Newsletters

17th March 2024- 5th Sunday of Lent 

‘BISHOP ALAN LISTENS’ RESEARCH REPORT

Understanding why Catholics in the Diocese of Brentwood no longer come to Church

Last summer Bishop Alan invited Catholics who no longer regularly come to Church to get in touch so that he could seriously listen to their stories and experiences and begin to understand why so many Catholics no longer feel as though they belong in the Church.

This report presents a moving and challenging insight into how our Church and the Covid-19 pandemic have contributed to a movement away from a regular practice of faith for many Catholics, and offers our Church a rich repository of wisdom that might enhance and inform our ongoing journey of renewal in the diocese.

Thank you to all those who so generously and thoughtfully participated in this research. Please share this link/report with those whom you know have participated in this research. Go to the home page of https://www.dioceseofbrentwood.net/ to see the responses of hundreds of Catholics across our diocese and hear what Bishop Alan heard.

TALK ON THE READINGS AT THE EASTER VIGIL

On Wednesday 20th March at 7 pm, in preparation for Holy Week, Fr Adrian Graffy, parish priest of Gidea Park and member of the Pontifical Biblical Commission, will give a talk entitled ‘The Readings at the Easter Vigil – the four nights of salvation’. The talk will take place in the parish hall at Gidea Park (410 Brentwood Road, RM2 6DH) and will last about 40 minutes. Refreshments will be available from 6.30 pm. No booking necessary. The church is 5 minutes’ walk from the station (Elizabeth Line). Ample free parking is also available at the church. All are welcome, especially Readers, Special Ministers of the Eucharist and Catechists.

St Angela’s Ursuline – School Support Staff Vacancies St Angela’s are looking to fill the following vacancies. You should consider these posts if you are a committed and self-motivated team player with a can-do attitude, who is solution focused and passionate about making a difference.

Sixth Form Admin Assistant – School admin member of staff who will work alongside the Office Manager, to support in the daily running of the school office, sixth form and all school events.

Reprographics Technician – Reprographics technician to be responsible for providing a high quality, wide ranging reprographic service to the school.

Exam Invigilators – Casual exam invigilators for both public and internal exam periods. Full training is available. 

To discuss any of the vacancies or request an application pack, please contact Miss F Murphy on vacancies@stangelas-ursuline.co.uk.

Closing dates for all vacancies: 10th April 2024.

 

10th March 2024 – 4th Sunday of Lent

Gidea Park Faith Talks – Wednesday 20th March 7 pm (1900 GMT)  More details hereIn person at Gidea Park or stream online (live or after the event) at www.whatgoodnews.org

Volunteer at the St John Bosco Children’s Camp; from 27th July – 3rd August help give 100 children a holiday. Helpers must be 18+, and the Camp will arrange for a DBS check, and appropriate training. To help at the Bosco Camp is a wonderful experience, and now is the time to apply. Details: www.boscocamp.co.uk

Concert for St John Bosco Children’s Camp: Come and enjoy an exciting variety show of music and entertainment, to raise money for the camp, which provides holidays for over 100 children. The camp is restarting in 2024, under the umbrella of Caritas Diocese of Brentwood. The fundraising concert is on Saturday 13th April 2024 – New Windmill Hall, Upminster. 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Wine and refreshments included. Adult tickets £10; children £5. Bookings by phone: 07957382592. Online bookings and more details: www.boscocamp.co.uk/events

Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society will be hosting a very special Anniversary Afternoon Tea at the Roslin Beach Hotel, Thorpe Bay, Southend-on-Sea on Tuesday 23rd April 2024 at 1pm for service at 1.30pm.  They are delighted that Bishop Alan, BCCS President, will be attending as guest of honour. Tickets for the event are £34.00 per person and should be purchased before Monday 8th April directly from their event webpage:  www.bccs.org.uk/get-involved/events/  Once you have purchased your tickets, please advise Julie of any special dietary requirements or seating requests by contacting her by email jabbott@bccs.org.uk or call her on 07912 277413. Guests will be seated at tables of 12. 

St Peter’s RC Primary School in Dagenham is looking to recruit a new Deputy Headteacher for September 2024. We are seeking an outstanding classroom practitioner to work with the Senior Leadership Team, to continue to improve standards of teaching and learning for our children. Applications Close:18th March at 9am. Interviews: Monday 25th March.  Please contact Mrs Langan or Mrs Brown in the school office for an application pack or to arrange a school visit, telephone: 0208 270 6524 or e-mail: office@st-peter.bardaglea.org.uk

3rd March 2024-3rd Sunday of Lent

18th February 2024-1st Sunday of Lent

11th February 2024 -6th Sunday in Ordinary Time

4th February 2024-5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

28th January-4th Sunday in Ordinary Time

21st January-3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Is God Calling You to be a Priest?  Talk, 6th Feb.  Details attached

14th January-2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Pilgrimage to Fatima, Portugal 2024Details attached

Celebrate 40 years of Walsingham House.  Mass celebrated by Bishop Alan at 12:00 on 31st August, 2024 in memory of co-founder Fr Pat Sammon RIP.  More details here

7th January-The Epiphany of the Lord

PASTORAL LETTER for the Solemnity of the Epiphany 2024

THE THRESHOLDS OF HOPE WEBSITE has now been launched. This new online resource is the work of the Brentwood Diocese Vicariate for Adult Formation and aims to help adults to deepen their relationship with Christ and His Church. Please have a look at the website and watch it develop over time. Do let us know what you think of it. The website address is www.thresholdsofhope.co.uk
Threshold of Hope page – Brentwood Diocese

Vocation Cafe – A Facebook Group for Catholic Young Adults in London

COMPASS Discernment Programme. Young adults 18-40 – How do I make good decisions? Can I notice how God’s spirit acts in my life? Join us to listen, reflect and share. Email us: CompassCVP@gmail.com More info: Discernment Programme or Https://fb.me/e/3MA8KE2ar #vocation #religiouslife #discernment #joy