Fifth Sunday of Lent
Dear Friends in Christ
We have begun the final two weeks of Lent: Passiontide. The purple veiling of our crucifixes reminds us of the sombre nature of these days contemplating Our Lord’s suffering and death. Let us not relax our fervent living of Lent during this crisis but redouble our efforts to pray and purify our lives of everything ungodly. Even if it is the most unusual Lent we have ever had!
Dear Friends in Christ
We have begun the final two weeks of Lent: Passiontide. The purple veiling of our crucifixes reminds us of the sombre nature of these days contemplating Our Lord’s suffering and death. Let us not relax our fervent living of Lent during this crisis but redouble our efforts to pray and purify our lives of everything ungodly. Even if it is the most unusual Lent we have ever had!
Celebrating Mass these days in an empty church is one of the most strange experiences I have had in my years as a priest. However, I am aware from your communications, that hundreds of you have been connected through the internet to the offering of the Mass. Do introduce others to this facility if they are not aware of it or don't know how to access it; this has proven to be such a great benefit. One of the most touching images I received last weekend, was children in a family setting up an altar at home with statues and candles with the live-streaming of Mass in the background. This is a perfect way of participating in the rhythm of prayer — focused on Holy Mass — which continues in our churches even without a physical presence. Do continue to be part of the praying Church by reading the Scriptures, using the materials available online and making Spiritual Communions.
Thank you for continuing to support the Parish with your offerings. Those of you with Offertory envelopes could post them through The Presbytery door; you might consider setting-up a Standing Order or Bank transfer or using the online “Donate” facility of the Parish website. Your continued generosity is all the more appreciated given that everyone will be struggling financially.
The schedule of Masses and Services continue much as normal apart from there being only one Sunday morning Mass at 11.30. I wish you assure you that I am praying constantly for the Parish. The upside of this crisis is that it gives us more time for prayer! I am missing seeing you all, but if you need me for anything, then please call me. I am so grateful for the very many emails I am receiving which are so positive and supportive. This crisis will not be brief but it will pass. We can unite our experience with all those who have been, and continue to be, without the benefit of Mass and the Sacraments because of persecution or isolation. When this is all over we can return to Mass with renewed love and enthusiasm, and, we must hope and pray, with even greater numbers.
This Sunday is the moment of the Rededication of England to Our Blessed Lady. This was first done in 1381 by Richard II and is a token of our devotion to her in this land which has long been known as Mary’s Dowry. We so stand in need of the protecting mantle of God’s Mother at this moment. Please look at the special website Behold 2020 for more details of this important and historic act. There you can find the prayers which we can make in our churches, homes families and as individuals. I will be making this act of Rededication during our Sunday Mass and will hold each and every one of you in my heart and prayer at that moment.
May God continue to bless and protect us!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Fifth Sunday of Lent
Public worship is suspended
All services are live streamed
Saturday 28 March
5.30pm Vigil The People of the Parish
6.30-7.30 Exposition with
7 Joyful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary
Sunday 29 March
11.30am Mass Intentions of Hannah Williams — 100th Birthday
5.30-6.30pm Exposition & Benediction
Monday 30 Feria
9am Mass Joan Kiernan, RIP (SVP)
Tuesday 31 Feria
9am Mass Frances Singhe, RIP (MR)
Wednesday 1 April Feria
9am Mass Deceased Members of the Siani Family (RB)
Thursday 2 Feria
9am Mass Christine Mary Fisher, RIP (Anniv) PS
Friday 3 Feria
9am Mass Will & Vi Coveney, RIP (Anniv) (MC)
6-7pm Meditations on the Way of the Cross & Benediction
Saturday 4 Feria
10am Mass Sheena Reeves, RIP (SVP)
10.30-11.30 Exposition
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
5.30pm Vigil Vincent Dennett, RIP (MC)
6.30-7.30 Exposition
Sunday 5 April
11.30am The People of the Parish
5.30pm Exposition & Benediction
Pray for the Repose of the Souls
Bruno DeSantis
Died on Friday, 28th February
Margaret Carstairs
Died on Saturday, 29th February
Mary Ngosa
Died recently
Waltrand Anne Kirk
Died recently
Parent Resources
School-aged children can worship in the home, and continue to mark the season of Lent and the Easter period with their families without gathering publicly for mass.
The Diocese has advice for parents:
Parish Fundraising
Thank you to everyone who supports the 200 Club
February draw
£150 Mrs M Devine 69
£100 Mrs P Major 51
£75 Mrs E Wilson 131
£50 Mrs A Trigg 182
£25 Mrs C Harris 13
We Pray for our Sick
Anne Owen, 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
Pope John Paul II, Fr Joseph Tuohey, Canon William Toft, Fr Ronald Roberts, Canon Charles Loughran, Bessie Higley, Sheila Townsend, Veronica Redhouse, Bartholemew Guihen, Alan Read, Geraldine Gwilliam, Herbert Robertson, Mary Leonard, Marjorie Nolan, Eugene Read, Winifred Maguire, Albert Thorne, Ronald Black, Daisy Spicer, Vera Stuart, Lt Cdr James Scott, Marjorie Bowen, Leslie Poole, Stella Finn, Jean Bethell, Vi Coveney, Christine Fisher, Donald McMahon, Catherine Nelson, Baby Ben Blaker, Catherine Dace, Nora White, Charles Thompson, Elizabeth Tyrell, Bernard Foley, Peggy Cockerell, Robert Lee, Kitty Stanley, Patricia Quinn & Patrick Dunbar.
Rededication of England to Our Blessed Lady
On Sunday 29th March at 12 noon, The Rededication will take place throughout the country
On Sunday 29th March at 12 noon, The Rededication will take place throughout the country.
King Richard II first gave England as a gift to Our Lady, in Westminster Abbey in 1381. We are now invited to give ourselves, as the people of this country, to Mary. We respond to this invitation on the day of Rededication in two ways; by making a personal promise and a communal entrustment.
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.
You can join in with the Act of Rededication by using the prayers here:
This Rededication will take place in our own Parish during 11.30am Mass this Sunday, 29th March. Please join me as families and individuals during what is a challenging time for us all. On Saturday evening at seven o’clock we have been invited by the Sanctuary at Walsingham to join in praying the Joyful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary which I will lead in the church; please join with me on the livestream.
fr Kevin
Message from Fr Kevin
My dear Parishioners
The news that life is going to be very different for all of us for the foreseeable future is a real challenge. I wish to you assure you that you are all foremost in my thoughts and prayers. My concern for everyone is that you remain well in soul and body. Even though the church must remain closed, I shall celebrate Holy Mass every morning and continue the rhythm of prayer as best I can in the course of every day. Let us do our best to look out for one another; if you hear of someone who is in need then do call me. Let us try to keep in touch by telephone or social media. Above all, please pray for me, for our Bishop and Priests and for one another, especially the sick and suffering and those who tend them. With the grace of God this crisis will pass and we shall emerge stronger and more vibrant to praise God in His Holy Church!
With my blessing!
Fr Kevin
Mass
no public worship: live-streaming only
Saturday vigil 5.30pm
Sunday 11.30am
Monday-Thursday 9am
Friday 12 noon
Saturday 10am
Magnificat & The Catholic Herald
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Magnificat
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Catholic Herald
13 weeks £25
Both Catholic Herald and Magnificat
£36
Telephone Margaret on 020 7448 3607 or Paul on 020 7448 3618 during work hours 9.30am-5pm Monday-Friday. Place orders before Easter.
Fourth Sunday of Lent
Dear Friends in Christ
Although the Gospel at Mass for this Sunday of Lent tells of the Healing of the Man Born Blind, I've chosen the image for this Sunday of St Charles Borromeo giving Holy Communion to victims of the Plague in Milan in 1575. As Archbishop of Milan, St Charles was an exemplar of a good and devoted pastor, who was tireless in teaching the Faith, reforming the Clergy and not sparing himself in his apostolic endeavours. He instructed his priests at the time of the Plague: Be ready to abandon this mortal life rather than the people committed to your care. Go forward among the plague-stricken as to life, as to a reward, even if there is only one soul to be won to Christ.
Dear Friends in Christ
Although the Gospel at Mass for this Sunday of Lent tells of the Healing of the Man Born Blind, I've chosen the image for this Sunday of St Charles Borromeo giving Holy Communion to victims of the Plague in Milan in 1575. As Archbishop of Milan, St Charles was an exemplar of a good and devoted pastor, who was tireless in teaching the Faith, reforming the Clergy and not sparing himself in his apostolic endeavours. He instructed his priests at the time of the Plague:
Be ready to abandon this mortal life rather than the people committed to your care. Go forward among the plague-stricken as to life, as to a reward, even if there is only one soul to be won to Christ.
He initiated penitential processions though the city of Milan to implore God to deliver the people from this fatal epidemic. Speaking last Friday at Mass, Pope Francis said:
I would like, today, to pray as well for pastors, who must accompany the People of God in this crisis: that the Lord give them the strength and the wherewithal to choose the best means for helping. Drastic measures, are not always good.
Francis went on to specify:
Let the people of God feel themselves accompanied by their pastors: by the comfort of the Word of God, the Sacraments, and of prayer. In former times of greater Faith, Christians would see such phenomena as a reminder to them that, whilst God does not will evil, He allows it so that a greater good may come from it.
You may be aware by now that all public worship in our churches has been suspended. However, priests will continue to celebrate Mass and I intend to keep to the daily schedule of Masses here with the exception of Sunday when there will be a Mass only at 11.30am. All of the liturgies can be followed on the live-stream via the Parish website: lourdesleigh.org/live. In addition, after Mass each day there will be exposition of the Blessed Sacrament for private visits and prayer. The side door from the courtyard will remain open. Please continue to practice good hygiene and social distancing in church. In this time, we all need Our Blessed Lord close to us more than ever. I assure you that even though I won’t see many of you for a while, you are ever in my thoughts and prayers, especially at Mass. Of course, I am very happy to go to anyone who needs me; please just call or email.
In these unusual times, the major concern is always for the good of others, and primarily for their spiritual good. We all need to be considerate of other members of the Community by following the norms that have been proposed for us to follow, even if they are inconvenient and unpleasant. We are all in this together, so let us pray that God will be merciful to His people, especially the sick and suffering and those who bear the burden of civil responsibility for our well-being. This Lent we have been given a special trial in our world which, if we see it with supernatural vision — with the eyes of Faith — can purify us and move us to see how everything on this earth is relative to the life to come. Our brief and fleeting life on earth is but a prelude to eternal life. Like the Man Born Blind in the Gospel of this Sunday, we are invited to live not by seeing the things of this world more clearly, but seeking that which is above!
God bless you all and keep you safe and secure in His love.
Msgr Kevin Hale
Priest@LourdesLeigh.org ✚ 01702 478078
The Sunday Homily is available as a podcast at LourdesLeigh.org
Coronavirus Advice
The most recent advice on the Coronavirus is available from the Diocese of Brentwood and also from the Bishops Conference of England and Wales
Spiritual Communion
During days when it is not possible for Catholics to attend Holy Mass or receive Holy Communion, a very ancient custom is to make a Spiritual Communion. In this prayer we express our desire to receive Our Lord spiritually — not with the same graces as a Sacramental Communion — but nonetheless a good and pious custom in times of necessity. Here are two forms that can be used:
“My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there, and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You.”
or
“I wish, Lord, to receive you with the purity, humility and devotion with which your most holy Mother received you, with the spirit and fervour of the saints.”
Fourth Sunday of Lent
Public worship is suspended
All services are live streamed
Laetare Sunday
Saturday 21 March
5.30pm Vigil The People of the Parish
6.30–7.30 Exposition
Sunday 22nd March
8am Mass Frank Maguire, RIP
9.30am Mass Doreen & Fred Wall, RIP (Anniversary)
11.30am Mass Intentions of Mya Strzetelska
5.30-6.30pm Exposition & Benediction
Monday 23 Feria
9am Mass Intentions of Sister Rosemary
9.30–6pm Exposition
Tuesday 24 Feria
9am Mass Charles & Alice Whitefield, RIP
9.30–6pm Exposition
The Annunciation of the Lord
Wednesday 25
9am Mass Intentions of Sandra Hippard
Thursday 26 Feria
9am Mass Terence Larman, RIP (Anniversary)
Friday 27 Feria
12 noon Mass Mary McNamee, RIP
6-7pm Exposition with
Meditations on the Way of the Cross & Benediction
Saturday 28 Feria
10am Mass Agnes Watkins, RIP
10.30-11.30 Exposition
Fifth Sunday of Lent
Day of Rededication of England to Our Blessed Lady
5.30pm Vigil The People of the Parish
6.30-7.30 Exposition with
7 Joyful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary
Sunday 29 March
11.30am Mass Intentions of Hannah Williams — 100th Birthday
5.30pm Exposition & Benediction
The Sacrament of Penance is not available at present
Offertory Collections
As we shall not be having any Offertory collections for the foreseeable future, we suggest that you might like to continue to make your weekly offering by any of the following means: putting your envelope through The Presbytery door (1 Cliffsea Grove); taking out a Standing Order; Bank transfer or donating online via the Parish website. We understand that many of us will be experiencing financial strictures in these days, so your continued support of the Church and the Parish is even more appreciated.
If you normally use the envelopes to donate, your box for the coming year can be collected from the Sacristy.
Covid-19 Domestic Church Parent Resources
Please find a link to the Diocesan news page, where we have published an article with recommendations for parents with school-aged children to enable them to continue to worship in the home, and continue to mark the season of Lent / Easter period with their families without gathering publicly for mass.
dioceseofbrentwood.net/news/domestic-church-resources-parents-covid-19
Restoration of the Reredos
Work has begun with the restoration of the first panel - The Annunciation - in time for the Feast on 25th March, but there is still further work to be done on it. The intention is to return the entire Reredos to what it would have looked like when it was first completed. The Re-dedication of England to Our Blessed Lady takes places on the Sunday following this Feast. We can keep this Mystery readily before our eyes in these days as we prepare for this Act of Re-dedication. Each day the praying of The Angelus reminds us of the moment when the good news of the Incarnation was announced to Mary. The others scenes on the Reredos will be completed later but if anyone would like to make a donation towards the cost of this work, please speak to Father Kevin.
APF Rex Box Holders
I have received the Spring Missio Magazine. If you have not received one from me personally, please take one from the back of the church (in the usual place). Thank you. Joan Caunce (Secretary) 01268 757505.