2025 Crib Donations
Christmas is a very busy and joyful time for us at BCCS. However, we are mindful that for some families, this season can be challenging, overshadowed by family tensions, loss, or financial hardship.
With thanks to the generous support of your parish community, we are proud and grateful to continue our work helping children and families in need. Our ability to carry on this vital mission depends on the remarkable financial support we receive from parishes and our community across the Diocese.
All funds raised from crib collections throughout the Diocese will help us sustain this important work, supporting vulnerable children and families who seek our help.
Julie Abbott, Head of Voluntary Income
BCCS - Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society
Brentwood Diocesan Yearbook 2026
The 2026 Diocesan Directory is now available from the back of the Church—£3.20. If you wish to pay by card, select Repository. Cash will be accepted in the Parish Office, which is open from 9am to 1pm, Monday to Friday.
MISSIO Red Boxes
I have received the Missio Calendars for 2026. If you have not received one from me personally please take one from the usual place at the back of the Church.
Please do not leave any Missio boxes from now until the end of January 2026. Thank you
Joan Caunce, Secretary, 01268 757505
Journey of Faith—RCIA
This continues on Monday, 15th December 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.
Volunteer needed
Do you have an hour a week to spare,? We are looking for a volunteer to help clean the back of the church, by the Baptismal Font.
If you feel you could help, please email the Parish office with your details—office@lourdesleigh.org. Thank you.
Young Vincentians
The next meeting for the Young Vincentians will take place in the Parish Centre this Monday, 15th December from 5.15pm. Young Vincentian Committee.
Marriage Matters
Some of you will be familiar with the short weekly scripture reflections for married couples, produced by Brian and Maureen Devine of our diocese. These have been reissued with a new foreword from Bishop Bosco MacDonald.
The reflections for Year A are attached in word and pdf format. The reflections for all years are available at https://www.marriagecare.org.uk/how-we-help/two-in-one-flesh/
Parish Bazaar
Thanks to all those who supported the Bazaar—the amount raised was just under £2,000— by their donations, gifts, and support on the day. Also, and especially, to those who helped to organise it.
As in previous years, we will donate the monies raised to support two important Charities: Aid to the Church in Need and our local St Vincent de Paul Centre in Southend who work with the homeless. God bless you all for your generosity.
Music at 11.30am Mass
Prelude: Musette for Advent—Jean Jacques Charpentier (1734-1794)
Postlude Sonata per Organo—Giovanni Pergolesi (1710-1736)
Diamond Wedding Anniversary
Congratulations to Ian & Marie Britt who were married at Our Lady of Lourdes Church 60 years ago on 18th December.
Parish Centre Courtyard
Please note the car park will be closed from 3pm on Friday, 19th December.
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School & Nursery
We have a vacancy for a Nursery Learning support assistant, working 8:30am - 3:30pm with a 30-minute unpaid lunch break. Pay scale 3-4, £18,379 - £18,668 (FTE £24,796-£25,185) 38 weeks of the year. The role is to start early to mid January with applications to be submitted by 7th January and interviews to be held on 9th January. Applications can be found on the school website or by contacting the school office –office@ourladyoflourdes.southend.sch.uk
We also have a vacancy for a Breakfast club assistant, 7 hours and 30 minutes per week - 7:15am - 8:45am (Monday, - Friday) Payscale 4 - £4,308 38 weeks of the year - term time only Start Date: 5th January 2026 We are looking to appoint a hardworking and enthusiastic member of staff to support our expanding wrap-around care breakfast club at Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School and Nursery, which is a member of the Assisi Catholic Trust.
Second Sunday of Advent
Dear friends in Christ
The figure of Saint John the Baptist permeates Advent like a water mark.
Dear friends in Christ
The figure of Saint John the Baptist permeates Advent like a water mark. He it is who called, and still calls, the world to prepare for the coming of the Messiah. This he did during his lifetime and now he calls us from Heaven to prepare a way for the Lord! Let us heed this imperative, purify our lives, and prepare with godly devotion for the feasts ahead.
Monday, 8th December is the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Situated in the heart of Advent, this great Marian doctrine celebrates how Mary was preserved from all sin from the moment of her conception, thus making her the worthy tabernacle of God. Mary’s Immaculate Conception helps us prepare for Christmas when, through the power of the Holy Spirit, she gives birth to our Divine Saviour. On Monday evening there will be prayed the Holy Rosary, Litany of Loretto, Consecration of the Parish to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and Benediction, at 7.00pm.
The Parish Bazaar will be held this Sunday morning from 8.00 until 13.00. Do call into the Parish Centre to support this work of Charity which we organise each year. As before, we shall divide the profits between the Catholic Charities our Parish supports.
Wishing you the continued graces of the Advent season!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Second Sunday of Advent
Liturgy:
Preface 1 of Advent
The Nicene Creed
Saturday 6 December
Saturday of the First Week of Advent
5.30pm Mass The People of the Parish
6.30-7.30pm Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
Second Sunday of Advent
7 December
8am Mass Basil & Frances Emmerson, RIP (Anniv) (AE)
9.30am Mass Alan Brown, RIP (FG)
11.30am Mass Lakshman Perreira, RIP (PL)
4pm Mass Frederick & Betty Clark, RIP
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Monday 8
The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
9am Mass Sheila de Chantilly, RIP (Anniv) (LC)
7pm Holy Rosary, Litany of Loretto,
Consecration of the Parish to the Immaculate Heart of Mary & Benediction
Tuesday 9
Tuesday of the Second Week of Advent
9am Mass Clare Clarke, RIP (Anniv) (IR)
Wednesday 10
Wednesday of the Second Week of Advent
9am Mass Paddy Connolly, RIP (MI)
12Noon Requiem Mass Emily Root, RIP
Thursday 11
Thursday of the Second Week of Advent
9am Mass Intentions of Richard Poole (sick) (AC)
Friday 12
Friday of the Second Week of Advent
12Noon Mass Lucille Tarrobal, RIP
Saturday 13 December
St Lucy, V, M
10am Mass Bernard Ward, RIP (MW)
10.30—11.30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
5.30pm Mass Joseph Pallis, RIP (EK)
6.30-7.30pm Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
Third Sunday of Advent—Gaudete
14 December
8am Mass The People of the Parish
9.30am Mass Vivien Payne, RIP (VP)
11.30am Mass John Butler, RIP (RB)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
We Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries
Fr Michael Healy, Fr John Lane, Canon Anthony McKinley, Fr Geoffrey Pye, Fr Eamonn Magrath, Fr George Carolan, Fr William Evers, Fr Francis Kerrigan, Fr Bernard Pownall, Barbara ClarkeBrigid Hill,Doris Masters, Ana Dawson, William Johnson,Bruce Pond, John newton, Thomas O’Hanlon, Mary Alice Ring, Mary Dulcie O’leary, John Parsons, Sheila de Chantilly, Johanna Sadowski, Arthur coughlan, Walter Scott, PatrickLyons,Clare Clarke, Karen Anderson, Hilda did, Georgina Francis, Ann dunbar, Francis Mullan, Ivy heal, Cecilia Upsher, William Anderson, Marie O’Carroll, John Burke, Ronald Clarke, Eugene Grant, Alexander Black, Baby Felicity Garland & Peter D’Angervllle.
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 all the dead in the Ibekwe/Ebere’s Family.
Please pray for the repose of the soul of
EMILY MARY ROOT who died on Friday, 14th November. Her Requiem Mass will take place on Wednesday, 10th December at 12Noon followed by committal at Southend Crematorium.
Requiescat in pace