Sixth Sunday of Easter
Dear friends in Christ
During this forty-day period between Easter and the Ascension of Our Lord, the Church asks us to keep our eyes on Heaven, our eternal homeland.
Dear friends in Christ
During this forty-day period between Easter and the Ascension of Our Lord, the Church asks us to keep our eyes on Heaven, our eternal homeland. On Thursday when we come to celebrate the Ascension of Jesus into Heaven, our thoughts inevitably turn to that place above where Jesus has gone before us. The very heart and motivation of the Christian Faith is eternal life with God. Everything we do in life should be done in the light of eternity. Perhaps we imagine sometimes what the life of Heaven will be like? What will our bodies be like at the resurrection on the last day? Saint Paul suggests that these are futile questions since we cannot imagine the immensity of what God has in store for us. All we must be convinced of is, that it is worth every effort here on earth to attain life with God and the Saints in Heaven.
Following The Ascension of Jesus we begin the Novena in preparation for Pentecost; a Novena is a nine days of special prayer, asking that the Holy Spirit will renew the face of the earth; the Church, society and our lives. All we need do is daily offer a simple prayer or make an aspiration to God the Holy Spirit for this intention. This Pentecost Novena, I would ask you to remember especially those thirty young adults from the Parish Family who will be Confirmed on Pentecost Day. Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your Faithful and enkindle in them the fire of Your love!
May God bless you!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Sixth Sunday of Easter
Liturgy:
Readings of Year B
The Apostles’ Creed
Preface of Easter 5
Saturday 4
The English Martyrs
5.30pm Vigil Mass Armo Collini, RIP (TT)
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
Sunday 5 May
Sixth Sunday of Easter
8am Mass The People of the Parish
9.30am Mass Terence Michael O'Neill, RIP (MW)
11.30am Mass Jose Manuel, RIP (SM)
4pm Mass Roy & Marjorie Worsley, RIP (JC)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Monday 6
St John Payne, Pr, M
10am Mass Kathleen Earl, RIP (MO’S)
Tuesday 7
Tuesday after the Sixth Sunday of Easter
9am Mass Samuel & Johanna Beech, RIP (JC)
Wednesday 8
Wednesday after the Sixth Sunday of Easter
9am Mass Irena Solecki in Thanksgiving (IS)
Thursday 9
The Ascension of the Lord Holyday of Obligation
9.30am Mass Sister Mary Juliana, RIP (RM) (with OLOL school)
12Noon Mass Jim Currell, RIP (AM)
7pm Mass The People the Parish
Friday 10
Friday after the Sixth Sunday of Easter
12Noon Mass Jim McEvoy, RIP & Mary & Arthur Leftley, RIP (FMcE)
Saturday 11
Saturday after the Sixth Sunday of Easter
10.30am First Holy Communion Mass
No exposition or Confessions
5.30pm Vigil Mass The People of the Parish
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
Sunday 12 May
Seventh Sunday of Easter
8am Mass Intentions of Phillip & Sue Maxfield (JL)
9.30am Mass Intentions of Evelyn Hume & Family (EH)
11.30am Mass Intentions of Susan Griffin (PL)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
We Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries
Canon Patrick Palmer, Canon Basil Booker, Fr John O’Callaghan, Cannon Brian Grady, Canon John Duckett, Fr Augustine Davidson, Mgr Canon John Howell, Fr John Boyle, Fr Stanley Joynes, Elizabeth McCarthy, John Brown, Petronella Jennett, Mary Deyong, Arthur Leftley, Bertha Nesnas, May Hardie, Mabel Salter, Dorothy Hosmer, Denys Hale, Charles McLaughlin, Fred Parsons, Arthur Chadwick, Anthony Camelo, John Cooper, Patrick Shanahan, Peggy Choppin, Mary Donovan, Michael McDermott, Cestan Szymczak, Margaret Park, May Downey, Mary Jones, Wally Hurst, Philip Wilson, Vera Sarah Fogarty, Frederick Leslie Freeman & James McEvoy.
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 deceased members of the Keep & Lawford Families.
Please pray for the repose of the souls of
FATHER GEORGE TOWLER who died on Thursday, 4th April at Frimley Park Hospital near Ascot. Details of his funeral will follow once arrangements have been made.
HENRY CRAWFORD HILL who died on Thursday, 28th March. His Requiem Mass will take place on Wednesday, 15th May at 11.30 am followed by committal at Southend Cemetery.
FR DEREK POWNEY who died recently.
RAYMOND CHARLES SIMKINS who died recently.
Requiescant in pace
Dates for your Diary
Saturdays 11th & 18th May—First Holy Communion Masses, 10.30am
Sunday 19th May—Sacrament of Confirmation, 11.30 Mass
Sunday 2nd June—Corpus Christi Procession, 4pm
Saturday 8th June—Silver Jubilee Mass, Fr Jean-Claude Selvini, 12 noon
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
Saturday 15th—Friday 21st March 2025—Parish Mission led by the Redemptorists
Responsorial Psalm at 11.30am Mass
Prelude: Hosanna Filio David—Jeanne Demessieux (1921-68)
Postlude: Pièce d'Orgue BWV 572—J S Bach (1685-1750)
First Holy Communion Breakfast
After First Holy Communions on Saturdays 11th and 18th May, cold drinks, tea and sandwiches will be served for the children and their parents in the Parish Centre.
We are now looking for volunteers to help lay the food out and clean up afterwards. If you would be willing to help, please contact Sue Lawford on 07816 141492.
Counters Needed
Some more counters are needed for the weekly collection which is normally done on Monday morning. If you have an hour or so you could offer to help with this work as part of a team, please give your name to the Parish Office.
OLL Ladies Group
Our next Meeting is on Thursday 9th May from 10am in the Parish Centre. As usual subs are just £1, with no extra charge for refreshments. We like to keep our popular Raffle going but we are in need of some donations of prizes. If any of you ladies can help, please bring your gifts to the next Meeting.
So………..next week we have a welcome return of one of our ‘Show and Tell’ sessions, so please don’t be shy, you may have a story to tell, ie about your life, your career etc. or a favourite book , picture, antique, the list is endless so we are looking forward to an interesting and fun packed morning!!
Vocations Evening for Enquirers
The next “Enquirers’ Evening” for those considering or interested in a vocation to the priesthood is on Tuesday 7th May at Brentwood Cathedral. The speaker will be Fr Patrick Daly.
For further information please contact Fr Mark Swires: vocprom@brcdt.org
Companionship Care for the Elderly
Would you be able to spare some time to help with emotional support, companionship, engagement in activities, assistance with daily tasks?
Simply put, supporting the overall health and well-being of seniors, making their life joyful with social connection and engagement.
If so, please contact me on 07707470006—Monika Magda.
APF Missio
On behalf of Missio I wish to thank all the Parishioners who donated to Missio during the year 2023 either by the Red Box or direct giving. Our Parish of Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Joseph donated £4490. 52 ( £1964.25 via the Red Boxes and by direct giving £2526.27). Please see Thank you poster at the back of the Church. Joan Caunce Secretary.
Fairtrade
A Fairtrade stall will be in the Parish Centre this Sunday 5th May 8.30—11.30am. Please come and see us before or after Mass to buy your teas, coffees and more while supporting our brothers and sisters in the developing world.
Also come and join fellow parishioners for tea and biscuits at the same time.
Our Lady of Ransom Catholic School
We are looking to appoint an enthusiastic and highly-motivated class teacher in KS1/2 to join our friendly and dedicated team. The post would suit an experienced or newly qualified teacher who is either a practising Catholic or willing to support the strong Catholic ethos of our school.
The Governing Body is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The appointment is subject to satisfactory references, medical and enhanced DBS checks.
Visits to the school are welcomed and encouraged. For more details please contact Mr. Parascandolo (Head Teacher) via the school office (01268 785741) For an application form please visit the school website www.olorcps.net
Closing date: Thursday 9th May 2024 (4pm)
Interview date: tbc
We reserve the right to call for interview and appoint prior to the closing date.
Repository Notice
We are open after all Masses at the weekend so do come along and browse.
We have a new stock of Holy Communion gifts and cards, plus cards for Confirmation and other special occasions. We also have a selection of Statues and Rosaries, plus a few new books for children.
If you do not see what you are looking for please ask one of the volunteers.
Walsingham House Vacancies
Retreat Manager for Walsingham House at Abbotswick: Walsingham House are seeking to appoint a Retreat Manager for Walsingham House. The Retreat Manager will work to ensure the smooth and efficient running of retreats and leading the volunteer team. This is a live in position and ideal for someone with previous experience in youth ministry. Full details, including background information and how to apply, can found at www.bcys.net/news/vacancies/ The closing date is Friday 24th May.
Programme Leader for Walsingham House at Abbotswick: Walsingham Hosue are seeking to appoint a Programme Leader. The successful applicant will work alongside the Retreat Manager helping to lead retreats for the schools and parishes of our diocese. Full details, including background information and how to apply, can be found at www.bcys.net/news/vacancies/ The closing date is Friday 24th May.
St Vincents Centre, Southend
At St Vincent Centre Southend, we are dedicated to providing trauma-informed, compassionate, and non-judgmental support to the vulnerable and those in need in our community. A significant number of the individuals and families we assist are facing homelessness, living in supported housing, isolated, or experiencing poverty.
