Flower Festival - 15th June
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.
Newsletter Folders Required
Would you be available to join our rota to help fold Newsletters on a Friday morning at about 10.15/10.30am? Our teams work in twos and it takes about an hour and a half. We have a rota which means you would only have to fold every five to six weeks. If you think you would be able to help, please contact the Parish Office on 478078.
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
40 Days for Life
Thanks to those participating for the prayers and support you have offered to women and babies facing abortion. Everyone is welcome to come and see how you can help save more lives in London: 40 DAYS FOR LIFE Annunciation Midway Event on Monday 25th March with 6pm Mass in St James’ Church, followed by 40 Days event and a buffet in the Hall 6.30pm-8pm. Location: Spanish Place, London W1U 3QY (nearest tube: Bond Street) Contact details: Sarah 07776 256838 london40daysforlife@hotmail.com 40daysforlife.com/London.
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 25th March at 8pm in the Parish Centre with Journey of Faith (Ten Commandments: 1-5). You are welcome to attend some or all of these talks; if you would like more information please speak to Fr Kevin.
Men’s Weekend Retreat from 10th - 12th May 2019
Lord teach us to pray’. A retreat for men of all ages who desire to draw closer to God in prayer. Book online at www.sioncommunity.org.uk/mens-weekend-retreat.html or email for a booking form to admin@sioncommunity.org.uk.
Gift Aid Envelopes
New boxes of envelopes for those in the Gift Aid Scheme will be available for collection on 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.
Counters & Folders
Counters: Mary Cook & Jacky Hoggett
Folders: Jacky Hoggett & Sue Hibbert
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.
Ladies Group
Our next Meeting is on Thursday 28th March. Look forward to a fantastic morning with ‘Mr. Rock & Roll’ who will revive our memories with the history and music of those early years of popular music. All women are welcome but please be prompt for a 10.30am start.
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
Cyclone disaster in Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe
Following the devastating Cyclone Idai which has caused catastrophic flooding, destruction of homes and death in Mozambique and Zimbabwe, an Emergency Appeal has been launched. If you wish to donate to the appeal, you can do so at the following links: Aid to the Church in Need (UK) https://acnuk.org or CAFOD www.cafod.org Please keep the people of these countries in your prayers.
Please Pray for the Repose of the Soul of
ERIC NEWMAN, RIP who died on Monday 18th March. Funeral details to follow.
We Pray for our Sick
Jim McEvoy, 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 John Sherlock, Mgr Canon Alfred Gilbey, Fr Denis Hall, Fr Joseph Tuohey, Jessie Carlyon, Ethel Bull, Sarah Armstrong, Marian Treston, Kathleen Robinson, John Head, Edmund Thompson, Moira Keenan, Lily Dawson, Kenneth May, Derek Taylor, Victor Moule, Kathleen Farrell, Les Winter, Jane Adamson, Herbert Maddocks, Pamela Shenstone, Winifred Lawson, Ellen O’Connor, Hugh Devine, Kathleen Collins, Ann Turner, Frederick Duggans, Bessie Higley, Sheila Townsend, Veronica Redhouse, Bartholomew Guihan, Alan Read, Geraldine Gwilliam & Herbert Robertson.
May their Souls & the Souls of all the Faithful Departed rest in peace.
Second Sunday of Lent
Dear Friends in christ
The pilgrimage of Lent moves us in union with Jesus our Lord, towards the saving events that will take place in Jerusalem. To this end, and knowing how His suffering and death would affect His disciples, Jesus consoles them by giving a glimpse of His divinity whilst they are on Mount Tabor. This Gospel, read every Second Sunday of Lent reminds us too, that the Cross and suffering come before glory. Part of the Lenten pilgrimage entails going back to basics; learning the ABC of the Faith.
Dear Friends in christ
The pilgrimage of Lent moves us in union with Jesus our Lord, towards the saving events that will take place in Jerusalem. To this end, and knowing how His suffering and death would affect His disciples, Jesus consoles them by giving a glimpse of His divinity whilst they are on Mount Tabor. This Gospel, read every Second Sunday of Lent reminds us too, that the Cross and suffering come before glory. Part of the Lenten pilgrimage entails going back to basics; learning the ABC of the Faith. One of the vital ways that we train ourselves is by daily conversion. Examination of conscience will help us to learn the virtues better and lead us to a deeper repentance. This then leads us to the Sacrament of Confession. Throughout the Sundays of Lent I would like to reflect on the importance of this Sacrament, since together with the Blessed Eucharist, they are the two most frequently received of the Seven Sacraments; at least they should be! I remind you that my weekly Homily is available as a podcast via the link on the Parish website or by going to the iTunes Store. Either way, I hope that you may be helped by the simple catechises I offer, to approach Jesus confidently and humbly in His Sacrament of Divine Mercy.
Please remember to pray for the candidates from our Parish, who were presented to the Bishop last Sunday during the Rite of Election in our Cathedral; these will receive the Sacraments of Initiation at Easter or later around Pentecost. Also for the twenty-five young adults who have begun preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Each week these two groups meet in the Parish Centre for instruction, reflection and prayer which will lead them into Full Communion with the Church. As the Apostles witnessed to the truth of the divinity of Jesus after they saw His glory, may we also, during these days of Lent, witness by our prayer, penance and charity to what is most vital in our lives and in the world.
God bless you all in your Lenten pilgrimage towards Easter!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Priest@LourdesLeigh.org ✚ 01702 478078
Homily available at LourdesLeigh.org