40 Days for Life
Starting from Ash Wednesday 22nd February to Friday 31st March
We are holding a peaceful, prayerful witness outside Southend medical centre MSI (Marie Stopes International) an Abortion provider.
We are there to offer help to women in crisis pregnancies.
Please come and pray.
For more information about times please contact Mary & Francis Connolly 07478765010.
If you have been hurt by Abortion please contact www. rachelsvineyard.org.uk Pam: 0785-1331816
Church Courtyard Parking
Please use only the allocated bays for parking in the courtyard of the church. If there are no vacant bays this means the courtyard is full. You can also use on-road parking! Please DO NOT double-park or block-in others. Also, please do not drive across the West doors of the church. These directives are for the health and safety of everyone.
Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School & Nursery
If your child is eligible to attend Nursery, please clink on the link below to find more information about Our Lady of Lourdes School Nursery
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 21st February.
We are aware that this time may not be convenient for everyone who feels they need support following the loss of a loved one. We are therefore considering a possible change of day and time. For example Saturday morning or afternoon or a weekday morning or evening might be more convenient for people.
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.
If interested please give your name, contact details, and preference of day/ time to the Parish Office. Thank you.
National Marriage Week
As we mark National Marriage week we can reflect on how the Church sees Christian Marriage as summarised in the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
The marriage covenant, by which a man and a woman form with each other an intimate communion of life and love, has been founded and endowed with its own special laws by the Creator. By its very nature it is ordered to the good of the couple, as well as to the generation and education of children. Christ the Lord raised marriage between the baptised to the dignity of a sacrament.
The sacrament of Matrimony signifies the union of Christ and the Church. It gives spouses the grace to love each other with the love with which Christ has loved his Church; the grace of the sacrament thus perfects the human love of the spouses, strengthens their indissoluble unity, and sanctifies them on the way to eternal life.
Marriage is based on the consent of the contracting parties, that is, on their will to give themselves, each to the other, mutually and definitively, in order to live a covenant of faithful and fruitful love.
Since marriage establishes the couple in a public state of life in the Church, it is fitting that its celebration be public, in the framework of a liturgical celebration, before the priest (or a witness authorised by the Church), the witnesses, and the assembly of the faithful.
Unity, indissolubility, and openness to fertility are essential to marriage. Polygamy is incompatible with the unity of marriage; divorce separates what God has joined together; the refusal of fertility turns married life away from its "supreme gift," the child.
The remarriage of persons divorced from a living, lawful spouse contravenes the plan and law of God as taught by Christ. They are not separated from the Church, but they cannot receive Eucharistic communion. They will lead Christian lives especially by educating their children in the faith.
The Christian home is the place where children receive the first proclamation of the faith. For this reason the family home is rightly called "the domestic church," a community of grace and prayer, a school of human virtues and of Christian charity. (CCC 1660-1666)
The Universe Catholic Weekly Newspaper
The Universe Catholic Weekly Newspaper is true to its mission of being “a light to guide the world, and a mirror to reflect it”. Keeping Catholics informed about their faith and bringing them ever closer to God. In order to keep our high standard going and maintain a strong weekly Catholic voice at a time when it is much needed in the world, please consider taking out a subscription.
We have an excellent website full of trustworthy articles and an online shop with all subscribers receiving a 10% discount.
Order your Digital 2 weeks FREE introductory offer by calling Michelle on 0743 661 7650 or email: michelle.jones@universecatholicweekly.co.uk
We invite you to submit articles/news and celebrations about your local parish activities
Below is the link to the latest edition of the Universe Catholic Weekly:-
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear friends in Christ
Salt and light to the earth show how Jesus asks us to live.
Dear friends in Christ
Salt and light to the earth show how Jesus asks us to live. We are good witnesses of the Gospel, and of Jesus, if we show light and not darkness, love of God and not lukewarmness. He needs you, says Pope Saint John Paul, in some way, you lend him your face, your heart, your whole person, when you are convinced, dedicated to the good of others, faithful servants of the Gospel. Then it will be Jesus Himself, who attracts people. But if you were to be weak and evil-minded, you would obscure His true identity, and would give no honour to Him at all. (Homily 29.V.’83)
This Saturday is the Solemnity of Our Lady of Lourdes, Patroness of our Parish and Diocese. We shall celebrate a Vigil Mass on Friday at 9.30am with Our Primary School and on Saturday the festal Mass is 10am. We ask Our Blessed Lady to continue to watch over our Parish Family and we invoke her protection for all the homes and families of the Parish.
7-14th February is National Marriage Week. Whilst not an exclusively Christian initiative, our Diocesan Marriage and Family Life Team encourage us to mark this by highlighting the wonderful vocation that is Christian Married Love. At Mass next weekend we shall pray for those who are Married; reflect upon this vocation in Christ and in the Church in the Homily and impart a Blessing to all those who are living the Sacrament of Catholic Marriage. Please do let me know if you have a significant anniversary in 2023 and you will be invited to the annual Mass for Marriage and Family Life in our Cathedral on July 15th. You may like to look at some of the resources available on our Diocesan website for Marriage: https://www.dioceseofbrentwood.net/departments/marriage-family-life/
God bless you all!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday 5th February
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Liturgy:
Readings Year A
The Nicene Creed
Preface of Sunday 4
Vigil, Saturday 5.30pn The People of the Parish
8am Mass Eileen Kerrigan, RIP (F&JO’B)
9.30am Mass Andrew & Mary Murray, RIP (Anniv) (UO’K)
11.30am Mass Dr. Noel Hayter, RIP (GM)
4pm Mass Intentions of Aaron Mulhern (AH)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Monday 6
St Paul Miki & Comps, Mm
9am Mass Barrington Gray, RIP (Anniv) (JH)
Tuesday 7
Feria
9am Mass Intentions of Margaret Huish (MR)
5pm Body in Church John Harley, RIP
Wednesday 8
St Jerome Emiliani, Rel
9.15am Requiem Mass John Harley, RIP
Thursday 9
Feria
9am Mass Madelaine Sighe, RIP (Anniv) (MR)
Friday 10
St Scholastica, V
9.30am Mass Carmen Ashley, RIP (Anniv) (JA)
(children from OLOL school attending)
Saturday 11
Solemnity of Our Lady of Lourdes
10am Mass Lilian Emily Kathline Hippard, RIP (SH)
10.30-11.30am: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
Sunday 12 February
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
5.30pm Vigil Mass Pat Poulton, RIP (PO’C)
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
8am Mass The People of the Parish
9.30am Mass Josephine Giordmaina, RIP (DS)
11.30am Mass Tony Trigg, RIP (Anniv) (AT)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Dates for your Diary
Monday 6th February—Journey in Faith-RCIA continues
Saturdays 13th & 20th May—First Holy Communion Masses 10.30am
Sunday 28th May—Pentecost Sunday—Confirmation Mass 11.30am
Sunday 11th June—Corpus Christi Procession 4pm
Saturday 8th/Sunday 9th September—Flower Festival
We Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries
Fr Francis Richardson, Fr Alan Wilcox, Canon Bernard Manning, Pope Pius XI, Fr Donald Mills, Margaret O’Connor, Robert Roberton, Margaret Pearson, John Hanna Manna, Victor Maguire, Joseph Ruggiero, Barbara Blaker, Charles Taylor, Henry Moores, Catherine Burn, Modge Ditton, Emma Oldham, Veronica Read, Peter Heritage, Alice Whitfield, Eugenie Ballard, Doris Wenninger, Edmund O’Sullivan, Patrick Jennett, Charles Oldham, John Armstrong, Victor Gosling, Carmen Ashley, John Young, Bernard Ward, Catherine Shanahan, Gordon Watts, Jessie Hempstead, Annie Jackson, Monica Crighton, Cajetan Soares & Tony Trigg.
We Pray for our Sick
Christine Reid, Rose D’Souza, Jimmy & Pauline Martin, Ben Dench, James Fegan, Muriel Matthews, 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, 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, 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
JOHN HARLEY RIP who died on 6th January. His body will be received into the Church on Tuesday, 7th February at 5pm and his Requiem Mass will take place on Wednesday, 8th February at 9.15am followed by committal at Southend Cemetery.
FRANCIS JOHN MULLAN RIP who died on 10th December. His funeral service will take place on Wednesday, 8th February at Southend Crematorium at 2.40pm.
CHARLES D’SOUZA RIP who died on 2nd January. His Requiem Mass will take place on Monday, 13th February at 11.30am and committal will take place at Basildon Crematorium at 4pm.
MARIA FITZAKERLEY RIP who died recently. Funeral details to follow.
CHRISTINE WISE RIP who died on 21st January. Her body will be received into the Church on Thursday, 16th March at 5pm and her Requiem Mass will take place on Friday 17th March at 9.30am followed by burial at Hall Road Cemetery.
TERRY COCKERALL RIP who died on 29th January. Funeral details to follow.
MICHELLE POWER RIP who died on 31st January. Funeral details to follow.
Requiescant in pace
Music at 11.30am Mass on Sunday
Prelude: Diapason Movement in F—John Keeble (1711-1786)
Postlude: Fugue in a minor—(1705-1741)
Response to Psalm
Sacrament of Confirmation
This will take place on Pentecost Sunday, 28th May. Any adult or young adult (who must have reached the age of fourteen by 1st September 2022) may apply. Please send an email with your name and contact details to mrscatherineharris@gmail.com by Ash Wednesday, 22nd February.
Repository
The Repository reopens this weekend—4th/5th February. This is situated at the rear of the Church in the old Baptistry and will be open following the 5.30pm Vigil Mass and after the 9.30am and 11.30am Masses on Sundays.
We have a good selection of cards and small gifts. Over the next few weeks we hope new stock will be arriving in time to celebrate those special occasions of St.Patrick’s Day, Mother’s Day and Easter. If you can’t see what you are looking for, please don’t hesitate to ask. After Easter, cards and gifts should be available in time for First Holy Communions and Confirmation.
Deanery of Southend Lent Talks 2023
Wednesday evenings at 7pm—Eastwood Parish—St Peter’s
59 Eastwood Road North, Leigh on Sea SS9 4BX
Questions & Answers facilitated by Fr Jeff Woolnough
March 1st Fr Graham Smith
The Gospel According to John
March 8th DVD Presentation
Dr Scott Hahn—The Eucharist in Scripture
Part One—The Lamb’s Supper
March 15th DVD Presentation
Dr Scott Hahn—The Eucharist in Scripture
Part Two—The Fourth Cup
March 22nd DVD Presentation
Dr Scott Hahn—The Eucharist in Scripture
Part Three—Consuming the Word
Sick & Housebound
If you have have a family member, or are aware of someone who is sick or housebound and would wish to receive any of the Sacraments, please advise Father Kevin.
World Day of Prayer Friday 3rd March
This year’s World Day of Prayer Service takes place on Friday 3rd March at 10.30am at St alban’s Church, St Johns Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, SS0 7JY, followed by tea/coffee. Car parking is available at North Road and Cliffs Pavilion car parks.
All are welcome to this years Service which is prepared by the women of Taiwan on the theme ‘I have heard about your faith’
BCCS
The Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society is an established children’s charity delivering vital mental health services in schools throughout the diocese and in our specially adapted therapy rooms in Billericay. Currently we are seeking to appoint new trustees to our Board to help guide and develop our work. Further information is available on our website https://www.bccs.org.uk/who-we-are/our-trustees/ or please email Bernadette our Director at bfisher@bccs.org.uk who will be happy to discuss this important role with you.