindly agreed to host the evenings at the Cathedral.
Vocations Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Willesden
This is a day pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Willesden in North London.
Repository during Advent
We are open as usual after all Masses at weekends only. We still have a small selection of Christmas cards and gifts, plus Advent Calendars. If you do not see what you are looking for please ask one of the volunteers for help.
We apologise that we do not have cards from the Latin Mass Society due to the suppliers re-printing problems.
A very big ‘thank you’ to everyone who visited our stall at the Parish Bazaar, plus the very positive and encouraging comments we received.
St Helen's Catholic Primary School
Headteacher vacancy at St Helen’s Catholic Primary School required for September 2024 – Due to the current headteacher taking the decision to retire after 20 years in the post, an exciting opportunity has arisen for an inspiring and creative leader to join the team at St Helen’s Catholic Primary School. Further information and application documents can be found on the following websites – www.st-helens.southend.sch.uk and www.assisicatholictrust.com.
Brentwood Diocesan Yearbook 2024
The 2024 Diocesan Directory now available from the back of the Church—£2.95
BIN A TIN FOR VIN
The St Vincent Centre is doing wonderful work in Southend helping the poorest amongst us.
You can help the food bank there by bringing a tin of something with you when you come to mass and putting it in VINNIE'S BIN, which will be in the OLD BAPTISTERY.
This will be emptied twice weekly.
St. Vincent de Paul Society(SVP), Our Lady of Lourdes & St. Joseph