12-MAY-2024
SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTERTIDE
Abiding in God's Love: A Call to Unity and Sanctification
In this Sunday’s readings, we hear about the profound love and unity within the early Church and the Holy Trinity. The first reading from Acts shows the apostles coming together in prayer to discern God's will in choosing a successor to Judas. This unity is rooted in their shared faith and love for Christ.
The responsorial psalm reminds us of God's everlasting love and the vastness of His dominion – God “set His sway in heaven.” As we pray, we are drawn into His unfailing compassion.
In the second reading, John emphasizes the indwelling presence of God in our lives when we love one another. By abiding in love, we abide in God, and God in us. This love is not mere sentiment but a reflection of God's nature.
The Gospel reading reveals Jesus' heartfelt prayer for His disciples' protection and sanctification in truth. He consecrates Himself for their sake so they may be consecrated or sanctified in truth. This prayer underscores the profound unity between Christ and His followers, which extends to the Father.
As we reflect on these passages, let us strive to embody the love and unity present in the early Church and the Holy Trinity. May we open our hearts to God's indwelling presence and allow His love to transform us and our relationships (Fr. Viktor A.).
Family Connections:
Like the early Church, how can we discern God's will and maintain unity when faced with essential family decisions?
Prayer:
Father, consecrate us in Your truth and unite us in love.
Mass Readings:
1st Reading: Acts 1: 15-17.20-26
Responsorial Psalm: The Lord, has set his sway in heaven
2nd Reading: 1 John 4 :11-16
Gospel: John 17:11-19
Baptism Seminar Schedule
Baptism Seminars for parents of children up to 6 years old.
Saturday, 18th of May 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
Harlow Water Tower Abseil
The Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society (BCCS) are looking for thrill seekers with a passion for fundraising to take part in Harlow Tye Rotary’s annual Harlow Water Tower Abseil on Saturday 18th May 2024. For all details, please visit our Harlow Water Tower Abseil webpage here: https://www.bccs.org.uk/get-involved/events/ To secure your spot, a £35 entry fee will be paid to the Harlow Tye Rotary Club, with all funds raised through your efforts being donated to BCCS. Please reach out to Charlotte: cwalker@bccs.org.uk / 07986841178 to sign up!
Walter Campling’s Funeral
Walter's funeral is Thursday, the 30th May. 10.30 Brentwood Cathedral.
Burial Southend 12.30. Buffet lunch 1.30 Cliffs Pavilion Restaurant Westcliff-on-Sea
Confession of FHC Candidates' Parents
01 June 05.00 PM
First Holy Communion services
8th & 15th June
‘Revive; Discover; Empower’ a young adults retreat:
Walsingham House are hosting a young adults retreat on the weekend of 22nd – 23rd June. The retreat is open to those who are 19+. It will be a weekend of prayer and friendship and a wonderful opportunity to take a break from work or university. The cost of the retreat is £45 and more information, including how to book, can be found at www.bcys.net/events
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
Please consider offering help…..
…Your Parish needs You!
To ensure your safety and compliance with our legal obligations, we require volunteers from the congregation for each mass service to assist us with the evacuation of the church in the event of a fire. Volunteers will be provided with fire safety training for this role, which comprises what actions to take in the event of a fire, which is to successfully evacuate the church and aid those who may have limited mobility.
We cannot do this without your help, so please volunteer today!
BCCS Charity Tribute Night featuring ABBA Chique
Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society is pleased to host their first Charity Tribute Night featuring ABBA Chique at the Mill Hall Arts & Events Centre in Rayleigh on Friday 12th July from 7.30 to 11pm. Please spread the word among friends and family, join them at this special anniversary event and get ready to dance and sing along to your favourite ABBA hits! Tickets cost £20 plus a small booking fee and can be purchased via Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/abba-tribute-night-tickets-849314000037
Please keep your e-ticket to show on entry to the venue. All details can be found on the BCCS website: www.bccs.org.uk/get-involved/events/
If you have any questions about the event, please email Julie jabbott@bccs.org.uk
Pilgrimage to Fatima
From 11th to 15th Oct 2024
£ 855.00 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
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 2024
If you are a tax paying parishioner making a gift to the parish, for example putting money in the collection, the Inland Revenue aids us by refunding the tax.
For every £1 you donate we can claim a 25p refund; £1 becomes £1.25 for the Parish.
Our Parish has to pay its own way, what we collect in the Offertory collection plate no longer covers our overhead costs, so the Gift Aid Scheme is our financial lifeline.
The new financial year starts on 6th April so please pick up your new box at the back of the church and check that we have your correct address.
Equally important, if you are a taxpayer and not in the scheme and would like to join and help the Parish please complete a Declaration Form which will 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.
12 May – Sunday
09.30am – Children’s Liturgy
– Baptism
13 May – Monday
14 May – Tuesday
11.00am-02.00pm – Friendship Club
06.00-07.30pm – Bible Study
15 May – Wednesday
10.30am Church cleaning
04.30-07.30pm – FHC and Confirmation
16 May – Thursday
07.00pm – Legion of Mary Meeting (Sacristy)
(For home visits, please get in touch with the parish)
17 May – Friday
10.30am – FIHM Adoration and Pro-life Rosary (Presbytery Chapel)
03.00-04.00pm – Divine Mercy Devotion (Presbytery Chapel)
07.00pm – Perpetual Novena to Sto Niño (Presbytery Chapel)
18 May – Saturday
11.00-11.50am – Adoration organized by FIHM
11.15-11.50am – Confession
01.00pm – Baptism
03.30pm – Baptism Seminar
19 May – Sunday
09.30am – Children’s Liturgy
01.30pm – Tamil Mass
05.00-06.00pm – Tamil Community (Hall)
Note: Recitation of the Holy Rosary at the small chapel after the weekday Masses.
12 May – 7th Sunday of Easter (White)
World Communications Day
09.30am – For students studying psychology and their exams
11.30am – For Glenda Guevara (Birthday on 13 May); for +Walter Campling
06.00pm – For the Pilgrimage Group of Salvatore Burzotta
14 May – Tue St Matthias Ap Feast (Red)
10.00am – For the Pilgrimage Group of Salvatore Burzotta
15 May – Wed of the 7th week of Eastertide (White)
10.00am – For For the Pilgrimage Group of Salvatore Burzotta
16 May -Thur of the 7th week of Eastertide (White)
10.00am – For Henry Durrant (Fdn.Meml.)
17 May – Fri of the 7th week of Eastertide (White)
10.00am – For Jane Mergler (Fdn.Meml.)
18 May – Sat. of the 7th week of Eastertide (White)
12.00nn – For Almeria Hawkins and her deceased relatives (Fdn.Meml.)
19 May – Pentecost Sunday (Red) Solemnity
09.30am – For the Rogationist Congregation
11.30am – For the Daughters of Divine Zeal Congregation
06.00pm – For the Parishioners’ Intention
The Holy Father’s intention for May
For the formation of religious and seminarians
We pray that religious women and men, and seminarians, grow in their own vocations through their human, pastoral, spiritual and community formation, leading them to be credible witnesses to the Gospel.
The Significance of May as the Month of Mary
The Catholic Church has a long-standing tradition about the month of May dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. This custom, which began in the 13th century, has been embraced and promoted by the Church, particularly the Jesuit Order and various Popes.
The month of May is associated with Mary for several reasons. Firstly, it is a time when spring is at its peak, and nature is renewing itself. This renewal is symbolically linked to Mary's role in giving new life to the world through the birth of Jesus Christ. Additionally, dedicating May to Mary may have been a way to replace pagan cults that existed during this month. The practice of honoring Mary in May has been praised by Popes, including Pius XII, who recognized it as a unique and dignified form of devotion. As Catholics, devotion to Mary is an integral part of their identity. She exemplifies commitment to God's will and is often sought out for help and guidance during difficult times. May we renew our devotions to Mary, the mother of Jesus and trust in her maternal intercessions for our families and community (Fr. Viktor).
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St Helen, pray for us!
Send, O Lord, Holy Apostles, into Your Church!
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