Headteacher Vacancy
Headteacher vacancy at Holy Family Catholic Primary School, Benfleet, Essex, required for April 2026 – Due to the current headteacher taking the decision to retire from the post, an exciting opportunity has arisen for an inspirational, ambitious and innovative Headteacher to join the team at Holy Family Catholic Primary School. Further information and application documents can be found on the following websites – HFCPS Website - Job Vacancies and Vacancies – Assisi Catholic Trust.
Midday Play Assistant Vacancy
The Local Governing Committee of Our Lady of Ransom Catholic Primary School is looking to appoint a Midday Play Assistant to oversee the children eating lunch and to encourage play activities with them so that their lunchtime is an enjoyable, sociable, learning experience. You will be required to work for 8.75 hours per week (11.30am-1.15pm each lunchtime) to be paid on Point 2 (approx £12.26 per hour) during term time.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This appointment is subject to satisfactory references, medical and enhanced DBS checks.
Samaritans Purse Shoebox Appeal 2025
Operation Christmas Child—make your donations through CWL Westcliff! Donate by 10th November!
As last year, we are not collecting shoeboxes etc at church—CWL Westcliff are willing to fill the shoeboxes online from your donations. The cost per box is £25, so if that is too much in these difficult times you can make a donation of any amount and we will fill the shoeboxes for you up to the amount raised. You can donate, however small or big the amount, and make the payment direct to our section account. If you would like to make a donation please pay to:
Catholic Women's League CIO Westcliff section; Sort code 30-98-90; account number 18096960; Reference Shoebox.
Thank you for your support and remember what a difference this makes to the children receiving these boxes all over the world.
Here is the link if you would like to donate directly https://www.samaritans-purse.org.uk/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/shoebox-online
St Bernard's Sixth Form Open Evening
THURSDAY 4TH DECEMBER 2025—FROM 6.30PM TO 8.30PM—Headteacher's Talk at 6:45PM
View our facilities and speak with teachers and staff about our courses and the opportunities we offer. We offer a large range of subjects achieving excellent results including GEOGRAPHY, HISTORY, MATHS, MEDIA
STUDIES, PSYCHOLOGY, SOCIOLOGY, BIOLOGY, HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE, CHEMISTRY, AND PHYSICS.
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear friends in Christ
Once again this Sunday The Lord reminds us of the importance of sincere and constant prayer and also the difference between true and false piety.
Dear friends in Christ
Once again this Sunday The Lord reminds us of the importance of sincere and constant prayer and also the difference between true and false piety. The Gospel is the parable of the tax collector and the pharisee. The tax collector stood afar off because he did not want to push himself forward; because of this God was able to approach him more easily. The pharisee did not come to pray but to praise himself. The lesson is that we need humility in our dealings with God. He wants us to pray like needy children. As Saint Alphonsus reminds us: God wants us to go to Him with confidence. Bring to Him your work, your prayers, your projects, your fears and whatever interests you. Act with a trusting and open heart. For God does not speak to those who never speak to Him.
Next weekend we begin the month of November with the celebration of All Saints. This can remind us that we have the help and intercession of Our Lady and the Saints when we pray. All Saints is followed by All Souls on Monday 3rd (transferred from 2nd as it’s a Sunday). So much about this Autumn season tell us important truths about life and eternity, about the cycle of life and death, about our need to live in God here on earth, so that we may be happy with Him for ever in Heaven.
God bless you!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Liturgy:
Preface of Sunday 8
The Nicene Creed
Saturday 25
Saturday Memorial of the BVM
5.30pm Mass Joseph Pallis, RIP (NL)
6.30-7.30pm Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
26 October
8am Mass The People of the Parish
9.30am Mass Holy Souls
11.30am Mass Roseleen Armstrong, RIP (Anniv) (JA)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Monday 27
Feria
NO 9am Mass
11am Requiem Mass Alan Ward, RIP
Tuesday 28
SS Simon and Jude, App
9am Mass Jim & Lilian Fegan, RIP (JC)
Wednesday 29
Feria
9am Mass John Butler, RIP (Anniv) (LS)
Thursday 30
Feria
9am Mass Pauline Godfrey, RIP (Anniv) (MI)
Friday 31
Feria
12Noon Mass Ivor Duggan, RIP (AS)
Saturday 1 November
Saturday Memorial of the BVM
10am Mass Paul Watts, RIP (DW)
10.30—11.30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
5.30pm Mass Maria Keen, RIP (DL)
6.30-7.30pm Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
ALL SAINTS
2 November
8am Mass Intentions of All Saints Catholic School , Dagenham (AMcC)
9.30am Mass Seamus Connolly, RIP (MI)
11.30am Mass The People of the Parish
4pm Mass John Smith, RIP & Carol Smith, Ints (CS)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
We Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries
Fr George Steadman, Fr Stephen Wyatt, Fr William Loveland, Canon Thomas Bishop, Canon Richard Gay, David Scott-Frame, James Scott, Jeremiah Brennan, John Goodwin-Self, Angelo Nikolla, Maria Micheler Lena, Jack North,Gilbert Blanch, Joan sullivan, Karin Chipperfield, Yvonne Ashwell-rivens, Gwendoline Greiner, Patrick Landers, Maureen Coghlan, Helen Williams, Noel Hayter,Mauteen gooding, Stanley Watson, John Butler, Olivia chesney, Alice conway, Joyce Jones, HelenLesley, Doris Payne, Mar Russell, Pauline Godfrey, William Upsher,Walter Kilman, Edward Hullett, Margaret Convey, Anna Hinbest, D’Janet cheshire, Patricia Bower, Mary Elizabeth Peomore, Eileen Clark, Philip Modica, Mick Burke, Andrew Mitchelmore & Marie Hale.
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
ALAN WARD who died on Thursday, 18th September, His Requiem Mass will take place at 11am on Monday, 27th October followed by committal at Southend Crematorium.
ANTHONY ROBERT ABBOTT who died on Saturday, 13th September. His Requiem Mass will take place on Thursday, 6th November at 10am followed by committal at St Lawrence & All Saints, Eastwood.
CAROLYN DE SYLVA who died on Thursday, 25th September. Her Requiem Mass will take place on Wednesday, 12th November at 9.30am followed by committal at Southend Crematorium.
Requiescant in pace
Sanctuary Lamp
This week the Sanctuary Lamp burns for the deceased members of the Morrissey Family.
Music at 11.30am Mass
Prelude: Chorale Trio—Friedrich Marburg (1718-1795)
Postlude: Voluntary in B flat major—Jonas Blewitt (1757-1805)
Dates for your Diary
Thursday 6th November Parish Requiem 7pm
Thursday 27th-Saturday 29th November—Forty Hours’ Prayer
Sunday 7th December—Christmas Bazaar 8am to 1pm
Friday 19th December—Annual Carol Service
Saturday 16th May 10.30am—First Holy Communion Mass
Sunday 7th June—Corpus Christi Procession 4pm
Young Vincentians
The next meeting for the Young Vincentians will take place in the Parish Centre this Monday, 27th October from 5.15pm. Young Vincentian Committee.
Parish Christmas Bazaar - Sunday 7th December, 8.30am - 1.00pm
Yes, it’s the time of year to dig out all of your unwanted gifts in particular, along with good quality bric-a-brac, books, bottles and any other fabulous donations you can spare for the Parish Bazaar. Draw tickets are now available from the church office or the back of church after all masses!
This year the Bazaar will be on Sunday 7th December, running all morning from 8.30am until 1pm. Put the date in your diary and come along for breakfast and a little shopping too! Please place donations in the old baptistery, with many thanks in advance!
If you are free to offer an hour or two on the day, please call or message Sue on 07816 141492.
OLOL Ladies Group
Would Ladies please note that our Meeting for Thursday 6th November will not take place as usual.
Cambridge Coach trip: For those of you who have booked and paid for this day out, please note the following:
On Thursday 6th November the Coach will go from the Bus Stop opposite the Church. It will leave promptly at 9.45am and then pick up at Thames Drive approximately 9.55am. On route you will be given a copy of Cambridge City map. On arrival in Cambridge you will have plenty of free time to enjoy the sights or indulge in some early Christmas shopping. The Coach will leave Cambridge promptly at 3.45 pmfor the return journey. Any queries please contact Cynthia 07783 094312 or Jan on 07775 620890.
Volunteer Needed
Would you be able to spare a couple of hours from 8.30am on a Monday morning to assist with the counting?
You would be part of a team counting the cash taken in the various collections.
Ideally you should have a liking for figures, have attention to detail and be able to input into basic spreadsheets.
Previous experience of cash handling would be an advantage, but not essential as full training would be given.
There's a fortnightly rota but you may need to cover absences.
If you can help, please contact the Parish office.
Certificates of Catholic Practice
These Certificates can be collected from the Parish Office 09.00-13.00 each Thursday and Friday over the coming weeks.
Repository
Some new stock has arrived including Rosaries, bracelets and some statues. In addition to our popular selection of cards (all at only £1 each) we now have cards for those special Wedding Anniversaries ie Silver, Ruby and Gold.
Please come and have a browse, and if you cannot find what you are looking for please ask one of the Volunteers for assistance.
Celebrate our Faith Together
Celebrate your faith
This year our parish mission enlivened our faith and in September we celebrated 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!
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
Samaritans Purse Shoebox Appeal 2025
Operation Christmas Child—make your donations through CWL Westcliff! Donate by 10th November!
As last year, we are not collecting shoeboxes etc at church—CWL Westcliff are willing to fill the shoeboxes online from your donations. The cost per box is £25, so if that is too much in these difficult times you can make a donation of any amount and we will fill the shoeboxes for you up to the amount raised. You can donate, however small or big the amount, and make the payment direct to our section account. If you would like to make a donation please pay to:
Catholic Women's League CIO Westcliff section; Sort code 30-98-90; account number 18096960; Reference Shoebox.
Thank you for your support and remember what a difference this makes to the children receiving these boxes all over the world.
Here is the link if you would like to donate directly https://www.samaritans-purse.org.uk/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/shoebox-online