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Dear Friends,
It seems to me that in recent times we are almost constantly faced with death and tragedy, especially with the wars that are going on.
All this is brought into our lives via the TV and online media. Even though we may not actually see a dead body, we can easily guess that it will follow the terrible things that we do see.
When death lands in our own ‘circle’, whether it be family, social or work, we can often find it difficult to talk about. Charles Taylor, a Canadian Catholic philosopher, said in his book, A Secular Age, that one of the marks of a secular society was its struggle to talk about death: “We very often feel awkward at a funeral, don’t know what to say to the bereaved and are often tempted to avoid the issue if we can.”
In a sense this is not surprising. Essentially, in our culture, God has been taken out of the equation, and so the focus has moved to the human person, not as being valuable in themselves but more so in their abilities, successes, achievements and what they have. Take all that away, i.e. death, and you have nothing – the end! In this mindset, death is only the thing that can defeat us; no wonder we sometimes struggle to talk about it.
I’m sure that, for many people, the Christian belief of eternal life is a bit of a fairy tale. Deep down, I wonder to what extent we are influenced by secular society when it comes to understanding death?
In the gospel this weekend we hear the account of the raising of Lazarus from the dead. There have been a number of ‘signs’ that Jesus has given which we’ve heard over the last few weeks, but all these have been arranged to point to the greatest sign of all which we hear today, the raising of Lazarus; not even the tomb is a barrier for the power of God working in Jesus.
We believe that in baptism we receive the grace of an eternal life that cannot be touched by death. So, in one sense, the building blocks of eternity are already being formed within us. However, death still remains, and we must all finally face it, although confidently because we know that we share in the resurrection of Christ.
Have a good week,
Our Parish Safeguarding Representative, Sharon Chambers, helps support the safety and wellbeing of everyone in the parish. She is also our parish administrator and helps support volunteers and parishioners by responding to concerns and incidents within our parish community.
She can be contacted by email on: shoeburyness@brcdt.org or contacted during office hours on: 01702 292726
Please check her availability using the current 'office hours' information further down.
Our Diocesan Safeguarding Coordinator, Simon Moules, can be contacted on: 01277 265234 or emailed @ simonmoules@brcdt.org
Safe Spaces is a free national support service which offers a confidential, personal, and safe space for anyone who has been abused through their relationship with either the Church of England, The Church in Wales or The Catholic Church in England and Wales, regardless of age, gender or sexual orientation.
It is run by 'First Light' an independent organisation with extensive experience in supporting those who have experienced or are experiencing sexual abuse or domestic violence, including survivors and victims of church-related abuse. Safe Spaces can be contacted at Safe Spaces England and Wales 0300 303 1056
In his recent letter to us, the Bishop has asked us to examine more closely the recommendations and implications, in the 'Shaping Our Future' document.
'Shaping Our Future' The Brentwood Diocese Vision Document (2019)
The Southend Partnership Response Comprising of the Parishes of: St. Peters, Eastwood; Our Lady of Lourdes & St. Joseph, Leigh-on-sea; Our Lady Help of Christians & St. Helen, Westcliff; Sacred Heart of Jesus, Southend with St. John Fisher, Prittlewell; St. George & The English Martyrs, Shoeburyness with St. Gregoryʼs, Thorpe Bay; St. Teresa of the Child Jesus, Rochford with St. Pius X, Hockley.
'Believing, not belonging ..'''Why Catholics no longer come to Church' Brentwood Diocese Research Report Summer 2023
'We plant the seeds that one day will grow.
We water seeds already planted,
knowing that they hold future promise.
We lay foundations that will need further development.
We provide yeast that produces far beyond our capabilities.
We cannot do everything,
and there is a sense of liberation in realising that.
This enables us to do something, and to do it very well.
It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way,
an opportunity for the Lord’s grace to enter and do the rest.
We may never see the end results,
but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker.
We are workers, not master builders;
ministers, not messiahs.
We are prophets of a future not our own.'
Not Just the usual rosary.
We meet for Fellowship, Worship Music, Prayers and the Rosary. If you're looking for something new, A spiritual uplift, Meet new people and obtain a sense of wellbeing?
Then join us in praying For World Peace Vocations, and the conversion of sinners and much more🙏🏼
Any Tuesday 3.30pm @St George’s Church.
All welcome! Just come through the front Entrance Or call Kaz to find out more 07786 000391
As part of its involvement in the wider Justice and Peace community, our Parish Justice & Peace Group participates in local, national and international events. The members of the Parish are invited to participate. Our work is not only about raising money; issues such as food poverty, trafficking, genocide, climate change, recycling, energy conservation, pollution, are all of great concern. Check the newsletter for the date and time of the next meeting. All welcome to come along and hear about the projects we are involved in or planning.
New members for each group would be very welcome.
If you would like to find out more about our work please contact/speak to Brian Fitzgerald (bfitzg6306@sky.com or 07817842604)
Pope Francis asked all of us to listen more to each other, to be more open and prayerful, to have a mutual respect for one another, supporting each other in our community.
With this in mind we have moved to a more ‘’open approach’ to all that goes on in the parish.
We propose an ‘open invitation’ to all parishioners to attend all pastoral parish council meetings and greater representation on the council.
Permanent PPC members will include: Our Parish Priest, Parish Secretary, The MC, The Steward of the Gospel, Our Parish school Headteacher, A Youth Representative, The Chairs of; Finance, 669, Justice & Peace, plus others co-opted by the Parish priest who are actively involved in running parish activities. There will also be 3 elected members, voted on by you the parishioners.
We hope that this ’Open Forum’ style Council will encourage greater involvement by all of you in our parish community and cover all aspects of parish life. Our aim will be to unify and support our community and its future needs.
School Vacancies Click HERE
General Vacancies Click HERE
School Foundation Governor Vacancies Further Information HERE
Mary’s Meals serves nutritious school meals to children living in some of the world’s poorest communities. The promise of a good meal attracts these hungry children into the classroom, giving them the energy to learn and hope for a better future.
We are already feeding more than two million children every school day and together, we can reach the next hungry child waiting for Mary’s Meals. It costs just £15.90 to feed a child in a place of education for a whole school year.
Watch Believe's Story Believe is just one of the 1,035,637 children we're feeding across the globe with your support. Out of every £1 donated, at least 93p is spent on their charitable activities.
Please give what you can today.
The Pope asks us not to forget the hungry and marginalised.
So please don’t forget the SVP helping the vulnerable in the Southend area.
Bring an item to Mass next week please!
With the colder nights coming we want to ensure we can support the community that are sleeping on the streets of Southend. Please drop donations into the Church office or bring to Mass and we will deliver.
Our Foodbank is running very low of the below items at present. We are constantly providing food for Homeless, vulnerable guests and families who are experiencing food and fuel poverty.
JustGiving Campaign Focus: Keep Hope Alive in 2025
We are excited to announce that St Vincent’s Centre Southend is bringing our Market to St Helen's Catholic Church, Westcliff (27 Milton Road, Westcliff-On-Sea, SS0 7JP) every Thursday, Market Opening Hours: Morning: 9:00am – 11:00 am Afternoon: 2:30pm – 4:30pm Our goal is to support local families by providing food and essentials.
The full list of needy items is on their Facebook page, but includes: Tinned Veg Meals; UHT Milk; Squash; Coffee; Tinned Fruit; Tinned Custard/Rice pudding; Pasta Sauces;
Roll-On Deodorant; Sunscreen; Shampoo; Shower Gel; Toilet Rolls; Bottled Water; Sanitary Products; Tinned Meat/Fish.
Please drop anything that you can spare into the Presbytery or give it to one of the Ushers.
Visit their SVP Facebook Page
Fr Brett
Please pray for all those who are sick or housebound in our parish, as well as our friends and family.
Father of goodness and love, hear our prayers for the sick members of our community and for all who are in need.
Amid mental and physical suffering may they find consolation in your healing presence.
Show your mercy as you close wounds, cure illness, make broken bodies whole and free downcast spirits. Amen.
May these special people find lasting health and deliverance, and so join us in thanking you for all your gifts. We ask this through the Lord Jesus who healed those who believed.
ANNIVERSARIES IN MARCH
† Joseph Bryan, Genevieve Britto, Florence Meager, Edith Humphreys, Kathleen Davies, Kathleen Gooding, Tony Mander, Louisa Bruce, John Roberts, Peter Zuelchaur, Leonard Carlile, Linda Conroy, Arthur Bann, James Rockell, James Coughlan, Thomas Spalding, Bill Wisbey, Kenneth Dawson, Edith Timmermans, Edward Dean, May Mills, Carmen Kelly, Stephen Dowie, Jim Dixon, Pat McKelvie, Mary d’Eca, Catherine Harman, Jenny Adamson, Michael Sheaf, Maria Coleman, Joan Pollock, Sean O’Sullivan, Barbara Neagle, Brian Hanley, Marion and Alistair Plant, Monica Winn, James Curtis, Barbara McKelvie, Robert Stone, Teresa Pitcher, Shirley Sharrad, Joan James, Manuel Sufredo, Gabby Millar, Barbara Devereux, Maureen Cooke, Angela Skinner, Maureen Hare, Margaret Dye, Philip Borthwick, Timothy Quinn, Terence Hollingsworth, John Morton, Jeremy Shallis, Sonja Curtis, Patricia Steer, Brigid Hogan. †
Fr Brett
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No Coffee Morning this week as HCPT 192 are holding their Irish lunch.
We then take a break until the 12th April when there will be our regular McEvoy’s Freebie!
If you would like to book a Coffee Morning for your charity, please email the office. There are plenty of dates available.
Fr Brett
We meet for Fellowship, Worship Music, Prayers and the Rosary. If you're looking for something new, A spiritual uplift, Meet new people and obtain a sense of wellbeing?
Then join us in praying For World Peace Vocations, and the conversion of sinners and much more🙏🏼
Any Tuesday 3.30pm @St George’s Church.
All welcome! Just come through the front Entrance Or call Kaz to find out more 07786 000391
Fr Brett
Summer Lourdes Pilgrimage - Applications are now closed, however we have had some applicants drop out so if you are in Year 10 or above and may be interested, please contact us.
Youth Mass - There will be no Youth Mass in April due to this falling on Maundy Thursday when everyone will be attending their own parish Masses. The next Youth Mass will take place on Thursday 7th May, which you are very welcome to attend.
Diocesan Walsingham Pilgrimage – Saturday 23rd May - Representatives from the BCYS will be joining the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Walsingham, and we would like to invite other young people to join and assist with the liturgy. Please contact us if interested.
Walsingham House Team Applications - Applications are now open for those finishing Year 13 or university who are interested in a year of volunteering at Walsingham House. For further information on any of the above, please email
clairebailey@brcdt.org.
You can find all event information at www.bcys.net/events/sl26
Fr Brett
If you are interested in participating in this fundraiser for the church, please to the church office as soon as convenient. Apply here.
Fr Brett
Remember, if you 'Gift aid' it then every for every donation we receive from you we can claim back 25% from the Govermment!
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Full Hall Hire Terms and Conditions
Brief guide to its constitution and membership
Pope Francis - 'Rejoice and be Glad'
Pope Francis - Encyclical
The full Catholic catechism
Care for our common home and each other
Pope Francis - a reflection on family life
'The Joy of the Gospel'
A brief guide when making mass intentions
A brief helpful guide for parents with young children
Supporting the faith development of young people - Pope Francis