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Dear Friends,
In the 1st Reading this weekend, we have the story of Samuel journeying to the house of Jesse to choose the successor of King Saul. Samuel thought that the chosen one was Eliab, because he was the eldest, the tallest and seemed the most capable of all the sons of Jesse. But the Lord rejected Eliab and all the seven sons presented as worthy candidates to him, “God does not see as man sees; man looks at appearances, but the Lord looks at the heart.” Finally, the youngest son, David, arrives. ‘On paper’ he doesn’t ‘fit the bill’; he doesn’t look the part and most certainly lacks experience, but he has a good heart. David is anointed King because God goes beyond appearances and sees the essential virtues of courage, faithfulness and determination. David will be the shepherd King of his people.
The tables are turned in the gospel; it is not about how God sees, but how human beings see. A blind man appears ‘centre stage’ in this story which is not so much about his lack of physical sight, but his progress towards faith-sight (notice how briefly the miracle itself is described; it’s over and done within a couple of sentences).
Soon after the blind man’s physical sight is restored, his faith-sight begins to take shape. Initially, he merely states, ‘the man called Jesus did this for me. Next, he says, “He is a prophet”. Later he proclaims, “This man is from God”. And when Jesus reveals that he is the Son of man, he finally professes his faith: “Lord, I believe.” As this man grows in enlightenment, there is a group that is receding back into the shadows of ignorance – the Pharisees! They refuse to see the truth of Jesus; they don’t want to believe. To justify their stance, they introduce all sorts of diversions: is it proper to heal on the Sabbath? Is Jesus acting with the power of God or the power of evil?
The real issue and question that the gospel possess to all of us is, ‘do you really believe in the Son of Man?’ If so, what impact does that have on your life?
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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Team 669, our parish fundraisers, are hosting the Coffee Morning this weekend. Please come and join us in the hall after the 10.45am Mass, where there will be cakes and refreshments.
Next weekend we have the Irish Lunch, with the next Coffee Morning being the 12th April.
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 18-25 Jul 2026
Applications are open online for this years’ Lourdes pilgrimage for those in year 10 and above. You can find all information at www.bcys.net/events/sl26 . As always, there is funding available for which we can provide advice and support. We hope to have as many different schools and parishes represented as possible so if there is any support we can give, please do get in touch.
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!
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