Brentwood Diocesan Yearbook 2026
The 2026 Diocesan Directory is now available from the back of the Church—£3.20.
St Marys Catholic Primary School
The Governors of St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Hornchurch, are seeking to appoint an inspirational and dedicated Head Teacher from April 2026. Closing date: Friday 9th January 2026 at 5pm / Interview Date: Friday 23rd January 2026. Enquiries can be made by email to admin@stmcps.co.uk, or phone 01708 448430.
OLOL Ladies Group
We meet again in the Parish Centre on Thursday 4th December at 10am for a prompt start please, subs are just £1 which includes refreshments plus a fun Raffle (more donations will be gratefully received).
With Christmas in mind we are pleased to remind you all that our own multi talented Jo Ronan will be hosting a Christmas Arts and Craft morning. All materials will be provided for you to make your own cards or artistic arrangements. NB Would ladies please bring your own scissors. If you are not a “Craft” person just come along and enjoy meeting friends over coffee and cake.
Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe (Youth Sunday)
Dear friends in Christ
The feast of Christ the King this weekend, brings the liturgical year to a close.
Dear friends in Christ
The feast of Christ the King this weekend, brings the liturgical year to a close. It is a synthesis of the entire mystery of salvation. Over the past twelve months since last Advent, we have celebrated all of the mysteries of the life of Our Lord. Now we contemplate Him in His glorified state as King of the Universe, and King of all hearts. But what a strange Kingship this is: in the Gospel at Mass we hear how Christ reigns from the Cross, and one of the first fruits of the redemption is the pardoning of a thief; he is the first person to recognise Christ the King: Jesus, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom. Although His divinity was obscured in the Passion, with the eyes of repentance and faith, He could be seen. As Saint Ambrose comments: The Lord always grants us more than we ask for. The thief merely asked to be remembered, but the Lord said: ’Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise'. The essence of life is to live with Jesus Christ. And where Jesus Christ is, there His reign is to be found.
During the final days of the Church’s year, as we do each year, we celebrate the Kingship of Jesus by enthroning Him at the heart of our Parish during the days of Solemn Eucharistic Exposition, or The Forty Hours’ Prayer. This begins on Thursday evening with the Mass at 6 o’clock and there is adoration of the Blessed Sacrament throughout the next days until Saturday evening Benediction at four o’clock, just before we begin another liturgical year with Advent. We all need to be generous with the time we spend in prayer before the Lord. Let us come with hearts full of our prayer intentions, confident that Jesus simply waits for us, to hear us, and grant us what we humbly ask of Him in faith and love.
God bless you!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
Liturgy:
Preface of Christ King of the Universe
The Nicene Creed
Saturday 22 November
St Cecilia, V, M
5.30pm Mass Holy Souls
6.30-7.30pm Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
23 November
8am Mass Roland Selvini, RIP (First Anniv) (J-CS)
9.30am Mass The People of the Parish
11.30am Mass John Butler, RIP (RB)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Monday 24
St Andrew Dũng-Lac, Pr and Comps, Mm
9am Mass Maureen Regan, RIP (CR)
Tuesday 25
St Catherine of Alexandria, V, MN
9am Mass Joyce and deceased family (AF)
Wednesday 26
Feria
9am Mass Jim & Lilian Fegan, RIP (JC)
Thursday 27
Feria
6pm Opening Mass of Forty Hours’—Carolyn de Sylva, RIP (AC)
Exposition continues until 11pm
Friday 28
Feria
Exposition resumes from 7am
9am Mass Anita Luton, RIP (IS)
4.00pm Benediction for Children & Families
7pm—8pm Preached Holy Hour
Exposition until 11pm
Saturday 29 November
Saturday Memorial of the BVM
Exposition resumes from 7am
10am Mass Dec'd family of Canon Francis Gilbert RIP (FM)
10.30—11.30am Confessions
4.00pm Closing Benediction of the Forty Hours’
5.30pm Mass Joseph Pallis, RIP (DL)
6.30-7.30pm Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
First Sunday of Advent
30 November
8am Mass Holy Souls
9.30am Mass Intentions of Rose D'Souza (MF)
11.30am Mass The People of the Parish
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
We Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries
Mgr Edward Watson, Canon Martin Hancock, Fr Anthony Robson, Fr John Aston, Fr Patrick Bennett, Deacon Anthony Collings, Fr Francis Branney, Fr John Aston, Jonathan Marshall, Kathleen McKee, James Carns, Dr Harry Maher, Thomas Mulholland, John Holmes, Bernard Harvey, Elizabeth Watson-Lamb, Marie Wilkes, Gilbert Blanch, Veronica Billena, Clifford Pollard, Matthew Browning, John Sidney Clements, Peggy Jeffries, Jack Vessey, Thomas Slattery, Patricia Manvell & Ronald Slater.
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.”
Sanctuary Lamp
This week the Sanctuary Lamp burns for the deceased members of the Caunce and Harris Families.
Please pray for the repose of the soul of
EMILY MARY ROOT who died on Friday, 14th November. Her Requiem Mass will take place on Wednesday, 10th December at 12Noon followed by committal at Southend Crematorium.
Requiescat in pace
Dates for your Diary
Monday 24th November Journey in Faith (RCIA) 8pm Parish Centre
26th November & 12th December—Jesus and the Jewish Roots of Advent 7pm Parish Centre
Thursday 27th-Saturday 29th November—Forty Hours’ Prayer
Sunday 30th November—Sea of Voices Christmas Charity Concert 3pm
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
Sunday 19th to Friday 24th July—Lourdes Pilgrimage
Music at 11.30am Mass
Prelude: Magnificat—Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706)
Postlude: Toccata—Johannes Speth (1664-1719)
Candles for the Forty Hours’ Prayer-Thursday 27th to Saturday 29th November
These can be had in the Sacristy (£5) and will burn before the Blessed Sacrament with your intention written on the base. The remaining lamps will be used as the Sanctuary Lamp throughout the coming year.
Lourdes Pilgrimage 2026
The proposed Pilgrimage to Lourdes next year, flying with BA, will depart Heathrow on Sunday 19th July 17.05pm—Arrive Toulouse 20.05pm, returning on Friday 24th July 19.05pm—arriving at 19.50pm.
The 5-night package price is £910 per pilgrim sharing, single supplement is £245, 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.
World Youth Sunday
23rd November is World Youth Sunday, celebrating the young people of our Church. There will be a second collection to support the work of the Brentwood Catholic Youth Service, helping young people grow in faith through retreats, pilgrimages, and leadership opportunities. You can donate in the parish this weekend, or online at www.bcys.net/donate , and please keep all young people in your prayers.
Sea of Voices Choir Annual Christmas Event
Our annual Christmas charity concert (‘Carols & Cakes’) will be held on Sunday 30th November at the Parish Centre from 3pm. Tickets are now available from the Parish office or from choir members. The proceeds will be donated to Hearing Help Essex Charity.
Once again, we welcome any kind donations of raffle prizes, homemade/shop bought cakes and help with teas and coffees etc. Please contact Darrell on 07825686249 email seaofvoiceschoir@outlook.com.
Parish Christmas Bazaar - Sunday 7th December, 8.30am - 1.00pm
We’re getting ready for our Parish Christmas Bazaar, and we need your help to make it a wonderful success! 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! Draw tickets are now available from the church office or the back of church after all masses!
If you are free to offer an hour or two on the day, please call or message Sue on 07816 141492.
Donations Needed for Our Parish Christmas Bazaar
Alll donations are most welcome but we’re especially looking for donations of:
Unwanted bottles of alcohol – perfect for our bottle tombola and raffle prizes.
Unwanted jewellery – costume or fine, to add sparkle to our jewellery stall.
Unwanted toiletries – always popular on our “Smellies” stall!
If you have any of these items tucked away at home, please consider donating them to support the Parish.
Donations can be left in the old Baptistry. If you need us to collect, (locally), just give us a call
Sue 07816 141492 Angela 07940 183452
Every contribution helps – and together, we can make this year’s Bazaar the best yet!
Thank you for your generosity and continued support.
Repository
We now have a selection of Advent Calendars for children and for Adults a selection of New Year Calendars, plus Christmas cards. We have a few Mantillas for sale and a few copies of the 3 year Sunday Missal available, plus our usual stock of beautiful Rosaries and Statues.
Please come and browse, if you have any queries the Volunteers will be happy to assist you.
Journey of Faith—RCIA
This continues on Monday, 24th November 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
26 November & 10 December - 7pm in the Parish Hall
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