Youth 2000
Why not try something NEW this New Year? Join Youth 2000 at Trinity Catholic High School in Woodford Green. NEW will be a weekend filled with fun, friendship, inspiring talks and, of course, lots of praise as we welcome in 2022. The retreat will run from Friday 31st December - Sunday 2nd January 2022. Head to www.youth2000.org/new<http://www.youth2000.org/new> today to book your space.
Christmas cards and posters
Christmas cards with the schedule of Services and Christmas Posters are available at the back of church. Please take one.
Journey in Faith (RCIA)
The Journey in Faith sessions resume on Monday, 10th January in the Parish Centre at 8pm.
Missio Red Box Holders
I have received the Missio 2022 Calendars. If you have not received one from me personally please take one from the back of the church in the usual place on the ledge.
I wish you all the Blessings and Peace of Christmas.
Thank you Joan Caunce 01268 757505
The Thresholds of Hope Theologian
Trevor Lopez is training to be a doctor but he has also just begun a course in theology. To find out why he has decided to deepen his Catholic Faith by studying theology go to https://youtu.be/QPhjz-oY_bY or video resources on www.thresholdsofhope.co.uk
Bible Studies on the Advent Sunday Gospels
Mauro Iannicelli will break-open the forthcoming Advent Sunday Gospels with in-depth teaching and stimulating questions. As a result, you will experience Sunday Mass in a new way!
Wednesdays: 22 Dec (7-8pm UK Time). Free of Charge | LIVE sessions on YouTube.
Info & Registration: https://comeandsee.org/advent
St Bernard's High School
St Bernard’s are currently advertising for a Deputy Head Teacher. Full details can be found on their school website: www.stbernardswestcliff.org.uk
Third Sunday of Advent
Joy and hope are the central themes of Advent and even more so on this Gaudete Sunday when the liturgy of the Mass reminds us that Christian joy is a result of the Incarnation, the coming of God into our world.
Dear friends in Christ
Joy and hope are the central themes of Advent and even more so on this Gaudete Sunday when the liturgy of the Mass reminds us that Christian joy is a result of the Incarnation, the coming of God into our world. When we enter our church, we are often struck by the scenes of the Joyful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary. Canon Francis Gilbert—who had our church built and is buried in the front garden of the Presbytery—had a great devotion to everything Marian. Hence the Lourdes Grotto which he had constructed in the church after a visit to Lourdes which so moved him. The Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary are very central to this Advent-time. Beginning with the Annunciation of Mary by St Gabriel behind the Tabernacle, they move us through the stages of the Incarnation: Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth; the Adoration of the Magi; the Presentation of Jesus and the Finding in the Temple. Each of these Gospel miniatures express a joy that comes to mind whenever we think about them or prayerfully meditate on them in the Rosary.
As we progress through the second part of Advent we reflect on all the circumstances surrounding the Birth of Our Lord. We do this with Mary and Joseph, as they await in faith for the coming of the Messiah. We have the simple custom of the Blessing of the figures of Jesus for our Cribs next Sunday. If the children would like to bring the figures of Infant Jesus, we will bless them at the end of the Masses, ready for them to be placed in our Cribs on Christmas Day.
Thanks to all those who supported our Bazaar last Sunday. Very many of you gave gifts which could be sold and despite the constrained times in which we are living it was an enjoyable morning! We raised £1,500 and we are grateful to those who helped with the organisation of the occasion and so generously gave of their time too!
God bless you!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Third Sunday of Advent—Gaudete
5.30pm Vigil Mass Antoinette D’Silva, RIP (CD’S)
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
8am Mass The People of the Parish
9.30am Mass Andrew & Mary Murray, RIP (Anniv) (UO’K)
11.30am Mass Richard Collins, RIP (MT)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Monday 13
St Lucy, V, M
9am Mass Intentions of Sandra Hippard (SH)
Tuesday 14
St John of the Cross, Pr, D
9am Mass Bridie Clinton, RIP (KH)
Wednesday 15
Feria
9am Mass Margaret Canty-Randall, RIP (CB)
Thursday 16
Feria
9am Mass Charles & Alice Whitefield (FM)
2.30pm Requiem Mass Olivia Chesney, RIP
Friday 17
Feria
12Noon Mass Anna Kilcoyne, RIP (LL)
Saturday 18
Feria
10am Mass Paul Emmerson, RIP (Anniv) (AE)
10.30-11.30 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
Sunday 19 December
Fourth Sunday of Advent
5.30pm Vigil Mass William Underwood, RIP (Anniv) (RB)
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
8am Mass The People of the Parish
9.30am Mass For Leigh on his 40th birthday (AR)
11.30am Mass Winifred McClafferty, RIP (Anniv) (AM)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
We Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries
Fr Geoffrey Pye, Fr Eamonn Magrath, Fr George Carolan, Fr William Evers, Fr Francis Kerrigan, Fr Gerard Kerr, Fr Bentley, Marie O’Carroll, John Burke, Ronald Clarke, Eugene Grant, Alexander Black, Baby Felicity Garland, Peter D’Angerville, Bernard Dunne, Mary Slattery, Sallie Walker, Patrick Sheehan, Angela Evelyn Joyce, Doreen Murphy, Clarice Bregazzi, Thomas McInerney, Francis Gavin, Anthony Troughton, Charles Hughes, John Maxfield, Mary McQuaid, Francis O'Neill, Eileen Byczynski, Larraine Moore, Kevin Shanahan, Herbert Marriott, Evelyn Tobias, Ronald Buckley, Patricia Bishop, Andrew Hills, Mary Hurley, Alice Chapman, Barbara Althorpe, Miss E Parker, Paul Emerson & Sylvia Walton.
We Pray for our Sick
Noel Conroy, Marjorie Jay, Paul Sutton, 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, 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.
Sanctuary Lamp
This week the Sanctuary Lamp burns for the intentions of the Diggins Family.
COVID Precautions
From Friday 10th December face coverings became compulsory in most public indoor venues, including places of worship, following recent new strains of the virus. We do ask everyone to continue to be vigilant by taking the necessary sanitary precautions when in church: sanitising your hands and respecting the space of others. There has been a further clarification sent from our Bishops with regard to singing in places of worship: HM Government guidance states that “There is a reasonable excuse for someone to remove a face covering when it is reasonably necessary for them to sing, for example, if they are singing as part of a choir, or during a service, rehearsal or for a performance.” The current Church guidance states that congregational singing should take place with face coverings in place and choirs and soloists may sing without such coverings. As the Church moves towards Christmas celebrations which often involves carol services and other singing events, it is strongly recommended that congregational singing within church buildings continues with the applied face coverings.
However, please remember to remove your mask before receiving holy communion.
We Pray for the Repose of the Souls of
OLIVIA CHESNEY, RIP. Her Requiem Mass will take place on Thursday, 16th December at 2.30pm followed by committal at Southend Crematorium.
ANGELA MARY LINGARD, RIP. Her funeral service will take place on Thursday, 23rd December at 10.45am followed by committal at Bowers Gifford Cemetery.
EILEEN WASKETT, RIP
SHEILA DE CHANTILLY, RIP
Christmas cards and posters
Christmas cards with the schedule of Services and Christmas Posters are available at the back of church. Please take one.
Dates for your Diary
Monday 13th December Journey in Faith (RCIA)
Parish Centre, Bernadette Room—8pm
Friday 17th December Serving the Homeless Carol Service—7pm
Wednesday 25th May Visitation of the Bishop & Confirmation
Saturdays 14th & 21st May First Holy Communion Masses
Thank you! From the ‘Serving the Homeless’ Committee
Thank you to all the ladies who attended, and helped with the Wreath making morning on Monday 6th. It was a lovely friendly occasion and raised £225 for Serving the Homeless.
This year, despite not being able to run our normal fundraising events, with your generous help and support we have:
Given £6,500 to HARP for food and general support. HARP now houses over 200 clients and provides almost 6,000 hot meals a year as well as helping clients overcome trauma, learn skills and find work.
Provided an additional £350 worth of turkeys for Christmas dinners at HARP properties.
Given £6,500 to Southend YMCA towards their new housing project which will be giving support to very young vulnerable youngsters in a family style environment.
Provided 42 Christmas bags of ‘goodies’ to the young people who live at, and are looked after by, Southend YMCA.
Given £500 to support the work of the St. Vincent Centre in Southend.
In all, with your help, we have spent approximately £14,000 this year on programmes to support the homeless.
Lourdes Ladies Group
Our next Meeting is on Thursday, 16th December in the Parish Centre from 10.15am to 12 Noon. Please join us for a fun Christmas Quiz along with festive drinks and nibbles. All women are welcome to an enjoyable and relaxing morning, meeting friends, old and new, over refreshments and chat. Subs only £1, plus a bumper Christmas raffle.
Carol Service - 17th December
You are warmly invited to join us for our annual Carol Service at Our Lady of Lourdes Church at 7pm on Friday 17th December. Please wear a mask. There will be mulled wine and mince pies afterwards, but wrap up warm as the Parish centre will be well ventilated! For those who cannot attend, please join us on the live stream.
We wish you all the blessings of Christmas.
Jo Ronan, Chairwoman