Fireworks Night at OLOL!
Join us for a fantastic community evening full of fun, food, and fireworks!
📅 Date: Friday, 7th November
🕠 Gates Open: 5:30 PM
🎇 Fireworks Show: Starts around 7:00 PM
Enjoy a great night out with:
🍔 Delicious food stall
☕ Hot & cold drinks
🍭 Sweet treats
✨ Glow-up toys
Bring your family and friends — let’s make it a night to remember!
🎟 Tickets:
• Available on Ticketsource www.ticketsource.co.uk/our-lady-of-lourdes-pta
• OLOL school families can book via SchoolMoney
Spread the word and join us for an evening of sparkle and community spirit!
Journey of Faith—RCIA
RCIA will re-commence on Monday, 3rd November and is specifically for those who are not Catholics but who are enquiring with a view to finding out more about the Catholic Faith and Reception into the Church. These evenings begin at 8pm, are held in the Newman Room of the Parish Centre (the door is beside the Memorial Garden) and usually last just over an hour. Names may be given in advance to Fr Kevin or the Parish Office.
Headteacher Vacancy
Headteacher vacancy at Holy Family Catholic Primary School, Benfleet, Essex, required for April 2026 – Due to the current headteacher taking the decision to retire from the post, an exciting opportunity has arisen for an inspirational, ambitious and innovative Headteacher to join the team at Holy Family Catholic Primary School. Further information and application documents can be found on the following websites – HFCPS Website - Job Vacancies and Vacancies – Assisi Catholic Trust.
BCCS - Join Our Mission: Become a Trustee and Support Children’s Wellbeing
Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society is currently seeking new Trustees with expertise in fundraising and marketing to help us expand our reach and strengthen our impact. Your skills and experience could play a vital role in shaping the future for children and young people, ensuring we continue providing essential services to children and families in need.
If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity or know someone who might be a great fit, please do not hesitate to contact our Director, Bernadette Fisher, at bfisher@bccs.org.uk. She will be delighted to hear from you.
Coffee Morning/Remembrance Concert
Given by The Two Elizabeths. Please come to support the concert of beautiful music for Remembrance, plus a Coffee Morning and Bring & Buy, including homemade cakes, to support the local World Day of Prayer Committee.
To be held on 8th November 2025 10.30am—12Noon (Concert lasts around 45 minutes) at St Clements Church, Leigh Broadway SS9 1AR
Everyone welcome—no entry charge
St Bernard's Sixth Form Open Evening
THURSDAY 4TH DECEMBER 2025—FROM 6.30PM TO 8.30PM—Headteacher's Talk at 6:45PM
View our facilities and speak with teachers and staff about our courses and the opportunities we offer. We offer a large range of subjects achieving excellent results including GEOGRAPHY, HISTORY, MATHS, MEDIA
STUDIES, PSYCHOLOGY, SOCIOLOGY, BIOLOGY, HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE, CHEMISTRY, AND PHYSICS.
Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear friends in Christ
The texts of the Mass this weekend remind us of the power of trusting and persevering prayer.
Dear friends in Christ
The texts of the Mass this weekend remind us of the power of trusting and persevering prayer. In the first reading from Exodus, we hear the Chosen People are in battle. Moses is praying on a hilltop. Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. To help Moses persevere in prayer, Aaron and Hur supported his arms, one on each side. In this way they were able to keep him praying until sunset when Joshua was able to overcome the enemy. In the same way, we should never weary of praying. If it should happen that we lose the impetus, we can ask our friends to shore us up. St Alphonsus Liguori has taught: The Lord wants to grant us His graces, but He also wants us to ask for them. One day He said to His disciples: “Hitherto you have asked for nothing in my name; ask and you will receive, that your joy may be full”. It was as if He were saying: Do not complain to me if you are not filled with blessings. Complain to yourselves for not having sought from me what you need. From now on, ask of me and your prayers will be answered. How is our prayer at this time? Is it persevering, trusting, insistent, tireless? There is nothing more powerful and effective than steadfast prayer. It is made even more attractive and pleasing to God when made through the Heart of His Blessed Mother!
May God bless you!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Liturgy:
Preface of Sunday 7
The Nicene Creed
Saturday 18
ST LUKE, Ev
5.30pm Mass Eleanor Tierney RIP (MI)
6.30-7.30pm Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time (World Mission Sunday)
19 October
8am Mass Intentions of Evelyn Mackay (SD)
9.30am Mass Michael Patrick Satelle, RIP (PL)
11.30am Mass The People of the Parish
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Monday 20
Feria
9am Mass Cissie Connolly, RIP (MI)
Tuesday 21
Feria
9am Mass Michael Barry RIP (MI)
Wednesday 22
St John Paul II, P
9am Mass Mark Solecki, RIP (IS)
Thursday 23
St John of Capistrano, Pr
9am Mass Leslie Gale, RIP (CB)
Friday 24
St Antony Mary Claret, Bp
12Noon Mass Holy Souls
Saturday 25
Saturday Memorial of the BVM
10am Mass Holy Souls
10.30—11.30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
5.30pm Mass Holy Souls
6.30-7.30pm Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
26 October
8am Mass The People of the Parish
9.30am Mass Holy Souls
11.30am Mass Roseleen Armstrong, RIP (Anniv) (JA)
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 Bernard Clay, Canon William O’Neill, Mgr Daniel Shanahan, Fr (James) Kieran Dodd, Fr Kevin Lyons, Annie Barton, Anthony Isaacs, Joan Erwood, George Gatward, David Thomas, Kevin Hopley, Monica James, Elizabeth Winchester, Kenneth Brebuyck, Veronica Mccullough, Dr Brian Quinn, Denis Jordan, Sybil Swann, Norman Halligan, Clara Donnelly, Catherine Hevey, Thomas Gunn, Eileen Morgan, Albert Rice, Florence D’Yos, Sue Fry, Michael Standing, Seamus Graham, Cecil George Ratcliff, Arthur Sanctuary, William Curran, Patrick McCarthy, Lynn Gopee, Esme Robinson & Patrick Burke.
Please pray for the repose of the souls of
ALAN WARD who died on Thursday, 18th September, His Requiem Mass will take place at 11am on Monday, 27th October followed by committal at Southend Crematorium.
ANTHONY ROBERT ABBOTT who died on Saturday, 13th September. His Requiem Mass will take place on Thursday, 6th November at 10am followed by committal at St Lawrence & All Saints, Eastwood.
CAROLYN DE SYLVA who died on Thursday, 25th September. Her Requiem Mass will take place on Wednesday, 12th November at 9.30am followed by committal at Southend Crematorium.
Requiescant in pace
Sanctuary Lamp
This week the Sanctuary Lamp burns for the intentions of the Ibekwe and Obigwe Families.
Music at 11.30am Mass
Prelude: Cromorne sur la Taille (Messe pour les Couvents)
François Couperin (1668-1733)
Postlude: Plein Jeu and Fugue sur la Trompette (Messe pour les Couvents) François Couperin
Dates for your Diary
Monday 20th October Journey in Faith (RCIA) 8pm Parish Centre
Wednesday 22nd October 7pm in the Parish Centre—A Biblical Explanation of the Mass
Thursday 6th November Parish Requiem 7pm
Thursday 27th-Saturday 29th November—Forty Hours’ Prayer
Sunday 7th December—Christmas Bazaar 8am to 1pm
Friday 19th December—Annual Carol Service
Saturday 16th May 10.30am—First Holy Communion Mass
Sunday 7th June—Corpus Christi Procession 4pm
Volunteer Needed
Would you be able to spare a couple of hours from 8.30am on a Monday morning to assist with the counting?
You would be part of a team counting the cash taken in the various collections.
Ideally you should have a liking for figures, have attention to detail and be able to input into basic spreadsheets.
Previous experience of cash handling would be an advantage, but not essential as full training would be given.
There's a fortnightly rota but you may need to cover absences.
If you can help, please contact the Parish office.
Parish Christmas Bazaar - Sunday 7th December, 8.30am - 1.00pm
Yes, it’s the time of year to dig out all of your unwanted gifts in particular, along with good quality bric-a-brac, books, bottles and any other fabulous donations you can spare for the Parish Bazaar. Draw tickets are now available from the church office or the back of church after all masses!
This year the Bazaar will be on Sunday 7th December, running all morning from 8.30am until 1pm. Put the date in your diary and come along for breakfast and a little shopping too! Please place donations in the old baptistery, with many thanks in advance!
If you are free to offer an hour or two on the day, please call or message Sue on 07816 141492.
Parish Fundraising - 200 Club
The winners of the draw this month are:
1st Prize £150 15 Mrs A Aldridge
2nd Prize £100 183 Mr S Samuels
3rd Prize £75 170 Mrs J Caunce
4th Prize £25 114 Mr P Collingwood
The funds raised from the 200 Club will now 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. These missionary priests are known as Spiritans.
Please support this fundraising. There are some places available in the 200 Club, and if you wish to join, there is a monthly regular donation of £5. Forms are available at the back of the church. Alternatively, you can telephone Linda Wall on 01702 558217.
OLOL Ladies Group
We meet again on Thursday 23rd October in the Parish Centre for a prompt start at 10am. Subs are £1 plus a Raffle. Refreshments are available. This week we are very pleased to welcome our guest speaker Steve Ellis who will be giving a talk on Shipwrecks….in particular “The London Wreck” which promises to be a very interesting morning. All Ladies in the Parish are welcome
We are planning a trip to Cambridge on Thursday 6th November. The cost is just £20 for an enjoyable and interesting day out. We plan to leave outside the Church at 9.45 am and leave Cambridge at 4pm, so there is plenty of time to explore this lovely City or indulge in early Christmas shopping. Ladies in the Parish are welcome to join us. Please give your names and cash to either: Jan on 07775 620890 or Cynthia on 077830 94312 by 23rd October, or as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
MISSIO
Today, 19th October is World Mission Sunday. By supporting the Pope's charity for world mission we stand as God's global family in prayer solidarity and action. Pope Leo has issued a special video message see missio.org.uk. To donate see the missio envelopes at the back of the Church or call 02078219755 or visit missio.org.uk See World Missio Sunday poster at back of Church.Thank you Joan Caunce Secretary 01268 757505.