Daily Mass in Southend Deanery

Mass at Saint John Fisher

Going to daily Mass was practically the most important thing, when my daughter Ruth died, that kept me functioning. An opportunity to commune with heaven, to pray, to plead with God. Daily Mass is quick and quiet, more intimate with more 'space' to pray. If you have never been, you might be surprised at how much you get out of it.

With so many churches so close together in Southend Deanery, we really are spoilt for choice, but until now, all the daily Masses have been in the mornings, making it difficult for those of us who work to attend regularly.

Fortunately, we now have a new initiative at Saint John Fisher, (Manners Way, Southend-on-Sea SS2 6PT) which provides the faithful of Southend Deanery the opportunity to come together for Mass after work.

The Mass is just Mondays and Wednesdays at the moment, but really beautiful. Times are 7:30pm Mondays and 7:00pm Wednesdays. If it's well supported, I'm sure it would be extended- please try to go!

If you are unsure, Saint John Fisher is the Church on the roundabout (Cuckoo Corner) at the end of the A127. Here's a map:

Going to daily Mass provides a repetitive structure of liturgy which provides us with a form for spontaneous and heartfelt prayer. From the opening prayer to the dismissal, each familiar movement of the Mass presents an opportunity for my uniting with the Lord, the celebrant, and the congregation in fresh acts of worship. So Mass never bores me. After all, the liturgy is a work of Christ—it is his heavenly worship and my privilege to join him. As the liturgy becomes more familiar, we are able to focus more clearly on deep prayer during Mass. The daily repetition of this communion with the divine promotes better habits in us, and, just like praying the Divine Office, promotes an interior closeness with Christ which we find very quickly, is what our souls are longing for.

Many Catholics have family and work commitments that prevent them from attending daily Mass. I would encourage them to begin attending Mass, even if it is just one day a week, to experience for themselves the peace and benefits that come from developing this practice which goes beyond our Sunday obligation.

Many people could go to daily Mass but don’t, possibly because they do not realise the enormous benefits. I would encourage them to decide to attend daily, even if it is just for a short period of time, so that they can experience the benefits for themselves.