Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today’s Gospel recounts the arrival of Jesus to visit his friends Martha, Mary and Lazarus at Bethany. Jesus would often stop at their house to rest and eat with them. He felt at home there, surrounded by their warmth and affection.
Dear friends in Christ
Today’s Gospel recounts the arrival of Jesus to visit his friends Martha, Mary and Lazarus at Bethany. Jesus would often stop at their house to rest and eat with them. He felt at home there, surrounded by their warmth and affection. Bethany should remind us of the Tabernacle in our church: the place where we can rest and be renewed in the presence of our Divine Lord. Martha and Mary have often been contrasted down the centuries, as representing two rival lifestyles: Mary who contemplates, and Martha who works. The authentic way of seeing these two characters is, not as of rival lifestyles within the Christian vocation, but rather combining the love of Mary with the work ethic of Martha. Jesus says to us also: You are anxious and troubled about many things. We can never forget about Jesus in our daily work, from the most important concerns to the most mundane. We cannot put Him who is the Lord of all things aside for the sake of the things of the Lord. We certainly cannot minimise the importance of prayer with the excuse that we are too busy with all the activities of life, all the stuff that preoccupies us and distracts us so often from The Lord. Our love of God should be inseparable from our work and the love of our families and friends, since all is ultimately for the glory of God.
As we begin the School holidays we wish that this may be a time of renewal of body and spirit. Let us not forget, wherever we find ourselves, that Sunday Mass is paramount. Please do ensure we know where the local Catholic church is, and the times of Holy Mass. In this way, we honour God in our first Christian duty and genuinely renew ourselves in soul as well as body.
As some of us depart this Monday for our Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes—with a number of our parishioners including some young adults—we assure you of our prayers in that Marian Sanctuary. We shall offer Mass for the intentions of the Parish Family, especially for the sick and needy. We ask for the prayers of the Virgin Mother, that we may have the diligence of Martha and the presence of God of Mary.
God bless you!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Liturgy:
Readings Year C
Preface of Sunday 3
The Nicene Creed
Saturday 19
5.30pm Mass The People of the Parish
6.30-7.30pm Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
20th July
8am Mass Intentions of Blake Mackay (SD)
9.30am Mass Errol Vertannesu, RIP (HM)
11.30am Mass Intentions of Renata Butler (Birthday) (LS)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Monday 21
St Laurence of Brindisi, Pr D
9am Mass Jill Iles, RIP (AC)
Tuesday 22
ST MARY MAGDALENE
9am Mass Deceased family of Canon Francis Gilbert
Wednesday 23
ST BRIDGET OF SWEDEN, Rel
9am Mass Mary & John Skipper, RIP (TW)
Thursday 24
St Charbel Makhlouf, Pr
9am Mass Intentions of Terri Wright (TW)
Friday 25
ST JAMES, Ap
12.00 noon John Butler, RIP (RB)
Saturday 26
Ss Joachim and Anne, Parents of the BVM
10am Mass Intentions of Terry Peckham (MD)
10.30—11.30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
5.30pm Mass Lourdesmary, Manglem & Elizabeth Pallis, RIP (DL)
6.30-7.30pm Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
27th July
8am Mass Roland Selvini, RIP (Fr. S)
9.30am Mass The People of the Parish
11.30am Mass Marjorie Jay, RIP (JS)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
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.”
We Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries
Fr Patrick Taylor, Deacon David Balmer, Fr John Boardman, Fr Michael Hannan, Fr Dermot Moore, Fr James Cooney, Fr Godfrey Anstruther Op, Fr John Jones, Caroline Hardy, Kathleen Butt, Jane Bickmore, Charlie Fletcher, Jane Mawdsley, Alice Collins, Aislinn Lane, Elsie Witty, Irene Huggett, Frank McEvoy, Pamela Johnson, Francis Howard Kenney, Geraldine Hayter, Joan Farmer, Winifred Martin, Marian Bukowski, Leonard Betts, Arthur Koch, William Rhodes, David Hall, Eva Bartley, Silvester Smolarczyk, Marie Ann Brand, Anthony Downey, John Maguire, Stefan Nowacki, John O’Brien, Gertrude Mortelman, Carmina Czogalik, Daisy Houlihan & Frederick James Hardy.
Please pray for the repose of the souls of
PAMELA UGLIETTI who died on Thursday, 19th June. Her Requiem Mass will be on Wednesday, 30th July at 11am followed by committal at Southend Crematorium.
PAOLO SELCI who died on Thursday, 3rd July. His Requiem Mass will be on Thursday, 31st July at 1.30pm followed by committal at Sutton Road Cemetery.
Requiescant in pace
Music at 11.30am Mass
Prelude: Allemande (Pastorale) BWV 590—J S Bach (1685-1750)
Postlude: Alla Siciliana (Pastorale) BWV 590—J S Bach
Dates for your Diary
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
First Holy Communion 2026
If your child is going into Year 3 or above and you wish for them to make their First Holy Communion in May 2026, please submit the application by Friday 5th September.
This should be done via the parish website, under Sacraments - Communion
(https://lourdesleigh.org/sacraments)
200 Club—A new focus on Vocations in Nigeria
For many years, our 200 Club has been an important way for our Parish to raise funds for various worthwhile causes (and a fun opportunity for participants to be the lucky winner of monthly cash prizes!)
The Parish Finance Committee has, after due research and consideration, decided to focus our 200 Club funds on a new project—Aid to the Church in Need’s project in Nigeria to provide support for vocations to the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, whose missionary priests are known as Spiritans. Nigeria is an important front line of the Church’s struggle in the face of violent ideology and persecution. Our fundraising will contribute to the overall costs of the tuition and expenses of trainee priests who, on completion of their formation, will be available for mission appointments strengthening the Church within Nigeria and elsewhere in the world. Furthermore, we have our own experience of the Spiritans in our Diocese so it would be a good way of showing our gratitude and support to them.
There are some spare places available in the 200 Club. If you wish to join with a monthly regular donation of £5, forms are available at the back of the church. Alternatively, you can telephone Linda Wall on 01702 558217.
Sea of Voices Summer Concert
Tickets for £5 will still be available on the door for our Summer charity concert at the Lourdes Parish Centre on Sunday 20th July, 3pm. Proceeds will go to Age Concern Southend.
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.
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.
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.
Knights of Saint Columba Holy Relic Tour
The Knights of Saint Columba are delighted to announce that between Friday 1st August and Sunday 10th August we will be touring the First Class Holy Relics of St Columba, St Margaret of Scotland and St Andrew throughout the Diocese of Brentwood. Visiting Clacton, Kelvedon, Chelmsford (Blessed Sacrament), Eastwood, Basildon, Brentwood Cathedral, Hornchurch, West Ham, Elm Park and Chingford. The Holy Relics will be available during periods of each day for private prayer and veneration. Next week we will announce the exact timings and venues as we build up to this remarkable opportunity to be close both physically and spiritually to these remarkable saints. For further information please email Liam Rand prov10.ippgk.liamrand@gmail.com
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear friends in Christ
The Parable of the Good Samaritan is one of the world's best known and loved stories.
Dear friends in Christ
The Parable of the Good Samaritan is one of the world's best known and loved stories. It is a simple account of someone who fell into the hands of bad men and was rescued by a kind passer-by; a simple but multi-faceted story. We go through life often meeting people who have been beaten-up and left half-dead, metaphorically speaking. We can either aid them or pass them by; these would be our sins of omission, the times when we don’t want to complicate our lives with the problems of others, the times when we think only of our own issues. The secret of overcoming this indifference to others is always to see that the object of all charity is Jesus Christ. When we look upon our fellow human beings, it is He whom we see. It was a Samaritan who actually came to the aid of the poor victim on the roadside, even though there was a huge gulf between the Jews and Samaritans, he didn't recoil as the others did, passing by on the other side: he got up close to him. His kindness and charity were practical. God places our neighbour and their needs along the road of our life. Assistance doesn’t have to be anything extraordinary, but what is called for is often something small and simple, since love is most often manifest in the smallest of deeds. Jesus concludes his story with a friendly word to the doctor of the Law: You go, and do likewise. In other words he tells him to be understanding, involved and compassionate with whoever needs you. The exhortation of Jesus is made to us also!
May God bless you!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Liturgy:
Readings Year C
Preface of Sunday 2
The Nicene Creed
Saturday 12
Saturday Memorial of the BVM
5.30pm Mass Margaret Kelly, RIP (Anniv) (MS)
6.30-7.30pm Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
13th July
8am Mass Pamela Uglietti, RIP (JC)
9.30am Mass Patricia Armstrong, RIP (Anniv) (JA)
11.30am Mass The People of the Parish
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Monday 14
St Camillus of Lellis, Pr
9am Mass Brigid Connolly, RIP (MI)
Tuesday 15
St Bonaventure, Bp, D
9am Mass Janet Weale, RIP (Anniv) (TW)
Wednesday 16
Our Lady of Mount Carmel
9am Mass Seamus Connolly, RIP (Anniv) (MI)
Thursday 17
Feria
9am Mass Kathleen Wilson, RIP (MH)
Friday 18
No Noon Mass
10.30am Requiem Mass Angela Sangster RIP
1.30pm Requiem Mass John Cafferty RIP
Saturday 19
Saturday Memorial of the BVM
10am Mass Terence Renehan, RIP (MH)
10.30—11.30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
5.30pm Mass The People of the Parish
6.30-7.30pm Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
20th July
8am Mass Intentions of Blake Mackay (SD)
9.30am Mass Errol Vertannesu, RIP (HM)
11.30am Mass Intentions of Renata Butler (Birthday) (LS)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
We Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries
Fr John Watson, Fr Edmund Dobson, Canon Daniel Harnett, Fr James McEvoy, Betty Gray, Dorothy May Cole, Kathleen Scaife, Margaret Simpson, Monica Gray, Patricia Armstrong, Josephine Russell, Ronad Gibson, Robert Wright, Janet Weale, Margarita Ekers, Mary James, Andrew Wardle, Hope Bailey-Pillow, Madeleine Bullock-Jarman, Joan Slattery, Norah Jordan, Donald Joyce, Ellen Gardner, Joseph Ketterer, James Dawson, Andrew Regan, Mabel Buckley, Michael Regan, Bill Prior, Margaret May Orme, David Finnigan & Reginald Copley.
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.”
Please pray for the repose of the souls of
ANGELA SANGSTER who died on Wednesday, 4th June. Her Requiem Mass will be on Friday, 18th July at 10.30am followed by committal at Southend Crematorium.
JOHN CAFFERTY who died on Monday, 16th June. His Requiem will be 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 be on Wednesday, 30th July at 11am followed by committal at Southend Crematorium.
PAOLO SELCI who died on Thursday, 3rd July. His Requiem Mass will be on Thursday, 31st July at 1.30pm followed by committal at Sutton Road Cemetery.
Requiescant in pace
Dates for your Diary
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