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Dear Friends,
In today's first reading Jeremiah is burdened by a ministry he does not want. He is commissioned by God to confront the people and give them the bad news that their sins have earned them defeat and death. His message does not go down too well, and he is attacked, imprisoned and tortured. In the face of such hostility, Jeremiah desperately wants to give up the task allotted to him, but the call of God deep within his being drives him relentlessly on, with great personal cost.
Just as Jeremiah spoke of his sufferings, in the gospel, Jesus prepares his disciples for his approaching passion and death. Like Jeremiah, Jesus must face the consequences of his divinely allotted task, which will lead to his passion and violent death. Peter tries to deflect Jesus from the path that lies ahead and says to him, "Lord! This must never happen to you." We might have said a similar thing if we had been in Peter’s ‘shoes’; "Don't talk about suffering…I am sure we can find an easier way.”
In Jesus’ mind, the suggestion of an easy way out is an echo of more sinister forces at work, and he says to Peter: "Get behind me, Satan!"
Then turning to the crowds Jesus gives his listeners a reality check, stating the demands of the Gospel with all that they entail – “if anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me.” A conscious, deliberate choice must be made, and if the ‘wannabe’ disciple is going to be true to that choice then they must know that His path is not an easy, comfortable one; it demands self-denial and a whole-hearted, surrendering, 'yes' to God.
Jesus then places the paradox of the Christian journey before his listeners; "For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."
There is a strong temptation in all of us to look for an easy way of doing discipleship, a way that does not demand much effort and involves little or no pain. We are inclined to avoid inconvenience, suffering and hardship. As for ‘losing our life’, humanity is forever trying to grasp life and build it according to our criteria of what we think is of value and will makes us happy.
These rather difficult teachings of Jesus may seem unreasonable and illogical, but in the spiritual realm they are a necessity.
God bless and 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!
We want to ensure we can support the community that are sleeping on the streets of Southend. Drop donations into the Church office or bring to Mass and we will deliver.
The 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.
We are excited to announce that St Vincent’s 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: 9am –11am 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 gifts 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 AUGUST
† Xenia Sullivan, Steve Rose, Doris Woodman, Mary Carson, Stanley Woollard, Robert Wheatcroft, Irene Brown, Richard Worthington, Melita Hartley, Madge Fisher, Honora Smith, Walter Williams, Elizabeth Wildish, Elizabeth Ryan, Edward George Bines, Frances Breen, Innes Perkins, Rev. Fred Wall, Larry Brown, Charles Avery, Rosemary Gravestock, Mary Land, Lilian Fenwick, Mary Boland, Daren Stagg, Thomas Tobin, Peter Wallen, George Singleton, Eileen Needham, Mary Watts, Michael Kelly, John Hamblin, Emily Franklin, Eleanor Yorke-Starkey, Florence Hanley, Niall McNicholl. Maureen Goodwin, Donald Coull, Elizabeth MacGregor, Christine Cannon, Christina Moloney. †
Fr Brett
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***Back Next Weekend***
Next Sunday after the 10.45am Mass we will be having a Coffee Morning in aid of our Warm Welcome Hub.
Do put the date in your diary and come and join us if you can.
Fr Brett
Are you going into Year 10 or over in September and ready to discover more about your faith, make new friends, and prepare to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation? Join us for a fun and inspiring journey with games, discussions, videos, prayer, and opportunities to grow closer to God.
"You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you." (Acts 1:8)
Registration now open to our young people aged 14 and over (from September 2026)
To register your interest, email Sharon shoeburyness@brcdt.org
Date and time of the Confirmation Mass will be confirmed by the Bishop at a later date.
Fr Brett
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
Fr Brett
If you are interested in participating in this fundraiser for the church, please return this form 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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