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The Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Parish in Billericay

Interior Of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church

Exterior of Holy Redeemer Church2010 is going to be a momentous year for The Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Parish in Billericay, as it    will be celebrating the 100th Anniversary of its establishment throughout the year.
Its “birth” was in very different surroundings from the present church in Laindon Road. On 13th September 1910 Bishop Fenton, Auxiliary of Westminster, blessed and opened a chapel (which had been converted from a drawing room) for public worship at St. Edith's Covent in 129 High Street before a congregation of sixty people.  Thus the Parish was formed.
Over the years the Parish has grown along with the town   overseen by a number of Parish Priests.  Probably the most famous of these was Canon Aloysius Roche (pictured below), who was appointed “Parish Priest for time being” in 1918 but stayed for forty-eight years, during which time he became well known as an author and radio broadcaster!
Canon Aloysius RocheSince then many priests and parishioners have played their part in the development of the Parish and the Church itself, especially following the liturgical changes arising from the Second Vatican Council in 1967.

The present Parish Priest, Fr John McGrath, leads Billericay’s Catholic community at another exciting period of growth, with weekend congregations regularly numbering over eight hundred.  He has overseen preparations for the Centenary year celebrations, which will include a series of spiritual and social events.

The highlight of the entire year will be the Centenary Mass on the anniversary date itself, Monday 13th September, when the Rt. Rev. Thomas McMahon, Bishop of Brentwood, will preside alongside many former Parish clergy.

Further details can be found at www.mostholyredeemer.org.uk

Road Rep Wanted

We are looking for an individual who is not  motivated by financial incentives, more of a philanthropist, to deliver the newsletter to 55 houses on Greens Farm Lane and on Prince Edward Road. We hope that the person taking up this much sought after position of Road Rep would not see it as an early Christmas present but as a position which would bring prestige and honour to the holder, serving his/her fellow residents. If you are such a person and want to deliver The Resident  then please contact Helen Hill on 01277 636024.

Copy Dates for "Resident"

If readers wish to advertise an event or have an article printed in the newsletter the following gives dates by which copy should be received by the editor – Trevor Stansfield, 174 Perry Street CM12 0NX or e-mail Tremar@aol.com: 

February issue copy by 15 January, March issue by 15 February, April issue by 15 March, May issue copy by 15 April, June issue by 15 May, July/August issue by 15 June, September issue by 15 August, October issue by 15 September, November issue by 15 October. December/January issue by 15 November, February issue by 15 January. 

If an event is to be held before the 10th of the month then, to ensure circulation, the advertisement should be included in the previous month’s issue e.g. an event taking place on 3 May should be advertised in the April issue. Similarly if an event is scheduled for 3 September then the advertisement should appear in the July issue.