'Teach us to Pray' - Living the Year of Prayer in Preparation for Jubilee 2025,
Pope Francis invites us all to intensify
prayer as a personal dialogue with God.
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In the 1st Reading this weekend, Peter announces to the ‘brothers’ that a replacement needs to be found for Judas. As we know, Judas betrayed Jesus and then, later, through guilt and shame, took his own life. As Peter recounts Judas’ betrayal, there does not appear to be any disappointment in his tone, he simply states the facts.
It is sad to think that despite Judas’ closeness to the ‘group’ - and supposedly to Jesus – he took another direction - which was mainly because he thought he had a better offer. It is easy to point the figure and make Judas the bad guy, but I wonder how many of us, in one way or another, neglect the divine mystery for a ‘better offer’.
At this stage of his life Peter was a realist, knowing that attention to the divine mystery will always be a challenge which is why he is ‘matter of fact’ about Judas’ betrayal. Of course, Peter knew about betrayal!
In the 2nd half of the 1st Reading, Peter lists the job description for this new vacancy – “someone who has been with us the whole time that the Lord Jesus was travelling round with us…right from the time when John was baptising until the day when he was taken up from us.”
Obviously, it had to be someone who had demonstrated commitment and had a sound understanding as to what Jesus was about.
There were two candidates who were nominated, Justus and Matthias. Interestingly, lots were drawn to decide who got the job. In the apostles’ eyes the lot which was drawn was not a matter of leaving things to chance, but more like leaving it to the Holy Spirit – “Lord, you can read everyone’s heart; show us therefore which of these two you have chosen.” Their simple prayer demonstrated a profound trust!
In the 2nd Reading, love and God become synonymous with each other – “as long as we love one another God will live in us and his love will be complete in us.” Wow, it seems there is nothing complicated in abiding with the divine mystery, it’s all we must do is love - and anyone can do that if they have the desire to do so. Simple, isn’t it? Perhaps it even seems too good to be true? That may be so, but nevertheless, the scripture is very clear. This teaching is underscored in Jesus’ preaching when he states that to love God and our neighbour is the greatest commandment of all. It must be so, because love is the only thing that can truly bring us together. To learn the sort of communion that Jesus envisages is a long, step by step process, where many refinements need to take place. When we undertake this process, then the prayer of Jesus begins to unfold in our lives – “Holy Father, keep those you have given me true to your name, so that they may be one like us.”
Have a good week,
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 MAY
Please remember the following :
† Len Saad, James Rant, Madeleine Myall, Ellen Wicker, Charlotte Rooney, Joseph Gibbons, Albert Perkins, James Studdert, Anthony O’Hara, Joseph and Simon MacKereth, Keith Fletcher, Patrick O’Hara, Andrew Sharman, Reginald Hutchinson, Alfie Cantor, Sheila Baker, Dolly Bright, Marcus Redding, Millie Medcalf, Maurus and Mona Lawton, Gwen Schneiderhan, Sean Corr, Stephen West, Brian Blyth-Cook, James Devereux, Helen Carmichael, Nora Carey, Frances O’Sullivan, George Collis, Alfred Marshall, Peggy Gillies, Malcolm Andrews, Dorothy and Jim Eost, Richard Copley, Roger Grain, Treasa Parker, Paul O’Sullivan, Joanne Wicker, Kathleen Fallon, Audrey McAuliffe, Dorothy Locker, Anna Cohen, Ronald Silk, Barbara Porter, Eileen Glyde, Ernest Quinn, Marion Hayden, Helen Hughes, Major Philip Statham. †
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 669, our Parish Fundraising Team, are providing the goodies! All welcome to come into the hall after the 10.45am Mass for drinks, cakes, and maybe the odd Bishop...
Next weekend, Marco will be raising funds for his pilgrimage to Lourdes with the Brentwood Catholic Youth Service. He looks forward to seeing you there!
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