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
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 8th April at 8pm in the Parish Centre with Journey of Faith (Prayer & The Lords Prayer). 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.
Save the Date: Saturday 11th May
March for Life UK is happening in London. Join thousands of other pro-lifers in creating awareness of the hurt and damage abortion causes and helping to promote a culture of life. Inside festival (LifeFest19) 9.30am - 1.30pm, booking required. The march starts at 2pm (no booking required). For more information see posters/leaflets, go to marchforlife.co.uk or call 07773501721/ 0788550511.
Penitential Service
There will be a Penitential Service at St Helen’s Church, Milton Road, Westcliff this Wednesday, 10th April at 7.30pm with local priests for the Sacrament of Confession.
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.
Ladies Group
The next Meeting is on Thursday, 11th April from 10.30am, all women welcome. Come and enjoy some good company and make an Easter Bonnet, decorate an egg or whatever inspires your hidden artist!! Or just have a cup of tea! Last meeting until after Easter.
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
First 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. His Funeral Service will be held on Monday, 8th April at 10am, followed by committal at Southend Crematorium.
Terence Larman, RIP who died on Tuesday, 26th March. His Body will be received into the Church on Thursday 11th April at 5pm and his Requiem Mass will take place on Friday, 12th April at 12 Noon, followed by committal at Sutton Road Cemetery.
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
Deacon Geoffrey Piper, Fr Thomas Adkins, Fr Anthony Lawson, Fr Patrick Donohoe, Mary McKenzie, Michael Maloney, Miriam Cunniffe, Marjorie Pollard, James Tully, John Welham, Laurence Westwood, Will Coveney, Robert Ellis, Anthony Irons, Clare Ann Houlihan, Esther Martin, Frances Phillips, Christopher Bennett, Francis Hoey, Patrick Manning, Patricia Logan, Frank Nagle, Winifred Duffield, Patricia Abram, May Provera, Andrew Trayner, and Eileen Goodwin-Self.
May their Souls & the Souls of all the Faithful Departed rest in peace.
Fourth Sunday of Lent
Dear Friends in Christ
Each week I try to present an image on the Newsletter of some piece of Catholic Art that relates to the Gospel of the day, one of other Readings or some theme in the liturgy of the season. The Parable of the Prodigal Son has been depicted by many artists, simply because it is one of the most famous short stories ever told. The painting this week is by Jacopo Palmo (1544-1628). You will know from being at Mass that I have been making a more extensive catechesis of the Sacrament of Confession over these Sundays of Lent.
Dear Friends in Christ
Each week I try to present an image on the Newsletter of some piece of Catholic Art that relates to the Gospel of the day, one of other Readings or some theme in the liturgy of the season. The Parable of the Prodigal Son has been depicted by many artists, simply because it is one of the most famous short stories ever told. The painting this week is by Jacopo Palmo (1544-1628). You will know from being at Mass that I have been making a more extensive catechesis of the Sacrament of Confession over these Sundays of Lent. This is because it is not only central to this penitential season, but because it is central to the Christian life. Together with the Blessed Eucharist, Confession or Reconciliation are the two Sacraments that we should be receiving most frequently. As we listen to the words of the Liturgy and of Sacred Scripture in these days, we are being called to a fuller life in Christ. Jesus wishes to dominate our lives in all their dimensions and for us to bring forth the fruits of holy lives.
Very shortly we shall begin the final weeks of Lent, we approach Holy Week and Easter. This in itself draws us to repentance, mercy and forgiveness. A little while longer and the mystery of our salvation will be accomplished. If at times we have been reticent about penance and atonement, we will be filled with courage at the thought of how short is the time involved and how great the reward, a prize entirely disproportionate to our own small efforts. Let us cheerfully follow Jesus, and confidently seek His mercy in Confession. Pope Francis is talking about this all the time. He said recently: each of us should ask ourselves: When was the last time I went to Confession? And if it’s been a long time, do not lose another day! Jesus is there, be courageous, go to Confession. Pope Benedict called the crisis we are experiencing in the Church, the crisis of Confession. He wrote to all of us priests asking to rediscover and help others discover the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It’s a Sacrament we need to use and cherish. It’s there to help us become the children of God that we are meant to be, and let go of all the rubbish and baggage that we carry out, of the sins, that Christ died for.
God bless you!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Priest@LourdesLeigh.org ✚ 01702 478078
The Sunday Homily is available as a podcast at LourdesLeigh.org
Fourth Sunday of Lent
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
Monday 1 April Feria
9.00am Mass Roseleen Armstrong, RIP (Anniv) (MB)
Tuesday 2 Feria
9.00am Mass Jack Vesey, RIP (SV)
Wednesday 3 Feria
9.00am Mass Michael Deeley, RIP (UO’K)
Thursday 4 Feria
9.00am Mass Neil & Margaret Storey - Silver Wedding Anniversary (RM)
Friday 5 Feria
6.30am Mass John Holland, RIP (Anniv)(MH)
12Noon Mass Will & Vi Coveney, RIP (Anniv)(MC)
12.30pm Exposition after Mass until
8.00pm Way of the Cross & Benediction
Saturday 6 Feria
10.00am Mass Grace Millane, RIP (SK)
10.30am-11.30am Exposition & Confession
FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT - Sunday 7th April
Saturday 5.30pm Vigil The People of the Parish
6.30pm–7.30pm Exposition & Confession
8.00am Mass Tony Irons, RIP (JV)
9.30am Mass Eileen Pearson, RIP (Anniv) (SP)
11.30am Mass Lilian Hippard, RIP (Anniv) (SH)
4.00pm Mass Intentions of the Vesey Family (PM)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
The Sacrament of Penance is available on request
Services from the church are live streamed
Counters and Folders
Counters: Jacky Hoggett & Sheila West
Folders: Pauline Jordan & Maureen Ward
Is God calling you to be a priest?
There is a monthly vocations group for those who would like to find out more about a possible vocation to the priesthood. There will be a talk, time of prayer and some food. The sessions take place at St Edmund of Canterbury church, 9 Traps Hill, Loughton, IG10 1SZ. Tuesdays: 2nd April, 7th May, 4th June and 2nd July. Please contact Fr Mark Swires, Vocations Promoter for more information: vocprom@dioceseofbrentwood.org
Lenten Service at 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.
Coffee Morning Cake Sales
Thank you very much to everybody who supports the Thursday Coffee Mornings and donates to the home made cakes. I have recently sent off another cheque to the Wonder Foundation for £150. More cakes after lent! Cynthia Bush.