1 / 7
Seb's Baptism with Parents, family and friends
2 / 7
Louie with Parents Matt and Nichola
3 / 7
Tendai Commissioned as a new Altar Server!
4 / 7
Roisin's Baptism! With Fr Brett and Parents Louise & Peter
The theme is “Pilgrims of Hope”, and is a year of hope for a world suffering the impacts of war, the ongoing effects of COVID-19, and a climate crisis. It embraces six themes: care for creation, food poverty, managing debt, modern slavery, forgiveness, rest and worship.
Click to download a PDF version of the parish newletter
or Archived Newsletters Here!
Tues 8.30am—1.30pm; Weds 8.30am-5.30pm; Thurs 8am-12noon;
Fri 8.15am-11.15am; Closed Monday
With your email address, we can keep you up-to-date with news and events
Click here to give a 'secure' donation to the 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.
My dear friends,
It is with joy and hope in our hearts that we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection from the dead and the gift of Himself to all humanity. This is the essence of our Catholic faith and the means through which we truly become children of God.
It is wonderful for us to come together in love and friendship to share the greatest event in the Church’s year; this is what it means to be ‘the Body of Christ’. It reminds us that faith is principally not a private thing, but something which comes into its own when we are together. We are especially blessed this Easter to welcome Danielle, Shannon and Tom into our parish community. The RCIA team and I, have journeyed with them for the last 13 months and its wonderful to finally receive them into the church. As we extend our best wishes to them, please make them wel-come.
The Easter story is the reason for the Church’s existence; it was this event that would not only inspire and motivate those early disciples to enthusiastically proclaim their belief in Jesus as the living Son of God, but also change many lives in the centuries that followed and shape many different cultures.
The Easter event reminds us of Jesus’ ongoing presence with us in and through the Church, the sacraments, through our community and through our endeavours to love and live his vision. The resurrection is the fulfilment of God’s promise that he would be with us always. We are so blessed that the greatest love, through which all things came to be, seeks to embrace us, and lead us into the unfolding of God’s kingdom, which can happen, here and now, if we allow it. The ‘allowing’ is actualised through taking the pathway of descent, pushing aside our own agendas and letting God do His work of transformation within us.
Thus, it is our hope that as we journey through life we will be touched by moments of resurrection, moments of new life that will transform us and deepen our faith, hope, and love.
Wishing you and your loved ones Easter joy and peace!
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 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.
JustGiving Campaign Focus: Keep Hope Alive in 2025
As we step into the new year, the challenges facing St Vincent’s Centre, Southend, continue to grow. Despite our relentless efforts, securing grants has been more difficult than ever, making it harder to cover the core costs that keep our essential services running. Without funding for rent, utilities and staff, we risk losing the stability that so many people rely on. St Vincent’s is a place of Help, Hope and Opportunity, a safe space where people struggling with homelessness, poverty and mental health challenges can find support, warmth and a path forward. Every donation, no matter how small, helps keep the doors open and ensures that we can provide meals, support programs and vital services for those in need.
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.
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, Betty O’Sullivan †
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 ...
No Coffee Morning this weekend as we will all be far too busy going home to enjoy a slap-up lunch, or at the very least, copious amounts of chocolate!!
669, our wonderful parish fundraising team, will be in the hot seat next weekend after the 10.45am Mass. We look forward to seeing you then.
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
'A Year of Hope'
The theme is “Pilgrims of Hope”, and is a year of hope for a world suffering the impacts of war, the ongoing effects of COVID-19, and a climate crisis. It embraces six themes: care for creation, food poverty, managing debt, modern slavery, forgiveness, rest and worship.
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