St John Bosco Children's Camp
An amazing volunteer opportunity for this summer!
If you are in school year 12 or student age (or any age over 17!) you are very welcome to apply at www.boscocamp.co.uk. The application process includes references and a DBS check, which we can help with, as well as training and support before and during Camp. The Camp provides over 100 children a week with a summer holiday—for many their only holiday. As a volunteer you use your skills in assisting with different sporting and fun activities, as well as the practical aspects of camp life.
Volunteer for 25th July—1st August or 1st—8th August. The Camp is a special work of Caritas Diocese of Brentwood, and also seeks financial donations—all information on the website.
OLOL Ladies Group
We meet again for a good start to the new year this Thursday 15th January as usual in the Parish Centre. We hope to get the new season off to a good start with the very welcome return of our favourite Magician, Paul Clancy, who will be entertaining us with some of his amazing magic tricks, so do come along and join in the fun.
As usual all ladies are welcome for a prompt 10am start, subs are still only £1 including refreshments.
Sacrament of Confirmation
This will take place on Sunday 24th May, 2026 during the 11:30 Mass.
Any adult or young adult (who must have reached the age of fourteen by 1st September 2025) may apply. Please send an email with your name and contact details to mrscatherineharris@gmail.com by Friday 6th February, 2026.
Tour of the Relics of St Gerard Majella 2026
Later this month our Diocese will host the relics of St Gerard Majella at four locations:
Monday 19th January—Basildon, Holy Trinity
Wednesday 21st January—Colchester, Sts James & Helen
Thursday 22nd January—Walthamstow, Our Lady of the Rosary & St Patrick
Friday 23rd January—Forest Gate, St Anthony
This is the start of a tour of England and Wales to mark his 300th anniversary. Come along and bring your intentions to this popular Saint.
BCCS Afternoon Tea
The Brentwood Catholic Children Society is delighted to kick off the year with an invitation to Afternoon Tea. Hosted in the opulent surroundings of the Roslin Beach Hotel in Southend-on-Sea on Tuesday 17th February 2026 (13:30-15:30).
Set in the elegant ballroom of this prestigious venue, this fundraising event promises an experience of true luxury.
Tickets are £35 per person - for more information or to book your place search //www.bccs.org.uk/get-involved/events/ or contact Julie (jabbott@bccs.org.uk or 07912277413).
Seniors Exercise & Balance Class
You are invited to join the Exercise & Balance Class for Seniors on Tuesday mornings in the Parish Centre.
The class starts at 10am and lasts one hour. Exercises are done to music and each session costs £6.00.
Make it your New Year's resolution to improve your fitness!
Second Sunday after the Nativity
Dear friends in Christ
On this Second Sunday of Christmas, as at the Mass of Christmas Day itself, we listen to the Prologue of Saint John’s Gospel.
Dear friends in Christ
On this Second Sunday of Christmas, as at the Mass of Christmas Day itself, we listen to the Prologue of Saint John’s Gospel. These are the opening verses which, poetic in style, are reminiscent of the opening verses of the Book of Genesis. These words proclaim Jesus Christ’s life on earth, praising His divine and eternal nature. Jesus is the uncreated Word, God the Only-begotten, who takes on our human condition and offers us the opportunity to become sons and daughters of God, that is, to share God’s own life in a real and supernatural way. St John Chrysostom comments on these words of the Gospel in a Homily thus: “In the beginning” what this means is that He always was and that He is eternal…For if He is God, as indeed He is, there is nothing prior to Him; if He is the Creator of all things, then He is the First; if He is Lord of all, then everything comes after Him—created things and time. Until the revision of the Mass following the Second Vatican Council, this Gospel was read at the end of every of Mass. This was so that Catholics would leave church filled with the remembrance that what they had encountered at Mass was the re-presentation of the Word made flesh, who came to dwell amongst us on earth. This belief should still fill us with awe as we go from Holy Mass each time, conscious of the reality that God became flesh, lived on earth, and shows us the way to Heaven.
On this first Sunday of the New Year, I extend my good wishes and assurance of prayers for a happy and holy 2026!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Second Sunday after the Nativity
Liturgy:
Readings of Year A
The Nicene Creed
Preface of the Nativity 3
Saturday 3rd January
Feria of Christmas Time
5.30pm Vigil The People of the Parish
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
Sunday 4th January
Second Sunday after the Nativity
8am Mass Intentions of Baby Girl in hospital (GS)
9.3am Mass Intentions of Anne & Terry Peckham (JB)
11.30am Mass William & Amy, Jude & Patrick (newborn) & Mum & Dad (PL)
4pm Mass Lucille Tarrobal, RIP
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Monday 5th
Weekday of Christmas Time
9am Mass Colin Cheeseman, RIP (IS)
Tuesday 6th
THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD—Holyday of Obligation
9.30am Mass Mr & Mrs Renehan & their sons, RIP (MH)
12Noon Mass Tommy Gill, RIP (PL)
7pm Mass The People of the Parish
Wednesday 7th
Weekday of Christmas Time
9am Mass Fr Jim Lynch (Nottingham) (PM)
Thursday 8th
Weekday of Christmas Time
9am Mass Intentions of Gerry & Rosemary Dillon (RO'C)
Friday 9th
Weekday of Christmas Time
12Noon Mass Agnes Watkins, RIP (JW)
Saturday 10th January
Saturday of Christmas Time
10am Mass Fely Navara, RIP
10.30-11.30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
5.30pm Vigil Intentions of Maureen Freestone (AC)
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
Sunday 11th January
The Baptism of the Lord
8am Mass Intentions of Maria Cook( SD)
9.30am Mass The People of the Parish
11.30am Mass Brian O'Keefe, RIP (Anniv) (PL)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
We Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries
Fr Francis Heenan, Fr Michael Butler, Canon John Bloomfield, Canon Patrick McKenna, Len Plummer, Anthony Ryan, Hilda Edwards, Walter Biden, Ricky (Lola) Clarke, Marie Fitzakerly, Lena Austin, Lucien Staw, Eric Tarrant, Niall Cooney, Essie Glauda, Mary Josephine Herbert, Arthur Jackson, Ivy Whiting, Phyllis Sullivan, Patrick Dear, Sibyl Hardy, Gerald Vickers, Claire Mellish, Duncan Boyle, John Harley, Minnie Fogarty, Brian McInerney, Blodweh Oweh, Louise Alexandra Marsden, Hester Masi, Walter McGlone, Melissa Overton, John O’Leary, Elizabeth Hancock, Marie Thompson, Doreen Clements, Firmina Rose Bailey, Frances Sims, Bill Shanahan, Terence Foley, Gertrude Culley, Doreen Newcombe, Winifred Hughes, Madeleine Moroney, Clive Allen, Stephana Gallacher, Evelyn Roots & June Dillon.
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 intentions of the O’Callaghan Family.
Please pray for the repose of the soul of
JOAN BARR who died on Monday, 17th December. Her Requiem Mass will take place at St Peter’s Church on Friday, 23rd January at 11.45am followed by committal at Southend Cemetery followed by a reception in St Peters Church hallhttps://www.funeralguide.co.uk/obituaries/139844
Dates for your Diary
Monday 5th January Journey in Faith (RCIA) 8pm Parish Centre
Saturday 16th May 10.30am—First Holy Communion Mass
Sunday 7th June—Corpus Christi Procession 4pm
Sunday 19th to Friday 24th July—Lourdes Pilgrimage
Thank You from Fr Selvini
Thank-you to all those parishioners who kindly sent me Christmas cards and gave me Christmas gifts. Your generosity is much appreciated!
May I wish you all every blessing for a Happy New Year. I offered Mass for your intentions on New Year's Day.
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.
Parish Fundraising
200 Club
The winners of the draw last month are:
1st Prize £150 58 Mrs P Jordan
2nd Prize £100 132 Mrs V Ashcroft
3rd Prize £75 63 Mr B Devine
4th Prize £25 186 Mrs S Hookway
The funds raised from the 200 Club will now contribute to the overall costs of the tuition and expenses of trainee priests who, on completion of their formation, will be available for mission appointments strengthening the Church within Nigeria and elsewhere in the world. These missionary priests are known as Spiritans.
Please support this fundraising. There are some places available in the 200 Club, and if you wish to join, there is a monthly regular donation of £5. Forms are available at the back of the church. Alternatively, you can telephone Linda Wall on 01702 558217.
YMCA
Southend YMCA would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who made the recent Carol Service in support of Southend YMCA such a memorable and successful event.
A huge thank you to the Sea of Voices Choir for filling the evening with beautiful music, warmth, and festive spirit. We are also deeply grateful to the church for kindly allowing us to hold the service in such a welcoming and inspiring space. Your support made it possible for the community to come together in celebration.
Finally, thank you to the local community for attending, sharing in the joy of the evening, and generously donating. Thanks to your contributions, an incredible £1,102 was raised, which will make a real difference in supporting the young people at Southend YMCA.
Your support, whether through song, hosting, or attendance, embodies the spirit of community and kindness that makes our work possible. We are truly grateful for everyone who played a part in making the Carol Service a meaningful and memorable occasion.
With heartfelt thanks and appreciation,
The Southend YMCA Team
Southend YMCA
Journey of Faith—RCIA
This continues on Monday, 5th January 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.
Repository
Just to remind you all that we will be back on weekend of 10th?11th January after all Masses. We have a few new Calanders left, plus the 3 year Sunday Missal and our usual collection of beautiful statues and Rosaries. Meanwhile, Mass cards can be purchased from the Parish Office on weekdays.