Fifth Sunday of Lent
Dear friends in Christ
We are entering the final and most solemn part of Lent this weekend.
Dear friends in Christ
We are entering the final and most solemn part of Lent this weekend. The traditional purple drapes on the crosses and images are a reminder of the solemnity of these days that culminate in the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Our Lord. The images are veiled because during His Passion, Jesus hid his glory. The solemn unveiling of the cross during the Good Friday Liturgy makes vivid the revelation of Jesus, reigning from the tree, King of the Jews and King of the Universe. The final Gospel reading in the trilogy of these weeks—the raising of Lazarus—is presented as an anticipation of the Resurrection of Christ. Just as Jesus raised His friend from the dead, so by His own power too as God, He will rise from the tomb. The Christian life itself is the spiritual process of dying and rising to life in Christ. We began this at Baptism when symbolically we went into the tomb with Jesus, as Saint Paul says. But through the course of our lives, we go through this dying and rising again. Every time we turn our back on God and commit sin, we die a little; but through the grace given in the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation, are brought back to life. That is why the early Fathers of the Church speak of these two Sacraments as the two planks of salvation that God extends to us. A really good Lent, and a really good preparation for Easter, will be our reception of the Sacrament of Penance, Confession. There will be ample opportunity throughout Holy Week for this, starting next Sunday, Palm Sunday. Wednesday, 25th March, be will be the Solemnity of the Annunciation of The Lord. By Mary’s acceptance of God’s Will, the Incarnation was possible. Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane prays that He can fulfil the Will of His Heavenly Father by drinking the chalice of suffering. May we be similarly docile in living the Will of God for us each day.
God bless you all!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Fifth Sunday Liturgy
Readings of Year A
The Apostles’ Creed
Preface of the Fifth Sunday of Lent
Fifth Week of Lent
Fifth Sunday of Lent
Saturday 21 March
5:30pm Vigil Mass
The People of the Parish
6:30pm Holy Hour: Confession
& Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
Sunday 22
8am Dawn Mass
Intentions of Fr Cornelius Joyce
9:30am Family Mass
Intentions of Philomena Griffin
11:30am Solemn Mass
Alex Murphy†
5:30pm Vespers & Benediction
Confessions after all Masses
Monday
9am Mass
Intentions of the Wright Family
Tuesday
9am Mass
Intentions of Richard & Angela Jameson
The Annunciation of the Lord
Wednesday 25
9am Mass
Emmanuel, Claritta & Antonio Vicera† & Safe Travel
Thursday
9am Mass
David Lesley†
Friday
12 noon Mass
Sick People of the Parish & their Families
7pm Way of the Cross & Benediction
Saturday
10am Mass
Frank & Barbara Blaker†
10:30am Holy Hour: Confession &
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
Holy Week
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
Saturday 28 March
5:30pm Vigil Mass
Frank & Moira Keenan† Anniversary
6:30pm Holy Hour: Confession &
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
Sunday 29
8am Dawn Mass
The People of the Parish
9:30am Family Mass
Bobby Newman†
11:30am The Blessing & Procession of Palms
& Solemn Mass
Alex Murphy†
5:30pm Vespers & Benediction
We pray for our sick
We pray for the sick of our parish
“Father,
by the power of your Spirit
you have filled the hearts of your faithful people
with gifts of love for one another.
Hear the prayers we offer for our relatives and friends.
Give them health of mind and body
that they may do your will with perfect love.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.”
We Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries
Canon Arthur Holmes, Fr John Sherlock, Mgr Canon Alfred Gilbey, Fr Denis Hall, Fr Henry Peace, Fr Joseph Tunney, Ernest Hardy, Fred Hopkins, Ted Wheeler, Katerina Deyanvitch, John Archer, Paul Reid, Maud Phyllis King, Marie Nichols, Peter Gough, John Rombaut, Boleslaw Bendkowski, Mary Hardy, Nancy Mallif, Ethel Bull, Sarah Armstrong, Marian Preston, Kathleen Robinson, John Head, Edmund Thompson, Moira Keenan, Kirk Waltraud, Jessie Carlyon, Lily Dawson, Kenneth May, Allan Thompson, Derek Taylor, Victor Moule, Kathleen Farrell, Terence Larman, Leo Winter, Jane Adamson, Herbert Haddocks, Pamela Shenstone, Anne Jennett, Colleen Mary Green, Winifred Edith Lawson, Ellen Mary O’Connor, Hugh Devine, Kathleen (Kit) Collins, Ann Turner, Frederick Duggans, Henry Hill, Hessie Higley, Sheila Townsend, Veronica Redhouse & Bartholemew Guihen.
Please pray for the repose of the soul of
DAVID LESLEY who died on Saturday, 14th March.
Funeral details to follow.
Requiescat in pace
Dates for your Diary
Monday 23 March
Journey in Faith (RCIA) 8pm Parish Centre
Saturday 16 May
10:30am First Holy Communion Mass
Sunday 24 May
11:30am Confirmation Mass
Sunday 7 June
4pm Corpus Christi Procession
11 July
Flower Festival
Sunday 19-Friday 24 July
Lourdes Pilgrimage
Lent Parish Talks
Nourishing our faith this Lent
Do you want this Lent to be a bit more than giving-up chocolate or alcohol?
Do you sometimes wonder what it really means to say you have a relationship with Jesus?
Would you like a deeper appreciation of Jesus’ Passion, death & resurrection & its meaning for our lives?
If your answer to any of these questions, or questions like them, is: yes—then why not come along to our Lenten series of talks by the Scripture scholar Brant Pitre, running in the daytime & in the evening? No need to book.
Wednesday 25 March 7.30-9pm in the Parish Centre.
Want more info? Contact Heather on 07885 737393 or at heatherward55@gmail.com
Gift Aid Envelopes
The Gift Aid Offertory and Special Charity envelopes for the Financial Year 2026-27 are at the back of Church.
A new set of numbers have been used—your new number may be different to this year’s.
Young Vincentians
“Our next meeting is 5:15pm Monday 23 March”
Flower & Crafts Festival 2026
Saturday 11 July
We ask for your help to make the day a success. The theme this year is The Beatitudes. There are 8 beatitudes and we would like each to be represented in flower displays, art work, crafts... Please consider taking part—especially if you have not before. If you can sew, knit, embroider, paint, draw, craft, arrange flowers—then we need you!
The Festival is a way of opening ourselves up to a wide group of people of various religious persuasions—or none! Each year we host some people who have never been in a church before… This is part of our Christian witness. If you would like to take part or would like to know more, contact me by email, or find Theresa or myself in the Lady Chapel after the Family Mass on Sunday.
Jo Ronan
RCIA: Journey of Faith
Our Journey of Faith continues
8pm Monday 23 March
Newman Room, Parish Centre
This is for people who are not Catholics but who are enquiring with a view to finding out more about the Catholic Faith and Reception into the Church.
These evenings begin at 8pm, are held in the Newman Room of the Parish Centre (the door is beside the Memorial Garden) and usually last just over an hour. We appreciate if you notify us in advance if you’re attending (but it’s not needed).
Fr Kevin or the Parish Office.
Seniors Exercise & Balance Class
10am Tuesdays
Parish Centre
£6
You are invited to join the Exercise & Balance Class for Seniors which is held every Tuesday morning in the Parish Centre. The class starts at 10am and lasts one hour. Exercises are done to music and each session costs £6.
Missio Red Boxes
Please do not bring any red boxes to the church until further notice. As soon as I am well enough, I will let you know to resume.
A supply of Missio Magazines will be at the back of the church this weekend in the usual place. Please take one.
Thank you
Joan Caunce
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Walsingham—23rd May 2026
Join Bishop Alan and other parishes around the Diocese of Brentwood in Walsingham. We will celebrate Mass at the Basilica before walking the Holy Mile to the grounds of Walsingham Abbey to celebrate Vespers and Benediction on the site of the Holy House. Sacred Heart are running a coach, and the cost will be £25 per adult, children under 16 go free.
Leaving Sacred Heart Church at 7am, picking up at St John Fisher at 7:10am and Our Lady of Lourdes, Leigh, at 7:25am. We expect to be back in the Southend area by 8pm. Please phone Sandy Rand 07470 820994 to book your seat. Book early to secure your place. Thank you.
Our Lady of Ransom Catholic Primary School
Inclusion Lead (SENDCo)
MPR/UPR + TLR2 | Full Time | Permanent | Start ASAP
Our Catholic primary school, part of the Assisi Catholic Trust, is seeking an experienced SENDCo to join our leadership team. You will lead and develop high-quality SEND provision, ensuring ambitious outcomes for all pupils in line with statutory guidance.
Essential:
Successful SENDCo experience
NASENCo (or willingness to complete)
Strong knowledge of inclusive practice
Visits to the school are warmly encouraged. To arrange a visit or an informal conversation with the Headteacher, please contact the school office.
For further details and an application form, please visit the school website: www.olorcps.net or the Essex Jobscene advert
Closing date: Monday 13th April 2026, 12pm
Interview date: w/c 20th April 2026
We reserve the right to call for interview and appoint prior to the closing date. Please note: we do not accept CVs or applications from agencies.
School Vacancies in Brentwood
Class Teacher – St Antony’s Catholic Primary School, Woodford Green
Deadline for applications: 12:00 noon Thursday 19th March 2026
Deputy Headteacher – Our Lady Immaculate Catholic Primary School, Chelmsford
Deadline for applications: 12:00 noon Friday 20th March 2026
Deputy Headteacher – St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Tilbury
Deadline for application: 12:00 noon Friday 10th April 2026
Parish Fundraising 200 Club
The winners of the February draw are:
£150 Mrs N Richardson-Shii 30
£75 Mrs M Devine 69
£50 Mrs M Tisi 188
£25 Mrs C Haldenby 118
The funds raised from the 200 Club now contribute to the overall costs of the tuition and expenses of trainee priests. On completion of their formation, they take mission appointments strengthening the Church within Nigeria and elsewhere in the world. These missionary priests are known as Spiritans. This month the 200 Club has been able to donate £1000 to support these missionary priests through Aid to the Church in Need.
Please support this fundraising. There are some places available in the 200 Club, and if you wish to join, there is a monthly regular donation of £5. Forms are available at the back of the church. Or you can telephone Linda Wall on 01702 558217.
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School & Nursery
We warmly invite families to visit our wonderful school and see first-hand the engaging and supportive learning environment we provide. Arranging a visit is a great opportunity to see the school in action, meet our staff, and experience our welcoming community.
If you would like to book a tour, please contact the school office who will be happy to arrange a visit.