Young Vincentians
Our next meeting is on Monday 19th January from 5.15pm. Young Vincentians Committee.
Repository
The Repository is open after all Masses. We have a few new Calendars 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.
MISSIO Red Boxes
As I am still in hospital, would you please hold onto your boxes until the beginning of March.
Thank you. Joan Caunce
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!
Sea of Voices Choir
Our parish community choir returned last Thursday night (15th) singing at the parish centre from 8pm. We would love to see new members join us as it’s the start of the Summer season, for a concert to be arranged for them. Thank you. Contact Darrell Binding 07825686249 email seaofvoiceschoir@outlook.com.
Bereavement Group at St Helen's
A Bereavement Group meet at Our Lady Help of Christians and St Helens, Milton Road, Westcliff-on-Sea on the 2nd Saturday of the month, from 10am to 12Noon, at the parish’s small hall.
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.
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).
The Baptism of the Lord
Liturgy:
Readings of Year A
The Nicene Creed
Preface of the Baptism of the Lord
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
Monday 12th
St Aelred of Rievaulx, Ab
9am Mass Intentions of Mystica Alexander (CB)
Tuesday 13th
St Hilary, Bp, D
9am Mass Private Intention (ML)
Wednesday 14h
Feria
9am Mass Peaceful Transition of power in Uganda (FS)
Thursday 15th
Feria
9am Mass Thomas Henry Gunn, RIP (FM)
Friday 16th
Feria
12Noon Mass Ian Spacie, RIP (VS)
Saturday 17th January
St Antony, Ab
10am Mass Adam Barnes, RIP (JG)
10.30-11.30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
5.30pm Vigil Brendan Cashell, RIP (MT)
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
Sunday 18th January
Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
8am Mass Essie Glauda, RIP (Anniv) (KC)
9.30am Mass Ray Hastings, RIP (JL)
11.30am Mass The People of the Parish
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
The Baptism of the Lord
Dear friends in Christ
The Christmas season ends with the Baptism of Jesus
Dear friends in Christ
The Christmas season ends with the Baptism of Jesus. Although He Himself had no need of Baptism by John the Baptist, nevertheless our Saviour and Redeemer chose to join the ranks of those seeking a Baptism of repentance in the River Jordan. In this, as in His Birth, Our Lord shows his solidarity with us sinners. He does not shun those who are considered undesirable by the standards of the world, rather, He stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the outcasts of society, just as he will die nailed to the Cross between two criminals. That is where He desires to be, in order that He can raise-up fallen humanity.
This is a good feast for us to recall our Baptism; this was a day as important as our actual birthday, since by the grace of God, we received enlightenment in Christ, divine filiation, and a pledge of life eternal. As the priest prays right after the moment of Baptism: Receive the light of Christ: this light is entrusted to you to be kept burning brightly, keep the flame of faith alive in your heart, when the Lord comes may you go out to Him with all the Saints in the heavenly kingdom!
By a well-established Roman custom, our Cribs remain in place until the Feast of The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple—and Mary’s Purification—on 2nd February. It is possible to place a crib offering in the wall box in the Lady Chapel or use the QR code there; these offerings help the work of the Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society in their support of our vulnerable and needy young people. Thank you for your continued support of this important Diocesan Charity.
May God give you every grace and blessing!
Msgr Kevin Hale
We Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries
Canon Francis Dobson, Fr John King, Fr Gilbert Basil Pearson, Fr Neville Banks, Fr Kenneth Green, Fr John McKeon, Cyril Jarman, Agness O’Donoghue, Agnes McManus, Catherine Ramsay, Hubert Carlyon, Mary Tomlinson, Ryan Allen, Margaret Bonsor, Juan Billena, Mabel Payne, Joe De Lobel, Leslie George Murray, Derrick Whithil-Smith, Mary Cooper, Tim McCarthy, Lily Jessie Johnson, Eileen Watson, Georges Eddgidio, Dr Robert Clark, Catherine Mills, Pat Rogers, Patricia Manning, Eric Major, John Mayo, Anna Sokl, Rose-Margaret Gilbert, Bernadette Law, Rosemary Bragard, Mary Ann Foley, Elsie Nicol, Nancy Hume, Annie Shea, Gordon Wallen, Brigid Connolly, Violet Read, Gabriel Craven, Patrick Connolly, Brenda Cambell, Germaine Cave-Palmer, Renée Warburton, Robert Garson-Gratidge, Mrs Breeda Hayes, Bridget Kelly & Isabel Coombes.
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 Charles D’Souza & friends, RIP.
Please pray for the repose of the souls 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 Hall. hallhttps://www.funeralguide.co.uk/obituaries/139844
Fr JOHN HAYES, RIP
Requiescant in pace
Dates for your Diary
Monday 12th January Journey in Faith (RCIA) 8pm Parish Centre
Saturday 16th May 10.30am—First Holy Communion Mass
Sunday 24th May—Visitation and Confirmation—11.30amMass
Sunday 7th June—Corpus Christi Procession 4pm
11th July—Flower Festival
Sunday 19th to Friday 24th July—Lourdes Pilgrimage
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. On-line booking is available from Monday, 12th January.
Music at 11.30am Mass
Prelude: Recit—Pierre Du Mage (1674-1751)
Postlude: Piece for Christmas or New Year BWV 605—J.S. Bach (1685-1750)
Journey of Faith—RCIA
This continues on Monday, 12th 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 this weekend, 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.