The 2025 Diocesan Directory now available from the back of the Church—£3.20.
OLL Ladies Group
We meet again on Thursday 5th December at 10am in the Parish Centre, and next week we will be enjoying some early planning for Christmas by courtesy of Jo Ronan who will be encouraging our Artistic talents by helping us make Christmas Table Arrangements. Ladies are encouraged to bring some greenery and favourite decorations, but no problem, as all materials will be provided. As usual subs are just £1 plus a fun Raffle, donations for raffle appreciated.
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.
JOURNEY OF FAITH—RCIA
This continues on Monday, 2nd December 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.
Advent Blog for Couples
It seems to us that Advent is a time to prepare for the coming of the light, into the world and into our relationships. The closer we get to God, the closer we should get to each other. We can, during this time, intentionally do things that will bring us closer together. Follow the link for more information.
OLOL Annual Christmas Carol Service
We are looking for helpers in the Parish Centre 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.
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.
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.
Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
Liturgy:
Readings of Year B
The Nicene Creed
Preface of Christ, King of the Universe
Saturday 23
St Clement, I, P, M
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
Monday 25
St Catherine of Alexandria, V, M
9am Mass Intentions of the Ferguson Family (AF)
Tuesday 26
Feria
9am Mass Jim & Lilian Fegan, RIP (JC)
Wednesday 27
Feria
9am Mass Paul Watts, RIP (RO’C)
Thursday 28
Feria
6pm Opening Mass of Forty Hours’—Pietro Tisi, RIP (Anniv) (TT)
Exposition continues until 11pm
Friday 29
Feria
Exposition resumes from 7am
12Noon Mass Holy Souls
4.00pm Benediction for Children & Families
7pm-8pm Preached Holy Hour
Exposition until 11pm
Saturday 30
St Andrew, Ap, Patron of Scotland
Exposition resumes from 7am
10am Mass Mary Kieran, RIP (FO’B)
10.30-11.30am Confessions
4.00pm Closing Benediction of the Forty Hours’
5.30pm Vigil Intentions of Rose D'Souza (MF)
Sunday 1 December
First Sunday of Advent
8am Mass The People of the Parish
9.30am Mass Thanksgiving for the Priests of the Parish (AD)
11.30am Mass Michael Rubbert, RIP (Anniv) (MR)
4pm Mass Fr James Patrick Hannon, RIP (Anniv) (AMcC)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
We Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries
Fr Anthony Robson, Fr John Aston, Fr Patrick Bennett, Deacon Anthony Collings, Fr Francis Branney, Fr John Aydon, Fr Francis Branney, James Carns, Dr Harry Maher, Thomas Mulholland, John Holmes, Bernard Harvey, Elizabeth Watson-Lamb, Marie Wilkes, Gilbert Blanch, Veronica Billena, Clifford Pollard, Matthew Browning, John Sidney Clements, Peggy Jeffries, Jack Vessey, Thomas Slattery, Patricia Manvell, Ronald Slater, Ann McGinty, Eileen Vaughan & Mrs Elinor Watters.
We pray for our sick
The Sick List is available on the website main menu, under Worship.
We pray for the sick of our parish
“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.”
Sanctuary Lamp
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.
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.
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!
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.