Bereavement Support Group

The Group meets on the third Tuesday of every month in the Parish Centre (Bernadette room) at 2pm. Our next meeting will be on Tuesday 18th October.

The Group is open to people who have experienced loss and Bereavement and who feel they might find sharing their experience with others in a confidential and caring environment. We try to ensure that nobody is under any pressure to talk but participants are gently encouraged to express their feelings supported by other Group members and experienced Counsellors. If further information is required please contact the Parish Office or phone Cynthia on 07783 094312 with your name and contact number.

Missio-Red Box Holders

I have received the Autumn Missio Magazines. If you have not received one from me personally please take one from the back of the Church in the usual place.

If you have a box which needs emptying please let me have it personally or leave it in the Parish Office for me to collect. Thank you Joan Caunce Secretary. 01268 757505.

Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear friends in Christ

Faith is the first and foundation of all the virtues of the Christian life. This is what the Readings at Mass this Sunday proclaim. As with all of the other virtues, Faith is increased the more we exercise it. We increase our Faith by making constant acts of our belief and trust in God. Most especially during Holy Mass we make acts of Faith in Almighty God, as we listen to His Word and adore Jesus in his true presence upon the Altar, especially at the moment of the Consecration. Faith, like charity, grows cold when not lived-out in practice. When we don't exercise or live by Faith, it dies. To survive as Christians in the world we need to see everything through the optic of supernatural Faith. This requires us to see the hand of God at work wherever we are, and wherever we find goodness. As we listen to the Readings at Mass this weekend, we can ask God—as the Apostles so often did—to increase our Faith!

October is the Month of the Holy Rosary. We have understood the importance of the praying of the Holy Rosary for peace over the last months only too well. The Church is constantly reminding us of the call Our Blessed Mother made at Fatima. She told us with a Mother’s concern that, if Christians do not pray for peace then Russia would spread it’s errors throughout the world; that there will be great suffering but she adds, in the end, her Immaculate Heart will triumph. This is the great note of hope: if we persevere in praying, there will be peace on earth and the aggressors will receive the grace of conversion. Of course, none of this is new, since the very feast of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary this coming Friday—7th—was itself instituted by Pope St Pius V in thanksgiving for the victory of the Christian forces over the infidel forces at the famous naval Battle of Lepanto in 1571. The image on the Newsletter this weekend shows Our Lady giving the Rosary to St Dominic. It reminds us of the urgency with which we must continue to pray this wonderfully powerful prayer. As Saint—John Paul II reminds us:

The Church has always attributed particular efficacy to this prayer, entrusting to the Rosary, to its choral recitation and to its constant practice, the most difficult problems. At times when Christianity itself seemed under threat, its deliverance was attributed to the power of this prayer, and Our Lady of the Rosary was acclaimed as the one whose intercession brought salvation. Today I willingly entrust to the power of this prayer. . .the cause of peace in the world and the cause of the family. (Rosarium Virginis Mariae, 39)

Finally, the statue of St Joseph has gone away for re-painting. This is long overdue as we had promised to have this done for his special year, which ended last December.

God bless you!

Msgr Kevin Hale

Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Sunday 2nd October
Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Month of the Holy Rosary

Liturgy:
Readings Year C
The Nicene Creed
Preface of Sunday 6

5.30pm Mass Winifred McSorley, RIP (CC)
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions

8am Mass The People of the Parish
9.30am Mass Vincent Glauda, RIP Anniv) (KC)
11.30am Mass Deceased members of the Butler & Siani families (RB)
4pm Mass Tom O'Callaghan, RIP (EH)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction

Monday 3
Feria
9am Mass Maureen Nortney, RIP (CB)

Tuesday 4
St Francis of Assisi, Rel
9am Mass Fast Recovery of Mrs Win Gover

Wednesday 5
St Faustina Kowalska, Rel
9am Mass Mike Rubbert, RIP (F&JO’B)

Thursday 6
St Bruno, Pr
9am Mass Intentions of Marissa Jereza

Friday 7
Our Lady of the Rosary First Friday
12 Noon Mass Intentions of Ofelia Amaguin
12.30pm Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament until Holy Hour 7-8pm

Saturday 8 October
St Osyth, Rel
10am Mass Lesley Sullivan, RIP (UO)
10.30-11.30am: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions

Sunday 9
Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

5.30pm Mass John Austin McGuire, RIP (AC)
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions

8am Mass Mike Rubbert, RIP (CB)
9.30am Mass Jose Conlu, RIP
11.30am Mass The People of the Parish
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction

We Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries

Fr Michael Hopkins, Fr Henry Healy, Fr David Logue, Canon Edward Henry, Fr Harold Cahill, Fr Alfred Clements, Canon William O’Neill, Margaret Price, Rudolph Banocy, Sarah Duffy, Colleen Worley, Sophie Shapiro, Eileen Pearson, Ursula Turner, John Butler, Kathleen Wetton, Tom Atkinson, Jean-Marie Mahieu, Doris Kelly, Derick Wheeler, James Wood, Sheelagh Sheridan, Adele Petronius, Ethel Shepherd, Jean Buck, Alex Adamson, Kathleen Lionet, Walter Wood, Daphne Sounes, Dymphna Addecott & James Roberton.

We Pray for our Sick

Charles D’Souza, David Lesley, 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, Johnny 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.

We Pray for the Repose of the Souls of

CATHERINE LANE RIP who died on Wednesday, 14th September. Her body will be received into the church at 4.30pm on Tuesday, 25th October and her Requiem Mass take place at 10am on Wednesday, 26th October, followed by burial at Chingford Mount Cemetery.

PETER WILKINSON RIP who died on Friday, 23rd September. His body will be received into the church at 5pm on Thursday, 13th October and his Requiem Mass take place at 10am on Friday, 14th October, followed by committal at Southend Crematorium.

Requiescant in pace

Music at 11.30am Mass on Sunday

Prelude: Dialogue Nicolas de Grigny (1672-1703)

Postlude: Chorale Prelude Allein zu Dir, Herr Jesu Christ Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706}

Response to Psalm

Dates for your Diary

Monday 3rd October—Journey in Faith-RCIA continues..

Thursday 24th—Saturday 26th November
Annual Solemn Days of Eucharistic Exposition

CAFOD Family Fast Day 7th October

As we are all seeing in our daily lives, climate change, coronavirus and the conflict in Ukraine mean that food prices are skyrocketing - creating a global food crisis for many people - including here in the UK.

In East Africa, CAFOD's local experts have been working with families to help them survive food shortages and severe drought. For example, in Kenya families' livestock have died due to the drought, leaving them unable to earn income, and the drought has also meant that growing food is very difficult. Families have also been unable to send their children to school, as education is not free, and families cannot afford it with limited or no income. Any donations you can make this CAFOD Fast Day will assist CAFOD's local experts help those families, including with the delivery of emergency food and water. You can donate online - www.cafod.org.uk - or via envelope at the back of the church.

Thank you for your support and continued prayers.

First Holy Communion 2023

Please be reminded that if you have submitted a form for your child to make their First Holy Communion this academic year, there will be a Parent's Meeting on Wednesday 5th October at 8pm in the Parish Centre.

Help Wanted

We are looking for a volunteer to help our Finance Team. This would involve 3 or 4 hours, one morning each week.

We are also looking for someone who would be willing to clean the organ loft one morning a week.

If you are able to help with either of these, please email the Parish office at office@lourdesleigh.org.

Certificate of Catholic Practice for Schools

If you are applying for a place in a Catholic School for your child you may wish to include a Certificate of Catholic Practice. As our local Schools are currently undersubscribed with Catholics, the need for this Certificate is not as pressing as it has been previously. However, if you wish your application to be endorsed then these Certificates may be obtained from the Parish Office either on a Thursday or Friday morning between 10am—1pm.

Journey in Faith-RCIA

The Monday evening sessions of our Journey in Faith—RCIA—continue. Week-by-week we shall explore the Catholic Faith as set-out by the Catechism of the Catholic Church. These evenings are suitable especially for those thinking of becoming a Catholic or for anyone who wants to know more about their Catholic Faith. 8-9.15pm in the Newman Room of the Parish Centre (entrance beside the Memorial Garden).

Relics of St Bernadette

The relics of St Bernadette will come to our diocese in October. This is a wonderful opportunity to pray with the woman to whom Our Lady chose to appear in Lourdes. Here are the details:

BRENTWOOD CATHEDRAL
Sunday 16 October
11 am: Relics of St Bernadette arrive.
11.30 am: Holy Mass, celebrated by Bp Alan.
6.30 pm: Holy Mass, led by the Youth Service.
9 pm: Cathedral closes.
Monday 17 October
6 am: Cathedral opens.
9.15 am: Holy Mass
12 noon: Relics of St Bernadette leave.

OUR LADY OF LOURDES, WANSTEAD
Tuesday 18 October
10 am: Relics of St Bernadette arrive.
11 am - 3 pm: Time reserved for pre-booked school groups.
7.30 pm: Holy Mass, celebrated by Bishop Alan
12 midnight: Church closes.
Wednesday 19 October
6 am: Church opens.
9 am: Relics of St Bernadette depart.

You are welcome to come to pray before the relics outside reserved times for schools. If possible, book your visit through the national website: stbernadette.org.uk Whether you book or not, you may have to queue

Vocations Talks for Enquirers

The next “Enquirers’ Evening” for those considering or interested in a vocation to the priesthood is on Tuesday 4 October at St Edmund of Canterbury Church in Loughton. The speaker will be Mgr Gordon Read.

For further information please contact Fr Mark Swires vocprom@dioceseofbrentwood.org

Prisoners Sunday 9th October 2022

Prisoners’ Sunday is the national day of prayer and action for prisoners and their dependants as marked by the Catholic Church and across the Christian denominations. It is a day to direct our thoughts and prayers to prisoners, their families and children. Prisoners’ Sunday is the time to reflect on how we as individuals, as a Church and as a community are serving those affected by imprisonment. Further information can be found on the website.

Days at the Haven

Days at the Haven is a specialist day centre caring for those living with a neurological disorder. We are situated in the Haven Community Hub which is down Hamlet Court Road in the old Havens department store. We are hoping to expand our services so we can be open daily Monday through to Saturday.

We are having an open week which will run every day from Monday 10th October to Saturday 15th October from 11am to 3pm each day. The purpose of the event is to show case what we do and answer any questions anyone  may have about our services.

There is no need to book, just turn up when its convenient for you and we will have a staff member or volunteer available to show you around and give you any information you may need. We will also have representatives from Carers first available at some times throughout the week and  Gill Clarke, dementia navigator will be available for advice and support on Thursday 13th October between 11am and 2pm.

Silent Weekend Retreat 'My Lord and my God' Friday 4th-Sunday 6th November

Led by Fr Martin Boland, Dean of Brentwood Cathedral. Venue: Sion Community, Brentwood. Our theme focuses on how closeness to Christ enables us to develop a deeper level of intimacy with Him. It enables us to recognise Jesus more readily in our lives and acknowledge Him both in private and in public. This silent weekend retreat offers us the opportunity to spend time with the Lord in quiet prayer and reflection. 40-HOURS of CONTINUOUS Adoration, guidance & ministry included. For more information or to book, visithttps://sioncommunity.org.uk/adults/ or email allegra.mutanda@gmail.com

St Thomas More Alumni Annual Dinner

The multi-re-scheduled St Thomas More Alumni Dinner will finally be taking place on Saturday 8th October at 7.30pm, after a number of false starts following the relaxation of rules after the pandemic. Open to all former pupils and staff, the evening will take place at the school in Kenilworth Gardens. Tickets cost £25. Visit www.stmalumniuk.co.uk for full details.