Gift Aid

Boxes of Gift Aid envelopes for the financial year 2021/22 will be available for collection this weekend,

If you wish to join the Gift Aid scheme and do require an envelope for your weekly offering, you can complete the necessary declaration either online lourdesleigh.org/gift-aid or alternatively there is a form at the back of the Church which, when completed, should be returned to the parish office.

An alternative to envelope use would be to set up a Standing Order, an enquiry form is available on the Parish website. Alternatively a Standing Order mandate form is available at the back of the Church.

Headteacher Vacancy at St Bernard's High School

St Bernard’s High School are advertising for a Headteacher. If you would like more information please follow the link https://www.stbernardswestcliff.org.uk/page/?title=Vacancies&pid=38

Landings for Returning Catholics

If there is a member of your family, a neighbour or a friend who has been away from the church for a while please invite them to the next Landings program. We are running the program via Zoom, which will start on 8th April and run for eight weeks. They can contact the Landings Team on landings@lourdesleigh.org. A member of the team will contact them with further details.

Second Collection

When there is a second collection, rather than using the envelopes, you are able to donate online via the Parish website.

This can be done by using the 'Donate' area, filling in the relevant information requested, including the amount of the gift, and when you reach the 'Additional Information' section, the name of the charity/recipient will appear in a drop down box. You can then select the relevant one for that collection.

Magnificat

There are a few Holy Week issues of Magnificat left at the back of church, for £2 each. This edition will be the last time you will be able to purchase the Magnificat from this church.

From the April issue, parishioners who wish to continue receiving Magnificat will need to subscribe annually either online at catholic-herald.myshopify.com or send a cheque for £47.00, made payable to Magnificat, Catholic Herald Ltd, 8A Lower Grosvenor Place, London SW1W 0EN.

Foundation Governors

With a number of Governors in their last term of office at St Bernard’s we are looking to appoint further Foundation Governors to work alongside our Governors before they finish. We are particularly interested in people with a Finance/Premises background. All Foundation Governors must be practising Catholics and be supported in their application by their Parish Priest. Anyone interested should contact Sue Clancy (Clerk to the Governors) sjc@stbernards.southend.sch.uk

Fifth Sunday of Lent

Dear friends in Christ

The tone of Lent shifts in the last two weeks into Passiontide. Through the liturgy—the prayers and readings—we are gradually drawn into the mysteries that brought about our salvation. Next Sunday—Palm Sunday—we begin Holy Week listening to the Passion (shorter version) according to St Mark. As I explained last week, the liturgies of Holy Week are going to be somewhat reduced in their elements and in duration; this is to ensure that we keep within the Covid restrictions. However, we must be grateful: this time last year there was nobody in church and most of Lent and Easter was celebrated behind closed doors. A large part of our participation in Holy Week and Easter is a reading of the Gospel. If, for whatever reason, you cannot attend church in person, try to follow all the events of Holy Week on the livestream and by reading the Passion narratives. The Saints tell us that we ought to imagine ourselves being present at each of the events. If we do this prayerfully it will change our lives. All of the virtues necessary to live the Christian life are present in the Passion. Jesus teaches us by his words and gestures, how to be patient, long-suffering, meek, courageous and humble. Pray for some particular virtue you need at this time, especially the grace to follow Jesus with the crosses of life. Try to see all of the trials and tragedies we experience as a participation in the suffering of Our Lord. The whole drama of the Passion leads infallibly to the glory of the Resurrection. The same for us: after the suffering comes the glory.

With every blessing!

Msgr Kevin Hale

Fifth Sunday of Lent

5.30pm Vigil Pat Archer, RIP (SW)
6.30pm Holy Hour: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
Confessions in the Lady Chapel

Sunday 21 March
8am Mass The People of the Parish
9.30am Mass Doreen & Fred Wall (K&LW)
11.30am Mass David Barwell, RIP (JS)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction

Monday 22
Feria
9am Mass Ints Fr Basil Pearson - Golden Jubilee of Priesthood (JR)
No Private Prayer

Tuesday 23
Feria
9am Mass Tony Randall, RIP (MC)
8.30-10.30am Private Prayer

Wednesday 24
Feria
9am Mass Nick Gale, RIP (Anniversary) (SR)
8.30-10.30am Private Prayer

Thursday 25
The Annunciation of the Lord
9am Mass Charles & Alice Whitefield, RIP (FM)
8.30-10.30am Private Prayer

Friday 26
Feria
12Noon Mass Terence Larman, RIP (Anniversary) (TL)
11.30-1pm Private Prayer
7pm Stations of the Cross & Benediction

Saturday 27
Feria
10am Mass Thanksgiving to the Clergy (G&JA)
10.30-11.30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
Confessions in the Lady Chapel

Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

5.30pm Vigil Mass The People of the Parish
6.30pm Holy Hour: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
Confessions in the Lady Chapel

Sunday 28 March
8am Mass Sylvia Langley, RIP (LLCG)
9.30am Mass Private Intention (LLG)
11.30am Mass Patrick Brennan, RIP (AH) Preceded by Blessing of Palms
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction

We Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries

Canon Arthur Holmes, Fr John Sherlock, Mgr Canon Alfred Gilbey, Fr Denis Hall, Fr Henry Peace, Imelda Maguire, Bernard Cody, Violet Day, Fred Hopkins, Ted Wheeler, Katerina Deyanovitch, John Archer, Paul Reid, Maud Phyllis King, Marie Nichols, Peter Gough, John Rombaut, Boleslaw Bendkowski, Mary Hardy, Nancy Mallif, Ethel Bull, Zbigniew ‘Marian’ Glowa, Sarah Armstrong, Marian Treston, Kathleen Robinson, John Head, Edmund Thompson, Moira Keenan, Kirk Waltraud, Jessie Carlyon, Lily Dawson, Kenneth May, Annie Jennett, Allan Thompson, Derek Taylor, Victor Moule, Kathleen Farrell, Terence Larman, Leo Winter, Jane Adamson, Herbert Haddocks & Pamela Shenstone.

We Pray for our Sick

Renata Butler, Norbert Widera, Margaret Bartle, Tony Downey, Kristy Monferrari, Fred Ring, Ian Irwin, Russell Short, Marie Karaf, Gilberte Cook, Garry Pearman, Anne Owen, Adrian Barclay, Patricia Ann Darroch, Peggy Larman, 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, 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, Dawn Deleigh, Lorraine Hart, Linda Dean, 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, Elizabeth McConalogue, Kean Smith, Keith Maliff, Bradley & children: Thomas Ball, Liam Davis, Connie Price, Albert Chambers, Fergus Grant, Mary Isherwood, Lucy Price & Frazer Gregory.

We Pray for the Repose of the Souls of

CLAUDIO CATINO, RIP who died on 28th January.

DAVID JOHNSON, RIP who died on 20th February.

MARY BERNADETTE TYSON, RIP who died on 25th February.

SYLVIA LANGLEY, RIP who died on 28th February.

Second Collection

When there is a second collection, rather than using the envelopes, you are able to donate online via the Parish website.

This can be done by using the 'Donate' area, filling in the relevant information requested, including the amount of the gift, and when you reach the 'Additional Information' section, the name of the charity/recipient will appear in a drop down box. You can then select the relevant one for that collection.

Parish Fundraising

Thank you to everyone who supports the 200 Club. The results of the February draw are as follows:

1st prize £150   27 Mr R Calton

2nd Prize £100 167 Miss J Sullens

3rd Prize   £75   16 Mrs S Chantilly

4th Prize   £25 127 Mrs M Walsh

Magnificat

The Holy Week issue of Magnificat is now on sale for £2 at the back of church. This edition will be the last time you will be able to purchase the Magnificat from this church.

From the April issue, parishioners who wish to continue receiving Magnificat will need to subscribe annually either online at catholic-herald.myshopify.com or send a cheque for £47.00, made payable to Magnificat, Catholic Herald Ltd, 8A Lower Grosvenor Place, London SW1W 0EN.

Walking for Water - CAFOD

Thank you to those who have sponsored my walk or are keeping me in their prayers.

My challenge this Lent was to walk 400,000 steps in solidarity with Abdella and others like him who must walk miles every day to collect water for their family. To date (18th March) I have achieved 297,618 steps, a little behind daily target due to family emergencies - although I am confident of making them up. This of course highlighted the fact that I can ‘rest’ for a day or two if needs be, he cannot. The money raised will help to build a well for Abdella’s village so he doesn’t have to walk the gruelling miles each day for the essential gift of water.

Thank you again for your support to date. There is still time to donate at the link below. Only 102,382 steps to go!!! Cathy (Sweeney) CAFOD Volunteer.

Donate at - walk.cafod.org.uk/fundraising/walking-for-water221

Landings for Returning Catholics

If there is a member of your family, a neighbour or a friend who has been away from the church for a while please invite them to the next Landings program. We are running the program via Zoom, which will start on 8th April and run for eight weeks. They can contact the Landings Team on landings@lourdesleigh.org. A member of the team will contact them with further details.

Missio Red Box Holders

I have received the Spring 2021 Missio Magazines. If you have not already received one from me personally, please take one from the back of Church. They are in the usual place on the ledge at the exit door. If anyone has a box ready to be emptied please give it to me personally or leave it with the office. I will leave all boxes that I empty in the same usual place at the back of the Church.
Thank you. Joan Caunce, Secretary - 01268 757505

Fourth Sunday of Lent - Lætare Sunday

Dear friends in Christ

It is precisely one year since we began the lockdowns which have made an indelible impression on all our lives. I recall on the Fourth Sunday of Lent last year offering Holy Mass for the first time behind locked doors. Since then we have struggled to celebrate the Mass and Sacraments in the most appropriate and dignified manner possible, given the circumstances. I thank you all for your continued understanding and collaboration as we try to do our best. It is a truism that all of our certainties have been taken away in this last year, but we have the anchor of our Faith to keep us secure and focused. I commented at the start of last Holy Week, that it was going to be a Holy Week like no other we had experienced. This year Holy Week will be similar but also different; for one thing, you can be present at the liturgical ceremonies. As last year, there will be adaptations so that the liturgies are celebrated in a Covid-safe manner. This means that on Palm Sunday there will not be a procession, though blessed palms will be available to take home. On Maundy Thursday the Solemn Mass of The Lord’s Supper will be celebrated without the usual additions, so no procession to the Altar of Repose or watching before the Blessed Sacrament. On Good Friday the Solemn Liturgy of The Lord’s Passion will happen without the individual veneration of the Cross and with no congregational participation in the Passion Gospel. At the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday evening, there will be a simple lighting of the Paschal Candle followed by the usual readings but no Baptismal liturgy. Despite the restrictions, we shall celebrate this most important Week as devoutly and reverently as we can. Closer to Holy Week we will publish the times of the Services.

The Gospel at Mass on this Fourth Sunday gives us the image of Jesus raised upon the Cross, as mirrored in that bronze serpent which Moses raised for the people of Israel. As they gazed upon that image, so that they might be saved from death by poisoning, so we look to the Cross, as the sign of our salvation won for us by the Passion and Death of Jesus Christ.

This is also Mothering Sunday, so we give thanks to God for the gift of life we received from our earthly mothers—be they living or with The Lord—and ask our heavenly Mother to watch over and protect us on our earthly pilgrimage.

God bless you!

Msgr Kevin Hale

Fourth Sunday of Lent - Lætare Sunday

5.30pm Vigil The People of the Parish
6.30pm Holy Hour: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
Confessions in the Lady Chapel

Sunday 14 March
8am Mass Ben & Edith Dawson, RIP, Anniversary (AE)
9.30am Mass Sybil Swann, RIP ((Anniversary) MD)
11.30am Mass Mervyn Calton, RIP (Anniversary) (RC)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction

Monday 15
Feria
9am Mass William Brown, RIP (Anniversary) (JS)
8.30-10.30am Private Prayer

Tuesday 16
Feria
9am Mass John & Pat Moon, RIP (SM)
8.30-10.30am Private Prayer

Wednesday 17
St Patrick, Bp, Patron of Ireland
9am Mass Joyce Foy, RIP (AMM)
No Private Prayer

Thursday 18
Feria
9am Mass Rev John O’Neill, RIP (FM)
8.30-10.30am Private Prayer

Friday 19
St Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary
12Noon Mass with the Consecration to St Joseph
Eric Newman, RIP (Anniversary) (VA)
11.30-1pm Private Prayer
7pm Stations of the Cross with the Consecration to St Joseph & Benediction

Saturday 20
Feria
10am Mass Mrs Kathleen O’Brien, RIP (F&JO’B)
10.30-11.30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
Confessions in the Lady Chapel

Fifth Sunday of Lent

5.30pm Vigil Mass Pat Archer, RIP (SW)
6.30pm Holy Hour: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
Confessions in the Lady Chapel

Sunday 21 March
8am Mass The People of the Parish
9.30am Mass Doreen & Fred Wall (K&LW)
11.30am Mass David Barwell, RIP (JS)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction

We Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries

Canon Martin Horkan, Fr Donal Donegal, Fr Sidney Williams, Rev John O’Neill, Fr Justin Dawson, Philip Hale, Eleanor Hayes, June Hazel White, David McGowan, George Conway, James Kennedy, Kathleen Hosford, Julian Felix Asselberghs, Catherine Isobel Jago, Anthony Slattery, Mary Russell, Henry McIlwee, Nina Clarke, Alfred Marshall, Dolores Cutter, John Flynn, Gabrielle Haiser, Henry De Souza, John Moon, Guy Bragard, Eric Newman, Doreen Wall, Margaret Foster, Mary Blundell, Dorothy Burke, Lesley Dorey, Edmund Esterby, Francis Spratt, Francis Joseph Foley, Edward Hance, Agnes Edward, Catherine Davis, Ann Whiteley, John Fowler, Denis Reid & Nora McLeod.