St Teresa Rochford & St Pius X Hockley 109 Ashingdon Road, Rochford, Essex SS4 1RF frgerry@talktalk.net www.rcrochford.org. 01702 544334 07919 416263 Christmas Day As we gather to celebrate the birth of our Saviour this Christmas Day let us not worry about making the day perfect but enjoy the day with true joy remembering the greatest gift given to us ALL. Wishing you all a blessed and Happy Christmas. With every blessing, Fr Gerry A very warm welcome to you all, especially those who are visiting for Christmas. If you have any questions about our liturgical life and the many wonderful parish groups we have please do ask. Christmas Collections Just a little reminder that collections at Christmas are for Fr Gerry and forms a large part of his main income and retirement benefits. Our priests are with us throughout our lives and we give generously to provide for them when they need us most. Thank you very much. As Catholics, one of the most profound ways we encounter Jesus Christ is in the Sacraments. Confirmation It was lovely to see you all last Sunday and we look forward to seeing you all after Christmas. First Holy Communion Our next meeting for children will be on the 8th January after 10.30 Mass. The next meeting for parents is on Tuesday 10th January @ 8pm. Please make every effort to attend. Any questions you may have prior to this please remember my door is always open. RCIA/First Holy Communion Parent Evenings We will now be breaking for Christmas and look forward to seeing you all in the new year. For those who are unfamiliar with what RCIA is, it is an opportunity to learn more about your faith and what
being Catholic really means. If you have any questions please feel free to ask our Catechists Fr Gerry and Christine. God Bless Baptism If you wish your child/ children to receive the Sacrament of B a p t i s m p l e a s e speak to Fr Gerry after Mass. Reconciliation In the Sacrament of Reconciliation we discover that God loves us no matter what we have done, and is ready to forgive whenever we turn to him in prayer. Sat at 5pm. Children s Liturgy - We are now having a break for Christmas. Thank you for sharing your children every Sunday and we look forward to helping them once again in the new year. Wishing you all a very Happy and Holy Christmas. Holy Hour - Every Wednesday 2-3pm. Let your soul rest in the wonder of his loving presence here for you. Be quiet and listen because God wants to speak to your heart. Parish Finances All funding for our church comes from our parishioners. Thank you very much. 27th Nov- 1st Collection - 785.72 Gift aid is so important to us. If you are a tax payer please could you use the Gift Aid envelopes every time you donate. Thank you These figures include standing order payments of 205.00 received weekly. Advent Giving at St Teresa s & St Pius X As you are all aware our parish Advent Charity this year is -Aid to the Church in Need which helps support Christian children in war torn Syria. To date we have raised a over 800. Thank you all so much. How we Serve in the name of Jesus The Legion of Mary is here to serve our parish beneath the standard of Our Lady's loving care. If you or a loved one would like a visit please leave your details in the 'Legion of Mary Box' in the church porch. We meet at 5.00pm every Monday. All are very welcome. St Vincent de Paul Society - Turning concern into action Our mission is to visit, befriend and offer support to any person in need in the spirit of Christian love. If this is something you can help with please call Alan Coleman on 01702 201901. The Wellspring Tearoom - St Teresa s Church narthex. Tuesday & Friday 10-4
We are non-profit making existing only to serve the kingdom of God in our parish. We offer a wonderful selection of cakes and light lunches. Come along and give us a try! Please note that we will be closed now until the 10th January 2017. Wishing you all a very happy and blessed Christmas. Elaine x The Faith Store - Open Mon - Sat 10-4 Our wonderful parish store run by volunteers from our parish. Why not pop in and grab yourselves a great bargain from our many quality goods on sale or why not help out for a couple of hours a week. It is a great way to meet other parishioners and help our church at the same time. Prayer & Fellowship The chance to pray together and support one another through times of joy, sadness, worry, thankfulness and grief. Our next meeting will be in January. Have a lovely, prayerful Christmas. Whats happening in the parish? 10th January at 7.30pm - Healing Mass. Mass with laying on of hands and the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. Come and pray for yourself or for a loved one and receive the gentle touch of Jesus's healing love. 25th February 2017 - It s back, it s big, it s BINGO!! Back by popular demand. guaranteed! A fun evening 9th July - Parish Summer Party Diocese Events Mass for Vocations to the Priesthood Thursday 29th December (Feast of St. Thomas of Canterbury, Patron Saint of Pastoral Clergy) at 11a.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 161 Leigh Rd, Southend-on-Sea, Leighon-Sea SS9 1NG. All are welcome. Saturday 7 th January 2017 Day Retreat @ Nazareth House, 10.30am 5pm. The Servants of The Immaculate Heart of Mary Order of Priests will visit Southend for the Retreat. Theme will be based on the Message of Our Lady giver in Fatima on 13 th July 1917. All Welcome Sunday 8 th January 2017 Messages of Fatima A talk will be given from the Priest leading the F.I.H.M retreat @ in St Helen s Parish hall. Starts 4pm -6pm. All Welcome For more information Contact Patricia Burzotta: 01702 432458 or 07946 687623 Lourdes Pilgrimage 2017: Bishop Alan will lead our annual diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes from 23-28 July. The cost per person - full board and flights - is 695. Booking information will appear very soon.
Situations Vacant St Thomas More Applications are welcome from newly qualified and experienced teachers of RE, who have a passion for their Christian faith and for student success. The ability to teach RE to A Level would be an advantage. There are wider school TLR s available for candidates with the appropriate experience. We are a Catholic School but applications are equally welcome from non- Catholic Christians. Please contact Mr J Hollingsworth, Director of Teaching and Learning jhollingsworth@stthomasmore.southend.sch.uk. Closing date: 13 th January 2017 Safeguarding Officer for Children & Vulnerable Adults is Mel Packer who can be contacted on 01702 54795- Message from Fr Gerry As we approach the end of 2016 and move into what I hope will be a very wonderful new year for our parish I would like to say a very special thank you to you all for your love, help and support. We have lots of things planned for next year including fun social evenings together. We will also be going on a number of retreats and I hope many of you will join me on these. If you are unsure whether a retreat is for you, please speak to those who have already been because they want to go again and again. Weekly Prayers That each one of us may know more deeply the love God has for us, and that we may have the courage to share His love. Sunday: The Sick: Alison Mills, Joyce Hall, Sheraton Copland-Mander, Angela Read, Jonathan Somervell, Lily-Rose Robinson, Paul Clarke, Andrew Stevens, Mary Smith. The people of the Middle East and especially our Christian brothers and sisters. Monday: The Sick: Kelly Whitall, Denis Hanlon, Louise Knight, Elaine Liddon, Cassie Thompson, Cory Lees, Anthony George, Christopher Carr, and David Squires, Those who live in Brays Lane, B l e n h e i m C l o s e, B e l c h a m p s Wa y, Wheatfields & Canewdon View Road. Tuesday: The Sick: Peter Beaumont, Eve Stocks, Jim Beck, Julia Lamb, Sarah Knight, Edward Cunado, Constance Longman, Chris Godfrey. For the people of St Nicholas Canewdon, St Andrews, Ashingdon with All Saints South Fambridge. Wednesday: Alan Gunn, Emily Gough, Ethan Adlum, William McArthur, Margaret Hennessy, Sarah Fisher, Marjorie Jay, Jeannette Oatley, The Queen and her ministers, that they may govern us wisely. Thursday: The Sick: John Vasey, Baby David Georgina Cook, Mary Norris, Vera Moore, Sheila Van de Vyver, Ian Chandler. Len Smith, Sarah Jane Jackson, Ava Hallmark. The Farming Community. Friday: The recently departed: Pearl Magni, Diane Tilbrook, Alain Kennedy-Fern, Derek Sparrow, Lorraine Elmer & Rose Knowles Those whose Anniversary falls at this time: Anne Bowler, Caroline Buckley, Ben Casey, George Cater, Pat Churchley, Lily Downs, Alf Emm, Norah Emm, Elizabeth Fort, Alberto Garcia, Michael green,jamie Holmes, Arthur Jones, Wiebe Loopstra, Bernard McKinnery, Violet Purton, Rita Sangster, Grace Scruby, Lawrence Sullivan, Jack Wilson, Stanley Yeadell, Jerzy & Halina Zylka Krzysiu. Our Student Priests: Rick, Patrick, David, Gary, Paschal & Eamonn.
Saturday: The Sick: Barty Igoe, Ron Gravestock, Andy Dawes, Padraig Evers, Oliver Kelly, Helen Clapp, Terry Purton, Gareth Lewis, Vicki Robinson, Samantha Robinson, Sianne Robinson and all those in hospital Sat 24 5.30pm Angels & Shepherds Mass 24 11.30 Midnight Mass Alison Shepherd RIP CC Sun 25 9.00am St Pius X Christmas Day 10.30am Ints Fr Gerry Mon 26 No Mass Today St Stephen, the First Martyr Tues 27 No Mass Today St John, Ap, Evangelist Wed 28 No Mass Today The Holy Innocents, Mm Thur 29 No Mass Today St Thomas of Canterbury, Bp, M Fri 30 9.00am St Teresa The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph (A) Sat 31 5.30pm Diane Tilbrook RIP Sun 1 9.00am St Pius X The Repose of the Mary, Mother of God Souls of the Sylvester & McIntyre Families Gre 10.30am Maureen Lawlor RIP chs Mon 2 No Mass Today Ss Basil the Great & Gregory Nazienzen, Bpp, Dd Tues 3 7.30pm Wed 4 9.30am Thur 5 9.30am Fri 6 No Mass Today Sat 7 9.30am St Pius X Sat Sun 7 5.30pm 8 9.00am St Pius X 10.30am The Epiphany of the Lord Maureen Hulse RIP T&T S E&T S