Dear Brothers and Sisters,

It is now ten weeks since the last gathering for our weekly celebration of the Liturgies of the Word and Eucharist.  Some of us would have heard or watched the video (WhatsApp chat group) of the Church bell ringing in Tilbury on Thursday evenings to show our appreciation to our front liners and key workers.  This could be the last ringing of our church bell on Thursday evening but we must continue to pray for all those who have worked and are working hard to keep us safe and healthy.

 If it were not for the Covid-19 crisis we would have organised our second Parish Social meal to celebrate Pentecost, which is the Birthday of the Church.  Even though we cannot gather for this social meal and for Pentecost Sunday Mass we can be united as Christian brothers and sisters to celebrate spiritually this great solemnity of the Birthday of the Church.  Happy Birthday to you all!

 Here are a few questions I would like to encourage you to pray and reflect for the Solemnity of Pentecost:

1.         How many of us would like to have been present at the ministry of Jesus or even during that of the early Christians?

2.         What would it have been like to hear the words of the Apostles at Pentecost when they preached about the marvels of God?

3.        What would it have been like to have witnessed the Risen Lord Jesus and to have heard him say, “Peace be with you!” before receiving the Holy Spirit?

Yet, for those of us in the 21^st century, we experience that same Holy Spirit.

When we were baptised, we were given the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and then we were sealed by the same Spirit at our Confirmation.  The Holy Spirit lives in our beloved family and friends, our Parishes, Communities and Relationships.  Once we experience the dying and the rising of Our Lord Jesus Christ we must live in a newness of life accompanied and animated by the Holy Spirit.

After Jesus rose from the dead, He promised and gave us the Advocate to be with us in our everyday life’s journey of being His follower and truly experience God’s peace.  I pray and encourage all of us to allow ourselves to be led and guided by the Spirit of Christ, whose disciples we are.

Although we are unable to come together for Pentecost this year, let us with great confidence and hope, look forward to next year’s Solemnity of Pentecost and I am sure we shall have a mammoth celebration.

STAY ALERT          >          CONTROL THE VIRUS                 >          SAVE LIVES

Fr. Anthony Pentecost Sunday 2020

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Dear Parishioners and Friends,

FR. PAUL DYNAN RIP

 I have received the following message today from Fr. Paul’s family.  Please continue to respect their wishes not to contact them at this time.Thank you,

Eternal rest grant unto Fr. Paul.  May his soul rest in perfect peace of our Risen Lord Jesus Christ.  AMEN

 Fr. Anthony

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Dear all,

 We would like to let everyone know that Fr Paul Dynan, (Dad) passed on during the night, he went peacefully in his sleep at his home in Chelmsford.

 His children Jonathan, Claire and Michael spent his final days with him and with some wonderful support from Farleigh, Macmillan and NHS nurses made sure he was comfortable and at peace.

 The family would like to thank everyone for all the messages, love and support they received during Fr. Paul’s illness and particularly towards the end, it was a great comfort to Father Paul to know how many people were thinking of him and praying for him.

 Due to the current situation the family are organising what may be possible with regards to funeral arrangements and details will follow shortly.

 Many Thanks

Fr Paul’s Family.

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Canon John Duckett RIP

You will be sorry to learn of the death of Canon John Duckett who died on Saturday morning in the nursing home at Bishop’s Stortford where he was being cared for.

Canon Duckett was born in Preston, Lancashire, in 1928 and as a young child moved with his family to Chelmsford. He was educated at Our Lady Immaculate Primary School, Chelmsford, and St Joseph’s College, Ipswich, before being accepted as a junior seminarian by Bishop Doubleday in 1941. After five years at Cotton College he undertook National Service, being stationed in Germany during the Berlin airlift in 1948. His studied for the priesthood at Grove Park and Oscott. He was ordained by Bishop Beck at Our Lady Immaculate, Chelmsford, on 31 July 1955 and served as an assistant priest at Dunmow (1955-1956), Ilford (1956-1962) and Colchester (1963-1965). As a parish priest Father Duckett served at Burnham-on-Crouch (1962-1963), Debden (1965-1970), Manor Park (1970-1976), Barking (1976-1985), Tilbury (1985-1987) and East Ham (1987-2001). Thereafter he went to Our Lady & St George, Walthamstow (2001-2002), and St Antony, Forest Gate (2002-2012), in both parishes assisting in a semi-retired capacity. In retirement he acted as chaplain to the Little Company of Mary at Westcliff-on-Sea (2012-2017) before taking up residence at Nazareth House, Southend-on-Sea (2017). In 2017 he was appointed as an Honorary Canon of Brentwood Cathedral in recognition of his outstanding priestly ministry in the diocese, which he had also served as a member of the Finance Board and as a Consultor. Known as a great visitor of his parishioners, Canon Duckett was an avid supporter of West Ham.

Please do remember Canon Duckett in your prayers.

Yours in Christ and Mary,

Bishop Alan

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