OLL Ladies Group
We meet again next Thursday, 17th February at 10.15am in the Parish Centre . Come along and enjoy plenty of fun and games at one of our regular games mornings. If you are not a “games person” ..no problem, just come along and enjoy the company and even make some new friends whilst having a nice cup of tea or coffee and cake. New members always welcome. Subs only £1. 00 per session plus plus a fun raffle
Baptism Preparation Sessions
The next Baptism Preparation Sessions will take place on
Tuesday 5th April, 2022
Tuesday 14th June, 2022
Tuesday 9th August 2022
Tuesday 4th October, 2022
They will take place the Parish Centre at 8pm. For further information, please contact Catherine or Andy Harris on 077333 27295.
Sea of Voices Choir
After our Christmas/New Year break, our choir has returned to singing every Thursday from 7.45pm at the Parish Centre. We will be working towards some form of summertime concert.
We are always looking for new members to join the choir, so if you fancy giving it a try or know someone who might, please come along on a Thursday evening or contact Darrell first on 07825686249. Thank you.
Thresholds of Hope Question
THRESHOLDS OF HOPE QUESTION: What do devotions to Mary tell us about her Son, Jesus? Input will be given by Fr Michael Barwick, assistant parish priest of Our Lady and St George, Walthamstow, today, Sunday 13th February, 4.00 – 5.00 p.m. via Zoom. To join this Zoom meeting simply forward a contact email to adultformationvicariate@dioceseofbrentwood.org. For more information go to www.thresholdsofhope.co.uk
Loving Our Planet ( A day of prayer and reflection for our planet)
The Live Simply group invite you to a day of prayer and reflection on Saturday, 19th February from 10am-4pm at St Clements Church, Leigh-on-Sea. The day will focus on topics such as: Pollution and waste; the land and agriculture; Wildlife; Humankind; What can we do?
Each theme will last for approximately one hour and be led by people from various churches in Leigh.
Please come for all or part of the day.
Journey in Faith (RCIA)
The Journey in Faith sessions continue on Mondays. 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 and begin at 8pm.
World Day of Prayer 2022 - Friday 4th March
(A WOMEN LED, GLOBAL, ECUMENICAL MOVEMENT) “I KNOW THE PLANS I HAVE FOR YOU”
2022 is a special year for World Day of Prayer in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. This year, we have prepared the World Day of Prayer service. Your local service takes place at 10.30 a.m. in St Mark's Church, Hamlet Road, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 1HY and includes participation by the children of St Helen's Primary School (Year 6). It will be followed by tea and coffee refreshment and is open to anyone who would like to attend. Please join us in this special year to share in prayer and contemplation.
Recycling Sack for CAFOD
A pink sack can be found at the back of the church. Please donate your old mobile phones, jewellery, stamps (used or album collections) and other limited electronic gadgets. Details of accepted items are on the leaflets at the back of church. These will then be recycled and the money raised will go to CAFOD.
Many thanks. Live Simply Group.
St Vincent's Southend Charity Dinner & Auction
Would anyone in the Parish be interested in gathering people from OLOL for our Black Tie event. We have tables available of 4 or 8. It is focused on bringing people together and businesses that may be like minded in what the SVP does.
Saturday 26th February at The Boatyard, 6.30 for 7pm with live band. Tickets for 3 course meal, plus welcome drink £80. Black Tie.
For tickets and more information please contact southendenquiry@svp.org.uk or ring 01702 592980.
St Thomas More High School Vacancies
We are seeking an experienced Estates Manager to work 21 hours per week managing all aspects of the MAT’s properties including upkeep, care, maintenance, security, Health & Safety and facilities management in line with statutory and regulatory requirements. Please see www.assisicatholictrust.com for full job details or telephone the school on 01702 344933.
Cleaners
We are looking for Cleaners to work Monday to Friday 3:45pm-6:45pm ideally or 6:00am-8:30am. If these hours would suit you and you would like to find out more, please see the school’s website for full details and an application form or telephone the school on 01702 344933 and ask for Mrs Newman, HR Co-ordinator.
Exam Invigilators for St Bernard's
St Bernard’s High School require Exam Invigilators for this year’s exam season.
£9.50 per hour.
Deadline for applications: Monday 21 February 2022
Application Form on our website: www.stbernardswestcliff.org.uk under shared information/vacancies.
BCYS Summer Lourdes Pilgrimage - 23rd to 30th July 2022
Join the Youth pilgrimage to Lourdes this Summer, assisting pilgrims to Masses, services, shops and cafes of the beautiful French town, take part in retreats and a youth led reconciliation service, visit the baths and the stunning mountain town of Gavarnie, experience the amazing Lourdes processions, as well as social nights, party and so much more! The cost is £625 for the week, and is open to all those in school year 11 and above. (funding and grant opportunities are available!)
You can email gabriellafusi@dioceseofbrentwood.org or visit www.bcys.net/events/sl22 to find out more and apply now! The deadline for applications is Sunday 20th February.
Diocesan School Vacancies
Headteacher
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Upminster
Required from 1st September 2022. Group 3: L18-24a (Outer London). NOR: 420 (2 form entry).
The governors of St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Upminster, are seeking to appoint an inspirational and dedicated Head Teacher due to the retirement of the current Head Teacher. St Joseph’s is a nurturing and welcoming community with Christ at the centre. Our new Head Teacher will work with supportive governors to shape the strategic direction of the school, and will be responsible for the day-to-day leadership and management of St Joseph’s.
Deadline for applications: 5:00 pm on Thursday 3rd March 2022. We warmly welcome and encourage applicants to visit our school. Please contact the school office on office@st-josephs.havering.sch.uk to arrange. Further information and an application pack are available from the school website: www.st-josephs-upminster.net
Headteacher
St Alban’s Catholic Primary School, Hornchurch
Required from 1st September 2022. Group 2: L11 – L17 (starting salary based on experience). NOR: 210 (1 form entry).
The Governors of St Alban’s Catholic Primary School are seeking to appoint an inspirational and dedicated Head Teacher from September 2022, due to our long standing Head Teacher retiring. St Alban’s is a caring, friendly school and community where our Catholic Ethos is central to all that we do. Our new Head Teacher will work with governors to shape the strategic direction of the school, and will be responsible for the day-to-day leadership and management of St Alban’s.
Deadline for applications: 12:00 noon on Friday 11th March 2022. For further information please contact School Business Manager Katrina Arrowsmith at contact@st-albans.havering.sch.uk, or call the office Tel: 01708 555644 for an application pack or to arrange a mutually agreed date and time to visit.
Further details of these vacancies and other are available from the diocesan website https://www.dioceseofbrentwood.net/departments/education/vacancies/school-vacancies/
Vacancy for Cleaners at Our Lady of Lourdes School
2x permanent contract
44 weeks per year - term time plus 5 non-pupil days plus 4 weeks school closure
10 hours per week (2 hours daily)
Hours to be discussed, preferably late afternoon
Scale 1 (£9.25 per hour)
We are seeking a school cleaner for our friendly school. Experience of cleaning in a school environment is desirable but not essential. The duties will include:
Cleaning certain parts of the school site
Vacuuming carpeted areas and washing floors
Sweeping uncarpeted areas
Emptying and cleaning bins
Spot cleaning of spillages
Cleaning desks, seats and skirting boards
Cleaning toilet areas and replenishing toiletries
Cleaning doors and windows
Checking stock levels of cleaning materials
Reporting all defects/hazards immediately to the caretaker or supervisor
We value all of our staff as each team member makes a positive difference to the lives of young people. If you are committed to the wellbeing of pupils and want to contribute to the cleanliness of the learning environment we will welcome your application.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, should we have sufficient applicants to shortlist. Therefore we recommend you apply early.
For more information on the role and to arrange a visit of the school please contact Mrs Sarah Daves on finance@ourladyoflourdes.southend.sch.uk
Applications close 17th February 2022
Be part of the Walsingham House Team 2022/2023
If you are 18+ and looking for an exciting gap year opportunity, then a year on the Walsingham House Team could be for you. Spend a year as a volunteer in a thriving young Catholic Community, working with thousands of young people from Essex and East London. We are looking for inspiring individuals who want to share their faith with other young people and are also looking to learn new skills, grow deeper in their own faith and enjoy a challenge.
For more information please contact Joseph Beattie, manager of Walsingham House, by emailing josephbeattie@dioceseofbrentwood.org or calling 01277 373959. There is more information about our work on our website (www.bcys.net) and social media @Brentwoodcys
St Bernard's High School
St Bernard’s High School are looking for the following staff to join the school in September 2022:
RE Department
Second in Department (TLR 2B)
Teacher of RE or Teacher of RE with Chaplaincy (TLR 3)
Teacher of Mathematics
Teacher of Science
Please see our website – stbernardswestcliff.org.uk/statutory information/vacancies for further information and application form.
Deadline: Monday 28 February 2022’
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear friends in Christ
This Friday—11th February—is the Patronal Festival of our Parish, Our Lady of Lourdes. The Sanctuary of Lourdes is synonymous with the sick and healing, both physical and spiritual. The Lourdes grotto and altar in our church has often been described as little piece of Lourdes in this corner of Essex! Indeed it is also a little peace of Lourdes for those who visit the Shrine and ask for the intercession of our Immaculate Mother. When Canon Francis Gilbert had our church and grotto constructed, he was able to secure a small piece of rock from the Grotto of Massabielle in southern France. So, there is a real link spiritual and geologically with Lourdes.
Dear friends in Christ
This Friday—11th February—is the Patronal Festival of our Parish, Our Lady of Lourdes. The Sanctuary of Lourdes is synonymous with the sick and healing, both physical and spiritual. The Lourdes grotto and altar in our church has often been described as little piece of Lourdes in this corner of Essex! Indeed it is also a little peace of Lourdes for those who visit the Shrine and ask for the intercession of our Immaculate Mother. When Canon Francis Gilbert had our church and grotto constructed, he was able to secure a small piece of rock from the Grotto of Massabielle in southern France. So, there is a real link spiritually and geologically with Lourdes.
The Mass on Friday will be celebrated at 9.30am with Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School in attendance. Later in the day the Infants will also come to the church and pray at the grotto. We rejoice to have Mary as our Protectress in this Parish and the Lady Chapel and grotto here are a powerful draw to the many who come to speak with Our Blessed Lady each day, light a candle and seek her intercession. I am personally so grateful to have the knowledge that Our Lady of Lourdes has accompanied me throughout my life: I grew up in Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Wanstead; went to the primary school with the same dedication; I was ordained in Our Lady of Lourdes Church and now I find myself once again in the Parish dedicated to her name. For this I give thanks!
The incorrupt body of Saint Bernadette is preserved and venerated in the Convent where she died in Nevers, France. There are other relics of Saint Bernadette which are kept in the Basilica in Lourdes. Periodically these are taken around the world and they will tour the dioceses of England, Scotland and Wales in the Autumn. Although dates are yet to be finalised, the visit[s] to Brentwood Diocese look likely at the beginning of the third week of October.
Through the intercession of Our Lady and Saint Bernadette, may we be protected from all evil; may the sick and suffering—in mind or body—receive the grace of healing and interior peace; and may all the children of Mary be preserved in fidelity to Jesus Christ, our Saviour!
With my prayers and blessing!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear friends in Christ
This Friday—11th February—is the Patronal Festival of our Parish, Our Lady of Lourdes. The Sanctuary of Lourdes is synonymous with the sick and healing, both physical and spiritual. The Lourdes grotto and altar in our church has often been described as little piece of Lourdes in this corner of Essex! Indeed it is also a little peace of Lourdes for those who visit the Shrine and ask for the intercession of our Immaculate Mother. When Canon Francis Gilbert had our church and grotto constructed, he was able to secure a small piece of rock from the Grotto of Massabielle in southern France. So, there is a real link spiritual and geologically with Lourdes.
Dear friends in Christ
This Friday—11th February—is the Patronal Festival of our Parish, Our Lady of Lourdes. The Sanctuary of Lourdes is synonymous with the sick and healing, both physical and spiritual. The Lourdes grotto and altar in our church has often been described as little piece of Lourdes in this corner of Essex! Indeed it is also a little peace of Lourdes for those who visit the Shrine and ask for the intercession of our Immaculate Mother. When Canon Francis Gilbert had our church and grotto constructed, he was able to secure a small piece of rock from the Grotto of Massabielle in southern France. So, there is a real link spiritual and geologically with Lourdes.
The Mass on Friday will be celebrated at 9.30am with Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School in attendance. Later in the day the Infants will also come to the church and pray at the grotto. We rejoice to have Mary as our Protectress in this Parish and the Lady Chapel and Grotto here are a powerful draw to the many who come to speak with Our Blessed Lady each day, light a candle and seek her intercession. I am personally so grateful to have the knowledge that Our Lady of Lourdes has accompanied me throughout my life: I grew up in Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Wanstead, went to the primary school with the same dedication; I was ordained in Our Lady of Lourdes Church and now I find myself once again in the Parish dedicated to her name. For this I give thanks!
The incorrupt body of Saint Bernadette is preserved and venerated in the Convent where she died in Nevers, France. There are other relics of St. Bernadette which are kept in the Basilica in Lourdes. Periodically these are taken around the world and they will tour the dioceses of England, Scotland and Wales in the Autumn. Although dates are yet to be finalised, the visit[s] to Brentwood Diocese look likely at the beginning of the third week of October.
Through the intercession of Our Lady and Saint Bernadette, may we be protected from all evil; may the sick and suffering—in mind or body—receive the grace of healing and interior peace; and may all the children of Mary be preserved in fidelity to Jesus Christ, our Saviour!
With my prayers and blessing!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
5.30pm Mass Eric Major, RIP (PM)
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
8am Mass Martha Braun, RIP (GM)
9.30am Mass Michael Emerson, RIP (MW)
11.30am Mass The People of the Parish
4pm Mass Peter Griffin, RIP (Anniv) (SG)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Monday 7
Feria
9am Mass Alice & Bernard Squire, RIP (SB)
Tuesday 8
St Jerome Emiliani, Rel
9am Mass Henry Gover & Evelyn
Wednesday 9
Feria
9am Mass Sergio Severi
Thursday 10
St Scholastica, V
9am Mass Brenda Tisi, RIP (MT)
Friday 11
OUR LADY OF LOURDES, Patroness of our Parish & Diocese
9.30am Mass Barrington Gray, RIP (JH) With OLOL School attending
7.00pm Rosary & Benediction
Saturday 12 February
Saturday Memorial of BVM
10am Mass Michael Emerson, RIP (MW)
10.30-11.30am: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
Sunday 13 February
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
5.30pm Mass Bill Hoggett, RIP (JH)
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
8am Mass Kenneth Lynchehaun, RIP (MI)
9.30am Mass Maureen Bridge, RIP & Janice Bridge & all Holy Souls (EP)
11.30am Mass The People of the Parish
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction