Journey of Faith—RCIA
RCIA will meet on Monday, 18th March 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 are open after all Masses at weekends so please feel free to come and browse our new stock. We are pleased to say we now have a large collection of Rosaries to suit all tastes/ages, plus a selection of Statues and Candles.
Cards and gifts for First Holy Communion will be available after Easter.
Just arrived are new Cards for Mass intentions, Sympathy, Get Well, Birthday etc. For the early bird we have some Easter and Mother’s Day cards, plus gifts and cards for Baptism. If you do not find what you are looking for please ask one of the Volunteers.
Loving Leigh
Following on from the Bishop's request to respond to the needs of our environment and our brothers and sisters we are proposing to initiate the following projects with your help.
Fair Trade - we will sell Fair Trade products on Sundays 8.30am-11.30am (after 8.00am Mass, before/after 9.30am Mass and before 11.30 Mass) once a month beginning on Sunday March 17th. Please support our brothers and sisters who work hard to provide goods for us.
Environment - We are looking for donations of any environmentally friendly plants for the church gardens (both drought resistant and pollinators)
Volunteers needed - A charity called Your Family are looking for volunteers to help with some of their initiatives including: 'Cuppa and Chat drop in', Messy Play sessions, Food banks, 'Little love Baby Bank' and family engagement in libraries. Any travel costs will be reimbursed.
Street Pastors - Asking for volunteers who will be trained to work on the streets of Southend. They also need a treasurer.
Southend University - We plan to operate a Homework Club in the Parish Centre one day a week between 3.30-5.00pm to support young people who do not have the facilities at home to do their homework. The University will provide some mentors but if one or two parishioners could also support this initiative on a rota basis that would be great.
We hope that by putting our faith into action that we are responding to the example of Jesus and the words of our Pope.
If you are willing to help in any of the above ventures or just want to know a little more about them please ring Cathy on 07762 107920 to find out more. Thank you. Cathy, Live Simply Group.
Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School
Are you looking for a Nursery for your 2 to 4 year old?
Contact us to look around our learning environment!
office@ourladyoflourdes.southend.sch.uk 01702475689
Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School is located in Leigh's heart along Manchester Drive, a short walk from the London Road.
Our welcoming community school is perfect for children starting Nursery in 2024.
We're proud of our family feel, which spans generations, and our vast grounds for children to play.
Excelling in music, sport, science, and a balanced curriculum, we're the ideal place for your child to flourish.
Thinking about your child as they grow, our children transition easily and happily into our Reception classes. Our children achieve well in KS2, with many children moving on to the Catholic secondary schools.
St Bernard's High School—Exam Invigilators required as soon as possible
Current Hourly Rate: £10.50
Invigilators should be reliable, responsible, and able to follow instructions in a calm and sensible manner. A flexible approach to working hours is essential and full training will be provided. We welcome applications from all denominations or none.
The Governing Body is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share in this commitment.
If you are interested in this position, please fill in the support staff application form found on our website under https://www.stbernardswestcliff.org.uk/about-us/vacancies/ and email it torecruitment@stbernards.southend.sch.uk
Note: CVs will not be accepted.
BCCS Anniversary Afternoon Tea
Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society will be hosting a very special Anniversary Afternoon Tea at the Roslin Beach Hotel, Thorpe Bay, Southend-on-Sea on Tuesday 23rd April 2024 at 1pm for service at 1.30pm. They are delighted that Bishop Alan, BCCS President, will be attending as guest of honour. Tickets for the event are £34.00 per person and should be purchased before Monday 8th April directly from their event webpage: www.bccs.org.uk/get-involved/events/ Once you have purchased your tickets, please advise Julie of any special dietary requirements or seating requests by contacting her by email jabbott@bccs.org.uk or call her on 07912 277413. Guests will be seated at tables of 12.
Vacancy at St Bernard's High School
EVENING CARETAKER
Part-time (15 hours per week, 6.00pm – 9.00pm, Monday to Friday)
Scale 14 - £27,334 (pro-rata actual salary £11,081)
Provisional start date: 8 April 2024
Closing Date: 18 March 2024, 9.00am
Interviews: Friday 22 March 2024
Are you a team player who is flexible, can prioritise and be proactive? We are looking to recruit an Evening Caretaker to become part of our busy Premises team.
The role will be challenging at times so you will need to be organised and adaptable to issues that might arise. You will be required to secure the school site at the end of the evening, deal with lettings, clear up after use of our facilities, carry out general maintenance, and ensure the site is kept clean and safe at all times.
The successful candidate must have a proven track record in a suitable maintenance role ideally working within a School or similar environment.
If you would like more information about the role please see our website (www.stbernardswestcliff.org.uk under About Us/Vacancies). If you are interested in applying please complete the Support Staff Application Form found on the Vacancies webpage and email it to recruitment@stbernards.southend.sch.uk.
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Walsingham - Saturday 25th May 2024
Join Bishop Alan and other parishes around the Diocese of Brentwood in Walsingham. We will celebrate Mass at the Basilica before walking the Holy Mile to the grounds of Walsingham Abbey to celebrate Vespers and Benediction on the site of the Holy House.
We will be sharing a coach with Sacred Heart Parish. If you would like to book a seat please leave your name and contact details with the Parish office.
40 Days for Life
40 days for life is a witness to human life praying and peacefully offering help to vulnerable women and girls. Southend City On Sea Marie Stopes International is an Abortion DIY Pills provider. Join us over the Lenten period till Friday 22nd March. Contact Mary Connolly 07478765010 Madrecasita8@gmail.com
Fourth Sunday of Lent—Lætare Sunday
Dear friends in Christ
The Gospel for this Sunday's Mass tells us about the cure of a man possessed by the devil.
Dear friends in Christ
We have now entered the second phase of Great Lent. In the first weeks the emphasis is on personal conversion and asceticism. We now move to a consideration of the Cross and Passion of Jesus. The symbol of Moses in the desert raising up the serpent for the salvation of those who were sick (the Gospel of the Mass) reminds us that the standard of the Cross of Christ is the sign of salvation. Perhaps the Cross is something we take for granted, without even giving it a second thought when we bless ourselves. Perhaps we have even become too comfortable with the Cross as an image, a piece of artwork. These next weeks of Lent will recall to our minds how the price of our salvation was paid by the death of Jesus on the Cross. St John Henry Newman reflects on this in his Meditations on the Way of the Cross at the Twelfth Station:
“The Eternal Father determined not to pardon us without a price, in order to show us especial favour. He condescended to make us valuable to Him. What we buy we put a value on. He might have saved us without a price—by the mere fiat of His will. But to show His love for us, He took a price, which, if there was to be a price set upon us at all, if there was any ransom at all to be taken for the guilt of our sins, could be nothing short of the death of His Son in our nature.”
May we continue living these days of Lent in constant gratitude for the price God has paid to save us. Do continue to use the opportunities the Parish provides this Lent for our drawing closer to Our Lord.
May God bless you!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Fourth Sunday of Lent—Lætare
Liturgy:
Readings of Year B
The Apostles’ Creed
Preface of Fourth Sunday of Lent
Saturday 9
Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent
5.30pm Vigil Mass Bernardette Lane, RIP (MH)
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
Sunday 10 March
Fourth Sunday of Lent—Lætare
8am Mass Maria Horlock, RIP (Anniv) (M&RMcC)
9.30am Mass Tom O'Callaghan, RIP (Anniv) (JA)
11.30am Mass The People of the Parish
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Monday 11
Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent
9am Mass Intentions of Pat Lambert (MI)
Tuesday 12
Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent
9am Mass Madeliene Lloyd, RIP (SH)
Wednesday 13
Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent
9am Mass Michael Saunders, RIP (MC)
7pm Lenten Evening of Reflection
Thursday 14
Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent
9am Mass Violet Gray, RIP
Friday 15
Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent
12noon Mass Tom O'Callaghan, RIP (RO’C)
7pm Way of the Cross and Benediction
Saturday 16
Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent
10am Mass Rev John O'Neill (FM)
10.30am-11.30am: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
11am First Confessions
5.30pm Vigil Mass The People of the Parish
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
Sunday 17 March
Fifth Sunday of Lent
8am Mass Eric Newman, RIP (Anniv) VA)
9.30am Mass Bernardette Lane, RIP (MR)
11.30am Mass Mervyn Calton, RIP (Anniv) (RC)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
We Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries
Fr William Luby, Canon Martin Horkan, Rev Edmund Meyer, Fr Maurice Roche, Therese Ketterer, Joseph Collins, Lionel Clarke, Richard Young, Margaret Houston, Benjamin Dawson, Leo King, Edith Smith, Eileen Greaves, George Burnham, Lydia Upton, Maura Harley, Eric Wilding, Stefan Gyms, Frank Keenan (Sir), Philip Hale, Eleanor Hayes, June Hazel White, Bridget Morris, Nora Thompson, David McGowan, George Conway, James Kennedy, Kathleen Hosford Julian Felix Asselberghs, Catherine Isabel Jago, Anthony Slattery, Mary Russell, Henry McIlwee & Nina Clarke.
We pray for our sick
The Sick List is available on the website main menu, under Worship.
We pray for the sick of our parish
“Father,
by the power of your Spirit
you have filled the hearts of your faithful people
with gifts of love for one another.
Hear the prayers we offer for our relatives and friends.
Give them health of mind and body
that they may do your will with perfect love.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.”
Sanctuary Lamp
This week the Sanctuary Lamp burns for the intentions of the family of Theresa Ofulue, RIP (20th Anniversary).
Please pray for the repose of the souls of
MICHAEL COLMAN LUCEY who died on Wednesday, 14th February. His Requiem Mass will be held on Wednesday, 20th March at 10.45am followed by committal at Southend Crematorium.
ISABEL COOMBS who died on Wednesday, 17th January. Her body will be received into the church on Thursday, 21st March at 4.30pm and her Requiem Mass will take place on Friday, 22nd March at 10am followed by committal at Southend Crematorium.
GEORGINA CORNWELL who died on Monday 19th February. Her Requiem Mass will be held on Monday, 25th March at 11am followed by committal at Sutton Road Cemetery.
FR JOHN TAYLOR who died on 2oth February. His Requiem Mass will be on Wednesdsay, 20th March at 12 noon in the Church of Our Lady of Light, Clacton-on-Sea.
MARGARET BARTLE who died recently.
Requiescant in pace
Responsorial Psalm at 11.30am Mass
Introit: Duo—Nicolas de Grigny (1672-1703)
Outgoing: Toccata—Johann Speth (1664-1719)
Dates for your Diary
Monday 11th March—Journey in Faith (RCIA) continues—8pm St Clement Room
Thursdays: March 14th & 21st—'The Chosen’ 7pm Parish Centre
Wednesdays: 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
Zofia Todryk, RIP
The Requiem Mass for my mother Zofia will be on Wednesday 13th March 11am at Our Lady Immaculate & St Edmund, Chapel Lane, Withermarsh Green, Colchester, Suffolk, CO6 4TA. Followed by her burial at Burnham on Crouch Cemetery, Southminster Road , Burnham on Crouch CM0 8QE
All oareur welcome to join us after nearby for refreshments at: Swallowtail Restaurant, Foundry Lane Burnham, Yacht Harbour, Burnham-on-Crouch CM0 8BL. John Todryk
LENTEN EVENINGS OF REFLECTION
Wednesday, March 13th—Fr Graham Smith PP Southend: How to be Holy
Wednesday, March 20th—Fr Stephen Morrison OPræm PP Peckham: The Kingship of Christ in the Passion
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.
Gift Aid Envelopes
Please note that boxes of Offertory Gift Aid envelopes for the financial year 2024/2025 are available for collection at the back of Church.
There are also special second collection envelopes for those parishioners who have elected to donate offertory donations by means of a Standing Order.
Thanking you for your continued generosity and support with the finances of the Parish.