Our Lady Help of Christians & St Helens
Sunday 8th March 2015
Parish Priest: Fr Joseph Whisstock 27 Milton Rd, Westcliff-on-sea, SS0 7JP.
Phone: 01702 342324 Email: [email protected]
Website: www.shwos.co.uk (Newsletters are on the website) Newsletter: [email protected]
Hall Bookings: [email protected] Deacon: Rev. Tony Collings: Email: [email protected]
th
Reflection for 8 March 2015 By Fr Adrian Graffy
The Third Sunday in Lent
Gospel reading: John 2:13-25
Other Readings: Exodus 20:1-17, 1 Corinthians 1:22-25
One of the features of the Gospel of John is that Jesus is
frequently to be found in Jerusalem. The story about the
‘cleansing of the temple’ is placed by this evangelist at the start
of Jesus’ ministry, while in the other gospels it comes as a
trigger for Jesus’ arrest. The dialogue with the Jews about ‘the
sanctuary that was his body’ is only found in John’s gospel.
Jesus comes to bring a new age, a new time, a new form of
worship. He is the Word among us. He reveals the way to God.
It is not therefore surprising that when Jesus causes disruption
in the temple the conversation shifts to the significance of the
temple, and to the significance of his coming.
Jesus speaks in terms which are not immediately clear. Later,
after his death and resurrection, the full import of his words will
be apparent. Just as the temple is soon to be destroyed, so too
the body of Jesus will be brought to death. But the future lies in
the new life of the resurrection. Despite this enigma the
evangelist tells us that many in Jerusalem came to believe in
Jesus’ name. From the start his words and person attracted
those with the courage to see and understand.
What does the cleansing of the temple symbolise?
Is it helpful to see Jesus as the ‘new temple’?
Let us pray that our Lenten journey will be richly blessed.
Let us pray for the Jewish people, our elder brothers and
sisters in the faith.
General Election 2015
The Bishops have written a joint letter to all
Catholics in England and Wales encouraging us to
participate and vote in the election and offering
some key issues and questions for reflection on
where candidate stand. Copies are available at the
back of the church and can be obtained, with other
information, at that time, from the Bishops’
Conference website www.catholicnews.org.uk
Please read the letter and encourage others to do
the same.
Vincent Nichols Archbishop of Westminster
St Helen’s Catholic Church Westcliff - Building
and Restoration Fund
Since The Building Fund was launched at the beginning of this
year So far you have generously given £972 against a 8 week
target of £1,200.
Many thanks for your contributions. Please try to give a little
extra each week by placing your contribution in the collection
box at the back of church (located at the foot of the stairs to
choir loft). For tax payers Gift Aid envelopes are available for
you to gift aid your donation. If you pay your offertory donation
by standing order you can complete a Pledge form and then
adjust the amount accordingly. Forms are also available by the
collection box.
We thank you for your continuing generosity, Fr Joseph and
the Parish Finance Team
MASS TIMES & INTENTIONS
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Sunday 8 March – Third Sunday of Lent
9.30am Parish Community
11.15am C.W.L Mass
6pm
Secular Clergy Common Fund – Deceased Members
Monday 9th March
9.15am Thanksgiving Mass
Tuesday 10th March
10am
Mass @ Nazareth House
Wednesday 11th March
9.15am James, Mary, Helena & Herbert Littleton RIP
Thursday 12th March
9.15am Kathleen Thorogood RIP
Friday 13th March
10.45am Funeral Service of Frances Stannett
1-4pm
Exposition in Adoration Chapel
6.30pm Stations of The Cross
7pm
Hazel Family RIP
Saturday 14th March
10.30am Manley Family RIP
11am
Confessions & Exposition
Sunday 15th March – Fourth Sunday of Lent
9.30am Secular Clergy Common Fund – Deceased Members
11.15am Arwena Andrasz - Int
6pm
Parish Community
Please join in praying the most Holy Rosary for the Pope’s monthly prayer
intentions, before Mass on Sunday mornings and after the evening Mass.
The times to begin to pray the Rosary on Sundays are 9.05am, 10.50am and
following the 6pm Mass.
SECOND COLLECTION NEXT WEEK IS FOR SVP
LENT FAST DAY
Diary for this week
Tuesday 10th March
7.30pm – 9pm – F.I.H.M Adoration & Rosary in church
everyone welcome!
Wednesday 11th March
9.30am – 10.45am - Parent & Toddler Group in the Hall
7.30pm – Choir Practice in church
Thursday 12th March
8pm – Lenten Reflection @ Nazareth House (see overleaf)
Friday 13th March
6pm – Filipino Novena begins in honour of St Calungsod
(see overleaf)
Raffle Tickets on Sale after each Mass
for the Lourdes Fund
“As we participate in the celebration of the word, Our Lady is our
model for she is "the attentive Virgin who receives the word of God
with faith, that faith in her case was the gateway and path to the
divine motherhood”.
Legio Marie
Second Collection for Survive MIVA Appeal has been postponed and will be
rescheduled. Apologies were sent from the speaker who was unable to attend.
Thursday 12th March – Charity Chinese Evening
Raising Funds for The Brentwood Catholic Children’s
Society BCCS @ Zen City, Chinese Restaurant, Hamlet Court Road,
Westcliff-on-Sea A great evening of good food and great company. £18 per
person “Eat all you can manage” For further information or to purchase
tickets contact: Carmen O’Brien 01702 305172 or Julie Abbott
01268 784544/07912277413 [email protected] www.bccs.org.uk
Wednesday 18th March - Healing Mass at Abbotswick,
House of Prayer, Brentwood to be celebrated by Fr Eamonn Power at
2.30pm. All are welcome! Please call 01277 373959 for more information.'
Friday 20th March - The Brentwood Catholic Children’s
Society will be hosting a Charity Night at Romford
Greyhound Stadium Tickets £25 per person For further details and to
book tickets call Julie on 01268 784544 or email [email protected]
20th-22nd March - 'CHRIST AND THE CHURCH NEEDS
YOU' In this year for consecrated life we invite young men aged 18-40 to
dream big and consider a life on the spiritual vanguard. 'Come and See' the
Community of Our Lady of Walsingham, based in this diocese of Brentwood,
a new religious community founded in 2004. As the male branch begins to
take shape you are invited to consider if its spirituality speaks to you. Venue:
Abbotswick House of Prayer near Brentwood in Essex. More details
www.walsinghamcommunity.org or call Jim 01277 373848.
Monday, 4th May - “MUSIC WORKSHOP for the 10th St Joseph the
Worker – Migrants’ Mass. 10.30am @ St George’s Roman Catholic
Cathedral, Southwark. Every year we gather across 3 Dioceses to celebrate
our diverse London workforce and their families with an inspiring
international annual liturgy which brings together parishioners from across
Greater London and surrounding counties, as well as members of London
Citizens and many dignitaries. In 2015 we will be sponsored by the Tablet to
mark their 175th anniversary. Preparatory singing workshops have been
organised in the three Dioceses. The workshop for Brentwood Diocese will
be held at: St George’s Walthamstow, 132 Shernhall Road, E17.
Saturday, 21st March 1 – 5pm, contact: Davina Bolt
[email protected].
Saturday 21st March - An evening of Irish entertainment
at the Westcliff hotel 7-10.30pm. Tickets £6 adults and £2
children under 12. Music provided by The Foxhat and Irish dancingdemonstration. Contact Sue 07979 746707
Saturday 21st March - Campion School Charity Ball
6.30pm - Midnight in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT) Cardiac Risk in Young
(CRY) and Motor Neurone Disease (MND). Tickets £35 to include a 3 course
dinner and dance the night away to Chris Graves disco! Tickets available from
Maureen Leech [email protected] or by phone 01708 45233
Tuesday 31st March – Brentwood Vocations Opportunity for
young adults in the diocese Open to everyone aged 17-35 especially those
discerning a vocation to Priesthood and the Religious Life “In conversation
with Fr Christopher Jamison” (Tuesday of Holy Week) 7.30 – 10pm Church
Hall, St Margret’s Catholic Church, 79 Barking Road Canning Town E16 4HB
(Close to A13 & Canning Town DLR and Jubilee Line Tube Station) Full event
details & Fr Christopher YouTube clips on the “Brentwood Vocations”
Facebook page. Evening includes free chicken & chip supper. Please register
by email [email protected] or call Fr Dominic, vocations
Director 01268 281732 www.brentwoodvocations.org
Sunday 26th April - HARP’s Spring Walk from Priory Park
to Belfairs Park now available online to register. Great afternoon out
for all the family with tea and cake at the end! Please encourage your family
and friends to sign up. www.harpsouthend.org.uk or phone 01702 415834
Saturday 16th May at 10.45am – Sponsored Walk for
B.C.C.C Annual Sponsored Walk in Southend for the Brentwood
Catholic Children's Society arranged by the Knights of St Columba
starting with a special Mass at 10.00am at St Helens, Westcliff-on-Sea
and then the walk will commence at 10.45am from the church car park
and along the seafront from St Helens to St George's in Shoebury
accompanied by Father Joseph. There will be refreshments in the hall at
St George's for the walkers and transport from St George's afterwards
can be arranged if needed. For registration and sponsor forms please
contact Damian Dillon on 07887 678741 or email
[email protected] for further information. A second
collection will be held the day after (17th May) for B.C.C.S
Sunday 2nd August - Prudential Ride London – Surrey 100:
The Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society has a limited number of charity
places in the Ride London 100. We ask that cyclists pay a registration fee of
£50 to secure their place and pledge to raise a minimum of £600 (excluding
Gift Aid). If you would like to be considered for one of our places or would
like further info contact Libby on 01268 784544 . [email protected]
Church Cleaning Rota: Thurs 12th Mar 9am start:
Grace Paredes, Emma Miranda, Ian Anderson,
Amanda Rogers & Pat Walker
Contact: Julie in the office [email protected] or 342324
Lenten Diary
Stations of the Cross @ St Helen’s
Every Friday During Lent @ 6.30pm followed by Mass @ 7pm
Stations of the Cross every Friday
@ Brentwood Cathedral 7.30pm
For more details for the Brentwood Cathedral Lenten Program go
to www.cathedral-brentwood.org or phone 01277 265235
Cathedral Twitter: @cathedralb E-newsletter:
http://www.cathedral-brentwood.org/blog-2/e-newsletter/
or see Poster at back of church
-----------Desert Island interviews start at 7:30 pm in the Cathedral Parish Hall …
Admission Free .. All Welcome
Wednesday 11 March 2015
Archbishop Kevin McDonald
Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Southwark
Wednesday 18 March 2015
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor
Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Westminster
-----------Lent Annual Day of Reflection- Saturday 21st March
Journeying with Jesus- ‘God loved the world so much..’ Bishop
Alan Williams, SM will lead the day. Cathedral Conference Centre,
Brentwood. Arrivals: 10.00am for 10.30am start, finish at 3.45pm.
Cost: £10 per person. Please bring a packed lunch. Tea/coffee
provided. For booking and further info contact the Adult RE office
on 01277 265255 or email are&[email protected]
------------
Catholic Deanery of Southend-on-Sea
Evenings of Recollection for Lent 2015 at Nazareth House
Thursday 12th March
Rev Graham Smith, Parish Priest & Chaplain to Marriage Life,
Diocese of Brentwood. Aspects of Marriage Today
Thursday 19th March
Mrs Jane Deegan, Wife, Mother, Solicitor, Author & Marriage Formator The
Theology of the Body and Young People
Each evening begins at 8pm and includes a talk/meditation followed by
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Office of Night Prayer and Benediction.
Priests will be available for Confession each evening. There will also be
refreshments afterwards in the hall with a bookstall.
-----------Deanery Reconciliation Service – Monday 23rd March
8pm @ St Peter’s Eastwood – 59 Eastwood Road North, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 4BX

St Helen’s Filipino Community – Novena Schedule
Filipino Community celebrate the Feast of Saint Pedro Calungsod
@ St Helen’s Church
Friday 13th March
Saturday 14th March
Sunday 15th March
Monday 16th March
Tuesday 17th March
Wednesday 18th March
Thursday 19th March
Friday 20th March
Saturday 21st March
5.30pm – 6.15pm
6.30pm – 7.15pm
4.30pm -5.15pm
6.30pm – 7.15pm
5.30pm – 6.15pm
6.30pm – 7.15pm
6.30pm – 7.15pm
5.30pm – 6.15pm
5pm –7pm Last Day of Novena with Holy Mass
7pm – 10pm Social Gathering in the Hall
Job Vacancies: Assistant Headteacher Vacancy at St Joseph’s Catholic
Primary School, Canvey Island. Start date: 1st September 2015. Closing Date for
Application: 27th March 2015 (midday).For information, and an Application Pack or to
arrange a visit, please contact the headteacher Mr P. Collingwood on 01268 683903.
St Angela’s Ursuline school requires a Teacher of R.E. September 2015 For Details
contact Miss Caroline Brown 0208 472 6022 www.stangelas-ursuline.co.uk
Avenue Bereaved Parents Support Group This new Support group for Bereaved
parents started on Monday 2nd March at 10.30am. It is being held once a month
in a small lounge at Avenue Baptist Church, Milton Road Westcliff. This is
With
huge
forbereaved
all. parents (in the last 5yrs) of lost children of any
particularly
for thanks
any recently
age, babies to adult! This is strictly for Bereaved parents to chat together about our
shared feelings. They can share as little or much as they wish. For further details
please email me, or phone Joy on 07779501217 or 01702 341085
Jude
Thursday Mornings – Pro Life Prayer Group
for babies in danger of Abortion.
Adoration Chapel – 11am – 1pm & Southend
Hospital 11am – 1pm
Parent & Toddler Group @ St Helen’s Parish Hall Every Wednesday 9.30am – 10.45am (term-time only)
call Jacky on 07940 888135.