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
Assisted Dying
In response to letters our Member of Parliament has received around the proposed Bill on Assisted Suicide, our MP has stated that he is as yet undecided on how to vote. If you have not already done so, please take part in his survey on this vital issue which can be found here: Assisted Dying He is eager to know the views of his Constituents.
If you have already filled it out, but know of others in Southend West & Leigh who have yet to contribute their thoughts, then please feel free to encourage them to take part.
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.
Music at 11.30am Mass
Prelude: Nun sei willkommen, Jesus, lieber Herr—Flor Peeters (1903-1986)
Postlude: Passacaglia in D minor BuxWV 161—Dietrich Buxtehude (1637-1707)
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!
OLL Ladies Group
Ladies Group we meet again on Thursday, 21st November at 10am in the Parish Centre. All ladies in the Parish are welcome.
Next week we will be having one of our popular ‘Show and Tell ‘ mornings so remember to check the attic for one of your family treasures . Or you might like to tell us about a special holiday, show photos of special places or a book you have read, the list is endless! Or just come along and enjoy the company and cake over a good chat.
Dates for your Diary
Monday, 18th 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—Sea of Voices 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
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!
World Youth Day
Next 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.
Holy Souls Box
During November we customarily keep the memories of our Beloved Dead in our prayers. Their names will be placed under the Altar by using one of the envelopes at the back of church (please add your Gift Aid number) and placing it in the box provided, including an offering if you can, for Holy Souls Masses. In this way, we present them to God in the Masses and Offices during this month of the Holy Souls.
JOURNEY OF FAITH—RCIA
This continues on Monday, 18th 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.
Repository
We have only a few of the new Sunday Missals in stock and the soft back yoke year copies. If you have reserved a copy please remember to pay and collect. 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 next weekend.
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
Parish Christmas Bazaar - Sunday 24th November, 8.45am - 1.00pm
Our Annual Parish Bazaar is next Sunday and we urgently need your help and generosity. Please bring all your unwanted gifts, toiletries, bottles, raffle prizes or bric-a-brac that you would like to donate, and leave them in the Old Baptistry.
Draw tickets are now available at the back of church, please take and share with family and friends, returning the counterfoils to the Parish office before next weekend. Raffle tickets are also on sale this week for the two Christmas Hampers.
Any Great British Bakers!? Please get baking and drop any of your delicious offerings at the Parish Centre on Saturday.
If you would like to help on the Saturday to help set up, or on the Sunday, please contact us.
Sue Lawford—07816 141492
Angela Clements—07940 183452—email angelaclements47@gmail.com.
Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time-Month of the Holy Souls
Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Liturgy:
Readings of Year B
The Nicene Creed
Preface of Sunday 7
Saturday 9
The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica
5.30pm Vigil George Wislocki, RIP (Anniv) (PW)
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
Sunday 10 November
Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
8am Mass Deceased relatives of the Clancy Family (JL)
9.30am Mass Pauline Godfrey, RIP (MI)
11.30am Mass The Dead of the Wars
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Monday 11
St Martin of Tours, Bp
9am Mass Paul Watts, RIP (UO)
Tuesday 12
St Josaphat Bp, M
9am Mass For intentions of Priests (ML)
Wednesday 13
Feria
9am Mass Adrian Dann, RIP (SD)
4.30pm Body in Church Paul Watts, RIP
5.30pm—6.30pm Holy Hour for Sacredness of Human Life
Thursday 14
Feria
9am Mass Holy Souls
12.30pm Requiem Mass Paul Watts, RIP
7pm Annual Parish Requiem Mass
Friday 15
St Albert the Great, Bp, D
9.30am Memorial Mass Michael Mapson, RIP
12Noon Mass Pearl Scaife, RIP
Saturday 16
St Edmund of Abingdon, Bp
10am Mass Intentions of the Watts Family (VS)
10.30-11.30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
5.30pm Vigil Evelyn Shevket, RIP (Anniv) (MC)
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
Sunday 17 November
Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time—World Day of the Poor
8am Mass The People of the Parish
9.30am Mass Intentions of Donny D'Cruz (AJ)
11.30am Mass Audrey Demers, RIP (JS)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction