Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear Friends in Christ
The month of September is devoted to the Holy Cross; the feast of The Triumph of the Cross is celebrated this week on Thursday. Last week in the Gospel we heard Jesus tell his disciples that if they wished to follow Him then they must take up the Cross every day and follow in his footsteps. This is not a passive acceptance of the trials and sufferings that come our way, but rather an active and conscious decision to walk behind Jesus as he goes towards Jerusalem, to suffer and die for us. Our Christian life and vocation has its roots in the shape of the Cross and at times of the year such as this, we can reflect more deeply upon the practical implications of being part of the mystery of the Cross of Christ.
As we are now just a month away from the start of our Parish Mission - 7th - 15th October - I would remind you of the ways I suggested we can prepare: As part of the preparation, and by way of out reach or evangelisation to all of the people in our Parish, I am asking that, as in our previous Mission we will circulate a small flyer giving details of the Mission, to every household within the Parish. This is a big undertaking and I am asking us to begin this week in delivering leaflets in the street in which you live or one adjacent. These leaflets will be available at the back of church this weekend; they are divided alphabetically into roads and I would ask you to take those for your road or one nearby (where the roads are small several have been grouped together). Please be generous and take as many as you feel able to distribute. The Leigh Times will also print a full-page ad for us.
I ask us all to seriously commit to these eight days of Parish Mission by, firstly praying the Mission Prayer each day. Secondly, to attend the liturgies of the Mission each day by coming to Holy Mass (6.30am or 9am) and the evening Service and Talk, 8pm. Two priests from the Norbertine Priory in Chelmsford - Abbot Hugh Allan and Fr Stephen Morrison - will be leading the days. The theme will be: The Catholic Faith - Ever Ancient Ever New. Hopefully we can follow-up the Mission with the launch of a programme of Discipleship for Evangelisation as envisaged by our Diocesan-wide Stewards of the Gospel initiative; but more about that later!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Priest@LourdesLeigh.org ✚ 01702 478078
Homily available at LourdesLeigh.org
Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time - Sunday 10th September
Saturday 5.30pm Vigil Bill Pearson, RIP (Anniv) (SP)
6.30pm–7.30pm Exposition & Confession
8.00am Mass Frank & Ann Ryan, RIP (Anniv) (JL)
9.30am Mass June White, RIP (IS)
11.30am Mass The People of the Parish
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Monday 11 Feria
11.00am Requiem Mass Doreen Spaul, RIP
Tuesday 12 The Most Holy Name of Mary
9.15am Mass Willie Cunningham, RIP (AS) - with Our Lady of Lourdes School
Wednesday 13 St John Chrysostom, Bp, D
9.00am Mass Stephen Cornell, RIP (Anniv) (MC)
Thursday 14 EXALTATION (TRIUMPH) OF THE HOLY CROSS
9.00am Mass Intentions of Sister Mary Jude (SG)
Friday 15 Our Lady of Sorrows
12Noon Mass Fred Ablitt, RIP (SD)
Saturday 16 Ss Cornelius & cyrian, Bp, Mm
10.00am Mass Intentions of Mike & Marie Rubbert (VC)
The Holy Rosary is prayed after morning Mass during the week
Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Sunday 17th September
Saturday 5.30pm Vigil Marie & Bill Sullivan - Diamond Wedding Anniversary, (PS)
6.30pm–7.30pm Exposition & Confession
8.00am Mass Deceased members of the Newman Family (CS)
9.30am Mass The People of the Parish
11.30am Mass Caroline Orzabel, RIP (M&RJ)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
The Sacrament of Penance is available on request
Walsingham House at Abbotswick Funding Appeal:
Target £430,000
Each year, over 5,000 young people from our schools and parishes enjoy a retreat with the Walsingham House Team. In January 2018 this work is moving to Abbotswick, a beautiful house near Brentwood, set in 14 acres of grounds. In school holidays, Abbotswick will also continue to be used by parish groups seeking a time of retreat, resting with the Lord. However, Abbotswick is in need of a significant refurbishment, and we seek your help. An appeal will be made on 23rd/24th September. Please support it as generously as you can; in the words of Bishop Alan “This project builds a prayerful and inspiring future for the young people of the Diocese.”
Missio Vacancy
Three months’ contract working for Missio, the Catholic Church’s official charity for overseas mission. The role is as a Fundraising Administrator, based at Missio’s offices in Victoria in London. Closing date Friday 15th September. For a job description and further information please contact recruitment@missio.org.uk or visit www.missio.org.uk.
Sea of Voices Choir return
After the summer break our community choir returns to regular Wednesday evenings at the Parish Centre from 13th September. New members are very welcome to join us! We have some public performances coming up for December so please come and join us for rehearsals. Choir committee will meet the Wednesday beforehand. Darrell Binding 07825686249.
St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP)Awareness Month “Preach the Gospel at all times. When necessary use words” St Francis of Assisi
The SVP offers practical care by visiting people in need. This is how we put our faith into action. We will be planning our Christmas Social soon and if you are not already on our guest list but would like to be included, or if you know of someone who might be interested, please contact our President, Pat O’Connell on 01702 712123. This is our Annual Appeal weekend and we thank you in advance for your continued financial support.
Live Simply Group
You are invited to join the Live Simply group each Monday from 10.15am to 11.45am in the Parish Centre to discuss the Sunday Gospel and how it applies to our everyday life, using material from CAFOD and Laudate Si.
Serving the Homeless
The committee of Serving the Homeless are organising an Indian buffet meal at The Shagor Restaurant in Hamlet Court Road on Thursday 14th September at 7.30 pm. Tickets cost £15 and are available from Jo Ronan, Linda Wall, Theresa Whitaker or Pat Short. Alternatively, you can ring Linda on 01702 558217.
Dinner & Dance in aid of Nazareth House
This is a Knights of Saint Columba Event. Saturday 23rd September at Nazareth House Main Hall – Doors open 6.30pm for 7pm start. Delicious Fish 'N' Chips, wonderful live music and the opportunity to choose your partner and take to the dance floor. All profits go to the Sisters of Nazareth to aid them in the wonderful work they do with the elderly, in many cases our loved ones. The evening will conclude at 9.30pm so as not to disturb the residents. Ticket price £10 available from Liam Rand 07952 954833, Damian Dillon 07887 678741 or email: liam.rand@btopenworld.com. Please inform us when booking if you have specific dietary requirements.
World Youth Day, Panama, January 2019
If you will be in year 12, or aged 17-27, in January 2019, then join the BCYS group travelling to Costa Rica and Panama for an encounter with 2 million young people from all over the world, and the Pope. This is truly a “once in a lifetime” experience and an amazing opportunity to discover and celebrate faith in Latin America. For more information, visit www.bcys.net or email frdominic@dioceseofbrentwood.org by 15th September 2017.
Holydays of Obligation - England and Wales
With effect from the 1st Sunday of Advent 2017, two holydays of obligation are being reinstated. This decision was made by the Bishops of England and Wales, and has been confirmed by the Holy See. The days are:
The Epiphany of the Lord — 6 January (transferred to the adjacent Sunday when it falls on Saturday or Monday)
The Ascension of the Lord — Thursday after 6th Sunday of Easter
School Admissions
Letters of Practice for admission to Primary School will be issued on a date in October.
Our Parish Mission – Your Help Needed!
Following on from Father Kevin’s words in last week’s as well as this week’s Newsletter, please do today take from the back of the church an envelope (or two or three!) of ‘flyers’ to deliver, advertising our forthcoming Parish Mission. Envelopes have been labelled with the ‘Street name’ and the number of dwellings thereon. The task is to put a ‘flyer’ through each letter-box! Blocks of flats can sometimes be difficult but just do your best to deliver as many of the flyers as you can! Our hope is for all the flyers to be delivered over the course of the forthcoming fortnight and we need your active help to accomplish the task! Many thanks! Francis O’Brien – Steward of the Gospel.
APF Boxholders
As you know the last legal day for accepting the old £1 coins is 15th October 2017. If you have not had your box opened in the last six months and you know that there may be £1 coins in it, would you please give it in to the office or to me personally as soon as possible. I have received the Autumn Missio Magazines so if you have not already received one from me, please take one from the back of the Church. Don't forget to collect your emptied boxes from the back of the church. Thank you. Joan Caunce. Secretary 01268 757505.
First Holy Communion 2017/2018
There will be a parent’s meeting on Wednesday 20th September at 8pm in the Parish Centre for those parents who have registered their child to make their First Holy Communion next year.
Dates for your Diary
11th, 18th & 25th September - Introductory Talks on the Faith
7th October - 15th October - Parish Mission
Please pray for the Repose of the Souls of:
Marian Helena Payne, RIP who died on Monday 28th August. Her Body will be received into the Church on Tuesday, 26th September at 5pm and her Requiem Mass will take place on Wednesday, 27th September at 10am, followed by committal at Southend Cemetery.
John Ronald Jarvis, RIP who died on Friday 1st September. His Requiem Mass will take place on Thursday, 21st September at 2.00pm, followed by committal at Southend Crematorium.