St Teresa Rochford & St Pius X Hockley

109 Ashingdon Road, Rochford, Essex SS4 1RF f rgerry@talkta lk.net www.rcrochford.org. 01702 544334 07919 416263

Ascension We should not think of the Ascension as Jesus abandoning his disciples but rather his way of being with all of us. Had he remained on earth he could only have been with a few people. Having entered into glory he calls each one of us to share in his glory . Like a commander of an army, he ascended on high to direct us his troops in the battle against the enemy. As soldiers on the ground we cannot see the whole battle, and whilst we may feel that we are not achieving much, by obeying our commander we are playing our part. Keep up the good fight! Fr Gerry

World Communications Day, Ascension Sunday World Communications Sunday takes place this Sunday, the Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord. It reflects his mandate that we should “Go out to the whole world and proclaim the Good news”. O n t h i s d a y, C a t h o l i c s a r e encouraged to pray for all those professionals who work in the field of Communications. A particular intention for prayer is for those who

are responsible for communicating on behalf of the Catholic Church in this country through the Catholic Communications Network. Please help us continue this work through contributing generously to the collection on the day.

Adoration - Every Wednesday 2-3pm. Come and spend some time with the Lord. No adoration this week as it is half term.

Sacramental Programmes

As Catholics, one of the most profound ways we encounter Jesus Christ is in the Sacraments.

Confirmation Next Sunday Lucy, Charlie, Andrew

& Debbyka will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.Each will receive a special grace by which their faith is deepened and strengthened so that it will be strong

enough not only for their own needs but for the needs of others with whom they shall try to share it with. Please keep them in your prayers.

First Holy Communion

Receiving Holy Communion for the first, or the hundred and first, time is like nothing else in the world. This weekend 17 children received the body and blood, soul and divinity of Christ for the very first time; they were intimately united with Jesus Christ. We continue to pray for Blake, Harry, Maria, Dylan, Aidan, Raphael, Jessica, Daniel, Vinnie, Sophie, Eleanor, Olivia, Charlie, Ewan, Fraser, Johannes, Joshua & Olivia. We pray that they will continue to come to Mass every week to share in this intimacy with Christ.

RCIA If you have ever attended RCIA you will have shared great joy learning about your faith and in helping one another. Please do not keep this joy to yourselves but share with your friends so that they too will come and join us every Tuesday night. Starting again very soon. All very welcome.

Baptism If you wish your child/children to receive the Sacrament of Baptism please 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.

Children’s Liturgy - Due to limited space in the narthex at present, we will not be having Children’s Liturgy for a couple of weeks. Sorry, we really do miss being able to do this and look forward to our return.

The Wellspring Work is progressing well in the kitchen and it will not be long before all the units and white goods are fitted. We would now like to think about the re-opening of the Wellspring and are putting together a list of volunteers. We are very happy to report that Elaine will continue to run things for us and is very much looking forward to meeting her new team. Would you like to be part of this wonderful re-launch? All volunteers will receive full training including a certificate in Food Hygiene.

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.

The Legion of Mary will

lead the Holy Rosary before all Weekend Masses during May.

All are invited to join in. Legion of Mary Juniors meet on Mondays at St. Teresa's school- 3.15-4.30pm.

New members always 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 David Whines on 01702 205269

Finances 1st Collection - 21st May £710.80 (Includes weekly standing order payments). Parish finances are not good and the only money our parish receives is what YOU give, we are not funded from the diocese or any other source. The amount given each week has not increased over many years (in fact it has gone down) despite increased costs. Please be as generous as you can. At the parish AGM last Sunday it was brought to our attention that we loose around £1000 per per year because contributions are not gift aided. Gift Aid is one of the simplest and most effective ways of giving to charity and will not cost you

anything! It is very easy to join and you will not be asked to disclose any personal matters. All we need is your name, address and postcode.

Please do take a letter on your way out. Huge thanks to David Whines for all his assistance in sorting Gift Aid contributions.

Whats happening in the parish 4th June at 10.30am - Confirmation Mass - Pentecost 9th/10th June - Parish Retreat at Abbottswick. ‘Come away by yourselves and rest a while’ Mark 6:31 An overnight stay for prayer and fellowship. The cost is £55 per person which will include all meals and accommodation.f you would like to come please speak to Christine.

25th June 2017 - Parish Summer Party. We will be blasting off at 12 noon! Please keep this date free - we have

all sorts of great fun planned which you will not want to miss. If you are having a sort out and you

come across any gifts, gin bottles or bears you can donate then please bring them to Mass where they will be collected and stored until the big day. It is never too early!

Please donate as generously as you can, items desperately needed.

Diocese Events DIOCESAN CENTENARY

LECTURES, CATHEDRAL HALL, INGRAVE ROAD, BRENTWOOD,

CM15 8AT: WEDNESDAYS AT 7.30pm

7 June: Father Stewart Foster, Diocesan Archivist: ‘The Foundation & Early Years of the Diocese (1917-1951)’ 14 June: Canon Brian O’Shea, Parish Priest of Grays: ‘The Development of the Diocese (1951-1979)’21 June:     Father Martin Boland, Dean of the Cathedral: ‘The Diocese Today – A Reflection’28 June:     Dr  Paul Doherty, ‘The Patron Saints of the Diocese of Brentwood.’ Admission Free

Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine, Ireland, 24th July 2017. Led by Fr John Corbyn -£699 per person sharing. Price includes flight with 15kg checked in bag, all taxes, luxury transfers, 5 nights’ in newly refurbished Knock House Hotel with full Irish Breakfast each morning and 4 Course Dinner each evening. All entertainment, excursions and guided tours included. Wheelchair accessible rooms in the hotel. Limited single rooms at supplement of £60. Contact Patricia anytime on 01268 762278 or 07740 175557 or

email knockpilgrimages@gmail.com. 

Diocesan Centenary Events 2017 Diocesan Pilgrimage to Walsingham - 22nd July 2017 : A coach will be leaving St Teresa’s Church at 7am and will arrive home about 9pm. The cost is just £12 each and a deposit of £5 is required at this stage. On the day we recommend that you bring a packed lunch as it will be a very popular pilgrimage. All parishioner are asked to join their priest on this day. Please note there will be no Saturday Evening Mass.

Situations Vacant

Vacancy – Person required for paid position of full time Parish Catechetical Coordinator at Brentwood Cathedral. 35 hours p.w. The role requires flexibility, working daytime, evening and weekends. Please first contact Brentwood Cathedral on 01277 265235 for a job description and person specification or download from www.cathedral-brentwood.org/blog-2/catechetical/ You should then send in your CV, with a covering letter demonstrating how your experience and skills match the essential requirements and attributes of the role. Closing date for CVs/applications is Monday 19th June.

Safeguarding Officer for Children & Vulnerable Adults is Mel Packer who can be contacted on 01702 547954

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: Nikki Francis, 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: Samuel Boslem, Brian Meyers, Louise Knight, Elaine Liddon, Cory Lees, Anthony George, Christopher Carr, and David Squires, Those who live Leicester Avenue, Chestnut Close, Elizabeth Close, Rosslyn Close & Steeple Close.

Tuesday: The Sick: Joe Nagle, Georgina Cook, Pat Murray, Christina Thomas, Eve Stocks, Jim Beck, Julia Lamb, Sarah Knight, Edward Cunado, Constance Longman, Chris Godfrey. For the people of Emmanuel Church & St Mary’s Church and their Minister Rev’d Peter Smith.

Wednesday: Kevin Cosset, Gabriella Prideaux, Alan Gunn, Emily Gough, Ethan Adlum, Wi l l iam McArthur, Margaret Hennessy, Sarah Fisher, Marjorie Jay, Jeannette Oatley, The Queen and her ministers, that they may govern us wisely.

Thursday: The Sick: Sarah Drummond, Theresa Igoe, Ron & Jackie Gravestock, John Vasey, Baby David, Mary Norris, Vera Moore, Sheila Van de Vyver, Len Smith, Sarah Jane Jackson, Ava Hallmark. The Farming Community.

Friday: The recently departed: Mgr George Stokes, Jill Swires & Fr John Abbott. Those whose Anniversary fall at this time: Fred Biscoe, Rosa Halsey, Peter Borzemski, Teresa Fenlon, Rosemary Kinross, Jeanne Loughford, Gerardo Parisio, Ivan Nan de Vyver, Our Student Priests: Rick, Patrick, David, Gary, Michael, Adrian, Paschal & Eamonn. Our new Seminarians starting in September: Alexander, Tony, Damien & Jonathan.

Saturday: The Sick: Ian Chandler, Barty Igoe, Andy Dawes, Padraig Evers, Oliver Kelly, Helen Clapp, Terry Purton, Gareth Lewis, Vicki Robinson, Samantha Robinson, Sianne Robinson and all those in hospital

Sat 5.30pm

Ascension

Ints Ron and Jackie Gravestock on their Wedding Anniversary

R &JG

Sun 28 9.00am St Pius X The Sylvester Family RIP E&TS

10.30am Heidi Walker and Ivan van de Vyver RIP RW

Mon 29 No Mass TodayTues 30 7.30pm The Visitation of the

BVMAlain Fern RIP TH

Wed 31 9.30am Dedication of Brentwood Cathedral The McIntyre Family RIP E7T

S

Thur 1 9.30am St Justin, M May and William Catling RIP MG

Fri 2 No Mass TodaySat 3 9.30am St Pius X St Charles Lwanga &

Comps, MmSat 5.30pm

PentecostDiane Tilbrook RIP DT

Sun 4 9.00am St Pius X10.30am Ints Tom Mahon cc