St Teresa Rochford & St Pius X Hockley

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

Fifth Sunday of Lent In todays Gospel we are reminded of the necessity of death for something to bear fruit. If left, a seed will not bear fruit, but once dead and planted in the ground, the seed produces. The Gospel of the grain of wheat is Christ’s assurance to us of the great things we can do by dying to self a n d r i s i n g t o t h e l o v e a n d compassion of Jesus. In our openness to God’s grace there will always be possibilities for new beginnings, and second chances. Only by reaching out beyond ourselves do we learn and grow; only by giving to others do we receive; only by dying do we rise to new life. Wishing you every blessing, Fr Gerry

Lent in our Parish

What is happening this week.Wednesday 21st March - Join us for Mass at 6.30am. Why not make this a weekly Lenten sacrifice? Breakfast will be served afterwards.Thursday 22nd March - The second of our Deanery Lent Talks at Nazareth House at 7.30pmFriday 23rd March- Stations of the Cross at St Teresa’s at 8pm.

How we Serve in the name of Jesus

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament - 3.30-4.30PM Every Friday at St Teresa’s and from 3.30 - 9pm on the last Friday of the month. Come to Him. Simply come.

St 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.

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 Lisieux

Friendship & Fellowship Group We are a small fr iendly group who meet every other Thursday 7-8.30pm in the Narthex. Come and spend time together in prayer, thanksgiving and friendship. Our next Meeting will take place at Nazareth House on the 22nd

March. We look forward to seeing you there.

The Wellspring Now open every Friday 10-4pm

“If any man is thirsty, let him come to me and drink” (Jn 7:37)

Elaine and her team look forward to seeing you all on a Friday whether it is for a spot of lunch or a coffee and cake. The food

is deliciously homemade

and great value. Thank you all for your continued support. Please note that next Friday we have the funeral of Marcel De Can at 11am and therefore the Wellspring will be closed. As the following week is Good Friday Elaine has decided that the wellspring will close up until the 20th April 2018 and wishes you all a very blessed and holy Easter.

Breakfast at The Wellspring

….starting after Easter on Saturday April 7th

The first Saturday of the month - 9.30am Mass will be celebrated at St. Teresa’s followed by a cooked or Continental breakfast in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere ~ open til 11am. Come worship and receive from the Lord, then spend time and be nourished with your Church family ….the perfect beginning to the weekend! As always, The Wellspring runs on a donation principle only and all breakfast profits will go towards funding our proposed new Lady Altar ♥

RCIA - Please remember in your prayers all those who are preparing for Baptism and the Easter Sacraments. We pray especially for Graham and Marie. Reconciliation - Last Saturday in every month at St Pius X or every Saturday at 5pm. Baptism - If you are thinking about preparing your child/children for Baptism please speak to Fr Gerry after Mass. First Holy Communion - We look forward to welcoming our children at 4pm in church. Please remember in your prayers - Leo,Anthony,Kitty-Rose,Franco, Samuel, Freddie, Isabella, Xavier, Noah, Mia, Kirsty & Aiden. Confirmation - Our Confirmation Candidates will be going on retreat to Walsingham House at Abbotswick this weekend. Please keep Allysha, Leo, Aiden and Ricardo in your prayers.

Brentwood Diocese NewsThe Southend Deanery in the

Diocese of BrentwoodLent Talks at Nazareth House-

Thursday Evenings in Lent, beginning at 7.30pm - ending with devotions and Benediction - Priests available to hear

Confessions.

Week 4- Thursday March 22nd

Brian Holt President of the Comitium for the Legion of Mary in our Diocese.

’Devotion to Mary means Apostleship’

Deanery Sacrament of Reconciliation

Monday 12th March at 7.30pm at Sacred Heart.

Friday 23rd March at 8pm at St Peter’s

Parish Social Events

24th June - Parish Summer Party. This year we have a Festival theme and are looking

forward to starting planning our summer afternoon of fun. Our first planning meeting will take place on Thursday 15th April at 8pm. If your cannot make the meeting but would like to help on the day please do let us know. Thank you very much.

Church Notices

Coffee Morning after Mass this Sunday. Enjoy a chat with friends after Mass and make some new

ones. All very welcome.

The Legion of Mary is hosting its annual Acies ceremony (renewal of Promise) followed by Benediction on Sunday 24th March at St. Helens, Westcliff, at 2.00pm Light refreshments afterwards.All Senior, Junior and Auxiliary members are invited along with all Parishioners. For more information contact: Gerald Miller 01702 207234 or Clare Chandler 01702 200353

Situations Vacant St Peters Catholic Primary School in Billericay are currently advertising for two positions. Details can be found on Essex School Jobs following the links below. Teacher vacancy http://www.essexschoolsjobs.co.uk/Vacancies/Details.aspx?VacancyId=40940 Teaching Assistant http://www.essexschoolsjobs.co.uk/Vacancies/Details.aspx?VacancyId=40941 The closing date for applications is noon on Friday 23rd March 2018. Please contact the school office on 01277 653770 for further information. Holy Family Parish, Benfleet requires an Admin Manager

20 hours p.w. timing of work can be negotiated. If you – or any of your family/friends – are interested, please first contact Fr. Eduard Fartan on 01268 792082 or the office on 01268 799649 – or send an email to priest@holyfamily-church.org for a job description and person specification. 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 Tuesday 3rd April”

Floristry at St Teresa’s

For many years we have been blessed with two very committed parishioners who delight us with their floral displays. Unfortunately Christine is no longer able to continue in this

role and Penny is in great need of some help. If you are artistic and love working with flowers this would be a great contribution to church life. Thank you Christine and Penny for all you have done - a super team. Second collection - This weekend there will be a second collection for flowers for Easter.

Please be as generous as you can. Easter Lily envelopes are now at the back of church.

Monday 26th March - Ecumenical Stations of the cross at 8pm Thursday 29th March - Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 8pm Friday 30th March - Good Friday. Celebration of the Lord’s Passion at 3pm. Saturday 31st March - Holy Saturday. Easter Vigil at 8pm Tuesday 15th April - Summer Party Planning meeting at 8pm Tuesday 26th April - Parish Council Meeting at 8pm Sunday 29th April - Rosary on the Coast with Southend Deanery at Chalkwell Beach @ 3pm Tuesday 1st May -‘Celebrating Mary’. The first of 5 engaging evenings on how Mary helps us to be filled with God. Starting at 8pm.

Finance1st Collection - 25th Feb- £710.30 This figure includes all standing order payments. We receive no funding other than what you give so thank you.

Connect 4 - Fostering/Adopter Support Group at Hawkwell Baptist Church- Fridays - term time 1pm - 2.30pm. The doors are open to anyone who is already an adopter of foster carer and feel they would like to meet other adopters/carers for support or to just have a chat.

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: Stanisława Roksela, Joyce Hall, Renate Butler, Angela Read, Jonathan Somervell, Norma Goater, Lily-Rose Robinson, Andrew Stevens. The people of the Middle East and especially our Christian brothers and sisters.

Monday: The Sick: Marguerite Jakes, Brian Meyers, Louise Knight, Elaine Liddon, Cory Lees, Anthony George, Christopher Carr & Mary Smith Those who are moving into Notes and Elizabeth Gardens. Those who live in Rochford Road, Hockley Rise, Lesney Gardens, Wood Lane & Vaughan Close.

Tuesday: The Sick: Joan McFarlane, Graham Gardener, Mary Reilly, Joe Nagle, Georgina Cook, Pat Murray, Christina Thomas, Eve Stocks, Jim Beck, Sarah Knight, Edward Cunado, Chris Godfrey. For the people of SS Peter & Paul, Hockley and their Minister Fr Kenneth Havey.

Wednesday: Ron Holloway, Bob Payne, Kevin Cosset, Gabriella Prideaux, Alan Gunn, Emily Gough, Ethan Adlum, William McArthur, Margaret Hennessy, Sarah Fisher,

Marjorie Jay, Jeannette Oatley. For the Queen and her ministers, that they may govern us wisely.

Thursday:The Sick: Venus Rubertazzi, Jules McFadden, Ellen Franklin, Theresa Igoe, Ron & Jackie Gravestock, John Vasey, Baby David, Mary Norris, Sheila Van de Vyver, Len Smith, Sarah Jane Jackson, Ava Hallmark. The Farming Community.Our Student Priests: Rick, Patrick, Gary, Michael , Adr ian, Paschal , Eamonn, Alexander, Tony, Damien & Jonathan.

Friday: The recently departed: Rosalind, Lilian Thorpe, Joseph Mifsud, Ann Hedges & Marce l Jean De CanThose whose anniversaries fall this week: Ann Bownes, Anne Cremin, Len & Hazel Giles, Maureen Cleary, Catherine Cook, Eileen Paris & Dora Byrne.

Saturday: The Sick: Deborah Casey, Bartly Igoe, Andy Dawes, Padraig Evers, Oliver Kelly, Helen Clapp, Terry Purton, Gareth Lewis, Vicki Robinson, Samantha Robinson, Sianne Robinson.

Sat 17 5.30pm

Fifth Sunday of Lent

Joan Papa RIP GG&JC

Sun 18 9.00am St Pius X In Thanksgiving for Morgan

SB

Sun 18 10.30am Pro PopuloMon 19 No Mass Today St Joseph, Husband

of the BVMTues 20 7.30pmWed 21 6.30amThur 22 9.30amFriday 23 11.00am St Turibius of

Mongrovejo, BishopRequiem Mass for Marcel De Can

Sat 24 9.30am St Pius XSat 24 5.30pm

Palm SundayThomas O’Dwyer RIP JC

Sun 25 9.00am St Pius X Bob Hillier RIP MH

25 10.30am Pro Populo