Reception Open Afternoon for Prospective Parent
We are holding tours on 15th and 17th November to show parents around our Reception classes and the facilities for children here at Our Lady of Lourdes. This opportunity to visit Reception is open to any parent that has a child who will be starting school in September 2018.
The visits will begin at 1.30pm on both days, however please make sure you contact the School Office on 01702 475689 to book in, as we would like to spread our visitors over the two days, thank you. We look forward to welcoming new parents and children to our school.
Our Church to be floodlit red for November
Our church will be floodlit in red for the duration of November to raise awareness of the persecution of Christians in the Middle East. This will be following the example of other great churches and cathedrals around the country. At present, Christians suffer greater hostility across the world than any other religious group. A recent report suggests that 200 million Christians, or 10 per cent of Christians worldwide, are socially disadvantaged, harassed or actively oppressed for their beliefs. This is deeply disturbing and the floodlighting of our churches in red is to remind people of this. If the right to express religious beliefs freely is taken from people, then their humanity and dignity will be as well. Christianity risks being wiped out altogether in some regions of the world, such as the Middle East. It is time for governments and international bodies to highlight the human rights abuses faced by Christians in the Middle East and to respond to them. If they don’t, then Christianity will be wiped out in this region in a systematic and violent way. During November, nobody passing our church at night will be able to turn a blind eye to it and nobody, believer or non-believer, Christian or non-Christian, should turn a blind eye to the persecution of Christians in the Middle East.
Parish Social Events in the Parish Centre
Saturday 28th October - Cancelled due to lack of support.
Friday 3rd November Kai McKenzie is Michael Bublé in a tribute evening for adults. One of the UK’s leading Michael Bublé acts and previously entertained at the Parish Centre in 2014 and in Southend Cliffs in March. 8pm to 10.30pm. Tickets £10. Bring your own drinks.
Friday 24th November Quiz starts 7.30pm. Tickets £6 each (includes Mulled Wine and mince pie).
Sunday 31st December New Year’s Eve party with Disco, 8pm to 12.15am Tickets £5 (family ticket £20).
Christmas Bazaar, Sunday 3rd December, 2017
Everyone is welcome to join us after 8am Mass right through to 1.30pm. We need your donations of unwanted gifts, bottles, toiletries and good quality raffle prizes. You can leave these in the old Baptistry. We really hope that you can join us for delicious refreshments. Come along and bag a bargain. If you wish to help on the day please contact Sue Lawford 07816141492 or Angela Clements 07940183452.
Scripture Group
Fr. Con's Scripture Group will next meet on Thursday 9th November in the Parish Centre from 6.30pm to 7.30pm.
Journey of Faith (RCIA)
A series of informal talks, designed to give an insight into the teachings and traditions of the Catholic church, continues on Monday 30th October at 8pm in the Parish Centre with Divine Revelation. You are welcome to attend some or all of these talks; if you would like more information please speak to Fr Kevin.
November Dead ListEnvelopes for the November dead list are at the back of the church. Please place names and offering in the box provided
Envelopes for the November dead list are at the back of the church. Please place names and offering in the box provided.
Baptism Course
The next Baptism Course will be held on Tuesdays 7th and 14th November 8-9pm in the Newman Room of the Parish centre.
Dates for your Diary
Thurs 2nd Nov Annual Parish Requiem for the Deceased of the last year - 8pm
Friday 10th Nov Sung Requiem Mass in the Extraordinary Form - 8pm
Thurs 30th Nov Sat 2nd December - The Forty Hours Prayer
Sunday 10th Dec Advent Organ Recital by James Devor 5.30pm (with Benediction)
Friday 14th Dec Carols with the Gaudeamus Choir - 7.30pm
Friday 29th Dec Mass with the Bishop and seminarians of our Diocese - 12Noon
Counters & Folders
Counters: Linda Wall & Sheila West
Folders: Tom O’Callaghan & Rita O’Callaghan
Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School - Cleaner Vacancy
We are looking to appoint an enthusiastic and motivated person to join our friendly school, for 10 hours per week, Point 7. You will be responsible for cleaning within all areas of the school and any other additional areas that may need cleaning. The hours are 2 per day either before or after school. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff and volunteers to support this commitment. For more details please contact the office by phone on 01702 475689 or email finance@ourladyoflourdes.southend.sch.uk.
Closing date for applications is Thursday 9th November 2017 at 5pm.
Serving the Homeless
Our next fundraising event is "Songs from the Musicals" featuring Elizabeth Upsher and the Southend YMCA on Saturday 18th November in the Parish Centre. Tickets cost £12 and include an Italian buffet supper. Please bring your own drinks. Tickets are available from Linda 558217, Theresa 335922 or Nina 472536.
School Admission Forms
Parents wishing to apply to Catholic Primary Schools for the next academic year are required to obtain a Letter of Catholic Practise from their Parish Priest. This must be requested from your Parish Priest in person and only one per child will be issued. Please come to the Parish Centre for these on Saturday, 28th October between 2pm and 4pm or Sunday 29th October between 4pm and 5pm. For those who cannot make either of these dates please come to the Sacristy at 9am on Monday 30th October.
These are issued only to practising Catholics (i.e. those who attend weekly Mass). Furthermore, this practise of the Faith will be viewed over a period of time and not just the weeks prior to an application. Parish Priests may also look at the date of Baptism, noting those children who have been Baptised soon after birth as compared to those Baptised with proximity to school age. This is a matter of justice to all involved in applying for places in our Schools. Our schools are often oversubscribed and in order to be fair, preference will justly be given to those who live and practise the Faith as well as who contribute to the life of the Church through the various ways in which that support is given. If you are not a practising Catholic this Certificate will not be given; you may still apply to a Catholic School but your application will considered under another category for Admissions.
Please pray for the Repose of the Soul of
William (Bill) Marooney, RIP who died recently. Funeral details to follow.
Blessing of Graves
The Priests of the Deanery will be blessing Graves at Sutton Road Cemetery on Sunday, 12th November from 3.00pm. Candles are now available for purchase from the Repository for three pounds.
We pray for our sick
Renata Butler, Mike Rubbert, Teresa O’Brien, Derek Timothy, Maureen Deekes, Noel Fagan, Patricia Abram, Tina Doveaston, Pat Lynch,Rose Craft, Addi Brady, Ben Wilson, Patricia Fleming, Nicky Wigmore, Brita Irons, Eileen Wilson, Patricia Spikin, Sandra Fagan, Edna Wallace, Beryl Dixon, Nan Carrit, Nick Evans, Vicky Jack, Lyn Gopee, Margaret Harrington,Mary Boyce, Kristin Hallenga, Anne O’Neill, Cheryl Shallis, Anthony McEvoy, Justin Stark, Sheila Netherton, David Blyth, Dympna Addecott, Janet Woods, Laura & Anne Breen, Breda Lynch,Roy Widdecombe, Lynne Hilkene, Johanna Lynch, Thomas Corrigan, Maria Clark,June Moncaster, Sheila McBrearty, Anthony King, Norma McCleverty, Belinda Balazsi, Edward Martin, Johnnie Pool, Joanna Luciani, Pauline Wilsher, Simon Marshall, Kriston Barnes, Barbara Sheaf, Josephine Griggs, Colleen Worley, Antonella McConalogue, Fr Jean Laurent Marie, Noel Kolb, Eddie McConalogue, Georgina Cornwell, Lorraine Hart, Dawn Deleigh, Wyn McCafferty, Linda Dean, Annie Holland, Martin Buckley, Chas Taylor, Martha Braun, John Lavery, Ivor & Joanne Knight, Brian Beresford, Rebecca Peake, David Clark, David Askew, Connor Bourke, Mattia Mollica, Sharon Levill, Bernadette Lane, David Kislingury, Maureen Ward, Jane Jowers, Irena Solecki, Doreen Troughton, Marguerite Harris, Andrew Exley, Rosemary Arscott, Lanto Bellis, Richard Collins, Niqui Denkmayer, Elizabeth McConalogue, Kean Smith and children Thomas Ball, Liam Davis, Albert Chambers, Fergus Grant, Lucy Price, Connie Price, Mary Isherwood, Frazer Gregory, baby Talia Emery and Hattie Seymour.
Please Pray for the Dead on their anniversaries
Fr George Steadman, Fr William Loveland, Canon Thomas Bishop, Canon Richard Gay, Fr Stephen Wyatt, Stanley Watson, Alice Conway, Joyce Jones, Helen Lesley, Doris Payne, Mary Russell, William Upsher, Walter Kilman, Edward Hullett, Mary Peomore, Eileen Clark, Philip Modica, Mick Burke, Andrew Mitchelmore, Marie Hale, Mary Shanahan, Lilian Rombaut, Paul Evans, Maria Lynch, Winifred Allen, Elizabeth Spivey & Christopher Adams.
May their Souls & the Souls of all the Faithful Departed rest in peace
Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear Friends in christ
I would very much like to repeat my gratitude, which I expressed at the end of the Masses last weekend, for all the graces and blessings received during our Parish Mission. Most of the great moments of that week were unseen: the prayers, the sacrifices, conversions and Confessions made… and I have been touched by the many personal witnesses of how the grace of God touched our lives. It is for us now to continue in faith so that we capitalise on what we have received.
Dear Friends in christ
I would very much like to repeat my gratitude, which I expressed at the end of the Masses last weekend, for all the graces and blessings received during our Parish Mission. Most of the great moments of that week were unseen: the prayers, the sacrifices, conversions and Confessions made… and I have been touched by the many personal witnesses of how the grace of God touched our lives. It is for us now to continue in faith so that we capitalise on what we have received. For those who were unable to attend the exercises of the Mission, the Sermons are available as podcasts on the Parish website. Also, there are a number of images of the liturgies during the week, which I hope will help us relive and keep the memory of those days. Thank you Fr Hugh and Fr Stephen for your generous time and giving to our Parish Family! Even though the Mission is over it would be good if we continued to pray the Mission Prayer as part of our daily devotions; it will remind us of the basics.
The Readings of the Mass this weekend tell us something about our civic duties. As good Christians we must also be good citizens of the State. This means that we have a moral duty to obey our laws and also pray for those who exercise civil authority over us. Obviously the State does not enjoy absolute power over us. As Christians we have the obligation of rendering to the State whatever material and personal services are required for the common good. For their part, the State must govern with the greatest respect for the natural law and the rights of people. This includes the protection of life from the moment of conception, defence of the family, religious freedom, the rights of parents regarding the education of their children and so on. Render to God the things of God. The Lord is the life of every person from conception to death; he has made holy our life at every stage. Our entire life is for the Lord and everything in it. We ask for the intercession of Our Lady to give us the joy of knowing that we are children of God. May she help us, especially through the prayer of the Holy Rosary in this month, to realise our human responsibilities in every area of life here on earth. God bless you!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Priest@LourdesLeigh.org ✚ 01702 478078
Homily available at LourdesLeigh.org