Organ Recital

James Devor (Organist Brentwood Cathedral) will give a pre-Lenten Organ Recital on Sunday 23rd February at 7pm. The programme will comprise seven pieces of music from the Baroque to the Modern era; admission free.

Sacrament of Confirmation

This will take place on Pentecost Sunday, 31st May. Any adult or young adult (who must have reached age of fourteen by 1st September 2019) may apply. Please send an email requesting the Sacrament to Fr Kevin.

St Thomas More School

We would like to invite those from the local parishes to come and hear Brendan Thompson from Catholic Voices talk about Our Lady of Guadalupe on Thursday 13th February at 7pm, at St. Thomas More School.  We hope that those in our local community will come and hear this inspiring and informative talk – it is open to all.  Please email Mr. Griffin - pgriffin@st.thomasmore.southend.sch.uk  if you would like to attend. There will also be opportunity for refreshments.

Southend Deanery Pilgrimage to Lourdes - Monday 27th July - Saturday 1st August 2020

Led by Monsignor Kevin Hale and joining the Brentwood Diocesan Pilgrimage (£725 per person sharing). Direct flights to Lourdes from Stansted including 20kg hold-luggage and 5 nights Full-Board in 4* Grand Hotel Moderne (closest hotel to Shrine).  Booking forms available from the Parish Office.  All enquiries & bookings will be handled by Mrs Susan Baillie (St Helens Parish - Westcliff-on-Sea)  - Tel: 01268 750752 / Mob: 07979 746707) Limited places available!

Mr Rock & Roll, Charity Night

Join us on Saturday, 29th February, in the Parish Centre for an evening of music and fun. Paul Adamson will be presenting music from the era of rock and roll and there will be an American themed supper. Bring your own drinks.  Tickets £10 Phone Linda 01702 558217, or Jo 01702 474062.  In aid of Homeless Projects in Southend.

Annual Lourdes Mass

The Annual Lourdes Mass will be celebrated by Msgr Kevin Hale at Brentwood Cathedral on Sunday 16th February at 3pm.  This is an opportunity to give thanks for graces received in Lourdes and to seek prayers for the sick. During the Mass, the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick will be celebrated.

Counters & Folders

Counters: Jacky Hoggett & Eileen Wilson
Folders: Jacky Hoggett & Pauline Jordan

Journey of Faith (RCIA)

A series of informal talks, designed to give an insight into the teachings and traditions of the Catholic church, will continue on Monday 10th February at 8pm in the Parish Centre with Journey of Faith (Penance and Anointing the Sick).  You are welcome to attend some or all of these talks; if you would like more information please speak to Fr Kevin.

Parish Pilgrimage to the Holy land

There are a few places still available for our seven day pilgrimage, 18th to 25th November 2020.  Information leaflets and Booking Forms are available from the Parish office.  The tour will start in Galilee and end in Jerusalem, staying at 4-Star hotels in Jerusalem and Tiberias.  

The cost will be £1580 per person, with a single room supplement of £550.  The price includes half board,  23kg hold/10kg hand luggage, meals and beverages on flights, an air-conditioned bus in Israel/Palestine, entrance fees, English speaking guide, hotel porterage, gratuities for guide/hotel staff.   Please return your Booking Form as soon as possible, together with a non-refundable deposit of £300 per person.

Dates for your Diary

Sunday 23rd February Organ Recital - 7pm
Sunday 29th March Consecration of England to Mary - 3pm St Peter’s Church, Eastwood
Saturdays 16th & 23rd May First Holy Communions - 10.30am
1st Thursday of every month Meeting of Parish Evangelisation Team 8pm

Please Pray for the Repose of the Souls of

Paul Broderick, RIP who died on Wednesday, 29th January.  His body will be received into the Church on Thursday, 20th February at 5pm.  His Requiem Mass will be held on Friday 21st February at 11am followed by committal at Southend Crematorium.
Agnes Watkins, RIP who died on Thursday, 30th January. Her body will be received into the Church on Wednesday, 26th February at 5pm. Her Requiem Mass will be held on Thursday 27th February at 11am followed by burial at Sutton Road Cemetery.
Robin Rea-Allison, RIP who died recently.
Teresa Hurley, RIP who died recently.

Sanctuary Lamp

The lamp burns for the deceased members of the Wall/Rockell/Morrissey Families.

We Pray for our Sick

Patricia Ann Darroch, Peg Larman, Ian Irwin, Sylvia Clancy, 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, Breege McCaffrey, Mark Hartley, Austin Butler, John Lavery, Paul Keane, Rosemary Bragard, Pat Lynch, Maureen Gooding, Dympna Addecott, Ben Wilson, Christian Ryan, Mike Rubbert, Tina Doveaston, Addi Brady, Patricia Fleming, Nicky Wigmore, Rose Craft, 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, Georgina Cornwell, Antonella McConalogue, Eddie McConalogue, Sharon Levill, 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, Keith Maliff & 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 Bernard Manning, Pope Pius XI, Fr Donald Mills, Fr Charles Snell, Rev William Smith, Alice Whitfield, Eugenie Ballard, Doris Wenninger, Edmund O’Sullivan, Patrick Jennett, Charles Oldham, John Armstrong, Victor Gosling, Carmen Ashley, John Young, Bernard Ward, Catherine Shanahan, Gordon Watts, Jessie Hempstead, Annie Jackson, Monica Crighton, Cajetan Soares, Eric Wallen, Mary Mulhern, Mary Gleeson, Patrick O’Donnell, Martin Ryan, Daphne Rickard, Ivy Spratt, Christina Riddell, Joan Stanley, Malcolm Atkinson, Tony Trigg, Patricia Garnett, Anthony Ashwell-Rivens & Elaine MacDonald.

May their Souls & the Souls of all the Faithful Departed rest in peace.

The Presentation of the Lord

Dear Friends in Christ 

Every six years the feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple is celebrated on a Sunday; this gives us the opportunity to reflect on an important moment in the life of Jesus, a moment that is kept before our eyes during the year, since one of the panels in the church reredos (centre right) depicts his moment. It is the fourth Joyful Mystery of the Holy Rosary. Joseph and Mary bring Our Lord to the Temple, as required by Jewish law and ritual, so that He may be presented to God. It was also the occasion of Mary’s purification, as also prescribed by the Law of Moses.

On this occasion, they are met by Simeon, an old and devout man, who took Jesus in his arms and exclaimed: Now Lord, you can let your servant depart in peace…for my eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared for your people…a light to enlighten the nations! This little canticle of praise is prayed every night during the Office of Compline (night prayer). It reminds us that Jesus is our One and only Saviour, whom the world awaits. 

St Bernard writes in a sermon for this feast: Today the Virgin Mary brought to the Temple the Lord of the Temple. Joseph presented to God his adopted Son, the Beloved One. Anna the widow joins in with words of thanksgiving  These four people performed the first procession, a joyful procession which will be continued throughout time in every corner of the earth. 

The celebration of The Presentation on this Sunday should remind us that, like Mary, we can daily make an offering of ourselves to God. Like her too, there are often sorrowful swords that pierce the heart, but with her at our side, we continue the Christian pilgrimage which began at Baptism, towards the definitive encounter with the True light one day in Heaven.

God bless you!

Msgr Kevin Hale

Priest@LourdesLeigh.org ✚ 01702 478078
The Sunday Homily is available as a podcast at LourdesLeigh.org

The Presentation of the Lord

THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD Sunday 2nd February 

Saturday 5.30pm Vigil The People of the Parish
6.30pm–7.30pm Exposition & Confession

8.00am Mass John & Pat Moon, RIP & Valerie Griggs, RIP (SM)
9.30am Mass William Nicholas, RIP (BH)
11.30am Mass Intentions of Charlie & Rose D’Souza (MF)
4.00pm Mass Miriam Gardner, RIP (AG) - Ex Form
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction

Monday 3 St Anne Line, M
9.00am Mass James Rourke, RIP (MB)

Tuesday 4 Feria
9.00am Mass Frank & Elsie O’Connor, RIP (Anniv) (T&VT)

Wednesday 5 St Agatha, V, M
9.00am Mass Edward & Esther Martin, RIP (A&JM)

Thursday 6 St Paul Miki and Comps, Mm
9.00am Requiem Mass Joan Kiernan, RIP 

Friday 7 Feria First Friday
12Noon Mass Jenny Maplesden, RIP (Anniv) (AT)
12.30pm Exposition after Mass until
8.00pm Holy Hour & Benediction

Saturday 8 St Jerome Emiliani, Rel      
10.00am Mass Luigia Tisi, RIP (Anniv)(T&VT)
10.30am-11.30am Exposition & Confession

FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Sunday 9th February 

Saturday 5.30pm Vigil John & Irene Barry, RIP (Anniv) (BF)
6.30pm–7.30pm Exposition & Confession

8.00am Mass Joe & Sybil Swann, RIP (MD)
9.30am Mass Rene Solecki, RIP (L&KW) - Presentation of FHC Photos
11.30am Mass The People of the Parish
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction

The Sacrament of Penance is available on request
Services from the church are live streamed

Lent Talks at St Peter's, Eastwood Road North, Leigh SS9 4BX

Four Gospels - One Jesus - In the year of ‘The God who speaks’

Weds 4th March  The Gospel according to Mark – Fr Paul Fox
Weds 11th  March The Gospel according to Matthew - Fr Gerry Drummond
Weds  25th March  The Gospel according to Luke –Fr Eduard Fartan
Weds 1st April  The Gospel according to John - Fr Graham Smith

All presentations begin at 8pm.  Host & Facilitator Fr Jeff Woolnough
Evenings conclude with Night Prayer and Benediction - Confessions heard.  
Tea and Coffee available with Lenten Bookstall.

England to be Rededicated to Our Blessed Lady

This Re-dedication on 29th March is a both a personal promise of the people of our country, and a renewal of the entrustment vows made by King Richard II in Westminster Abbey in 1381. King Richard sought the protection of Our Lady in the face of great political turmoil. At this point, England received the title ‘Mary’s Dowry’; meaning that England was ‘set aside’ as a gift, a dowry, for Our Lady under her guidance and protection.

On Sunday 29th March at 12noon, The Re-dedication will take place throughout the country. As King Richard II once gave England as a gift to Our Lady, so we are invited to give ourselves, as the people of this country, to Mary. We respond to this invitation on the day of Re-dedication in two ways; by making a personal promise (the “Angelus Promise” in which we proclaim our own “Yes” in union with Mary through the words of the Annunciation) and a communal entrustment (this Act of entrustment of England to the Virgin Mary is a prayer of profoundly historic and spiritual nature, bringing together the prayers of surrender and dedication that have echoed through our history). Our personal promise brings us closer to Mary, the first disciple of Christ. In this we unite in her joy by following her openness to God’s call. Our communal entrustment unites us together as the people of our country in prayer, by renewing the vows of dedication made to Mary by our ancestors.

All parishes, schools and Catholic organisations in the country are invited to become a host for this dedication.

This re-dedication takes place during our Year of the Word – the God Who Speaks, at the time when we celebrate God’s Word becoming Flesh. Resources and more information can be found at the national site, cbcew.org.uk

Organ Recital

James Devor (Organist Brentwood Cathedral) will give a pre-Lenten Organ Recital on Sunday 23rd February at 7pm. The programme will comprise seven pieces of music from the Baroque to the Modern era; admission free.

OLL Ladies

We next meet on Thursday 6th February  at 10.30am in the Parish Centre. By popular demand, we will welcome back the Poetry Group for another entertaining and  interesting range of poetry.  NB Would all ladies attending bring your own name badge.  All women welcome, subs £1, plus a fun Raffle.