Feast of Our Lady of Fatima
Tuesday 13th May is the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima. Mass will be at 4pm at Nazareth House, followed by a procession whilst praying the Rosary at 4.45pm and Benediction at 5.15pm. Refreshments in the hall afterwards. All welcome to honour Our Lady on this special day.
Parish Centre
Now that the new Parish centre is in full use, I thought it would be an appropriate time to let you have some information on the cost of the project and details of the funds raised so far.
To date, we have spent £1,195,149 on the project. There is a balance due to the builders of approximately £62,060 but part of that amount will not be payable until February/March next year. This means that the project will come out at a costing in the region of £1,257,209. This figure, by the way, includes the cost of fitting out the centre.
On the fundraising side, the Parish has raised £1,010,482 to date. This means that there will be a shortfall of £246,727 which still needs to be raised to ‘balance the books’. That said, let me assure you that the Parish does not have any current debt at the present time. This is because, at the outset of the project, we had built up sufficient cash reserves which have been used during the last nine years. However, I think you will agree, it would be prudent to try and re-establish those reserves which will mean the continuation of fund raising. We were not helped in any way with loans from the Diocese. You have all been very generous so far and I know you will continue to be so in the future. To this end, there will be further fund raising events and appeals details of which will be published from time to time. The Diocese have recently completed it’s quinquennial review of the Parish properties and this sets out the repairs which need to be carried out to the Parish buildings over the next five years. This will entail further expenditure to be met by the Parish; another reason to continue with our fundraising.
Finally, I would remind you that we shall soon be constructing the outdoor Altar in the Memorial Garden which can be used on significant days throughout the year for Holy Mass, Benediction and Processions; it will be adorned with a mosaic (the work of the same local Studio that created the one mosaic in the Parish Centre). If anyone would like to make a donation towards the cost of this Altar, please would you have a word with me. Cheques should be made payable to Catholic Church, Leigh. Above all, thank you for your continued and generous giving for all the works of the Parish.
Fr Kevin
PLEASE PRAY FOR THE REPOSE OF THE SOUL OF:
Bertha Nesnas, RIP and Carole Lawson, RIP who died recently.
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Walsingham 24th May 2014
Come and meet our new Bishop, Fr Alan Williams, current director of the Shrine to Our Lady at Walsingham. Join us on this pilgrimage by booking a place on the coach asap. Places limited. £15 per person. For further details visit info@abbotswick.org or call the Diocesan House of Prayer on 01277 373959.
Pray for the repose of the souls of Bertha Nesnas and Carole Lawson
Pray for the repose of the souls of Bertha Nesnas and Carole Lawson who died recently.
Pray for the repose of the souls of Bertha Nesnas and Carole Lawson
Pray for the repose of the souls of Bertha Nesnas and Carole Lawson who died recently.
We pray for the departed on their anniversaries
Fr Augustine Davidson, Mgr Canon John Howell, Fr John Boyle, Fr Stanley Joynes, Fr John William Hayes, Mary Jones, Wally Hurst, Philip Wilson, Charlotte Anderson, Robert King, Patrick O'Sullivan, Joyce Wilkinson, Iris Amner, John Lyons, Constance Newton, Dorothy Kyrke-Smith, Margaret Philp, Joseph Edwards, John Smith, Mrs Winifred Craic, Francis Thomas, Roma Morgan, John Rivens, Emma Jane Hobbs, Alfred Warner, Philip Everett, Amy Ehn, Bridget Hamblion, Pauline Cousins, Florence West, Ellen O'Leary, Agnes Brady & Edward Petronis.
Year 2, Psalter week 3
10.00am Mass Esther, Edward & Margaret Martin & Patrick Nolan, RIP
Tuesday 6th St John Payne, Pr, M
9.15am Mass Ben Blaker, RIP
Wednesday 7th Feria
9.15am John & Pat Moon, Valerie Griggs, RIP
Thursday 8th Feria
9.15am Christopher Adams, RIP
Friday 9th Feria
12Noon Mass Catherine McDonald, RIP
Saturday 10th Feria
10.30am First Holy Communion Mass
Confession – the Sacrament of Penance – is also available on request
Holy Rosary is said after morning Mass during the week
Third Sunday of Easter
Dear friends in Christ
The Easter season is one of joy and hope: joy in the Risen Christ and hope for our future glory. During this time we think of how the faith of the Apostles was strengthened by the time they spent with Jesus in his risen body. The Acts of the Apostles is read at Mass which tells of the beginnings of the Church, the hopes and joys, sufferings and persecutions of the first followers of Jesus. It helps and encourages us to know that the problems we face in life, the difficulties of the Church at the start, are much the same today: resistance to Christ and His Church move us to be more committed and enthusiastic in all our endeavours for God.
We are approaching the time of our First Communion Masses over the next two weekends: please remember these children, their parents and families that, they may be sustained throughout this time by our prayers and as they begin the unique relationship with Jesus in the Blessed Eucharist, they will grow in faith and love.
With every blessing!
Fr Kevin Hale
Money Matters
Offertory: Thank you for the generous offerings received last weekend, which amounted to £1,788.27.
Counters are Jan Lewis, Kitty Edwards & Vanessa Ashcroft.
Newsletter Folders are Amanda Phipps, Clare English & Sarah Bagnall.
HARP
Thank you very much to all parishioners for their generosity in donating fresh fruit, dried and tinned goods for the Day Centre. This month’s wish list is: tea, coffee, UHT milk, small cartons of fruit juice, individually wrapped cakes and biscuits, fresh fruit. Harp ran out of sleeping blankets for rough sleepers earlier this week: if you have any that you could donate, please leave them in the box in the sacristy or telephone Linda Wall 558217 for collection.
Prittle Brook Spring Walk—Sunday 11th May
A 3 ½ mile Sunday afternoon stroll along the Prittle Brook Greenway from Priory Park to Belfairs Park - raising funds for HARP. Registration from 2 pm in Priory Park. Enjoy tea and cake afterwards in the Woodlands Centre at Belfairs Park. Entrance fee (including tea and cake) Adults £8, Children £4, Family ticket £20.
Serving the Homeless
Serving the Homeless are holding a meal at the East Restaurant in Southend on Wednesday 14th May at 7.30 pm. If you would like tickets please ring Linda Wall on 558217 or Jo Ronan on 474062.
Feast of Our Lady of Fatima
Tuesday 13th May is the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima. Mass will be at 4pm at Nazareth House, followed by a procession whilst praying the Rosary at 4.45pm and Benediction at 5.15pm. Refreshments in the hall afterwards. All welcome to honour Our Lady on this special day.
SVP St John Bosco Camp
The SVP St John Bosco Camp offers children aged 8-13 a sports and activity based holiday on a campsite in the Essex countryside. Run with a Catholic ethos, the camp is especially for children who may not have any other holiday this year. There are three weeks of the camp:
For boys: 26th July to 2nd August or 2nd to 9th August
For girls: 9th to 16th August
For many details and for application forms log onto www.svpboscocamp.org.uk
Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School & Nursery
We would like to invite all those involved with the Sacred Heart School over the last 100 Years to join us for our Centenary Celebrations on Sunday 6th July 2014 for an Open Air Mass at 11.00 am at the school, followed by celebrations afterwards. Please bring a picnic and enjoy Tea & Cakes, Pimms or Strawberries & Ice Cream from Café FOSH.
Our Lady of Ransom Catholic School
Key Stage 2 Teacher Required for September 2014. MPR/UPR—(TLR2a available for an outstanding candidate who is able to take on the leadership responsibility for PE*). The Governing Body of Our Lady of Ransom Catholic School is looking to appoint an outstanding, enthusiastic and highly-motivated class teacher, to join our friendly and dedicated team. Our school provides a happy, calm atmosphere with delightful children as well as supportive colleagues, governors and parents.
The successful candidate will need to be a strong practitioner committed to achieving high standards of pupils’ learning and capable of teaching imaginatively within Key Stage 2. The post would suit an experienced teacher or a newly qualified teacher who is either a practising Catholic or willing to support the strong Catholic ethos of our school * A TLR2a is available for a talented primary PE specialist who would take the strategic lead to build on our very strong sporting reputation.
The Governing Body is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Visits to the school are welcomed and encouraged.
For more details please contact Mr. Parascandolo (Head Teacher) via the school office (01268 785741)
For an application form please visit the school website www.olorcps.net
Closing date: Wednesday 14th May (12 noon)
Interviews: Week commencing 19th May 2014
Our Lady of Ransom Catholic School
Key Stage 2 Teacher Required for September 2014. MPR/UPR—(TLR2a available for an outstanding candidate who is able to take on the leadership responsibility for PE*). The Governing Body of Our Lady of Ransom Catholic School is looking to appoint an outstanding, enthusiastic and highly-motivated class teacher, to join our friendly and dedicated team. Our school provides a happy, calm atmosphere with delightful children as well as supportive colleagues, governors and parents.
The successful candidate will need to be a strong practitioner committed to achieving high standards of pupils’ learning and capable of teaching imaginatively within Key Stage 2. The post would suit an experienced teacher or a newly qualified teacher who is either a practising Catholic or willing to support the strong Catholic ethos of our school * A TLR2a is available for a talented primary PE specialist who would take the strategic lead to build on our very strong sporting reputation.
The Governing Body is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Visits to the school are welcomed and encouraged.
For more details please contact Mr. Parascandolo (Head Teacher) via the school office (01268 785741)
For an application form please visit the school website www.olorcps.net
Closing date: Wednesday 14th May (12 noon)
Interviews: Week commencing 19th May 2014
Essex Recusant Society
The next meeting of the Essex Recusant Society (Brentwood Diocesan Historical Society) will take place on Saturday 24th May at 2.30 pm at The Grange, 93 Queens Road, Brentwood. Sr. Patricia Harriss, a sister of the Congregation of Jesus, which was founded by Mary Ward will speak about ’ Mary Ward: Pilgrim and Pioneer’.
Lourdes Pilgrimage Meeting & Wine-Tasting Fundraiser
There will be a meeting of those taking part in the Parish Pilgrimage to Lourdes. This will be on Friday, 9th May at 7.30pm in the St Clement Room.
Wine-Tasting Fundraiser - It will be followed immediately afterwards by a Wine Tasting night. Tickets are £15 and include several different wines from the South of France. There will be cheeses available too! All money raised will go towards sending our young people on pilgrimage to Lourdes. Please do come along, and support this event, and bring lots of people with you too. Tickets are available from the Parish and School Offices and after Mass at the back of Church this weekend.