Lourdes Pilgrimage
There is hope that there will be a Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes: 24-29th July. If there was sufficient interest, there could be a group from our Parish which would join with the Diocese as in previous years.
The flight will depart from London Heathrow on 24th July at around midday and return on Friday 29th July at about 6pm. The cost per adult, which includes 5 nights full board staying at the 4 Star Grand Hotel Moderne Soubirous (closest to Sanctuary) and return luxury coach transfer from Lourdes airport will be £780. There is a £200 supplement for a single room.
If anyone would be interested, could you please register this by giving your name into the Parish Office.
City of Southend-on-Sea
Since Southend was officially granted City status on 1st March, it is a good moment to remind ourselves of the Coat of Arms and the meaning it contains.
The Arms were officially granted on January 1, 1915, with the crest and supporters granted one day later. The Arms were transferred from the County Borough to the Borough council on May 21, 1974.
The blue field represents the sea. On this are placed symbols of the old parishes that made up the town in 1915. The lilies and vase, symbol of the Virgin Mary are for St Mary, Prittlewell (originally a Cluniac Priory). The anchor—the symbol of St Clement—is for Leigh. The gridiron is for St Lawrence (Eastwood), and the trefoil, symbol of the Holy Trinity, is for Southchurch. The crest is a ship's mast for the historic port of Leigh-on-Sea. The motto is: Per mare, per ecclesiam, through the sea and through the Church.
So, the Christian Faith is deeply embedded in the Arms of our City and it is good to remember that it was the Catholic Faith that informed the culture and mores of this area, as indeed of the nation. We remember to pray once again for Sir David Amess—a faithful son of the Church—and who worked tireless for this Constituency and who made the City status a reality.
Dates for your Diary
Wednesdays March 9th, 16th, 23rd & 30th—Marriage Preparation Evenings
Saturdays 14th & 21st May—First Holy Communion Masses
Wednesday 25th May—Visitation of the Bishop & Confirmation
Sunday 19th June—Corpus Christi Procession
Saturday 10th September—Flower Festival
Music at 11.30am Mass on Sunday
Prelude: Improvisation on the Introit 'Invocabit me'
Postlude: Herzlich tut mich verlangen BWV 727 - J S Bach (1685-1750)
CAFOD Family Fast Day 11th March
2022 is Cafod's 60th anniversary year and its focus this year is on addressing the risk of malnutrition for around 200 million children around the world. Climate change, the Covid pandemic and the unequal distribution of food mean extreme hunger is getting worse.
Please take a look at Cafod's website - www.cafod.org.uk/fastday to see how they are working in countries like Sierra Leone to support new mothers including with expert advice, training and understanding about nutrition. Please continue to pray for the work of Cafod and consider eating a simple meal on Friday 11 March to help support their work. There are gift envelopes at the back of the church if you are able to donate to their work. Thank you.
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Walsingham - 28th May 2022
Join Bishop Alan and other parishes around the Diocese of Brentwood in Walsingham as we celebrate the Year of the Family ‘Hearing and Doing the Word of God’.
We will celebrate Mass at the Basilica before walking the Holy Mile to the grounds of Walsingham Abbey to celebrate Vespers and Benediction on the site of the Holy House.
If you would like to come please contact the Parish office. Depending on the numbers going we may be able to arrange a coach to be shared by local Parishes.
Your Parish SVP
The SVP ( St Vincent de Paul Society) is a Christ-centred organisation with a mission to seek and find those who are in need, to help them in the spirit of justice and to tackle the causes and effects of poverty where it can. Members visit and befriend people living in loneliness and isolation, be they elderly, homeless, hospitalised or in care-homes, people with mental health issues or offenders. Our funds have become depleted through coming to the aid of families and individuals during the course of the pandemic but you can assist our endeavours by donating to your parish SVP group via our parish website - you can also now 'Gift Aid' any such donation at no additional cost to yourself! Our parish SVP group meets regularly in the Parish Centre for an hour or so on a Wednesday evening - we also seek new, committed members! Should you be thinking of joining us or wish to know more, please contact Francis O'Brien on mob: 07845874331 or email: obrjam@btinternet.com . Thank you for any help you can give!
Rosary Movement of Reparation
Heaven’s Peace Plan – the daily Rosary and ongoing practice of the Five First Saturdays of Reparation - 5 Days that have the potential to change you and bring peace to the World!
Are you willing to help change the World?
March 5th 2022 First Saturday approaches …
We are living in the most dangerous to times and as you know the Holy Father, Pope Francis has issued a serious and heartfelt plea to pray, fast and sacrifice for peace.Never has there been in our lifetime a more urgent NEED to PRAY, FAST and make Sacrifices for PEACE and for the Salvation of Souls.
97 years ago in 1925 - the Lord Jesus and his Holy Mother appeared to Sr. Lucia when she was a Postulant in Pontevedra, Spain to give greater clarity to the messages they had given in Fatima to Sr. Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta concerning the need to pray the Rosary every day for peace and to ENACT the practice of the First Saturdays of Reparation for the salvation of souls and for the peace of the world.
Sr. Lucia strongly emphasised to her spiritual director on March 19th 1939 how important the practice of the First Saturdays and daily Rosary are:
"War and peace in the world depend on the celebration of this devotion and the consecration to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary connected to it. Therefore I wished so much these were spread, and much more because it is the will of our good God and our beloved Heavenly Mother."
The world again stands on the brink of war - will you ENACT the Peace Plan of Heaven – it is in your hands!
On each First Saturday of the Month you are invited to:
1. Go to Confession
2. Attend Holy Mass and make a Communion of Reparation
3. Pray the Holy Rosary
4. Spend 15 minutes meditating on Sacred Scripture
All with the intention of making Reparation for the sins committed against the Hearts of Jesus and Mary.
The Peace of the World Depends upon your response!
Do we love enough to put Heaven’s humble plea into action? Do we believe that our participation in the First Saturdays can help change the world and bring peace?
The Rosary and the First Saturdays are the great desire of both the Hearts of Jesus and Mary for these dangerous times. Heaven is pleading with sinful earth!
The world stands on the brink of war - will you ENACT the Peace Plan of Heaven – peace is in your hands!
Bishop John Keenan exhorts us to do all we can to propagate the First Saturdays and the Rosary for the peace of the world.
Join him in St. Mirin’s Cathedral, Paisley on every First Saturday at 8am in person or online – via Cathedral livestream - https://youtu.be/LoSl3_LW4MQ
Join him for nightly Rosary at 9pm via his Facebook page
Vicariate for Adult Formation
THRESHOLDS OF HOPE QUESTION: How has Catholicism enriched culture, music and the arts? Input will be given by Fr David Clemens, parish priest at Our Lady of Compassion, Saffron Walden, on Sunday 6th March, and Sunday 13th March 4.00 – 5.00 p.m. via Zoom. To join this meeting simply forward a contact email to adultformationvicariate@dioceseofbrentwood.org. For more information go to www.thresholdsofhope.co.uk
I would like to bring to your attention a short video www.youtube.com/watch?v=97Q7DNCExMA Trevor Lopez is currently studying medicine at Imperial College, London. He has also wanted to deepen his understanding of his Catholic Faith and has begun a theology degree at Maryvale. The Vicariate of Adult Formation is following his journey with a view to it inspiring other lay men and women to consider deepening their theological understanding in some fashion.
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.
Mums, Dads and Toddlers Coffee Mornings
Mums, Dads and Carers with pre-school children are invited to get together for coffee and chat in the Parish Centre on Monday mornings from 9.30am until 11 am, during school term times, organised by the Lourdes Ladies group. Toys and books will be provided and we look forward to welcoming you.
Pilgrimage to Knock
Fully escorted Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine, Ireland, 23rd May 2022. £699.00 per person sharing. Price includes flight with 10kg hand luggage, all transfers, 4 nights’ in Knock House Hotel with full board. All entertainment and excursions included. Lunches on days out. Wheelchair accessible rooms. Single room supplement £100. Contact Patricia on 01268 762 278 or 07740 175557 or email knockpilgrimages@gmail.com. Knock Pilgrimages is a member of the Travel Trust Association and is fully protected by ATOL T7613.
Missio AF
The National Novena to St. Joseph will take place from 10th March to 18th March 2022 at St. Joseph's Church in Maidenhead. If you would like a booklet of daily prayers and reflections for during the Novena please write to the Novena Director at 6 Colby Gardens, Maidenhead Berkshire SL6 7GZ or email novenahm@gmail.com or telephone 01628 676909.
Please also see the poster at the back of the Church. Thank you. Joan Caunce Secretary 01268 757505
Bereavement Support Group
We are pleased to announce that the Bereavement Support Group will be starting again from Tuesday 22nd March and thereafter every third Tuesday of each month.
The Group is open to all men and women who have experienced loss and bereavement and are welcome to join us in a warm, friendly and confidential environment. We will meet in the Bernadette room, Parish Centre, and sessions begin promptly at 2pm. Refreshments are available.
If further information is required please contact: Cynthia on 01702 477384.
Universe Catholic Weekly
The Universe Catholic Weekly is thrilled to announce that we have launched our new online newspaper with the full support of our first subscriber none other than His Eminence Cardinal Vincent Nichols.
Order your Digital 4 weeks FREE trial supply by calling Michelle on 0743 661 7650 or email: michelle.jones@universecatholicweekly.co.uk
Aid for Ukraine
We have begun Lent this year conscious of the unspeakable acts of terror in the Ukraine. Our brothers and sisters there are experiencing terrible suffering as they struggle to defend their country and preserve their human rights and life itself. We are doing what we can from afar: assisting by the charity of our prayers and also with what practical means we can muster. Aid to the Church in Need is on the frontline of charitable assistance to Ukrainians. If you can help, you will find this link takes you to the ACN website where you can donate: https://acnuk.org/news/ukraine-charity-rolls-out-emergency-aid/
For anyone that might like to donate items for refugees, the following places are taking donations:
Leigh Community Centre, 71-73 Elm Road, Leigh-on-Sea, SS9 1PS
& Our Lady of Ransom School Rayleigh and Convent Building
If any parishioner needs someone to collect items, Clare Mason is happy to collect. Call: 07757 138345.
Items for Donation:
flashlights - torches
candles
batteries and battery chargers
bandages
dressings/plasters
wound disinfectants
Painkillers and other medications
hygiene items (shower gel/ shampoo/soap/ deodorant)
nappies and sanitary items
sleeping bags
blankets (small and large)
duvets
tinned foods and longlife foods
thermal gloves and flasks
pet and animal care and food
Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear friends in Christ
We are on the final countdown to the start of Lent this Wednesday.
Dear friends in Christ
We are on the final countdown to the start of Lent this Wednesday. We begin the Forty Days preparation for Easter with a day of fasting and abstinence. With the global pandemic, many of us feel like Lent has lasted for these past two years. This is because there are unique parallels between Lent and a life under global quarantines. The word ‘quarantine’ comes from a Venetian dialect meaning forty days. The concept of quarantining originates from Jesus’ own forty days in the desert which gives us the Lenten season. This Lent, think of your forty days as a time of quarantine, where you surrender to Christ the divine physician by developing prayer and practices that remind you to submit yourself daily with trust into His healing care. In this way we call all to make the pilgrimage together towards another Easter and our joyous celebration of the Resurrection.
As Lent is the traditional time of catechesis and preparation for the Sacraments of Initiation, I ask you to keep in your prayers those six adults who are preparing for reception into the Church through Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Communion; they will be presented to the Bishop next Sunday afternoon in our Cathedral during the Rite of Election. Also, our forty-two young adults who will begin their preparation for their Confirmation in May next Sunday. Not forgetting our Engaged Couples who will be undertaking their Marriage Preparation during the weeks of March.
The restoration of the Rood Beam and Calvary has been completed and is very pleasing. In time for the start of Lent, it can aid our reflection on the Passion and Crucifixion of The Lord as we contemplate the saving events of the Redemption.
This Sunday we welcome the Schola Cantorum of the Campion School, Upminster, under the direction of their Master of Music, Mr James Devor. They will be singing at the 11.30am Mass—joyful music to the Lord—just before we begin the more sombre tones of Lent! We thank them for their visit and above all for the ability to enrich the liturgy of the Mass with music worthy of this august mystery.
Conscious of the state of war in Ukraine, Pope Francis has said: I invite everyone to make this coming 2nd March, Ash Wednesday, a day of fasting for peace: let believers dedicate themselves intensely to prayer and fasting. May the Queen of Peace preserve the world from the madness of war. God bless you all as together we begin Lent asking Our Blessed Lady to encourage us in our prayer, penance and good works.
Msgr Kevin Hale