First Sunday of Advent
Dear Friends in Christ
The First Sunday of Advent is a new beginning. We begin to prepare for Christmas, but more importantly, we renew and intensify, our preparation for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. The first part of Advent focuses us on the way we look-out for the Saviour. We have the Prophets to point us in this direction. Above all Mary - whose Immaculate Conception which we shall celebrate on Saturday 8th - shows us how to adopt the stance of readiness. You will see that the window ledges of the church have been adorned with various scenes reminding us of these realities: The Jesse Tree (cf image on the Newsletter), the Annunciations, Visitation etc. Thanks to all those who have contributed these lovely and catechetical displays.
Dear Friends in christ
The First Sunday of Advent is a new beginning. We begin to prepare for Christmas, but more importantly, we renew and intensify, our preparation for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. The first part of Advent focuses us on the way we look-out for the Saviour. We have the Prophets to point us in this direction. Above all Mary - whose Immaculate Conception which we shall celebrate on Saturday 8th - shows us how to adopt the stance of readiness. You will see that the window ledges of the church have been adorned with various scenes reminding us of these realities: The Jesse Tree (cf image on the Newsletter), the Annunciation, Visitation etc. Thanks to all those who have contributed these lovely and catechetical displays. The season of Advent, like the other liturgical times, has a distinct nature: preparation.
So, whilst we may be thinking about the Nativity of Jesus, we don’t begin to celebrate it until 25th. We may get drawn into pre-Christmas social events, but it is important that we try to live Advent as a time in which we follow closely the promptings of the Prophets, especially Isaiah and St John the Baptist. As we plan our celebration of Christmas, let’s be mindful of how we can evangelise by the manner of our living: not making material things, like food and drink, the centre of how we live; moderation and sobriety in the gifts we offer; remembering to use religious greetings cards; not making Christmas one big secular holiday. If we can live Advent, focused on our preparation to meet Christ in prayer and the Sacraments, then we shall have done our best.
May God bless us now as we prepare together for the comings of our Saviour.
Msgr Kevin Hale
Priest@LourdesLeigh.org ✚ 01702 478078
Homily available at LourdesLeigh.org
First Sunday of Advent
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
Monday 3 St Francis Xavier, Pr
9.00am Mass Clare Chadwick, RIP (MI)
Tuesday 4 St John Damascene, Pr, D
9.00am Mass Ann & John Young, RIP (Anniv)(K&GC)
Wednesday 5 Feria
9.00am Mass Andrew & Mary Murray, RIP (Anniv) (UO’K)
Thursday 6 St Nicholas, Bp
9.00am Mass Lilian & Jim Fegan, RIP (Anniv) (JC)
5.00pm Body in Church Maureen Deekes, RIP
Friday 7 St Ambrose, Bp, D
11.15am Requiem Mass Maureen Deekes, RIP
1.00pm Exposition until
8.00-9.00pm Holy Hour
Saturday 8 THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
10.00am Mass Intentions of Vivien Clancy (JC)
10.30am-11.30am Exposition & Confession
SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT Sunday 9th December
Saturday 5.30pm Vigil David Gurney, RIP (GA)
6.30pm–7.30pm Exposition & Confession
8.00am Mass Margaret Farrell, RIP (Anniv)(TF)
9.30am Mass Clare Clarke, RIP (Anniv) (BH)
11.30am Mass The People of the Parish
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
The Sacrament of Penance is available on request
Services from the church are live streamed
Reverse Advent Calendar
Copies of the Reverse Advent Calendars, so that we can give rather than receive in the run up to Christmas, are now available at the back of Church.
Co-op Hamper Raffle for Our Lady of Lourdes School
The Broadway Coop are raffling a lovely hamper for school funds. Tickets available from 1st December from the Coop or Darrell Binding 07825686249 or email darrell.binding@coopmembers.co.uk. The prize will be drawn on 21st December.
Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society Gift Mass
There will be a Gift Mass on Sunday 16th 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.
HARP
Our thanks for all your recent donations of food and clothing. At this time of the year we think of the vulnerable people in our community, not having a safe place to call home or not knowing where the next meal will come from. HARP have now launched their Christmas appeal – could you sponsor a Christmas meal for £10? They hope to provide 250 meals for homeless and vulnerable people over the festive period. You can do this online at www.harpsouthend.org.uk, leave your donation in the office or give it to Linda Wall.
Summary of the recent Vatican Directives for Cremation
Following the most ancient Christian tradition, the Church insistently recommends that the bodies of the deceased be buried in cemeteries or other sacred places. Burial is above all the most fitting way to express faith and hope in the resurrection of the body. By burying the bodies of the faithful, the Church confirms her faith in the resurrection of the body, and intends to show the great dignity of the human body. When, for legitimate motives, cremation of the body has been chosen, the ashes of the faithful must be laid to rest in a sacred place, that is, in a cemetery or, in certain cases, in a church or an area, which has been set aside for this purpose, and so dedicated by the competent ecclesial authority.
From the earliest times, Christians have desired that the faithful departed become the objects of the Christian community’s prayers and remembrance.
The reservation of the ashes of the departed in a sacred place ensures that they are not excluded from the prayers and remembrance of their family or the Christian community. The conservation of the ashes of the departed in a domestic residence is not permitted.
It is not permitted to scatter the ashes of the faithful departed in the air, on land, at sea or in some other way, nor may they be preserved in mementos, pieces of jewellery or other objects.
Brentwood Diocesan Directory 2019
These are now available from the back of Church at a cost of £2.75.
APF Boxholders
If your box is ready to be opened please either give it to Joan Caunce or leave it in the office as soon as possible. Missio calendars available at the back of Church.
Serving the Homeless
A very sincere thank you to everyone who supported our recent Wine Tasting evening that raised in excess of £900. Last week we were able to give Sacred Heart Church £1,000 to fund all the bedding requirements for the Winter Night Shelter.
Our next event is our Service of Christmas Carols and Readings to be held in Our Lady of Lourdes Church on Friday 14th December at 7.00 pm. There is no entry fee but donations for our work will be gratefully received after the Service. Mulled wine and mince pies will be served in the Parish Centre afterwards.
Sacred Heart Winter Night shelter
As part of the Southend Churches Winter Night Shelters, the Sacred Heart’s Shelter will open on Wednesday 5th December and run for sixteen weeks. The Night Shelter is urgently asking for items needed to run the shelter and offer as much help as possible to the guests. Items now being requested are: new adult sized socks, toothbrushes, sanitary products for women, travel size soap, deodorant, shower gel and toothpaste etc. Warm adult sized jumpers; t-shirts, trousers etc. and winter coats would be very welcome. Our Lady of Lourdes SVP has offered to coordinate on behalf of the Night Shelter the collection of donations from parishioners and to that end a box has been placed in the sacristy – marked ‘Sacred Heart Night Shelter’ - where donations can be placed. Thank you in anticipation for any help you can give! OLOL SVP Conference.
Christmas Dinner - 23rd December 2018
Once again this year Sacred Heart Primary School will be hosting Christmas dinner 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.
Dates for your Diary
Sunday 2nd December Christmas Bazaar - after 8am Mass
Sunday 16th December Children’s Gift Mass - 9.30am
Saturdays 11th & 18th May First Holy Communions
Sunday 19th May Visitation and Confirmation
1st Thursday of every month Meeting of Parish Evangelisation Team 8pm
Sea of Voices Concert
A huge thank you to all parishioners who supported last Friday evening’s concert in aid of BCCS and in memory to Frank Maguire RIP. We had a full house and had a great evening of entertainment. I am pleased to announce that £650 will now be donated to BCCS. We will next be singing at Nazareth House on 9th December and at the Church Carol concert on the 14th December.
Counters & Folders
Counters: Jacky Hoggett & Eileen Wilson
Folders: Angie Martin & Joseph Martin
Vision Document: Shaping Our Future Stewards of the Gospel initiative
All parishioners should want to know and understand what is being proposed by our bishop, Bishop Alan, in the publication of the Diocesan 'Vision Document: Shaping Our Future', released (not unintentionally) this weekend, the commencement of Advent and a new 'church year'! This document is intended to significantly shape and direct the future work and life of our parish whilst cooperating within a new and close 'partnership' of a number of neighbouring parishes for years and decades to come! The Vision Document can be viewed on the Diocesan website: www.dioceseofbrentwood.net via the 'News' tab. Hard copies available from the back of the church, please take only one per household. It marks a key milestone in the Stewards of the Gospel process, a process begun in 2016 and drawing on feedback from parish consultations, our own included. As a parish, we have already taken some initial steps towards Renewal with the founding of our Parish Evangelisation Team, meeting since last Easter on a monthly basis, to whose meetings every parishioner has a standing invitation! All Our Lady of Lourdes parishioners are considered members of the Team!
The next meeting of the Parish Evangelisation Team is this Thursday, 6th December, starting at 8.00pm in the Parish Centre and finishing, after a short period of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, promptly at 9.00pm. An item on this month's meeting is, you will not be surprised, the new Vision Document! Come along to hear more - you will be most welcome. Francis O'Brien - Parish Steward of the Gospel.
Please pray for the Repose of the Souls of
Edith McCouat, RIP who died on Friday 16th November. Her Requiem Mass will be celebrated on Friday, 14th December at 2pm followed by committal at Southend Crematorium.
Jack Vesey, RIP who died on Wednesday 28th November. His Body will be received into the Church on Tuesday, 18th December at 5pm and his Requiem Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, 19th December at 10.15am, followed by committal at Southend Crematorium.
John Hevey, RIP who died recently. Funeral details to follow.
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 3rd December at 8pm in the Parish Centre with Journey of Faith (The Church). You are welcome to attend some or all of these talks; for more information please speak to Fr Kevin.
We Pray for our Sick
Charlotte O’Neil, 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 man their Anniversaries
Fr James (Pat) Hannon, Fr Brian Drea, Fr Bernard Pownall, Marie Sanctuary, Dilwyn Morgan, David Aldridge, Ethel Knight, Kathleen Dawson, Mrs Pat Ballard, William Kerry, Leonard Coventry, Derek Timothy, Terence Slattery, Val Brown, Delia Fleming, Liliana Petrini, Timothy Murphy, Louise de Souza, Maurice Brazier, Agnes Nisbett, Yvonne Lovett, Irene Rice, Ryszard Burzynski, Vera Walls, Anne Woods, Hugh Smyth, Anne Reid, Barbara Clarke, Brigid Hill, Doris Masters, Ann Dawson, William Johnson, Bruce Pond, John Newton, Thomas O’Hanlon, Mary Alice Ring, Mary Dulcie O’Leary & John Parsons.
May their Souls & the Souls of all the Faithful Departed rest in peace.