Easter Sunday

Dear friends in Christ

A blessed and happy Easter to you all!

As we arrive at the summit of our Lenten pilgrimage, we give thanks to God for the graces of this holy season that has prepared us to celebrate the Paschal Mystery. Throughout the forty days of Lent we have accompanied Our Lord in His journey towards Jerusalem where the events of our salvation have been accomplished. We can reflect with gratitude on the graces from our Parish Mission last month, and go forward now in the joy and light of the Resurrection as faithful disciples of the Lord.

I thank all those who have helped to make Lent and Holy Week a time of spiritual encounter with Christ, and all of you who, by your prayers and good works, make the experience of our Faith fulfilling. So many of you contribute to the life of the Parish Family in a quiet but consistent way. I thank you all for the collaboration you give for the service of the Church. Together we are working for the building of God’s Kingdom on earth.

Our heartfelt prayers and good wishes go to those who are Received into the Church and Confirmed this Easter: Lia Aquilina, Paul Baker and Thomas Haden; may God give them holy perseverance in His Catholic Church.

May God grant you all the joy and optimism His Resurrection brings!

Msgr Kevin Hale

Jubilee Year

The ‘Jubilee Indulgence’ is specific to a Jubilee Year.  Plenary indulgences obtained during the Jubilee Year can also be applied to souls in purgatory making it possible to obtain two plenary indulgences in a day with one being applied to the deceased. For the Jubilee Year 2025 the indulgence has a focus on pilgrimage as “Pilgrims of Hope”.  The indulgence can be obtained by completing any of the following acts (work) as part of the usual conditions listed above:

Make a pilgrimage to any designated church or place such as Rome or one of three churches in our Diocese: Brentwood Cathedral, the Shrine of Our Lady of Light at the Catholic Church in Clacton-on-Sea; St Antony of Padua Church, Forest Gate.

Perform works of mercy, such a visiting the sick, giving help to those who are homeless or hungry.

Undertaking penance, such as abstaining from some food or drink, giving up the use of social media, and regaining the sense of Friday abstinence.

Attending a retreat or a Parish Mission.

I hope that his outline of one important aspect of this Jubilee Year will inspire and encourage you to be generous with Our Lord and so gain and enjoy the spiritual benefits our Mother the Church offers us in these days of Jubilee.