Sanctuary Lamp
This week the Sanctuary Lamp burns for the intentions of the O’Callaghan Family.
The Jubilee Year of Hope 2025
"Jubilee” is the name given to a particular year; the name comes from the instrument used to mark its launch. In this case, the instrument in question is the yobel, the ram's horn, used to proclaim the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). This (Jewish) holiday occurs every year, but it takes on special significance when it marks the beginning of a Jubilee year. We can find an early indication of it in the Bible: a Jubilee year was to be marked every 50 years, since this would be an “extra” year, one which would happen every seven weeks of seven years, i.e., every 49 years (cf. Leviticus 25:8-13). Even though it wasn’t easy to organise, it was intended to be marked as a time to re-establish a proper relationship with God, with one another, and with all of creation, and involved the forgiveness of debts, the return of misappropriated land, and a fallow period for the fields.
Quoting the prophet Isaiah, the Gospel of Luke describes Jesus’ mission in this way: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord,” (Luke 4:18-19; cf. Isaiah 61:1-2). Jesus lives out these words in his daily life, in his encounters with others and in his relationships, all of which bring about liberation and conversion.
In 1300, Pope Boniface VIII called the first Jubilee, also known as a “Holy Year,” since it is a time in which God's holiness transforms us. The frequency of Holy Years has changed over time: at first, they were celebrated every 100 years; later, in 1343 Pope Clement VI reduced the gap between Jubilees to every 50 years, and in 1470 Pope Paul II made it every 25 years. There have also been “extraordinary” Holy Years: for example, in 1933 Pope Pius XI chose to commemorate the 1900th anniversary of the Redemption, and in 2015 Pope Francis proclaimed the Year of Mercy as an extraordinary jubilee. The way in which Jubilee Years are marked has also changed through the centuries: originally the Holy Year consisted of a pilgrimage to the Roman Basilicas of St. Peter and St. Paul, later other signs were added, such as the Holy Door. By participating in the Holy Year, one is granted a plenary indulgence. The characteristics of the Jubilee Year are: making a Pilgrimage, passing through one of the Holy Doors in the designated Churches, especially the Roman Basilicas; Reconciliation (Sacrament of Confession) and prayer. In the Diocese of Brentwood Holy Doors will be opened in—The Cathedral of St Mary & St Helen, Brentwood, The National Shrine of Our Lady of Light, Spouse of the Holy Spirit, Clacton, Saint Antony of Padua, Forest Gate. Within our own Diocese we can fulfil the indulgence by visiting one of these churches.
The particular theme and intention of this Jubilee Year is Hope. Let us then, go forward in Hope in Christ as the sole Redeemer of mankind and live daily the promises He gives us whilst making use of the divine treasury being opened-up for us by our Mother the Church.
Dates for your Diary
Saturday 15th—Friday 21st March 2025—Parish Mission led by the Redemptorists
Saturdays 10th & 17th May 10.30am—First Holy Communion Masses
Sunday 1st June 2025—Visitation & Confirmation
Sunday 22nd June—Corpus Christi Procession 4pm
Monday 21st—Friday 25th July—Lourdes Pilgrimage
Monday 8th September Centenary of the Opening of our Church
Crib Offerings
The CRIB offerings, as in previous years, will go to help the work of the Brentwood Catholic Childrens Society—BCCS.
Altar Servers
If you are intending to serve over the Christmas period, please sign your name on the list in the Sacristy. Mass on St Stephen’s Day will be offered for the Altar servers so please try to attend.
Parish Fundraising
Thank you to everyone who has supported the 200 Club this year. The results of the November draw are as follows:
1st Prize £150 25 Mr G Shepherd
2nd Prize £100 139 Mr J Sinclair
3rd Prize £75 34 Mrs J Allard
4th Prize £25 184 Mrs A Peoples
There has been a significant drop in members over the past few months. Would you consider taking part in the 200 Club? The subscription is £5 per month, either by cash, cheque or direct debit. If you would like to join, please fill in a form which can be found at the back of the church or ring Linda Wall on 01702 558217.
St Peter's, Romford: Headteacher Vacancy
Headteacher Vacancy for September 2025 -St Peter’s Catholic Primary School Romford.
Headteacher - St Peter's Primary School, Romford
Deadline for applications: 12:00 (noon), Friday 31st January
Third Sunday of Advent 'Gaudete'
Dear friends in Christ
The title of this Third Sunday of Advent takes its name from the Entrance Antiphon—or Introit—of the Mass: Gaudete in Domino semper: iterum dico, gaudete. Dominus enim prope est…Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say rejoice.
Dear friends in Christ
The title of this Third Sunday of Advent takes its name from the Entrance Antiphon—or Introit—of the Mass: Gaudete in Domino semper: iterum dico, gaudete. Dominus enim prope est…Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near. And this same joy is proclaimed again in the Epistle of the Mass by Saint Paul writing to the Philippians.
This is the joy proposed to us by the closeness of God as we begin the second half of Advent, focusing our attention on the coming of the Saviour. In a world which often appears so sunk in despair, strife and hardship, the optimism of the coming of Jesus is the bright light of hope: firstly in the history of humanity, and then in our own lives, so much in need of redemption.
We listen to the voice, the words, of Saint John the Baptist again in the Gospel of the Mass; a voice that speaks as clearly to us today as it did to those who flocked to hear him over twenty centuries ago. His winnowing fork is in His hand, to clear the threshing floor and to gather the wheat into His barn, but the chaff He will burn with an unquenchable fire. This is the clearest exhortation ever for us to repent and believe the Gospel—repent and prepare to receive Christ. As we approach Christmas we do this in the definite way that Jesus has left to His Church: in and through the Sacrament of Reconciliation—Confession. We can begin our examination of conscience right now, thinking about how we will approach Jesus in His Sacrament of Mercy, and so make a clear way in our hearts and lives for the coming of Christ into our world and into our lives.
Next Sunday—the Fourth of Advent—we have the traditional blessing of the figures of the Baby Jesus for our Cribs; please bring them along to Mass next weekend (and all of the Crib figures too if you wish!) and they will be blessed.
God bless you!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Third Sunday of Advent 'Gaudete'
Liturgy:
Readings of Year C
The Nicene Creed
Preface 1 of Advent
Saturday 14
St John of the Cross, Pr, D
5.30pm Vigil John Jarvis, RIP (VJ)
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
Sunday 15 December
Third Sunday of Advent ‘Gaudete’
8am Mass Michael Mapson, RIP (SVP)
9.30am Mass John McCarthy, RIP (Anniv) (McC)
11.30am Mass The People of the Parish
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Monday 16
Monday of the Third Week of Advent
9am Mass Clare Chadwick, RIP (MI)
Tuesday 17
Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent
9am Mass Mary Morgan, RIP (Anniv) (EM)
Wednesday 18
Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent
9am Mass Paul Emmerson, RIP (Anniv) (AE)
Thursday 19
Thursday of the Third Week of Advent
9am Mass Intentions of Salvatore Burzotta & Family (AD)
Friday 20
Friday of the Third Week of Advent
12Noon Mass Pauline Godfrey, RIP (MI)
Saturday 21
Saturday of the Third Week of Advent
10am Mass Bernadette Perry, RIP (KH)
10.30-11.30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
5.30pm Vigil The People of the Parish
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
Sunday 22 December
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Confessions after all Masses
8am Mass Michael Mapson, RIP (GM)
9.30am Mass Paul Watts, RIP (SVP)
11.30am Mass Paul Watts, RIP (LL)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Music at 11.30am Mass
Prelude: Rotate Caeli - Jeanne Demessieux
Postlude: Toccata in F - Dieterich Buxtehude
Responsorial Psalm
We Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries
Fr William Guinevan, Clarice Bugatti, Thomas McInerney, Francis Gavin, Anthony Troughton, Charles Hughes, John Maxfield, Paul Cores, Mary McQuaid, Francis O’Neill, Eileen Byczynski, Larraine Moore, Maria Page, 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 Martyn, Mabel Carter, Francis Brady, Eleanor Dillon, William Smith, Grace Greiner, Veronica Barrett & Cathy Baker.
We pray for our sick
The Sick List is available on the website main menu, under Worship.
We pray for the sick of our parish
“Father,
by the power of your Spirit
you have filled the hearts of your faithful people
with gifts of love for one another.
Hear the prayers we offer for our relatives and friends.
Give them health of mind and body
that they may do your will with perfect love.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.”
Altar Servers
If you are intending to serve over the Christmas period, please sign your name on the list in the Sacristy. Mass on St Stephen’s Day will be offered for the Altar servers so please try to attend.
Dates for your Diary
Monday, 16th December—Journey in Faith (RCIA) 8pm Parish Centre
Friday 20th December—Annual Carol Service 7pm
Saturday 15th—Friday 21st March 2025—Parish Mission led by the Redemptorists
Saturdays 10th & 17th May 10.30am—First Holy Communion Masses
Sunday 1st June 2025—Visitation & Confirmation
Sunday 22nd June—Corpus Christi Procession 4pm
Monday 21st—Friday 25th July—Lourdes Pilgrimage
Monday 8th September Centenary of the Opening of our Church
Lourdes Jubilee Year Pilgrimage
The proposed Pilgrimage to Lourdes next year, flying with BA, will depart Heathrow on Monday 21st July 07.35am—Arrive Toulouse 10.25am, returning on Saturday 26th July 10.45am—arriving at 11.45am.
The 5-night package price is £895 per pilgrim sharing, single supplement is £225, staying at the 4 star Grand Hotel Moderne Soubirous (closest to Sanctuary).
This includes 5 nights full-board and return luxury coach transfer from Lourdes airport to the hotel.
Please leave your name and contact details with the Parish Office soon, as places are limited.
JOURNEY OF FAITH—RCIA
This continues on Monday, 16th 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.
OLOL Ladies Group
We meet again on Thursday, 19th December at 10am in the Parish Centre. This will be our last Meeting this year and we plan to celebrate with some Festive cheer, reflect on this past year when we have enjoyed talks and presentations on a variety of subjects from our invited guests, plus a lot of ‘in-house’ entertainment from our Members.
Do come along and enjoy a mince pie and glass of Prosecco, plus a Bumper Festive Raffle.
Our next Meeting will be in January and if you haven’t joined us yet, just a reminder that the Ladies Group is open to all Ladies in the Parish, with subs remaining at just £1 per meeting.
Sea of Voices Choir
The choir will be holding an informal Carol and cakes concert in the Parish Centre on Sunday 15th December from 3pm - not a formal concert, as in past years, as we will be asking for audience participation in singing well known carols, as well as us singing some of our repertoire. We will ask for charity donations on that afternoon.