Kevin Hale
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear friends in Christ

The liturgy is a lesson in vigilance this Sunday: because the enemy never rests, and love never sleeps.

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Kevin Hale
Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear friends in Christ

The message of the liturgy of this Sunday is stark: our life on earth is brief!

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Kevin Hale
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear friends in Christ

We have just completed, and returned from, our Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Kevin Hale
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today’s Gospel recounts the arrival of Jesus to visit his friends Martha, Mary and Lazarus at Bethany. Jesus would often stop at their house to rest and eat with them. He felt at home there, surrounded by their warmth and affection.

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Kevin Hale
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear friends in Christ

The Parable of the Good Samaritan is one of the world's best known and loved stories.

Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Please Pray for the Dead on their anniversaries

Fr Donald Mills, Fr Charles Snell, Fr John Joyce, Catherine Shanahan, Gordon Watts, Jessie Hempstead, Annie Jackson, Monica Crighton, Cajetan Soares, Tony Trigg, Eric Wallen, Mary Mulhern, Mary Gleeson, Patrick O’Donnell, Martin Ryan, Daphne Rickard, Ivy Spratt, Christina Riddell, Joan Stanley, Malcolm Atkinson, Patricia Garnett, Anthony Ashwell-Rivens, Elaine MacDonald, Amy Read, John Armstrong, Doreen O’Leary, Alice McGiff, John McCarthy, Ernest Treston, Eleanor Walsh, Veronica Collins, Mark Bragard, Michel Fitzgerald, Maire Beckwith & Douglas Ellegard.

May their Souls & the Souls of all the Faithful Departed rest in peace.

5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear Friends in Christ

As on so many occasions, the Gospel of this Sunday shows us that the mission of Christ, his Apostles and the Church, is to bring the message of salvation to all people: Go out to the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to all creation. St Paul says this good news cannot be kept locked-up. As I wrote last week, during the Lenten season we are going to begin to look at ways in which we can become more deliberate and intentional disciples  of Jesus: by becoming in the first instance, more convinced ourselves, and then using that conviction to bring Jesus to those who are hungering for Truth in their lives. Please pray for this initiative for evangelisation so that, as a Parish Family, we may become intentional disciples of Jesus Christ.

I have to share with you some concerns I have as a result of recent criminal incidents in our church. Over the last year there have been several occasions when attacks have been made on the building causing damage and the theft of money. This is always distressing, as we not only have a beautiful church but we have been able to keep it open from dawn to dusk each day. However, the nature of these intrusions and the vandalism caused, are making me review the security of the premises. We have a duty to keep the church accessible, but I am ever-more conscious that there could be more serious damage, sacrilege or worse if we do not take some action.  This is a great pity, as many people drop into the church during the day to pray and I am reluctant to have the place locked.  I am looking a way whereby people may gain access securely during the day if they wish to pray, but in the meantime I would encourage you all to visit the church often, which is in itself a deterrent to those who would treat the House of God in a profane manner. Please pray to the Guardian Angel of our church for this protection, as well as making acts of reparation for these sins of profanation.

Next week in our Parish we shall be celebrating the Solemnity of Our Lady of Lourdes.  As the feast falls on a Sunday this year, and as we are dedicated to Our Lady, this takes precedence over the normal Sunday liturgy and the Readings and prayers at the Mass will be taken from the 11th February.  There will be a drinks reception in the St Clement Room following the 11.30 Sung Mass next Sunday.  In the meantime, we commend ourselves most fervently to Mary’s intercession and protection at this time.

God bless you!
Msgr Kevin Hale

5th Week in Ordinary Time

5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Saturday 3 February

5.30pm Vigil The People of the Parish
6.30 Exposition & Confession

Sunday 4

8am Mass Barrington Gray† Anniversary
9.30 Mass Rose & Charles D’Souza Wedding Anniversary - Thanksgiving
11.30 Mass Intentions of Michael & Patricia Westoby 50th Wedding Anniversary
4pm Mass Extraordinary Form Peter Griffin†
5.30 Vespers & Benediction

Saint Agatha, Virgin, Martyr

Monday 5

10.15am Requiem Mass Frances Ryan†

Saint Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs

Tuesday 6

9am Mass Barbara Sheaf†

Feria 

Wednesday 7

9am Mass Kevin Hopley†
10.30 Newman Room Mothers’ Prayers
5pm Body in Church Adrian Dann†

Saint Jerome Emiliani

Thursday 8

10.15am Requiem Mass Adrian Dann†
5pm Body in Church Helen Blanche Cotton†
7 Contemplative Prayer silence, simplicity & stillness

Feria

Friday 9

9.30am Mass with Our Lady of Lourdes School Intentions of Peter O’Sullivan
2.15pm Requiem Mass Helen Blanche Cotton†

St Scholastica, Virgin

Saturday 10

10am Mass Bernard Ward† Anniversary
10.30 Exposition & Confession

Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes

5.30 Vigil Mass Carmen Ashley† Anniversary
6.30pm Exposition & Confession

Sunday 11

8am Mass Martin Densham†
9.30 Mass The People of the Parish
11.30 Mass Tony Trigg† Anniversary
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction

Four Lent Talks at Nazareth House

Thursday Evenings in Lent, beginning at 7.30pm

presented by The Southend Deanery in the Diocese of Brentwood

  • ending with devotions and Benediction
  • Priests available to hear Confessions

‘The Ministries to which we are called’

Thursday February 22nd

Fr. Gerry Drummond, Parish Priest of Rochford and Hockley and Catholic Chaplain to Southend Hospital.

The Pastoral Care of the Sick and the Dying

Thursday March 1st

Brian Holt-President of the Comitium for the Legion of Mary 

‘Be it done unto me…’

Thursday March 8th

Fr. Graham Smith, Parish Priest of Southend and Prittlewell

Diocesan Director of Vocations

'Here I am Lord’

Thursday March 15th

Speaker to be confirmed: The Pastoral Formation of our Young People

Abbotswick and Beyond…

Rich man/Poor man Supper

Many thanks to all those who attended the film night last week when £100 was raised. This will be shared between CAFOD and RSN for refugee work. Our next event is: A Lenten Global Dining Experience! Saturday 24th February in the Parish Centre, 6.30pm for 7.00pm. £5 a ticket. Please contact Jim 07986538578, Fran 07981741788 or Cathy 07762107920 to reserve a place. Live Simply Group.

A First Formal Proposal for the Renewal and Restructuring of our Diocese - Stewards of the Gospel

For a few weeks now we have been in receipt of the ‘First Formal Proposal’ document and DVD/video message from Bishop Alan. The Proposal and video message are available to view on the Diocesan website: dioceseofbrentwood.net/bishop. We would ask everyone who has internet access to view the documents and message by this means. Additional ‘hard copies’ for those unable to read/view it online are being requested from the Diocese. If you require a hard copy please let me know by phoning 01702 552373, giving your address and postcode, or leave a request at the parish office. The Proposal shares with us some of the thoughts Bishop Alan and his team have as to how the Diocese might restructure itself in the future to ensure that we can more effectively evangelise, sharing with faith and confidence the Good News of Our Lord Jesus Christ within our parishes as well as surrounding communities. The Proposal specifically refers to the place of our own parish in any forthcoming restructuring. We are being asked by the Bishop to take time to carefully and prayerfully study the document and discuss it with family, friends and fellow parishioners. An opportunity is being arranged for us to come together as a parish family to share views, hopes and any concerns in relation to the Proposal, with our response in due course being conveyed to the Diocese. Bishop Alan stresses that this is a ‘first’ Formal Proposal; a lot more discussion and consultation will yet be required! A Parish Meeting is being arranged for 10.30am on Saturday, 17th February, 2018 (commencing after the 10am Mass) in the Parish Centre. The Bishop’s video message will be shown on that occasion. For any unable to attend on 17th February, I would be grateful to receive your thoughts in writing (via the parish office) or by emailing: obrjam@btinternet.com. Many thanks.

Francis O’Brien - Steward of the Gospel

Presentation Evening - Evangelisation and Discipleship

The Gilbert Room of the Parish Centre
Tuesday 20 February at 7.30pm

Pope Francis tells us in Evangelii Gaudium that: “The Church which ‘goes forth’ is a community of missionary disciples who take the first step, who are involved and supportive, who bear fruit and rejoice. An evangelising community knows that the Lord has taken the initiative, He has loved us first (cf 1 Jn 4:19)”. As we move forward as a Parish with our Stewards of the Gospel initiative and following on from our Parish Mission, Father Kevin invites you to come and hear about an exciting new initiative being launched in our parish soon. Learn about discipleship and the joy of evangelisation.

 

Journey of Faith

Roman Catholic Initiation of Adults

A series of informal talks, designed to give an insight into the teachings and traditions of the Catholic church, continues on Monday 5th February at 8pm in the Parish Centre with A walk through the Mass. You are welcome to attend some or all of these talks; if you would like more information please speak to Fr Kevin.

 

Pray for our sick

Anne Currid, David Gurney, Maureen Gooding, Paul Keane, Graham Addecott, Mabel Addecott, Christian Ryan, Arthur Mills, Mike Rubbert, Teresa O’Brien, Maureen Deekes, Noel Fagan, Patricia Abram, Tina Doveaston, Pat Lynch, Rose Craft, Addi Brady, Ben Wilson, Patricia Fleming, Nicky Wigmore, Brita Irons, Eileen Wilson, Patricia Spikin, Sandra Fagan, Edna Wallace, Beryl Dixon, Nan Carrit, Nick Evans, Vicky Jack, Lyn Gopee, Margaret Harrington, Mary Boyce, Kristin Hallenga, Anne O’Neill, Cheryl Shallis, Anthony McEvoy, Justin Stark, Sheila Netherton, David Blyth, Dympna Addecott, Janet Woods, Lynne Hilkene, Laura & Anne Breen, Breda Lynch, Roy Widdecombe, Johanna Lynch, Maria Clark, June Moncaster, Sheila McBrearty, Anthony King, Norma McCleverty, Belinda Balazsi, Edward Martin, Johnnie Pool, Joanna Luciani, Pauline Wilsher, Simon Marshall, Kriston Barnes, Josephine Griggs, Colleen Worley, Antonella McConalogue, Fr Jean Laurent Marie, Noel Kolb, Eddie McConalogue, Georgina Cornwell, Lorraine Hart, Dawn Deleigh, Wyn McCafferty, Linda Dean, Annie Holland, Martin Buckley, Chas Taylor, Martha Braun, John Lavery, Ivor & Joanne Knight, Brian Beresford, Rebecca Peake, David Clark, David Askew, Connor Bourke, Mattia Mollica, Sharon Levill, Bernadette Lane, David Kislingury, Maureen Ward, Jane Jowers, Irena Solecki, Doreen Troughton, Marguerite Harris, Andrew Exley, Rosemary Arscott, Lanto Bellis, Richard Collins, Niqui Denkmayer, Elizabeth McConalogue, Kean Smith and children Thomas Ball, Liam Davis, Albert Chambers, Fergus Grant, Lucy Price, Connie Price, Mary Isherwood, Frazer Gregory, baby Talia Emery and Hattie Seymour.

Pray for our Dead on their anniversaries

Fr Francis Richardson, Fr Alan Wilcox, Canon Bernard Manning, Pope Pius XI, Rev Francis Richardson, Rev William Smith, Mrs Winifred Wallen, John Young, Michael Shrapnel, Teresa O’Brien, Lilian Abbott, Elizabeth Judge, Modge Ditton, Margaret O’Connor, Robert Roberton, Margaret Pearson, John Hanna Manna, Victor Maguire, Joseph Ruggiero, Barbara Blaker, Henry Moores, Catherine Burn, Emma Oldham, Veronica Read, Peter Heritage, Alice Whitfield, Eugenie Ballard, Doris Wenninger, Edmund O’Sullivan, Patrick Jennett, Charles Oldham, John Armstrong, Victor Gosling, Carmen Ashley and Bernard Ward.

May their Souls & the Souls of all the Faithful Departed rest in peace.