Pentecost Sunday
Dear Friends in Christ
Pentecost was one of the three major Jewish festivals. Many Israelites would go on pilgrimage to Jerusalem to adore God in the Temple. It was an ancient thanksgiving celebration for the harvest, fifty days after Passover. In this context, with Jerusalem teeming with pilgrims, God brought the New People of Jesus Christ into existence. Having prayed for nine days after the Ascension, the Holy Spirit is poured-out upon Our Lady and the Apostles in the Upper Room.
Dear Friends in Christ
Pentecost was one of the three major Jewish festivals. Many Israelites would go on pilgrimage to Jerusalem to adore God in the Temple. It was an ancient thanksgiving celebration for the harvest, fifty days after Passover. In this context, with Jerusalem teeming with pilgrims, God brought the New People of Jesus Christ into existence. Having prayed for nine days after the Ascension, the Holy Spirit is poured-out upon Our Lady and the Apostles in the Upper Room. There are visible signs of this outpouring: fire, wind and tongues which help us recognise the powerful action of God in the world. The Apostles are transformed from being timid and reticent, into forceful teachers and preachers of Jesus Christ. They are the first evangelisers, and they are models for us today. The world into which the Church was born on Pentecost was very similar to our own: the Apostles faced a world far from God, absorbed with things of the flesh and indifferent to the Word of God. Pentecost is not an isolated event in the life of the Church. The Paraclete continues the work of strengthening and sanctifying the People of God. In Confirmation we are sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit so that we can have the charisms, and can produce the fruits of being disciples of Jesus Christ. Like those who were Confirmed last month in our Parish, the Holy Spirit is active in each of us. We depend entirely on the presence of the Holy Spirit in our souls for everything good. On this Pentecost, we renew our faith in the Church born on this Day; the Church which is the font of grace and means of salvation for us and for the whole world. Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Priest@LourdesLeigh.org ✚ 01702 478078
The Sunday Homily is available as a podcast at LourdesLeigh.org
Pentecost Sunday
PENTECOST SUNDAY - Sunday 9th June
Saturday 5.30pm Vigil Gwendoline Underwood, RIP (Anniv)(RB)
6.30pm–7.30pm Exposition & Confession
8.00am Mass The People of the Parish
9.30am Mass Fred & Doreen Wall & Jim & Teena Rockell, RIP (LW)
11.30am Mass Ray Parascandolo, RIP (Anniv)(PP)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Monday 10 Mary, Mother of the Church
9.00am Mass Patrick Harley, RIP (Anniv) (JH)
Tuesday 11 St Barnabus, Ap
9.00am Mass Keith Saxby, RIP (CC)
Wednesday 12 Feria
9.00am Mass Eric Newman, RIP (MS)
Thursday 13 OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST THE ETERNAL HIGH PRIEST
9.00am Mass Andrew Mitchell, RIP (K&LW)
Friday 14 Feria
12Noon Mass Intentions of Rory Neal-McKenzie (GD/KH)
Saturday 15 Saturday memorial of the BVM
10.00am Mass Teresa O’ Brien, RIP (Anniv) (MO’B)
10.30am-11.30am Exposition & Confession
THE MOST HOLY TRINITY - Sunday 16th June
Saturday 5.30pm Vigil Brian Goodwin, RIP (Anniv) (PG)
6.30pm–7.30pm Exposition & Confession
8.00am Mass Don McGregor, RIP (Anniv) (VC)
9.30am Mass The People of the Parish
11.30am Mass Claire Mellish, RIP (MS)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
The Sacrament of Penance is available on request
Services from the church are live streamed
Serving the Homeless
The committee of Serving the Homeless are organising a Chinese meal at the East restaurant in Alexandra Street on Wednesday 3rd July at 7.30 pm. Tickets cost £15 and are available from any member of the Committee or please ring Linda on 01702 558217.
Over the next few weeks the Committee will be selling raffle tickets for our annual Summer Raffle. Tickets cost £1, a book containing 5 tickets will be £5. They will be available from any Committee member. We thank you all for your continuing support.
Leigh Ladies Group
Our next Meeting is on Thursday 13th June when we welcome back Joan Williams aka ‘The Tudor Maid’. This time, Joan is going to give us a quick romp around Australia with more of her interesting and amusing anecdotes! All women welcome, so do join us to also enjoy delicious coffee, cakes and a chat in a very friendly atmosphere in the Parish Centre.
Learning Support Assistant vacancy - Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School
Sacred Heart Primary School and Nursery has been a consistently good school for many years and has a friendly, dedicated team where everyone belongs. Our children are well behaved and enjoy coming to school.
We are looking for a learning support assistant and we hope to find someone who has experience of working, understanding and supporting children and who knows that teaching and learning is really important. Because of the demands of the 2014 curriculum, we need someone with excellent English and mathematics skills. We need someone who will be committed to our school and will be able to work with our team. We need someone who will thrive when working with children and be ready to do any reasonable task and be prepared to learn a range of new skills. The position will be from 08.30-15.30, with a half-hour lunch break Monday to Friday, term time only.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff and volunteers to support this commitment. Please contact the school office to arrange a visit and collect an application pack. Closing date: 21st June 2019. Contact details: email office@sacredheartsouthend.sch.uk or 01702 534546.
Counters & Folders
Counters: Jacky Hoggett & Eileen Wilson
Folders: tom O’Callaghan & rita O’Callaghan
Pilgrimage to Aylesford Priory
Leigh on Sea Lay Carmelites have a coach going to Aylesford Priory on Sunday 14th July, to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Holy Mass at 11.30am. Talk in the afternoon. Rosary Procession and Benediction at 3.30pm. Please bring a packed lunch. Coach leaves 9am bus stop opposite the Church, Fare £15.00. To book seat on the coach please telephone Bernadette on 01702 421891 or 07963300518. All welcome.
St Helens to St George's Sponsored Walk for the BCCS
The annual parish to parish sponsored walk to raise funds for the Brentwood Catholic Children's Society (BCCS) takes place on Saturday 29th June. We will gather at St Helens for 10am Mass, and set off afterwards around 10.45am for an approximate five and a half miles walk along the seafront to Shoeburyness where we will finish the walk with refreshments in the parish hall at St George's after midday. All participants will receive a certificate at the end from Julie of the BCCS. To take part, to receive registration and sponsor forms, and for more information, please contact Damian of the Knights of St Columba (07887 678741 / damian.dillon@btinternet.com). Registration is free, and any sponsorship raised will go direct to the BCCS.
ACROSS Southend 2020 Pilgrimage to Lourdes
17th to 26th September 2020, costing approximately £750.00 (subject to minor change) in a 3* hotel adapted to the needs of individuals with limited or no mobility. Travel is by Jumbo Ambulance. If you would like to travel as a volunteer or you require assistance to travel or would like further information please email southendacross@gmail.com or call Anita on 07889 416481.
St Thomas More Alumni Memorial Mass - Friday 21st June at 8pm
The Annual Memorial Mass to honour, remember and pray for all deceased pupils, Governors and members of staff will take place in St Thomas More High School, Kenilworth Gardens, on Friday 21st June at 8pm.
All former pupils, staff and Governors are most welcome. Drinks and a buffet will be served after the Mass providing a perfect opportunity to renew acquaintances and explain why that outstanding piece of homework still hasn't been handed in after all these years! Full details at www.stmalumni.co.uk.
Flower Festival 15th June
Thanks again to all those who are taking part in the Flower Festival. We can put our displays up in the church on Friday 14th June after 2pm.
If you are not taking part we would love you to contribute some flowers. Bunches of flowers can be placed in the old baptistery on Thursday or Friday morning 13th, 14th June. There will be containers for them there. We want to fill the church with flowers.
Please tell friends and neighbours about the Festival and bring them to visit our beautiful church. There will be refreshments in the Parish Centre from 11.30-4 pm.
Thanks for your support, Jo & Theresa.
Abortion Decriminalisation
Please send a postcard to the Home Secretary with an important message: “Don’t bring in abortion decriminalisation by the back door!”. The pro-abortion lobby in the House of Commons is trying to amend the Draft Domestic Abuse Bill to push through abortion decriminalisation. the Draft Domestic Abuse Bill will introduce measures to tackle the horror of domestic abuse. This important Bill must not be hijacked to decriminalise abortion and make women even more vulnerable to abusive men. The Society for the Protection of Unborn children has produced postcards for us. These are available from the back of the Church.
Bereavement Group
This will be held in the Parish Centre (Bernadette room), on 19th June at 2pm (we meet on the third Wednesday of every 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.
Dates for your Diary
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
We Pray for our Sick
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, 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
Fr Gerard Butcher, Fr Thomas Crowe, Fr John Gallagher, Fr Thomas Carlin, Fr Robert Mortimer-Anderson, Fr Gerard Hughes, Fr Ambrose O’Gorman, Kathleen Lee, Ray Parascandolo, Irene Chessher, Pamela Gafga, Annie Lawrence, Rose Whitehead, Walter Burrill, Marion Button, Gerald Melhuish,Gwendoline Underwood, George Houston, Theresa Yates, Harold Britt, Ken Bailey, Margaret Grenier, James Fairchild, Janice Turner, Jill Kinsley, Norita Fanning, Christina Pegler, Sheila Power, Ethel Dillon & Teresa O’Brien.
May their Souls & the Souls of all the Faithful Departed rest in peace.
Seventh Sunday of Easter Sunday 2nd June Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Dear Friends in Christ
The month of June is the month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It is a month also full of some of the most beautiful feasts in the Catholic calendar: Pentecost, The Blessed Trinity, Corpus Christi, the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Immaculate Heart of Mary, Saint John the Baptist and Sts Peter & Paul. These feasts, and their yearly recurrence, keep our minds focused on the life of Heaven, which was reinforced by the celebration of the Ascension of Jesus last Thursday. These feasts encourage us to not flag, but to keep looking to Jesus, our Good Shepherd and Guide, and to those whom He has raised up to be with Him in Heaven. Thank God for the richness
Dear Friends in Christ
The month of June is the month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It is a month also full of some of the most beautiful feasts in the Catholic calendar: Pentecost, The Blessed Trinity, Corpus Christi, the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Immaculate Heart of Mary, Saint John the Baptist and Sts Peter & Paul. These feasts, and their yearly recurrence, keep our minds focused on the life of Heaven, which was reinforced by the celebration of the Ascension of Jesus last Thursday. These feasts encourage us to not flag, but to keep looking to Jesus, our Good Shepherd and Guide, and to those whom He has raised up to be with Him in Heaven. Thank God for the richness of these Mysteries in our Catholic Faith, which give us, even now on earth, a foretaste of things to come!
This Sunday is designated World Communications Day - a day to reflect on how we communicate the Gospel and Faith of Jesus Christ in our world today. This Saturday there will be the second of our three Workshops for Evangelisation: Those who attended the first one last Saturday were greatly helped in their desire to be good evangelisers. It would be good to see a few more attend this coming Saturday, even some younger members of the Parish. You will find these Workshops extremely formative, informative and encouraging as we continue together to spread the Word of God and bring souls into the Church, God’s divinely appointed instrument for the salvation of the world.
With every blessing for our continued work of evangelisation!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Priest@LourdesLeigh.org ✚ 01702 478078
The Sunday Homily is available as a podcast at LourdesLeigh.org