BOBBY NEWMAN, RIP who died on Thursday 20th February. Her Requiem Mass will take place on Friday, 4th April at 10.30am followed by committal at Southend Crematorium.
Requiescat in pace
Jubilee Year
The ‘Jubilee Indulgence’ is specific to a Jubilee Year. Plenary indulgences obtained during the Jubilee Year can also be applied to souls in purgatory making it possible to obtain two plenary indulgences in a day with one being applied to the deceased. For the Jubilee Year 2025 the indulgence has a focus on pilgrimage as “Pilgrims of Hope”. The indulgence can be obtained by completing any of the following acts (work) as part of the usual conditions listed above:
Make a pilgrimage to any designated church or place such as Rome or one of three churches in our Diocese: Brentwood Cathedral, the Shrine of Our Lady of Light at the Catholic Church in Clacton-on-Sea; St Antony of Padua Church, Forest Gate.
Perform works of mercy, such a visiting the sick, giving help to those who are homeless or hungry.
Undertaking penance, such as abstaining from some food or drink, giving up the use of social media, and regaining the sense of Friday abstinence.
Attending a retreat or a Parish Mission.
I hope that his outline of one important aspect of this Jubilee Year will inspire and encourage you to be generous with Our Lord and so gain and enjoy the spiritual benefits our Mother the Church offers us in these days of Jubilee.
Days of Fasting and Abstinence
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are the only days of obligatory fasting throughout the world (Can. 1251). The law of fasting binds those who have attained their majority, until the beginning of their sixtieth year (Can. 1252).
According to Canon Law, abstinence from meat, or from some other food as determined by the Episcopal Conference, is to be observed on all Fridays unless a solemnity should fall on a Friday. The law of abstinence binds those who have completed their fourteenth year (Can. 1252).
Those under 14 years of age, the sick, the elderly and frail, pregnant women, are not required to abstain.
Assisted Suicide Bill update
Last year, MPs narrowly voted to support Kim Leadbeater’s dangerous assisted suicide Bill at Second Reading.
There’s still time to stop it.
The Independent newspaper, shows that at least 36 MPs who supported the Bill made it clear they did so only to allow time for further debate or they have concerns that mean they won’t commit to supporting the Bill at Third Reading.
With the vote passing by a margin of 55, just 28 MPs switching their stance to oppose the Bill would ensure it is defeated at Third Reading.
With more awareness of the serious risks, arising from the committee stage, many MPs could change their position.
If enough do, we can defeat this Bill at Third Reading and stop it from becoming law.
You can make a difference right now, by contacting your MP, to say, vote NO, at Third Reading.
It only takes a couple of minutes of your time, using our easy-to-use tool, which you can access by clicking the button below.
Thank you.
Jubilee Icon—1st & 2nd March in the Lady Chapel
CAFOD commissioned an artist from Ethiopia to create an Icon to celebrate this Jubilee Year: 'Pilgrims of Hope'. We are fortunate enough to have it for two days as it travels around Britain. As we journey through this year as Pilgrims of Hope we pray that we may be 'tangible signs of hope for those of our brothers and sisters who experience hardships of any kind'. For more information on the Icon or the Jubilee Year please go to CAFOD's website www.cafod.org.uk
Music at 11.30am Mass
Prelude: Choral Dorien—Jehan Alain (1911-1940)
Postlude: Prelude in B Minor BWV 544—J S Bach (1685-1750)
Fairtrade—Sunday 9th March—8.30am-11.30am
The Fairtrade stall will resume this year on 9th March. Please come and support this initiative, helping our brothers and sisters around the world who struggle to survive. Fairtrade products are sold to give the farmers, together with other projects a fair price for their work. Products are produced in a sustainable way, helping to look after our common home. The Pope is asking us to be 'Pilgrims of Hope' to others and this is a great way of demonstrating that. Thank you for all the support you have given us to date.
Mini Vinies
The next meeting for the Mini Vinies will take place in the Parish Centre on Monday, 10th March from 5.15pm to 6.30pm. Mini Vinie Committee.
Dates for your Diary
Monday, 3rd March—Journey in Faith (RCIA) 8pm Parish Centre
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
Saturday 5th July—Flower Festival
Monday 21st—Friday 25th July—Lourdes Pilgrimage
Monday 8th September Centenary of the Opening of our Church
18 - 30 Youth Group
World Day of Prayer
This year’s World Day of Prayer Service takes place on Friday 7th March at 10.30 am at St Saviour’s Church, Kings Road, Westcliff-On-Sea SS0 8LL followed by tea/coffee.
This years service is prepared by the Christian women of the Cook Islands on the theme ‘I made you wonderful’.
We are very fortunate to have the children from St Helen's Primary School to take an active part in the service. We invite everyone to join us in praying together.
We are also holding a coffee-singalong concert at St Clement’s Church in aid of funds for this year’s World Day of Prayer service. 10.30 am.—concert (45 minutes) by The Two Elizabeths will start at 10.40am, followed by coffee, homemade cakes, bring and buy. All welcome—entry is free.
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Walsingham—24th May 2025
Join Bishop Alan and other parishes around the Diocese of Brentwood in Walsingham to celebrate the Jubilee Year of Hope. We will celebrate Mass at the Basilica before walking the Holy Mile to the grounds of Walsingham Abbey to celebrate Vespers and Benediction on the site of the Holy House.
If you would like transport to and from Walsingham please leave your name and contact details at the Parish office, as Sacred Heart are organising a church.
Coach leaving Sacred Heart at 7:30am
Pick up at Our Lady of Lourdes at 7:45am
Arrival Walsingham 11am
Depart Walsingham 5pm
Arrival Our Lady of Lourdes 8:15pm
Arrival Sacred Heart 8:30pm
£24 per adult - Children under 16 go free
Repository
We are open after all weekend Masses. From this weekend we have Mantillas in stock in Black lace or white lace . Also why not be an ‘early bird’ and browse our stock of special cards for Mothers Day and Saint Patrick’s Day.
We will shortly also have a selection of Easter cards plus a good selection of cards for Masses, Birthdays, Get well cards etc. Please come along and browse our stock. If you cannot find what you want please ask one of the Volunteers.
JOURNEY OF FAITH—RCIA
This continues on Monday, 3rd March 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.
Feast of St Joseph 19th March 2025
The National Novena to St. Joseph will take place from the 10th—18th March 2025 at St. Josephs Church in Maidenhead, for the intentions of all those who support their work. Masses are at 10am every day of the Novena, except Sunday when it is 11am. These Masses will be available to Zoom via the Mill Hill website.
See Poster at the back of the Church for website details and to request a Novena prayer booklet.
Thank you. Joan Caunce, Secretary.
St Vincent's Centre Southend upcoming events
By taking part in our events at St Vincent’s Southend, you will directly contribute to life-changing support for vulnerable individuals in Southend. The impact of your involvement reaches far beyond just attending, it helps us provide food, temporary accommodation, mental health support and pathways to employment for those who need it most. Your presence at these events is not just an act of generosity; it is a statement of compassion, leadership and commitment to social good. We applaud you for being part of something so meaningful and making a real difference in the lives of so many.
Why Your Support Matters
By taking part in our events, you will directly contribute to life-changing support for vulnerable individuals in Southend. The impact of your involvement reaches far beyond just attending, it helps us provide food, temporary accommodation, mental health support and pathways to employment for those who need it most. Your presence at these events is not just an act of generosity; it is a statement of compassion, leadership and commitment to social good. We applaud you for being part of something so meaningful and making a real difference in the lives of so many.
Auction Items for Our Events
We are also looking for auctionable items for our events. This could be in the form of products, services, gift vouchers, experiences, or exclusive packages. These items will be auctioned on the night and the funds raised will directly support the life-changing work we do at St Vincent’s Centre Southend. Your donation, big or small, will have an incredible impact and in return, we will ensure your generosity is recognized.
Brentwood Catholic Youth Service—Summer Lourdes Pilgrimage 19th—26th July 2025
Open to anyone in school year 10 and above. Join the BCYS for our annual pilgrimage to Lourdes, supporting the adult pilgrimage in a week of prayer, service and fun!
All details can be found at www.bcys.net/events. Funding and bursary opportunities are available.
Flower & Craft Festival 2025
This year’s festival will be on Saurday, 5th July from 11.00am to 4.30pm. We are asking you once again to get creative, in flowers, arts and crafts.
The theme this year is the hymn, ‘O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder consider all the worlds Thy Hand has made…….’
So the focus is on creation, but this year we are also celebrating the opening of our beautiful church 100 years ago. We are also in a Jubilee Year, the focus of which is ‘Hope.’ We are to be pilgrims of hope in our very troubled and dangerous world. So there are many themes to choose from. Photographers, artists, needleworkers, carpenters and gardeners, we would like as many people as possible to be involved in creating a beautiful and powerful message for our local community of Leigh.
We are not asking for professionalism, although professionals are very welcome indeed ! Just your enthusiasm.
If you would like to be involved in creating something for 5th July please contact me at mcronan@btinternet.com or speak to me after 9.30 mass on Sundays.
Jo Ronan
Can you help?
We have a parishioner who has become frail and has asked if anyone could give her a lift to Mass. She lives in Leigh and attends the 11.30am Mass.
If you are able to help please contact the Parish office.
St Bernard's High School Vacancies
Catering Assistant – to start as soon as possible
Part-time, 3 Days Per Week (Wed-Fri), Term Time Only including training days. 10.00am – 2.00pm Scale 2 (£24,027) / pro rata actual salary £6,680
Closing Date: 10 March 2025, 9.00am. Interviews: w/c 10 March 2025
Part Time Cover Supervisor/Bank Supply Teacher
Hours: Casual. Our school is looking to replenish the number of our Cover Supervisors/Bank Supply Teachers who can be contacted for either planned or last minute absence to supervise students in their lessons.
If you are interested, please fill in an application form found on our website under https://www.stbernardswestcliff.org.uk/about-us/vacancies/ and email it to recruitment@stbernards.southend.sch.uk