Coronavirus Advice

You will find the most recent advice on the Coronavirus available on the Diocesan website www.dioceseofbrentwood.net and also on the website of the Bishops Conference of England and Wales www.cbcew.org.uk

First Sunday of Lent

Dear Friends in Christ 

Every year on the First Sunday of Lent the mood of this sacred season is set with the reading of the temptations of Jesus in the wilderness. Our Forty Days of Lenten prayer and penance try to imitate this time Jesus spent in preparation for his public life and Passion. Each of us can resolve to do this generously and joyfully, remembering that the only real joy in this life - as opposed to superficial happiness - is that which comes from an intimacy with Christ. Lent is traditionally a time for preparing to receive the Sacraments. Please pray for those who will be Received into Full Communion with the Church at Easter; especially from our own Parish: Michael Jones, Sabine Whittington and Simon Jones   This Sunday they will attend the Rite of Election in our Cathedral together with all those throughout the Diocese who will receive the Easter Sacraments.

During 11.30am Mass this Sunday I shall be Commissioning eleven members of the Parish Family as Extra-Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, whom I have invited to undertake this precious role. Please pray that, like those existing Extra-Ordinary Ministers they will be exemplary in Faith and Eucharistic piety. Also, pray for our young adults who this weekend begin their preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation at Pentecost.

One practical project this Lent will be the start of the restoration of the reredos or altar piece of our church. This portrays the Joyful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary. Over the decades it has become faded with the passage of time and smoke from heating and candles. Work will begin this week on the bottom panel - the Annunciation - removing the browned varnish, cleaning, repainting and re-gilding the figures and then sealing it again. We hope that by the completion it will all look quite splendid again. If anyone would like to make a donation towards this work, then please do have a word with me.

I wish you the grace of perseverance as we continue our Lenten endeavours together towards Easter.  God bless you!

Msgr Kevin Hale

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

First Sunday of Lent

First Sunday of Lent Sunday 1st March

Saturday 5.30pm Vigil  Aoife O’Sullivan, RIP (Anniv) (MO’S)                         
6.30pm–7.30pm Exposition & Confession

8.00am Mass The People of the Parish
9.30am Mass Paul Broderick, RIP (BH)
11.30am Mass Bill Sullivan, RIP (CB) With the Commissioning of new
Extra- Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion 
4.00pm Mass Peter Griffin, RIP (Anniv) (SG) - Extraordinary Form
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction

Monday 2 Feria
9.00am Mass Charles & Alice Whitefield, RIP (F/M)

Tuesday 3 Feria
9.00am Mass Intentions of Tony & Valerie Tisi (STH)

Wednesday 4 Feria
9.00am Mass William Pearson, RIP (SP)

Thursday 5 Feria
9.00am Mass Christine Robinson, RIP (MF)

Friday 6 Feria - Family Fast Day
6.30am Mass Jeffrey White, RIP (TA)
12Noon Mass Jan Harris, RIP (Anniv) (LY)
12.30pm Exposition after Mass until
8.00pm Holy Hour & Benediction

Saturday 7 Feria      
10.00am Mass Marion Payne, RIP (CP)
10.30am-11.30am Exposition & Confession

SECOND Sunday of Lent Sunday 8th March

Saturday 5.30pm Vigil  Guy Bragard, RIP (Anniv) (RB)                         
6.30pm–7.30pm Exposition & Confession

8.00am Mass Patrick Fenoughty, RIP (AL)
9.30am Mass The People of the Parish
11.30am Mass Paul Convoy, RIP (D) 
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. Presented by our Deanery Clergy

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

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

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 2nd March at 8pm in the Parish Centre with Journey of Faith (The Ten Commandments).  You are welcome to attend some or all of these talks; if you would like more information please speak to Fr Kevin.

Charity Fundraising

Dan and James McEvoy will be running the Brighton marathon on 19th April in memory of their dad, Jim McEvoy, whom many of you knew and loved. They will be raising money for cancer research.  If you would like to support them, then you can donate via this link: https//fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/team/dan-and-james-run-the-brighton-marathon-2020

Havens Hospices

A new hospice for Southend, Castle Point and Rochford will be opening this spring, and we want you to be a part of it.

Thanks to the kindness and generosity of thousands of local people, we have been able to reach our overall target of £17.2 million and are now on-track to open the new Fair Havens very soon for patients and families.

Based in Prittlewell, it will be able to care for twice as many patients, offer more treatments and support more families in a welcoming and therapeutic environment which contrasts with the stark, clinical atmosphere many people want to avoid at the end of their lives. 

This is your hospice for your local community.

It is likely that you’ll know someone who has benefited from hospice care or may do in the future. All our care is completely free of charge, thanks to people like you.

We’d like to invite you to look around the building before we officially open, so we can explain more about the impact the hospice will have on your community.

From 2nd-15th March, we are holding tours of the new Fair Havens in Prittlewell, with the chance to meet some of our team with refreshments available afterwards.

These must be booked online at www.havenshospices.org.uk/nfhtours or by calling 01702 220 305.

If you’re unable to attend, there are plenty of other ways to continue your loyal support to the charity, for example make a small monthly donation or consider becoming a volunteer.

We are also having our annual Havens To Havens Walk on 17th May, and we’re producing limited-edition keepsake flowers to mark this milestone in the history of Havens Hospices. For more information and to secure your own handcrafted flower, visit our website.

We really hope you can attend and see how your gifts are truly ‘Making every day count’ for our patients and families.

Lenten Lunches

Due to unforeseen circumstances the lunches which are usually held during Fridays in Lent will not take place this year. We are sorry to disappoint all our loyal supporters but we hope to be back with more delicious soups next year.

OLL Ladies Group

We meet next Thursday, 5th March in the Parish Centre from 10.30am and have planned a great morning  of fun and  entertainment. Please come and give a big welcome to the BARBERSHOP BOYS ( a group of 14) amazing male singers.  All women in Parish welcome,  so please arrive promptly and enjoy coffee, chat, meet friends before the fun starts!  Subs only £1.00 plus a great Raffle.

Counters & Folders

Counters:  Linda Wall & Jacky Hoggett 
Folders:  Bobby Newman & Sue Hibbert

Cafod Family Fast Day - Friday 6th March

Thank you for everything you do to support Cafod. This Lent Family Fast day on 6th March focuses on taking further Cafod's actions to improve the health of our brothers and sisters around the world. Cafod helps to train health care professionals such as Sister Consilia in Zimbabwe who works in local communities. Her presence means that people do not have to walk for miles to find a hospital for treatment when suffering from illnesses such as malaria or typhoid. Please continue to pray for Cafod's work and if you can provide a donation towards it, gift envelopes are available at the back of the church. (An error in printing meant that offertory envelopes had a February date on them, so thank you to those who have already donated!) Thank you.

Dates for your Diary

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

Sheena Reeves, RIP.  Her Requiem Mass will be celebrated on Monday, 16th March at 9.30am followed by committal at Southend Crematorium.

Jack Pearson, RIP who died on Thursday, 13th February. His body will be received into the Church on Tuesday, 17th March at 5pm. His Requiem Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday 18th March at 11am followed by burial at Woodside Cemetery.

Sanctuary Lamp

The lamp burns for the deceased family and friends of Norman & Sue Hibbert.

We Pray for our Sick

Adrian Barclay, Patricia Ann Darroch, Peg Larman, Ian Irwin, Sylvia Clancy, Patricia Vanner, Amy Louise Fox, Sarah Savage, Bill O’Connell, 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

Mgr Canon Patrick O’Donnell, Fr Brian Galvin, Fr Francis Hastings, Fr Malachy Kelly, Paul Vermeulen, Patricia Hopper, Ada Chapp, Jim Acaster, Michael Sheaf, Miss A. Till, Amy Wood, Margaret Blissett, Catherine Byrne, Ruby Ravinet, Giovanni Puglisi, Patricia McBreaty, Michael Flynn, Aoife O’Sullivan, Patricia Sellers, Hugh Gallacher, Maria Varden Heuval, Patricia Church, Margaret Ellis, May Perkins, Esperanza Reyers, Bernard McCarthy, Ena Bartley, Mary Smith, Doris Conner, Danielle Sutherland, Sandra McGran, Philip Thomas, Anthony Conlon, Hannah Harris, Johnathan Grindley, Granley Rumsey, John Burke, Sydney Compton, Edward Baigent, Elsie Killman & Janet Harris. 

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

Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear Friends in Christ 

We are once again on the threshold of Lent, which begins this Wednesday. The ever more rapid passing of time only serves to remind us of the passing of life and how we stand daily in the hope of eternity. How will each of us live the Forty Days which constitute this sacred time ahead? Above all, with love: for God and neighbour. Also, in a spirit of detachment from the world and all of the things in it which deflect us from the path to Heaven. We can try to live a richer spiritual life during Lent: perhaps trying to attend daily Mass or an extra Mass in the week (remember the early Friday Mass at 6.30am); there is the Way of the Cross  and Benediction every Friday evening. For the Year of the Word - the God who Speaks there are the Lent Talks on the Gospels (details in this Newsletter and the website). I encourage you to take up the Gospels and read the life of Christ as part of your spiritual programme this Lent. Then there is the difficult area of penance and mortification; this really shouldn't be difficult, because it is simply the prayer of the body. Let each of our acts of self-sacrifice be like the beating of our hearts: hidden and constant but necessary for the life of our souls. Perhaps try as a family to make some time for prayer together, even if just at the start of meals. In these ways we shall mark this holy time together and see the ashes placed on our heads this Wednesday transformed into the gold dust of Easter!

God bless you!

Msgr Kevin Hale

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

Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Sunday 23rd February 

Saturday 5.30pm Vigil  Christine Robinson, RIP (SVP)                          
6.30pm–7.30pm Exposition & Confession

8.00am Mass Barrington Gray, RIP (Anniv) (JH) 
9.30am Mass Jim & Tina Rockell, RIP (Anniv) (K&LW)
11.30am Mass The People of the Parish
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
7.00pm Pre Lent Organ Recital

Monday 24 Feria
9.00am Mass Intentions of Vivien Clancy
11.00am Requiem Mass Michael Cross, RIP

Tuesday 25 Feria
9.00am Mass Martyn & Thomas Byrnes, RIP (Anniv) (SG)

Wednesday 26 ASH WEDNESDAY Day of Fasting & Abstinence
9.30am Mass John Holland, RIP (Anniv) (MH) With OLOL School attending
12Noon Mass Intentions of Catherine & Michael Calnan (FO’B)
5.00pm Body in Church Agnes Watkins, RIP
8.00pm Mass Ollie Curtis Brown & Gillian Curtis (KO’S)

Thursday 27 Thursday after Ash Wednesday
11.00am Requiem Mass Agnes Watkins, RIP

Friday 28 Friday after Ash Wednesday
6.30am Mass Christopher Wilson, RIP (KW)
12Noon Mass Sean McMahon, RIP (AS)
8.00pm Way of the Cross & Benediction

Saturday 29 Saturday after Ash Wednesday      
10.00am Mass Bill Hoggett, RIP (JH)
0.30am-11.30am Exposition & Confession

FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT Sunday 1st March

Saturday 5.30pm Vigil  Aoife O’Sullivan, RIP (Anniv) (MO’S)                         
6.30pm–7.30pm Exposition & Confession

8.00am Mass The People of the Parish
9.30am Mass Paul Broderick, RIP (BH)
11.30am Mass Bill Sullivan, RIP (CB) With the Commissioning of new
Extra-Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion                                                  
4.00pm Mass Peter Griffin, RIP (Anniv) (SG) - Extraordinary Form

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 Presented by our Deanery Clergy

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