Second Sunday of Advent

Dear Friends in christ

The central figures of Advent are the Old Testaments Prophets and St John the Baptist, who is the bridge between the Old and the New. He appears at this point in Advent to help us focus on what is most important at this time, and at all times: Jesus, the Lamb of God.  He does this by calling us to repentance and the Church takes-up this call by exhorting us to a change of heart through the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation. Over the days before Christmas, there will be ample opportunities for us to go to the Sacrament.  Apart from the advertised hours in our own Parish, there will be a Penitential Service in Rayleigh this Monday at 8pm and on Thursday at Westcliff 7pm.

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Parish Bazaar last Sunday, in whatever capacity. Our Lady of Lourdes School, for sending out copies of the poster with grand prize draw tickets to all the families, as well as all other stall holders, and helpers.   So many of you donated goods and bought raffle tickets; and the dedicated band of helpers who organised the stalls. £2,330 was raised.  We shall send a portion of this to Aid to the Church in Need which is the Pope’s own Charity for the relief of suffering Christians in regions where the Church is persecuted; a very deserving Charity since the plight of our suffering brothers and sisters in the Faith is often forgotten. The other proceeds can be used towards the running costs of the Parish Centre. Currently the expenses of the Parish Centre exceed what we receive in hire costs and donations, so this extra cash is very helpful; thank you very much! 

This Sunday evening at 5.30pm there will be an Organ Recital with Advent readings/reflections to help us enter into the spirituality of this Season more prayerfully; the Recital will be played by James Devor, Organist at Brentwood Cathedral.

Next Sunday there will be the Advent Gift Mass when you may bring along a gift for a child in need which is distributed after by the Brentwood Catholic Children's Society. These are presented during the Offertory of the Mass at 9.30am; please mark the outside clearly the age suitability of the gift.

Thank you and may God bless you all!

Msgr Kevin Hale

Priest@LourdesLeigh.org ✚ 01702 478078
Homily available at LourdesLeigh.org

Second Sunday of Advent

Second Sunday of Advent - Sunday 10th December

Saturday 5.30pm Vigil The People of the Parish
6.30pm–7.30pm Exposition & Confession

8.00am Mass Christine Noden, RIP (AC)
9.30am Mass Intentions of Mary & Jim Keeble-60th WeddingAnniversary (KD)
11.30am Mass Paul Emmerson, RIP (Anniv) (AE) 
5.30pm Organ Recital & Advent Reflections

Monday 11 St Damasus 1, P
9.00am Mass Intentions of Joe & Joan Hurley (UO’K)

Tuesday 12 Our Lady of Guadalupe
9.00am Mass Kevin Hopley, RIP (KD)

Wednesday 13 St Lucy, V, M
9.00am Mass Anne Young, RIP (T&RO’C)   

Thursday 14 St John of the Cross, Pr, D
9.00am Mass John Jarvis, RIP (VJ)

Friday 15 Feria 9.00am 
Mass Intentions of Salvatore Burzotta (B&MH)

Saturday 16 Feria
10.00am Mass Ione & Robert Waite,  RIP (MB)    

10.30am-11.30am    Exposition & Confession

Third Sunday of Advent - Sunday 17th December

Saturday 5.30pm Vigil William Underwood, RIP (RB)
6.30pm–7.30pm Exposition & Confession

8.00am Mass Intentions of Joe & Joan Hurley (LY)
9.30am Mass The People of the Parish
11.30am Mass Mya Strzetelska - Special Intention (MS) 
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction

Tea/Coffee & Homemade Cakes

Every Monday & Thursday after 9am Mass.  Why not pop into the Parish Centre, meet friends and enjoy coffee and cake!

Christmas Cake & Fortnum & Mason Wine Hamper

Tickets for the above two prizes are now available for purchase from the Parish Office.  £1 per ticket.  The draw will be made on Sunday 17th December in the Parish Centre.

Brentwood Diocesan Directory 2018

These are now available from the back of the church at a cost of £2.75p.

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.

Gaudeamus Christmas Concert, Friday 15th December 2017, 7.30pm

Gaudeamus is a chamber choir of 26 singers based in Leigh-on-Sea. They sing a wide range of music ranging from Renaissance to present day works but are particularly noted for their a capella (unaccompanied) singing.  They will be singing a variety of Christmas carols and also the audience will be invited (and actively encouraged!) to participate in some well-known carols during the concert.  All are welcome.  Tickets will be available at the door for £8. Tea and coffee with mince pies will be served in the hall during the interval.  If you would like more information please contact Nigel Warwick-Brown (member of 9.30 Mass music group) on 07402324626.

Mass for Vocations

A Mass for those enquiring or discerning a vocation to the priesthood will be at Our Lady of Lourdes at Leigh on Sea at 12:00pm on the feast of St. Thomas Becket, the 29th December 2017. All are welcome to come and pray for vocations and to meet our seminarians.

Nazareth House - Sunday 10th December at 3pm

All are invited to the Christmas Carols Concert in the Chapel at Nazareth House to a celebration of Christmas.  The celebration will include two choirs, Readings by children, traditional readings as well as congregation singing of Carols.  Mulled wine and mince pies to follow.  Free entry with donations to Nazareth House accepted.

HARP

Thank you for your continuing generous donations. Currently we have a very high demand for our services and we are desperately short of individual cartons of juice, toothbrushes and roll on deodorant for both men and women. If you could add one of these to your weekly shopping list and leave it in the sacristy it would be greatly appreciated.

Could you spare a thought for those on the streets of Southend this Christmas. Just £10 can bring a little Christmas magic for those who have been through a traumatic time. To donate £10 you can text XMAS09 £10 to 70070, visit harpsouthend.org.uk/Christmas-appeal-2017 or give your donation to Linda Wall.

Christmas Dinner – 27th December 2017

Once again this year we will be hosting Christmas dinner at Sacred Heart Primary School on the 27th December as it was such a lovely occasion last year celebrating with some friends old and new.  If you are on your own that day and would like to join us for turkey and all the trimmings then please contact the school office on 534546 to reserve a place. We will be serving dinner about 1.00pm If you require transport please advise the office.  Look forward to seeing you, Sally Nutman, friends and family.

Serving the Homeless

Serving the Homeless are holding a Christmas Wreath Making Morning on 12th December at 10am at Highlands Methodist Church, Sutherland Boulevard, Leigh-on-Sea.  Coffee and mince pies will be served and you are guaranteed to take home a lovely christmas wreath. Tickets £15 (£10 to charity) from Nina 472536.

Counters & Folders

Counters:     Bob Hall & Sandra Hippard
Folders:    Tom O’Callaghan & Rita O’Callaghan

Brentwood Catholic Children's Society Gift Mass

There will be a Gift Mass on Sunday 17th December at 9.30am.  Please write clearly on the gift whether it is for a boy or girl and what age range it would suit.  Gifts for teenagers would also be much appreciated and if you are struggling with ideas, then Gift Vouchers are always very welcome.

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 11th December at 8pm in the Parish Centre with Mary and The Saints.  You are welcome to attend some or all of these talks; if you would like more information please speak to Fr Kevin.

APF Boxholders

I have received the 2018 Calendars.  If you have not received one from me personally please take one from the back of the church in the usual place.  thank you.  Joan Caunce, Secretary 01268 757505.

Catholic Education

Do you support Catholic schools and the right of Catholics to send their children to them?  Then we need to make your voice heard.

The Government is making a critical decision on whether to overturn the admission cap which prevents Catholic schools from allowing all Catholic pupils to attend.  They have acknowledged that this policy discriminates against Catholics and promised to abandon it, now we need you to tell them not to u-turn on their promise to Catholics.

Visit http://catholicnews.org.uk/education-cap or search for ‘Catholic Education’ in your search engine to write to the Government and urge them to drop their policy which bans new Catholic schools.

Diocesan Plan

You may like to read the first draft of a document for our Diocesan restructuring by following this link: http://www.dioceseofbrentwood.net/bishop/   

There are also some hard copies at the back of church.

Dates for your Diary

Sunday 10th Dec Advent Organ Recital by James Devor 5.30pm (with Benediction)
Friday 15th Dec Carols with the Gaudeamus Choir - 7.30pm
Friday 29th Dec Mass with the Bishop and seminarians of our Diocese - 12Noon

Please Pray for the Repose of the Soul of

Derek Timothy, RIP who died on Saturday  2nd December.  His Requiem Mass will be celebrated on Monday 18th December at 10am followed by burial at Hall Road Cemetery, Rockford.