Lourdes Pilgrimage 2026
The 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.
Southend Catholic Pilgrims
7 Days Pilgrimage to Italy Roma, Greccio Province of Rieti & Assisi—£1496.50 per person
From Thursday 8th October to Wednesday 14th October 2026
Organised by Salvatore Burzotta Tel: 07753 203129
Led by Father Jeff Woolnough PP St Peters Eastwood
Please contact Salvatore for further information
Second Sunday of Lent
Dear friends in Christ
The Gospel of this Sunday—the Transfiguration—shows us a huge contrast between the glorified Jesus on the mountain and the conversation He had with the disciples when He came down the mountain
Dear friends in Christ
The Gospel of this Sunday—the Transfiguration—shows us a huge contrast between the glorified Jesus on the mountain and the conversation He had with the disciples when He came down the mountain. On the mountain, Peter, James and John saw Him transformed, in His glory. When they came down the mountain, they see simply Jesus their friend. In fact, the conversation was then not about glory but about suffering and death. This moment in the life of Jesus and the disciples reflects in a touching way something of the course of our own lives as human beings and followers of Jesus Christ. We all experience light and darkness in our lives. There will always be moments when we feel close to God and experience His presence; other times we will be struggling as we face challenges. It can often feel like light and dark in contrast. The most important thing we have to remember is that God was present with Jesus His Son on the hill of Calvary as much as He was present to him on the mount of Transfiguration! God is always there, whatever we are going through.
As we continue in Lent, and perhaps some issues in our lives come to light or are seen under the microscope of grace, we can think of this moment in the Gospel, and be reassured that the disciples would have felt much as we do. Sometimes God is very evident to us, at other times He may seem distant. What is vital is that we hold-on to the moments of transfiguration.
God bless you as we continue our Lenten pilgrimage!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Second Sunday of Lent
Liturgy:
Readings of Year A
The Apostles’ Creed
Preface of 2nd Sunday of Lent
Saturday 28th February
Saturday of the First Week of Lent
5.30pm Vigil Martin Joslin, RIP (Anniv) (SJ)
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
Sunday 1st March
Second Sunday of Lent
8am Mass The People of the Parish
9.30am Mass Bill Hoggett, RIP (Anniv) (JH)
11.30am Mass Tony & Kathleen Lynch, RIP (AL)
4pm Mass Holy Souls
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Monday 2nd
Monday of the Second Week of Lent
9am Mass Neil O'Keefe, RIP (Anniv) (UO’K)
Tuesday 3rd
Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent
9am Mass Miss Vicky Munday, RIP (M)
Wednesday 4th
Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent
Mass 9am Anne Howes, RIP (MT)
Thursday 5th
Thursday of the Second Week of Lent
9am Mass Intentions of Bridget Scholastica Helen D'Cruz (AJ)
Friday 6th
Friday of the Second Week of Lent—First Friday
12Noon Mass Ian Spacie, RIP (VS)
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament after Mass until
Holy Hour 7—8pm
Saturday 7th March
Saturday of the Second Week of Lent
10am Mass David Kislingbury, RIP (Anniv) (CK)
10.30-11.30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
5.30pm Vigil Intentions of Monica Swanton (AS)
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
Sunday 8th March
Third Sunday of Lent
8am Mass Albert Thomas Cook, RIP (SD)
9.30am Mass The People of the Parish
11.30am Mass Tom O’Callaghan, RIP (Anniv) (RO’C)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
We Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries
Mgr Canon Patrick O’Donnell, Fr Brian Galvin, Fr Francis Hastings, Paul Vermeulen, Patricia Hopper, Ada Champ, Jim Acaster, Michael Sheaf, Sylvia Langley, Miss A Till, Amy Rosetta Wood, Margaret Blissett, Catherine Byrne, Ruby Ravinet, Giovanni Puglisi, Patricia McBreaty, Michael Flynn, Timothy McCarthy, Patricia Sellers, Hugh Gallacher, Maria Vanden Heuval, Patricia Church, Margaret Ellis, May Perkins, Esperanza Reyes, Margaret Bartle, Bernard McCarthy, Ena Bartley, Mary Smith, Doris Conner, Danielle Sutherland, Sandra McGran, Philip Thomas, Anthony Conlon, Hannah Harris, Johnathan Grindley, Granley Rumsey, John Stephen Burke, Miss Sydney Compton, Edward Baigent, Elsie Killman, Janet Harris, Malcolm Cheshire & David Kislingbury.
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.”
Dates for your Diary
Monday, 2nd March—Journey in Faith (RCIA) 8pm Parish Centre
Saturday 16th May 10.30am—First Holy Communion Mass
Sunday 24th May—Visitation and Confirmation—11.30am Mass
Sunday 7th June—Corpus Christi Procession 4pm
11th July—Flower Festival
Sunday 19th to Friday 24th July—Lourdes Pilgrimage
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.
Brentwood Cathedral Lenten Lectures
These will take place at Brentwood Cathedral Parish Hall at 7.30pm
The theme this year is: “What does it truly mean to be Catholic?” This invitation is to the whole Diocese of Brentwood. All Welcome!
Talk 2 Wednesday 4th March. Rev Msgr Kevin Hale, VG.
Being Catholic and the call to holiness as seen in the lives of some recently canonised saints—7.30pm
Talk 3 Wednesday 11th March. Mr Mauro Iannicelli.
Prayer as the Foundation of our Catholic Life—7.30pm
Talk 4 Wednesday 18th March Rev Msgr John Armitage.
The uniqueness of Catholicism for British Society—7.30pm
Lent Parish Talks
Nourishing our faith this Lent
Do you want this Lent to be a bit more than giving-up chocolate or alcohol?
Do you sometimes wonder what it really means to say you have a relationship with Jesus?
Would you like a deeper appreciation of Jesus’ Passion, death & resurrection & its meaning for our lives?
If your answer to any of these questions, or questions like them, then why not come along to our Lenten series of talks by the Scripture scholar Brant Pitre, running in the daytime & in the evening? No need to book.
Mon 9th March 10.30—12.00 following coffee in the Parish Centre after Mass.
Mon 23rd March 10.30—12.00 following coffee in the Parish Centre after Mass.
Wednesday 11th March 7.30–9pm in the Parish Centre
Wednesday 25th March 7.30–9pm in the Parish Centre
Want more info? Contact Heather 07885 737393, heatherward55@gmail.com
Seniors Exercise & Balance Class
You are invited to join the Exercise & Balance Class for Seniors which is held every Tuesday morning in the Parish Centre. The class starts at 10am and lasts one hour. Exercises are done to music and each session costs £6.
Journey of Faith—RCIA
This continues on Monday, 2nd March 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.
Lourdes Pilgrimage 2026
The 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.
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Walsingham—23rd May 2026
Join Bishop Alan and other parishes around the Diocese of Brentwood in Walsingham. We will celebrate Mass at the Basilica before walking the Holy Mile to the grounds of Walsingham Abbey to celebrate Vespers and Benediction on the site of the Holy House. Sacred Heart are running a coach, and the cost will be £25 per adult, children under 16 go free.
Leaving Sacred Heart Church at 7am, picking up at St John Fisher at 7:10am and Our Lady of Lourdes, Leigh, at 7:25am. We expect to be back in the Southend area by 8pm. Please phone Sandy Rand 07470 820994 to book your seat. Book early to secure your place. Thank you.
World Day of Prayer 2026
This years World Day of Prayer Service takes place on Friday 6th March at 10.30 am at Kings Road United Reformed Church, 91 Crowstone Road, Westcliff-On-Sea SS0 8LH followed by tea/coffee.
This years’ service is prepared by the women of Nigeria on the theme “I will give you rest, come”.
Young Vincentians
Our next meeting is on Monday 2nd March from 5.15pm. Young Vincentians Committee.
Repository News
Together with a number of beautiful statues and Rosaries, we now have a lovely painting of the Last Supper for sale. This can be viewed in the Repository area during the week, as well as weekends when we are open after all Masses.