Our Lord, Jesus Christ The King

Dear Friends in christ

The liturgical year concludes this weekend with the Solemnity of Christ our Universal King. However, the image of Christ as King has more to do with His dominion over our hearts and minds than with any connotations of worldly sovereignty. The image that Scripture puts before us today is Jesus as our Suffering Servant; the One who reigns from the Cross. Each year in our Parish, the final three days of the liturgical year are marked by the exposition and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. This begins with the Mass on Thursday evening and concludes with the final solemn Benediction on Saturday afternoon. There will, as usual, be many opportunities for private and public prayer before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. If we have a deep Catholic Faith, this will impel and draw us to Jesus really and truly present in the Eucharist. Come to the church during these ‘Forty Hours’ and seek help, solace and love in the one place - and with the only One - who can bestow it on us.

This Sunday is also designated as National Youth Sunday and one of our young adults will address a few words at the end of Mass about the work of the Brentwood Catholic Youth Service (BCYS) and forthcoming activities. They will also be helping during the Night of Light that we will be holding during the Forty Hours Prayer to coincide with the Leigh Lights. This is a new initiative - planned by the Parish Evangelisation Team (PET) - to invite the people of our Town to come and visit our church and experience the presence of Jesus who lives and reigns in our midst.  Please pray for this, during this time, so that we may all be brought closer to the Divine Heart of our Saviour; and may God bless you!

Msgr Kevin Hale

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

Our Lord, Jesus Christ The King

OUR LORD, JESUS CHRIST THE KING  Sunday 25th November

Saturday 5.30pm Vigil René Bragard, RIP (Anniv)(RB)
6.30pm–7.30pm Exposition & Confession

8.00am Mass Gareth Lewis, RIP (JL)
9.30am Mass The People of the Parish 
11.30am Mass Henry de Souza, RIP (Anniv) (LD’S)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction

Monday 26 Feria
12.30pm Requiem Mass Sheila McBrearty, RIP

Tuesday 27 Feria
9.00am Mass Patrick Moffatt, RIP (Anniv)(MW)

Wednesday 28 Feria
9.00am Mass Pietro Tisi, RIP (Anniv) (AT)

Thursday 29 Feria
7.00pm Mass Opening Mass of Forty Hours
Exposition continues until midnight

Friday  30 ST ANDREW, Ap, Patron of Scotland
Exposition resumes from 7am
12Noon Mass Intentions of Rose D’Souza - birthday (RD’S)
3.30pm Benediction for Children & Families
5.00-7.00pm Leigh Lights Intercessory Prayer
8.00-9.00pm Preached Holy Hour
Exposition until midnight

Saturday 1 December Our Lady on Saturday
Exposition resumes from 7am
10.00am Mass Intentions of Mark Shepherd (CH)
10.30am-11.30am Exposition & Confession
4.00pm Closing Benediction of the Forty Hours

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT  Sunday 2nd December

Saturday 5.30pm Vigil Edward Brennan, RIP (Anniv)(AG)
6.30pm–7.30pm Exposition & Confession

8.00am Mass Derek Timothy, RIP (Anniv)(BT)
9.30am Mass The People of the Parish 
11.30am Mass Douglas & Guerina Keable, RIP (Anniv)(JS)
4.00pm Mass John & Pat Moon & Valerie Griggs, RIP - Extraordinary Form
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction

The Sacrament of Penance is available on request
Services from the church are live streamed

APF Boxholders

As we are approaching the end of the financial year, if you have not had your box opened in the last six months, or it is ready again, please either give it to me personally or leave it in the office as soon as possible.  I have received the Missio Calendars for 2019.  If you have not been given one by me personally, please take one from the back of the Church (in the usual place).  Thank you.  Joan Caunce, Secretary 01268 757505.

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 November at 8pm in the Parish Centre with Journey of Faith (The Holy Spirit & The Life of Grace).  You are welcome to attend some or all of these talks; if you would like more information please speak to Fr Kevin.

Parish Fundraising

Thank you to everyone who supports the 200 Club. The results of the October draw are as follows:

1st prize £150  (115) Mr G Allard        
2nd Prize £100 (174) Mrs S Lawford     
3rd Prize £75 (97) Mr C Lawrence-Clark
4th Prize £50 (15) Mrs A Aldridge
5th Prize £25 (18) Revd J McCollough

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.

Sacred Heart Winter Night Shelter

As part of the Southend Churches Winter Night Shelters the Sacred Heart’s Shelter will start on Wednesday 5th December and run for sixteen weeks. Firstly, we would like to thank you all for the generosity of the time you have volunteered to make this project possible. While offers of time are still extremely valuable we now have more pressing needs. We are collecting items that will be needed to run the shelter and offer as much help to the guests as possible. The items we need are: new adult sized underwear including socks, toothbrushes, sanitary products for women, ‘hotel freebie’ or travel size soap, deodorant,  shower gel and toothpaste etc. Warm adult sized jumpers; t-shirts, trousers etc. and winter coats would be very welcome. If two people in your parish would kindly organise the collections of clothing and toiletries and liaise with myself I will arrange regular collections by the Knights of Saint Columba to ensure your church does not become overburdened with the volume of donations that I’m sure will be generously forthcoming. Thank you. Liam Rand, Night Shelter Co-Ordinator liam.rand@btopenworld.com  or 07952 954833.

Counters and Folders

Counters: Linda Wall & Brian Mountier
Folders: Pauline Jordan & Maureen Ward

Lourdes Ladies Group

The next meeting is on Thursday 29th November.  We welcome back ‘The Tudor Maid’ from Kentwell Hall.  As her presentation is limited, please arrive promptly at 10am for coffee, cake, followed by a talk.  All women in the Parish welcome.

Christmas Dinner - 23rd December 2018

Once again this year we will be hosting Christmas dinner at Sacred Heart Primary School on 23rd 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 1pm but will welcome visitors after 11am M.00ass.  If you require transport please advise the office.  Look forward to seeing you, Sally Nutman, friends and family.

Rotas

The December roots are now ready for collection at the back of Church.

Parish Christmas Bazar - Sunday 2nd December

The Bazaar will start after the 8am Mass and continue until 1.30pm.  We are in need of of your unwanted gifts, toiletries, bottles, bric-a-brac, raffle prizes, craft items.  Please leave donations at the back of Church. Thanks to everyone who has donated and offered to help so far.  If you need us to collect any donations, please call us, Sue 07816141492 or Angela 07940183452.  Grand Prize Draw tickets are available at the back of the Church now, please take and return the stubs and money to the Parish Office.

Night of Light

As part of the 40 hours prayer this year, the Parish will be holding a 'Night of Light' on Friday, 30 November from 5pm to 8pm.  The lighting of the Christmas lights in Leigh is an ideal opportunity to reach out to all those passing by, inviting them to come into our church to light a candle and say a prayer.  The young people of the parish and the Parish Evangelisation Team will be hosting the evening.  You are all welcome to come and be part of the event by praying in front of the Blessed Sacrament for the people on the streets and those talking to them.  There will also be a live music ministry from Brentwood providing music.

Volunteers for the Night of Light: Please gather together at 4.30pm in the Parish Centre for a short planning/information meeting.

Christmas Carols at Nazareth House

Sunday 9th December at 3pm in the Chapel.  Everyone welcome.  Local choirs and individuals will be joining us and residents of Nazareth House for this afternoon of rejoicing.  Mulled wine and mince pies will deserved after the Concert.

November Dead List

Envelopes for the November dead list are at the back of the church.  Please place names and offering in the box provided, also at the back of church.  Throughout November, there is a weekly mass for the Holy Souls and those whose names are placed under the Altar are remembered in these Masses and Offices.

Dates for your Diary

Thursday 29th November
Forty Hours Prayer 7pm

Sunday 2nd December
Christmas Bazaar - after 8am Mass

Saturdays 11th & 18th May
First Holy Communions

Sunday 19th May
Visitation and Confirmation

1st Thursday of every month
Meeting of Parish Evangelisation Team 8pm

Days of Solemn Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

The Forty Hours’ Prayer   

Thursday 29th November  – Saturday 1st December 2018 

Thursday 29th November
Solemn Opening Mass 7.00pm
Exposition continues until midnight

Friday 30th November
Exposition from 7.00am and throughout the day
Holy Mass 12 noon
Benediction for children & families 3.30pm
Leigh Lights Intercessory Prayer 5-7pm
Preached Holy Hour 8 – 9pm; 
Exposition until midnight

Saturday 1st December 
Exposition from 7.00am
Holy Mass 10.00am
Concluding Solemn Benediction 4.00pm

Please pray for the Repose of the Soul of

Maureen Deekes, RIP who died on Saturday 17th November.  Her body will be received into the Church on Thursday, 6th December at 5pm.  Her Requiem Mass will be celebrated on Friday, 7th December at 11.15am followed by committal at Sutton Road Cemetery.

We Pray for our Sick

Ella Williams, David Kislingbury, Janet Weale, Mark Shepherd, Eileen Bines, Frank Bramley, Mark Hartley, Gillian Oldham, Basil Emmerson, Austin Butler, Christine Robinson, John Lavery, Rosemary Bragard, Paul Keane, Rose Craft, Maureen Gooding, Dympna Addecott, Pat Lynch, Christian Ryan, Mike Rubbert, Tina Doveaston, Addi Brady, Ben Wilson, Patricia Fleming, Nicky Wigmore, Brita Irons, Nan Carrit, Eileen Wilson, Patricia Spikin, Sandra Fagan, Edna Wallace, Beryl Dixon, Nick Evans, Vicky Jack, Lyn Gopee, Mary Boyce, Kristin Hallenga, Anne O’Neill, Cheryl Shallis, Anthony McEvoy, Justin Stark, Sheila Netherton, David Blyth, Janet Woods, Lynne Hilkene, June Moncaster, Laura & Anne Breen, Breda Lynch, Maria Clark, Roy Widdecombe, Johanna Lynch, Anthony King, Chas Taylor, Norma McCleverty, Belinda Balazsi, Johnnie Pool, Edward Martin, Joanna Luciani, Pauline Wilsher, Simon Marshall, Kriston Barnes, Hugh Isaacs, Josephine Griggs, Colleen Worley, Dawn Deleigh, Lorraine Hart, Linda Dean,Antonella McConalogue, Eddie McConalogue, Georgina Cornwell, Martha Braun, Wyn McCafferty, Annie Holland, Jane Jowers, Ivor & Joanne Knight, David Clark, Brian Beresford, Rebecca Peake, David Clark, Connor Bourke, Mattia Mollica, Sharon Levill, Bernadette Lane, David Kislingury, Maureen Ward, Irena Solecki, Lanto Bellis, Doreen Troughton, Marguerite Harris, Andrew Exley, Rosemary Arscott, Richard Collins, Niqui Denkmayer, Elizabeth McConalogue, Kean Smith, Mick Cordingley and children Thomas Ball, Liam Davis, Albert Chambers, Fergus Grant, Mary Isherwood, Lucy Price, Connie Price & Frazer Gregory.

Please Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries

Fr Anthony Robson, Fr John Aydon, Fr Patrick Bennett, Deacon Anthony Collings, Fr Francis Branney, Fr Bartholomew (Bart) Lynch, John Holmes, Bernard Harvey, Marie Wilkes, Gilbert Blanch, Veronica Billena, Clifford Pollard, Peggy Jeffries,Matthew Browning, John Clements, Thomas Slattery, Elizabeth Watson-Lamb,Patricia Manvell, Ronald slater, Ann McGinty, Eileen Vaughan, Mrs Elinor Watters & Vera Spelling.

Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear Friends in christ

We are soon approaching the end of the liturgical year: next Sunday is the Feast of Christ the King. This is followed by our three days of Solemn Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament - the Forty Hours Prayer - just before Advent begins. Candles which will burn - and be used also throughout the year as the sanctuary lamp - can be had from the Sacristy for five pounds.  Please find the lists for watching which are at the back of Church.

This weekend Caritas Brentwood is launched. From now there will be a formal network drawing together and supporting, all the individual organisations and groups involved in social justice, peace and charitable action. You will be able to see this work on the dedicated website: www.caritasbrentwood.org. We are fortunate here, because of our resources, to be involved in many of these areas of charitable work, and by bringing all of these groups together diocesan-wide, we hope that a more effective network of support can be given.  We ask God’s blessing on this new initiative for our Diocese.

This Sunday, still conscious of the mood of the month of the Holy Souls, we make our cemetery visit in Sutton Road, Southend. Please meet at 3pm at the entrance for prayers before the blessing of graves. Even if you do not have loved-ones buried in Sutton Road Cemetery, you can still come along and join in prayer for the Faithful Departed, ever conscious of the words of Sacred Scripture that it is a good and pious thought to pray for the dead. 

May God bless you all!

Msgr Kevin Hale

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