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Weekly Newsletter

Starting 14 January 2024


Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)


Responding to God's Call

 

As we gather in faith this Sunday, we invite you to dip deeper into the profound messages from the Scripture readings. The central theme of this week's mass readings is responding to God's call and honoring our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit.

In the First Reading, young Samuel's receptiveness to God's call teaches us the importance of being attentive to God's voice. The Second Reading emphasizes the sanctity of our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit, urging us to honor God through our choices. In the Gospel, Andrew and the disciples respond to Jesus' call, setting an example of discipleship.

 

iReflect: How can I better respond to God's call by honoring my body as a temple of the Holy Spirit daily?

 

Family Connection: How can my family create an environment that encourages listening to God's call and collectively honor our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit?

 

Let's take these reflections to heart and allow them to guide us on our journey as disciples of Jesus.

 

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, help me to listen to You and recognize Your loving presence in my body and in everyone around me. Amen. (frva,rcj)




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

 

Filipino Community Mass

27th January, 04.30 PM


Tamil Community Mass

28th January, 01.30 PM

 

Altar Servers’ Meeting

04 February 2024

12.30-03.00 PM Parish Hall


Knanaya Catholic Malayalam Community Mass

10th February, 04.00 PM

 

Dates for your diary……

 

Ash Wednesday

14 February

 

Youth Encounter Gathering

20-21 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.

 


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.


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.


Fr. Viktor's Birthday

Tomorrow, 15th January 2024, Fr. Viktor will celebrate his birthday. Unfortunately, we don’t have Mass on Mondays. I ask you therefore to offer your prayers for him in a special way. We are indeed very grateful for his continuous dedication to our parish. Thus, may we pray to the Lord to grant him holy perseverance, good health, and more success in his ministry. Happy Birthday, Fr. Vik may you have more birthdays to come. (From the Community of St Helen’s Parish)



St. Helen’s Cleaners

Join the 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 14 January      

09.30am – Holy Mass (Children’s liturgy)

11.30am – Holy Mass

06.00pm – Holy Mass

 

Monday 15 January

07.00-08.00pm – Adoration organized by the FIHM (Adoration Chapel)

 

Tuesday 16 January

10.00am – Holy Mass

10.30am – FIHM Business Meeting (Small Hall)

11.00am-02.00pm – Friendship Club (Hall)

02.15pm – Mass, St Bernard School (Fr. Alex)

06.00-07.30pm – Bible Study (Fr. Alex)

 

Wednesday 17 January

10.00am – Holy Mass

05.00-06.00pm – First Holy Communion Session (Hall)

06.15- 07.30pm – Confirmation Session (Hall|)

 

Thursday 18 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 19 January

10.00am – Holy Mass

03.00-04.00pm – Divine Mercy Devotion (Adoration Chapel)

07.30pm – Novena to Snr Sto Niňo (Adoration Chapel)

 

Saturday 20 January

11.00-11.50am – Adoration organized by FIHM

              11.15-11.50am – Confession

12.00nn – Holy Mass

12.45pm – Baptism

 

Sunday 21 January

09.30am – Holy Mass (Children’s liturgy)

11.30am – Holy Mass

06.00pm – Holy Mass 07.30pm – Novena to Snr Sto Niňo (Adoration Chapel)

 

Note:        Recitation of the Holy Rosary at the small chapel after the weekday Masses

 

Zimbabwean Rosary Group

27th January, 02.00-03.00 PM

07506450181(Nyasha)

 

Tamil Community Mass

28 January, 01.30 PM

 



14 Jan – 2nd Sunday OT (Green) (Peace Day)       

09.30am – For Mary English (Anniv); For the Rogationist Congregation;

11.30am – For Victor and Rosalia Galiza (Thanksgiving); for the FDZ Congregation;

06.00pm – For +Narciso Sinco; +Debbie Pike (RIP); Dominc and Toby

 

16 Jan – Tues. Feria. (Green)

10.00am – For Hazel Family (Foundation Memorial); Fr +Gilbert Basil Pearson and Fr +Neville Banks

 

17 Jan – Wed. Memorial. (White)

               St. Anthony Ab

10.00am – For Jane Barton (Foundation Memorial); Fr +Kenneth Green

 

18 Jan – Thur. Feria. (Green)

10.00am – For Vocations to the Religious and Priestly Life; Fr +Canon Charles Kuypers

 

19 Jan – Fri. Feria. (Green)

10.00am – For  Robert Barton (Foundation Memorial); Fr +Mgr Canon David Donnelly

 

20 Jan – Sat. Feria. (Green)

12.00nn – For Fr +John Meehan

 

21 Jan – 3rd Sunday OT (Green)

09.30am – For the Rogationist Congregation; Bp +Bernard Ward,

11.30am – For the FDZ Congregation; Fr +Christopher Quirke

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.

 


From 14 January:

Week 2 in Ordinary Time

Cycle B (Mark) in Lectionary I

Cycle II in Lectionary II

Psalter Week 2

 

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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