Money Matters
Offertory: Thank you for the generous offerings received last weekend, which amounted to £1,811.09 and £873.91 for CAFOD Fast Day.
Counters are Jan Lewis, Sandie Hippard and Nina Bridgeman.
Newsletter Folders are Linda Wall and Bob Hall.
Third Sunday of Lent
First Reading Exodus 20: 1-17
Second Reading Corinthians 1: 22-25
Gospel John 2: 13-25
Preface of Lent 1
Eucharistic Prayer 3
Saturday 7th March
5.30pm Mass Frances Emmerson, RIP
Sunday 8th March
8.00am Mass Anna Cook
9.30am Mass Jim & Teena Rockell, RIP
11.30am Mass People of the Parish
4.00pm Polish Mass
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Second Sunday of Lent
Dear friends in Christ
Every Second Sunday of Lent we hear the account of the Transfiguration of our Lord. Jesus had just told the Apostles of his forthcoming rejection, trial and Passion, and they were devastated by this prediction. So, to comfort them, give them courage, and help them believe in Him, He takes his three closest friends up Mount Tabor, and in a moment which seems removed from earthly time and space, shows them who He is: God’s only Son, Second Person of the Blessed Trinity. This same faith encourages us too, when, faced with the trials of life, we often lose a sense of purpose in what we are doing here on earth.
I would encourage you during these days of Lent, to use the various opportunities provided for us to grow in prayer and faith. In particular the extra times of Mass and devotions and the Evenings of Recollection in Nazareth House around the themes of Marriage and Family Life with an eye to the Synod of Bishops in Rome next October.
Last Sunday some eighteen members of the Parish Family were presented to the Bishop - along with several hundred others from around our Diocese - as candidates for the Easter Sacraments. Please keep them and their Sponsors in your prayers during these last days of their preparation.
I thank those of you who responded to my recent request for an earlier weekday Mass (Monday-Thursday); there appears to be a unanimous consensus that the slightly earlier hour of nine o’clock would be convenient. Therefore, I am proposing that, starting after Easter, the morning Mass will commence at 9.00am. With every blessing!
Fr Kevin Hale
Year B, Psalter Week 2
Monday 2nd Feria
9.15am Mass: Bill Hoggett, RIP
Tuesday 3rd Feria
9.15am Mass: Intentions of the Corrigan Family
Wednesday 4th Feria
9.15am Mass: Intentions of the Butler/Cole Families
Thursday 5th Feria
9.15am Mass: Thomas Cook, RIP
Friday 6th Feria
6.30am Mass: Orla Coffee, RIP
12Noon Mass: CWL Intentions
12.30pm Exposition after Mass until
8.00pm: Way of the Cross & Benediction
Saturday 7th Feria
10.00am Mass Jan Harris, RIP (Anniv)
Confession – the Sacrament of Penance – is also available on request
Holy Rosary is said after morning Mass during the week
Year B, Psalter Week 2
Monday 2nd Feria
9.15am Mass: Bill Hoggett, RIP
Tuesday 3rd Feria
9.15am Mass: Intentions of the Corrigan Family
Wednesday 4th Feria
9.15am Mass: Intentions of the Butler/Cole Families
Thursday 5th Feria
9.15am Mass: Thomas Cook, RIP
Friday 6th Feria
6.30am Mass: Orla Coffee, RIP
12Noon Mass: CWL Intentions
12.30pm Exposition after Mass until
8.00pm: Way of the Cross & Benediction
Saturday 7th Feria
10.00am Mass Jan Harris, RIP (Anniv)
Confession – the Sacrament of Penance – is also available on request
Holy Rosary is said after morning Mass during the week
EVENINGS OF RECOLLECTION FOR LENT 2015 at Nazareth House (London Road, Southend SS1 1PP)
Catholic Deanery of Southend-on-Sea
THE CALL TO HOLINESS IN MARRIAGE AND THE FAMILY
Thursday 5th March
Rev Dr Anthony Doe, Author, Spiritual Director, Psychotherapist & Retreat Preacher.
Loving Intimacy with The Lord
Thursday 12th March
Rev Graham Smith, Parish Priest & Chaplain to Marriage & Family Life, Diocese of Brentwood.
Aspects of Marriage Today
Thursday 19th March
Mrs Jane Deegan, Wife, Mother, Solicitor, Author & Marriage Formator
The Theology of the Body and Young People
Each evening begins at 8.00pm and includes a talk/meditation followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Office of Night Prayer and Benediction.
Priests will be available for Confession each evening
There will also be refreshments afterwards in the hall with a bookstall.
EVENINGS OF RECOLLECTION FOR LENT 2015 at Nazareth House (London Road, Southend SS1 1PP)
Catholic Deanery of Southend-on-Sea
THE CALL TO HOLINESS IN MARRIAGE AND THE FAMILY
Thursday 5th March
Rev Dr Anthony Doe, Author, Spiritual Director, Psychotherapist & Retreat Preacher.
Loving Intimacy with The Lord
Thursday 12th March
Rev Graham Smith, Parish Priest & Chaplain to Marriage & Family Life, Diocese of Brentwood.
Aspects of Marriage Today
Thursday 19th March
Mrs Jane Deegan, Wife, Mother, Solicitor, Author & Marriage Formator
The Theology of the Body and Young People
Each evening begins at 8.00pm and includes a talk/meditation followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Office of Night Prayer and Benediction.
Priests will be available for Confession each evening
There will also be refreshments afterwards in the hall with a bookstall.
Dates for your Diary
Wednesdays, 4th, 11th & Parish/Deanery Marriage Preparation
18th March Course from 7.45 pm
Thursdays, 26th February Deanery Lenten Evenings of Recollection 5th, 12th & 19th March
at Nazareth House on the theme of the Synod on Marriage and Family Life
Sunday 22nd March Passion Play in Parish Centre
(after 11.30am Mass) by St Bernard’s students
Monday 23rd March 8pm Lenten Penitential Service-St Peter’s, Eastwood
Saturday 28th March 3pm Maryvale Graduation Ceremony for the Course in Parish Catechetics in the Parish Church. Bishop Alan Williams will present Certificates
Saturdays 9th, 16th & First Holy Communion Masses
23rd May 10.30am
Sunday 7th June 4pm Corpus Christi Procession
General Election 2015
The Bishops have written a joint Letter to all Catholics in England and Wales encouraging us to participate and vote in the election and offering some key issues and questions for reflection on where candidates stand. Copies will be available on Sunday 1st March and can be obtained with other information, at that time, from the Bishops’ Conference website www.catholicnews.org.uk. Please read the Letter and encourage others to do the same.
General Election 2015
The Bishops have written a joint Letter to all Catholics in England and Wales encouraging us to participate and vote in the election and offering some key issues and questions for reflection on where candidates stand. Copies will be available on Sunday 1st March and can be obtained with other information, at that time, from the Bishops’ Conference website www.catholicnews.org.uk. Please read the Letter and encourage others to do the same.
Serving the Homeless AGM
The Annual General Meeting of Serving the Homeless will take place on Monday 23rd March at 7.30 pm in Room 2, St Margaret’s Church Hall, Lime Avenue, Leigh on Sea. Everyone is welcome to attend.
ABC - About Being Catholic
The series of informal talks designed to give an insight into the teachings and traditions of the Catholic Church will continue starting at 8pm in the Parish Centre. 2nd March - The Sacrament of Holy Orders. You are welcome to attend some or all of these talks; if you would like more information please speak to Fr Kevin or telephone Pat O’Connell, Tel 01702 712123.
Serving the Homeless AGM
The Annual General Meeting of Serving the Homeless will take place on Monday 23rd March at 7.30 pm in Room 2, St Margaret’s Church Hall, Lime Avenue, Leigh on Sea. Everyone is welcome to attend.
The Irish Social Evening in celebration of St Patrick
Tickets now on sale for the Irish Social evening organised for Saturday 14th March in the Parish Centre’s Gilbert Room, 7.30pm to 10.30pm. All welcome! Professional duo Pat and Chris English will perform live to listen, sing and dance along to from modern popular numbers to Irish classics! Adults £7.50 children £3.50 - Tickets will be made available after weekend masses and in the Parish Centre during teas & coffees afterwards or contact Marion Long, Norman and Sue Hibbert or Darrell Binding. Jacket potatoes with a range of toppings to choose from will be included in the price but please bring your own drinks. Grand prize raffle – donations welcome. If any of our Irish community would like to help please contact Darrell on 07825 686249 (email manybindings@hotmail.co.uk).
Organised by the Lourdes Social & Fundraising Committee with profits going to the Parish Centre fund
The Irish Social Evening in celebration of St Patrick
Tickets now on sale for the Irish Social evening organised for Saturday 14th March in the Parish Centre’s Gilbert Room, 7.30pm to 10.30pm. All welcome! Professional duo Pat and Chris English will perform live to listen, sing and dance along to from modern popular numbers to Irish classics! Adults £7.50 children £3.50 - Tickets will be made available after weekend masses and in the Parish Centre during teas & coffees afterwards or contact Marion Long, Norman and Sue Hibbert or Darrell Binding. Jacket potatoes with a range of toppings to choose from will be included in the price but please bring your own drinks. Grand prize raffle – donations welcome. If any of our Irish community would like to help please contact Darrell on 07825 686249 (email manybindings@hotmail.co.uk).
Organised by the Lourdes Social & Fundraising Committee with profits going to the Parish Centre fund
The Altar Society
The Altar Society are looking for a responsible person to manage the cleaning of the votive candle stands by the Sacred Heart statue. It needs to be done weekday mornings before 1pm. If there is someone who would love to do this task, please contact the Parish Office. Thank you.
Money Matters
Offertory: Thank you for the generous offerings received last weekend, which amounted to £1,308.41
Counters are Bob Hall, Kitty Edwards & Bernadette Lane.
Newsletter Folders are Amanda Phipps, Clare English & Sarah Bagnall.
APF Boxholders
The Novena to St Joseph will take place from 10th to 18th March 2015. Each year the Mill Hill Missionaries prepare for the Feast of St Joseph, their patron, with a special Novena of Masses and prayers to ask for God’s blessing on their Society and the missionary outreach of the Church, as well as for the intentions of all those who support their work. You are invited to send in your petitions and/or to request a Novena booklet to enable you to join in from home by praying the daily Novena prayer. Please write to Fr Liam Cummins, MHM, St Joseph’s Missionary Society, 58 Crookham Road, Maidenhead, SL6 7HT or email novena@millhillmissionaries.com. Thank you. Joan Caunce (Sec) 01268 757505.
Baptism Course
The next Baptism Course will be held on Tuesdays 3rd and 10th March in the Parish Centre starting at 8 pm. Please contact Catherine or Andy Harris on 01702 711165 if you wish to attend.
Parish Centre - Teas/Coffees & Rotas
Following the Friday 6.30 am Mass there will be teas and coffees in the Parish Centre. The Tea/Coffee Rotas are now available at the back of Church.