Following on from the Bishop's request to respond to the needs of our environment and our brothers and sisters we are proposing to initiate the following projects with your help.

Fair Trade - we will sell Fair Trade products on Sundays 8.30am-11.30am (after 8.00am Mass, before/after 9.30am Mass and before 11.30 Mass) once a month beginning on Sunday March 17th. Please support our brothers and sisters who work hard to provide goods for us.

Environment - We are looking for donations of any environmentally friendly plants for the church gardens (both drought resistant and pollinators)

Volunteers needed - A charity called Your Family are looking for volunteers to help with some of their initiatives including: 'Cuppa and Chat drop in', Messy Play sessions, Food banks, 'Little love Baby Bank' and family engagement in libraries. Any travel costs will be reimbursed.

Street Pastors - Asking for volunteers who will be trained to work on the streets of Southend. They also need a treasurer.

Southend University - We plan to operate a Homework Club in the Parish Centre one day a week between 3.30-5.00pm to support young people who do not have the facilities at home to do their homework. The University will provide some mentors but if one or two parishioners could also support this initiative on a rota basis that would be great.

We hope that by putting our faith into action that we are responding to the example of Jesus and the words of our Pope.

If you are willing to help in any of the above ventures or just want to know a little more about them please ring Cathy on 07762 107920 to find out more. Thank you. Cathy, Live Simply Group.