National Pilgrim Statue of Our Lady of Fatima with Relics of Saints Jancinta & Francisco
There will be an official day of thanksgiving and blessing of the National Pilgrim Fatima Statue at Our Lady Immaculate, 178 New London Road, Chelmsford CM2 0AR on Saturday 23rd March 2019, 9.55am to 5pm. For more information please contact Moreen Healy 01245 472773.
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).
Counters & Folders
Counters: Linda Wall & Brian Mountier
Folders: Tom O’Callaghan & Rita O’Callaghan
Flower Festival 2019 June 15th
We are holding a Flower Festival again this year on 15th June. There was such a lovely response last year that we wanted to repeat, and even outdo what was achieved last year.
This year the theme will be Hymns. We have drawn up a list of Hymns with a different focus, which you will be asked to choose from. Your display will then reflect the words of the Hymn, eg ‘Follow Me’ (Fishing nets beach) and ‘Bread for the World’ (corn). As with last year, we do not expect you to be professional
flower arrangers, just willing to have a go! If you would like to take part or get more information, phone Jo 474062, or Theresa 335122.
Lenten Service St. Thomas More High School
On Thursday 4th April at 7pm we welcome all parents, Governors, staff members and friends of the school to our annual Lenten Service. This year, we will be presenting The Way of the Cross using an adaptation of a musical depiction of Our Lord’s journey to the cross, portrayed through the eyes of Jesus’ beloved disciple Peter. The presentation is entitled, ‘Peter’s Passion’ and was written by Bernadette Egan. This service is designed to bring us to prayer, deepening our Lenten observance and helping us to prepare our hearts for the commemoration of Jesus’ death and resurrection at Easter. Please try to come along and join with others in our community as we journey together towards Easter. A particular invitation to the parents of Year 7 to complete their induction into the liturgical life of our school.
Margueriteville Update
Since the last bulletin announcement, I am very pleased to announce that a club member will now take over as the Margueriteville secretary and organise events in a few months’ time. Funds raised from raffles and refreshments will continue to be donated to our Church. Donations of raffle prizes are most welcome from parishioners for monthly events, to Bernadette Lane or Vita de Souza, both of whom will continue their roles at the club. Darrell Binding, Secretary.
Lenten Lunches
Held in the Parish Centre every Friday from 12.30pm onwards for the duration of Lent. Delicious home made soup, bread, cheese coffee etc. Only £5 donation to charity.
HARP’S Spring Walk - Sunday 28th April 2019 at 2pm
Join us for a gentle 3.5 mile stroll along the Prittle Brook Greenway, from Priory Park to Belfairs Park. Every step you take will show your solidarity with local homeless people and help HARP beat homelessness for good. Enjoy free tea and cake at the Belfairs Woodland Centre. The route is pushchair friendly, and dogs on leads are welcome. https://www.harpsouthend.org.uk/spring-walk-2019.
Gift Aid Envelopes
New boxes of envelopes for those in the Gift Aid Scheme will be available for collection on 16th/17th, 23rd/24th and 30th/31st March. If you wish to gift aid your weekly offering by using envelopes, please complete a Gift Aid Form, available at the back of Church, and either hand it in to the Parish office or place it in the offertory collection. You will then receive a box of envelopes for your weekly collection.
Lenten Retreat 2019
The Live Simply group meet on Monday mornings from 10.15-11.45 in the Parish Centre. Each week we will be exploring different methods of prayer using scripture and following the retreat material. If anyone wishes to join us they will be 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 18th March at 8pm in the Parish Centre with Journey of Faith (Morality & Social Justice - Matthew 25). You are welcome to attend some or all of these talks; if you would like more information please speak to Fr Kevin.
An Evening of Irish Music and Irish dancers for all the Family
All proceeds raised will go to St. Helen's Lourdes Fund. Help us to help others. Friday 22nd March at the Westcliff Hotel, Westcliff Parade, Nr The Cliffs Pavilion. Adults £5 and Children under 12, £2.50. Ring Sue 07979746707.
APF Boxholders
I have received the Spring 2019 Missio magazines. If you have not received one personally from me please take one from the back of the church (in the usual place). Thank you. Joan Caunce, Secretary 01268 757505.
Lenten Talks 2019
The schedule for this year’s Lenten Talks, which all take place in Nazareth House on Wednesdays at 7.30pm, is as follows:
27th March Mark Lambert ‘The Culture of Life vs The Culture of Death’
3rd April Fr Andrew Forys ‘The healing power of Confession’
10th April Fr Jeff Woolnough ‘Mary at the foot of the Cross’
Dates for your Diary
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
We Pray for our Sick
Terence Larman, Bill O’Connell, Sheena Evans, Janet Weale, Charlotte O’Neil, Ella Williams, 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, David Clark, Georgina Cornwell, Annie Holland, Ivor & Joanne Knight, 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 Donal Donegan, Fr Sidney Williams, Canon Arthur Holmes, Fr Joseph McEntee, Fr Michael Enright, Canon Thomas Smith, Antonio Capone, Mary Ellen O’Driscoll, Kenneth Sigovallan, Doris McEvoy, Cecelia Spendley, Wilfred Walton, Phyllis Osment, Beryl Rombaut, Mary Kyrke-Smith, Anna Coste, George Andrews, Millicent Howell, Albert Cook, Violet Dagnell, Louisa Hucks, Harold Horam, Ellaline Stenfalt, Magdalena Schenbel, George Robertson, Capt France Lionnet, Peggy Ayres, Lucy Richardson (Anderson), Joan Fairchild, George Conridge, Albert Middleton, Clifford Mawer, Gladys Watts, Arnold Kyrke-Smith, Thelma Chambers, Michael Abbott, Dorothy (Dolly) Thorp, Mary Johnson & Gabrielle Eileen Haiser.
May their Souls & the Souls of all the Faithful Departed rest in peace.
First Sunday of Lent Sunday 10th March 2019
Dear Friends in Christ
The first Sunday of Lent brings us into the desert with Jesus. He goes there for forty days and nights to prepare for the ordeals ahead. Whilst there, He is tempted. There are three classic temptations that He faces: to satisfy his bodily desires; to worship a false God; and to use His power for His own purpose. By resisting each of the temptations of the Evil One, Jesus emerges with a stronger will. During Lent we too are engaged in a warfare, a struggle. It is a warfare against the powers that seek to conform us to pleasure, wealth and power. Armed with the threefold weapons of prayer, fasting and charity, we too can emerge fortified and ready for spiritual warfare. There is no holiness possible without struggle, constant struggle.
St Thomas More said that we cannot get to heaven in feather beds! The task is unremitting, and the rest and reward will come in Heaven.
Dear Friends in Christ
The first Sunday of Lent brings us into the desert with Jesus. He goes there for forty days and nights to prepare for the ordeals ahead. Whilst there, He is tempted. There are three classic temptations that He faces: to satisfy his bodily desires; to worship a false God; and to use His power for His own purpose. By resisting each of the temptations of the Evil One, Jesus emerges with a stronger will. During Lent we too are engaged in a warfare, a struggle. It is a warfare against the powers that seek to conform us to pleasure, wealth and power. Armed with the threefold weapons of prayer, fasting and charity, we too can emerge fortified and ready for spiritual warfare. There is no holiness possible without struggle, constant struggle.
St Thomas More said that we cannot get to heaven in feather beds! The task is unremitting, and the rest and reward will come in Heaven.
Lent is the annual pilgrimage we make towards Easter, and it always has God at the centre. We will all have ways that we have discerned and chosen to help us discipline the body during this season. Foremost among the spiritual weapons we use is prayer. Let us emerge at Easter as better souls of prayer; having conversed with God intimately each day for whatever period of time is possible for us. Let us get used to saying ’no’ to the superfluous needs of our body so that we can become fitter in the fight. May we also extend the hand of charity to those in need, by giving of our time or material resources to help them, remembering the words of Jesus: You did it to Me.
God bless you all as we strive and struggle towards our gaol.
Msgr Kevin Hale
Priest@LourdesLeigh.org ✚ 01702 478078
Homily available at LourdesLeigh.org