WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE IN HAVING VISITING PRIESTS WHO WILL CONDUCT MOST OF THE SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE PERIOD OF INTERREGNUM.

WITH THE HELP OF OUR READERS, MARIAN AND SUE, WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE A STRONG AND REGULAR WORSHIP AT ST MARY’S.

TO HELP US THROUGH THIS DIFFICULT PERIOD WE ASK YOU ALL TO USE THE FOLLOWING PRAYER

LORD, WE DEDICATE THIS TIME OF INTERREGNUM TO YOU. WE GIVE THANKS FOR FR RON AND ALL THOSE WHO HELP US THROUGH THIS PERIOD. DELIVER US FROM THE ANXIETIES OF THE UNKNOWN FUTURE. WE ASK THAT YOU GUIDE THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF OUR REPRESENTATIVES  TO DISCERN YOUR WILL IN THE CHOICE OF A PRIEST FOR US, SO THAT BY HIS EXAMPLE THE KNOWLEDGE OF YOUR DIVINE LOVE WILL GROW AND INCREASE THROUGHOUT THE PARISH. WE ASK THIS IN THE NAME OF YOUR SON ,OUR SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST AMEN

NORMAN AND TERRY

 Monday 30th April                   - Curry evening

Monday 7th May                      - 10K Challenge

Sunday 3rd June                     - Diamond Jubilee Party - The Big Lunch

Saturday 9th June                   - Summer Fair

Monday 25th June                   - Curry evening 

Friday June 29th                      - Cream Tea at Coral's

Sunday 22nd July                    - Garden Party at Maz and Jonathan's

Friday 3rd August                    - Quiz Night

Saturday 6th October             - MacMillan Coffee Morning in the Church Hall 

Friday November 2nd to Sunday November 4th - Parish Pilgrimage

                                                                                 to the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham

Saturday 8th December         - Christmas Fair

Seven us from St Mary's went to Westminster Abbey on Saturday 16th October.  This was a special annual pilgrimage to the Shrine of Edward the Confessor.  We were very cordially greeted by Canon Jane Hedges.

We went immediately to the Shrine of Edward the Confessor which has pride of place behind the High Altar.  (The Pope and Archbishop of Canterbury prayed there recently during the Pope's visit.) A short liturgy of St Edward was held at the Shrine. We then had free time to look round the Abbey before three of our number had to meet the Minor Canon who was leading the Eucharist.  The lucky three were Marian Howe, Sue Wise and Terry Babbage.  They were asked to read the Intercessions at the Eucharist.  What a privilege and a pleasure to be asked to do this, in the Abbey, at so important an occasion.  Most of you will know that the Abbey is our Patron and this was why we had been asked to take part in the service.  The service began promptly at 11:30 with a long procession of Banners and Clergy etc.  Including the Dean and Canon Jane of course.  All of us in the party were given privileged seating right at the front near to the main lectern.  We felt like we were sitting in the Queens place!  The service sheet given out mentioned that the Intercessions would be "led by pilgrims from the Parish of St Mary the Virgin South Benfleet".  We all felt very proud that our Church had been chosen for this honour.  The three who read the Intercessions made an excellent job.  After the Eucharist we had time for Lunch in the Cloisters of the Abbey and looked round the Museum, we then listened to a short talk on St Edward by the Abbey Librarian and conservator this was given in the Chapter House. 

We learnt much about the history of the Abbey and St Edward.

At three o'clock we returned to the Main nave for a service of Evensong.  The Westminster Abbey Choir was inspiring to listen to, and the Evensong service made a fitting end to our pilgrimage.  Below are a couple of pictures, one of our three Members who read the Intercessions and one of the front of the Programme of the event. 

By the way this event takes place every October at this time and I would seriously recommend that you find time to go.  It is an interesting and uplifting day.

by Neil Spence