Dear friends in Christ
The penultimate Sunday of the liturgical year presents us with a picture of the Second Coming of Christ and the Final Judgment.
Dear friends in Christ
The Readings of the Mass this weekend teach us an important lesson in charity, Christian almsgiving and generosity.
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.
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
Liturgy:
Readings of Year B
The Nicene Creed
Preface of Sunday 8
Saturday 16
St Edmund of Abingdon, Bp
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
Monday 18
Dedication of the Basilicas of Ss Peter & Paul, App
9am Mass Eileen Hamilton, RIP (Anniv) (JPB)
Tuesday 19
Feria
9am Mass Paul Watts, RIP (IS)
Wednesday 20
Feria
No 9am Mass
10.45am Requiem Mass Marie Kharas, RIP
Thursday 21
The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
9am Mass Patrick Faught, RIP (ES)
Friday 22
St Cecilia, V, M
12Noon Mass Holy Souls
7pm Sung Latin Requiem Mass Holy Souls
Saturday 23
St Clement, I, P, M
10am Mass Intentions Donny D'Cruz (AJ)
10.30-11.30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
5.30pm Vigil The People of the Parish
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
Sunday 24 November
Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
8am Mass Maureen Regan, RIP (CR)
9.30am Mass Paul Watts, RIP (M&PS)
11.30am Mass Edward Trindle, RIP (RO'C)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Fr Richard (Dick) Ashton, Fr John Harden, Fr James Linburgh, Mgr Edward Watson, Canon Martin Hancock, Kathleen Macauley, Mrs Alice Kelly, Jack Hosmer, Florrie Peck, Charlotte Roberts, Bert Russell, Maureen Deeks, John Cheswick, George Livermore, Celia Ashley, Marcia Clarke, James Rourke, Agnes Fitzgibbons, Emily Harriet-Upcroft, Boleslaw (Charlie) Czogalik, Peggy Ingham, Finbar Hayes, Ada Mundy, Brian Slattery, Josephine Phelps, Paul Pearman, William Shanahan, Rene Bragard, Victor Gubbins, Anne Jordan, Patricia Breslin, William Lewis, Harry Stanley, Constance Dobson, Enos (Alan) Ash, Tina Kentish, Jonathan Marshall & Kathleen McKee.
“Father,
by the power of your Spirit
you have filled the hearts of your faithful people
with gifts of love for one another.
Hear the prayers we offer for our relatives and friends.
Give them health of mind and body
that they may do your will with perfect love.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.”
This week the Sanctuary Lamp burns for Michael Hart, RIP.
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
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.
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.
Prelude: Nun sei willkommen, Jesus, lieber Herr—Flor Peeters (1903-1986)
Postlude: Passacaglia in D minor BuxWV 161—Dietrich Buxtehude (1637-1707)
Responsorial Psalm
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!
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.
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
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
