St Teresa Rochford & St Pius X Hockley

109 Ashingdon Road, Rochford, Essex SS4 1RF frgerry@talktalk.net www.rcrochford.org. 01702 544334 07919 416263

Second Sunday of Lent

My dear people,

In todays Second Reading, Paul says,”I have told you often, and I repeat it today with tears, there are many who are behaving as the enemies of the cross of Christ. They are destined to be lost.” Paul goes on to say that they think more of earthly things than of heavenly things. In the Gospel Jesus gives us a glorious vision of what shall be in Heaven: light, beauty, goodness, unending joy. However this is a foretaste and for it to become a permanent reality He must endure the cross. As Christians we are no different: if we think we can achieve happiness without sacrifice, without effort, we delude ourselves. This is why it is possible to say: “have a happy Lent!” Yours in Christ, Fr Gerry

Our week at a glanceMonday 18th March 2-4pm Wellspring Tearoom Open Tuesday 19th March 2-4pm Wellspring Tearoom Open 4-5pm - First Holy Communion meeting for children 7.10pm - Evening Prayer 7.30pm - Mass 8.00pm - Lent Talk with Fr Gerry in the narthex Wednesday 20th March 9.10 am - Morning Prayer 9.30 am - Mass 10 am - St Teresa’s Mother & Baby Group meet 10.30 am - Legion of Mary 2- 4pm - Wellspring Tearoom open Thursday 21st March 9.10am - Morning Prayer 9.30am- Mass 10 am - Adoration with the Children 2 - 4pm - Wellspring Tearoom Friday 22nd March 9.10 am - Morning Prayer 9.30 am - Mass 10am - 3.15 - Wellspring Tearoom Open 3.30 - 4.30 - Adoration 7pm - Stations of the Cross at St Teresa’s 7-9.30pm - Friday Night Youth in the Parish Centre

How we Serve in the name of Jesus Adoration 3.30 - 4.30 every Friday.The Legion of Mary is here to serve our parish beneath the standard of Our Lady's loving care. Meetings are held at 10.30 am on Wednesdays in the Narthex of St. Teresa's Church. New members welcome. Quote from the Legion of Mary:Do not be afraid of loving the Blessed Virgin too much. You can never love her enough. And

Jesus will be very happy, because the Blessed Virgin is His Mother. St. Teresa of LisieuxSt Vincent de Paul Society - Turning concern into action If you can help in any way please call David Whines on 01702 205269. This SVP is based at Our Lady of Ransom, Rayleigh.

Notices Coffee Morning - Our new coffee morning rota is now up at the back of church.

FRIDAY NIGHT YOUTH: Are you good with young people? Do you enjoy spending time with them? We have a thriving, expanding

Youth Group that needs more volunteers to help ….We meet on alternate Fridays, 7 – 9.30 in the Parish Centre for Year 6 and above. They have a lot of fun with table soccer, table tennis, board games, music, pizza, chips and tuck shop. They are all polite and well behaved but boisterous (as is to be expected!) and it is pure joy to serve these youngsters as precious members of our parish. If you are interested in getting involved please contact: Elaine

Our Sacramental ProgrammesBaptism - This Sunday we welcome Isla into the family of God as she receives the Sacrament of Baptism. Congratulations and welcome. If you are thinking about preparing your child/children for Baptism please speak to Fr Gerry after Mass. RCIA - Our next RCIA session is this Tuesday at 8pm. This follows our 7.30 Mass. First Holy Communion - Our next meeting for children children is this Tuesday at 4pm. Please remember to bring your folders and a Rosary. Confirmation - Please remember in your prayers Noah, Aidan, John, Sophia, Joseph, Anthony, Oliver & Robert as they go on retreat next weekend at Walsingham House, Abbottswick. May they be drawn ever closer to Jesus during this time away together.

on 07469244215 or Tracey on 07975964726. DBS check is essential. Our next meeting is on: Friday 22nd March. Thanking you in advance.... The Legion of Mary is hosting its annual Acies ceremony (renewal of Promise) followed by Benediction on Saturday 30th March at St. Teresa's Rochford, at 2.00pm. Light refreshments afterwards. All Senior, Junior and Auxiliary members are invited along with all Parishioners. For more information including transport, contact:Gerald Miller 01702 207234.

Pilgrimage to The Holy Land 2019 30th May - 5th June Spiritual Director - Fr Gerry See the Gospel come to life by following the footsteps of Jesus in the Holy Land. From Galilee to Jerusalem, you will find yourself immersed in spirituality and culture. £1, 039 per person - Half Board 8 Days/7 nights

Depart London Stansted

Diocesan Events Lenten Talks - 2019 - Nazareth House Each talk will commence at 7.30pm. 27th March - Mark Lambert - ‘The Culture of Life vs the Culture of Death’ 3rd April - Fr Andrew Forys, ‘The healing power of Confession’. 10th April - Fr Jeff Woolnough, ‘Mary at the foot of the Cross’.

Miscellaneous News & Events

Lenten Service On Thursday 4th April at 7pm we welcome all parents, Governors, staff members and friends of St Thomas More

High school to our annual Lenten Service. This year we will be presenting the way of the cross using an adaptation of a musical depiction of Our Lord’s journey to the cross portrayed through the eyes of Jesus’ beloved disciple Peter. The presentation is entitled, “Peter’s Passion” and was written by Bernadette Egan. A particular invitation to the parents of Year 7 to complete their induction into the liturgical life of our school.

Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society has several charity places for The Vitality London 10K run on Monday 27th May 2019. This May bank holiday event has a lovely atmosphere and takes in many of London’s iconic landmarks, finishing in front of Buckingham Palace. For each place, we ask for a pledge to raise a minimum sponsorship of £100 before Gift Aid. For further information, please contact Julie at jabbott@bccs.org.uk or 07912 277413.

Parish Finances 1st Collection - 10th March 2019 - £674.23 New Gift Aid envelopes are available for collection at the back of the church. If you don't already Gift Aid but would like to please contact David Whines on 01702 205269 or speak to Fr Gerry. Thank you.Please continue to pray for our parish, that we may raise sufficient funds to cover the many outgoings.

Future Dates for Your Diary

Wed 10th April - Deanery Lent Reconciliation Service at St Helen’s at 7.30pm.Thur 25th April - Works of Ar+ in the Narthex at 7pm

Thur 2nd May - Prayer & Fellowship Group at 7pm in the NarthexSat 11th May - Bingo Night

Please remember to hand in your Family Fast envelope on the way out. Spare envelopes are available.

Altar Servers - Please see Rota for Easter which is now up at the back of Church. Why not have a Mass said for someone this Lent? All Masses, of course, are offered to the glory of God and for the salvation of the whole world but, usually, there is also a specific intention. Anyone may request a Mass to be said for their particular intention. It is customary, when requesting a Mass, to make a small financial offering as a way of being especially associated with that Mass. If you would like a Mass said please place your request and offering in an envelope and hand to Fr Gerry. Thank you.If you have anything you would like in the newsletter please email Christine before Thursday at stteresarochford@icloud.com Thank you

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: Karen Landy, Renate Butler, Angela Read, Jonathan Somervell, Norma Goater, Andrew Stevens. The people of the Middle East and especially our Christian brothers and sisters.

Monday: The Sick: Stephen Kennedy, Trevor R idgwel l , Tony Camelo , Marguerite Jakes, Louise Knight, Elaine Liddon, Cory Lees, Anthony George & Mary Smith .Those who live in Bosworth Close, Newhall, Greenlands and The Hylands.

Tuesday: The Sick: Alan Gunn, Keith Short, John Rice, Nellie Smith, Graham Gardener, Mary Reilly, Pat Murray, Christina Thomas, Edward Cunado, Chris Godfrey. For the people of Bramerton Road Community church and their Minister David Selby.

Wednesday: Gerald Miller, Eve Stocks, Jim Beck, Sarah Knight, Kevin Cosset, Ethan Adlum, William McArthur, John Hennessy, Margaret Hennessy, Sarah Fisher & Marjorie Jay. For the Queen

and her ministers, that they may govern us wisely.

Thursday:The Sick: Rosie, Kenneth Jobson, Venus Rubertazzi, Ellen Franklin, Ron & Jackie Gravestock, John Vasey, Baby David, Mary Norris, Sheila Van de Vyver, Len Smith & Sarah Jane Jackson. The Farming Community. Our Student Priests: Rick, Patrick, Gary, Michael, Adrian, Paschal, Eamonn, Alexander, Tony, Damien & Jonathan. For our own Priest Fr Gerry.

F r i d a y : T h e r e c e n t l y departed:departed:Beric Collins & Alma Packer. Those whose anniversaries fall this week: Anne Bownes, Anne Cremin, Len, Giles, Hazel Giles, Joan Grant, Maureen Cleary, Catherine Cook, Charles Cook and Eileen Paris.

Saturday: The Sick: Elsie Clayton, Bartly Igoe, Padraig Evers, Margaret Thomas, Oliver Kelly, Helen Clapp & Terry Lewis.

Sat 16 5.30pmSecond Sunday of

Lent

Pro PopuloSun 17 9.00am St Pius X

10.30am Rev Steve Watts RIP Fr G

Mon 18 No Mass TodayTues 19 7.30pm St Joseph,

Husband of the BVM

Wed 20 9.30am Ints Milo Challis CC

Thur 21 9.30amFriday 22 9.30amSat 23 5.30pm

Third Sunday of LentSun 24 9.00am St Pius X

10.30am Pro Populo