Third Sunday of Easter
Dear friends in Christ
On this Third Sunday of Easter we hear the Resurrection appearance of Jesus to the disciples on their way to Emmaus.
Dear friends in Christ
On this Third Sunday of Easter we hear the Resurrection appearance of Jesus to two disciples on their way to Emmaus. They are filled with fear and apprehension and their conversation is lacking in hope. These men are returning home from the festival of Passover in Jerusalem and they are speaking of Jesus as belonging to the past. These two did indeed know about Christ’s promise of rising on the third day. They had heard that morning the message of the women who had found the empty tomb and the angels. But instead of being filled with optimism, they are downcast and lacking faith. Jesus—at first not recognised—walks by heir side and interprets for them all that has happened, and their minds are then opened and everything falls into place. When we meet with discouragement and when we lack hope because of our defects or the difficulties of life, we have to allow ourselves to be helped by Jesus and tell Him that we do not want to be parted from Him, whatever life puts on our road. In those times, we can say the words—the prayer—of those two disciples: Stay with us, for it is towards evening, and the day is now far spent. And Jesus, who is never very far away, will walk with us too.
This Sunday I welcome to the Parish Monsignor Ante Vidović who is the Deputy Head of Mission at the Apostolic Nunciature in London; he will concelebrate the 11.30am Mass. The Nunciature is the Embassy of the Vatican in Great Britain and has a twofold function of representing the Pope to the church in our country and also representing the Holy See to the Government. May the visit of Msgr Vidović remind us of our strong bonds with the Holy Father in Rome and also our relationship to the greater Universal Church in our land and beyond. In these days Pope Leo is making his apostolic visit to four African nations. So this is also the opportunity to renew our prayers for the Holy Father especially as he has come under attack this week. Preaching in Cameroon on Thursday he proclaimed: Jesus said: “Blessed are the peacemakers” but woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic and political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth.
May God bless our Pope and God bless all of you!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Third Sunday of Easter
Saturday 18th April
Saturday of the Second Week of Easter
5.30pm Vigil Mass The People of the Parish
6.30pm—7.30 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
Sunday 19th April
Third Sunday of Easter
8am Mass Albert Thomas Cook RIP (Anniv) (SD)
9.30am Mass Michael Harvey Mapson, RIP (LM)
11.30am Mass Holy Souls
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Monday 20th
Monday of the Third Week of Easter
9am Mass Flora Ignatius, RIP (RP)
Tuesday 21st
Tuesday of the Third Week of Easter
9am Mass Theresa Mills, RIP (AP)
4.15pm Body in Church David Lesley
Wednesday 22nd
Wednesday of the Third Week of Easter
11am Requiem Mass David Lesley
Thursday 23rd
Solemnity of Saint George, M, Patron Saint of England
9am Mass Grace Earles' Relatives & Holy Souls (FM)
Friday 24th
St Mellitus, Bp
12Noon Mass Jenny McDonough (Sick) (MR)
Saturday 25th April
St Mark, Ev
10am Canon Francis Gilbert, RIP (FM)
10.30am—11.30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
5.30pm Vigil Mass Rosemary Bragard, RIP (RM)
6.30pm—7.30 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
Sunday 26th April
Fourth Sunday of Easter
8am Mass The People of the Parish
9.30am Mass Christine Keenan, RIP (Anniv) (FK)
11.30am Mass Holy Souls
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
We pray for our sick
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.”
We Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries
Fr Arthur Ryan, Fr Derek Powney, Fr Simon Sullivan, Fr Myles O’Reilly, Fr Joseph McEntee, Fr Anthony Colebrook, Fr Michael Enright, Canon Thomas Smith, Mary Kyrke-Smith, Anna Coste, George Andrews, Millicent Howell, Albert Thomas Cook, Thomas Corcoran, Violet Darnell, Louisa Hucks, Harold Horam, Ellaline Stenfalt, Magdalena Schenbel, George Robertson, Capt France Lionnet, Peggy Ayres, Lucy Richardson (Anderson), Joan Fairchild, George Conridge, Albert Middleton, Clifford Mawer, Gladys Watts, Arnold Kyrke-Smith, Thelma Chambers, Michael Abbott, Dorothy (Molly) Thorp, Mary Johnson, Mary Bartley, Tony Pycraft, Brigid Alexander, Grahame Addecott, Joseph Heaphy, Minnie Smith, Elizabeth White, Vincent Hurley, Audrey Lewis & Phyllis Eileen Tate.
Please pray for the repose of the soul of
DAVID LESLEY who died on Friday, 13th March. His body will be received into the church on Tuesday, 21st April at 4.15pm. His Requiem Mass will take place on Wednesday, 22nd April at 11am followed by committal at Sutton Road Cemetery.
Requiescat in pace
Sanctuary Lamp
The Sanctuary Lamp burns for the deceased members of the Wall & Rockwell Families.
Dates for your Diary
Saturday 16 May
10:30am First Holy Communion Mass
Sunday 24 May
11:30am Confirmation Mass
Sunday 7 June
4pm Corpus Christi Procession
11 July
Flower Festival
Sunday 19-Friday 24 July
Lourdes Pilgrimage
Eastertide Talks
In Eastertide the Risen Jesus opens the Scriptures to his disciples
Let Him do this for you through these inspirational talks from Brant Pitre
Monday mornings 10.30am in the Parish Centre
April 27th The Walk to Emmaus
May 18th The Woman at the Well
June 1st, 15th & 29th, July 13th The Gospel of Matthew
Wednesdays 7.30pm in the Parish Centre
April 29th The Walk to Emmaus
May 27th The Woman at the Well
June 24th, July 8th & 22nd The 4 Gospels
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.
For more information please contact the Parish Office, as there are still a few places left.
OLOL Ladies Group
Our next Meeting is on Thursday 23rd April from 10am in the Parish Centre. As the date is such an auspicious occasion, ie St Georges Day and Shakespeare's Birthday, we will have a little celebration and some fun, including a Quiz from Jan to test our wits! All ladies are welcome with Subs at £1 plus our popular Raffle.
Young Vincentians
Our next meeting is on Monday 20th April from 5.15pm. Young Vincentians Committee.
Seniors Exercise & Balance Class
10am Tuesdays
Parish Centre
£6
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.
London Marathon
Tanisha Mead, one of our parishioners, is running the London Marathon on 26th April in aid of the Brain & Spine Foundation. If you would like to support Tanisha please follow the link.
Flower & Crafts Festival 2026
Saturday 11 July
We ask for your help to make the day a success. The theme this year is The Beatitudes. There are 8 beatitudes and we would like each to be represented in flower displays, art work, crafts... Please consider taking part—especially if you have not before. If you can sew, knit, embroider, paint, draw, craft, arrange flowers—then we need you!
The Festival is a way of opening ourselves up to a wide group of people of various religious persuasions—or none! Each year we host some people who have never been in a church before… This is part of our Christian witness. If you would like to take part or would like to know more, contact me by email, or find Theresa or myself in the Lady Chapel after the Family Mass on Sunday.
Jo Ronan
Caretaker Vacancy at St Bernard’s High School
Hours: 37 hours per week, full-time, additional hours maybe required at weekends when requiredSalary scale 7-12 (£26,403 - £28,598)
Calling all Caretakers – we are looking to recruit a Caretaker to join our friendly premises team!
The role will be challenging at times so you will need to be a team player, pro-active, organised, reliable, adaptable and have a ‘can do’ attitude to deal with issues that arise. You will support the school to effectively maintain a safe, clean, secure, well-functioning and pleasant learning environment for students, staff and visitors.
Key Responsibilities:
Carry out hands-on maintenance, repairs, and site inspections as required
Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations, including risk assessments and reporting
Monitor site security, including opening/closing procedures and emergency response
Liaise with contractors, suppliers, and management to ensure efficient service delivery
Ensuring the site is safe for use during adverse weather conditions
Deliver goods to relevant departments
Set up rooms for events
Requirements:
Proven experience in a caretaking, facilities, or maintenance role ideally working within a school or similar environment
Strong practical skills across general maintenance (e.g. basic plumbing, electrical, carpentry)
Good understanding of health and safety procedures and compliance
Excellent organisational and communication skills
Ability to work independently and take initiative
Flexible approach to working hours when needed
If you would like to apply, please complete the Support Staff Application Form found at the bottom of our Vacancies page on our website (https://www.stbernardswestcliff.org.uk/about-us/vacancies)and email it to recruitment@stbernards.southend.sch.uk.
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School & Nursery
We warmly invite families to visit our wonderful school and see first-hand the engaging and supportive learning environment we provide. Arranging a visit is a great opportunity to see the school in action, meet our staff, and experience our welcoming community.
If you would like to book a tour, please contact the school office who will be happy to arrange a visit.
Second Sunday of Easter Divine Mercy
Dear friends in Christ
The Octave weekend of Easter not only renews the joy of the Resurrection but is also a call to faith—these are the two great virtues of this Easter season.
Dear friends in Christ
The Octave weekend of Easter not only renews the joy of the Resurrection but is also a call to faith—these are the two great virtues of this Easter season. The Gospel tells us of the evening of the Resurrection, which paints the touching picture of the Apostles, gathered together in fear, and uncertain of what will happen next. Jesus comes into their midst through the locked doors, showing that after the Resurrection His Body does not obey the normal laws of physics, but can pass to and fro through places. Jesus asks the same faith of us as he did of the Apostles: You believe because you can see me; blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe. We must be convincing witnesses of the Resurrection as they were, if we are to make any difference. No one is converted by a weak and vacillating Christianity. Every page of the New Testament, especially the Acts of the Apostles, shows us how the Faith needs to be proclaimed. We are witnessing a great thirst in our world for the Truth at this time. However, the important thing about Christianity is not whether it makes me feel better, or whether it is good for society, but that it is true. As I said in my Easter Homily: The only Christianity that is going to satisfy anyone, is a full-fat supernatural Catholicism.
May I renew my gratitude for all that has happened in Lent in Holy Week. I am deeply conscious of the time parishioners devote to the Parish at these times: especially those involved with the Sacred Liturgy—the most important element of Parish life; I hope you will understand by now that this is what motivates all my pastoral planning. Everything else we do is subordinate to the worship that takes place daily. I am genuinely inspired by the example of so many families and individuals who make their Catholic Faith central to what they are and do. I am grateful for those examples that inspire me in my life.
God bless you this week!
Msgr Kevin Hale