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The Church has a Defibrillator. Spare a couple of minutes and watch the short video below on using a Defibrillator
Dear Friends,
A few years ago, I remember watching a documentary on life in Monaco. As many of you know, Monaco is a sovereign city-state and country on the French Riviera in Western Europe. It is also known as a playground for the rich and famous.
The natives of this principality are known as Monégasques, and they form a small percentage of the population. Many of them have routine jobs with average pay, living quite simple lives; a stark contrast to some of Monaco’s visitors!
One of the Monégasques who was interviewed commented on the various luxuries that the rich elite enjoyed, but added, ‘they always want more; what they have is never enough.’
It is interesting that the rich elite have an abundance, yet it is not enough. Perhaps it is the wrong sort of ‘abundance’?
The multiplication of food stories which we hear in the gospels are Jesus’ way of trying to tell us that there is a foundational abundance within reality, and it is an ‘abundance’ that nourishes and satisfies, as opposed to one that does not.
I am sorry to say that many people on this planet live with the world view of scarcity – even Christians, who should know better. This world view of scarcity can be broader than simply not having enough money or things...there’s never enough happiness, enough forgiveness, enough time, enough love, or enough me!
The focus of today’s gospel is not the miracle itself, but the foundational grace present in Jesus that makes it happen, because the realisation of foundational grace leads to the realisation of foundational abundance.
The antithesis of this, the view that there is ‘never enough’ - acts as a blockade to the flow of divine grace. This problem is exacerbated by the fact that the mind struggles to imagine anything infinite or eternal. So, any notion of an infinite love (i.e. God) is extremely hard for us to grasp.
Don’t worry though, we are in good company, even the apostles struggled with it, “all we have with us is five loaves and two fish” - and they were in Jesus’ company day in and day out!
I think it will always be an uphill battle for us to ‘see’ differently, to see as Jesus sees’. We have layers of cultural programming to reverse and unlearn.
The challenge is in not only believing the foundational grace present in all reality, but also in allowing that grace to transform us, particularly in how we view the world.
Have a good week and take 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!
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.
We are excited to announce that St Vincent’s 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: 9am –11am 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 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 AUGUST
† Xenia Sullivan, Steve Rose, Doris Wood-man, Mary Carson, Stanley Woollard, Rob-ert Wheatcroft, Irene Brown, Richard Worthington, Melita Hartley, Madge Fisher, Honora Smith, Walter Williams, Elizabeth Wildish, Elizabeth Ryan, Edward George Bines, Frances Breen, Innes Perkins, Rev. Fred Wall, Larry Brown, Charles Avery, Rosemary Gravestock, Mary Land, Lilian Fenwick, Mary Boland, Daren Stagg, Thomas Tobin, Peter Wallen, George Singleton, Ei-leen Needham, Mary Watts, Michael Kelly, John Hamblin, Emily Franklin, Eleanor Yorke-Starkey, Florence Hanley, Niall McNicholl. Maureen Goodwin, Donald Coull, Elizabeth MacGregor, Christine Cannon, Christina Moloney. †
Fr Brett
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Thanks to everyone who has run or attended the Coffee Mornings over the past year.
We are taking a break for August, and will be back again on the 5th September, after the 10.45am Mass, raising money for our Warm Welcome Hub. We all look forward to seeing you again then! Have a wonderful summer!
Happy Holidays all!
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!
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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