St Bernard's High School
Teacher of Religious Education—September 2026—Pay Scale – TMS/UPS
Are you an enthusiastic and inspiring teacher with the skills, confidence and energy to make a positive impact on the lives of our students?
We are seeking to appoint an RE teacher to join our highly successful RE department. If you are a teacher with excellent subject knowledge and strong teaching skills, if you can build positive relationships with staff and all learners and you are committed to raising the attainment of your students then please send your application to us.
St Bernard's High School is a Catholic girls’ school from Years 7-11 with a co-educational Sixth Form. Our school is ranked one of the top schools in Southend, and we are in the top 20% of schools across the country for our progress with students and our outcomes. We offer our students an environment where they can excel academically, personally and spiritually. It is a warm and welcoming school where our Catholic values underpin our day-to-day life.
All new staff are supported within the positive ethos of this happy and high performing school, and to this end all staff complete an applicable induction training programme. The community at St Bernard’s welcome applications from teachers of all faiths or none.
Please complete the final teaching application form found on our website www.stbernardswestcliff.org.uk under School Information/Vacancies – please note we do not accept CVs.
Closing Date: 16 March 2026 at 9.00am
Interviews: w/c 16 March 2026 or 23 March 2026
Third Sunday of Lent
Dear friends in Christ
The Readings over the next three Sundays begin to lead us into the mysteries of our salvation in Christ: The Woman at the Well this weekend, the Healing of the Man Born Blind next Sunday and finally the Raising of Lazarus form the Dead.
Dear friends in Christ
The Readings over the next three Sundays begin to lead us into the mysteries of our salvation in Christ: The Woman at the Well this weekend, the Healing of the Man Born Blind next Sunday and finally the Raising of Lazarus from the Dead. In each of these Gospel narratives, we are being lead from the darkness of sin and death towards the light of the Resurrection. For this reason, these passages from the Scripture are ideal helps in the preparations for those who are to receive the Easter Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and the Blessed Eucharist. In a beautiful sermon of Saint Augustine on the Samaritan Woman whom Jesus meets at the Well he concludes: What is this water that he will give if not the water spoken of in Scripture: With you is the fountain of life? How can those feel thirst who will drink deeply from the abundance in your house? He was promising the Holy Spirit in satisfying abundance. She did not yet understand. In her failure to grasp his meaning, what was her reply? The woman says to him: 'Master, give me this drink, so that I may feel no thirst or come here to draw water.' Her need forced her to this labour, her weakness shrank from it. If only she could hear those words: 'Come to me, all who labour and are burdened, and I will refresh you.' Jesus was saying this to her, so that her labours might be at an end; but she was not yet able to understand.
We know, with the hindsight and insights of faith and history, that Jesus has come to give us life abundantly, and by our Baptism, we share on earth the life we look forward to possessing in all its fullness in eternity. As we approach the mid-way point of Lent, we renew our faith and hope in the promise of eternal life and ask for grace to daily persevere in fidelity to our place in the Church.
God bless you!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Third Sunday of Lent
Liturgy:
Readings of Year A
The Apostles’ Creed
Preface of 3rd Sunday of Lent
Saturday 7th March
Saturday of the Second Week of Lent
10am Mass David Kislingbury, RIP (Anniv) (CK)
10.30-11.30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
5.30pm Vigil Intentions of Monica Swanton (AS)
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
Sunday 8th March
Third Sunday of Lent
8am Mass Albert Thomas Cook, RIP (SD)
9.30am Mass The People of the Parish
11.30am Mass Tom O’Callaghan, RIP (Anniv) (RO’C)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Monday 9th
Monday of the Third Week of Lent
9am Mass Intentions of Robert Sighe (MR)
Tuesday 10th
Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent
9am Mass Pauline Kilcoine, RIP (PL)
Wednesday 11th
Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent
Mass 9am Don Craig, RIP, family & friends
Thursday 12th
Thursday of the Third Week of Lent
9am Mass Private Ints of Carmel Kislingbury (CK)
Friday 13th
Friday of the Third Week of Lent
12Noon Mass Michael Regan, RIP (WD) 7.00pm Way of the Cross & Benediction
Saturday 14th March
Saturday of the Third Week of Lent
10am Mass Tony Trigg, RIP (Anniv) (AT)
10.30-11.00am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession 11.00am First Confessions
5.30pm Vigil The People of the Parish
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
Sunday 15th March
Fourth Sunday of Lent—Lætare
8am Mass Marie Murphy, RIP & Intentions of Peter Murphy (BM)
9.30am Mass Joyce Foy, RIP (A-MM)
11.30am Mass Mervyn Calton, RIP (Anniv) (RC)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
We Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries
Canon Joseph Whitfield, Fr Thomas Lawton, Fr John Gordon, Fr Edmund Meyer, Fr Maurice Roche, Mgr Canon David Michael Corley, Fr William Luby, Teresa Rumsey, Henry Delaney, John Button, Constance Ryan, Joyce Quinn, Pamela Jones, Peggy Choppin, Vincent Ingham, Christopher Tyler, Joe Swann, Tom O’Callaghan, Theresa Ketterer, Joseph Collins, Lionel Clarke, Richard Young, Margaret Houston, Benjamin Dawson, Leo King, Edith Smith, Eileen Greaves, George Burnham, Lydia Upton, Maura Harley, Eric Wilding, Stefan Zyms, Frank Keenan (Snr), Philip Hale, Eleanor Hayes, June Hazel White & Bridget Morris.
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 Siani Family.
Dates for your Diary
Monday, 9th March—Journey in Faith (RCIA) 8pm Parish Centre
Saturday 16th May 10.30am—First Holy Communion Mass
Sunday 24th May—Confirmation Mass 11.30am
Sunday 7th June—Corpus Christi Procession 4pm
11th July—Flower Festival
Sunday 19th to Friday 24th July—Lourdes Pilgrimage
Lent Parish Talks
Nourishing our faith this Lent
Do you want this Lent to be a bit more than giving-up chocolate or alcohol?
Do you sometimes wonder what it really means to say you have a relationship with Jesus?
Would you like a deeper appreciation of Jesus’ Passion, death & resurrection & its meaning for our lives?
If your answer to any of these questions, or questions like them, then why not come along to our Lenten series of talks by the Scripture scholar Brant Pitre, running in the daytime & in the evening? No need to book.
Mon 9th March 10.30—12.00 following coffee in the Parish Centre after Mass.
Mon 23rd March 10.30—12.00 following coffee in the Parish Centre after Mass.
Wednesday 11th March 7.30–9pm in the Parish Centre
Wednesday 25th March 7.30–9pm in the Parish Centre
Want more info? Contact Heather 07885 737393, heatherward55@gmail.com
Brentwood Cathedral Lenten Lectures
These will take place at Brentwood Cathedral Parish Hall at 7.30pm
The theme this year is: “What does it truly mean to be Catholic?” This invitation is to the whole Diocese of Brentwood. All Welcome!
Talk 3 Wednesday 11th March. Mr Mauro Iannicelli.
Prayer as the Foundation of our Catholic Life—7.30pm
Talk 4 Wednesday 18th March Rev Msgr John Armitage.
The uniqueness of Catholicism for British Society—7.30pm
Young Vincentians
We are having a cake sale in the Parish Centre this weekend after the 5.30pm, 9.30am and 11.30am Masses to raise money for the Society of St Vincent de Paul—SVP—and help those who are not as fortunate as we are. Please buy a cake or give a donation.
Young Vincentians Committee.
OLOL Ladies Group
We meet on Thursday 12th March for a prompt start at 10am with subs at £1. New members are always welcome so just come along and join in this relaxed and friendly Group.
Our Guest speaker this week is the welcome return of Gina Marshall who will be giving a talk on the life of Agatha Christie (so who knows what mysteries Gina will uncover?!!)
All ladies in the Parish are welcome to join us...........
MISSIO Red Boxes
Please do not bring any red boxes to the church until further notice. As soon as I am recovered and well enough, I will let you know.
A supply of Missio Magazines will be at the back of the church this weekend in the usual place. Please take one. Thank you. Joan Caunce
Repository News
We have a small selection of cards for Mothers Day and Saint Patricks Day and hope to have some Easter cards available soon. First Holy Communion and Confirmation cards and gifts will be in stock after Easter.
Journey of Faith—RCIA
This continues on Monday, 9th March 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.
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Walsingham—23rd May 2026
Join Bishop Alan and other parishes around the Diocese of Brentwood in Walsingham. We will celebrate Mass at the Basilica before walking the Holy Mile to the grounds of Walsingham Abbey to celebrate Vespers and Benediction on the site of the Holy House. Sacred Heart are running a coach, and the cost will be £25 per adult, children under 16 go free.
Leaving Sacred Heart Church at 7am, picking up at St John Fisher at 7:10am and Our Lady of Lourdes, Leigh, at 7:25am. We expect to be back in the Southend area by 8pm. Please phone Sandy Rand 07470 820994 to book your seat. Book early to secure your place. Thank you.
Seniors Exercise & Balance Class
You are invited to join the Exercise & Balance Class for Seniors which is held every Tuesday morning in the Parish Centre. The class starts at 10am and lasts one hour. Exercises are done to music and each session costs £6.
Lourdes Pilgrimage 2026
The 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.
Southend Catholic Pilgrims
7 Days Pilgrimage to Italy Roma, Greccio Province of Rieti & Assisi—£1496.50 per person
From Thursday 8th October to Wednesday 14th October 2026
Organised by Salvatore Burzotta Tel: 07753 203129
Led by Father Jeff Woolnough PP St Peters Eastwood
Please contact Salvatore for further information