Sanctuary Lamp
This week the Sanctuary Lamp burns for the intentions of the Rubbert Family.
Please pray for the repose of the souls of
Mrs MURIEL MATTHEWS Her body will be received into the church on Wednesday, 8th November at 4.30pm and her Requiem Mass will take place on Thursday, 9th November at 2.30pm, followed by committal at Southend Crematorium.
Mr KENNETH BIEBUYCK who died on 20th October. Funeral details to follow.
Mrs YVONNE ASHWELL-RIVENS who died on Friday afternoon. Funeral details to follow.
Requiescant in pace
Responsorial Psalm at 11.30am Mass
Prelude: Voluntary—John Stanley (1712-86)
Postlude: Toccata—Johann Krieger (1649-1725)
Responsorial Psalm
November—Month of the Holy Souls
How to obtain a Plenary Indulgence for the Souls in Purgatory this November
Every year between 1–8 November the Church grants a plenary indulgence that can be applied only to the souls in purgatory. The faithful can receive this indulgence each of the eight days to apply to a particular soul — a parent, spouse, relative, friend, or anyone even unknown.
1) Pray At a Cemetery or in our Memorial Garden
The Church asks the faithful to visit a cemetery and pray for the deceased, even if only mentally. Some suggested prayers include the Prayer of St. Gertrude or the Eternal Rest prayer.
2) Go to Confession and receive Holy Communion
In order for one to obtain a plenary indulgence, whether it be for the poor souls or for oneself, the person must detach oneself from all sin. If the soul is not detached, a partial indulgence will be applied.
However, for the sick, elderly, homebound, or those who cannot go out due to coronavirus restrictions, they can “unite themselves spiritually to other members of the faithful.”
The Church encourages this prayer “before an image of Jesus or the Blessed Virgin Mary, reciting pious prayers for the deceased, for example, Lauds and Vespers of the Office of the Dead, the Marian Rosary, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, other prayers for the deceased dearest to the faithful, or occupy themselves in considered reading of one of the Gospel passages proposed by the liturgy of the deceased, or perform a work of mercy by offering to God the sorrows and hardships of their own lives.”
The individual must also have “the intention of complying as soon as possible,” to the three conditions (sacramental confession, holy communion, and praying for the Holy Father).
3) Pray for the Pope
The Church suggests that the faithful pray one ‘Our Father’ and one ‘Hail Mary’ for the Holy Father.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let the perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in peace. Amen.
Holy Souls Box
During November we customarily keep the memories of our Beloved Dead in our prayers. Their names will be placed under the Altar by using one of the envelopes at the back of church (please add your Gift Aid number) and placing it in the box provided, including an offering if you can, for Holy Souls Masses. In this way, we present them to God in the Masses and Offices during this month of the Holy Souls.
Dates for your Diary
Monday 30th October—Journey in Faith (RCIA) continues—8pm Newman Room
Thursday 16th November—Annual Requiem for the deceased of the Parish Family in the last year 7pm
Friday 10th November—Sung Latin Requiem 7pm
Sunday 26th November-Sea of Voices Annual Christmas Concert—3pm Parish Centre
Thursday 30th November—Saturday 2nd December—Forty Hours’ Prayer
Sunday 3rd December—Parish Bazaar
Friday 15th December—Carol Service—Serving the Homeless
Monday 22nd—Saturday 27th July 2024—Parish Pilgrimage to Lourdes
JOURNEY OF FAITH—RCIA
RCIA will meet on Monday, 30th October and is specifically for those who are not Catholics but who are enquiring with a view to finding out more about the Catholic Faith and Reception into the Church. These evenings begin at 8pm, are held in the Newman Room of the Parish Centre (the door is beside the Memorial Garden) and usually last just over an hour. Names may be given in advance to Fr Kevin or the Parish Office.
OLOL Ladies Group
Our next Meeting in the Parish Centre is on Thursday 2nd November from 10am. All ladies welcome to join us for a fun morning of Quizzing presented by our well known Mistress of Quiz questions!! Plus a prize for the winners so don’t miss out , come along and join in the fun. Subs are just £1.00 which includes tea, coffee, cakes plus a fun Raffle.
Sea of Voices Annual Christmas Concert
The Sea of Voices Choirs Christmas Concert will be held on Sunday 26th November at the Parish Centre starting at 3pm. Tickets at £5 are available from the Parish Office (9.00am to 1pm weekdays), choir members or Darrell (contact number below). We will also aim to have tickets available at teas and coffees after Sunday masses.
All proceeds are to be donated to Fairhavens (Havens Hospice), in memory of Alice Hood, the late daughter of one of our former choir members.
Raffle prize donations and offers of help with refreshments, etc are very welcome!
Contact Darrell on 07825686249 for tickets and offers of help.
Parish Christmas Bazaar - Sunday 3rd December, 8.45am - 1.00pm
We are pleased to announce that our Annual Parish Bazaar is back once again and we need your help and generosity. If you have any unwanted gifts, toiletries, bottles, raffle prizes or bric-a-brac that you would like to donate, please leave them in the Old Baptistry.
If you would like to help on the day, please contact us.
Sue Lawford - 07816 141492, Angela Clements - 07940 183452, email angelaclements47@gmail.com. Thank you.
Repository Open
We have a very nice selection of new stock which includes a small selection of Statues. Thinking ahead to “All Souls” in November we have a selection of Graveside lights, Lanterns and some small Remembrance tokens. These will of course be available each week . You are all welcome to come and browse and if you do not see what you are looking for please ask one of the Volunteers. The Repository is open at Weekends only after all Masses.
If you have a short time to spare before and after a weekend Mass, please consider volunteering at the Repository. Please leave your name and contact number at the Parish Office.
Our Lady of Ransom Catholic Primary School Vacancies
Class Teacher
We are looking to appoint a Class Teacher in KS2 for September 2024. Please visit Essex Jobscene for further details: https://www.essexschoolsjobs.co.uk/Vacancies/Details.aspx?VacancyId=94018 Closing date: Thursday 23rd November 2023 (4pm) Interview date: tbc
Learning Mentor
We are looking to appoint a Learning Mentor Permanent contract. Salary - Point 5 £21,575 FTE (actual salary £11,686) 23 hours, 45 mins a week (8.30am-1.15pm) Term Time only
Please visit Essex Jobscene for further details: https://www.essexschoolsjobs.co.uk/Vacancies/Details.aspx?VacancyId=94015 Closing date: Thursday 23rd November 2023 (4pm) Interview date: tbc
Supply Teachers
We are also looking to build a team of Supply Teachers. Please Contact Mr Parascandolo via info@olorcps.net for further details.
The Governing Body is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. These appointments are subject to satisfactory references, medical and enhanced DBS checks.
Bake For Heroes at Royal Mews Dental Practice 8th November 2pm to 4.30pm
There will be tea, coffee and cake plus live music courtesy of Adam Carstairs. Please come along, enjoy the company, and chat to the team. If you’d like to bring a homemade cake or biscuits then that will be appreciated but don’t worry if baking isn’t your thing. There will be a prize for the best cake to be judged on the day🏆
The event is free but we would appreciate donations to Help for Heroes. We look forward to seeing friends old and new.
FREE Little City Sessions
Is your child in Nursery or preschool?
Come along to a FREE Little City session at our school on the 7th November!
Go shopping in the supermarket; be a hairdresser; treat the poorly animals in the Vets: the possibilities are endless!
Simply go to https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/leigh-on-sea/our-lady-of-lourdes-catholic-primary-school-and-nursery and book your space!
BIN A TIN FOR VIN
The St Vincent Centre is doing wonderful work in Southend helping the poorest amongst us.
You can help the food bank there by bringing a tin of something with you when you come to mass and putting it in VINNIE'S BIN, which will be in the OLD BAPTISTERY.
This will be emptied twice weekly.
St. Vincent de Paul Society(SVP), Our Lady of Lourdes & St. Joseph
St Helen's Catholic Primary School Vacancy
We are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic and motivated Teaching Assistant to join our hard-working and friendly team. Please check our website for full details https://st-helens.southend.sch.uk/about-us/our-school/staff-vacancies or contact Mrs Sears on 01702 343823.
Closing date Monday, 6th November.
St Bernard's High School Open Evening
St Bernard’s High School—A Catholic Academy for Arts and Science
Open Evening for Prospective Year 12— Thursday 30 November 2023—7.00pm to 9.00pm
We would be delighted to welcome to our Sixth Form Open Evening prospective students who are interested in joining St Bernard’s High School’s Sixth Form in September 2024
We welcome applications to our mixed Sixth Form from students of all faiths and none, who meet our entrance requirements and are seeking a school with a Christian ethos.
‘St Bernard’s High School is a welcoming, inclusive school’. Ofsted 2023
‘Leaders have high expectations of pupils in terms of learning and behaviour. Pupils live up to these expectations.’ Ofsted 2023
‘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
BCCS
Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society (BCCS) offers therapeutic support directly to children, young people, families and parents through their Child and Family Counselling Service (CFCS) located in their centre in Billericay. Their CFCS team consists of several experienced and highly qualified therapists working in specially adapted therapy rooms. Families can contact BCCS directly by emailing Donna Booth dbooth@bccs.org.uk who will outline the type of support that will be provided for them or their child. There is a charge for this service, but they urge any families needing support to contact them. More information is available on their website: www.bccs.org.uk
Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear friends in Christ
The Gospel of the Mass this weekend speaks of the Tribute to Cæsar.
Dear friends in Christ
The Gospel of the Mass this weekend speaks of the Tribute to Cæsar. The Pharisees attempt to trap Jesus with their question about whether they should pay their taxes. Jesus gives them a profound response, going far beyond their expectations: give to Cæsar what belongs to him—obedience to just laws, but nothing more. The State does not enjoy absolute dominion. As ordinary citizens, Christians have the obligation of rendering to the State whatever material and personal services are required for the common good (Vat II, GS,75). For their part, the civil authorities are obliged to act with equity and justice in the distribution of their goods and services. They have to serve the common good without looking for personal gain. They have to govern and legislate with the greatest respect for the natural law and rights of people. For our part, we are obliged to pray for those who exercise civil authority. What has come to pass in our society is what Cardinal Luciani—later Pope John Paul I—once pointed out: Today all seem frantically direct toward material conquests: make money, invest, surround oneself with new comforts, live the 'good life'. Few think also of 'doing good'. God--who should fill our life--has on the contrary, become a very distant star, to which people look only at certain moments. People believe they are religious because they go to church; but outside of church, they want to live the same life as many others, marked by small or big, deceits, acts of injustice, sins against charity; and thus they totally lack coherence. We have to live consistent lives as we render to God and to others their proper due. May we live lives entirely for God and use everything in this life for His greater glory.
FINANCE COMMITTEE For the twenty years that I have been Parish Priest, Mr Philip Henwood has Chaired our Parish Finance Committee. However, Philip was long in this position before I arrived and has served the Parish devotedly for fifty-five! Now he has moved away from the area to enjoy retirement after a long and successful career in the legal profession. Philip has been an indispensable and loyal support to me down the years, giving of his time and expertise; he will be greatly missed but remains an associate parishioner! Ten years ago he was awarded the Papal honour Bene Merenti in recognition for all his work, especially for his efforts in getting the Parish Centre built.
The new Chair of the Finance Committee is Mr Bernard Hannah, another longstanding parishioner. The other members are: Mr David Lesley, Mrs Marie Rubbert, Mr Allan Long, Miss Joanne Watkins, Mr Darrell Binding and Mrs Jacky Hoggett (Secretary). The Committee meets six times per year and advises on matters relating to Parish finance and fabric. They are an invaluable source of help and support in freeing-me-up to focus on matters pastoral. I am deeply grateful for all their help and hard work on behalf of the Parish.
God bless you all!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time—Month of the Holy Rosary
Liturgy:
Readings of Year A
The Nicene Creed
Preface of Sunday 2
Saturday 21
Feria
5.30pm Vigil Mass The People of the Parish
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
Sunday 22 October
Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
8am Mass Thomas Patrick Costello, RIP (Anniv) (KC)
9.30am Mass Peter Boardman, RIP (AP)
11.30am Mass Mark Solecki, RIP (Birthday) (IS)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Monday 23
St John of Capistrano, Pr
9am Mass Intentions of Frances Scott (MR)
1pm Requiem Mass John Williams, RIP
Tuesday 24
St Anthony Mary Claret, Bp
9am Mass Caroline Geoghegan, RIP (CO’B)
Wednesday 25
Feria
9am Mass Sybil Swann, RIP (Anniv) (MD)
Thursday 26
St Cedd, Bp
9am Mass Roseleen Armstrong, RIP (JA)
Friday 27
Feria
12Noon Mass Ian Irwin, RIP (MI)
Saturday 28
SS Simon and Jude
10am Mass Intentions of the Speirs Family
10.30-11.30am: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
5.30pm Vigil Mass Joan Herbert, RIP (SVP)
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
Sunday 29 October
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
8am Mass The People of the Parish
9.30am Mass Teresa Massalska, RIP (AA)
11.30am Mass John Butler, RIP (Anniv) (RB)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction