Nazareth House
Part of the chapel roof has collapsed and needs urgent attention. Can you help? We are looking for a roofer to do the work as well as funds to pay for it. If you would like to help, please contact Sister Madeline at Nazareth House on 01702 787646.
Leigh Collection for HARP (World Homeless Day)
Southend’s Leading Homeless Charity HARP, have a street collection in conjunction with World Homeless Day on Saturday, 5th October 2019, 10am to 4pm, in Leigh-on-Sea at the junction of Broadway West and Elm Road. We would be very grateful for any help collecting for HARP. No experience required. If you are available for a couple of hours or longer please contact Lisa Walton 01702 415834, lisa.walton@harpsouthend.org.uk (mail to: lisa.walton@harpsouthend.org.uk). Thank you
Catholic Parenting - Engaging and re-engaging your children in the Faith
30th September 2019, 8-10pm at St Peter’s Catholic Church, Eastwood.
In this day and age, passing on our Catholic faith to our children comes with its challenges. How can we offer our children the best opportunity to understand and develop their relationship with God in a way that will sustain their practice of faith through to their adult life? How do we, as parents, navigate the aspects of our faith that are counter cultural and answer the difficult questions our children have about the teachings of our church? The Diocesan Department for Marriage and Family Life have put together a workshop to support parents who are looking for ideas to raise their young children as faithful Catholics, or opportunities to re-engage older children and teenagers where there might be a struggle. This will be a chance to meet other parents facing the same challenges, to ask questions and hear some tried and tested ideas.You can register for this event via the Eventbrite link below, or by e-mailing anna.mccormick@dioceseofbrentwood.org. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/catholic-parenting-southend-tickets-65116123077?ref=estwenivtefor001
First Holy Communion
If you have a child going into Year 3 in September and would like them to make their First Holy Communion in 2020, please complete the on-line Registration Form available from the Parish Website under Sacraments and return it to the Parish office no later than Friday 6th September.
We Pray for our Sick
Patricia Vanner, Denise Gianelli, Amy Louise Fox, Sarah Savage, Bill O’Connell, Sheena Reeves, Janet Weale, Charlotte O’Neil, Ella Williams, David Kislingbury, Mark Shepherd, Eileen Bines, Frank Bramley, Mark Hartley, Canon Daniel Harnett, 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, Georgina Cornwell, Annie Holland, Ivor & Joanne Knight, Brian Beresford, Rebecca Peake, Connor Bourke, Mattia Mollica, Sharon Levill, Bernadette Lane, Irena Solecki, Lanto Bellis, Doreen Troughton, Marguerite Harris, Andrew Exley, Richard Collins, Elizabeth McConalogue, Kean Smith, Mick Cordingley and children Thomas Ball, Liam Davis, Connie Price, Albert Chambers, Fergus Grant, Mary Isherwood, Lucy Price & Frazer Gregory.
We Pray for the Dead on their anniversaries
Fr James (Jim) McCormack, Fr John William Hayes, Canon Thomas Clarke, Canon Peter Prendergast, Canon Vincent Hurley, Fr Andrew Hurley, Fr Sean Sheils, Fr George Gresley, Fr Arthur Ryan, Canon Vincent Cameron, Annie Gallacher, John Walmsley, Margaret McFarlane, John Power, Edwin Martin, Noreen Selet, Catherine McGowan, Edward Chavner, Charles Roots, Mary Theresa Johnson, Rocco Forgione, Agnes Harding, Dainie Seebold, Edith Seymour, Fr Arthur Ryan, Mary Saegar, Rhoda Addecott, Doreen Spaul, Teresa Griffiths, Anne McCarthy, Ronald Abnett, Eileen Shears, Christopher Poulain, John Ryan, Valerie Griggs, Marian Hart, Dorothy Scott, Stephen Mcgough, Stephen Cornell and Margaret Acaster.
May their Souls & the Souls of all the Faithful Departed rest in peace.
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear Friends in Christ
The liturgy of this Sunday reminds us quite simply, that life on earth is but a short wait for our Lord’s return. The faith which guides us on earth is precisely the certainty in things hoped for, as the second reading says. By means of hope we acquire a firm certainty with regard to what Christ has promised, and a possession, in advance, of the divine gifts. Through faith, we know with certainty the fundamental truths of human existence: that we are made for heaven and therefore all else should be ordered to that supreme end; and that our Lord wants to help us reach this destination with all the help that He can give us. Jesus encourages us to be vigilant because the enemy never rests, he is always on the prowl, and he never sleeps. That is why in the Gospel of this Sunday our Lord warns us to be ever vigilant. Only a small amount of time separates us from that definitive counter with Christ. Each day that passes brings us closer to eternity. It may be this year or the following one…whenever it may be it will always seem as though time and life have passed too quickly. We will be vigilant in love and far from unprepared if we remain faithful in the little things of each day. If we consider these small details when we examine our conscience each day. Little things are the prelude to greater things, and loving vigilance feeds upon them. Saint Francis de Sales emphasises the importance of conquering in small temptations, for there are many occasions to do so during the day, and many victories in small things are more important than a single great victory. Moreover, even though wolves and bears are undoubtedly more dangerous than flies, they never cause us as much discomfort or try our patience as much. It’s easy, the Saint points out, to avoid murder, but difficult to avoid anger over little things. It is easy to avoid stealing our neighbours belongings, but how difficult it is at times to not desire them. It is easy not to spread false rumours about our neighbour, but difficult to avoid lying in our conversations. We easily avoid drunkenness, but how difficult it is at times to live sobriety. If we are faithful in little things we will be guarded, vigilant, and on the alert, when our Lord arrives.
Thursday is the Solemnity of the Assumption of Our Blessed Lady in Heaven. This Day celebrates the moment God brought Mary - body and soul - into her heavenly home and without allowing her body to experience the corruption of the grave. May he intercede for us from her place above. Don't forget: it is a Holyday of Obligation…even if you are away on holiday!
God bless you!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Priest@LourdesLeigh.org ✚ 01702 478078
The Sunday Homily is available as a podcast at LourdesLeigh.org
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
NINETEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Sunday 11th August
Saturday 5.30pm Vigil Diana Underwood, RIP (Anniv) (RB)
6.30pm–7.30pm Exposition & Confession
8.00am Mass Lily de Lobel, RIP (Anniv) (VC)
9.30am Mass The People of the Parish
11.30am Mass Vincent Glauda, RIP (Anniv)(KC)
NO Vespers & Benediction
Monday 12 St Jane Frances de Chantal, Rel
9.00am Mass Robert & Ione Waite, RIP (Anniv) (NB)
Tuesday 13 Ss Pontian, P, and Hippolytus, Pr, Mm
9.00am Mass Intentions of Andrew Morton (sick) (JL)
Wednesday 14 St Maximillian Mary Kolbe, Pr, M
9.00am Mass Jim Scott, RIP (Anniv) (MS)
Thursday 15 THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY Holyday of Obligation
9.00am Mass Frank Mann, RIP (Anniv) (RM)
12Noon Mass John Watkins & Susan Conibear, RIP (Anniv) (JW)
8.00pm Mass The People of the Parish
Friday 16 Stephen of Hungary
12Noon Mass Intentions of Vivien Clancy - 100th Birthday (MF)
Saturday 17 Saturday Memorial of BVM
10.00am Mass Raymond de Chantilly, RIP (Anniv) (LC)
10.30am-11.30am Exposition & Confession
TWENTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Sunday 18th August
Saturday 5.30pm Vigil Bernadette Perry, RIP (Anniv) (KH)
6.30pm–7.30pm Exposition & Confession
8.00am Mass David Clark, RIP (AC)
9.30am Mass The People of the Parish
11.30am Mass Intentions of Richard & Mary Poole (AC)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
The Sacrament of Penance is available on request
Services from the church are live streamed
Counters & Folders
Counters: Linda Wall & Brian Mountier
Folders: Tom O’Callaghan & Rita O’Callaghan
Westcliff Resident needs ride to Church
Michael Regan, senior resident of Westcliff on Crowstone Road, needs a ride to church on Sunday for 8am mass. If you are able to help please contact the Parish Office.
Foundation Governors & Trustees
It is that time again when we begin to look forward to next academic year and we are looking to recruit Catholic individuals who share our passion and mission for Catholic education, that might consider serving at a local level as a Foundation Governor of St Thomas More High School or at Trust Level as a Trustee of the Assisi Catholic Trust. If you think you have the skills (particularly safeguarding, finance, human resources or legal background), dedication and motivation we would love to have you on board.
Please do speak to either your Parish Priest or contact Mrs Gemma Ackred, Headteacher at St Thomas More High School and Chief Accounting officer for The Assisi Catholic Trust (gackred@assisicatholictrust.com) to find out more about the roles we have available. I really hope many of you will consider your potential to serve our schools in this way and look forward to hearing from you soon.
Serving the Homeless Annual Draw
We still have some tickets left for our 'Hamper Bonanza.' There are six hampers to be won. Tickets can be bought from committee members after Sunday masses or phone Jo Ronan 474062. Prizes will be drawn at the beginning of September.
Barleylands Fun Walk - Brentwood Catholic Children's Society
Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society is inviting families to join us at the Barleylands Fun Walk on Sunday 8th September 2019 to increase awareness of our work. This is a great fun, family event with a choice of walks on the Barleylands site in Billericay, the longest being no more than 2 miles and a shorter walk which is suitable for children & toddlers. There will be stalls serving cakes/biscuits and ice-cream available from 12pm and the community walk will start at 12.45pm & finish around 2pm. This is an ideal opportunity for families or parish groups to get together and have a fun afternoon while raising much needed funds for BCCS’. For a sponsorship form and more information, please go to https://www.bccs.org.uk/fundraising-and-events or contact Julie on jabbott@bccs.org.uk Look out for our BCCS pitch at the start line and come and say hello!
Coffee Morning
Coffee and cakes will continue to be served in the Parish Centre every Thursday after morning Mass throughout the summer. Everyone welcome!
Bereavement Group
This will be held in the Parish Centre (Bernadette room), on Wednesday, 21st August 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.
Evangelisation - Why/What/How? Michael Dopp
Michael Dopp is an inspirational Canadian speaker who has presented for 18 Diocese and over 50 parishes and apostolates, as well as Catholic ministries such as CCO, NET, and Cursillo. He has led presentations for priest, deacons, university students, prayer groups, RCIA, sacramental preparation groups, adult faith formation and more. Michael will be touring the UK in October and Brentwood Diocese have taken the opportunity to book him to come and speak. He has very kindly accepted the invitation and we are privileged to host him for this one off event at Brentwood Cathedral Hall on Friday, 4 October 2019 from 14.30pm to 21.00pm. If you would like to attend this event it can be booked via Eventbrite or email adeleangel@dioceseofbrentwood.org. There is a small donation requested of £5 to cover his expenses. Spaces are limited.
Silent Weekend Retreat
From 6pm Friday 11th October until 2pm on Sunday 13th October 2019 at Sion Catholic Community for Evangelism, Sawyers Hall Lane, Brentwood, Essex CM15 9BX. Guest Speaker: Canon David Oakley.
Our theme this year is 'Silence & the Scriptures'. We chose this theme in line with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales who have designated 2020 as ‘The God Who Speaks’: A Year of the Word to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Verbum Domini – Pope Benedict XVI’s Apostolic Exhortation on ‘The Word of the Lord’, and the 1600th anniversary of death of St Jerome, who translated the Bible into Latin. 2020 will be a year of celebrating, living and sharing God’s word. This silent weekend retreat is a great opportunity to take time out with the Lord in prayer and reflection. 40-Hours Adoration, Silence and Prayer form part of the weekend.
For more information or to book email admin@sioncommunity.org.uk / allegra.mutanda@gmail.com Call 01277 211015 or visit www.sioncommunity.org.uk
Leigh Collection for HARP (World Homeless Day)
Southend’s Leading Homeless Charity HARP, have a street collection in conjunction with World Homeless Day on Saturday, 5th October 2019, 10am to 4pm, in Leigh-on-Sea at the junction of Broadway West and Elm Road. We would be very grateful for any help collecting for HARP. No experience required.
If you are available for a couple of hours or longer please contact Lisa Walton 01702 415834, lisa.walton@harpsouthend.org.uk (mail to: lisa.walton@harpsouthend.org.uk). Thank you.