Click to download a PDF version of the parish newletter
or Archived Newsletters Here!
Closed until: Mon 23rd 9am-5pm, Wed 25th and Fri 27th 9am-1pm
With your email address, we can keep you up-to-date with news and events
Click here to give a 'secure' donation to this church
New to the Parish? Register your details with the Parish Administrator
Click to complete a simple enquiry form and enable the office to check availablity.
The Church has a Defibrillator. Spare a couple of minutes and watch the short video below on using a Defibrillator
Dear Friends,
George Zipf, a Harvard academic working in the 1940s, noticed how most people
use only six hundred words in daily conversation even though they have a much
wider vocabulary, and concluded that we will always try to solve problems in ways
that minimise the overall workload. He called it “the principle of least effort”.
The thing is, we like to choose the shortest route, the least demanding method and
what is most convenient. This is why, when things get difficult
or challenging, we tend to give up or not bother at all, and this
can apply to anything in life.
While “the principle of least effort” may work for some things
in life, it is certainly not helpful in trying to engage with the
spiritual life. There is no quick fix solution when it comes to
creating some space for God in our lives. I have always said that
the spiritual life is the ‘long game’ where the virtues (and gifts) of faith,
perseverance and patience come into their own, especially when things get difficult
and we are moving into unchartered territory. But that is the nature of faith,
trustfully journeying into the unknown; faith (and love) is a risky business.
Talking of taking risks, in the Gospel, Jesus tells the story of three servants to whom
a rich man entrusted his fortune. Two of his servants were delighted to have such
trust placed in them and were eager to please their master; in the final count, they
showed great energy and enterprise when they gave a good return in their use of
his money.
The third employee did not want to take any risks and, saving himself the anxiety
and trouble of it all, simply dug a hole and buried it. There was no return and the
master was angry.
God’s kingdom coming to birth in you and I is very much about taking risks.
We do not ask, “How little can I get away with?” but “What else can I do?” Love and faith overrides “the principle of least effort”, becoming
a reckless investment of ourselves with no certainty of what is coming back to us, other than to increase the circulation of love in this world.
Wishing you well for the 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.
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 NOVEMBER
† Jack Askew, Eileen Barber, Patricia Brown, Mary
and William Bryan, George Burton, Joan Butcher,
Michael Cachia, Reginald Chambers, Colman
Connolly, Paddy Corcoran, Dee Dawkins, William
Dickens, Christopher Docherty, Rita Docherty, Joe
Dore, Peter Dowie, Joan Dowie, Thomas Edgson,
Christopher Fagan, Tom Gallimore, Sheila Gaunt,
Marie Hanley, Cathy
Heffernan, Adelaide Hodges,
Diane Hogan, Christopher
Holden, Bernard Humphrey,
Peggy Kateley, Dee
Kemmerling, Anthony
Maurice Henry Maintenant,
William Marrs, Patrick McFadden, Constance Miller,
Mick Montague, Noel Morris, Mark Murray, Rachel
Neale, B.J. O’Connell, Patrick O’Sullivan, Winifred
Paterson, Jean Pither, Stanley Platt, Jessie Rae,
William Ryan, Mark Schneiderhan, Leslie Smith,
Ruby Statham, Kurt Stocker, Lily Sutton, Joan Taylor,
Phyliss Wallhead, David Webber, Michael Wilks,
Tom Woodman, Martha Zuelchaur.
†
Fr Brett
You would be very welcome! Register for an emailed weekly newsletter and keep in touch with, mass times, community news and much more ...
This weekend our First Holy Communion families and their Catechists will be raising money for The Shoebury Ark.
Please come and help them support a very worthwhile and necessary local charity
Next weekend Frank and Val will be running a Freebie Coffee Morning, with a little help from their friends!
The Coffee Mornings run after the 10.45am Mass in the Parish Hall.
Unless it is a freebie, there will be cakes, refreshments and raffle tickets for sale, all in aid of a good cause. There is plenty of chat too, but we don't charge you for that yet ..
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!
Click to submit your booking intentions and check hall availablity
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