CHRIST THE ETERNAL HIGH PRIEST
410 Brentwood Road, Gidea Park, Romford RM2 6DH
Brentwood Diocesan Trust Registered Charity No. 234092
Diocesan website address: www.dioceseofbrentwood.net
REV FR ADRIAN GRAFFY
e-mail: gideapark@dioceseof brentwood.org
SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Sunday 6th December
9.00 am
11.00 am
6.30 pm
Monday 7th December
Eddie & Mary Cordwell RIP
The Jones family
People of the Parish
No Mass
Tuesday 8th December
Tel: 01708 449914
6th December 2015
Bible Sunday
St Ambrose
7.00 pm
YEAR OF MERCY BEGINS
Mass in Brentwood Cathedral
Wednesday 9th December
9.30 am
Joe McCarthy RIP
Thursday 10th December
9.30 am
Vera McLaughlin RIP
Friday 11th December
9.30 am
Int of Terry Ffyffe
Saturday 12th December
9.30 am
11-11.30 am
Sheila Ring RIP
Confessions
Sunday 13th December
9.00 am
11.00 am
6.30 pm
Peter Kelly RIP
Int of Mrs J Costello
People of the Parish
Readings for this Sunday
Readings for next Sunday
Baruch 5:1-9
Zephaniah 3:14-18
Philippians 1:4-6; 8-11
Philippians 4:4-7
Immaculate Conception of the
Blessed Virgin Mary
Third Sunday of Advent
(‘Gaudete’ Sunday)
Luke 3:1-6
Luke 3:10-18
YEAR OF MERCY: At the request of Pope Francis a special Jubilee Year of Mercy will begin on Tuesday 8 th
December. As well as being the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, this day marks the
fiftieth anniversary of the conclusion of the Second Vatican Council. A special Mass to inaugurate the year will take place
in Brentwood Cathedral at 7 pm. All are invited.
ADVENT SONGS AND POEMS: An evening of carols, songs and poems will take place in our church on Thursday
10th December from 7.30 pm; an ideal way to take a break and prepare for the final weeks of Advent and for Christmas.
All welcome.
RECONCILIATION SERVICE: Our Advent Reconciliation Service, with priests available to hear Confessions, will
take place on Tuesday 15th December at 7.30 pm in our church. This is an excellent way to begin the Year of Mercy, by
experiencing the sacrament of mercy.
MONDAY LUNCHEON CLUB: Our Luncheon Club in the parish hall got off to a good start last week and will
continue on Mondays from 12.30 until 3.30 pm. A toasted cheese/cheese and onion sandwich with tomato soup will be
available for £2.50 per person, along with tea/coffee or hot chocolate and biscuits. There will be jigsaw puzzles, scrabble,
a book swap, chat and more on offer. All welcome. Does anyone have a wheeled tea trolley they no longer require which
could be used for the Luncheon Club?
FOOD BANK COLLECTION – SUNDAY 13TH DECEMBER: There will be an opportunity to contribute again to the
Harold Hill Foodbank on 13th December so, in the coming week, perhaps we could all remember to pick up an extra item
or two of non-perishable food to assist people in crisis at Christmas time. Peter Feinson has written to say he appreciated
the interest and hospitality he was shown last Sunday when he spoke after the morning Masses.
CONFIRMATION 2016: The programme will begin with an introductory meeting for candidates and parents on Friday
22nd January 2016 at 7 pm. Please complete an application form, which can be found in the porch, and return it to
Fr Adrian by 20th December. Candidates must be in Year 9 or above and should reside in the Parish. Sessions will take
place on Friday evenings from 6.30-7.30 pm, and Confirmation will be conferred by Fr Adrian on Sunday 15th May 2016
at 11 am Mass.
TEA, TOAST & SCONES available in the hall after 9 am Mass today and each Sunday until 13th December.
MULLED WINE & MINCE PIES after 9 am and 11 am Masses on 20th December, the final Sunday before Christmas.
Entrance is free, but any donations will be gratefully received!
PARISH FUNDRAISING RACE NIGHT: Just a reminder for your diaries to keep the evening free on Saturday 23rd
January. Tickets (£10 adults / £5 children) will be on sale in January and will include a £1 initial bet and a light fish and
chip supper (chicken and vegetarian alternatives available). See notice board for details. Should be a great evening.
ADVENT TALKS: Saturday 12th December - Bishop Emeritus Thomas McMahon – Theme: The Seven Bells to
Bethlehem. Cathedral House, Brentwood. 9.15 am – 12.00 pm. If you would like to register a place please contact: Lisa
Gunther at lisagunther@dioceseofbrentwood.org or on 01277 265285.
BRENTWOOD CATHEDRAL: As part of the Year of Mercy, Fr Martin Boland, the Dean of Brentwood Cathedral
would like to invite all members of the Traveller Community to come to the Cathedral, the Mother Church of the
Diocese, and join the Cathedral parish community at Mass on Sunday 13th December at 6.30 pm. Fr Dan Mason will
preach at this Mass.
HEALING MASS AT ABBOTSWICK HOUSE OF PRAYER, BRENTWOOD to be celebrated by Fr Eamonn
Power at 2.30 pm on Wednesday 9th December 2015. Please call 01277 373959 or visit www.abbotswick.org for more
information. All are welcome!
MONSIGNOR JOHN ARMITAGE returns to the Diocese to share his adventurous story of the years when he first
discerned a call to Priesthood. You are invited to ask him questions and then enjoy a free fish & chips supper. Hosted by
Brentwood Vocations; we invite all women and men aged 17-45, especially those discerning a vocation to the Priesthood
or Religious Life, to this “In Conversation with” event, Monday 21st December, 7:30pm, St Edward the Confessor
Parish Hall, Park End, Romford, Essex, RM1 4AT. For more details email: eamonn@brentwoodvocations.org
THE PASSAGE: Please support the work of The Passage working with Homeless People. If you donate through The
Big Give website every £1 is worth £2 due to matched funding. The matched giving remains open potentially until 14
December if sufficient funds are available but do give as soon as possible in case the matched funding is used up early.
http://new.thebiggive.org.uk/project/The_Passage_2015
PARISH ACCOUNTS: The Financial Return for 2014/15 has been submitted; a summary is on the notice board and a
full set of figures is available for inspection in the Parish Office.
PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES by air Sunday 29th May to Thursday 2nd June 5 days/4 nights. You are most welcome to
join Westcliff Parish for their pilgrimage staying at the 4 star Grand Moderne Hotel literally a stone’s throw from the
Sanctuaries. Full spiritual programme led by Fr Joseph Whisstock. £549 per adult, based upon two sharing double room
(all with en-suites). Further details from Sue on 07979 746707. Deposit £100 secures place.
THE DIOCESAN LOURDES PILGRIMAGE 2016 will be from Sunday 14th to Friday 19th August. Celebrate both the
Feast of the Assumption and the Year of Mercy at our Lady's Grotto. Brochures and booking forms available soon.
NOTICE BOARD: Details of job vacancies and pilgrimages are on display.
PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SICK OF THE PARISH: Abbey Ahmed, Gemma Auker, Eileen Bendon, Marc Bernard,
Denise Bevis, Serge Bosson, Irene Brown, Fr Gerry Butcher, Andy Carr, Val & Mark Carter, Richard Cashman, Carys &
Megan Coldham, Emily Connelly, Theresa Cunningham, Brenda Curtis, Clare Curtis, Marc & Margaret Dalton, Hans de
Vrind, Daniella & Lucia di Lisio, Bridie Donaldson, Derek Finnerty, Tommy & Mary Fitzpatrick, Grace Fuller, Gregory
Hart, Kevin Hartie, Keith Hooper, George Jamieson, Gerard Kennedy, Eileen King, Mary Loftus, Elizabeth Long, Frank
& Noreen Mack, Carmel McCallan, Joanne McCann, Adrian McCarthy, Anne (Nancy) & Dominic McCarthy, McGregor
family, Veronica McGregor, Dolores McGuinness, Joan McGurk, George, Gerry & Tony McKeever, Maureen
McMahon, Tom Marshall, Simone Mescal, Maureen & Fred Morris, Veronica Mullane, Mary Murphy, Marie O’Brien,
Maureen O’Mahoney, John Palmer, Bill & Billy Rayment, Peter Ringrose, Tony Rogers, Margaret Savitsky, Dr Bernie
Scully, Denise Stocker, Ann Sullivan, Elaine Sullivan, John Sullivan, Anne Tanton, Kathleen Tucker, Maureen &
Maurice Williams, Charley Wright, Edna Wydera and all who are sick in hospital or housebound at this time.
ANNIVERSARIES: Vincent Paris, Fr Brian Drea, James O’Halloran, Catherine Blake, Edward Cordwell, Fr Michael
Healy, Jack Adair, Olive Landy, Joseph O’Halloran, Fr Bernard Pownall, Henry Benino, Joe McCarthy, Helen Wells,
Edith Compton, Jack Adair, Annie Beattie, John Healey, Sr Mary Joseph, Thomas McCormack, Mary Hehir, Ted Hurley,
Margaret Lake, Sarah Seach, Marjorie Clarke, Joan Waller, Mary Webber, Sr Margaret Mary Hughes, James McCagney,
Magdalene O’Halloran, John Carroll.
SUNDAY COLLECTION 29.11.15
Envelopes - £459.00
Loose - £546.40
Thank you.
PARISH FUNDRAISING RACE NIGHT: Please join us for a lively evening of entertainment to be held in the church
hall on 23rd January 2015, arrival from 6.30pm for 7pm start. Tickets include £1 initial bet and a light fish and chip
supper supplied by Burlington's Fish Restaurant (a limited number of chicken and vegetarian alternatives will be
available). In addition, there will be a bar, betting, horse auction and raffle. Adult tickets £10 / children's tickets £5.
Spaces are limited and advanced booking is essential before 9th January 2016. Please contact Maggie Williams 07917
364410 / Joan Thomas 07788 8971321 for further information or to book your tickets.
USED STAMPS FOR ST FRANCIS HOSPICE: Just a reminder that there is a box in the porch for your used stamps.
Please leave a margin around the stamps, whenever possible, especially the larger ones as they must be complete to be
useful. Thank you.
PARISH REGISTRATION: Although most parishioners completed a card with their details when the Diocesan Parish
Census was taken a couple of years ago, there will be some who may not have done so for whatever reason and others
who have moved or joined the parish subsequently. If you believe we may not have your current contact details, please
pick up a card from the table in the porch and pop it into the Presbytery so that our records can be brought up-to-date.
A LIFELINE FOR MARRIAGE – Retrouvaille (pronounced retro-vi with a long i) helps couples through difficult
times in their marriages. It is designed to provide the tools to help get your marriage back on track. It will give you the
opportunity to rediscover each other and examine your lives together in a new and positive way. This programme has
helped 10’s of 1000’s of couples experiencing marital difficulty at all levels from disillusionment to deep misery. For
confidential information, email info@retrouvaille.org.uk ; call or text 0788 7296983 or visit www.retrouvaille.org.uk
PILGRIMAGES
THE DIOCESAN LOURDES PILGRIMAGE 2016 will be from Sunday 14th to Friday 19th August. Come and
celebrate both the Feast of the Assumption and the Year of Mercy at our Lady's Grotto. Brochures and booking forms
will be available soon.
PILGRIMAGE ALONG THE ‘CAMINO’ TO SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA, SPAIN: April 2016 with the
Canonesses of the Holy Sepulchre. This is a nine day pilgrimage which allows for walkers or coach travellers or a
mixture of the two. If you would like to join this pilgrimage please email crssuk@canonesses.co.uk or phone 01206
867296 or to request a brochure or it can be downloaded from our website www.canonesses.co.uk
2016 PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES: You are warmly invited to join Westcliff-on-Sea Parish from 29th May - 2nd
June 2016. Travel by air. Staying at the fabulous 4* Hotel Grande Moderne closest to the Sanctuaries. Full-board basis.
All rooms have en-suite facilities. Prices based on 2 sharing £549. Full spiritual programme and free time. For further
details please contact Sue on 07979 746707.
JOB VACANCIES
HEADTEACHER VACANCY: St Joseph's Catholic Primary School (Group 1, NOR 112), Dovercourt, Harwich are
seeking to appoint a Headteacher from April 2016. The school is pleasantly located in the town of Harwich, close to the
sea and attractive coastal areas. The school has a 'Good' Ofsted and Diocesan ratings. Visits to the school are welcomed.
Please contact Gill Colley on 01255 503493 or admin@st-josephs-dovercourt.essex.sch.uk. Application packs can be
downloaded: www.essexschoolsjobs.co.uk Closing date 4th January 2016 at 12 noon.
THE PALMER CATHOLIC ACADEMY: DATA MANAGER EXAMS OFFICER & DATA ASSISTANT.
Full details of posts and application form are available on the school website, www.thepalmercatholicacademy.org or
telephone Miss Royer on 020 8590 3808.
APOSTLESHIP OF THE SEA (AoS) is seeking a Corporate Fundraising Officer to join its team in London. AoS is the
Catholic Church’s charity that provides welfare and faith support to seafarers around the world. The financial support of
shipping companies is vital in allowing this to continue. For more information see www.cbcew.org.uk/CBCEWHome/About-Us/Recruitment/Fundraising-Officer
THE URSULINE SISTERS at The Grange, Brentwood require bank care assistants for afternoon shifts (2.30-9 pm).
Applicants should have previous experience in care work and preferably a medical background as they will be working
alone. Please telephone 01277 260156 for information and an application form.