Second Sunday of Easter
Dear friends in Christ
On this Octave of Easter we renew the joy of our celebration of the Resurrection of The Lord!
Dear friends in Christ
On this Octave of Easter we renew the joy of our celebration of the Resurrection of The Lord!
In the Gospel of the Mass this Sunday we hear of the Easter evening appearance of Jesus to the Apostles in the upper room. Thomas, because of his incredulity, is brought to a simple but profound act of faith when he meets the Risen Jesus: My Lord and my God! These words have been used to express Eucharistic piety, especially at the moment of the consecration at Mass. The Canonisation of Blessed Carlo Acutis, scheduled for this Sunday—feast of Divine Mercy—has been postponed following the death of Pope Francis. Blessed Carlo, however, remains as a modern-day Saint of devotion to the Blessed Eucharist and we look forward to the day, not too distant hopefully, when we will venerate him as a Saint.
On a personal note, thank you so much for all your Easter greetings and gifts. Above all, thank you for your many prayers, cards and kind words on the death of my dear father, William, that occurred on Wednesday of Holy Week. After the celebration of the Chrism Mass in our Cathedral, I was called to the Hospital and was able to speak and pray with him before he peacefully passed away shortly afterwards. In much the same manner as when my Mother died 2009, it was a time of serenity, filled with Christian hope and joy in Resurrection. Thank you all for your kindness and understanding over the last couple of years during his prolonged illness. Requiescat in pace.
We also offer prayers in these days for the eternal repose of the soul of Pope Francis. May God reward him for his generous service as Universal Pastor of the Church these last twelve years. Let us now pray earnestly for a Successor to guide the Church in the Faith of the Apostles!
May God continue to bless you in this Easter season!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Second Sunday of Easter
Liturgy:
Readings of Year C
Preface of Easter 1
Saturday 26
Saturday within the Octave of Easter
10.00am Mass Susan Tisi, RIP (MT)
10.30-11.30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
5.30pm Mass Rosemary Braggard, RIP (RM)
6.30-7.30pm Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
Second Sunday of Easter—Divine Mercy
27th April
8am Mass William Dennis Hale, RIP (SW)
9.30am Mass Christine Keenan, RIP (Anniv) (FK)
11.30am Mass The People of the Parish
2.30pm Devotions for the Divine Mercy
No Vespers & Benediction
Monday 28
St George, M
9am Mass Peter & Carol Moon, RIP (SM)
Tuesday 29
St Catherine of Siena, V, D
9am Mass William Dennis Hale, RIP (K&LW)
Wednesday 30
Wednesday after the Second Sunday of Easter
9am Mass Nancy Roach, RIP (PL)
5pm Body in Church John Reynolds
, RIP
Thursday 1 May
Thursday after the Second Sunday of Easter
9am Mass Frances Emmerson, RIP (AE)
3pm Funeral Service John Reynolds, RIP
Friday 2—First Friday
St Athanasius, Bp, D
12Noon Mass Canon Francis Gilbert, RIP (FM)
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament after Mass until Holy Hour 7—8pm
Saturday 3
SS Philip & James, App
10am Mass Susan Tisi, RIP (LB)
10.30-11.30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
5.30pm Mass William Dennis Hale, RIP (LL)
6.30-7.30pm Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
Third Sunday of Easter
4th May
8am Mass The People of the Parish
9.30am Mass Dec'd Parents, Brothers & Sisters of Canon Gilbert, RIP (FM)
11.30am Mass Cathy Sanders, RIP (Anniv) (RS)
4pm Mass Richard Coleman, RIP (JC)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
We Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries
Mgr George Stokes, Fr Brian O’Higgins, Fr John Kennedy, Elsie Doris Robinson, Mary Fitzgerald, Arthur Bartley, Margaret Makey, Christopher Dowdall, Evelyn Thompson, Rose Scott-Frame, Tom Skellon, Patricia Burles, Pauline Kidney, Margaret Ashley, Rose Faulkner, Jeremiah Lucey, Francis Mansfield (Frank), Valerie Tisi, Rodney Moore, Winifred Sentinella, Edith Pey, Margaret Randall, Raymond Simkins, Brigid Behn, Margaret Rose McKay, Lucy Dann, Jo Hopkins, Jennie Asbury, Joseph Chapp, Michael Livermore, Alfred Pavitt, Johanna Holgate, Lilian Currie, Hannah Lee, Peter Burry, Sarah Jane Coyne, Ronald Owen Turner & Wilhelmina Chalk.
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 Fegan & Beech Families.
Please pray for the repose of the souls of
JOHN COLIN REYNOLDS who died on Monday, 17th March. His body will be received into the church on Wednesday, 30th April at 5pm and his Funeral Service will take place on Thursday, 1st May at 3pm.
MARJORIE JAY who died on 10th April. Her funeral will be held at Southend Crematorium on Wednesday, 14th May at 1.30 pm.
JOHN LAVERY who died on Friday, 4th April. His Requiem Mass will be held in his home church of St. Mary’s & St. Paul’s, Hamilton on 29th April at 10am and will be live streamed on YouTube through Sancta Familia Media.
Requiescant in pace
Dates for your Diary
Saturdays 10th & 17th May 10.30am—First Holy Communion Masses
Sunday 1st June 2025—Visitation & Confirmation
Sunday 22nd June—Corpus Christi Procession 4pm
Saturday 5th July—Flower Festival
Monday 21st—Friday 25th July—Lourdes Pilgrimage
Monday 8th September Centenary of the Opening of our Church
Mini Vinies
The next meeting for the Mini Vinies will take place in the Parish Centre on Monday, 28th April from 5.15pm to 6.45pm. Mini Vinie Committee.
Help with First Holy Communion breakfasts—Saturday 10th & 17th May.
If any parents from last year's Communion group are able to help with the breakfasts this year, please contact the Parish office. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!
Young Adult Catholic Group
Are you aged between 18-30? Looking for a group of similar aged and likeminded Catholics? Look no further and join us on 01/05/2025 at Sacred Heart church hall from 6.30pm.
We are a group of young adult Catholics from across our Deanery who meet monthly for faith based discussions, prayer, and to socialise with each other. Food is provided.
Please contact Max on 07783506474 to confirm your attendance - and to ensure that quantity and allergies are taken into account when food and drink is organised. We hope to see you there.
Parish Fundraising
Thank you to everyone who currently supports the 200 Club. Over the past few years, the money raised from this account has been used to help pay for the redecoration of the reredos, also the bells, as well as other maintenance work. It has now become apparent that the boiler in the Presbytery will need to be renewed so future funds will be allocated to this.
During the last twelve months we have lost a number of members. Would you consider joining the 200 Club? If so, forms are available at the back of the church. Alternatively, you can telephone Linda Wall on 01702 558217.
The winners of the draw this month are:
1st Prize £150 125 Miss A Emmerson
2nd Prize £100 166 Mr A Rourke
3rd Prize £75 100 Mrs J Caunce
4th Prize £25 19 Mr & Mrs I Bellis
Our Lady of Ransom Catholic School Rayleigh Vacancies
Class Teacher
MPR/UPR ~ Full time ~ Required September 2025
Our Lady of Ransom Catholic School is looking to appoint an enthusiastic and highly-motivated class teacher to join our friendly and dedicated team. Our Lady of Ransom was judged to be an an OUTSTANDING Catholic school (S48 Inspection, May 2022) and a GOOD school by Ofsted in January 2023. Our school provides a happy, calm atmosphere with delightful children, a wonderful learning environment and supportive colleagues, governors and parents.
The successful candidate will need to be a strong practitioner committed to achieving high standards of pupils' learning and capable of teaching imaginatively. They will be willing to be involved in all aspects of school life. The post would suit an experienced 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 8th May 2025 (4pm)
Interview date: w/c 12th May 2025
We reserve the right to call for interview and appoint prior to the closing date
Learning Support Assistant - Early Years
34.75hrs per week, term time only, 8:15am-4pm (Mon-Thurs) and 8:15-3:45pm (Fri) with an unpaid 30 min lunch break Scale 3 Point 6 £25,183 f.t.e. - Actual salary £19,959
We are looking for a dedicated, talented and experienced practitioner to work as a Learning Support Assistant in our school and with our fabulous team.
We are looking for a dedicated, talented and experienced practitioner to work as a Learning Support Assistant in our school and with our fabulous team.
The Governing Body is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Following safer recruitment procedures an appointment will be subject to satisfactory references, medical checks and enhanced DBS clearance.
Visits to the school are welcomed and encouraged. For more details please contact Mr. Parascandolo (Head Teacher) via the school office (01268 785741). For further details, please visit the vacancies section of our school website: https://www.olorcps.net/school-info/vacancies
Closing date: 4pm on Thursday 8th May 2025. Interviews: w/c 12th May 2025.
We reserve the right to call for interview and appoint prior to the closing date
Vacancy at St Bernard's High School
PREMISES MANAGER
Full-time - 37 hours per week, 52 weeks a year (including additional hours at the weekend when required)
Scale 21 - 28 (£32,115 - £37,938)
June start
Closing date: Thursday 8 May 2025
Calling all team leaders – we are looking to recruit a Premises Manager to manage our Premises Team and Cleaning staff.
The role will be challenging at times so you will need to be organised and adaptable to issues that might arise. You will manage our Premises Team and Cleaning staff across the school, resolving issues quickly and effectively to maintain a safe, clean, secure and pleasant learning environment for students, staff and visitors.
As part of the Premises team, you will take responsibility for the maintenance and security of the site, ensuring a safe environment, be responsible for site security, Health & Safety maintenance and lettings alongside the Senior Caretaker and Premises Team.
The successful candidate must have a proven track record in a maintenance role ideally working within a school or similar environment.
If you would like to apply, please complete the Support Staff Application Form found on the Vacancies page on our website and email it to recruitment@stbernards.southend.sch.uk.
Missio Red Boxes
On behalf of Missio I wish to thank you all who contributed either via the Red Boxes or Direct giving - Direct Debits or online donations. Our Parish of Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Joseph donated £4875.34 (£2035.25 via the Red Boxes and £2840.09 via Direct giving) in 2024. Please see the Thank you Poster at the back of Church. Joan Caunce, Secretary.
Recruitment notice
The Secular Clergy Common Fund (‘Big M’) is looking to appoint a new CEO. It makes grants to our sick and retired priests and looks after two Catholic cemeteries in London.
The role is 0.6FTE and offers flexible working and a salary of £50k-£60k pro rata.
For further details contact Angela Rowe secretary@secularclergy.org.uk
Closing date 28th April 2025.
Easter Sunday
Dear friends in Christ
A blessed and happy Easter to you all!
As we arrive at the summit of our Lenten pilgrimage, we give thanks to God for the graces of this holy season that has prepared us to celebrate the Paschal Mystery. Throughout the forty days of Lent we have accompanied Our Lord in His journey towards Jerusalem where the events of our salvation have been accomplished. We can reflect with gratitude on the graces from our Parish Mission last month, and go forward now in the joy and light of the Resurrection as faithful disciples of the Lord.
I thank all those who have helped to make Lent and Holy Week a time of spiritual encounter with Christ, and all of you who, by your prayers and good works, make the experience of our Faith fulfilling. So many of you contribute to the life of the Parish Family in a quiet but consistent way. I thank you all for the collaboration you give for the service of the Church. Together we are working for the building of God’s Kingdom on earth.
Our heartfelt prayers and good wishes go to those who are Received into the Church and Confirmed this Easter: Lia Aquilina, Paul Baker and Thomas Haden; may God give them holy perseverance in His Catholic Church.
May God grant you all the joy and optimism His Resurrection brings!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Easter Sunday
Liturgy:
Readings of Year C
Renewal of Baptismal Promises
Preface of Easter 1
Holy Saturday
9:00am Office of Reading and Lauds
Confessions 11:00am-12noon
8:30pm Easter Vigil and First Mass of Easter The People of the Parish
Easter Sunday 20th April
8:00am Mass Thomas Cook, RIP (Anniv) (SD)
9:30am Mass Flora Ignatius, RIP (Anniv) (RP)
11:30am Mass Grace Earles, RIP & Dec’d Relatives & Holy Souls (FM)
5:30pm Vespers and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament
Monday 21
Monday within the Octave of Easter
10:00am Mass Ian Irwin, RIP (MI)
Tuesday 22
Tuesday within the Octave of Easter
9:00am Mass Bobby Newman, RIP (RO’C)
Wednesday 23
Wednesday within the Octave of Easter
9:00am Mass Intentions of Joe Hurley, (K&LW)
Thursday 24
Thursday within the Octave of Easter
9:00am Mass Intentions of the Eagle Family (JS)
Friday 25
Friday within the Octave of Easter
12Noon Mass Intentions of Cynthia Bush (MR)
Saturday 26
Saturday within the Octave of Easter
10:00am Mass Susan Tisi, RIP (MT)
10.30-11.30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
5:30pm Mass Rosemary Braggart, RIP (RM)
6.30-7.30pm Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
Second Sunday of Easter—Divine Mercy
27th April
8:00am Mass William Denis Hale, RIP (SW)
9:30am Mass Christine Keenan, RIP (Anniv) (FK)
11:30am Mass The People of the Parish
2.30pm Devotions for the Divine Mercy
No Vespers & Benediction
We Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries
Fr Arthur Ryan, Fr Michael Enright, Canon Thomas Smith, Fr Derek Powney, Fr Augustine Davidson, Mgr Canon John Howell, Fr John Boyle, Fr Stanley Joynes, Fr James (Jim) McCormack, Fr John William Hayes, Fr Paul Dynan, Fr Simon Sullivan, Fr Myles O’Reilly, Violet Darnell, Louisa Hucks, Harold Horam, Ellaline Stenfalt, Magdalena Schenbel, George Robertson, Capt France Lionnet, Peggy Ayres, Lucy Richardson, Joan Fairchild, George Conridge, Albert Middleton, Clifford Mawer, Gladys Watts, Arnold Kyrke-Smith, Thelma Chambers, Michael Abbott, Dorothy (Dolly) Thorp, Mary Johnson, Mary Bartley, Tony Pycraft, Brigid Alexander, Grahame Addecott, Joseph Heaphy, Minnie Smith, Elizabeth White, Vincent Hurley, Audrey Lewis, Phyllis Eileen Tate, Mary Butt, Eric Pearson & Vera de Souza.