Serving the Homeless
The committee of'Serving the Homeless' would like to thank everyone who contributed so generously to the recent collection. With this money we have been able to provide the bedding for the 20 new rooms opening at the Bradbury Centre. The new rooms are in the 'White Heather House' which will be opening in March and will house homeless women. Our next event is a fundraising meal at East on Wednesday 15th March. Tickets cost £15 and can be purchased from Jo 474062, Linda 558217 or Nina 472536.
St Patrick Day Celebrations - Friday 17th March
Live music by Merv and Maria. Jig, dance and sing along to Irish, country and sixties tunes. Bring your own drinks and nibbles. Raffle (donations most welcome). 7.30pm to 10.30pm. Tickets £8.50 each or family £25. All proceeds to our church. Tickets from Phyllis 07969465518, Darrell 07825686249 or Marian after Mass.
BCCS Trustee vacancy
bccs Trustee vacancy
Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society (based in Rayleigh) is looking for a new Trustee to join the Board. If you have accounting or finance skills and would like to join the talented Board of this wonderful diocesan charity please contact Steven Webb on 01268 784544 or swebb@bccs.org.uk
Counters & Folders
Counters: Mary Cook & Jacky Hoggett
Newsletter Folders: Linda Wall & Bob Hall
Parish Drama Group
Following a successful first drama group meeting, a proposal was put forward that a short revue be performed at the Annual Parish AGM in July. We would like to invite budding and established writers, actors, singers and performers to be involved in this exciting new venture for the Parish family, which is open to all ages. If you are interested please come along to our meeting on 21st February, at 7.30pm in the Parish Centre. If you want to be involved but can't make the meeting, please contact:- Angela Clements 07940 183452 angelaclements47@gmail.com Sue Lawford 07816 141492, Carrie James 07799 475464, Gina Marshall 01702 710836.
Coffee, Cake and Climate Change
Thank you to all who attended the coffee-morning last week. A cheque of £100 has been sent to CAFOD and we wore green hearts on Valentines Day to showlove for our beautiful earth, as encouraged by Pope Francis. Our left-over cakes were taken to our friends at Leigh Road Baptist Church to share with their guests at the Winter Night Shelter that evening. Thank you once again. Live Simply Group.
Parish/Diocesan Pilgrimage to LourdesMonday 24th-Friday 28th July 2017
If you have put your name on the list wishing to go to Lourdes would you please collect a Booking Form from the Parish Office and return this, together with a non-refundable deposit of £150 per person, as soon as possible.
Lenten Lunches
You are warmly invited to join in the Friday Lenten Lunches. Lunches will be on the Fridays of Lent from 12.30pm in the Parish Centre, starting on 3rd March, the last lunch being 7th April. A contribution of £5 will include homemade soup, rolls, cheese, fruit, tea or coffee. This year all proceeds will be divided between Southend YMCA Children's Project and Southend Women's Refuge.
Scripture Group
Fr Con Joyce’s Scripture Group will next meet in the Parish Centre 8pm-9pm on Thursday, 2nd March. Fr. Con will be talking about the prophets. All welcome.
New Altar Servers Required
Any child who has received First Communion and would like to become an Altar server please contact the Parish Office on 478078 or leave your name and telephone number via the Parish Website.
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. 20th February: Marriage. 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 712123.
Sacrament of Confirmation
Anyone who wishes to begin preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation should send their name to Fr Kevin by the end of February, together with an email address. Applicants should have reached their fourteenth birthday by the end of August 2016.
Dates for your Diary
Saturday 6th & 13th May First Holy Communion Masses- 10.30am
Sunday 4th June Confirmation Mass - 11.30am
Saturday 22nd July Walsingham Centenary Pilgrimage
Monday 24th/Friday 28th July Parish Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes
7th October to 15th October Parish Mission
Please pray for the Repose of the Souls of:
John Patrick Mansfield, RIP who died on Saturday 21st January. His funeral will be held at Southend Crematorium on Monday 27th February at 2.20pm.
Henry D’Souza RIP who died on Wednesday, 15th February. Funeral details to follow.
Please Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries
Fr Thomas O’Connor, Fr Archibald O’Brien, Deacon Sidney Lewis, Canon Aloysius Roche, Fr Gerard Murphy, Robert Bautista, Constance Anne, Christopher Keville, Theresa Daniels, Maria Calame, Amy Cutforth, Eileen Ditton, Grace Angwin, Anthony Warwick, Mary Latham, Mary Asher, Anna McCall,Adolph Figueredo, Mary Keefe, Frank Blaker, Jim Keniry, Mary Wilden, Joseph Mills, Vincent Sullivan, Dominick Fanning, Maire Callanan, William Shanahan, Ernest Tobias, Olive Cale, Rose cook, Amelia Mullins, Anne Florence, Marie Bartley, Violet Nottle, Mary Sobota,
Beau Winter-Myers and Maddalena Forte.
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
The Gospel of St Matthew is read at Sunday Mass during these days preceding Lent; this is the first book of the New Testament. The divine nature of Jesus was a major issue for the community for which he writes, the crucial element marking them from their Jewish neighbours; while Mark beginswith baptism and transfiguration, Matthew goes back further still, showing Jesus as the Son of God from his birth, the fulfilment of Old Testament messianic prophecies. The title Son of David identifies Jesus as the healing and miracle-working Messiah of Israel (it is used exclusively in relation to miracles), sent to Israel alone. As Son of Man he will return to judge the world, a fact his disciples recognise but of which his enemies are unaware. As Son of God he is God revealing himself through his son, and Jesus proving his sonship through his obedience and example. The front image - a detail from the Caravaggio canvas - displays how St Matthew is being inspired by an angel to write what he recalls of the life of Christ; in the full portrait one sees that he is poised with one foot on the ground and this other raised upon a stool it signifies how his Gospel is both inspired from above but rooted firmly on earth. As we listen to him recounting the teachings, miracles and saving events in Our Lord’s life, may we be drawn into a deeper desire for friendship with Christ and also be moved to read more Sacred Scripture.
Dear Friends in Christ
The Gospel of St Matthew is read at Sunday Mass during these days preceding Lent; this is the first book of the New Testament. The divine nature of Jesus was a major issue for the community for which he writes, the crucial element marking them from their Jewish neighbours; while Mark beginswith baptism and transfiguration, Matthew goes back further still, showing Jesus as the Son of God from his birth, the fulfilment of Old Testament messianic prophecies. The title Son of David identifies Jesus as the healing and miracle-working Messiah of Israel (it is used exclusively in relation to miracles), sent to Israel alone. As Son of Man he will return to judge the world, a fact his disciples recognise but of which his enemies are unaware. As Son of God he is God revealing himself through his son, and Jesus proving his sonship through his obedience and example. The front image - a detail from the Caravaggio canvas - displays how St Matthew is being inspired by an angel to write what he recalls of the life of Christ; in the full portrait one sees that he is poised with one foot on the ground and this other raised upon a stool it signifies how his Gospel is both inspired from above but rooted firmly on earth. As we listen to him recounting the teachings, miracles and saving events in Our Lord’s life, may we be drawn into a deeper desire for friendship with Christ and also be moved to read more Sacred Scripture.
Thanks to all those who helped to make the celebration of our Parish Feast Day last Saturday - and which marks the start of our Diocesan Centenary - such an enjoyable occasion! I remind you that from Monday - Friday the church has to remain closed during the work of redecoration; Mass is celebrated in the Parish Centre.
God bless you all!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Priest@LourdesLeigh.org ✚ 01702 478078
Homily available at LourdesLeigh.org
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday 12th February - Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Saturday 5.30pm Vigil Bernard Ward, RIP (Anniv)(MW)
6.30pm–7.30pm Exposition & Confession
8.00am Mass Intentions of Ian & Betty Ward - 40th Wedding Anniversary, (JL)
9.30am Mass The People of the Parish
First Holy Communion - Presentation of photographs
11.30am Mass Intentions of Juan Ayerbe (CB)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Monday 13 Feria
9.00am Mass Jennifer Garrett, RIP (Anniv) (JH)
Tuesday 14 SS CYRIL, Monk & METHODIUS BP
9.00am Mass Joe de Lobel, RIP (VC)
Wednesday 15 Feria
9.00am Mass Elaine McDonald, RIP (Anniv) (JH)
Thursday 16 Feria
9.00am Mass Fr John Caden, RIP (MK)
Friday 17 Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order
12Noon Mass Thomas Byrnes, RIP (Anniv) (SG)
Saturday 18 Our Lady on Saturday
10am Mass Neil O’Keefe, RIP (Anniv) (UO’K)
10.30am-11.30am Exposition & Confession
The Holy Rosary is prayed after morning Mass during the week
Sunday 19th February - Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Saturday 5.30pm Vigil Guy Bragard, RIP (RB)
6.30pm–7.30pm Exposition & Confession
8.00am Mass Joe Scott, RIP, (C)
9.30am Mass The People of the Parish
11.30am Mass Anthony Trigg, RIP (AT)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
The Sacrament of Penance is available on request
First Holy Communion Dresses
First Holy Communion Dresses
Bespoke and Unique First Holy Communion dresses, beautifully made to meet your specific requirements. Please contact Helen Morgan (Parent at Our Lady Of Lourdes School) on 07715418074 for a no obligation chat.