Dates for your Diary
Saturday 13th May First Holy Communion Mass - 10.30am
Sunday 4th June Confirmation Mass - 11.30am
Sunday 18th June Corpus Christi Procession - 4pm
Saturday 22nd July Walsingham Centenary Pilgrimage
Monday 24th/Friday 28th July Parish Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes
7th October to 15th October Parish Mission
Msgr George Stokes, RIP
Msgr George Stokes, RIP
Fr George’s body will be received into the church at St Thomas of Canterbury, Grays on Tuesday 9 May at 5 pm and his Requiem Mass will take place there on Wednesday 10 May at 12 noon followed by burial at Chadwell St. Mary Cemetery. There will be a buffet in the Parish Hall afterwards.
In order to accommodate the many friends and contacts in the field of Education, who may wish to pay their respects, a Memorial Mass will take place in Brentwood Cathedral at a later date details of which will be sent out in due course.
Please Pray for the Dead on their anniversaries
Canon Brian Grady, Fr Augustine Davidson, Mgr Canon John Howell, Fr John Boyle, Fr Stanley Joynes, Mary Hardie, Mabel Salter, Dorothy Hosmer, Denys Hale, Charles McLaughlin, Fred Parsons, Arthur Chadwick, Patrick Shanahan, Peggy Choppin, Mary Donovan, Michael McDermott, Cestan Szymczak, Margaret Park, May Downey, Mary Jones, Wally Hurst, Philip Wilson, Vera Fogarty, Charlotte Anderson, Robert King, Patrick O’Sullivan, Joyce Wilkinson, Iris Amner, John Lyons, Constance Newton, Margaret Philp, Dorothy Kyrke-Smith, Joseph Edwards, John Smith & Eileen Hood.
May their Souls & the Souls of all the Faithful Departed rest in peace
Third Sunday of Easter
Dear Friends in Christ
Over these Sundays of the Easter Season, we hear the different accounts of those who witnessed Jesus after His Resurrection. This Sunday is the well-known and affectionate encounter of the two disciples on their way to Emmaus. These men knew about Christ’s promise of dying and rising to life on the third day, they had heard the reports of the women finding the empty tomb. Yet they were full of discouragement. Their minds are in darkness ands their hearts numbed. When Christ appears to them on the road He patiently restores them in faith and hope. They then rediscover their joy and love is alive!
Dear Friends in Christ
Over these Sundays of the Easter Season, we hear the different accounts of those who witnessed Jesus after His Resurrection. This Sunday is the well-known and affectionate encounter of the two disciples on their way to Emmaus. These men knew about Christ’s promise of dying and rising to life on the third day, they had heard the reports of the women finding the empty tomb. Yet they were full of discouragement. Their minds are in darkness ands their hearts numbed. When Christ appears to them on the road He patiently restores them in faith and hope. They then rediscover their joy and love is alive! It is possible that we too sometimes meet discouragement, lack of hope and despair. On these occasions we need to let ourselves be helped like the two disciples. perhaps this will come through the encouraging words of a friend; or through the advice we receive in Confession or spiritual direction. But it is essential that we also allow ourselves to be helped, and that we be ready and open to the advice we receive. It is also very possible that we will meet people who have lost the supernatural meaning of their lives and whom we have to bring back - in the Lord's name - to light and hope. Amidst the darkness of the world our Christian mission is to bring light and faith to the souls of all those we meet. May Eastertide, and the joy of knowing that we are children of God, help us to achieve this for the sake of His kingdom.
We begin the month of May this Monday, this month that has a special significance for our devotion to God’s Mother. It is within this month that the Church marks the centenary of the first apparition at Fatima. May the Virgin Mother of God, protect us with her unfailing help as we dedicate this month to her Immaculate Heart. May God bless you!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Priest@LourdesLeigh.org ✚ 01702 478078
Homily available at LourdesLeigh.org
Third Sunday of Easter
Third Sunday of Easter - Sunday 30th April
Saturday 5.30pm Vigil Diana Underwood, RIP (RB)
6.30pm–7.30pm Exposition & Confession
8.00am Mass Frances Emmerson, RIP(FE)
9.30am Mass The People of the Parish
11.30am Mass Christine Fisher, RIP (PS)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Monday 1 May St Joseph the Worker
10.00am Mass Patricia & John Moon & Valerie Griggs, RIP (SM)
Tuesday 2 St Athanasius Bp, D
9.00am Mass Intentions of Janet Joseph (B&DT)
Wednesday 3 SS PHILIP & JAMES App
9.00am Mass Intentions of Mauro Iannilelli (B&DT)
Thursday 4 THE ENGLISH MARTYRS
9.00am Mass Jim Scott, RIP (MS)
Friday 5 Feria
12Noon Mass Intentions of CWL
12.30pm Exposition after Mass until
8.00pm Holy Hour & Benediction
Saturday 6 St John Payne, pr, M
10.30am First Holy Communion Mass
The Holy Rosary is prayed after morning Mass during the week
Fourth Sunday of Easter - Sunday 7th May
Saturday 5.30pm Vigil Bertha Nesnas, RIP (Anniv) (SC)
6.30pm–7.30pm Exposition & Confession
8.00am Mass Maureen Regan, RIP (CR)
9.30am Mass Ellie & David Nash - 1st Wedding Anniversary (AW)
11.30am Mass The People of the Parish
4.00pm Mass Intentions of Liz Drury (LD) - Extraordinary Form
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
The Sacrament of Penance is available on request
The Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society
The Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society is hosting an evening of classical music in the beautiful surroundings of Ingatestone Hall on Saturday 6th May at 7.30pm. Come and enjoy an exciting and varied programme with three professional musicians performing a selection of classical favourites. Tickets are £25 which includes Prosecco and nibbles. For tickets or further information, please call Libby Phillips on 01268 784544 or email lphillips@bccs.org.uk.
Diocesan Centenary Exhibition
There is an Exhibition at Cathedral House Conference Room Foyer, Ingrave Road, Brentwood, Essex CM15 8AT from April-June 2017. Opening Times: Saturday 10am-5pm (except Holy Saturday 15 April) ; Sunday 9am-1pm & 3pm-8pm. Other times by arrangement: archives@dioceseofbrentwood.org. Tel: 01277 265238.
It will be brought to Leigh on the weekend of 8th/9th July
Good Shepherd Sunday and the National Day of Prayer for Vocations
Next Sunday is Vocations Sunday. On the new website www.brentwoodvocations.org you will find Pope Francis’ Message for today, and a video of the life of a seminarian along with much more information for anyone considering a vocation to priesthood or the religious life. You are also very welcome to contact the Vocations Director, Fr Graham Smith on 01702 465720 or fr.gjdsmith@gmail.com
“In the depths of their heart, all missionary disciples hear this divine voice bidding them to “go about”, as Jesus did, “doing good and healing all”. By virtue of baptism, every Christian is a “Christopher”, a bearer of Christ, to his brothers and sisters. This is particularly the case with those called to a life of special consecration and with priests, who have generously responded, “Here I am, Lord, send me!” With renewed missionary enthusiasm, priests are called to go forth from the sacred precincts of the temple and to let God’s tender love overflow for the sake of humanity. The Church needs such priests: serenely confident because they have discovered the true treasure, anxious to go out and joyfully to make it known to all.” (Pope Francis)
Serving the Homeless
Our next event is a Quiz Night to be held at St Margaret's Church Hall in Lime Avenue on Saturday 6th May, 7.00 pm for a prompt start at 7.30pm. Tables of 8 (max), £5 per person, bring your own snacks and drinks. To book a table please ring Jo 474062, Linda 558217 or Nina 472536.
The East Essex Players are arranging a fundraising meal at the Maharaja Restaurant on Bread and Cheese Hill in Benfleet on Wednesday 17th May with all the profits being donated to the local charity, Serving the Homeless. It costs £13 per person and places can be booked through Margaret 475784 or Linda 558217.
Vacancy - Bookkeeper/Administrative Assistant
Vacancy - Bookkeeper/Administrative Assistant
We require a Bookkeeper/Administrative Assistant to support the Finance Office and parishes at Cathedral House, Brentwood. The role is part-time, working four days a week (28 hours).
If you – or any of your family or friends – are interested in this role, please first send an e-mail to finance-recruitment@dioceseofbrentwood.org to ask for a copy of the job description and person specification. You should then send in your CV, with a covering letter demonstrating how your experience and skills match the essential requirements and attributes of the role as per the job description and person specification. Please only apply if you can provide evidence of your bookkeeping experience. Closing date for CVs/applications is Friday 19th May 2017; interviews and tests to take place Thursday 25th May 2017
Counters & Folders
Counters: Mary Cook & Jacky Hoggett
Folders: Angie Martin & Joseph Martin
The Diocese of Brentwood – 100 Years in Pictures
We have published a Souvenir Booklet to mark our Diocesan Centenary, 110 pages with more than 300 colour and black & white photographs. Copies are now available at the Repository for £7.
Scripture Group
Fr. Con's Scripture group will start fortnightly on Thursday May 11th at 8pm in the Parish Centre. We will be looking at the readings for the two following Sundays.
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. There is an amended schedule for May which reads as follows:
1st May Bank Holiday - no meeting, 8th May - Pivotal Players, 15th May - Pivotal Players and Social. 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.
Diocesan Centenary Pilgrimage to Walsingham Saturday 22nd July
The main celebration of our Centenary this year will take place at Walsingham and will be a Diocesan-wide event. There will be no Vigil Masses in the Diocese that evening in order to encourage as many as possible to go on this pilgrimage. Two coaches will travel from our Parish at a cost of £10 per adult, £5 per child. The coach will leave Our Lady of Lourdes Church at 8am and depart from Walsingham no later than 5pm.
If you would like to book a ticket for the coach please call in at the Parish Office as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Monies should be paid at the time of booking. The Parish Office is open from 9am to 1pm, Monday to Friday. Alternatively, put your name and cash/cheque (payable to Our Lady of Lourdes) in an envelope and post it through the Presbytery door.
Dates for your Diary
Saturday 6th & 13th May First Holy Communion Masses- 10.30am
Sunday 4th June Confirmation Mass - 11.30am
Sunday 18th June Corpus Christi Procession - 4pm
Saturday 22nd July Walsingham Centenary Pilgrimage
Monday 24th/Friday 28th July Parish Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes
7th October to 15th October Parish Mission
Msgr George Stokes, RIP
Msgr George Stokes, RIP
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Msgr George Stokes, who died on Thursday morning. Msgr Stokes served as Assistant Priest in Leigh from 1977 to 1981 - and was Director of Education for our Diocese for twenty-five years. His Requiem Mass will be celebrated in Grays and there will be a Memorial Mass at a later date in Brentwood Cathedral. Details to follow. May he rest in peace.