Good Shepherd Sunday
This Sunday is Good Shepherd Sunday. It is traditionally a day of prayer for vocations to the Priesthood.
God calls each of us to serve him in some particular way so it is important for us to promote a culture of vocations within the church. A person might be called to live a single life, to marriage, to religious life or to the priesthood.
Please give generously to the collection today towards the promotion of vocations. Please also pray in particular to day for vocations to the priesthood for our diocese and for our current seminarians as they journey towards priesthood. They are Paschal Uche, Adrian Lowe, Michael Barwick, Tony Grant, Alexander Johnson, Damien Wade, Matúš Meleg and Jonathan Burden. Our new seminarian is Moses Itene who will start at Allen Hall in September. At the moment there are ten young men in the priesthood enquirers’ group. Thank you for your prayers and generosity.
Fr. Graham Smith: Vocations Director - fr.gjdsmith@gmail.com;
Fr. Mark Swires: Vocations promoter - vocprom@dioceseofbrentwood.org
Third Sunday of Easter
Dear Friends in christ
The Easter reason reminds us that every Sunday is in fact a mini-Easter Day. Back in May 1998 St Pope John Paul II wrote a beautiful Letter to the Church entitled The Day of the Lord - Dies Domini - in which he teaches the importance of this Day. It is right, therefore, to claim, in the words of a fourth century homily, that "the Lord's Day" is "the lord of days". Those who have received the grace of faith in the Risen Lord cannot fail to grasp the significance of this day of the week with the same deep emotion which led Saint Jerome to say: "Sunday is the day of the Resurrection, it is the day of Christians, it is our day". For Christians, Sunday is "the fundamental feastday" established not only to mark the succession of time but to reveal time's deeper meaning.
Dear Friends in Christ
The Easter reason reminds us that every Sunday is in fact a mini-Easter Day. Back in May 1998 St Pope John Paul II wrote a beautiful Letter to the Church entitled The Day of the Lord - Dies Domini - in which he teaches the importance of this Day. It is right, therefore, to claim, in the words of a fourth century homily, that "the Lord's Day" is "the lord of days". Those who have received the grace of faith in the Risen Lord cannot fail to grasp the significance of this day of the week with the same deep emotion which led Saint Jerome to say: "Sunday is the day of the Resurrection, it is the day of Christians, it is our day". For Christians, Sunday is "the fundamental feastday" established not only to mark the succession of time but to reveal time's deeper meaning. The early Fathers of the Church liked to speak of Sunday as the "Eighth Day" so as to express that it is, in a sense, time outside of the normal week. It is a Day that reminds us God rested at the end of Creation and therefore we are invited to enter into that rest too. This is expressed by our Sunday participation in the Holy Mass, the place, par excellence, that we encounter Christ in our weekly lives. It is also a time to refrain from unnecessary work, so that we can stand-back from time and reflect on the Mysteries of our Faith; it should also be a time for being with our families more than perhaps is possible during the week. It is clear therefore why the observance of the Lord's Day is so close to the Church's heart, and why in the Church's discipline it remains a real obligation. Yet more than as a precept, the observance should be seen as a need rising from the depths of Christian life.
We are welcoming to the Parish this weekend Jonathan Stephens from Aid to the Church in Need. This Pontifical Charity helps alleviate the suffering of Christians in places where the Church is persecuted. This is done both spiritually and materially. The last Appeal by ACN in our Parish, was five years ago; we are keen to hear once more about the work this Charity does, and offer our practical support. At a time when we have seen such atrocities committed against our brothers and sisters in the Faith, this appeal is all the more poignant.
May God bless you all, especially in your continued generosity to the suffering Body of Christ.
Msgr Kevin Hale
Priest@LourdesLeigh.org ✚ 01702 478078
The Sunday Homily is available as a podcast at LourdesLeigh.or
Third Sunday of Easter
Third Sunday of Easter - Sunday 5th May
Saturday 5.30pm Vigil Carmel O’Leary, RIP
6.30pm–7.30pm Exposition & Confession
8.00am Mass Bertha Nesnas, RIP (Anniv) (S&JC)
9.30am Mass The People of the Parish
11.30am Mass Joyce Foy, RIP (B&I)
4.00pm Mass Private Intentions of Rosemary Mann (RM) - Ex Form
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Monday 6 St John Payne, Pr, M
10.00am Mass Brita Irons, RIP (SVP)
Tuesday 7 Feria
9.00am Mass Intentions of Bobby Newman (AC & MP)
Wednesday 8 Feria
9.00am Mass Intentions of Bill O'Connell(SVP)
Thursday 9 Feria
9.00am Mass Intentions of Mary McDermott (birthday)
Friday 10 Feria
12Noon Mass Intentions of Sister Mary Juliana (RM)
Saturday 11 Bl John Rochester, Pr, M
10.30am Mass First Holy Communion Mass
10.30am-11.30am Exposition & Confession
Fourth Sunday of Easter - Sunday 12th May
Saturday 5.30pm Vigil The People of the Parish
6.30pm–7.30pm Exposition & Confession
8.00am Mass Thanksgiving for the Spacey Family (VS)
9.30am Mass Arthur Mills, RIP (DL)
11.30am Mass Frederick Freeman, RIP (Anniv) (DF)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
The Sacrament of Penance is available on request
Services from the church are live streamed
Sr Helen's Parish, Westcliff is celebrating its 150th Anniversary in May with the following events
On Friday 24th May there will be a mass at 5:30pm followed by a special dinner with Bishop Alan Williams at 7pm in celebration of all the couples who were married at St. Helen’s Church over the years. Tickets are £30. Please contact the office on 01702 342324 for tickets.
On Saturday 25th May from 6 to 8.15pm there will be a concert featuring beautiful songs, instrumentals and dance by talented young people from Brentwood Diocesan schools and churches. No tickets required but there will be an opportunity to make a donation. Coffee and cake will be available in the hall during the interval.
On Saturday 26th May there will be an International Food Festival starting with a cultural show at 12pm. Adult £8/ Children £3 (please contact the office on 01702 342324 for tickets).
APF Boxholders and Direct Donators
On behalf of Missio, I wish to gratefully thank you all for your very generous contributions in 2018. The total donations came to £3,331.26 (£1,531.26 from the Red Boxes and £1,818 from Direct donations). Please see the ‘Thank You’ poster at the back of the Church. You can see Missio’s Website for further details of their work. If anyone should wish a Red Box do not hesitate to contact me. Joan Caunce, Secretary 01268 57505.
Bereavement Group
It has been considered for some while now that a Bereavement Support Group could start-up in the Parish. This would be for any men and women who have experienced loss and bereavement in the past, and will begin in the Parish Centre (Bernadette room) on Wednesday 22nd May at 2pm and thereafter each month. All are welcome to join us in a supportive, friendly and confidential environment. Enquiries to : elizabethdex@btinternet.com or cynthiabush11@googlemail.com or if you prefer just contact the Parish Office.
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.
Sharing Hope in Crisis
The Sharing Hope in Crisis team are offering a day for you to hear how they approach situations. This seminar is designed to help you know what to say - and what not to say - to someone facing difficulty and to compassionately share the love of Jesus Christ with those who need it most. The event takes place at the Conference Centre Brentwood Cathedral on Saturday 18th May from 9am to 4.30pm. There are only 80 places available so please do sign up as soon as you can. Go to Eventbrite www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sharing-hope-in-crisis-seminar-tickets-58994806053 or email adeleangel@dioceseofbrentwood.org Refreshments are provided, please bring a packed lunch. There is no charge for the event but there will be an opportunity to make a donation to cover costs.
Coffee Volunteers
Volunteers are needed urgently for the coffee morning every Thursday after the morning Mass, which should only take about an hour of your time.. After over four years, Cynthia is taking a break . If interested, please contact Phyllis Sadowski as soon as possible.
Reframe
Three workshops to assist our Parish in its work of evangelisation. These will be held in the Parish Centre.
Workshop 1 - Saturday 25th May 11am - 3pm
How to defend the faith without raising your voice
Workshop 2 - Saturday 8th June 11am - 3pm
Religious Freedom / Love & Sex
Workshop 3 - Saturday 22nd June 11am - 3pm
Defending the Unborn / Assisted Suicide
Put these dates in your diary, more details to follow.
Feast of Our Lady of Fatima
The Feast of Our Lady of Fatima will be celebrated at Nazareth House, London Road, Southend on Sea on Monday, 13th May. Mass will be at 4pm, followed by a Procession at 4.45pm.
Counters & Folders
Counters: Jacky Hoggett & Eileen Wilson
Folders: Bobby Newman & Sue Hibbert
Enquirers' Evening
The next “Enquirers’ Evening” for those considering or interested in a vocation to the priesthood is on Tuesday 7th May at St Edmund of Canterbury Church in Loughton. Deacon Gary Dench, who is soon to be ordained to the priesthood will join us and give us some input. Please contact Fr Mark Swires - vocprom@dioceseofbrentwood.org for more information.
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
Good Shepherd Sunday
The Fourth Sunday of Easter is the annual Day of Prayer for Vocations, especially to the Priesthood and Religious Life. Do keep this intention in mind by having Masses offered, making Holy Hours and keeping this intention in your Rosaries and daily personal prayer.
Serving the Homeless
The Committee of Serving the Homeless are organising a quiz night on Saturday 11th May at 7.30 pm in St Margaret’s Church hall, Lime Avenue, Leigh. Tables of 8, £5 per person. Bring your own drinks and nibbles. To book a table please ring Linda 558217 or Nina 472536.
Dates for your Diary
Saturdays 11th & 18th May First Holy Communions - 10.30am
Sunday 19th May Visitation and Confirmation
Saturday 15th/Sunday 16th June Flower Festival
Sunday 23rd June Corpus Christi Procession - 4pm
Sunday 7th July Parish AGM 6.30pm
Monday 22nd-Saturday 27th July Parish Pilgrimage to Lourdes
First Thursday of every month Meeting of Parish Evangelisation Team 8pm