St Bernard's High School
Exam Invigilators – September 2025
Hourly rate: £12.50
The School is looking to recruit Exam Invigilators to join its bank of staff who oversee examinations in the School. Full training will be provided.
We welcome applications from all denominations or none.
Please complete a non-teaching application form which can be found at the bottom of our Vacancies page and email it to recruitment@stbernards.southend.sch.uk.
Note: CVs will not be accepted.
Please contact recruitment@stbernards.southend.sch.uk for more information.
Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Dear friends in Christ
This weekend we have a break in the liturgy from the Sundays in Ordinary Time to celebrate the Triumph of the Cross, which is celebrated each year on 14th September and which replaces the normal Sunday liturgy.
Dear friends in Christ
This weekend we have a break in the liturgy from the Sundays in Ordinary Time to celebrate the Exaltation of the Cross, which is celebrated each year on 14th September and which replaces the normal Sunday liturgy. The Cross is the central symbol of the Christian religion, raised high on our buildings and in our homes and places of worship. It reminds us that, although a symbol of terrible suffering for Jesus, it is the instrument by which our salvation was accomplished. When St Helena—mother of the Emperor Constantine—excavated the Holy Places in Jerusalem in the third century, she uncovered the relics of the Passion. These she brought back to Rome where they have been venerated ever since. The texts of the Mass and the Office for feast proclaim the Holy Cross as the instrument of our salvation. For inasmuch as our first parents sinned beneath the shadow of a tree, God has deigned to accomplish our redemption on the wood of the Cross. A Father of the Church—St John Damascene—teaches: The Cross is a shield against the devil as well as a trophy of victory. It is the promise that we will not be overcome by the Angel of Death. The Cross is God's instrument to lift up those who have fallen and to support those still on their feet fighting. It is a crutch for the crippled and a guide for the wayward. It is our constant goal as we advance, the very wellspring of our body and soul. It drives away all evils, annihilates sin and draws down for us abundant goods. This is indeed the seed of the resurrection and the tree of eternal life.
The feast of the Holy Cross is followed the next day with the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows. On the Rood Beam in our church, as in so many other places, we see Mary standing serenely by the Cross: Stabat Mater doloroso, iuxta crucem lacrimosa…by the Cross her station keeping, stood the mournful Mother weeping, close to Jesus to the last. May she draw us closer to the mystery of our salvation in Christ and console us in our crosses and trials.
Finally, we send our heartfelt prayers and good wishes to our Holy Father, Pope Leo, who this Sunday celebrates the completion of his seventh decade! May God preserve him and give him long life and permit him to continue to guide and inspire the Church with the joy and stability with which he has begun his apostolic and Petrine ministry!
And may God bless you all!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Liturgy:
Readings for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Preface of the Holy Cross
The Nicene Creed
Saturday 13
St John Chrysostom, Bp, D
5.30pm Mass The People of the Parish
6.30-7.30pm Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
14 September
8am Mass John Louis, RIP
9.30am Mass Intentions of Terry Peckham (MD)
11.30am Mass Arthur & Eva Barbarossa, RIP (RB)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Monday 15
Our Lady of Sorrows
9am Mass Pat Chapman, RIP (JL)
Tuesday 16
Ss Cornelius, P and Cyprian, Bp, M
9am Mass Patrick & Detta Nolan, RIP (AM)
Wednesday 17
St Robert Bellarmine, B, D
9am Mass Pauline Martin, RIP (AM)
Thursday 18
Feria
9am Mass Canon Vincent Hurley & Fr Andrew Hurley, RIP (Anniv) (JH)
Friday 19
St Theodore of Canterbury, Bp
12.00 Noon Mass Ian Spacie, RIP (VS)
Saturday 20
St Andrew Kim-Tae-gǒn, Paul Chǒng Ha-sang and Companions, Mm
10am Mass Ints of Gina Collingwood & Ed Baranski (PC)
10.30—11.30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
5.30pm Mass Andrea & Pamela Uglietti, RIP (LM)
6.30-7.30pm Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
21 September
8am Mass The People of the Parish
9.30am Mass James Fogarty, RIP (FM)
11.30am Mass John Butler ,RIP (RB)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
We Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries
Fr John Bergin, Canon Patrick Sammon, Fr Anthony Mayston, Canon Frederick Gahagan, Fr Louis Heston, Patricia Lawrence, Kathleen Hornung, Bill Jarrett, Ann Dodd, Marie Norah Browne, Jack Abbott, Dario Peretti, Philomena Conley, Frank Maguire, Catherine Lane, Bernard Wiltshire, Eileen McCarthy, Percival De’Ath, Bridget Finnegan, Mary Sylvia Jones, Dot Tooley, Anne Kathleen Gibson, Frances Spriggs, Joseph Hayes, Queenie Kay, Christopher Hickey, Stella Smith, Bernard Ratcliff, San Lan Hing, Mary Collins, Elizabeth Parsons, James Hale, John Watters, Anna Marie Tynan, John Fazio, Lilian John, Dora Loker, Margaret White,Ann Maureen Walker, Mark Wilson, Moira Costello, George Hobbs, Josh Overton, Winifred Lawson, Frederick Tewkesbury & Lilian Craven.
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.”
Please pray for the repose of the souls of
Father BRIAN McWILLIAMS formerly Chaplain at Nazareth House who died on Saturday, 30th August. Fr Brian lived in Leigh after his retirement 1997—2003. His body will be received into St Helen’s Church, Westcliff-on-Sea at 4.30pm on Thursday, 25th September and his Requiem mass will take place at 11am on Friday, 26th September, followed by burial in the old Nazareth House cemetery.
MICHAEL (MICK) PATRICK SATELLE who died on Monday, 8th September. Funeral details to follow.
LAKSHMAN PERREIRA who died on Wednesday, 10th September. Funeral details to follow.
Requiescant in pace
Sanctuary Lamp
This week the Sanctuary Lamp burns in Thanksgiving from the Patchai Family.
Music at 11.30am Mass
Prelude: Magnificat: Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706)
Postlude: Festive Postlude: Paul Fey (21st. c.)
Dates for your Diary
Sunday 14th September Parish Centenary Celebration 3pm
Monday 22nd September Journey in Faith (RCIA) 8pm Parish Centre
Thursday 6th November Parish Requiem 7pm
Education Sunday
This is celebrated each year at the start of a new academic year and on this Sunday—Feast of the Triumph of the Holy Cross—our Primary School Community of Our Lady of Lourdes, will be evident at 9.30am Mass to celebrate this feast. It is also the seventieth birthday of our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, so a double celebration!
SVP
The Parish St. Vincent de Paul's Conference is recommencing fortnightly meetings, following a summer recess. These take place on Wednesday evenings, in the Parish Centre. If you would like to know more about the SVP and the activities we undertake, please contact Sallie Pollock 07450 277956
Young Vincentians
The next meeting for the Young Vincentians will take place in the Parish Centre this Monday, 15th September from 5.15pm. Young Vincentian Committee.
Journey of Faith—RCIA
This begins on Monday, 22nd September 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.
Celebrate our Faith Together
Celebrate your faith
This year our parish mission enlivened our faith and in September we will be celebrating a hundred years of our parish’s worship & witness in Leigh. So what better time to go deeper into our faith, growing in understanding & knowledge?
From September until Easter 2026 there will be an opportunity to watch & discuss a series of video talks by Brant Pitre, author of books like Jesus the Bridegroom & Jesus & the Last Supper. He is a very lively & engaging speaker who can open our hearts & minds to the depths & treasures of our faith.
We will be holding regular meetings in the parish centre but for those who want to join in from home it’s possible to buy audio & video versions of the talks from www.brantpitre.com.
Normally meetings will run from 7 to 9.30 pm to give ample time for a break, questions & discussion. It would be helpful to bring with you whatever you use for making notes. No need to book – just come!
Ist October The Case for Jesus - “Who do you say I am?”
This talk has something for everyone - if you want to deepen your understanding of Jesus; if you are sometimes not sure how you would answer this question; if you are hesitant about explaining your belief in Jesus to someone who challenges it.
It looks at questions such as
Are the Gospels history or fiction?
Did Jesus claim to be God?
Is Jesus divine in all four Gospels? Or only in John?
What is the evidence for the Resurrection?
22nd October A Biblical Explanation of the Mass
Pope Benedict XVI said that in order for Christians to actively and fruitfully participate in the Mass we must understand “the meaning of the signs contained in the rites” . In this talk Brant Pitre helps us towards this understanding by explaining the biblical meanings of the most significant moments of the Mass.
12th & 26th November, 10 December
Jesus and the Jewish Roots of Advent
If sometimes Advent gets lost in all the preparation for Christmas these talks, which focus on the Sunday Mass readings for Advent, will enable us to understand its deeper meaning & so lead us to a fuller, joyful celebration of Christmas.
If you’d like to know more please contact Heather Ward, 07885 737393, heatherward55@gmail.com
Children's Liturgy
Children's liturgy begins this weekend, 13th September. We are looking for more people to join our team. This will involve volunteering once a half -term to assist with the teaching of children about the liturgy and gospel of the day at 9.30am Mass. Why not come along for a look first or contact Sam on 07879676341.
Marriage & Family Life
Please follow the link to find resources to help support married couples in faithfully living their vocation of marriage within the family.
ST BERNARD’S HIGH SCHOOL YEAR 6 OPEN MORNINGS
Monday 29 September to Thursday 2 October, Monday 6 October, Wednesday 8 October and Thursday 9 October from 9.30am to 10.30am.
Invitation by appointments only, please contact the school reception to book Office@stbernards.southend.sch.uk
Tel: 01702 343583 www.stbernardswestcliff.org.uk