Kevin Hale
Fourth Sunday of Advent

Dear friends in Christ

Shortly after the Annunciation Mary went to visit her cousin Elizabeth.

Fourth Sunday of Advent
Kevin Hale
Third Sunday of Advent 'Gaudete'

Dear friends in Christ 

The title of this Third Sunday of Advent takes its name from the Entrance Antiphon—or Introit—of the Mass: Gaudete in Domino semper: iterum dico, gaudete. Dominus enim prope est…Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say rejoice.

Third Sunday of Advent 'Gaudete'
Kevin Hale
Second Sunday of Advent

Dear friends in Christ

Throughout Advent the Church uses the voice of the Old Testament prophets to assist us in the task of preparing a way for the Messiah.

Second Sunday of Advent
Kevin Hale
First Sunday of Advent

Dear friends in Christ

I would like to begin Advent by sharing with you some helpful lines from a sermon on Advent by Monsignor Ronald Knox, preached in 1947:

Everybody knows, even those of us who have lived most unadventurously, what it is to plod on for miles, it seems, eagerly straining your eyes towards the lights that, somehow, mean home.

First Sunday of Advent
Kevin Hale
Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

Dear friends in Christ

The Kingship of Christ is a strange kingship, by the values of this world.

Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

information

The Jubilee Year of Hope 2025

"Jubilee” is the name given to a particular year; the name comes from the instrument used to mark its launch. In this case, the instrument in question is the yobel, the ram's horn, used to proclaim the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). This (Jewish) holiday occurs every year, but it takes on special significance when it marks the beginning of a Jubilee year. We can find an early indication of it in the Bible: a Jubilee year was to be marked every 50 years, since this would be an “extra” year, one which would happen every seven weeks of seven years, i.e., every 49 years (cf. Leviticus 25:8-13). Even though it wasn’t easy to organise, it was intended to be marked as a time to re-establish a proper relationship with God, with one another, and with all of creation, and involved the forgiveness of debts, the return of misappropriated land, and a fallow period for the fields.

Quoting the prophet Isaiah, the Gospel of Luke describes Jesus’ mission in this way: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord,” (Luke 4:18-19; cf. Isaiah 61:1-2). Jesus lives out these words in his daily life, in his encounters with others and in his relationships, all of which bring about liberation and conversion.

In 1300, Pope Boniface VIII called the first Jubilee, also known as a “Holy Year,” since it is a time in which God's holiness transforms us. The frequency of Holy Years has changed over time: at first, they were celebrated every 100 years; later, in 1343 Pope Clement VI reduced the gap between Jubilees to every 50 years, and in 1470 Pope Paul II made it every 25 years. There have also been “extraordinary” Holy Years: for example, in 1933 Pope Pius XI chose to commemorate the 1900th anniversary of the Redemption, and in 2015 Pope Francis proclaimed the Year of Mercy as an extraordinary jubilee. The way in which Jubilee Years are marked has also changed through the centuries: originally the Holy Year consisted of a pilgrimage to the Roman Basilicas of St. Peter and St. Paul, later other signs were added, such as the Holy Door. By participating in the Holy Year, one is granted a plenary indulgence. The characteristics of the Jubilee Year are: making a Pilgrimage, passing through one of the Holy Doors in the designated Churches, especially the Roman Basilicas; Reconciliation (Sacrament of Confession) and prayer. In the Diocese of Brentwood Holy Doors will be opened in—The Cathedral of St Mary & St Helen, Brentwood, The National Shrine of Our Lady of Light, Spouse of the Holy Spirit, Clacton, Saint Antony of Padua, Forest Gate. Within our own Diocese we can fulfil the indulgence by visiting one of these churches.

The particular theme and intention of this Jubilee Year is Hope.  Let us then, go forward in Hope in Christ as the sole Redeemer of mankind and live daily the promises  He gives us whilst making use of the divine treasury being opened-up for us by our Mother the Church.

Dates for your Diary

Saturday 15th—Friday 21st March 2025—Parish Mission led by the Redemptorists

Saturdays 10th & 17th May 10.30am—First Holy Communion Masses

Sunday 1st June 2025—Visitation & Confirmation

Sunday 22nd June—Corpus Christi Procession 4pm

Monday 21st—Friday 25th July—Lourdes Pilgrimage

Monday 8th September Centenary of the Opening of our Church

Parish Fundraising

Thank you to everyone who has supported the 200 Club this year. The results of the November draw are as follows:

1st Prize   £150   25     Mr G Shepherd

2nd Prize £100 139     Mr J Sinclair

3rd Prize   £75   34      Mrs J Allard

4th Prize   £25  184      Mrs A Peoples

There has been a significant drop in members over the past few months. Would you consider taking part in the 200 Club? The subscription is £5 per month, either by cash, cheque or direct debit. If you would like to join, please fill in a form which can be found at the back of the church or ring Linda Wall on 01702 558217.

Dates for your Diary

Monday, 16th December—Journey in Faith (RCIA) 8pm Parish Centre

Friday 20th December—Annual Carol Service 7pm

Saturday 15th—Friday 21st March 2025—Parish Mission led by the Redemptorists

Saturdays 10th & 17th May 10.30am—First Holy Communion Masses

Sunday 1st June 2025—Visitation & Confirmation

Sunday 22nd June—Corpus Christi Procession 4pm

Monday 21st—Friday 25th July—Lourdes Pilgrimage

Monday 8th September Centenary of the Opening of our Church

Lourdes Jubilee Year Pilgrimage

The proposed Pilgrimage to Lourdes next year, flying with BA, will depart Heathrow on Monday 21st July 07.35am—Arrive Toulouse 10.25am, returning on Saturday 26th July 10.45am—arriving at 11.45am.

The 5-night package price is £895 per pilgrim sharing, single supplement is £225, 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.

JOURNEY OF FAITH—RCIA

This continues on Monday, 16th December 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.

Sea of Voices Choir

The choir will be holding an informal Carol and cakes concert in the Parish Centre on Sunday 15th December from 3pm - not a formal concert, as in past years, as we will be asking for audience participation in singing well known carols, as well as us singing some of our repertoire. We will ask for charity donations on that afternoon. 

Posters & Stickers

A supply of 'Keep Christ in Christmas' envelope stickers provided free by the Knights of Saint Columba are available for parishioners to take home to be put onto the front of Christmas card envelopes. Please take some home to be used for your Christmas card postings. Please also take a poster to display prominently in your window.

Repository

We have a good selection of Advent Calendars for children, plus New year Calendars for Adults. We also have a good stock of Aid to Church in Need Christmas cards and a selection of cards now in stock from the LMS.

We have a few 1 Year Missals left and if you would like the 3 Year copy please ask one of the Volunteers to add your name to the Waiting list.

Vacancy at St Bernard's High School

LEARNING MENTOR

Hours: Full-time, 37 hours per week (8.00am – 4.00pm), term time only  
Scale 7 – 12 (£25,584 - £27,711 / pro rata actual salary £21,933- £23,757)

Closing Date: 16 December 2024, 9.00am   
Interviews: Morning of 18 December 2024
Start date:  6 January 2025

We are looking for a positive, enthusiastic and approachable professional to work alongside our Learning Mentor Team supporting identified students.

You will be joining a successful, friendly and supportive department within a high-performing school, supporting students from Years 7 – Y13.   You will need to be able to work flexibly and provide support, motivation and guidance to help students overcome barriers to their learning.

If you are interested in applying for this role, please complete the Support Staff Application Form found on our website (www.stbernardswestcliff.org.uk under About Us/Vacancies) and email it to recruitment@stbernards.southend.sch.uk.