Starting 06 January 2024
Epiphany of the Lord
07 January
In his 2024 Epiphany Pastoral Letter, Bishop Alan Williams calls for immediate action in implementing the Diocesan Vision: Shaping Our Future. Recognizing the challenges faced by both parishioners and clergy in recent years, he stresses the need to adapt to evolving circumstances. Drawing inspiration from Pope Francis and a 2020 Vatican document, Bishop Williams emphasizes the importance of co-responsibility between clergy and laypeople.
He encourages the establishment of flexible Pastoral Councils within parishes and partnerships, aligning them with the missionary goal of reaching everyone. He underscores the urgency of this change, given the rapidly changing world and post-pandemic realities.
Expressing gratitude to those who contributed to Shaping Our Future, Bishop Williams urges parish partnerships to build upon pre-pandemic efforts and adapt them to the current context. He firmly advocates for embracing change, quoting Cardinal Newman: "To live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often."
The Bishop calls upon parish priests to join him in this effort and will guide them on working collectively to make Christ's light known in today's ever-changing world. He concludes with a heartfelt plea to ensure that Christ, the Light of all Nations, does not remain unknown in this generation. (va,rcj)
Sacrament of Confirmation
The start of the 2024 confirmation course is on Wednesday 10th January in the parish hall at 6:15pm
Baptism Seminar Schedule
Baptism Seminars for parents of children up to 6 years old.
13 January 2024, 03.00 PM
Venue: Church Sacristy. To register, please email your name and the name and age of your child to: westcliff@brcdt.org
Snr Sto. Niño Novena
We again invite you to join the 9-day Novena of Snr Santo Nino in St Helen’s Church, Westcliff.
Day 1 (19 Jan) 7:30 PM - Adoration chapel
Day 2 (20 Jan) - will be done in the coach re: London feast in Saint George’s Cathedral
Day 3 - 8 (21 - 26 Jan) 7:30 PM - Adoration chapel
Day 9 / Feast Day (27 Jan)
4:30 PM in St Helen’s Church, followed by our regular/monthly Filipino mass.
(Note: Bring with you your Santo Nino images for blessing)
Agape in the hall & please kindly bring food to share.
Contact:
Melchor Aliganga for more details
Ash Wednesday
14 February
Youth Encounter Gathering
20-21 July
155th Anniversary of Saint Helen’s Church, Westcliff-on-Sea
17-18 August
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 Office Staff
We are urgently seeking committed applicants for this vital role in our Parish. For those who are interested, please get in touch with
Fr. Alex Poblador, RCJ.
December 2023 Income
Bankers Orders / Standing Orders
Loose Plate £ 1,728.55
Gift Aid 2,070.44
Contactless 1,046.96
Total £ 3,628.13
New Parish Team Members
We warmly welcome
Kenneth Attwood
Health and Safety Officer
Benneth Chukwuemeka
Health and Safety Assistant
and
Lucy and Gary Watts
Safeguarding Representatives
They bring dedication and expertise to ensure our parish remains a safe and welcoming community. Join us in supporting them in their essential roles.
St. Helen’s Cleaners
Join this group chat to get the weekly schedule of volunteer cleaners.
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
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.
Sunday 07 January
09.30am – Holy Mass
11.30am – Holy Mass
06.00pm – Holy Mass
Monday 08 January 2024
07.00-08.00pm – Adoration organized by the FIHM (Adoration Chapel)
Tuesday 09 January
10.00am – Holy Mass
11.00am-02.00pm – Friendship Club (Hall)
02.15pm – Mass, St Bernard School
06.00-07.30pm – Bible Study
Wednesday 10 January
10.00am – Holy Mass
05.00-06.00pm – First Holy Communion Session (Hall)
06.15- 07.30pm – Confirmation Session (Hall|)
Thursday 11 January
10.00am – Holy Mass
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 12 January
10.00am – Holy Mass
03.00-04.00pm – Divine Mercy Devotion (Adoration Chapel)
Saturday 13 January
10.30-12.00nn – Bereavement Group (Hall)
11.00-11.50am – Adoration organized by FIHM
11.15-11.50am – Confession
12.00nn – Holy Mass
02.00-03.00 – Zimbabwean Community Prayer and Fellowship (Small Hall)
03.00pm – Baptism Seminar (Sacristy)
04.00pm – Sinulog Dance Ritual Practice (Church)
Sunday 14 January
09.30am – Holy Mass (Children’s liturgy)
11.30am – Holy Mass
06.00pm – Holy Mass
Note:
Recitation of the Holy Rosary at the small chapel after the weekday Masses.
The Friendship Club resumes on Tuesday 9th of January.
07 January – Sunday. Epiphany. Solemnity
HolyDay of Obligation (White)
09.30am – For the Rogationist Congregation
11.30am – For the FDZ Congregation
06.00pm – For the parishioners’ intentions
The Season of Ordinary Time (before Lent)
09 Jan – Tues. Feria. (Green)
10.00am – For Manley Family (Foundation Memorial)
10 Jan – Wed. Feria. (Green)
10.00am – For Jane Mergler (Foundation Memorial)
11 Jan – Thur. Feria. (Green)
10.00am –Vocations to the Religious and Priestly Life; Davy Sanggalang-Canosa (Birthday)
12 Jan – Fri. Feria. (Green)
10.00am – For James Littleton, Mary, Helena Littleton and Herbert Littleton (Foundation Memorial)
13 Jan – Sat. Feria. (Green)
12.00nn – For Canon Patrick McKenna (Foundation Memorial)
14 Jan – 2nd Sunday OT (Green) (Peace Day)
09.30am – For Mary English (Anniv); For the Rogationist Congregation;
11.30am – For the FDZ Congregation;
06.00pm – For the parishioners’ intentions
From 9 January:
Week 1 in Ordinary Time
Cycle B (Mark) in Lectionary I
Cycle II in Lectionary II
Psalter Week 1
Cycle of Prayer
During Ordinary Time up to Lent, Brentwood Diocese asks to pray for these intentions:
Peace on Earth; Openness to the Word of God; Christian Unity; The Sick and Those Who Care for Them; Victims of Trafficking and Those who Work to Combat it; The Unemployed.
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