Thank you from ‘Serving the Homeless’
The ‘Serving the Homeless Committee would like to extend their thanks to all the parishioners who contributed to the collection for Homelessness Sunday on 27th and 28th January, or who have made subsequent donations. You raised the magnificent sum of £1839.70. Your generosity means that we can continue to finance projects which not only help meet local people’s immediate needs but also help people out of homelessness.
We have our Annual General meeting on 12th March at 7.30 at St. Margaret’s Church Hall, Lime Ave Leigh. We would welcome anyone who would like to find out more about what we do. (But don’t worry you won’t be forced to join!)
Our next event is a meal at East on 22nd March at 7.30. Tickets are £15 and are available from Linda, 558217, Theresa, 335122 or from Jo 474062.
Lourdes Jumbulance Trip 2018
The Southend Across group has 2 spaces on the JUMBULANCE for any male pilgrim who, through I'll health or disability requires care and support. We leave for Lourdes on June 14th and return on June 23rd. For more information on costs etc., please contact Sheila Hussey on 07929241469.
Parish/Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes Monday 23rd - Saturday 28th July 2018
Five nights (full board) travelling with British Airways via Toulouse and staying at the Grand Moderne Hotel will cost £665 per pilgrim. Please indicate your interest by putting your name on the list in the Parish Office.
Lenten Lunches
These popular lunches started again on Friday 16th February, 12.30pm to 2pmin the Parish Centre and continue throughout Lent. For £5 come and enjoy homemade soup, bread and fruit. All proceeds to charity.
PARISH FUNDRAISING
Thank you to everyone who supports the 200 Club. The results of the January draw are as follows:
1st prize £150 1 Mr J Peoples
2nd Prize £100 121 Mrs A Craig
3rd Prize £75 114 Mr N Warwick-Brown
4th Prize £50 154 Mr N Strauss
5th Prize £25 134 Mr D Little
The 200 Club continues to provide funds to support the running of the Parish Centre. Forms are available from the back of the church or ring Linda Wall on 01702 558217.
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 26th February at 8pm in the Parish Centre with Penance and Anointing the Sick. You are welcome to attend some or all of these talks; if you would like more information please speak to Fr Kevin.
EVANGELISATION & DISCIPLESHIP PROJECT
Last Tuesday we began our Forming Intentional Disciples initiative with a meeting in the Gilbert Room. Thank you so much for your support for this initiative which we hope will produce confidence and growth in our Parish community. If you couldn't make the first meeting, DON'T LET THAT STOP YOU! You will still be welcome at our next meeting on Tuesday 27th February at 7:30pm in the Gilbert Room when we will begin studying Sherry Weddell's book Forming Intentional Disciples together. This programme has transformed and deepened the faith of many people. For those who already intend to come to the next meeting, why not start your evangelisation training now by inviting two other people from the parish to join you at the next meeting? Please remember to pray for this ongoing initiative.
Please pray for the repose of the soul of
Pamina Edgeley, RIP who died on Tuesday 20th February. Her body will be received into the Church at 5pm on Wednesday 7th March and her Requiem Mass will be celebrated on Thursday 8th March at 9.30am.
Please Pray for the Dead on their anniversaries
Mgr Canon Jules van Meenen, Fr Clifford Beecroft, Fr David Chapman, Fr John Wall, Fr Gerard Murphy, Anne Florece, Marie Bartley, Violet Nottle, Mary Sobota, Beau Winter-Myers, Maddalena Forte, Ronald Kitto, Janet Hurley, Michael Nils Irons, John Holland, Violet Smith, Adolphus Miller, Claire Sharpe, Sarah Bent, Emily Norwood, May Cooper, Mabel Smith, Michael Kiernan, Rose Brookes, Christopher Kolwitz, Joe North, Joshua Peace, Cecil Ford, Harvey Martin, Gertrude Ettershank, Stephen Fontana, George Holding, Paul Vermeulen, Patricia Hopper, Ada Chapp, Jim Acaster, Michael Sheaf, Miss A Till, Amy Wood, Margaret Blissett, Catherine Byrne, Ruby Ravinet, Giovanni Puglisi, Patricia McBreaty, Michael Flynn & Aoife O’Sullivan.
May their Souls & the Souls of all the Faithful Departed rest in peace.
First Sunday of Lent
Dear Friends in christ
Lent begins each year with the account of the temptations of Jesus in the wilderness. We enter these Forty Days spiritually with Him, seeking inner purification and conversion. Each of us has need of this process as does the whole Church at this time. However, holiness begins with each of us individually and resolutely turning again toward The Lord. The way we do this is personal, but because we are members of Christ’s Body, the Church, it is also achieved as a family. May each of us live these days of grace with the realisation that we are children of God, Who calls us into deeper relationship with Him here and now, by prayer, fasting and works of mercy.
Dear Friends in christ
Lent begins each year with the account of the temptations of Jesus in the wilderness. We enter these Forty Days spiritually with Him, seeking inner purification and conversion. Each of us has need of this process as does the whole Church at this time. However, holiness begins with each of us individually and resolutely turning again toward The Lord. The way we do this is personal, but because we are members of Christ’s Body, the Church, it is also achieved as a family. May each of us live these days of grace with the realisation that we are children of God, Who calls us into deeper relationship with Him here and now, by prayer, fasting and works of mercy.
Each Lent those who are preparing for the reception of the Sacraments for the first time at Easter intensify their preparation. Please pray for the three from our own Parish who will enter into the fullness of the life of the Church later this year; this Sunday afternoon in the Cathedral, they will join with other candidates from around the Diocese as they are presented during a special liturgy to our Bishop.
One of the initiatives that we launch this Lent is a process for evangelisation. You will find more details about this further on in this Newsletter and on this Tuesday, 20th February, there will be an initial meeting to discuss how we can move forward with this exciting plan which is emerging from the Stewards of the Gospel initiative. The proposals published in the recent discussion document on future planning are leading us to make concrete attempts to put into operation ways of becoming better dedicated disciples of Jesus Christ, and to learn ways by which we can bring this about within our own area. I urge you to come and see!
God bless us all as we begin this holy season of prayer and purification which will culminate in Holy Week and Easter!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Priest@LourdesLeigh.org ✚ 01702 478078
Homily available at LourdesLeigh.org
First Sunday of Lent
FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT - Sunday 18th February
Saturday 5.30pm Vigil Mrs Bridie Conneely, RIP (MM)
6.30pm–7.30pm Exposition & Confession
8.00am Mass Guy Bragard, RIP (GB)
9.30am Mass Neil O’Keefe, RIP (Anniv) (UO)
11.30am Mass The People of the Parish
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
6.15pm Body in Church Barbara Sheaf, RIP
Monday 19 Feria
11.00am Requiem Mass Barbara Sheaf, RIP
Tuesday 20 Feria
9.00am Mass Margaret Martin & Patrick Nolan, RIP (AM)
Wednesday 21 Feria
9.00am Mass Fr Anthony McKentey, RIP (UO’K)
Thursday 22 THE CHAIR OF ST PETER
9.00am Mass Intentions of Teresa O’Brien (Rosary Group)
Friday 23 Feria
6.30am Mass Adrian Dann, RIP (MI)
12Noon Mass Intentions of Juan Ayerbe (CB)
8.00pm Stations of the Cross & Benediction
Saturday 24 Feria
10.00am Mass John Mansfield, RIP (Anniv)(PM)
NO Exposition & Confession
SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT - Sunday 25th February
Saturday 5.30pm Vigil The People of the Parish
6.30pm–7.30pm Exposition & Confession
8.00am Mass John Holland, RIP (Anniv)(MH)
9.30am Mass Jim & Teena Rockell, Fred & Doreen Wall, RIP (K&LW)
11.30am Mass Intentions of the Rubbert Family (R&TO’C)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
The Southend Deanery in the Diocese of Brentwood
Presents a series of Four Lent Talks at Nazareth House-
Thursday Evenings in Lent, beginning at 7.30pm - ending with devotions and Benediction -
Priests available to hear Confessions.
‘The Ministries to which we are called’ Thursday February 22nd
Fr. Gerry Drummond, Parish Priest of Rochford and Hockley and Catholic Chaplain to Southend Hospital.
The Pastoral Care of the Sick and the Dying Thursday March 1st
Brian Holt-President of the Comitium for the Legion of Mary
‘Be it done unto me…’ Thursday March 8th
Fr. Graham Smith, Parish Priest of Southend and Prittlewell, Diocesan Director of Vocations
‘Here I am Lord’ Thursday March 15th
Speaker to be confirmed: The Pastoral Formation of our Young People
Abbotswick and Beyond…
Sea of Voices Community Choir
Because of marriage preparation courses in the parish centre for the next four weeks our parish community choir will temporarily move to Leigh Baptist church for the first two Wednesdays (21st & 28th February) and then to the Stables the following two Wednesdays (7th & 14th March).
We are still looking for parishioners and local singers to join in the fun and we are a friendly bunch. We don’t bite, we sing! Contact Darrell 07825686249 or find us on Facebook as Sea of Voices. First timers can have a free taster session then it’s £5 to join and £3 subs when attending choir.i
St. Vincent de Paul (SVP) – Request for transport
The SVP should appreciate it if someone would be willing to volunteer to give a lift on a regular basis to two parishioners (who live near each other) to either the 8am or 11.30am Mass on Sundays and home again. If you can help kindly contact parish office (01702 478078). Thank you.