Please pray for the repose of the souls of
FATHER JOHN McCOLLOUGH His body will be received into church on Wednesday, 10th April at 4.30pm and his Requiem Mass will be on Thursday, 11th April at 10am.
FATHER GEORGE TOWLER who died on Thursday, 4th April at Frimley Park Hospital near Ascot.
Father Towler was born on 3 September 1937 at Romford. He grew up in Holy Family Parish, Dagenham was educated for the priesthood at Wonersh and Ordained on 16 June 1962 by Bishop Wall at Brentwood Cathedral. He was Assistant Priest at Chelmsford OLI (1962-1971, gaining a B.Sc in Economics at the London School of Economics in 1967), and Brentwood Cathedral (1971-1973). He was a full-time teacher (1973-1989) residing in London (1973-1980), Rochford (1980-1981) Brentwood Cathedral (1981-1986), Upminster (1986-1989), teaching for much of that time at St Cedd’s Secondary School, South Ockendon. He was appointed Parish Priest at Danbury & South Woodham Ferrers (1989-1997) and Wickford (1997-2002). He retired in 2002 to Downham and thereafter to Stock and then Ascot. He served as Diocesan Administrator for the Secular Clergy Common Fund.
Details of his funeral will follow once arrangements have been made.
Requiescant in pace
Dates for your Diary
Saturdays 11th & 18th May—First Holy Communion Masses
Sunday 19th May—Sacrament of Confirmation
Sunday 23rd June—Fortieth Anniversary Mass of Fr Kevin Hale 11.30am
Saturday 6th July—Flower Festival
Monday 22nd—Friday 26th July 2024—Parish Pilgrimage to Lourdes
Macrocarpa Tree
The tree in the garden of the Parish Centre has been under observation for some time now as it is severely diseased. A Tree Surgeon has been examining it for ten years and with a recent second opinion, have concluded that it is two thirds dead! It now poses a potential danger to the surrounding area. Sadly, we have discerned that the only course of action is to remove the tree completely from the garden. It does not have a preservation order on it. This is obviously sad since it is a feature, but there is no other option given the deterioration and condition of the tree. However, it will mean that we can grass the garden so that there will be a better lawn which will serve well for Parish functions in the future.
OLL Ladies Group
Would all ladies please note that the Meeting scheduled for next Thursday 11th April has unfortunately had to be postponed, due to a Requiem Mass taking place. We hope that the talk on Oberamagau will be re-arranged at a later date. We apologise for this unforeseen change of plan and hope to see you all again very soon. Please watch this space for the date of our next Meeting.
Repository
The Repository will be open this weekend as usual, after the Easter weekend break. Please feel free to come and browse. We are pleased to say we have some gifts and cards for First Holy Communions, plus cards for Confirmation and other special occasions.
Vocations Evening for Enquirers
The next “Enquirers’ Evening” for those considering or interested in a vocation to the priesthood is on Tuesday 9th April at Brentwood Cathedral. The speaker will be Fr Joseph Rodrigues.
For further information please contact Fr Mark Swires: vocprom@brcdt.org
St Bernard's High School
Receptionist
Five Days Per Week, Term Time Only Plus Two Weeks,
8.30am – 4.30pm Scale 7-12 (£24,294 - £26,421) / pro rata actual salary £21,852 - £23,766)
We are seeking to appoint a full-time Receptionist to join our friendly admin team at St Bernard’s High School. The Receptionist will be the face of the school, as the first point of contact either by phone or once on site. You will provide a professional receptionist service to the school as well as secretarial support to teaching staff. If you have the ability to work under pressure and prioritise effectively, be committed to maintaining confidentiality at all times, and be able to deal with difficult situations effectively, come join our team.
Cleaner Required
Would you be able to spare an hour a week between 10am and 1pm, to help clean our church? 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.
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
2024 Caritas Networking Day
Interested in the Catholic response to homelessness, welcoming refugees and migrants, assisting with the Cost of Living Crisis, or tackling the causes and effects of climate change? You are invited to the 2024 Caritas Brentwood Networking Day, Saturday 27th April, 10am – 2.30pm, at the St Edward the Confessor Church Hall, Romford (10-minute walk from Romford Station on the Elizabeth line, Bus routes from London are regular, parking is available but limited and a bike rack is also on site). This day is a chance to be sustained, share ideas and good practices with people from parishes across Essex and East London and hear about charities and resources available. Details and Registration (for free!) at www.caritasbrentwood.org/network<http://www.caritasbrentwood.org/network>
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.
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.
Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord
Dear friends in Christ
A happy and blessed Easter to all of our Parish family!
Dear friends in Christ
A happy and blessed Easter to all of our Parish family!
Having reached the end of our Lenten Pilgrimage, I assure you of my prayers which in a special way go to all those who need to hear the message of hope and joy that the Resurrection of Jesus brings. I think in particular of the sick and suffering; those estranged from God and from friends and family; those who have experienced sorrow and grief in recent times. May the light of Christ rising out of the darkness bring hope to all our lives, especially to all those peoples and lands where the peace of Christ is so awaited.
We welcome into the Church this Easter those who are enriched with the grace of the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and the Blessed Eucharist: James Green, Joanne Green, Charlotte Walker, Paul Cox, Angela Lucianna, Diogo de Azevedo, Azaria Nichols. Next Sunday we will welcome Tommy Brunning and Katelyn Gallacher. May these, and all who have found their home in the Church of Jesus Christ, live fully the life of grace that we are all privileged to share.
On behalf of everyone, I thank those who have played their part in making the Lenten season one of opportunity to encounter Jesus. Also, those who have collaborated in the Holy Week ceremonies which have assisted us in reliving once again the saving mysteries of Jesus Christ.
May God bless you and keep you all in His love and protection.
Msgr Kevin Hale
Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord
Liturgy:
Readings of Year B
Renewal of Baptismal Promises
Preface of Easter I
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
Monday 1 April
Monday within the Octave of Easter
10am Mass Bernardette Lane, RIP (CB)
Tuesday 2
Tuesday within the Octave of Easter
9am Mass Patrick Ignatius, RIP (Anniv) (RP)
Wednesday 3
Wednesday within the Octave of Easter
9am Mass Master Billy Macdonald, RIP (JM)
4.30pm Body in church Margaret Bartle
Thursday 4
Thursday within the Octave of Easter
9am Mass Mass Zofia Todryk, RIP (K&LW)
1.30pm Requiem Mass Margaret Bartle
Friday 5
Friday within the Octave of Easter
12Noon Mass Lilian Emily Kathline Hippard, RIP (SH)
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament after Mass until Holy Hour 7—8pm
Saturday 6
Saturday within the Octave of Easter
10am Mass Intentions of all Priests for discernment and strength (ML)
10.30-11.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
5.30pm Vigil Mass Linda McDonald, RIP (AT)
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
Sunday 7 April
Second Sunday of Easter—of Divine Mercy
8am Mass Simone Dann's Intentions (MC)
9.30am Mass Fred & Doreen Wall, RIP (Anniv) (K&LW)
11.30am Mass The People of the Parish
2.30pm Devotions for The Divine Mercy
We Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries
Pope John Paul II, Canon William Toft, Fr Robert Roberts, Canon Charles Loughran, Mary Leonard, Marjorie Nolan, Tom Lyndon, Eugene Read, Winifred Maguire, Albert Thorne, Ronald Black, Daisy Spicer, Vera Stuart, Lt Cdr James Scott, Marjorie Bowen, Leslie Poole, Stella Finn, Jean Bethell, Vi Coveney, Christine Fisher, Patrick Maloney, Donald McMahon, Catherine Nelson, Baby Ben Blaker, Catherine Dace, Nora White, Charles Thompson, Elizabeth Tyrell, Bernard Foley, Peggy Cockerell, Robert Lee, Kitty Stanley, Patricia Quinn, Patrick Dunbar, Dr Ronnie Shapiro, Leslie Drayton, Rene Sanctuary, Harry McNally & Antonia Dona.
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 Trindle Family.
Please pray for the repose of the soul of
FATHER JOHN McCOLLOUGH who died peacefully in Southend Hospital on Good Friday morning. Father McCollough was a former Anglican clergyman and was Ordained a Priest on 24 May 1997. He was Assistant Priest at Rayleigh, from 1997 until 2003 and was then appointed Parish Priest of Becontree from 2003 until his retirement to Leigh-on-Sea in 2006. Funeral arrangements to be announced.
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