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Dear Friends,
In the 1st Reading this weekend Jeremiah lays bare the prophet’s lot and struggle: criticism, mockery, hardship, and betrayal. To speak truth to the false powers and dominions of this world, and live it, comes at a personal cost; anyone who fights for any cause of justice knows this.
To stand up for anything, requires a profound trust that what is right and true has eternal and absolute value, in other words, it is the only way. Jeremiah knew this and was prepared to take the flack. The truths he promoted had God’s stamp of authority on it, which inspired him to ‘commit his cause to God’. No matter what was thrown at him, he stood firm.
In my struggles, I often remind myself of those lovely words from Julian of Norwich - “All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.” (Julian of Norwich).
The gospel runs along similar lines to the 1st Reading, except the context is that of Jesus instructing the apostles. They too were to be prophets, pointing ‘the way’, who is Jesus, to the Father. ‘Pointing the way’ was not simply a matter delivering speeches, but also through how one lived one’s life, which Jesus made clear countless times.
Jesus warns them that they will encounter conflicts and confrontations, especially and ironically from the ‘religious’ establishment, but they were to remain steadfast and be assured of the Father’s ever-present, loving care.
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 JUNE
† John Hanley, Ellen Corr, Caterina Gravestock, Margaret Stacey, Earnest Stacey, Trenette Betts, John Brown, Marie Cogan, Anna Goral, Mary Hudson, Danny Burr, Thomas Enstone, Ellen Griffiths, Robert Plantin, Jeanne Lawton, Samuel John O’Rourke, Christine Rigg, Bernard and Jack Collins, Rose Hatch, Peter Bannon, Arthur McLoughlin, Evelyn O’Connell, Marjorie Dixon, Harry Quinn, Albert Mayer, Joan Katnic, Mrs Nena Spalding, Sheila Baker, Fr. Ignatius St. Lawrence, Danielle Key, Martin Browne, John Barker, Olive Harvey, Elena Newland, Donald Seaman, Alice Wheatcroft, Maria Edwards, Patricia Fazakerley, Michael Burke, Harry Adamson, Kathleen Bliss, Agnes Harman, Yvonne Shepherd, Alex Jordan, Maureen Reader, Rose Murphy, Mary Parkins, Ernest Standing, Tinka McKelvie, Michael O’Flaherty, Betty Wallen, Dorothy Kells, Ronald Silk, Maureen Sier, Arthur Browne, Christine Leaver, John Wilks, Michael Priestley, Roger Higgins, Sheila Holden, Lesley Sullivan, Kathleen McElligott, Sandy Lawrie, Martha Harvey.†
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 ...
There is no Coffee Morning this weekend, but next weekend is again a Freebie on the Parish! Thanks to Frank and Val for the generous gift of their time in running these.
On the 5th July Pat Sach and friends are running one for Havens Palliative Care.
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 - Applications are now closed, however we have had some applicants drop out so if you are in Year 10 or above and may be interested, please contact us.
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 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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