St John Bosco Children's Camp
An amazing volunteer opportunity for this summer!
If you are in school year 12 or student age (or any age over 17!) you are very welcome to apply at www.boscocamp.co.uk. The application process includes references and a DBS check, which we can help with, as well as training and support before and during Camp. The Camp provides over 100 children a week with a summer holiday—for many their only holiday. As a volunteer you use your skills in assisting with different sporting and fun activities, as well as the practical aspects of camp life.
Volunteer for 25th July—1st August or 1st—8th August. The Camp is a special work of Caritas Diocese of Brentwood, and also seeks financial donations—all information on the website.
OLOL Ladies Group
We meet again for a good start to the new year on Thursday 15th January as usual in the Parish Centre. We hope to get the new season off to a good start with the very welcome return of our favourite Magician, Paul Clancy, who will be entertaining us with some of his amazing magic tricks, so do come along and join in the fun.
As usual all ladies are welcome for a prompt 10am start, subs are still only £1 including refreshments.
Last, but not least, we wish all our ladies a very happy New Year
From: Cynthia, Jan, Jo, Jane, Anne.
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.
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
Dear friends in Christ
As we continue the celebration of Christmas throughout this week, our minds turn towards the family life of Jesus, Mary and Jospeh; we celebrate their feast this weekend.
Dear friends in Christ
As we continue the celebration of Christmas throughout this week, our minds turn towards the family life of Jesus, Mary and Jospeh; we celebrate their feast this weekend. There is nothing particularly romantic about the events that surround the Nativity. In fact, it was nothing but hardship for Joseph and Mary as they try to discern what God wanted from them. It is the story of a family on the move, as they travel to Bethlehem for the Census, and then leave for Egypt to escape the persecution of Herod, and then back to Nazareth. Our hearts and prayers go out to all those at this time, who suffer similar hardships as a result of persecution and ejection from their homelands. May this feast remind us of the basic Christian charity we owe to those who suffer homelessness, hunger and poverty in all its forms.
As we approach the start of another year, I thank everyone for the kind greetings received during the Christmas celebrations. In particular for the greetings cards and gifts received and for the kind Christmas Offerings that help us financially and materially. We also extend heartfelt words of thanks to all those who work behind the scenes in the Parish, so that we can have a prayerful, beautiful and fitting celebration of Our Lord’s Birth.
May the peace of Christ and the prayers of Joseph and Mary assist us as we approach 2026 so that we may be filled with every heavenly grace and blessings!
Msgr Kevin Hale
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
Liturgy:
Readings of Year C
The Nicene Creed
Preface of Christmas 1
Saturday 27
St John, Ap, Ev
5.30pm Vigil Peggy Ingham, RIP (Anniv) (FM)
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
Sunday 28 December
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph
8am Mass Madeleine & Roland Selvini, RIP (J-CS)
9.30am Mass Assunta Cotgrove, RIP (AMcC)
11.30am Mass The People of the Parish
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Monday 29th
St Thomas of Canterbury, Bp, M
9am Mass Adrian Dann, RIP (Anniv) (SD)
Tuesday 30th
Sixth Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord
9am Mass Steve & Agnes McManus, RIP (Anniv) (SW)
Wednesday 31st
Seventh day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord
9am Mass Intentions of Margaret Huish (MR)
6-7pm Holy Hour with Te Deum and Benediction for the end of year
Thursday 1st January
Mary, The Holy Mother of God
12Noon Mass Charles D'Souza, RIP (MF)
Friday 2nd—First Friday
Ss Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bpp Dd
12Noon Mass Maureen Regan, RIP (Anniv) (CR)
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament after Mass until Holy Hour 7—8pm
Saturday 3rd January
Feria of Christmas Time
10am Mass Anita Lupton, RIP (PL)
10.30-11.30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
5.30pm Vigil The People of the Parish
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
Sunday 4th January
Second Sunday after the Nativity
8am Mass Intentions of Baby Girl in hospital (GS)
9.3am Mass Intentions of Anne & Terry Peckham (JB)
11.30am Mass William & Amy, Jude & Patrick (newborn) & Mum & Dad (PL)
4pm Mass Lucille Tarrobal, RIP
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
We Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries
Canon John Byrne, Fr Brian Reeves, Pope Benedict XVI, Fr James Duffy, Fr Jim Wilkinson, Fr Denis Cantwell, Doris Swinney, Joseph Dologhan, Audrey O’Connell, Catherine Rabkilor, Doreen Foley, Nora Phillips, Adrian Dann, Francis Cook, Peter Whale, Frederick Thomas Ross, Stephen McManus, Anna Siani, David Scott-Frame, Sylvia Sippitt, Louis Mooney, Olive Yems, George Lane, Leslie Dawson, Mary Reilly, Michael McGaughey, Thomas Woolcott, Francis Hayes, John Sinclair, Mrs Joan Gubbins, Kate Lessons, Kathleen Lewin, Gregory Power, Maureen Guihen, Emily Swann, Mary O’Toole, Annie French, Jules O Deuss, Ethel Milo, Simon Burgoyne, Violet Jackson, Millicent Ransom, Joseph Hazell, Eileen Murray, Maureen Regan, Helen Cotton, Peter Quinn, Charles D’Souza, Len Gardner, Hannah Flintoff, Eileen Bull, Frances Ryan & Brita Irons.
Christmas Message
The Priests of the Parish join in wishing you every grace, peace and blessing this Christmastide.
Christmas Message
The Priests of the Parish join in wishing you every grace, peace and blessing this Christmastide.
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Dear friends in Christ
As we enter the final days of Advent, our thoughts inevitably turn towards the events which led to the birth of Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Dear friends in Christ
As we enter the final days of Advent, our thoughts inevitably turn towards the events which led to the birth of Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. One of the main protagonists in the narrative is Saint Joseph, that wise and faithful servant of God, foster father of Jesus. Throughout all of the accounts of the Nativity, and the events that lead to it, Joseph utters not a word. Instead, he is the recipient of some dreams and revelations from God Who is directing him what to do, where to go. He never demurs, even if he cannot see where these promptings are going, but enfolds Mary in his strong protective love; he does not question God. Even if there is potential scandal when Mary’s condition is revealed, and he is not the father, nevertheless he remains steadfast. He is a model of fatherhood. His model of fatherhood serves both for those of us who are given the care of a natural family and those of us who are given spiritual fatherhood over our Parish Families. Reading the various Gospel accounts of the Birth of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew and Luke, we quickly become aware that it was not the cute and cosy affair that we are presented with in our Nativity scenes and other depictions of Christmas. It was a messy scenario on several levels. Our lives can be messy too. The Incarnation happened in order to give us hope and create order in the midst of our disordered and messy lives. Let us keep close to Joseph in these days, asking for his prayers, that we may be docile and obedient as he was, to the inspirations we receive from God in our lives.
Our prayerful best wishes go to Bishop Richard Moth of Arundel and Brighton Diocese, who has been appointed by the Holy father as the new Archbishop of Westminster. May Christ the Good Shepherd and Supreme High Priest bestow upon him all he graces necessary for his new ministry.
God bless you!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Liturgy:
Readings of Year C
The Nicene Creed
Preface 2 of Advent
Saturday 20
Saturday of the Third Week of Advent
5.30pm Vigil Peggy Ingham, RIP (FM)
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
Fourth Sunday of Advent
21 December
8am Mass The People of the Parish
9.30am Mass Winnifred McClafferty, RIP & Noel Dixon, RIP (Anniv) (A-MM)
11.30am Mass Bernardette Perry, RIP
Confessions after all of the Sunday Masses
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Monday 22
Weekday of Advent
9am Mass Sister Pierina, RIP (JS)
Confessions after Mass
Tuesday 23
Weekday of Advent
9am Mass Harrison Nada, RIP (LK)
Confessions after Mass
Wednesday 24
Christmas Eve
9am Mass Grace McDonagh, RIP (AC)
Confessions after Mass until 11am
5.30pm Vigil Mass Holy Souls (Night Mass Readings) Carols from 5.00pm
8.30pm Vigil of Readings & Carols
9pm Night Mass The People of the Parish
Thursday 25
CHRISTMAS DAY
8am Mass Private Intention (Dawn Mass)
9.30am Mass Private Intention (Dawn Mass)
11.30am Mass Private Intention (Day Mass)
Friday 26
St Stephen, the First Martyr
10am Mass Altar Servers and their Families
Saturday 27
St John, Ap, Ev
10am Mass John McDonagh, RIP (AC)
10.30-11.30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
5.30pm Vigil Peggy Ingham, RIP (Anniv) (FM)
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
Sunday 28 December
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph
8am Mass Madeleine & Roland Selvini, RIP (J-CS)
9.30am Mass Assunta Cotgrove, RIP (AMcC)
11.30am Mass The People of the Parish
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
We Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries
Fr Arthur Cowd, Bp Brian Foley, Canon Wilfred Thompson, Fr Francis Greenan, Fr Francis Wilson, Mabel Carter, Francis Brady, Eleanor Dillon, William Smith, Grace Greiner, Veronica Barrett, Cathy Baker, Robert Kirsch, Teresa Evans, Roland Glazebrook, David Middleton, Mario Piacentini, Anthony Sansom, Elsie Osborne, Mary Heather, Teresa Riley, Winifred McClafferty, Elizabeth Astall, Jessica Wilson, Basil De Neuman, Mary Higgins, Anthony Nesnas, Bridget McDonald, Julia Upsher, Eddie Gillman, Clare Whomes, Douglas Hurley, Charles Stokes, Lynda Quinlivan, Guido Lauria, Janet Newby, Michael Manning, John Furley, Amelia Eaglesfield, Flor Perez de Pina, P.A. Holcombe, Mrs Beeching, James O’Donnell, Francis Gibson, Mary Fitzroy, Deirdre Gray, James Keefe & Leonora Maguire.
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 Cook Family.
Dates for your Diary
Monday 5th January Journey in Faith (RCIA) 8pm Parish Centre
Saturday 16th May 10.30am—First Holy Communion Mass
Sunday 7th June—Corpus Christi Procession 4pm
Sunday 19th to Friday 24th July—Lourdes Pilgrimage
Repository
The Repository will close on the weekends following Christmas and New year and re-open the weekend of 10th/11th January. As usual on weekdays, Mass cards can be purchased from the Parish Office.
Lourdes Pilgrimage 2026
The proposed Pilgrimage to Lourdes next year, flying with BA, will depart Heathrow on Sunday 19th July 17.05pm—Arrive Toulouse 20.05pm, returning on Friday 24th July 19.05pm—arriving at 19.50pm.
The 5-night package price is £910 per pilgrim sharing, single supplement is £245, staying at the 4 star Grand Hotel Moderne Soubirous (closest to Sanctuary).
This includes 5 nights full-board and return luxury coach transfer from Lourdes airport to the hotel.
Please leave your name and contact details with the Parish Office soon, as places are limited.
Journey of Faith—RCIA
The next meeting will be on Monday, 5th January 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.
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.
Third Sunday of Advent—Gaudete
Dear friends in Christ
Joy and hope are the characteristics of the Advent season, and this is expressed in the opening words of the Mass from the Introit: Gaudete—Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say, rejoice…the Lord is at hand!
Dear friends in Christ
Joy and hope are the characteristics of the Advent season, and this is expressed in the opening words of the Mass from the Introit: Gaudete—Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say, rejoice…the Lord is at hand! This is also the joy of every day, knowing that Jesus is very near to us. Our Lord brings joy and not affliction; peace not discord. It is the certainty that God is our Father and wants the best for us. In those inevitable moments of life, when our soul may be filled with sadness or doubts, we remind ourselves that The Lord is very close to us. Gloominess is at the mercy of the Evil One, who wants us to feel discouraged and lead us into sin. That is why the Church exhorts us at this midway point of Advent, to have joy and trust; optimism and hope. Advent is given to us so that we can prepare for Christmas, but even more importantly to prepare for the moment when our life will end and we are taken into eternal life. This should put in perspective all of the worldly preparations we make at this time of the year. God is calling to us, he is coming to us, let us be ready. We prepare for Christmas with our Lady, who knew so many contradictions and tiredness as she prepared for the birth of her Son.
God bless you!
Msgr Kevin Hale