Congratulations
Our warmest good wishes and prayers to Gerry and Rosemary Dillon, who, this weekend, are celebrating their Diamond Wedding Anniversary. We thank them for all their generous service to the Parish down the years. God Bless you both!
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
Dear friends in Christ
We are at the start of the Great Week once again!
Dear friends in Christ
We are at the start of the Great Week once again! All of the feasts and mysteries in the life of Our Lord have led us to the events of the Paschal Triduum: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter. We have to view these as a single celebration inasmuch as the Last Supper, Jesus’ death on the Cross and His rising from the dead are the three facets of our redemption in Christ. I suggest that we commit to being present at each of these liturgies so that we may gain a sense of what Jesus has done, and continues to do for us in His Mysteries. We have been preparing throughout Lent for these next days and if we can accompany Jesus in his Passion, we will meet Him in His glory on Sunday. It might be helpful, in our prayer, to see ourselves as one of those who were present during the events of Holy Week. Saint Gregory of Nazianzen preaching in the fourth century, gives us some helpful advice on how we might do this: Let us take our part in the Passover prescribed by the law, not in a literal way, but according to the teaching of the Gospel; not in an imperfect way, but perfectly; not only for a time, but eternally...We must sacrifice ourselves to God, each day and in everything we do, accepting all that happens to us for the sake of the Word, imitating his passion by our sufferings, and honouring his blood by shedding our own. We must be ready to be crucified. If you are a Simon of Cyrene, take up your cross and follow Christ. If you are crucified beside him like one of the thieves, now, like the good thief, acknowledge your God. For your sake, and because of your sin, Christ himself was regarded as a sinner; for his sake, therefore, you must cease to sin. Worship him who was hung on the cross because of you, even if you are hanging there yourself. Derive some benefit from the very shame; purchase salvation with your death. Enter paradise with Jesus, and discover how far you have fallen. Contemplate the glories there, and leave the other scoffing thief to die outside in his blasphemy. If you are a Joseph of Arimathea, go to the one who ordered his crucifixion, and ask for Christ’s body. Make your own the expiation for the sins of the whole world. If you are a Nicodemus, like the man who worshipped God by night, bring spices and prepare Christ’s body for burial. If you are one of the Marys, or Salome, or Joanna, weep in the early morning. Be the first to see the stone rolled back, and even the angels perhaps, and Jesus himself. (From a Sermon on the Passion)
Msgr Kevin Hale
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
Liturgy:
Readings of Year B
The Apostles’ Creed
Preface of Palm Sunday
Saturday 23
Saturday of the Fifth Week of Lent
5.30pm Vigil Mass Frank & Moira Keenan, RIP (Anniversary) (FK)
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
Sunday 24 March
PALM SUNDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD
8am Mass The People of the Parish
9.30am Mass Gabrielle Eileen Haiser, RIP (Anniv) (MH)
11.30am Mass Aida do Carmo Lourenco (SC)—Preceded by the Blessing and Procession of Palms
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Confessions after all Masses
Monday 25
Monday of Holy Week
9am Mass Allan Thomson, RIP (Anniv) (RK)
11am Requiem Mass Georgina Cornwell
Confessions after Mass
Tuesday 26
Tuesday of Holy Week
9am Mass Charles & Alice Whitefield RIP (FM)
Confessions after Mass
Wednesday 27
Wednesday of Holy Week
9am Mass Intentions of the Ayerbe Family (CB)
Confessions after Mass (11am Chrism Mass—Brentwood Cathedral)
Thursday 28
Maundy Thursday
9am Office of Lauds
7pm Solemn Mass of the Lord’s Supper Bernardette Lane, RIP (VdS)
Watching at the Altar of Repose until Midnight;
Confessions after Mass; Compline 11.45pm
Friday 29
Good Friday
9am Office of Readings & Lauds
10am Children’s Way of the Cross
3pm Solemn Liturgy of Our Lord’s Passion
7pm Way of the Cross
Confessions after all the Services
Saturday 30
Holy Saturday
9am Office of Readings & Lauds
Confessions 11-12Noon
7pm Easter Vigil & First Mass of Easter The People of the Parish
Sunday 31 March
Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord
8am Mass Mr A Macdonald, RIP (JM)
9.30am Mass Gerry & Rosemary Dillon—Diamond Wedding Anniversary
11.30am Mass Isabel Coombs, RIP (DJ)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
We Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries
Fr John Sherlock, Mgr Canon Alfred Gilbey, Fr Denis Hall, Fr Joseph Tuohey, Ethel Bull, Sarah Armstrong, Marian Preston, Kathleen Robinson, John Head, Edmund Thompson, Moira Keenan, Kirk Waltraud, Jessie Carlyon, Lily Dawson, Kenneth May, Alan Thompson, Derek Taylor, Victor Moule, Kathleen Farrell, Terence Larman, Leo Winter, Jane Adamson, Herbert Maddocks, Pamela Shenstone, Anne Bennett, Winifred Edith Lawson, Ellen Mary O’Connor, Hugh Devine, Kathleen (Kit) Collins, Ann Turner, Frederick Duggans, Bessie Hagley, Sheila Townsend, Veronica Redhouse, Bartholemew Guihen, Alan Read, Geraldine Gwilliam & Herbert Robertson.
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.”
Please pray for the repose of the souls of
GEORGINA CORNWELL who died on Monday 19th February. Her Requiem Mass will be on Monday, 25th March at 11am followed by committal at Sutton Road Cemetery.
MARGARET BARTLE who died on 4th March. Her body will be received into church on Wednesday, 3rd April at 4.30pm and her Requiem Mass will be on Thursday, 4th April at 1.30pm followed by committal at Sutton Road Cemetery.
Requiescant in pace
Dates for your Diary
Monday 25th March—Journey in Faith (RCIA) continues—8pm St Clement Room
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 Fundraising
Thank you to everyone who has supported the 200 Club this year. The results of the February draw are as follows:
1st Prize £150 76 Mrs J Hoggett
2nd Prize £100 24 Miss A Emmerson
3rd Prize £75 174 Mrs S Lawford
4th Prize £25 49 Mr P Smyth
We are still looking for new members. The subscription is £5 per month, either by cash, cheque or direct debit. If you would like to join, please fill in a form which can be found at the back of the church or ring Linda Wall on 01702 558217.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Flower & Craft Festival Saturday 6th July 2024
It is time to start preparations for this year’s Flower and Craft Festival! The Theme this year is ‘PRAYER.’
We would love to have as many people as possible to take part. Simply choose a prayer or prayers and think about how that can be illustrated visually with Flowers, Art work, Artefacts, Needlework etc.
The Festival day is always a very inspiring occasion with people from all faiths or none dropping into our beautiful Church. We have been overwhelmed by the positive response that there has been over the last few years to our themes.
If you would like to take part please email me at : mcronan@btinternet.com, or simply speak to me or Theresa.
If you are not sure about a suitable prayer then I have lots to choose from. Jo Ronan
Organ Loft Cleaner Required
Would you be able to spare an hour a week between 10am and 1pm, to help clean our organ loft? Whichever day suits you, and it doesn’t have to be the same day every week!
If you can help, please contact the Parish office on 01702 478078 or email office@lourdesleigh.org.
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.
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 - Apologies for the last minute cancellation of the proposed Fairtrade stall last weekend. It was due to illness of the stall holder. A new date will be organised as soon as possible.
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.
Missio Red Box Holders
I have received the Spring 2024 Missio magazines. If you have not received one from me personally please take one from the back of the Church (Usual place). Thank you Joan Caunce Secretary.01268 757505