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.
Vacancy at St Bernard's High School
LEARNING MENTOR
Hours: Full-time, 37 hours per week (8.00am – 4.00pm), term time only
Scale 7 – 12 (£25,584 - £27,711 / pro rata actual salary £21,933- £23,757)
Closing Date: 16 December 2024, 9.00am
Interviews: Morning of 18 December 2024
Start date: 6 January 2025
We are looking for a positive, enthusiastic and approachable professional to work alongside our Learning Mentor Team supporting identified students.
You will be joining a successful, friendly and supportive department within a high-performing school, supporting students from Years 7 – Y13. You will need to be able to work flexibly and provide support, motivation and guidance to help students overcome barriers to their learning.
If you are interested in applying for this role, please complete the Support Staff Application Form found on our website (www.stbernardswestcliff.org.uk under About Us/Vacancies) and email it to recruitment@stbernards.southend.sch.uk.
First Sunday of Advent
Dear friends in Christ
I would like to begin Advent by sharing with you some helpful lines from a sermon on Advent by Monsignor Ronald Knox, preached in 1947:
Everybody knows, even those of us who have lived most unadventurously, what it is to plod on for miles, it seems, eagerly straining your eyes towards the lights that, somehow, mean home.
First Sunday of Advent
Liturgy:
Readings of Year C
The Nicene Creed
Preface I of Advent
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
Monday 2
Monday of the First Week of Advent
9am Mass Clare Chadwick, RIP (MI)
Tuesday 3
St Francis Xavier, Pr
9am Mass Dec'd Members of the Moon Family & Valerie Griggs, RIP (SM)
Wednesday 4
Wednesday of the First Week of Advent
9am Mass Molly Malhoon, RIP (KR)
Thursday 5
Thursday of the First Week of Advent
9am Mass Sheila Chantilly, RIP (LC)
Friday 6
Friday of the First Week of Advent—First Friday
12Noon Mass Ian Spacie, RIP (VS)
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament after Mass until Holy Hour 7—8pm
Saturday 7
St Ambrose, Bp D
10am Mass Basil & Frances Emerson, RIP (AE)
10.30-11.30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
5.30pm Vigil Doctor Rebecca Brown, RIP (D&SC)
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
Sunday 8 December
Second Sunday of Advent
8am Mass Michael Mapson, RIP (LM)
9.30am Mass Clare Clarke, RIP (Anniv) (IR)
11.30am Mass The People of the Parish
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
We Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries
Fr Bartholemew (Bart) Lynch, Fr James (Pat) Hannon, Fr Brian Drea, Fr Michael Healy, Vera Spelling, Angela Lingard, Peter Haigh, Marie Sanctuary, Dilwyn Morgan, David Aldridge, Ethel Knight, Kathleen Dawson, Mrs Pat Ballard, William Kerry, Leonard Coventry, Derek Timothy, Terence Slattery, Val Brown, Delia Fleming, Liliana Petrini, Timothy Murphy, Louise De Souza, Maurice Brazier, Agnes Nisbett, Yvonne Lovett, Martha Braun, Irene Rice, Ryszard Burzynski, Vera Walls, Anne Woods, Hugh Smyth, Anne Reid, Christine Lyons, Barbara Clarke, Brigid Hill & Doris Masters.
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 Dann Family.
Music at 11.30am Mass
Prelude: Desseins éternels (La Nativité du Seigneur)—Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992)
Postlude: Nun komm, Der Heiden Heiland BWV 659—J S Bach (1685-1750)
Responsorial Psalm
To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.
Thank You
Father Selvini would like to thank all those parishioners who very kindly sent him and his family the assurance of prayers and Masses following the death of his dear father, Roland Selvini. Their condolences were much appreciated. A Mass for your intentions will be offered in the near future.
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.
Dates for your Diary
Monday, 2nd December—Journey in Faith (RCIA) 8pm Parish Centre
Friday 20th December—Annual 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
Transport required for elderly Parishioner
One of our parishioners, living in Kingswood Chase, likes to come to the Sunday mass at 11:30am every week, except for the first Sunday of the month when she attends the Latin mass at 4pm. Her daughter usually takes her there and back but will be away for 6 weeks.
If anyone will be attending one or two of the following sessions and wouldn't mind giving her a lift there and back it would be much appreciated.
8th Dec at 4pm
15th Dec at 11:30am
25th Dec at 11:30am
29th Dec at 11:30am
5th Jan at 4pm
She is mobile with no walking aids, although an arm would be appreciated!
If you are able to help, please contact the Parish office.
Repository
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 this weekend.
Brentwood Diocesan Yearbook 2025
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.