Parish 200 Club

It has become apparent that some parishioners have inadvertently deleted their standing orders to the Parish 200 Club. If you would like to rejoin could you please fill in a form at the back of the church and return it to the office, marked for the attention of Linda Wall. Thank you.

Vacancies in Diocesan Schools

Deputy Headteacher - St Aidan's Primary School, Ilford
Deadline for applications: 12:00 (noon), Friday 16th February 2024

Headteacher - St Thomas More Primary School, Saffron Walden
Deadline for applications: 12:00 (noon), Monday 26th February 2024

Deputy Headteacher - St Peter's Primary School, Romford
Deadline for applications: 09:00 am, Monday 26th February 2024

Headteacher - St Joseph's Primary School, Harwich
Deadline for applications: 12:00 (noon), Wednesday 28th February 2024

Deputy Headteacher - Convent High School, Grays
Deadline for applications: 12:00 (noon), Friday 8th March 2024

World Day of Prayer

This year’s World Day of Prayer Service takes place on Friday 1st March at 10.30am. at Avenue Baptist church, Milton Road, Westcliff-On-Sea SS0 7JX followed by tea/coffee. Car parking is available at North Road and Cliffs Pavilion car parks.

This years’ service is prepared by the women of Palestine on the theme “I beg you, bear with one another in love”.. We are very fortunate to have the children from St Helen's primary school to take an active part in the service. We invite everyone to join us in praying for peace in the Holy Land.

Little Company of Mary, 11-13 Grosvenor Road, Westcliff

We are recruiting for a maintenance person with good all-round DIY skills. Basic knowledge of electrical, heating, plumbing and hot & cold water service installations is required, with the ability to undertake all general and statutory maintenance checks on the various installations.

Previous experience in a similar role is desirable, preferably in a Care Home environment.

The successful candidate must have a good standard of record keeping and be able to work unsupervised.

Hours: 16 hours over 4 days (to be agreed)

Please submit your application to: lcm.ef@btinternet.com

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear friends in Christ

The mission that Christ brought to earth was that of bringing the good news of salvation to every living creature. This is still the mission of the Church, which carries the command of Our Lord: Go out to the whole world and preach the Gospel to the whole of creation. Jesus does this during His time on earth by going amongst the people of Israel, curing the sick and liberating those bound by the Evil One. The mandate of Jesus to His Apostles remains clear and is the same today, even if we may find this awkward, inconvenient or we are too timid. Saint John Chrysostom anticipated all the possible excuses for not carrying out this most gratifying obligation: There is, he wrote, nothing colder than a Christian who is unconcerned about the salvation of others ... Do not say 'I am unable to help them', for if you are truly a Christian it is impossible for you to make such an admission. The properties of natural things cannot be denied them: the same thing happens with this affirmation, for it is in the nature of a Christian to act in this way ... It is easier for the sun to fail to give its light or its heat than for a Christian to cease to give light and warmth; it would be easier for light to be dark-ness. Do not say that the thing is impossible; what is impossible is the opposite ... If we order our conduct aright, everything else will follow as a natural consequence. The light of Christians cannot be hidden; a light that shines so brightly cannot be concealed. (Homily on the Acs of Apostles,20)

This coming Saturday we shall celebrate our Patronal Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes (transferred from 11th) Mass is at 10am. This is always a day on which we recall the apparitions of Mary to St Bernadette in 1858 and, as we approach Lent, take to heart again her motherly exhortation that we pray and do penance! May the continued protection of Our Blessed Lady be a source of comfort and support for us in this Parish; may our homes, School, and institutions feel the maternal protection of her who at Lourdes tells us: I am the Immaculate Conception!

May Christ and His blessed Mother bless you all!

Msgr Kevin Hale

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Liturgy:
Readings of Year B
The Nicene Creed
Preface Sunday 4

Saturday 3
St Anne Line, M; St Blaise, Bp M
5.30pm Vigil Mass Barrington Gray, RIP (Anniv) (JH)
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions

Sunday 4 February
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
8am Mass Lisha Given, RIP (F&JO’B)
9.30am Mass The People of the Parish
11.30am Mass Intentions of Alan Bond (MR)
4pm Mass Peter Griffin, RIP (Anniv) (FM)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction

Monday 5
St Agatha, V, M
9am Mass Alec McFarlane, RIP (Anniv) (MW)

Tuesday 6
St Paul Miki and Comps, Mm
9am Mass Nick Flach, RIP (MW)
4.30pm Body in Church Anthony Sansom

Wednesday 7
Feria
9am Mass Pat Lambert (80th birthday) (LL)
10.30am Requiem Mass Anthony Sansom

Thursday 8
Feria
9am Mass Luigia Tisi, RIP (Anniv) (TT)

Friday 9
Feria
9am Mass Intentions of Brian Holt (recovery) (RP)

Saturday 10
Celebration of OUR LADY OF LOURDES (transferred)
10am Solemn Mass of the Feast—Barbara Kampf, RIP (AS)
10.30-11.30am: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions

5.30pm Vigil Mass Tony Trigg, RIP (Anniv) (AT)
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions

Sunday 11 February
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
8am Mass Alice McCrory, RIP (MS)
9.30am Mass Bernard Ward, RIP (Anniv) (MW)
11.30am Mass The People of the Parish
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction

We Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries

Fr Francis Richardson, Fr Alan Wilcox, Canon Bernard Manning, Pope Pius XI, Rev William Smith, Mrs Winifred Waller, Michael John Shrapnel, Teresa O’Brien, Lilian Abbott, Elizabeth Judge, Margaret O’Connor, Robert Roberton, Margaret Pearson, John Hanna Manna, Victor Maguire, Joseph Ruggiero, Barbara Blaker, Charles Taylor, Henry Moore, Catherine Burn, Modge Dutton, Emma Oldham, Veronica Read, Peter Heritage, Alice Whitfield, Eugenie Ballard, Doris Wenninger, Edmund O’Sullivan, Patrick Bennett, Charlie Oldham, John Armstrong, Victor Gosling, Carmen Ashley, John Young & Bernard Ward.

We Pray for our Sick

Danielle Osborne, Valerie Quinn, Tony Bullock, Michael Doherty, Carol Emerson, Kitty Lydon, Richard Poole, Pamela Uglietti, Michael Mapson, Deana Ince, Susan Griffin, Gy Rampersaud, Mary O’Sullivan, Ian Spacie, Bobby Newman, Paul Watts, Christine Reid, Rose D’Souza, Jimmy & Pauline Martin, James Fegan, David Lesley, Zach Stokes, Andrew Stokes, Noel Conroy, Marjorie Jay, Paul Sutton, John Murphy, Jennifer Biebuyck, Moira Scott, Jill Yates, Leonora Maguire, Brian Mountier, Renata Butler, Margaret Bartle, Tony Downey, Kristy Monferrari, Fred Ring, Russell Short, Marie Kharas, Garry Pearman, Patricia Ann Darroch, Patricia Vanner, Amy Louise Fox, Sarah Savage, Bill O’Connell, Charlotte O’Neil, Ella Williams, David Kislingbury, Mark Shepherd, 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 Poole, Edward Martin, Joanna Luciani, Pauline Wilsher, Simon Marshall, Kriston Barnes, Hugh Isaacs, 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, Florence Hownam & children: Thomas Ball, Liam Davis, Connie Price, Albert Chambers, Fergus Grant, Mary Isherwood, Lucy Price, Frazer Gregory & baby Forest Gallagher.

Sanctuary Lamp

This week the Sanctuary Lamp burns for Ezinne, her person, her intention and the fulfilment of her vocation.

Please pray for the repose of the souls of

ANTHONY SANSOM who died peacefully at home on Friday, 22nd December. His body will be received into the church on Tuesday, 6th February at 4.30pm and his Requiem Mass will take place on Wednesday, 7th February at 10.30am followed by committal at Southend Crematorium.

BERNADETTE LANE Her body will be received into the church on Tuesday, 20th February at 4.30pm and her Requiem Mass will take place on Wednesday, 21st February at 10am followed by committal at Basildon Crematorium.

BRIDGET WARD who died on Thursday, 11th January.

ISABEL COOMBS who died on Wednesday, 17th January.

FR JOHN McKEON who died on 17th January.

PEGGY McMANUS who died recently.

Requiescant in pace

Responsorial Psalm at 11.30am Mass

Prelude: All' Elevazione—Padre Martini  (1706-1784)

Postlude: Andante—Maurice Greene  (1699-1755)

Dates for your Diary

Monday 5th February—Journey in Faith (RCIA) continues—8pm St Clement Room

Saturday 10th February—Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes (transferred)—10am Solemn Mass

Thursdays: February 15th, 22nd, 29th & March 7th, 14th & 21st—'The Chosen’ 7pm Parish Centre

Wednesdays: February 21st, 28th, & March 13th & 20th;
Lenten Evenings of Reflection—7-8.30pm

Saturdays 11th & 18th May—First Holy Communion Masses

Sunday 19th May—Sacrament of Confirmation

Saturday 6th July—Flower Festival

Monday 22nd—Friday 26th July 2024—Parish Pilgrimage to Lourdes

Parish Pilgrimage to Lourdes-Monday 22nd-Friday 26th July2024

The Parishes of Leigh-on-Sea, Southend & Prittlewell will travel together to Lourdes in July. The cost is approximately £760 per adult sharing, with an additional £180 for a single room. (Plus transfer to airport and Brentwood donation).

Package Inclusions: Return flights with British Airways from Heathrow including 23kg hold-luggage, 4 nights full-board in the 4* Grand Hotel Moderne (closest to the shrine), fully guided with walking tour & full religious itinerary.

Please register your details (name, number of seats requested, contact number & email address) with the Parish Office as soon as possible.

National Marriage Week 7—14th February 2024

Below we share a reflection penned by a married couple of our Parish:

ROSES AND ASHES 

Have you started thinking about Lent yet? This year St Valentine’s Day, falls on Ash Wednesday.  So how to combine red roses with fasting and ashes? 

When we marry we profess in our vows to follow our paths of life together, no matter what that may mean.  We commit to being more than just alongside each other. We promise to love and to cherish one another: to do all that we can to enable our spouse to be happy in this world and in the next, and to grow to be all we can be ourselves. That is our calling. 

What of our path through Lent? It’s similar as we look to understand ourselves and learn how we can realise the unending love of God inviting us to celebrate Jesus’ Resurrection at Easter. We seek change in ourselves in order to pay special attention to both God and our spouse. Our gift to our spouse is to help them become who God made them to be; who they have the capacity to be.  The outcome of this depends on how we respond to the graces given to us. So, how can we grow to be the best help mate for our spouse, and to be more fully appreciative of them, and be closer to God? 

We believe it’s about communication with our spouse and with God; how can we do that when we are so busy?  There’s always the children, the parents, work and even our church commitments. 

Perhaps we can agree some resolutions for Lent to help us?

• Pope Francis has simple guidance for couples.  He says, each day include, “Thank you, Please, I’m sorry”. Or how about:

• leave the phones away from the dining table and from the bedroom.

• get a practice of saying a daily prayer together - the Lord’s Prayer, the Angelus, the Magnificat - are just a few options.  

Each day take some time to check in with each other …. Maybe ask “Tell me something about your day today and how do you feel about that”.

This February is a LEAP YEAR, one more day in the month to love each other. We’re thinking of doing something DIFFERENT for the 29th to express our love. Would you like to give some thought to any of the above notions for your relationship?

Brian & Maureen Devine

THE CHOSEN—showing in the Parish during Lent

The Chosen is a groundbreaking historical drama based on the life of Jesus Christ, seen through the eyes of those who knew him. Set against the backdrop of Roman oppression in first-century Israel, the drama shares an authentic and intimate look at Jesus’ revolutionary life and teachings.

Six of the episodes of this Gospel depiction will be screened in the Parish Centre on the Thursdays of Lent, beginning on 15th February at 7pm; each episode lasts one hour.

LENTEN EVENINGS OF REFLECTION

Wednesday, February 21st—Msgr Kevin Hale: Celebrating our Faith in the Sacred Liturgy

Wednesday, February 28th—Fr Mark Reilly PP Hornchurch: Towards the Holy Year 2025: Pilgrims of Hope

Wednesday, March 13th—Fr Graham Smith PP Southend: How to be Holy

Wednesday, March 20th—Fr Stephen Morrison OPræm PP Peckham

To include a preached meditation by a guest speaker, Eucharistic Adoration, Compline, Benediction and Confessions. These will be held in the church from 7–8pm followed by refreshments and a bookstall in the Parish Centre.

OLOL Ladies Group

Our next Meeting in the Parish Centre is on Thursday 8th February from 10am. All ladies welcome with subs being £1.00 plus a fun Raffle.     

We are very pleased to welcome our latest Guest Speaker, Viv Bird, who will be giving us a talk ‘Tales of a flight attendant ‘ which we are sure will be interesting with plenty of light hearted humour thrown in. All ladies in the Parish are welcome to hear Viv and also enjoy tea/ coffee and cake (before Lent is upon us!!).                                  

Journey of Faith—RCIA

RCIA will meet on Monday, 5th February 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 St Clement 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.

Repository

We have some new stock so please take a minute to visit us and have a browse, especially at our new selection of various sized Statues.

We also have new Mass cards and Sympathy cards plus a selection of Anniversary, Baptism cards etc. If you can’t find what you are looking for please ask one of the volunteers.

Please note the Repository is only open after Weekend Masses.

Parish 200 Club

It has become apparent that some parishioners have inadvertently deleted their standing orders to the Parish 200 Club. If you would like to rejoin could you please fill in a form at the back of the church and return it to the office, marked for the attention of Linda Wall. Thank you.