Parish Evangelisation Team - PET
The next meeting of the Parish Evangelisation Team will be this Thursday, 7th February at 8pm in the Parish Centre. Everyone welcome.
Gaudeamus Concert - Saturday, 23rd March 2019 at 7.30pm
Gaudeamus choir are once again performing at Our Lady of Lourdes Church. We are a chamber choir of 26 voices based in Leigh-on-Sea. We sing a wide range of music from the middle ages to the present day, unaccompanied and accompanied by piano, organ or orchestra, but are particularly noted for our unaccompanied a capella singing. The main work to be performed is Palestrina's Missa Papae Marcelli, along with Gorecki's Totus Tuus and Motets by Bruckner, Poulenc, and Messaien. All are welcome and tickets will be available at the door (£10). For more information please contact Nigel Warwick-Brown (07402324626).
To all couples who married in St. Helen’s Church, Westcliff on Sea
St. Helen’s will celebrate its 150th anniversary this year and we are asking any couples who married in the church to please contact the Parish Office on 01702 342324 with date of marriage, full names and a wedding photo. These will be displayed and the couples invited to attend a mass for a special blessing. (Please advise if you do not wish for the photos to be added to the Parish Facebook page).
Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society (BCCS)
BCCS are seeking to appoint an experienced and dynamic team manager who has the drive, enthusiasm and commitment to lead our School Service provision. The Head of School Services will provide professional support, supervision, training and leadership to social workers and counsellors who work in the school setting. Please visit our website at www.bccs.org.uk to download post details, or email bfisher@bccs.org.uk for further information or to arrange an informal chat.
Sacrament of Confirmation
Our Bishop, Alan Williams, will be making his Visitation of the Parish on the 19th May, 2019 and conferring the Sacrament for our young adults and anyone else wishing to be Confirmed. Candidates must have completed their fourteenth year by the end of August 2018. Please email office@lourdesleigh.org if you wish to apply. Preparation sessions will take place on Sunday evening starting in Lent.
BCYS Summer Lourdes Pilgrimage 20th – 27th July 2019
Join the Brentwood Catholic Youth Service in Lourdes this Summer as we travel alongside the diocese, assisting the elderly and infirm on their annual pilgrimage. Alongside this we also run a retreat, daily Masses and excursions for the young people, as well as experiencing the Lourdes Torchlight Procession and Blessed Sacrament Procession.
Places will be allocated to ensure as many parishes and schools as possible from the diocese are represented and applications will remain open until 31st January 2019. Where we receive a large number from one school or parish, places will be allocated on a “first come, first served” basis. Please be aware, this event is always heavily oversubscribed.
The pilgrimage is open to anyone currently in school year 10 and above and the cost will be around £570 (TBC). For all information and the chance to apply, please visit www.bcys.net/events or for any queries, please emailgabriellafusi@dioceseofbrentwood.org
Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society
The Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society is holding an Anniversary Charity Ball to celebrate the 35th Anniversary of its founding. The Charity Ball is their largest and most glamorous event of the year and takes place at The Rayleigh Club, Hullbridge on Saturday 9th March. Tickets are on sale now, costing £55 per person, which will include a drinks reception and three course dinner along with a full evening of entertainment. Guests will be seated on tables of 12, making it the perfect opportunity to get together with friends, family or colleagues, have a fantastic night out whilst at the same time raising vital funds for BCCS. As tickets for this event sell out quickly, please contact Julie asap to avoid disappointment: 01268 784544 / 07912277413 / jabbott@bccs.org.uk
Sacred Heart Winter Night Shelter
Thank you for all of the generous donations received so far. We now have enough of everything for the foreseeable future and so we ask that you hold off from bringing any more donations – we will let you know if and when we need more donations.
Unwanted Gift Sale Sunday 10th February
There will be an unwanted gift sale in the Parish Centre on Sunday 10th February after 8am and 9.30am Masses . If you have any donations please leave them at the back of Church. Breakfast (bacon and sausage rolls) will be available.
Counters & Folders
Counters: Mary Cook & Jacky Hoggett
Folders: Tom O’Callaghan & Rita O’Callaghan
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 4th February at 8pm in the Parish Centre with Journey of Faith (Matrimony & Holy Orders). You are welcome to attend some or all of these talks; if you would like more information please speak to Fr Kevin.
Free Home Library Service
If you are housebound and enjoy reading, or know someone who finds it difficult to get out and about, you are able to have large/small print books, videos, talking books, cd’s delivered to your home fortnightly, completely free of charge.
Please contact the Community Development Team at Home Delivery Service on 01702 534123.
Parish Pilgrimage to Lourdes Monday 22nd July to Saturday 27th July 2019
Five nights (full board) travelling from Stansted to Lourdes with Ryanair and staying at the Grand Moderne Hotel will cost £665 per pilgrim (this includes one 20g suitcase per passenger, plus one hand-luggage bag). Outbound flight departs at 13.10/arrives 16.10 and return flight departs Lourdes at 11.10am/arrives 12.10pm. Please collect an information sheet/booking form from the Parish office.
Dates for your Diary
Sunday 10th February Diocesan Mass for Our Lady of Lourdes Feast Day celebrated by the Bishop - 3pm
Saturdays 11th & 18th May First Holy Communions - 10.30am
Sunday 19th May Visitation and Confirmation
Monday 22nd-Saturday 27th July Parish Pilgrimage to Lourdes
1st Thursday of every month Meeting of Parish Evangelisation Team 8pm
Please pray for the Repose of the Soul of
Gilbert Oldham, RIP who died on 19th January. His Requiem Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday 27th February at 2pm followed by committal at Southend Crematorium.
We Pray for our Sick
Colin Cheeseman, Bill O’Connell, Sheena Evans, Charlotte O’Neil, Ella Williams, Janet Weale,David Kislingbury, Mark Shepherd, Eileen Bines, Frank Bramley, Mark Hartley, Gillian Oldham, Basil Emmerson, Austin Butler, Christine Robinson, John Lavery, Paul Keane, Rosemary Bragard, Rose Craft, Maureen Gooding, Dympna Addecott, Pat Lynch, Christian Ryan, Mike Rubbert, Tina Doveaston, Addi Brady, Ben Wilson, Patricia Fleming, Nicky Wigmore, 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, Wyn McCafferty, Antonella McConalogue, Eddie McConalogue, Georgina Cornwell, Annie Holland, Ivor & Joanne Knight, David Clark, Brian Beresford, Rebecca Peake, David Clark, Connor Bourke, Mattia Mollica, Sharon Levill, Bernadette Lane, Maureen Ward, Irena Solecki, Lanto Bellis, Doreen Troughton, Marguerite Harris, Andrew Exley, 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 Eric Bindloss Smith, Fr Francis Richardson, Fr Alan Wilcox, Canon Bernard Manning, Rev William Smith, Myrtle Conridge, Edward Atherton, Florence Miller, James Kerr, Teresa Phelan, John Dickens, Bernard Pycroft, Miss Eyre, Mrs Winifred Wallen, Michael Shrapnel, Teresa O’Brien, Lilian Abbott, Elizabeth Judge, Margaret O’Connor, Robert Roberton, Margaret Pearson, John Hanna Manna, Victor Maguire, Joseph Ruggiero, Barbara Blaker, Henry Moore, Catherine Burn, Modge Ditton, Emma Oldham, Veronica Read, Peter Heritage, Alice Whitfield, Eugenie Ballard, Doris Wenninger, Edmund O’Sullivan and Patrick Jennett.
May their Souls & the Souls of all the Faithful Departed rest in peace.
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear Friends in Christ
When we come to Holy Mass, we stand in an attitude of watchfulness to hear the Gospel as it is proclaimed. We begin the reading of St Luke’s Gospel this weekend. It is the Good News about Jesus Christ because it brings us the hope of salvation. We know and we believe that in the Gospel God Himself is really speaking to us. St Augustine gives us some lovely advice which may help us: We must not say ‘happy were those who could see Him’, for many of those who saw Him crucified Him, and many of those who have not seen Him believed in Him.The very words that came from the Lord’s lips were written down and kept and preserved for us.
Dear Friends in christ
When we come to Holy Mass, we stand in an attitude of watchfulness to hear the Gospel as it is proclaimed. We begin the reading of St Luke’s Gospel this weekend. It is the Good News about Jesus Christ because it brings us the hope of salvation. We know and we believe that in the Gospel God Himself is really speaking to us. St Augustine gives us some lovely advice which may help us: We must not say ‘happy were those who could see Him’, for many of those who saw Him crucified Him, and many of those who have not seen Him believed in Him.The very words that came from the Lord’s lips were written down and kept and preserved for us. We can only love someone we know. In order to get to know Christ better we read the Gospels. The Gospels teach us to see Him as the Apostles saw Him, to observe His reactions, to watch the way He behaved and listen to His words which were always filled with wisdom and authority. The Gospels show Him to us on some occasions moved with compassion at the plight of people in misery. At other times they show Him full of understanding for sinners, or firm with the Pharisees who are presenting a false image of their religion. He is full of patience with those disciples who so often do not grasp the meaning of His words. If we read the Gospel and listen to His words in this way, then we shall indeed get to know Christ better, and knowing Him, love Him ever more profoundly.
God bless you!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Priest@LourdesLeigh.org ✚ 01702 478078
Homily available at LourdesLeigh.org
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Sunday 27th January
Saturday 5.30pm Vigil Michael & Margaret Gibbons, RIP (BG)
6.30pm–7.30pm Exposition & Confession
8.00am Mass Grace Millane, RIP (AK)
9.30am Mass Intentions of Cynthia Bush (RB)
11.30am Mass The People of the Parish
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Monday 28 St Thomas Aquinas, Pr, D
9.00am Mass Mark Solecki, RIP (Anniv) (IS)
Tuesday 29 Feria
9.00am Mass Winifred Smith, RIP(Anniv) (KH)
Wednesday 30 Feria
9.00am Mass Frank Maguire, RIP (RB)
Thursday 31 St John Bosco, Pr
9.00am Mass Relations & Friends of the Braggard & Underwood Families (RB)
Friday 1 February Feria
12Noon Mass Nancy Duggan, RIP (AS)
12.30pm Exposition after Mass until
8.00-9.00pm Holy Hour & Benediction
Saturday 2 THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD
10.00am Mass and Blessing and Procession of Candles John & Pat Moon, RIP & Valerie Griggs, RIP (SM)
10.30am-11.30am Exposition & Confession
FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Sunday 3rd February
Saturday 5.30pm Vigil Charles & Rose de Souza (Wedding Anniversary) (MF)
6.30pm–7.30pm Exposition & Confession
8.00am Mass Mary Swanton, RIP (AS)
9.30am Mass Adriana Gottschalk, RIP (KP) (Presentation of FHC photos)
11.30am Mass The People of the Parish
4.00pm Mass Peter Griffin, RIP - Extraordinary Form (FM)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
The Sacrament of Penance is available on request
Services from the church are live streamed