CAFOD Harvest Family Fast Day
This coming Friday, 1st October, is Cafod Harvest Fast Day, please take an envelope from the back of Church which may be returned next weekend.
Cafod is this year bringing attention to the impact of climate change which is often affecting the poorest communities in our world the hardest. Cafod’s local experts are taking action helping communities to adapt to changes, for example by teaching new farming practices. Please help Cafod with this work through your prayers and if able to make a donation to Cafod - either through the envelopes at the back of the church or online on their website or via text. You can donate by texting Cafod on 70580 and saying how much you wish to donate - between £1 to £20. Thank you.
Parish Fundraising
Thank you to everyone who supports the 200 Club. The results of the August draw are as follows:
1st prize £150 140 Mrs D Watts
2nd Prize £100 17 Miss E M Wilson
3rd Prize £75 63 Mr B Devine
4th Prize £25 11 Mr Joseph O’Brien
Thank you to those parishioners who have joined the 200 Club over the past few weeks.
We are still looking for new members. The subscription is £5 per month, either by cash, cheque or direct debit. If you would like to join, please fill in a form which can be found at the back of the church or ring Linda Wall on 01702 558217.
St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP) 'Awareness Month' - September 2021
At the St Vincent de Paul Society we are aware that poverty exists beyond where we can see. Members of the SVP can be found helping others in prisons, care homes, hospitals or visiting people in their own homes. In some of these instances, being a member of the SVP can be a challenge, but it is also rewarding work, seeking and finding those in need, giving support with compassion, and responding where the need is greatest. As a member you always have the support and assistance of your Conference and the wider national Society. Should you wish to contribute to this work, SVP envelopes are available at the back of the Church and can be returned via the offertory collection or to the parish office. If you would like to know more about the SVP or if you are interested in joining the Society, please get in touch with Susan Hibbert mob. 07957411373.
Applications to Catholic Schools
If any families are applying to a Catholic School for the next academic year, they may wish to have a Certificate of Catholic Practice from their Parish. You should only request one if you are a practising Catholic and these are issued by the Parish Office; and can be had after weekday Masses on Thursdays and Fridays.
First Holy Communion 2022
If you wish your child to make their First Holy Communion in May 2022, and they are in Year 3 or above, please ensure the online form is completed and submitted by 30th September 2021.
Please note that if your child was not baptised at Our Lady of Lourdes, you will need to provide a copy of their Baptismal Certificate. Please send this to the communion e-mail, which is communion@lourdesleigh.org
Further details regarding meetings etc. will be published in the weekly newsletter.
Journey in Faith (RCIA)
We will begin once again the Journey in Faith sessions on Monday, 4th October. These evenings are for those wishing to discover more about the Catholic Faith with a view to Reception into the Church. If you know anyone who is interested in learning more about our Faith and wishing to become Catholic, please direct them to Fr Kevin or these evenings. They will be in the Parish Centre—Bernadette Room—and begin at 8pm.
Bereavement Support Group
The planned re-opening of this Group has unfortunately been delayed due to unforeseen circumstances, but we are hopeful it will start again in the near future, supporting people who are experiencing loss and bereavement.
The Thresholds of Hope Questions
The Thresholds of Hope Questions are a series of talks for adults who want to grow in understanding and confidence when questioned or speaking about their Catholic Faith. The talks and discussion will take place on Zoom from 4.00 - 5.00 p.m. on a Sunday afternoon. The next talk is on the 26th September and will consider the question: "What is the relationship between faith and reason?" It will be given by Fr Mark Swires, the chaplain at the University of Essex. If you would like to join this discussion please email your name and a contact email address to adultformationvicariate@dioceseofbrentwood.org
For more information about The Thresholds of Hope Questions go to www.thresholdsofhope.co.uk. You will find some leaflets at the back of the Church.
Tea/Coffee Mornings in the Parish Centre
Please join us for tea, coffee and cake in the Parish Centre after the 9am Mass on Mondays and Thursdays. We look forward to seeing you again!
St Bernard's High School - Year 6 Open Mornings
We will be holding Year 6 Open Mornings in October on the following dates,
by appointment only:
Monday 4th, Tuesday 5th, Wednesday 6th, Thursday 7th & Friday 8th October.
There will be 40 minute tours given between 9.15am - 10am & 10am - 10.45am.
Please note that these mornings are for Year 6 students and parents only.
Appointments will be given on a first come, first served basis.
Please call our Reception on 01701 343583 to book a slot.
Magnificat
The link to the free Magnificat digital access is :
https://uk.magnificat.net/offer092021
Missio Red Box Holders
I have received the Autumn 2021 Missio Magazines. If you have not received one from me personally please take one from the back of the Church (in the usual place on the shelf at the entrance). If you have any boxes not opened in the last six months please give them to me personally, or leave them in the Office and I will collect them.
Thank you, Joan Caunce, Secretary 01268 757505.
Vacancies at St Bernard's High School
We have a number of support staff vacancies that we are trying to fill at present. Full details and an application form can be found on our website: www.stbernardswestcliff.org.uk.
Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear friends in Christ
St Mark tell us in the Gospel of the Mass this Sunday of how Jesus prepares His disciples for His impending death and resurrection.
Dear friends in Christ
St Mark tell us in the Gospel of the Mass this Sunday of how Jesus prepares His disciples for His impending death and resurrection. They were dismayed by this news, for they were dreaming of an earthly kingdom. He takes a child and presents them as the model of how we are to live as His disciples. This is because all authority in the Church is for the service of the Gospel and has to be lived with child-like simplicity. It reminds us to pray that the Church may always be blessed with good shepherds who know how to serve all, especially the needy. Pray also for the Bishop of Rome, who has a special responsibility to lead and teach the whole flock of Christ with humility, integrity and Truth.
Each one of us, according to our place in life and our profession, have the noble task of living the gift of authority as a service to others and to the world. If we are parents, professionals or individuals, we can each live-out the tasks we have been given with humility and ardour. In a world which is so full of intrigue, suspicion and conspiracy, we have to live, more than ever, the virtues of obedience, sincerity and loyalty. We do this for love of Christ, His Church and the good of our world and society.
This Sunday is designated Home Mission Day which is a reminder to us that we live very much in mission territory in our country! We are among so many people who are ignorant of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Truth of His Church. By our witness in prayer and faith, we can make a difference to the environment in which we live and work. In our own Parish we can support the various initiatives that are starting again for the propagation of the Gospel: The Journey in Faith (RCIA) begins on Monday 4th October; the Landings initiative for those returning to the Faith; Thresholds of Hope being run by our Diocese (cf elsewhere in this Newsletter) and the sacramental preparations that will also begin shortly. By these and others means, we can help bring others to a knowledge of Jesus Christ and His saving grace.
God bless you all!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
5.30pm Vigil Mass Intentions of Mary Daly (ES)
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
8am Mass Tom & Rita O'Callaghan-Wedding Anniversary (LC)
9.30am Mass Intentions of Lucrecia Conlu (JC)
11.30am Mass The People of the Parish
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Monday 20
St Andrew Kim Tae-Gon, Pr & Paul Chong Ha-sang & Comps, Mm
9am Mass Sarah-Louise Clarke, RIP (SH)
11am Requiem Mass Sadie Marlow, RIP
Tuesday 21
St Matthew, Ap, Evangelist
9am Mass Samuel & Johanna Beech, RIP (JC)
Wednesday 22
Feria
9am Mass Valerie Griggs, RIP (SM)
Thursday 23
St Pius of Pietreicina, Pr (Padre Pio)
9am Mass Dec'd members of the Young, Bush & Hall Families (LY)
Friday 24
Our Lady of Walsingham
12Noon Mass Mary de Souza, RIP (Anniversary) (LdS)
Saturday 25
Saturday Memorial of BVM
10am Mass Holy Souls (LC)
10.30-11.30 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
Sunday 26 September
Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
5.30pm Vigil Mass The People of the Parish
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
8am Mass Richard Campbell-Carr, RIP (L&KW)
9.30am Mass Rebecca Clark, RIP (Anniversary) (BH)
11.30am Mass Bill & Moya Campbell, RIP (LL)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
We Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries
Canon Frederick Gahagan, Fr John Ryan, John Fazio, Lilian John, Dora Loker, Margaret White, Ann Maureen Walker, Mark Wilson, Moira Costello, George Hobbs, Josh Overton, Winifred Lawson, Frederick Tewkesbury, Lilian Craven, Helen Bainbridge, James Fogarty, Charles Osborne, Marie Hall, Mary Byrne, José Costan, Joyce Mary Wright, James Perry, Henry Bennett, Ethel Bubel, Kathleen Young, Mary de Souza, Robert Swainson, Douglas Hair, Fred Cornwell, Catherine Major, Alfred Gardener, Jane Catherine Lacey, John Houlihan, Andres Louis Hinbest, Emily Bailey, Pat MacHaughton, Moira Stuart, Violet Shrimpton, Stephen McGough, Doreen Reynolds, Eileen Scott & Christopher James.
We Pray for our Sick
John Murphy, Mary Monaghan, Jennifer Biebuyck, Moira Scott, Jill Yates, Leonora Maguire, Brian Mountier, Renata Butler, Margaret Bartle, Tony Downey, Kristy Monferrari, Fred Ring, Ian Irwin, Russell Short, Marie Karaf, Garry Pearman, 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, 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
GILBERTE COOK, RIP who died on Tuesday, 7th September.
End of Eucharistic Congress to be marked in London this weekend
A London Eucharistic Octave has been held this week following the Eucharistic Congress which was held in Budapest last week. Cardinal Nichols opened it with a Mass to mark this in London at Maiden Lane (Covent Garden) last Saturday, to coincide with the closing Papal Mass in Budapest. The full details are on a website here: https://catholicengland.org/
The Octave ends with the Annual Corpus Christi Procession this Sunday, delayed from the Feast due to lockdown, to which we hope many thousands will attend. The Procession begins at The Assumption Church, Warwick Street at 3.30pm (Sunday 19th September), and goes, by way of stations at Farm Street and the Ukrainian Cathedral, at both of which Benediction will be given in the street, to Spanish place for Mendelssohn's Lauda Sion and Pontifical Benediction. It will end around 5.30pm