Pray for the Dead
Please pray for our dead on their anniversaries:
Fr George Carolan, Fr William Evers, Fr Francis Kerrigan, Fr Gerard Kerr,
Fr Bentley, Baby Felicity Garland, Peter D’Angerville, Bernard Dunne,
Mary Slattery, Sallie Walker, Patricia Sheehan, Angela Evelyn Joyce,
Clarice Bugazzi, Thomas McInerney, Francis Gavin, Anthony Troughton,
Charles Hughes, John Maxfield, Mary McQuaid, Francis O'Neill, Kevin Shanahan, Herbert Marriott, Evelyn Tobias, Ronald Buckley, Patricia Bishop, Andrew Hills, Mary Hurley, Miss Parker, Paul Emmerson, Sylvia Walton, Gladys Symons, Mabel Walmsley, John Baigent & Anthony Fleming.
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.
Third Sunday of Advent
First reading Zephaniah 3: 14-18
Second reading Philippians 4: 4-7
Gospel Luke 3: 10-18
Preface of Advent 1
The Roman Canon
Saturday 13th December
5.30pm Mass Eileen McHugo, RIP
Sunday 14th December
8am Mass Derek Dodd, RIP
9.30am Mass The People of the Parish
11.30am Mass Ronnie Olliffe, RIP
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Second Sunday of Advent
Dear friends in Christ
Earlier this year, Pope Francis announced an extraordinary Holy Year, a Jubilee of Mercy beginning on 8th December, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, and ending on Christ the King, 20th November 2016. The aim of the Holy Year is to proclaim and to receive the loving-mercy of God, Who is dives in misericordia, ‘rich in mercy’. God has created every single person and He longs to enter into a transforming relationship with them as their loving Father. In the fullness of time, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, Who by His life, death and resurrection conquered sin and evil, sickness, suffering and death. Jesus continues to offer this Good News of salvation to anyone in need, to the poor, captives, the blind and downtrodden. This is why He calls sinners, you and me, to be disciples within His Body, the Church. He wants us to change. He wants to free us from the misery of sin and to help us fulfil our potential. He wants to make us holy and to bring us one day to Heaven.
Our Bishop will celebrate Mass this Tuesday evening in Brentwood Cathedral at 7pm to signal the start of the Holy Year; we are all invited to that Mass. In our own Parish we will begin the celebration of the Immaculate Conception on Monday evening with Marian Devotions and Benediction at 8pm. It is a Day each year in the Parish on which we consecrate the entire Parish Family - individuals, families, schools and institutions - to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Beginning next Sunday (13th) we shall be praying the Chaplet of Divine Mercy each afternoon in church at 3pm - the Hour of Mercy - and we ask for a volunteer each day to lead this prayer before the image of Jesus as Divine Mercy which will be venerated in the church throughout the coming Year. Please volunteer for this by signing the rota being kept in the Sacristy. Prayers cards with the Devotion will be available for everyone, so it can be used also at home and in school. I have assigned a specific Prayer Intention for each month which I ask you to bring to the Chaplet, the Holy Rosary and will be included in Bidding Prayers at Mass; you will find these intentions elsewhere in the Newsletter. It is an inclusive list but not exhaustive! Above all, let us enter this Holy Year with faith and trust in the Mercy of our God who comes into our world to bring order to the chaos of life. God bless you!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Second Sunday of Advent
Dear friends in Christ
Earlier this year, Pope Francis announced an extraordinary Holy Year, a Jubileeof Mercy beginning on 8th December, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, and ending on Christ the King, 20th November 2016. The aim of the Holy Year is to proclaim and to receive the loving-mercy of God, Who is dives in misericordia, ‘rich in mercy’. God has created every single person and He longs to enter into a transforming relationship with them as their loving Father. In the fullness of time, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, Who by His life, death and resurrection conquered sin and evil, sickness, suffering and death. Jesus continues to offer this Good News of salvation to anyone in need, to the poor, captives, the blind and downtrodden. This is why He calls sinners, you and me, to be disciples within His Body, the Church. He wants us to change. He wants to free us from the misery of sin and to help us fulfil our potential. He wants to make us holy and to bring us one day to Heaven.
Our Bishop will celebrate Mass this Tuesday evening in Brentwood Cathedral at 7pm to signal the start of the Holy Year; we are all invited to that Mass. In our own Parish we will begin the celebration of the Immaculate Conception on Monday evening with Marian Devotions and Benediction at 8pm. It is a Day each year in the Parish on which we consecrate the entire Parish Family - individuals, families, schools and institutions - to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Beginning next Sunday (13th) we shall be praying the Chaplet of Divine Mercy each afternoon in church at 3pm - the Hour of Mercy - and we ask for a volunteer each day to lead this prayer before the image of Jesus as Divine Mercy which will be venerated in the church throughout the coming Year. Please volunteer for this by signing the rota being kept in the Sacristy. Prayers cards with the Devotion will be available for everyone, so it can be used also at home and in school. I have assigned a specific Prayer Intention for each month which I ask you to bring to the Chaplet, the Holy Rosary and will be included in Bidding Prayers at Mass; you will find these intentions elsewhere in the Newsletter. It is an inclusive list but not exhaustive! Above all, let us enter this Holy Year with faith and trust in the Mercy of our God who comes into our world to bring order to the chaos of life. God bless you!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Second Sunday of Advent
Monday 7th St Ambrose, Bp, D
9am Mass Mary Johnson, RIP
8pm Devotions & Benediction
Tuesday 8th THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE
BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
9am Mass Canon Francis Gilbert, RIP
Wednesday 9th St Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin
9am Mass Clare Clarke, RIP (Anniv)
Thursday 10th Feria
9am Mass Margaret Farrell, RIP
Friday 11th St Damascus 1, P
12Noon Intentions of Michael Halsall
Saturday 12th Our Lady of Guadalupe
10am Mass Brian MacCurtain, RIP
Year of Mercy Prayer Intentions in our Parish
December: for the conversion of sinners that they may return to the Sacrament of Reconciliation for Christmas
January: for those experiencing difficulties in Marriage and family life and for all who bear the pain of the break-up in relationships
February: that during the season of Lent, all who follow Christ may avail themselves of the Father’s Mercy especially in Confession
March: for those who suffer the pain of loss and bereavement
April: for all who suffer from addiction of any kind or from patterns of behaviour contrary to the Gospel and the Faith
May: for all who suffer unemployment and who struggle to live with dignity
June: for those who have suffered abuse of any kind
July: for those who live with the pain of taking human life - abortion or euthanasia - or who have been in involved in any way
August: for those suffering with problems arising from mental health, loneliness or disability
September: for all refugees driven from their homeland
October: for those in prison atoning for their crimes
November: for the sick and the dying - especially those estranged form God and the Church - that they may experience the merciful love of the Father
Year of Mercy Prayer Intentions in our Parish
December: for the conversion of sinners that they may return to the Sacrament of Reconciliation for Christmas
January: for those experiencing difficulties in Marriage and family life and for all who bear the pain of the break-up in relationships
February: that during the season of Lent, all who follow Christ may avail themselves of the Father’s Mercy especially in Confession
March: for those who suffer the pain of loss and bereavement
April: for all who suffer from addiction of any kind or from patterns of behaviour contrary to the Gospel and the Faith
May: for all who suffer unemployment and who struggle to live with dignity
June: for those who have suffered abuse of any kind
July: for those who live with the pain of taking human life - abortion or euthanasia - or who have been in involved in any way
August: for those suffering with problems arising from mental health, loneliness or disability
September: for all refugees driven from their homeland
October: for those in prison atoning for their crimes
November: for the sick and the dying - especially those estranged form God and the Church - that they may experience the merciful love of the Father
Carmelite Meeting
The next Carmelite meeting is on Saturday 12th December. We have a quiet time in the Church at 2pm followed by the Rosary at 2.15pm. We then go to the Newman room in the Parish Centre for the meeting, this commences with a cup of tea, talk about our spiritual growth and how we can help one another spiritually, we then have Lectio divina, the meeting usually finishes by 5pm. All parishioners are welcome for all or part of the meeting, why don’t you come and see what we do.
Thank you!
The committee of ‘Serving the Homeless’ would like to extend their thanks and Christmas greetings to all who have supported our work this year. With the help of your donations, participation in events and membership of the 200 club, we have been able to: Furnish 8 new rooms for Southend YMCA to house young homeless clients; Spend £200 per month on fresh meat, milk and cheese to provide meals at all the properties run by HARP, as well as an annual amount of £3,500 for training programmes, (80% of clients are under 25); Collect large amounts of dried goods and clothing from participating churches to be given to HARP clients; Provide another £1000 to support the Churches Winter Shelter programme; Buy a large new washing machine and tumble dryer for the night shelter; Send a young client to attend basketball trials in Barcelona, where he successfully gained a 2 year scholarship to play in Italy- a life changer! In all we have spent £15,744 on your behalf this year. We invite you to join us on Friday 18th Dec at 7pm at Our Lady of Lourdes Church for a short Carol service followed by mince pies and mulled wine in the parish centre. We wish you a very happy and peaceful Christmas and New Year ( Jo Ronan, chair of STH Committee)
Children's Liturgy
Would you like to help our children enjoy the familiar Bible stories? The Children’s Liturgy team have a rota of volunteers, but are looking for new recruits.
It involves taking one of the three age-groups (aged 4-5, 6-7 and 8-9) about twice per term, during 9.30am Mass. There are printed materials to give you ideas on how to present each week’s readings to the children. You might prefer to team up with a friend, or to support one of the existing volunteers. If you are interested, please phone Carol Carlile on 07845 879625, or come into the hall before Mass where you will find us setting up. A reminder for parents of the youngest children. Children’s Liturgy is for children aged 4 and over. We can’t take 2 and 3 year olds, even if they are at pre-school, and your children need to be confident enough to come out with the group unaccompanied. We use the small Newman room for the age 4-5 group, which is quiet and secure, but really does not have the space for parents and younger siblings. Thank you.
Children's Liturgy
Would you like to help our children enjoy the familiar Bible stories? The Children’s Liturgy team have a rota of volunteers, but are looking for new recruits.
It involves taking one of the three age-groups (aged 4-5, 6-7 and 8-9) about twice per term, during 9.30am Mass. There are printed materials to give you ideas on how to present each week’s readings to the children. You might prefer to team up with a friend, or to support one of the existing volunteers. If you are interested, please phone Carol Carlile on 07845 879625, or come into the hall before Mass where you will find us setting up. A reminder for parents of the youngest children. Children’s Liturgy is for children aged 4 and over. We can’t take 2 and 3 year olds, even if they are at pre-school, and your children need to be confident enough to come out with the group unaccompanied. We use the small Newman room for the age 4-5 group, which is quiet and secure, but really does not have the space for parents and younger siblings. Thank you.
ABC - About Being Catholic
The series of informal talks will recommence on Monday 11th January 2016
Money Matters
Offertory: Thank you for your generous offerings received last weekend, which amounted to £1,592.72.
Counters: Shirley Murphy & John Murphy.
Newsletter Folders: Pauline Jordan & Maureen Ward
Parish Centre Design Award
During the Presentation Ceremony on 25th November at Porters, the Mayor’s Official Residence in Southend, Councillor David Norman said of the project: The first of the Awards this year in the New Build Category goes to Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Centre. The Panel thought this was an outstanding scheme with good detailing, with almost a cloistered feel; a seamless addition to the existing church. Both the building and the landscaping have a real feel of quality and were a positive addition to the street scene.
The Award was given to the Parish, the Architect and Contractor, but it is given and received on behalf of all those in the Parish who have contributed in any way to is successful fulfilment.
Parish Centre Design Award
During the Presentation Ceremony on 25th November at Porters, the Mayor’s Official Residence in Southend, Councillor David Norman said of the project: The first of the Awards this year in the New Build Category goes to Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Centre. The Panel thought this was an outstanding scheme with good detailing, with almost a cloistered feel; a seamless addition to the existing church. Both the building and the landscaping have a real feel of quality and were a positive addition to the street scene.
The Award was given to the Parish, the Architect and Contractor, but it is given and received on behalf of all those in the Parish who have contributed in any way to is successful fulfilment.
Friday Lunches
The next lunch is on Friday 11 December in the Parish Centre after the 12 noon Mass. Come along and enjoy delicious home made soup, sandwiches and a dessert. All for only £4.50 !! Organised by the C.W.L. and all proceeds to CAFOD.
Friday Lunches
The next lunch is on Friday 11 December in the Parish Centre after the 12 noon Mass. Come along and enjoy delicious home made soup, sandwiches and a dessert. All for only £4.50 !! Organised by the C.W.L. and all proceeds to CAFOD.
Live Simply
The Live Simply group meets every Monday from 10.15-11.45am in the Bernadette Room of the parish centre. All are welcome.