Men's Weekend Retreat from 10th to 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
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
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 1st April at 8pm in the Parish Centre with Journey of Faith (Ten Commandments: 6-10). You are welcome to attend some or all of these talks; if you would like more information please speak to Fr Kevin.
Catholic Newspapers
The number of Catholic Papers sold at the back of church has been steadily dwindling over the years. The Parish has also been losing money through the sale of these Papers. We have therefore decided that from Easter we will not stock newspapers in the Parish. However, there are a couple of alternative ways of receiving these newspapers which are both more efficient and cost effective. From now onwards if you wish to receive a Catholic Paper each week, please either subscribe directly to the publisher, so that it can be delivered to your home; or take-out a subscription to receive it electronically. We shall still continue to sell the Magnificat booklets each month.
Brentwood Catholic Children's Society
Children and families are now able to access direct therapeutic support in one of our clinics. Sessions take place after school or at an evening clinic at our counselling suites in Rayleigh. Our highly experienced counsellors provide support directly to the whole family or to children and adolescents on a 1:1 basis. If you are concerned that your child may need someone to talk to, please contact Catherine on cmunns@bccs.org.uk There is a sessional charge, so please enquire.
Gift Aid Envelopes
New boxes of envelopes for those in the Gift Aid Scheme will be available for collection this weekend. 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 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.
Pilgrimage to Knock
Led by Fr. John Corbyn, fully escorted Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine, 27th May 2019. £649.00 pp sharing. Price includes flight with 10kg hand luggage, transfers, 4 nights’ in Knock House Hotel with FULL BOARD. All entertainment/ day trips and guided tours included. Single room supplement £100. Contact Patricia on 01268 762 278 or 07740 175557 or email knockpilgrimages@gmail.com. Knock Pilgrimages is a member of the Travel Trust Association and is fully protected by ATOL T7613.
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.
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
Please Pray for the Repose of the Souls of
Eric Newman, RIP who died on Monday, 18th March. Funeral details to follow.
Terence Larman, RIP who died on Tuesday, 26th March. Funeral details to follow.
We Pray for our Sick
Jim McEvoy, 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, Connie Price,Albert Chambers, Fergus Grant, Mary Isherwood, Lucy Price & Frazer Gregory.
Please Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries
Canon William Toft, Fr Ronald Roberts, Canon Charles Loughran, Pope John Paul II, Mary Leonard, Marjorie Nolan, Eugene Read, Winifred Maguire, Albert Thorne, Ronald Black, Daisy Spicer, Vera Stuart, Lt Cdr James Scott, Marjorie Bowen, Leslie Poole, Stella Finn, Joan Bethell, Vi Coveney, Christine Fisher, Donald McMahon, Catherine Nelson, Baby Ben Blaker, Catherine Dace, Nora White, Charles Thompson, Elizabeth Tyrell, Bernard Foley, Peggy Cockerell, Robert Lee, Kitty Stanley, Patricia Quinn, Patrick Dunbar, Dr Ronnie Shapiro, Leslie Drayton, Rene Sanctuary, Harry McNally, Rose Mary Brinkley & Donald Cussen.
May their Souls & the Souls of all the Faithful Departed rest in peace.
Third Sunday of Lent
Dear Friends in christ
The Parable of the Fig Tree, which forms part of the Gospel of this Third Sunday of Lent, reminds us that during this sacred season we are trying to produce fruit: the fruits of the spiritual life. St Paul lists these fruits for us as being: charity, generosity, joy, gentleness, peace, faithfulness, patience, modesty, kindness, self-control, goodness & chastity which are the result of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Dear Friends in Christ
The Parable of the Fig Tree, which forms part of the Gospel of this Third Sunday of Lent, reminds us that during this sacred season we are trying to produce fruit: the fruits of the spiritual life. St Paul lists these fruits for us as being: charity, generosity, joy, gentleness, peace, faithfulness, patience, modesty, kindness, self-control, goodness & chastity which are the result of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Those who are preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation in May will be reflecting on these gifts and fruits at this time. All of us, who have received the Holy Spirit in Baptism and Confirmation, can bring forth these fruits. During Lent we apply a special intensity to the living of the spiritual life, so that we can do now, what we should be doing throughout the year.
Please remember to pray for all those who are preparing for Sacraments at this time: our young adults in Confirmation; the children for their First Holy Communion; and the engaged couples participating in the Marriage Preparation Course which we are currently running.
Monday, 25th March, is the Solemnity of the Annunciation of The Lord. This was the moment when the greatest news ever, was announced to the world: God, the Word, would become flesh. When we pray the Angelus - morning, noon and evening - we call to mind this moment; it's nine months now until the celebration of the Nativity! May the presence of the Word among us, lead us to produce the holy fruits of this Lent!
God bless you all!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Priest@LourdesLeigh.org ✚ 01702 478078
Homily available at LourdesLeigh.org
Third Sunday of Lent
THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT - Sunday 24th March
Saturday 5.30pm Vigil Frank & Moira Keenan, RIP (Anniv) (FK)
6.30pm–7.30pm Exposition & Confession
8.00am Mass Sister Rosemary (MM)
9.30am Mass Francie McCrory, RIP (JB)
11.30am Mass The People of the Parish
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Monday 25 THE ANNUNCIATION OF THE LORD
9.00am Mass Intentions of Ciaran & Christina O’Hart (MO’H)
Tuesday 26 Feria
9.00am Mass Margaret Quinn, RIP & Intentions of Ian Quinn (EG)
Wednesday 27 Feria
9.00am Mass Intentions of Paula Durante (PM)
Thursday 28 Feria
9.00am Mass Intentions of Lena Young (CG)
Friday 29 Feria
6.30am Mass Jack Vesey, RIP (PP)
12Noon Mass Madeleine Jones, RIP (BT)
8.00pm Way of the Cross & Benediction
Saturday 30 Feria
10.00am Mass Robert & Ione Waite (NB)
10.30am-11.30am Exposition & Confession
11.30am First Confessions
FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT Lætare- Sunday 31st March
Saturday 5.30pm Vigil Colm O’Loughlin, RIP (RJ)
6.30pm–7.30pm Exposition & Confession
8.00am Mass Terence & Maisie Renehan, RIP (Anniv) (MH)
9.30am Mass The People of the Parish
11.30am Mass Alan Bush, RIP (GC)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
The Sacrament of Penance is available on request
Services from the church are live streamed
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.
National Catholic Men’s Pilgrimage to Walsingham Saturday 27th - Sunday 28th April 2019
A warm invitation to the second annual pilgrimage for Catholic men. Meet, talk and share the faith with other men; listen to speakers, celebrate confession and Mass, pray for families, the nation and the Church. We welcome lay and religious, single and married, young and old, fathers and sons. "When England returns to Walsingham, Our Lady will return to England". Pope Leo XIII, 1887 In partnership with the Catholic National Shrine of Our Lady and Catholic Man UK. For more information visit www.catholicmenspilgrimage.co.uk