Pilgrimage to Aylesford Priory - Sunday, 17th July
Pilgrimage to Aylesford Priory for the celebration of the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Sunday 17th July. Mass at 11.30am.
Talk on Carmelite Spirituality 2.30pm.
Procession and Benediction 3.30pm.
Followed by Scapular Enrolment.
Please bring packed lunch Coach leaves Our Lady of Lourdes Church 9am.
To book phone Margaret 07805 432159
Bereavement Support Group
The Bereavement Support Group meets every third Tuesday of each month. Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, 19th July.
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.
Choral Director Vacancy - The Diocese of Brentwood Schools Singing Programme
We are seeking to appoint a Choral Director, this is a new and exciting post which is part of the National School Singing Programme.
Further information about the role can be found on the website
Closing date for applications is 12 noon on Monday 4 July 2022.
BCCS Relay100
Last year, volunteers took part in the Diocesan relay from parish to parish for Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society (BCCS) and we have done it again!
The Bishop launched the whole event on May 9th, and I volunteered to do the Lady of Lourdes leg again to St.Helen’s Westcliff which I completed on 22nd June. Our Lady of Lourdes parishioners raised over £100 last time for our leg last year but the most important thing is that BCCS covers all the parishes and shows the importance of the work they do for children.
It is not too late to sponsor me, by either using my sponsorship form - available at teas & coffees after 9.30am and 11.30am Sunday masses from 21st May or by going online to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/relay100 If appropriate, please use gift aid for your donation.Please mention my name and Relay 100 in the sponsorship note as a reference so that BCCS can trace your donation online.
You can also donate by BACS at Account: Brentwood Catholic Childrens Society; Account Number: 31094130; Sort Code: 40 13 22. Again please quote BCCS Relay100 and my name D Binding. Thank you so much for your support. Darrell Binding
St Bernard's High School - Open Evening
Open Evening for Year 5 Students
(Prospective Year 7 in 2023)
Wednesday 6 July 2022
6.00pm to 9.00pm
We would be delighted to welcome Year 5 girls and their parents/carers to our Open Evening. This is an evening for girls wishing to join Year 7 in September 2023.
We are also offering an opportunity for parents/carers to visit the school during a normal teaching day, dates will be published on our website later this academic year.
St Bernard’s High School offers selective places based on success in the CSSE selective tests and non-selective places according to faith-based admissions criteria. (Please see school website for full details.)
‘The school is welcoming and inclusive. In 2015, many pupils made significantly better progress than other pupils nationally’ Ofsted 2016
'The gifted, able and talented programme provides challenging enrichment across all year groups and is acknowledged by the NACE Award' Ofsted 2016
‘St Bernard’s High School is an outstanding Catholic school… Attainment and progress of students is outstanding’ (Diocesan Inspection, 2017)
www.stbernardswestcliff.org.uk, Milton Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex SS0 7JS Tel: 01702 343583
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
Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear friends in Christ
In the First Reading of the Mass this Sunday we hear how Elijah is sent by God from Mount Horeb to anoint Elisha as prophet. Elijah left the mountain and found Elisha as he was ploughing.
Dear friends in Christ
In the First Reading of the Mass this Sunday we hear how Elijah is sent by God from Mount Horeb to anoint Elisha as prophet. Elijah left the mountain and found Elisha as he was ploughing. As he passed near to him, and threw his cloak over him, this was seen as a sign that God wanted him to dedicate himself to His service. Elijah responded forthwith and wholeheartedly, leaving nothing behind that might cause him to regret his departure. He took the pair of oxen with which he had been ploughing and slaughtered them. He built a fire with the wood of his plough, cooked the oxen and gave the meat to his men, who ate it. He then got up and went after Elijah. The Gospel reading echoes this encounter, as Jesus calls His disciples from very different circumstances to follow Him. The lesson in the readings is: to answer God's call promptly, cheerfully, and unconditionally. When Christ passes close to us we should not put off our attachment to him. If He passes-by and on His way, perhaps we will not find him when we try later on to catch up later. God calls each one of us in our own circumstances. May these readings prompt us to examine our own lives and ask whether we respond to God promptly, and unconditionally, in the way that we go after Him.
We think also this week of those apostles, Peter & Paul—whose feast we celebrate Wednesday—and how they left everything to follow Him.
God bless you all this coming week!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday 26th June
Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
MONTH OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS
Liturgy:
Readings of Year C
The Nicene Creed
Preface of Sunday I
5.30pm Mass Guy Bragard, RIP (RB)
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
8am Mass Julie Emerson, RIP (GM)
9.30am Mass Dominic DeSouza, RIP (CB)
11.30am Mass The People of the Parish
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Monday 27
St Cyril of Alexandria, Bp D
9am Mass Annie Laura Levan (FM)
Tuesday 28
St Irenaeus, Bp, M
9am Mass Marcia Clarke, RIP (SH)
Wednesday 29
SS Peter & Paul, App Holyday of Obligation
9.15am Mass Gareth Lewis, RIP (Anniv) (JL)-with Our Lady of Lourdes School attending
12Noon Mass Lola Smithyes, RIP (TT)
5pm Body in Church Mary Leftley, RIP
8pm Mass The People of the Parish
Thursday 30
First Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church
9am Mass Patrick Clarke, RIP (Anniv) (BH)
1pm Requiem Mass Mary Leftley, RIP
5pm Body in Church Michael Rubbert, RIP
Friday 1 July
St Oliver Plunket, Bp, M
10.30am Requiem Mass Michael Rubbert, RIP
7pm School Leavers Mass NO FIRST FRIDAY EXPOSITION TODAY
Saturday 2
Saturday Memorial of BVM
10am Mass Tom O’Callaghan RIP (CS)
10.30-11.30am: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
Sunday 3
Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
5.30pm Mass The People of the Parish
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
8am Mass Frank Clancy, RIP (Anniv) (JL)
9.30am Mass Peter & Carol Moon, RIP (SM)
11.30am Mass Dominic de Souza, RIP (FdS)
4pm Mass Valerie Tisi, RIP (CB)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
We Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries
Canon James Dacey, Fr James Hawes, Fr James Edward Littleton, Roque Menezes, Stella Migdalski, Mildred Turner, Henry Adamson, Rory MacNaughton, Julie Emerson, Dr Pat Collins, Joseph Whomes, Rosemary Montgomery, Esther Wilkins, Teresa Parascandolo, Mary Ellen Sutcliffe, Elizabeth Ann Gandee, Derek Cousins, Brenda Pearson, Mason Lane, Leslie Earl, Anna Hlustik, Emanuella Hillman, Christine Rigg, Gareth Lewis, Cecil Compton, Benita Skellon, Patrick Clarke, Jim Robinson, Albert Nichols, Marguerite Cave, John Lloyd, John Kidney, Frank Clancy, Gustave Rombaut, Lionel Conway, Paul Stewart King, Josephine Studd & Julie Quaile.
We Pray for our Sick
David Lesley, Tony Tisi, Ann Owen, Kenneth Biebuyck, Zach Stokes, Andrew Stokes, 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, 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, John Lavery, Paul Keane, Rosemary Bragard, Pat Lynch, Maureen Gooding, Ben Wilson, Christian Ryan, Tina Doveaston, Addi Brady, Patricia Fleming, Nicky Wigmore, Rose Craft, Patricia Spikin, Sandra Fagan, Edna Wallace, Beryl Dixon, Nick Evans, Vicky Jack, Mary Boyce, Kristin Hallenga, Anne O’Neill, Cheryl Shallis, 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, 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, Marguerite Harris, Andrew Exley, Elizabeth McConalogue, Kean Smith, Keith Maliff, German Morfin, Bradley & children: Thomas Ball, Liam Davis, Connie Price, Albert Chambers, Fergus Grant, Mary Isherwood, Lucy Price, Frazer Gregory & baby Forest Gallagher.
Sanctuary Lamp
The Sanctuary Lamp burns for Michael Hart, RIP and the deceased members of the Angus Family.
Pastoral Letter Marking the 10th World Meeting of Families
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
This Sunday marks the end of the Year of the Family which Pope Francis inaugurated in 2021. The conclusion of this Year is marked by a gathering in Rome, the 10th World Meeting of Families, and as part of his Sunday Angelus Pope Francis will bless all families throughout the world.
One of the greatest insights of the Second Vatican Council is that everyone is called to holiness – to become a saint. In this Sunday’s Gospel (Luke 9.51-62) Jesus gives a clear if challenging message about the urgency of following Him - whoever we are and whatever the cost.
But holiness does not simply equate with one particular way of life. Pope-emeritus Benedict once said that there are as many paths to heaven as there are people. Though it is always Jesus Christ, ‘the Way, the Truth and the Life’ who leads the way and opens the door, our journey is unique to each one of us. If we try and follow another person’s path, we will soon lose our way and grow disheartened. Instead, we must allow ourselves to be led by the Holy Spirit on the path that is meant for us.
Depending on our own particular vocation, our work or our family life should not be an obstacle to holiness but rather the very means by which God wants to make me holy.
We all find ourselves in very challenging times - including war in Europe and increasing economic uncertainty. Pope Francis in his Letter to Married Couples [2021] recalled Jesus’ miracle of the calming of the sea and said, “Marriage, as a vocation, calls you to steer a tiny boat – wave-tossed yet sturdy, thanks to the reality of the sacrament – across a sometimes stormy sea. Let us never forget, though, that by virtue of the Sacrament of Matrimony, Jesus is present in that boat; he is concerned for you and he remains at your side amid the tempest”.
Whenever we find ourselves in stormy waters we have the wonderful guarantee that Christ, Who alone fills us with joy, is always with us.
With all good wishes and prayers,
In Christ and Mary,
+Alan Williams, sm
Bishop of Brentwood
Consecration to Jesus through Mary
Angelus and Family Blessing 26th June
On Sunday 26th June, Pope Francis will close the X World Meeting of Families with his Sunday Angelus. As a parish, we will join the Holy Father in prayer for Marriage and Family Life with the Angelus and a blessing of families at the end of the 11.30am Mass.
Annual Mass for Marriage and Family Life
Bishop Alan will celebrate the annual Mass for Marriage and Family Life at the Cathedral in July. The parish have received several invitations, intended for couples who have celebrated significant wedding anniversaries this year or have been recently married. If you would like to attend, please contact the parish office for more details.
This Mass will be offered for the intentions of families around the Diocese. If you have a particular intention for this day, please complete the form on the website : https://www.dioceseofbrentwood.net/departments/marriage-family-life/x-world-meeting-of-families/
Music at 11.30am Mass on Sunday
Prelude: Improvisation on the chant 'Omnes gentes plaudite manibus'
Postlude: Passacaglia in C minor BWV 582 - J S Bach (1685-1750)
Strawberry Tea - Saturday, 9th July
Your parish SVP (Society of St Vincent de Paul) Conference is delighted to announce the post-pandemic return of its annual 'Strawberry Tea' to which senior citizens of the parish are most warmly invited! Our Strawberry Tea is being held in the Parish Centre on Saturday, 9th July, commencing at 2pm and concluding at 4pm! If you would like to join us on this happy parish occasion please call Janeth Markham on 07786 901488. You will be most welcome!
Missio - Red Box Holders
I have received the Summer Issues of the Missio Magazine. 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. If anyone has a box ready for emptying, please let me have it personally or leave it in the office for me. The Nat. West bank in Leigh is closing at the end of August so I would like to get as many boxes as I can dealt with by then.
Thank you. Joan Caunce, Secretar,. 01268 757505.
Flower Festival - 10th September 2022
It is time to be creative again! Thank you to all those who have already said that they want to take part.
The theme of the Flower and Arts & Crafts festival this year is Christian Feasts and Festivals. Like last year we would like people to create a flower arrangement, or tapestries, paintings, photographs (or any type of craft work) on the theme chosen.
The main topics will be: Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Holy Family, Lent, Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Christ the King, Pentecost, Ascension Day, Corpus Christi, All Saints & All Souls Day, St Peter & Paul.
There are of course other special feast days you can choose. In Anglican churches Harvest festivals are prominent whilst there are several special feast days for Our Lady in the Catholic church.
Many people who visit during the festival have no religious background and we want to present a powerful and prayerful message about Christianity.
Please let me know which theme or themes you will be doing and in what medium. (mcronan@btinternet.com)
Thanks, Jo Ronan
Pilgrimage to Aylesford Priory - Sunday, 17th July
Pilgrimage to Aylesford Priory for the celebration of the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Sunday 17th July. Mass at 11.30am.
Talk on Carmelite Spirituality 2.30pm.
Procession and Benediction 3.30pm.
Followed by Scapular Enrolment.
Please bring packed lunch Coach leaves Our Lady of Lourdes Church 9am.
To book phone Margaret 07805 432159
Bereavement Support Group
The Bereavement Support Group meets every third Tuesday of each month. Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, 19th July.
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.