God moves in mysterious ways
The readings for the Second Sunday of Lent invite the faithful to reflect on their faith journey, the reality of sacrifice, and the blessings from divine revelation. Our readings guide us through the depths of God's unfathomable love and the heights of His divine plan, from Abraham's unwavering faith on Mount Moriah to the awe-inspiring vision of Christ's Transfiguration.
In Genesis, we witness a father's ultimate test of faith, a moment that foreshadows the Father's sacrifice of His own Son for our salvation. In his letter to the Romans, Paul reassures us of this unparalleled love, reminding us that if God is for us, nothing can stand against us. The Gospel of Mark then lifts our eyes to the mountain where Jesus is transfigured, offering us a glimpse of the divine glory that awaits those who persevere in faith.
This Lenten season calls us to embrace these mysteries more deeply—to trust when the path seems uncertain, to offer our lives as a sacrifice of love, and to keep our gaze fixed on the glory of the Resurrection. As we participate in this Holy Mass, let us open our hearts to the transformative power of these sacred mysteries, allowing God's grace to mold us more fully into the image of Christ.
Family Connection:
In what ways, as a family, are you called to make sacrifices during Lent, and how do these sacrifices bring you closer to God?
Prayer:
Lord, deepen our faith as we trust in Your divine plan.
Please note:
FHC & Confirmation sessions resume on 28th Feb
Stations of the Cross
1st March 6:00pm
Knanaya Catholic Malayalam Community Mass
09 March 2024, 04.00 PM
Baptism Seminar Schedule
Baptism Seminars for parents of children up to 6 years old.
Saturday, 9th of March at 03.00 PM in the Church Sacristy. To register, please email your name and the name and age of your child to: westcliff@brcdt.org
LENT RECOLLECTION SERVICE
20TH March 5:00pm in the church
For parents of First Holy Communion & Confirmation candidates
Trip to Chrism Mass:
Wednesday 27th March
We're looking to gauge interest by parishioners in attending the Chrism Mass at 11 am in Brentwood Cathedral on Wednesday 27th March. If there is sufficient interest, we'll organise a coach to take people there and back (Cost not known but likely to be about £5 - £10 per head, with children under 13 free. It is likely that the coach will leave Sacred Heart at about 8:30 am and return by about 2 pm.) If you are interested please give your details to Sarah Clark (07902 332756) by Sunday 18th Feb, Thank you.
Blessing of Food for Polish Families
30 March 2024
Easter Bonnet / Hat Competition
Join our Easter Bonnet/Hat Competition!
Entry: Adults £ 5.0, Children £ 2.0.
Showcase your creativity for a chance to win fabulous prizes. Celebrate Easter with style and fun. Don't miss out! Prices to be won.
Easter Hamper
Support our Easter Hamper for parish upkeep. Buy tickets: £1 each or £5 per strip. More tickets, more chances to win! Your contribution makes a difference. Thank you for your generosity!
Dates for your diary……
Youth Encounter Gathering
13-14 July
Confirmation Day
20 July
155th Anniversary of Saint Helen’s Church, Westcliff-on-Sea
17-18 August
BRENTWOOD CATHEDRAL LENTEN TALKS:
A series of 4 talks on the recent Synod on Synodality, which took place in Rome last October, has been organised for the Holy Lenten season this year.
We have managed to secure 4 speakers
who were participants at the Synod.
Fr Timothy Radcliffe OP, (Wednesday 21st February 2024) who was appointed by the Pope as the Guest Preacher and Spiritual Director for the whole Synod;
The Revd Dr Jan Nowotnik (Wednesday 28th February 2024) Director of Mission for the Bishops’ Conference, and its National Ecumenical Officer;
Mr Austen Ivereigh (Wednesday 6th March 2024) Roman Catholic Journalist, Biographer of Pope Francis; Writer, speaker on contemporary Church affairs and
Bishop Nicholas Hudson (Wednesday 13th March 2024) Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster, (former Rector of the Ven English College, Rome), appointed delegate at the Synod last October.
All the Talks will take place at Brentwood Cathedral at 7.30pm. Considering the Bishop’s Pastoral Letter recently this will be a wonderful opportunity to learn about the Synod on Synodality, and this invitation is open to the whole Diocese.
Job Vacancies
Deputy Headteacher – St Anne Line Catholic Infant School & Nursery, BasildonDeadline for applications: 4:00 pm, Friday 26th January 2024
Headteacher – St Francis Primary School, MaldonDeadline for applications: 4:00 pm, Friday 26th January 2024
Headteacher – St Helen’s Primary School, Westcliff-on-SeaDeadline for applications: 9:00 am, Friday 2nd February 2024
Headteacher – St Joseph’s Primary School, Canvey IslandDeadline for applications: 12:00 pm, Wednesday 7th February 2024
Headteacher – St Patrick’s Primary School, Collier RowDeadline for applications: 12:00 (noon), Monday 12th February 2024
Job Vacancy
Little Company of Mary
11 - 13 Grosvenor Rd
Westcliff on Sea
We are recruiting for a maintenance person with good all-round DIY skills.
Basic knowledge of electrical, heating, plumbing and hot & cold-water service installations is required, with the ability to undertake all general and statutory maintenance checks on the various installations.
Previous experience in a similar role is desirable, preferably in a Care Home environment.
The successful candidate must have a good standard of record keeping and be able to work unsupervised.
Hours: 16 hours over 4 days (to be agreed)
Please submit your application to Icm.ef@btinternet.com
Pilgrimage to Italy
From 10th to 19th September 2024
Visiting Pisa, Florence, Assisi, and Rome
£ 1,795.00
Operated by Special Pilgrimages ‘Christian Tours’
For Inquiries, please contact:
Salvatore Burzotta 07753 203129
Sacrament of Confirmation:
Invitation to Join Our Catechist Team
Our parish is seeking enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers to join our team of catechists. Whether you are experienced or new to catechesis, your contribution will be invaluable in guiding and nurturing the faith journey of our community members.
To equip you for this role, we are organizing a special training session led by one of our parishioners, Carmel Allen, an experienced catechist and educator.
If you feel called to this ministry or would like to learn more, please approach Fr. Alex.
Friendship Club!
🌟 Join the Friendship Club of St. Helen's Parish in Westcliff! 🙌🏼 Discover meaningful connections and laughter every Tuesday, 11.00am-02.00pm at the Parish Hall.
All are welcome! ❤️
Gardener
🌿 Got Green Fingers?🌱 Be a part of something beautiful at St. Helen's Parish in Westcliff. Join our team of volunteer gardeners and help cultivate a serene oasis. 🌸🌼
No Bubble Gum in the Church
Out of respect for our sacred space, bubble gum is prohibited within the Church premises. I appreciate your cooperation.
- A friendly reminder from the dedicated volunteer cleaners of Saint Helen’s Westcliff
📢 Vacancy for Cleaner
We urgently seek committed applicants, preferably with experience, for this vital role in our Parish. For those who are interested, please get in touch with Fr. Alex Poblador, RCJ.
Parish Team Members
Kenneth Attwood
Health and Safety Officer
Benneth Chukwuemeka
Health and Safety Assistant
Lucy and Gary Watts
Safeguarding Representatives
and
Cherry Ann Castro
Finance Coordinator
St. Helen’s Cleaners
Join the group chat to get the weekly schedule of volunteer cleaners.
100 Club winners
November Lucy Upsher £20, Charles Muscat £15 and Fabian Cassar £10,
December Christmas bonus Dympna Potter £30, Pat Volante £20, Pat Keyes £15 and Anna Baldan £10,
January Rita Conlon £20, Pat Keyes £15 and Pat Volante £10.
Thank you for continued support to fund the parish minibus.
St Helen’s Minibus Service
For parishioners of Saint Helen’s with mobility problems and wanted to attend the 11:30am Sunday Mass; - For those who are interested to join the team of volunteers, please contact Ray Newman on Tel. No.: 07775 769826
Many thanks to all who support the maintenance of our Parish Minibus. If you know anyone who needs a lift to church to 11.30 Mass, please let the office know and it will be handed on to Ray Newman.
Sacramental Services
· For Baptisms, Weddings, and Funerals, please email our parish office or get in touch with any of the priests.
· Marriage Preparations: Couples who are planning to get married in or outside the parish should contact the parish office at least six (6) months in advance.
· The Sacrament of Reconciliation: Thursdays 10:45-11:25am; Saturdays 11:15-11:50am or approach the priest to get an appointment.
· The Sacrament of the Sick: Please contact the parish office for requests about visiting the housebound / Care Home residents.
Masses at Saint Helen’s
Weekday Masses: 10:00AM
Saturday Mass: 12:00NN
Sunday Mass: 09:30AM / 11:30AM / 06:00PM
2nd Mass on Holy Days: 07:00PM
No Mass on Mondays
Mass Intentions
For Any Mass Intentions, please see the priests or call them during office hours (Tuesdays to Fridays 9-1pm) Tel. No.: 01702 342324
Alternatively:
Mass Intention Envelopes are available Mass Intentions are published in the parish newsletter (available for collection). It is also posted via Facebook Page of the Parish.
Contactless Giving (Temporarily Out of Service)
No cash? Give your donations using your card. Look for the one in-charge of the parish’s card reader and get a receipt on the go or visit the parish website.
Gift Aid Collection Envelopes
If you are a taxpayer and not currently in the gift aid scheme and would like to join and help the Parish, please complete a Declaration Form, which is be available for you to collect from the back of the church.
If you any further questions please contact
John Upsher phone 01702 347369
Gift for Saint Helen’s Church
Please consider Saint Helen’s Catholic Church as part of charity in your will. For more information, see the parish priest.
Enhancing security
Saint Helen's Westcliff implements 24/7 CCTV surveillance across its premises. Notices alert parishioners to the system's presence for heightened safety.
The initiative aims to deter threats and ensure a secure environment for worshippers and visitors alike.
Sunday 25 February
09.30am – No Children’s liturgy
Monday 26 February
07.30 / 08.00pm – Family Rosary (Presbytery Chapel)
Tuesday 27 February
10.30am-12.00nn – FIHM Catechesis (Small Hall)
11.00am-02.00pm – Friendship Club (Hall)
06.00-07.30pm – Bible Study (Fr. Alex)
Wednesday 28 February
5.00–6.00pm FHC session ( Hall)
6.15-7.30pm Confirmation Session (Hall)
Thursday 29 February
10.30-11.30am – Adoration for Vocations
10.30-11.20am – Confession
07.00pm – Legion of Mary Meeting (Sacristy)
(For home visits, please get in touch with the parish)
Friday 1 March
03.00-04.00pm – Divine Mercy Devotion (Adoration Chapel)
06.00pm – Stations of the Cross
06.45pm – Perpetual Novena to Sto Niño (Church) during Fridays of Lent. After Lent, the Novena would be back to 07:30pm.
Saturday 2 March
11.00-11.50am – Adoration organized by FIHM
11.15-11.50am – Confession
12.00nn – Holy Mass
04.00-10.00pm – Private Function (Hall)
Sunday 3 March
09.30am – Children’s liturgy
01.00pm – Baptism
Note: Recitation of the Holy Rosary at the small chapel after the weekday Masses
25 Feb – 2nd Sunday of Lent B (Purple)
09.30am – For the family of Gloria Despacio-Reyes; the Rogationist Congregation;
11.30am – For +Phylis Riley; +Mick Bains; the FDZ Congregation;
06.00pm – For Angela and Milan Dragovic (Wedding Anniversary)
27 Feb – Tue. of 2nd week of Lent (Purple)
10.00am – For Hanna Fryer (Foundation Memorial); Jon Canosa (Birthday)
28 Feb – Wed. of 2nd week of Lent (Purple)
10.00am – For +Maureen Walsh; for +Robert Weatherley (26th Death Anniversary)
29 Feb – Thur. of 2nd week of Lent (Purple)
10.00am – For Margaret Rickard and Percival Elvia Rickard (Foundation Memorial)
; for Vocations to the Religious and Priestly Life
01 Mar – Fri. National Feast (White)
St David Bp
10.00am – For Babies in danger of abortion; Mary Barton (Foundation Memorial); Randolph Indonila (Birthday)
02 Mar – Sat. of 2nd week of Lent (Purple)
12.00nn – For the Family of the Immaculate Heart of Mary; Carmen O'Brien (Intentions); Saclolo Indonila (Birthday)
03 Mar – 3rd Sunday of Lent B (Purple)
09.30am – For the Rogationist Congregation;
11.30am – For the FDZ Congregation;
06.00pm – For the Parishioners’ Intentions
Prayer:
Lord, lead us on the path of repentance and renewal.
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