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Dear Friends,
In the 1st Reading this weekend we get an insight into post-resurrection Christian communi-ty life. Gathering together to listen to the teaching of the apostles, to pray and to ‘break bread’ (a reference to the Eucharist) was central to their new identity as followers of the risen Jesus. It is clear that their sense of unity was strong as they looked after one another, ensuring that everyone had everything they needed.
It’s interesting to note that, in part, the practise of their ‘old’ religion is still going on as they continue to visit the temple. In the years ahead this would create problems as the religious authorities began to question their allegiance to the Jewish faith in the light of claiming Jesus as the Messiah ‘you can’t have it both ways, it’s either one or the other’! Eventually the Christian community breaks away completely from temple worship, while all the time tensions between the two groups gradually escalate.
In the gospel this weekend Jesus makes an appearance to his disciples while they were in ‘lock down’ in the upper room. This ‘lock down’ was self-imposed and rooted in fear. Jesus offers them peace, and by extension courage, as He commissions them in and through the power of the Spirit, to continue His work. Thomas was not present when Jesus appeared and when the others had told him later what had happened, Thomas wouldn’t believe what they were telling him and wanted concrete proof that the Lord was alive. Eight days later Thomas’ wish was granted.
There is nothing wrong with doubt; in fact, I think it is the friend of faith. Doubt can give us a ‘beginners mind’ which prompts us to think again and search deeper into the God mystery. In this way, doubt is a kind of reset which can sometimes lead us to new revelations more than blind faith can; it can push us into a deeper experience of God’s presence and a realisation of faith’s wisdom. However, for doubt to be fruitful it must be faced with honesty and a willingness to search for the possible truth. This means that we must struggle and work with it at times and, needless to say, a good pinch of perseverance is helpful as well!
I’m heading off for my post-Easter break, but you’ll be in the safe hands of Fr Gerald and Sharon whilst I’m away.
Take care and wishing you all every blessing,
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 APRIL
† 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 ...
This weekend we have a McEvoy’s Freebie after the 10.45am Mass. Come in for a cup-pa and a biscuit, on the house!
No one is hosting a Coffee Morning next weekend, so if you would like to take it on at short notice, please speak with Sharon.
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.
Youth Mass - There will be no Youth Mass in April due to this falling on Maundy Thursday when everyone will be attending their own parish Masses. The next Youth Mass will take place on Thursday 7th May, which you are very welcome to attend.
Diocesan Walsingham Pilgrimage – Saturday 23rd May - Representatives from the BCYS will be joining the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Walsingham, and we would like to invite other young people to join and assist with the liturgy. Please contact us if interested.
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/events/sl26
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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Pope Francis - 'Rejoice and be Glad'
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Pope Francis - a reflection on family life
'The Joy of the Gospel'
A brief guide when making mass intentions
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Supporting the faith development of young people - Pope Francis