St Thomas More High School Open Days
Thursday 17th/Friday 18th October 2019 by appointment.
Telephone 01702 344933- for parents who have a son due to transfer to secondary school in September 2020 - come and see the school during a normal school day, meet the staff and pupils.
Parents of boys who wish to apply to St Thomas More School for a place in September 2020 should complete the Local Education Authority single application form (SAF) and fill in the supplementary formation form (SIF) that can be collected from the school or downloaded from the website:
www.st-thomasmore.southend.sch.uk
Youth Gather 2019; an amazing encounter for our young people (aged school year 9-13) - 26th & 27th October 2019
As well as all the outward bound activities over the weekend (zip wire, high ropes, archery and much more) at Mersea Island (near Colchester, Essex), we are delighted to be joined by a panel of “BCYS alumni.” Part of the BCYS over the last 10-15 years, this interesting group includes a strategist in the Home Office, a Metropolitan Police Sergeant with a very special role, a press officer at HMRC, dealing with tax evasion and crime, a classroom teacher and a school lead practitioner. Two of the panel are married to each other, and one is engaged. Come and hear them tell their stories, and share how they navigate the (sometimes very difficult) balance of decisions in their working life and living their Catholic faith. It will be a fascinating encounter for teenagers considering their own pathways in life. Full details and booking information at www.bcys.net/events and the cost of £50 includes food, cabin accommodation, and coach transport from Stratford, Romford, Brentwood, Basildon, Southend or Chelmsford.
Parish Fundraising
Thank you to everyone who supports the 200 Club. The results of the August draw are as follows:
1st prize £150 32 Mr S Harwood
2nd Prize £100 182 Mrs A Trigg
3rd Prize £ 75 165 Mrs J Lewis
4th Prize £ 50 112 Commander C Paterson
5th Prize £ 25 49 Mr P Smyth
The 200 Club continues to provide funds to support the running of the Parish Centre. At the moment we are 25 members short of our target. If you would like to join, forms are available from the back of the church or ring Linda Wall on 01702 558217.
St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP) 'Awareness Month' 2019
Thank you for your very generous donations to our recent appeal which raised £1075.97p.
Coach outing to Cambridge
Adults male/female are welcome to join us on a day out to Cambridge on Thursday, 17th October. Tickets £18.00, includes driver gratuity. Coach leaves outside Church prompt at 9.30am. Plenty of free time to explore the sights, punt on the river etc. Enquiries to Cynthia or Jan, or leave your contact details in Parish Office. Only a few seats left and this is the last week to book.
Formation Course - Saturday 19th october 10am to 3pm
A day about communication - Playing my part in the changing Church: On Location: English Martyrs, 240 Alma Ave, Hornchurch, RM12 6BJ. Sign up: Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/formation-course-communication-tickets-66996742059 or email adeleangelevangelisation@outlook.com In these times of rapid change, how do we discover God’s desires, communicate effectively with one another and work together with genuine hope? This day will help you: learn the basic skills of discernment; understand better the challenges that we face in times of change, develop some practical strategies for more effective communication and better collaboration. Ruth Holgate & Fr David Smolira, Jesuits from Farm Street will lead the day. Please bring a packed lunch, refreshments will be provided. The event is free.
School Admission Forms for Primary & Secondary Schools
Parents wishing to apply to Catholic Schools for the next academic year are required to obtain a Letter of Catholic Practise from their Parish Priest. This must be requested from your Parish Priest in person and only one per child will be issued. We will provide the appropriate form. Please come to the Parish Centre for these on Friday, 18th October between 6pm and 8pm or Sunday, 20th October between 3pm and 4pm.
These are issued only to practising Catholics (i.e. those who attend weekly Mass). Furthermore, this practise of the Faith will be viewed over a period of time and not just the weeks prior to an application. Parish Priests may also look at the date of Baptism, noting those children who have been Baptised soon after birth as compared to those Baptised with proximity to school age. This is a matter of justice to all involved in applying for places in our Schools. Our schools are often oversubscribed and in order to be fair, preference will justly be given to those who live and practise the Faith as well as who contribute to the life of the Church through the various ways in which that support is given. If you are not a practising Catholic this Certificate will not be given; you may still apply to a Catholic School but your application will considered under another category for Admissions.
Journey of Faith (RCIA)
A series of informal talks, designed to give an insight into the teachings and traditions of the Catholic church, starts on Monday14th October at 8pm in the Parish Centre with Journey of Faith (Who is God & Our Desire for God). You are welcome to attend some or all of these talks; if you would like more information please speak to Fr Kevin.
Altar Serving
We would like to recruit some more Altar Servers: anyone post-First Holy Communion age who would like to be trained to serve Holy Mass, or adult servers for weekdays. Please give your names to Father Kevin or send to the parish Office.
Missio APF
Pope Francis has called the whole Church to observe the Extraordinary Month of Mission this October 2019. The Missio magazine for Autumn 2019 is a Special Edition and I have many extra copies, plus Prayer Cards, which I will leave at the back of the Church. There are Daily reflections in the magazine so whether you have a red box or not, I urge you all to take one and pray for the Missions during this special month. Thank you. Joan Caunce (Secretary) 01268 757505.
Canonisation of Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman
To celebrate the Canonisation of John Henry Newman, there will be a number of celebrations here at home during the coming days, notably:
Mass of Thanksgiving: Thursday, 17th October, 6.30pm, The London Oratory (Celebrant Vincent Cardinal Nichols)
Vespers: Saturday, 19th October, 3.30pm, Westminster Cathedral
Full details of the events can be found at the special website for the Canonisation:
www.newmancanonisation.com/events-in-england
Dates for your Diary
Monday 14th October Journey of Faith 8pm
Thursday 28th November Forty Hours Prayer 7pm
Sunday 1st December Christmas Bazaar - after 8am Mass
1st Thursday of every month Meeting of Parish Evangelisation Team 8pm
We Pray for our Sick
Ian Irwin, Sylvia Clancy, Patrick Walls, Lyn Gopee, Vita D’Souza, Patricia Vanner, 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, 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, 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, Sharon Levill, Georgina Cornwell, Annie Holland, Ivor & Joanne Knight, Brian Beresford, Rebecca Peake, Connor Bourke, Mattia Mollica, Bernadette Lane, Irena Solecki, Ianto Bellis, Doreen Troughton, Marguerite Harris, Andrew Exley, Richard Collins, Elizabeth McConalogue, Kean Smith, Mick Cordingley & 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 Edward Heery, Fr Harold Cahill, Fr Alfred Clements, Pope Pius XII, Fr John Dempsey, James Wood, Sheelagh Sheridan, Adele Petronis, Mary Clark,Ethel Shepherd, Alan Adamson, Kathleen Lionet, Walter Wood, Daphne Sounes, James Roberton, Joyce Pycroft, Henry Hart, Thomas Gunsell, Ronald Ballard, Mary Chin Eng Sawyer, Julia Shields, Amelia Eaglesfield, Moira O’Riordan, Francis Gurney, Charles Cutter, Arthur Hooper, Chloe Watts, Valerie Martin, Thomas Costello, Joan Lucey, Eric Phillips, Irene Earl, Stanley Graves andTeresa Morton.
May their Souls & the Souls of all the Faithful Departed rest in peace.
Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear Friends in Christ
At Mass this Sunday we hear Readings that warn us against an excessive concern for comfort and the things of this world, which often lead to a neglect of God and neighbour. The Gospel parable recalls the situation of the man (Dives) who fell into this trap. Jesus contrasts the extreme conditions of that rich man with Lazarus, who had nothing. Dives lived a selfish life, which made him blind to others. Selfish people treat others as objects without any value. We will encounter Lazarus many times as we go though life. Our challenge is to administer what we have with generosity.
In addition to a sharing of material goods, we also can offer understanding, affection and true friendship. A liberation from material things will enable us to achieve this, even if it is done internally. Divine Love is our goal and desire in all of this.
Dear Friends in Christ
At Mass this Sunday we hear Readings that warn us against an excessive concern for comfort and the things of this world, which often lead to a neglect of God and neighbour. The Gospel parable recalls the situation of the man (Dives) who fell into this trap. Jesus contrasts the extreme conditions of that rich man with Lazarus, who had nothing. Dives lived a selfish life, which made him blind to others. Selfish people treat others as objects without any value. We will encounter Lazarus many times as we go though life. Our challenge is to administer what we have with generosity. In addition to a sharing of material goods, we also can offer understanding, affection and true friendship. A liberation from material things will enable us to achieve this, even if it is done internally. Divine Love is our goal and desire in all of this.
We are approaching the Canonisation of John Henry Cardinal Newman which will take place in Rome on Sunday 13th October. Newman lived virtually through the whole of the nineteenth century and is one of the most famous converts to Catholicism in modern times and also one of our greatest theological and spiritual authors. I will be preaching about Newman the weekend of his Canonisation. We shall have an image of Blessed John Henry in church ahead of the Canonisation and on Friday 4th October we shall begin a Novena in preparation for his great Day: the first English Saint (not martyred) to be declared since the Reformation…so clearly an occasion to celebrate!
God bless you!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Priest@LourdesLeigh.org ✚ 01702 478078
The Sunday Homily is available as a podcast at LourdesLeigh.org
Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Sunday 29th September
Saturday 5.30pm Vigil Eileen Pearson, RIP (SP)
6.30pm–7.30pm Exposition & Confession
8.00am Mass Christopher Camm, RIP (Anniv) (KC)
9.30am Mass The People of the Parish
11.30am Mass Basil Emmerson, RIP (AE)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Monday 30 St Jerome, Pr, D
9.00am Mass Dette & Patrick Nolan, RIP (Anniv) (A&JM)
Tuesday 1 St Therese of the Child Jesus (Lisieux) V, D
9.00am Mass Intentions of Tom & Rita O'Callaghan (CB)
Wednesday 2 The Holy Guardian Angels
11.00am Requiem Mass Basil Emmerson, RIP
Thursday 3Feria
9.00am Mass Intentions of Karen Clark (MC)
4.30pm Mass Assisi Trust Mass
Friday 4 St Francis of Assisi, Rel - Harvest Fast Day
12Noon Mass John Creamer, RIP & Family Intentions (SW)
12.30pm Exposition after Mass until
8.00pm Holy Hour & Benediction
Saturday 5 Saturday Memorial of Bvm
10.00am Mass Intentions of Verity Hewlett (BT)
10.30am-11.30am Exposition & Confession
TWENTY-SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Sunday 6th Oct.
Saturday 5.30pm Vigil Saverio Pucino, RIP (GP)
6.30pm–7.30pm Exposition & Confession
8.00am Mass The People of the Parish
9.30am Mass Arthur Mills, RIP (DL)
11.30am Mass Mary Daly, RIP (ES)
4.00pm Mass Intentions of Sheila de Chantilly (RO'C)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
The Sacrament of Penance is available on request
Services from the church are live streamed
OLL Ladies Group
Our next Meeting is on Thursday 3rd October with the exciting return of Mr. Rock & Roll. Please make a prompt start at 10.30. Subs only £1.00, all ladies welcome.
Coach trip to Cambridge All parishioners are invited to an interesting day out on on 17th October to enjoy the sights, have some retail therapy, a punt on the river whatever you fancy, plenty of free time. Coach leaves outside Church prompt at 9.30am and cost, including driver gratuity, is only £18.00. Enquiries to Cynthia at cynthiabush11@googlemail.com or leave name and contact details in the Parish Office or see Jan Lewis.
Big Tea ‘Thank you’ Our small group of organisers would like to say a very heartfelt thanks to everyone who came and to all those who volunteered their time to help take tickets, manage the Raffle and be Waiters for a day, especially our 2 young people Shannon & Henry. A donation of £425 has been made to Nazareth House Roof repair Fund and a donation of £100 for our own Parish Centre.
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, 4th October 2019 from 2.30pm to 9pm. 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.