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.
Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time
The Word of God proclaimed in the liturgy for this Sunday exhorts us to an unconditional trust in God. He created us and holds us in being.
Dear friends in Christ
The Word of God proclaimed in the liturgy for this Sunday exhorts us to an unconditional trust in God. He created us and holds us in being. We have so many blessings for which to be grateful: our life, our Faith and our individual gifts to start with! On a personal note, I give thanks this Sunday for the grace of my Priestly Ordination that took place on this date forty years ago, in my home Parish of Our Lady of Lourdes, Wanstead. It is a moment deeply engrained in my consciousness and a gift that I thank God for daily. To have been able to be an instrument for the salvation of souls over those years is overwhelming. I reflect with emotion on all those souls upon whom I have bestowed the new life of grace in Baptism; the adults I have Confirmed; the penitents absolved and the innumerable Holy Masses celebrated and Communions given. I think too, of those I have blessed as they have begun the path of Marriage and family life and the souls prepared for their final journey by the Sacraments administered for the last time. None of this has been possible without the sure support of the prayers and affection I have received from the people I have served in the five Parishes where I have ministered. Most especially, to all of you in this Parish where I have been privileged to have spent over half of my Priestly ministry. I thank you for your constant encouragement, support and tolerance!
I pray this weekend for Bishop Thomas McMahon who Ordained me and for Bishop Alan Williams whom I have been privileged to serve these last ten years as Vicar General. I welcome him to the Parish this Sunday; he has graciously agreed to preach at the Mass of Thanksgiving. On Monday—the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist—I will have a celebration with the Priests of the Diocese; this will take the form of Vespers (to which you are also invited) followed by a supper with them.
On the day of my Ordination I consecrated my life and Priesthood to Our Blessed Lady, and she has not forgotten me! There is a providential symmetry in that I was Ordained in the Parish of Our Lady of Lourdes (and attended that Primary School) and now she has been my Patroness here in Leigh under her very same title.
How can I repay the Lord for His goodness to me? The chalice of salvation I will raise and I will call upon the Lords’s name! (Psalm 115).
Msgr Kevin Hale
Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Liturgy:
Readings of Year B
The Nicene Creed
Preface of Sunday 3
Saturday 22
SS John Fisher, Bp and Thomas More, Mm
5.30pm Vigil Mass The People of the Parish
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
Sunday 23 June
Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time
8am Mass Julie Emerson, RIP (Anniv) (GM)
9.30am Mass William Armstrong, RIP (Anniv) (JA)
11.30am Mass For an increase in Vocations to the Priesthood
NO Vespers today
Monday 24
NATIVITY OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST
9am Mass Gerry Murphy, RIP (MC)
6.00pm Vespers & Benediction
Tuesday 25
Feria
9am Mass Betty Gray, RIP (Anniv) (JH)
Wednesday 26
Feria
9am Mass Charles & Alice Whitefield, RIP (FM)
Thursday 27
St Cyril of Alexandria, Bp, D
9am Mass Francoise Hammond, RIP (MC)
Friday 28
St Irenaeus, Bp, D, M
12 Noon Mass Marcia Clarke, RIP (SH)
Saturday 29
Saturday Memorial of the BVM
10am Mass Gareth Lewis, RIP (Anniv) (JL)
10.30-11.30am: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
5.30pm Vigil Mass Intentions of Michael Tisi (MTLB)
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
Sunday 30 June
SS PETER AND PAUL, App - Holyday of Obligation
8am Mass Caroline Geoghegan, RIP (PG)
9.30am Mass Patrick Clarke, RIP (Anniv) (IR)
11.30am Mass The People of the Parish
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
We Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries
Fr Edward Thomas, Canon James Dacey, Fr James Hawes, Francis Woodward, Sidney Baldwin, Anthony Gwatkin, Francesco Antonio Ciccone, Peter Liddell, Rosemary Conway, Frank Cook, Marie Patricia Kidd, Margaret Smith, Stella Migdalski, Mildred Turner, Henry Adamson, Rory MacNaughton, Julie Emerson, Dr Pat Collins, Joseph Whomes, Rosemary Montgomery, Esther Wilkins, Teresa Parascandolo, Mary Ellen Sutcliffe, Elizabeth Anne Gandee Derek Cousins, Brenda Pearson, Leslie Earl, Marlon Lane, Anna Hlustik, Emannella Hillman, Christine Rigg, Gareth Lewis & Cecil Compton.
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 Lucas Family.
Dates for your Diary
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
Men's Retreat Walsingham 2024
The Marriage and Family Life Commission of the Catholic Diocese of East Anglia, on behalf of Bishop Peter, are holding a retreat day for Catholic Men entitled:
CALLED TO SERVE
Saturday 6th July 2024
The Catholic National Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham, Little Walsingham NR22 6AL
(Sat Nav: use NR22 6AS)
Cost £12.50
Bookings on Eventbrite only
Join Fr Sean Connolly and a group of Catholic Men from the diocese ofEast Anglia as we discuss and reflect on our mission of service to our family, our parish and wider community.
From 09:30 Tea, Coffee and Welcome
10:00 Talk by Fr Sean
11:00 Confession (Basilica)/Discussion/Networking time
12:00 Pilgrim Mass in the Basilica
13:00 Lunch (Please bring your own packed lunch)
14:00 Led Prayer (Fr Sean)
14:30 Discussion: Active Service in our Parish/Community (John D’Mello and
Damian Wallace)
15:00 Holy Mile and Rosary
Tea, coffee and biscuits provided throughout the day (donations welcome)
St Vincent's Centre, Southend
The Mayor’s Nominated Charity for 2022/23 is St Vincent’s Centre Southend and there are various upcoming events. Your participation would make a huge difference where all proceeds will go towards restocking their food bank.
Events Include:
Family Fun Day - Saturday 22nd June, 12pm - 4pm - St Thomas More, Kenilworth Gardens, Westcliff, SS0 0BW
Afternoon Tea at The Roslin Beach Hotel - Monday, 8th July, 12:30pm £30.00 per person.
To book contact: 07549 128877 or Email: nesperm@svp.org.uk
Dinner & Auction - Saturday 16th November - Roslin Beach Hotel. Ticket Price £95.00 inc. welcome drink, 3 course dinner, live music & charity auction.
Phone: 07549 128877 or Email: nesperm@svp.org.uk for further details.
The Forthcoming General Election
As you know, the UK general election is fast-approaching and those standing will want our votes.
We have a responsibility as Catholics, to ensure that parties commit to tackling issues such as upholding the sanctity of life for the most vulnerable in our society.
Raising our voices and contacting parliamentary candidates as a parish community will send a strong signal to them.
The Prolife Charity, SPUC has created a simplified process to equip Catholics to contact their parliamentary candidates .
Please see https://www.spuc.org.uk/valueyourvote for more information.
You just enter your postcode to find out who your candidates are, and a template email appears for you to send to them.
The threat of decriminalising abortion was averted in this Parliament but will soon return in the next.
There is also expected to be a big push to legalise assisted suicide as well.
It is vital for us as Catholic to use our vote to stand up for the most vulnerable in our society and to elect pro-life MPs.
Wedding Anniversaries
Fr Kevin would be pleased to hear from any couples who are celebrating significant anniversaries this year (25, 40, 50, 60 years) so that they can be invited to the Mass celebrating Marriage and Family Life in Brentwood Cathedral in July,
Fairtrade
Our next Fairtrade sale will be in the Parish Centre on Sunday 7th July - 8.30am-11.30am. The church is encouraging us to support our brothers and sisters around the world giving them a fair price for the products they produce. Thank you to everyone who supported us last month, we raised £206.50. This is the last sale before the summer break so come and stock up on your favourite items.
Feel free to come in before or after Mass and have a coffee and a chat. We look forward to seeing you.
Live Simply Group
March for Life UK - Saturday 7th September
Morning Events: 10.00am-1.00pm The Emmanuel Centre, SW1P 3DW
In the morning of March for Life we will be hosting a ‘Pro-life Health Summit’ 10.30-12.30 in The Emmanuel Centre where a variety of healthcare specialists will be looking in greater detail at our theme ‘Abortion isn’t Healthcare’.
Mass: 11.00am St George’s Cathedral, Southwark
The March: 1.30pm From The Emmanuel Centre
Ends at Parliament Square 4.30pm.
Contact: Isabel 07773 501721 or Ben 07885 505116 or info@marchforlife.co.uk
Repository Notice
We have cards for all those special occasions so please browse and come early to avoid disappointment . One of the volunteers are happy to help if you do not see what you are looking for. We also have a selection of Statues and Rosaries, plus a few new books for children.
Please note that the Repository is only open after all Masses at the weekends.
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
St Bernard's High School Year 5 Open Evening Thursday 11th July
St Bernard’s High School, A Catholic Academy for Arts and Science
Open Evening for Year 5 Students(Starting Year 7 in September 2025)
Thursday 11 July 2024—5.30pm to 8.30pm
We would be delighted to welcome Year 5 girls and their parents/carers to our Open Evening. This is an evening for girls wishing to join Year 7 in September 2025.
We are also offering an opportunity for parents/carers to visit the school during a normal teaching day, between 9.30am and 11.00am on set days in October, dates will be published on our website. Appointments for these guided tours will be available in September.
St Bernard’s High School offers selective places based on success in the CSSE
selective tests and non-selective places according to faith-based admissions criteria. (Please see school website for full details.)
‘St Bernard’s High School is a welcoming, inclusive school’. Ofsted 2023
‘Leaders have high expectations of pupils in terms of learning and behaviour. Pupils live up to these expectations.’ Ofsted 2023
‘The behaviour of students is exemplary both in lessons and throughout the school as they strive to live out the mission statement, ‘Love one another as I have loved you’. (Diocesan Inspection, 2024)
‘Behaviour for learning is outstanding, fostered through extremely positive teacher-student relationships’. (Diocesan Inspection, 2024)
www.stbernardswestcliff.org.uk
Milton Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex SS0 7JS. Tel: 01702 343583
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.
Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear friends in Christ
Great things have small beginnings. The Church began with a few humble fishermen.
Dear friends in Christ
Great things have small beginnings. The Church began with a few humble fishermen. From the human standpoint, it is difficult to appreciate how the mission of the Church began and how they were able to spread the teachings of Our Lord to the whole known world in a such a short time. In the parable of the mustard seed, Jesus urges His disciples to have faith and be confident that the work of the Gospel will be carried out in spite of everything. We too are like that mustard seed in the task God has given us in the middle of this world. We can never forget the disproportion between the means we have, our talents, and the magnitude of the work of evangelisation. But neither should we forget that we can always count on God’s help. We never lose sight of our smallness and with the power of grace, we will always be strong and faithful in what God asks of us. If we do not keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, we will not only lose our sense of what we are doing as Christians, but become discouraged and pessimistic, and will soon abandon the struggle. With God, we can do all things!
I ask you to join with me next weekend in giving thanks for the forty years of Priestly ministry God has allowed me. The 11.30am Mass next Sunday will be offered For an Increase in Vocations to the Priesthood. The Bishop has kindly agreed to come and preach at the Mass which will be followed by a Reception in the Parish Centre. Above all, please pray for me.
God bless you!
Msgr Kevin Hale