Parish Christmas Bazaar - Saturday 5th December
Only one week to go to our annual Christmas Bazaar here at Our Lady of Lourdes. A very big thank you to all who have donated gifts or purchased Grand Prize Draw tickets. If you have tickets please ensure you have returned any counterfoils and payment to church office (there are still tickets available at the back of church). If you have any last minute donations, we can still accept these, until the 4th December; bottles should be given in to the office and not left at back of church; any cake donations should be dropped off to Parish Centre on Friday 4th or morning of 5th December. We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at this annual Parish family event. Please come along with your family and friends to enjoy coffee and cake, lunches and all our usual fabulous stalls to help raise as much as we can for Christian Syrian Refugees, whilst hopefully having an enjoyable time! Thank you once again for your support.
Parish Christmas Bazaar - Saturday 5th December
Only one week to go to our annual Christmas Bazaar here at Our Lady of Lourdes. A very big thank you to all who have donated gifts or purchased Grand Prize Draw tickets. If you have tickets please ensure you have returned any counterfoils and payment to church office (there are still tickets available at the back of church). If you have any last minute donations, we can still accept these, until the 4th December; bottles should be given in to the office and not left at back of church; any cake donations should be dropped off to Parish Centre on Friday 4th or morning of 5th December. We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at this annual Parish family event. Please come along with your family and friends to enjoy coffee and cake, lunches and all our usual fabulous stalls to help raise as much as we can for Christian Syrian Refugees, whilst hopefully having an enjoyable time! Thank you once again for your support.
Live Simply
How can we respond to the harrowing images we see on TV caused by war,
poverty and climate change? The Live Simply group meets every Monday in the Bernadette Room of the Parish Centre from 10.15-11.45am. All are welcome.
Please pray for the Repose of the Soul of:
Patricia Breslin who died on Saturday 21st November. Her funeral will be held at Southend Crematorium on Thursday 10th December at 3pm.
Pray for the Dead
Please pray for our dead on their anniversaries:
Fr Francis Branney, Fr Bart Lynch, Fr James (Pat) Hannon, Thomas Slattery, Patricia Manvell, Ronald Slater, Ann McGinty, Eileen Vaufhan, Elinor Watters,
Vera Spelling, Marie Sanctuary, Dilwyn Morgan, David Aldridge, Ethel Knight, Kathleen Dawson, Pat Ballard, William Kerry, Leonard Coventry, Terence Slattery, Val Brown, Delia Fleming, Timothy Murphy, Louise De Souza, Maurice Brazier, Agnes Nisbett, Yvonne Lovett, Irene Rice, Ryszard Burzynski & Vera Walls.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
First Sunday of Advent
Monday 30th St Andrew, Ap
9am Mass Jane Ann Davidson Spratt, RIP (Anniv)
Tuesday 1st December Bl John Beche, Ab, M
9am Mass Intentions of the Corrigan Family
Wednesday 2nd Feria
9am Mass Clare Chadwick, RIP
Thursday 3rd St Francis Xavier, Pr
9am Mass Valerie Griggs & John & Pat Moon, RIP
Friday 4th St John Damascene, Pr, D
12Noon CWL Intentions
12.30pm Exposition after Mass until
8.00pm Holy Hour & Benediction
Saturday 5th Feria
10am Mass Will Coveney, RIP
First Sunday of Advent
Monday 30th St Andrew, Ap
9am Mass Jane Ann Davidson Spratt, RIP (Anniv)
Tuesday 1st December Bl John Beche, Ab, M
9am Mass Intentions of the Corrigan Family
Wednesday 2nd Feria
9am Mass Clare Chadwick, RIP
Thursday 3rd St Francis Xavier, Pr
9am Mass Valerie Griggs & John & Pat Moon, RIP
Friday 4th St John Damascene, Pr, D
12Noon CWL Intentions
12.30pm Exposition after Mass until
8.00pm Holy Hour & Benediction
Saturday 5th Feria
10am Mass Will Coveney, RIP
First Sunday of Advent
Dear friends in Christ
Advent begins with the reminder to us that time is short and that the end of the world may come unexpectedly. Starting this Sunday we begin, over the course of these four weeks, to trace the origins of our salvation through the Prophets and stories of the Old Testament, through to the coming of St John the Baptist and the Birth of Our Lord. How will we each use this time of Advent, of solemn preparation? Will it be in a material and worldly way, through excessive spending and dissipation, or more reflectively, simply, in a spirit of watchful prayer? Only we can make this choice. Without withdrawing from the world that offers us much to enjoy and rejoice in, we can still strive to live this season of joyful expectation by the appropriate means. In planning our Christian celebrations, we could be thinking how, by practical charity, we can aid our Christian brethren who are struggling for survival, driven from their homelands by war and religious hatred; by keeping any Christmas giving to family and friends to what is not superfluous. Sending only Christmas greeting cards that convey the true meaning of the celebration (Royal Mail have produced lovely Nativity stamps this year which we ought to use!) and in all of the other details of our preparations for Christmas, keeping a calm and sober mind as St Peter reminds us.
Last Wednesday evening, together with the Architect of our Parish Centre and the Contractor, I attended the Southend Council Design Awards Presentation at Porters. This Award has been given in recognition of the outstanding achievement that is our Parish Centre. The Award is received on behalf of all those who had any part in this project and once again I want to record my gratitude to all those who have supported and contributed to, this magnificent building.
The inauguration of Advent will be celebrated this Sunday afternoon in Brentwood Cathedral with a ceremony of Vespers and Advent Carols at 4pm; I invite you to join with me and the Bishop for this start of the Church’s year together. Also remembering that soon the special Holy Year of Mercy will commence with a Concelebrated Mass on Tuesday, 8th December at 7pm in Brentwood Cathedral. On the Vigil of the Immaculate Conception (Monday 7th) in our own church at 8pm, there will be a service of Marian Devotions, Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and Benediction. Each year this Solemnity of Our Lady reminds us that we are under the special protection of Our Lady in our Parish, and the token of our prayers and offerings to her is an annual reminder of how we need her patronage and care especially in these days leading-up to the celebration of the mystery of the Incarnation. May God bless you!
Msgr Kevin Hale
First Sunday of Advent
First reading Jeremiah 33: 14-16
Second reading Thessalonians 3: 12-4:2
Gospel Luke 21: 25-28; 34-36
Preface of advent 1
Eucharistic Prayer 3
Saturday 28th November
5.30pm Mass Deceased members of the Jasper Family
Sunday 29th November
8am Mass Holy Souls
9.30am Mass Deceased relatives of the Wall Family
11.30am Mass The People of the Parish
No Vespers & Benediction
Christ The King
Dear friends in Christ
This is the final week of the liturgical calendar and it is celebrated as the Universal Kingship of Christ: all of creation, the entire cosmos, is subject to the reign of Christ. Most of all, this feast demonstrates the urgent desire of Christians to have Jesus Christ reign in our society and within our individual lives. We end the days of the year therefore, in our Parish, with the enthronement of Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. From Thursday evening following the Mass (7pm) until Saturday afternoon we keep a continuous watch or vigil with Our Lord Jesus Christ. We dearly desire that He will reign over all the homes and families of our Parish, and we bring to Him in these Forty Hours all of the needs of the Church and world at this time. As your Parish Priest and Pastor, I invite you all earnestly once again, to come and spend generous time with Our Lord who waits for us in this Sacrament of His Love.
Advent begins next weekend and traditionally the inauguration of this season is marked by a special ceremony of Vespers and Advent Carols in Brentwood Cathedral at 4pm. To encourage Parishioners to attend, and as I myself shall be present, there will not be Vespers and Benediction in the Parish next Sunday (29th).
Advent will also herald the opening of the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy proclaimed by our Holy Father, Pope Francis. This will begin on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (8th December) and on that evening the Bishop will celebrate Mass in our Cathedral at 7pm; we are all invited to join the Bishop on that occasion and I hope many of us will travel to Brentwood for the Holy Mass.
As I have already signalled, I would very much like that the Chaplet of Divine Mercy be prayed each day in the church at three o’clock (the Hour of Mercy). As the Jubilee is initiated locally on the Sunday following the Immaculate Conception, we will begin the Devotion during the Vespers in the Parish here on the Third Sunday of Advent (13th December). From this week there will be monthly lists available in the Sacristy which I would ask you to sign if you are willing to lead this prayer on any day during the months of the Jubilee Year. It is a simple and powerful prayer and there will be small prayer cards available so that everyone can join-in easily. The image of Divine Mercy will also be venerated in the church throughout the Year.
It is always an exciting time to be a Catholic; there is so much happening in the life of the Church and despite the many negatives we may see around us, this Advent season ahead reminds us that we are people of joyful hope and optimism! God bless you as we prepare for our Forty Hours Prayer, united with and around Our Divine Saviour.
Msgr Kevin Hale
Christ The King
Dear friends in Christ
This is the final week of the liturgical calendar and it iscelebrated as the Universal Kingship of Christ: all of creation, the entire cosmos, is subject to the reign of Christ. Most of all, this feast demonstrates the urgent desire of Christians to have Jesus Christ reign in our society and within our individual lives. We end the days of the year therefore, in our Parish, with the enthronement of Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. From Thursday evening following the Mass (7pm) until Saturday afternoon we keep a continuous watch or vigil with Our Lord Jesus Christ. We dearly desire that He will reign over all the homes and families of our Parish, and we bring to Him in these Forty Hours all of the needs of the Church and world at this time. As your Parish Priest and Pastor, I invite you all earnestly once again, to come and spend generous time with Our Lord who waits for us in this Sacrament of His Love.
Advent begins next weekend and traditionally the inauguration of this season is marked by a special ceremony of Vespers and Advent Carols in Brentwood Cathedral at 4pm. To encourage Parishioners to attend, and as I myself shall be present, there will not be Vespers and Benediction in the Parish next Sunday (29th).
Advent will also herald the opening of the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy proclaimed by our Holy Father, Pope Francis. This will begin on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (8th December) and on that evening the Bishop will celebrate Mass in our Cathedral at 7pm; we are all invited to join the Bishop on that occasion and I hope many of us will travel to Brentwood for the Holy Mass.
As I have already signalled, I would very much like that the Chaplet of Divine Mercy be prayed each day in the church at three o’clock (the Hour of Mercy). As the Jubilee is initiated locally on the Sunday following the Immaculate Conception, we will begin the Devotion during the Vespers in the Parish here on the Third Sunday of Advent (13th December). From this week there will be monthly lists available in the Sacristy which I would ask you to sign if you are willing to lead this prayer on any day during the months of the Jubilee Year. It is a simple and powerful prayer and there will be small prayer cards available so that everyone can join-in easily. The image of Divine Mercy will also be venerated in the church throughout the Year.
It is always an exciting time to be a Catholic; there is so much happening in the life of the Church and despite the many negatives we may see around us, this Advent season ahead reminds us that we are people of joyful hope and optimism! God bless you as we prepare for our Forty Hours Prayer, united with and around Our Divine Saviour.
Msgr Kevin Hale
Our Lord Jesus Christ the King
Monday 23rd St Clement 1, P, M
9am Mass Jon Marshall, RIP (Anniv)
Tuesday 24th St Andrew Dung Lac, Pr, and Comps, MM
9am Mass Lillian & Jim Fegan, RIP (Anniv)
Wednesday 25th St Catherine of Alexandria V M
9am Mass Gareth Lewis, RIP (Anniv)
Thursday 26th Feria
7pm Mass Opening Mass of Forty Hours - Holy Souls
Exposition continues until midnight
Friday 27th Feria
Exposition resumes from 7am
12Noon Elpedio Bonggot, RIP & for the Holy Souls in Purgatory
3.30pm Benediction for Children & Families
8.00pm Holy Hour & Exposition until midnight
Saturday 28th Our Lady on Saturday
Exposition from 7am
10am Mass Pietro Tisi, RIP (Anniv)
4.00pm Closing Benediction of the Forty Hours’
Our Lord Jesus Christ the King
Monday 23rd St Clement 1, P, M
9am Mass Jon Marshall, RIP (Anniv)
Tuesday 24th St Andrew Dung Lac, Pr, and Comps, MM
9am Mass Lillian & Jim Fegan, RIP (Anniv)
Wednesday 25th St Catherine of Alexandria V M
9am Mass Gareth Lewis, RIP (Anniv)
Thursday 26th Feria
7pm Mass Opening Mass of Forty Hours - Holy Souls
Exposition continues until midnight
Friday 27th Feria
Exposition resumes from 7am
12Noon Elpedio Bonggot, RIP & for the Holy Souls in Purgatory
3.30pm Benediction for Children & Families
8.00pm Holy Hour & Exposition until midnight
Saturday 28th Our Lady on Saturday
Exposition from 7am
10am Mass Pietro Tisi, RIP (Anniv)
4.00pm Closing Benediction of the Forty Hours’
Parish Fundraising
Thank you to everyone who supports the 200 Club.
1st prize £150 (115) Mr G Allard
2nd Prize £100 (4) Mrs C Sweeney
3rd Prize £75 (152) Mr D Binding
4th Prize £50 (198) Miss L Hall
5th Prize £25 (138) Mrs V Byczynski
Subscription is £5.00 per month, either by cash, cheque or direct debit. If you would like to join, please fill in a form which can be found at the back of the church or ring Linda Wall on 01702 558217.
Serving the Homeless
Serving the Homeless are presenting a short service of carols and poems for Christmas at 7pm on Friday 18th December at Our Lady of Lourdes Church. This will be led by OLL folk group and will be followed by mulled wine, hot drinks and mince pies in the parish centre. Please do come and join us, any donations will go to the Southend YMCA building project and the Churches winter shelters. Jo Ronan.
Music for Christmas and Advent
You are warmly invited to join the CWL on Monday, 23 November for a musical afternoon led by our own Alan Bush who will be guiding us through a selection of Advent and Christmastide music. Please join us for music, tea/coffee and biscuits (possibly a mince pie or two) at 2pm in the Newman Room.
Music for Christmas and Advent
You are warmly invited to join the CWL on Monday, 23 November for a musical afternoon led by our own Alan Bush who will be guiding us through a selection of Advent and Christmastide music. Please join us for music, tea/coffee and biscuits (possibly a mince pie or two) at 2pm in the Newman Room.
ABC - About Being Catholic
The series of informal talks designed to give an insight into the teachings and traditions of the Catholic Church continues every Monday starting at 8pm in the Parish Centre. 23rd November: The Incarnation. 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 on 01702 712123.
Dates for your Diary
Thursday 26th - Sat 28th November
The Forty Hours Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament
Sunday 29th November
Inauguration of Advent - Brentwood Cathedral: Vespers 4pm
Saturday 5th December
Christmas Bazaar
Tuesday 8th December
Opening of Jubilee Year - Mass - Brentwood Cathedral 7.00pm
Thursday 11th February
Installation of the new Canons - Brentwood Cathedral: Mass 7pm
Saturdays 7th & 14th May
First Holy Communion Masses
Wednesday 18th May
Bishop’s Visitation & Confirmation
Sun 14th to Sat 20th August
Parish/Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes