This week the Sanctuary Lamp burns for the deceased members of the O’Brien Family.
World Youth Day
This Sunday is World Youth Day and it is a unique opportunity to celebrate the role and significance of young people in the Catholic Church in England and Wales, along with the global Church.
Young people from around the Diocese have volunteered to speak in their parishes, to share their experiences of BCYS events, how young people can get involved and how others can support us.
Find out more at www.bcys.net, searching @brentwoodcys or if you are able to donate online, please visit www.bcys.net/donate . Thank you.
Parish Christmas Bazaar - Sunday 24th November, 8.45am - 1.00pm
Thank you for so many lovely donations towards our Annual Parish Bazaar, which is this weekend. It’s not too late to donate any unwanted gifts, toiletries, bottles, raffle prizes or bric-a-brac, please leave them in the Old Baptistry.
Please bring cake donations to the Parish Centre during the day on Saturday or Sunday morning.
If you would like to help on the day, please contact us.
Sue Lawford—07816 141492
Angela Clements—07940 183452—email angelaclements47@gmail.com.
Raffle tickets are still available at the back of church after all masses.
PLEASE NOTE THAT WE CAN ONLY TAKE CASH!
Music at 11.30am Mass
Prelude: Voluntary—John Stanley (1713-1786)
Postlude: Toccata—Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706)
Responsorial Psalm
Candles for the Forty Hours’ Prayer-Thursday 28th to Saturday 30th November
These can be had in the Sacristy (£5) and will burn before the Blessed Sacrament with your intention written on the base. The remaining lamps will be used as the Sanctuary Lamp throughout the coming year.
The Watching rotas are on a table at the back for the church covering the three days; please complete each thirty minute period with at least two names. Thank you!
Dates for your Diary
Monday, 25th November—Journey in Faith (RCIA) 8pm Parish Centre
Friday 22nd November—Sung Latin Requiem Mass 7pm
Thursday 28th-Saturday 30th November—Forty Hours’ Prayer
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
OLOL Annual Christmas Carol Service
We are looking for helpers in the hall at the Carol Service, to serve refreshments (teas, mulled wine, mince pies etc). Please contact Darrell Binding on 07825 686249 if you are able to help.
HARP
Will you consider donating £10 to help a homeless person during the forthcoming Christmas period?
Between 3rd and 10th December every donation made to HARP will be doubled—thanks to the national Christmas Big Give Challenge. This means, if you donate £10, we will receive £20!
Please visit the HARP website to donate, www.harpsouthend.org.uk, or give your donation to Linda Wall. Thank you for your continuing generosity and for supporting our local homeless people.
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.
Parish Fundraising
Thank you to everyone who has supported the 200 Club this year. The results of the October draw are as follows:
1st Prize £150 16 Mrs S Burgoyne
2nd Prize £100 178 Mr A Tisi
3rd Prize £75 101 Mr P Fisher
4th Prize £25 38 Mr P Collingwod
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.
Repository
We are pleased to say we have a good selection of Christmas cards and a few Calendars plus our usual stock of Mass cards, Rosaries and other pious objects. Do come along and see us in the Repository or at the Parish Bazaar this weekend.
JOURNEY OF FAITH—RCIA
This continues on Monday, 25th November 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.
Catholic and aged between 18 - 30?
Join a group for faithful young adults for faith-based discussions. Presentations on relevant theological or ethical issues, evening prayer, exposition and benediction. If you are interested, then contact Max on 07783506474 for more information or to confirm your place. Food and drink will be provided.
The next session: Thursday 28th November at 7pm in Sacred Heart Church Hall (SS1 2QB) featuring a presentation by Fr. Graham Smith on Vocations including marriage, religious life, priesthood and secular work.
A Christmas Party!
Your parish SVP (Society of St Vincent de Paul) Conference is delighted to announce the date and place of its annual ‘Christmas Party’ to which all senior members of the parish are most warmly invited!
Our ‘Christmas Party’ is being held in the Parish Centre on Saturday, 7th December, commencing at 2pm and concluding at 4pm! Carols, good company and Christmas fare will pleasantly ease you into the seasonal spirit!
If you—or someone you know—would like to join us on this happy parish occasion please call/text Sallie Pollock on 07450 277956 You will be most welcome!
The Two Elizabeths - 20th Anniversary Concert
The Two Elizabeths (Elizabeth Dunlop and Elizabeth Upsher) are pleased to announce our anniversary concert celebrating 20 years of singing together!
We are fortunate to have Andrew Palmer accompanying us and Victor Patterson covering the Christmas items.
We do hope you can come and join us on Sunday, 1st December in our celebrations and share an evening of music that we have enjoyed performing through the past 20 years. Please pay on the door - save the date and get Christmas started with this fun evening.
We will be donating to St Saviours church organ and servery refurbishment fund and also Great Ormond Street Hospital - the hospital is very close to Elizabeth Upsher's heart as it cared for her grandson earlier this year with a very happy outcome.
Tickets £10 available at the door. Seasonal refreshments will be served.
We look forward to seeing you there!!!
St Joseph's Canvey is looking for Foundation Governors
Are you a practising Catholic?
Are you effective at forging links with the local and wider community?
Do you have skills that might be useful in a primary school like strategic leadership? recruitment? using data?
The Governing Body of St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Canvey Island is looking for foundation governors. The term of office is usually for 4 years from date of appointment.
The governors work as a team, in close co-operation with the headteacher and staff. The core responsibilities of the governing body are:
Ensure clarity of vision, ethos, and strategic direction
Hold the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff
Oversee the financial performance of the school and make sure its money is well spent
In addition to this, foundation governors are appointed specifically to ensure:
That the religious character of the school is preserved
That the school is conducted in accordance with its trust deed
That the religious education curriculum is in accordance with the Bishop’s policy for this Diocese
Are you able to give some of your time to a local Catholic school? We'd love to have you onboard. If you're interested in applying but you don't feel you have the experience, training will be provided to those that wish to expand and develop their skills.
If you would like to know more about the becoming a governor, please contact Frank McEvoy, the Chair of Governors, by email: fmcevoy@assisicatholictrust.com.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Missio Red Boxes
I have received the Missio Calendar 2025 . If you have not received one personally from me please take one from the back of the Church (in the usual place on the ledge). If you have a box to be opened please let me have it either personally or leave in the Office not later than Sunday 1st December.
Thank you.
Joan Caunce Secretary.
St. Bernard's High School Sixth Form Open Evening
Thursday 28 November 2024—6.30pm to 8.30pm
We would be delighted to welcome to our Sixth Form Open Evening prospective students who are interested in joining St Bernard’s High School’s Sixth Form in September 2025. www.stbernardswestcliff.org.uk
We welcome applications to our mixed Sixth Form from students of all faiths and none, who meet our entrance requirements and are seeking a school with a Christian ethos.
St Bernard’s High School is a welcoming, inclusive school’. Ofsted 2023
‘Leaders have high expectations of pupils in terms of learning and behaviour. Pupils live up to these expectations.’ Ofsted 2023
‘The behaviour of students is exemplary both in lessons and throughout the school as they strive to live out the mission statement, ‘Love one another as I have loved you’. (Diocesan Inspection, 2024)
Behaviour for learning is outstanding, fostered through extremely positive teacher-student relationships’. (Diocesan Inspection, 2024)
www.stbernardswestcliff.org.uk, Milton Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex SS0 7JS
Sanctuary Lamp
This week the Sanctuary Lamp burns for Michael Hart, RIP.
Please pray for the repose of the souls of
MARIE KHARAS, RIP who died on Wednesday, 16th October. Her Requiem Mass will take place on Wednesday, 20th November at 10.45am followed by committal at Southend Crematorium.
Requiescat in pace