Please pray for the repose of the souls of
ANGELA SANGSTER who died on Wednesday, 4th June. Her Requiem Mass will be held on Friday, 18th July at 10.30am followed by committal at Southend Crematorium.
KATHLEEN WILSON who died on Wednesday, 11th June. Her Requiem Mass will take place on Tuesday, 8th July at 10.30am followed by committal at Southend Crematorium.
JOHN CAFFERTY who died on Monday, 16th June. His Funeral will take place on Friday, 18th July at 1.30pm followed by committal at Southend Crematorium.
PAMELA UGLIETTI who died on Thursday, 19th June. Her Requiem Mass will take place on Wednesday, 30th July at 11am followed by committal at Southend Crematorium.
Requiescant in pace
Dates for your Diary
Saturday 5th July—Flower Festival
Friday 11th July—feast of St Benedict, Patron of Europe. The Schola of The Campion High School will sing at the midday Mass
Sunday, 20th July—Sea of Voices Summer Concert 3pm
Monday 21st—Friday 25th July—Lourdes Pilgrimage
Monday 8th September Centenary of the Opening of our Church
Sunday 14th September Parish Centenary Celebration 3pm
Music at 11.30am Mass
Prelude: Aria—Domenico Zipoli (1688—1726)
Postlude: Marche Pontificale—Charles Gounod (1818—1893)
Clergy Appointments
PARISH PRIESTS
Fr Britto Belevendran—From Wickford to Upton Park
Fr Rick Fernandez—From Lexden to Becontree
Fr Matthias Baidoo—From South Woodham Ferrers/Danbury to Lexden
Fr Angelus Houle—From Upton Park to South Woodham Ferrers/Danbury
Fr Philip Okoli—Colchester from Assistant to Parish Priest
Fr Damien Wade—From Assistant, Chelmsford, Our Lady Immaculate to Wickford.
PAROCHIAL ADMINISTRATORS
Fr Frank Westcott—To Ongar
Fr Gary Dench—Appointed as Parochial Administrator of Ingatestone and will remain as Parish Priest of Hutton
ASSISTANT PRIESTS
Fr Michael Barwick—From Walthamstow Our Lady & St George to Chelmsford, Our Lady Immaculate
Fr Jude Kurumeh CSSp—New to Diocese from Spiritans, Rome to Hornchurch St Mary
Fr Cherian John-Syro Malankara—New to Diocese from Syro-Malankara, Kerala to Hornchurch English Martyrs
Fr Ebeneezer Annobil—New to Diocese from Cape Coast, Ghana to Colchester
Fr Shajin Jose Anthony—New to Diocese from Trivandrum to Walthamstow
Fr Alfonso Heredia RCJ—New to Diocese from Rogationists, Italy to Westcliff/Rochford.
RETIREMENTS
Monsignor Christopher Brooks will retire as Parish Priest of Colchester.
Canon Peter Connor will retire as Parish Priest of Ingatestone.
Fr Gerry Drummond will retire as Parish Priest of Rochford.
These appointments take effect from the first weekend in September.
Weekday Readers
Reading at weekday Mass - Volunteers welcome
Readers participating in the Liturgy of the Word play an essential role in the Mass, and the parish is looking for more volunteers to read.
On average people read about once every 2 weeks, and the rota is flexible to fit in with holiday and other commitments. You don't have to have read before and training can be provided. If you want to experience what reading would be like before deciding whether to read regularly, a one-off reading opportunity can be arranged too.
So if you would like to find out more and give reading a try, please go to the volunteering page on the website and send us your details Volunteer (lourdesleigh.org) and Jackie Sullens will be in touch. Thank you.
OLOL Ladies Group
Our next Meeting is on Thursday 3rd July from 9.30am, all ladies in the Parish are welcome and subs are £1 per meeting.
Jo Ronan will be hosting one of her popular Art & Craft mornings, so there will be plenty of opportunity to bring out that ‘inner artist’, and perhaps also make something for the forthcoming Flower and Craft Festival in the Church.
As usual, refreshments are available plus a fun Raffle. (Donations for the Raffle will be very welcome).
Advance Notice: Our end of term Buffet lunch party is on 17th July. Entrance is by ticket only, cost £6. There are only very few tickets left as numbers for the lunch are limited so please book as soon as possible.
Faith, Friends and Food
Bringing together men within our Parish bonded by their common faith in our One Triune God and His One Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. What is this?
Men only group, 18+
Learning more about your faith and prayer life
Being more active within your Parish
Contributing ideas, volunteering
Socialising, food, drinks
Once a month
Widening your social circle to include other Catholics.
We are forming a new Parish men’s group for those who are wanting to form new friendships within our Parish and to generally learn more about their faith and to contribute ideas and to help. Whether you are fresh out from leaving college, taking care of your family, new to the Parish, retired and everything in between you are welcome to come along.
There’s no commitment, just a want to bring together men within our parish bonded by their common faith inner One Triune God and his One Holy, Catholic and Apostolic church.
For any questions about the group, or if interested and would like to attend our once monthly meet-ups, or would like to find out more, then please contact Martin on 07515931567.
Mini Vinnies
The next meeting for the Mini Vinnies will take place in the Parish Centre on Monday, 30th June from 5.15pm to 6.45pm. Mini Vinnie Committee.
Quiz Night Saturday, 5th July in the Parish Centre
Hello everyone! If you are a fan of quiz nights, today is your lucky day! The young people from OLOL Parish going to Lourdes this year with BCYS (Brentwood Catholic Youth Service) are fundraising for their pilgrimage.
They go as volunteers to support the sick and elderly of the Parish/Diocese. They provide practical support pushing wheelchairs and spend time enjoying their company. The young people learn a great deal about serving others, as well as spending time deepening their own faith.
As the young people need to pay for their own transportation and accommodation, there will be a fundraising quiz on Saturday 5th July at our Lady of Lourdes Parish Centre, starting at 7.15pm. Tickets are £5 per person (bring your own drink and nibbles), with a maximum of 8 people per table. Tickets will be available at the back of church after all Masses and also from the Parish Office, Monday to Friday 9am—1pm.
Raffle donations will be gratefully accepted on the evening, or may be left at the back of church beforehand if you cannot attend.
Hope to see you there!
OLOL Brentwood Youth Team
Sea of Voices Summer Concert
Early notice that the Sea of Voices will be holding its Summer Concert in the Gilbert Room of the Parish Centre on Sunday 20th July at 3pm. Tickets at £5 will be made available in the next few weeks and proceeds will go to a Charity (to be advised). Offers of help and donations of raffle prizes please to Darrell Binding 07825686249. Thank you!
Annual Flower & Craft Show 5th July—11am to 4pm
Please bring family, friends and neighbours to visit our beautiful church on Saturday 5th July for our Flower and Craft display, and to show support for all those who are taking part. This is a chance to open ourselves up to our wider community, some of whom have never been into a church before.
The theme this year is God’s creation, from the hymn,
‘O Lord my God when I in awesome wonder consider all the worlds Thy hand has made.’
We are also celebrating the opening of our church building 100 years ago this year.
Refreshments will be available from 11.00am in the parish centre.
Donations of flowers can be made on Thursday or Friday morning and left in the old baptistry.
Help on the day would also be appreciated to ensure that there are always people in the church to welcome visitors and to answer questions.
Jo Ronan
Summer Fete Helpers Wanted at OLOL School—Saturday 5th July, 12-3.30pm
We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help make our summer fete a fantastic event! Whether you can lend a hand with setup, run a stall, or help throughout the day we’d love to have you on board.
We’re also welcoming outside stall holders who would like to join and have a stall.
If you’re interested in supporting or taking part, please get in touch—we’d love to hear from you! Please email pta@ourladyoflourdes.southend.sch.uk
ERCOL Table & Chairs
One of our parishioners has an Ercol table and four chairs which they no longer need. If you are interested, please contact Mrs Isaacs on 01702 713195.
MISSIO Red Boxes
I have received the Summer Issue of Mission Today. If you have not received one from me personally please take one from the back of the Church ( on the ledge in the usual place). If you have a box that needs emptying please give it to me personally or leave in the office and I will collect it. Thank you.
Joan Caunce Secretary 01268 757505
Paul Bakers Charity Row
Parishioner Paul Baker is rowing from Grimsby to Ramsgate in July this year to raise money for Children in Need and the SVP Centre in Southend. If you would like to donate please go to the donation page:
https://givewheel.com/fundraising/7721/conquer-the-coast-f0r-children-in-need-row/
St Thomas More Open Evening
St. Thomas More High school - open evening, Thursday, 10th July 4.00p.m. to 7.00p.m. - for families who have a son due to transfer to secondary school in September 2026 - come and see the school, meet the staff and pupils.
The Headteachers talk will begin at 5.30pm.
Parents of boys who wish to apply to St. Thomas More School for a place in September 2026 should complete the local education authority single application form (saf) and fill in the supplementary information form (sif) that can be collected at the open evening.
If you are unable to come to the open evening, please contact the school in order to get the supplementary information form. The form can also be downloaded from the school web site:-
St John Bosco Children’s Camp 2025
For children aged 9-12 years old (school years 5-7), a week of great fun, activities including climbing wall and zip wire, fishing, football, archery and much more, all in a beautiful setting. The Camp has a Catholic ethos, and exists to give children a magnificent holiday. 26th July – 2nd August. For more details, and application information: www.boscocamp.co.uk. The Camp is a special work of Caritas Diocese of Brentwood.
If you are supporting a family to apply from within your parish or school, please do apply very soon to be sure of a place. The direct link for a child’s application is:https://Johnbsoco.formstack.com/forms/bosco_child_application_form_2025
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School & Nursery
Our family friendly nursery welcomes children from 2-4 years old. Our experienced team provide opportunities for all children to learn through play, inside and outside the classroom. We are pleased to offer spaces from September. Please contact the school office on 01702 475689 to book your visit.
The Most Holy Body & Blood of Christ-Corpus Christi
Dear friends in Christ
This Sunday we celebrate THE Mystery of Faith—the Body and Blood of Jesus in the Eucharist—Corpus Christi. It is a feast that really defines us as a Catholic Community, since the Eucharist contains the very heart and soul of the Church.
Dear friends in Christ
This Sunday we celebrate THE Mystery of Faith—the Body and Blood of Jesus in the Eucharist—Corpus Christi. It is a feast that really defines us as a Catholic Community, since the Eucharist contains the very heart and soul of the Church. We believe that everything in our holy religion flows from, and returns to, the Eucharist—both as it is celebrated in the Sacrifice of the Mass and as it is worshipped outside of Mass. This includes our visits to Jesus in the Tabernacle, Holy Hours and Benediction, and the Blessed Sacraments processions that take place around the world on this Day. We think of our Holy Father, Pope Leo, as he takes The Lord in Procession through the streets of Rome on this Sunday, going from his Cathedral of St John Lateran to St Mary Major where he will give Benediction on the steps of the Basilica. We are so fortunate to have this gift and mystery of Jesus with us here on earth. May we never take it for granted. May we never treat it with contempt, and may our praise and adoration be in some way proportionate to the gift God has bequeathed us.
This Sunday afternoon we shall make our own Eucharistic Procession around the locality. I always hope that there will be a great attendance so that others will see how much we truly believe and venerate Jesus in the Eucharist. Our First Holy Communion children lead the Procession, reminding us that Jesus loves to dwell in the hearts of our young, pure and innocent as they are at that age. It also reminds us of the purity required on our part when we come before Jesus and prepare to receive him in Holy Communion. May our thanksgivings and adoration never cease!
God bless you!
Msgr Kevin Hale