Our warm welcome session restarts this Friday 12th April, 12-3pm in the church hall. Everyone welome! Enjoy Tea, Coffee, biscuits and a light lunch of soup and a fresh roll. Come along for friendly company! Why not just pop in and say hello?
Keep informed about upcoming events and ensure that your children don't miss out on any invitations, I ask for your permission to include them in our communications. Your support will enable us to better cater to the needs of our young community members.
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In his gospel John quotes Jesus as saying that he is the Good Shepherd whose sheep listen to his voice. And, clearly, if the sheep are to benefit from the shepherd’s experience then they have to listen to where he is directing them.
Most of us would accept that what God is trying to say to us can be found in the bible. Some might go further and say that when the bible is proclaimed in our liturgy then God is actually speaking to us here and now. We would probably accept too that the teaching of the Church is another way of knowing what God wants to communicate to us. But are there other ways of listening out for the shepherd’s voice?
Christ, the Good Shepherd, speaks to us through other people. When we come across others we see the face of Jesus reflected in them, for they like us are made in God’s image and likeness. Yet sometimes we see them only as physical beings rather than as mini-words of God, as glimpses into the divine. Do we hear the voice of God in other people?
What about the events of our daily lives? If we are finding things hard financially, it may be because of the recession. But do we ever think that God’s voice may be prompting us to ask about whether we’re in the right job, using our talents to the full, managing our lives and money properly? Conversely, if we are doing really well, do we consider that we deserve a good pat on the back or do we instinctively bless God for our prosperity? And when we hear of natural disasters such as recent earthquakes do we jump on the band-wagon of “How can a loving God allow such a thing?” or do we learn anything about our own lives and those of others by looking deeper at the consequences of what has happened?
How do we listen for the shepherd’s voice?
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.'
The Rosary Group meets every Tuesday 3.30pm at St George’s Church.
You are all welcome to join us in fellowship.
With worship, music, prayer & The Rosary
Use the Front Entrance please!
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 is asking 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.
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.
All your daily Mass Readings here online, including the Psalms, Morning, Evening and Night Prayers.
We invite you to make a 'Sacred Space' in your day, praying here and now, as you visit our website, with the help of scripture chosen every day and on-screen guidance. 'Sacred Space'
Pope Francis 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. We need of Sleeping bags, Hoodies, Jogging bottoms all sizes, Gloves, Hats, Coats and Socks. 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.
The full list 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.
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 APRIL
Please remember the following :
† Marjorie Quinn, Hilda Skingle, Helen Rant, Peggy Townsend, Irene Hayward, Lee Walsh, Albert Carter, Walter Whittam, Alice McArity, Colin Parrish, Canon Toft, Fr. Roberts, Bernard Fitzgerald, Ellen and Frank Nathaniel Paice, Michael Sullivan, Trenear Michell, Leslie Townsend, Sr. Margaret Mary O.C., Edgar Butcher, Stanley Blotnys, F. Sleznikas, Florence Weller, Winnifred Manning, James Lowe, Millicent Powling, Kathleen Fotherby, Pat Kenna, Mary Tobin, Bernard Clark, Pam Hatch, Marianne Harcourt, Patricia Key, Olive Phillips, Brian Woodcock, Robert Crothers, Julia Carlile, Michael Fallon, Johanna Howlett , Maureen Reeves, Kenneth Shuhan, Mary Hulbert, Pamela Chambers, Mona Reid, Amalia Zamora, Winifred Burke, John McManus, Vasia Brown, Teresa Malone, John Dodd, Jack Hanley, Maria Dicks, John Dodson, Conrad Douglas-Mackenzie, Kitty and Norman Grange, Severino d’Andrea, Joanna Chisholm, John Pegler, Carmel Collis, Dominic Bann, Lindiwe Ncube, Michael Jackson, Darren Case, Jack Stennett, Sheila Edwards†
Fr Brett
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This weekend Charlotte and Ava-Rose will be raising money for Sandpipers Pre-School’s new sign and play equipment for their sensory area. Please come and join them after the 10.45am Mass and support their endeavours. Go on, you know you want to!
Next weekend our lovely 669 will be raising money for church funds.
Don’t forget, if you want to run a Coffee Morning for your charity or good cause, please contact the office.
Fr Brett
ROSARY AND PRAYERS
in St. George’s
every Tuesday at 3.30pm
(throughout the winter months)
Come and join us at 3.30pm from this coming Tuesday for a spiritual cleanse, with uplifting worship music, intercessory prayer and the Rosary.
Call Kazza on 07786 000391, or just turn up!
Fr Brett
FAN THE FLAME OF HOPE - Saturday 15th March 2025
11am-6pm Ovo Arena, Wembley
We are now taking names of anyone wishing to attend Flame NEXT year, as the Diocese want to get a bulk booking in early.
If you think you would like to join us for this terrific event, with the content aimed at Year 10 to 13, please contact Sharon.
Last year over 1,000 young people from across the Diocese attended the Flame, along with thousands from all around the country.
As we did last year, we would hope to get a coach to and from the venue.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Fr Brett
If you are interested in participating in this fundraiser for the church, please return your form to the church office as soon as possible.
If your form went out with the Christmas recycling, please contact Sharon, who will be able to arrange a new one!
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, membership and meeting records
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