The Priests return to the Brentwood Diocese!
Fr. Eugene O'Hagan and Fr. Martin O'Hagan - formerly of the celebrated singing trio 'The Priests' - invite you to join them at a one-off charity weekend, hosted by and in support of the Brentwood Catholic Children's Society.
Choose from an elegant Gala Dinner or sophisticated Charity Luncheon, both being held at a stunning Grade II listed manor house. Enjoy fine dining and seize a rare opportunity to see Fr. Eugene and Fr. Martin perform in an intimate and exclusive setting - this is an occasion not to be missed!
9th-10th October at The Lawn, Rochford - for full details and to purchase tickets, please visit www.bccs.org.uk/get-involved/events-campaigns/ or contact Julie Abbott 07912 277413
ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Dear friends in Christ
The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, celebrated each year on 15th August, (transferred to Sunday this year) is among the most joyful feasts of the Church's calendar.
Dear friends in Christ
The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, celebrated each year on 15th August, (transferred to Sunday this year) is among the most joyful feasts of the Church's calendar. It reminds us that in Mary we see not only the perfection of discipleship but also the fulfilment of the Christian promise. The one who bore the Incarnate Word, who stood faithfully beneath His Cross, and who persevered with the Apostles in prayer, now shares fully in the glory of her Risen Son, assumed body and soul into heaven. The Assumption is not simply a privilege granted to Mary because of her unique vocation. Rather, it is a sign of hope for the whole Church. As the Preface of the Mass beautifully proclaims, Our Lady is the beginning and image of your Church's coming to perfection, and a sign of sure hope and comfort to your pilgrim people. In contemplating her heavenly glory, we are reminded of our own eternal destiny. The Christian life is not a journey without direction; it is a pilgrimage towards the Father's house.
In an age that often prizes the passing and the superficial, Mary's Assumption directs our gaze towards the things that truly endure. She teaches us that humility is exalted, fidelity is rewarded, and that every quiet act of love offered to God has eternal value. Her Magnificat continues to echo through the centuries, proclaiming the greatness of the Lord and inviting us to place our trust in His providence rather than in ourselves.
The month of August often brings holidays and welcome opportunities for rest. Yet amidst the business of family gatherings and summer travels, this great feast gently recalls us to prayer. Perhaps we might honour Our Lady by praying the Rosary more faithfully, by visiting one of her shrines, or simply by entrusting our families anew to her maternal care. May Mary, assumed into heaven and crowned Queen of Heaven and Earth, intercede for our parish and for each of our homes. Following her example of faith, may we keep our eyes fixed upon Christ, so that, when our own earthly pilgrimage is complete, we too may rejoice in the glory He has prepared for those who love Him.
Our Lady Assumed into Heaven, pray for us.
Msgr Kevin Hale
ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Readings for the Solemnity of The Assumption of BVM The Nicene Creed
Preface of The Assumption
ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Saturday 15th August
Saturday Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary
5.30pm Vigil Mass Peter James ("Jim") Scott, RIP (Anniv) (NW)
6.30pm—7.30 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
Sunday 16th August
ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
8am Mass Vincent Glauda RIP (Anniv) (KC)
9.30am Mass The People of the Parish
11.30am Mass Raymond Chantilly, RIP (Anniv) (LC)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Monday 17th
Feria of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
9am Mass Bernardette Perry, RIP (Anniv)
Tuesday 18th
St Helen, Widow
9am Mass All Souls in Belfairs (TR)
Wednesday 19th
St John Eudes, Pr
9am Mass Charles D'Souza, RIP (MF)
Thursday 20th
St Bernard, Ab, D
9am Mass Tom O’Callaghan, RIP & Rita O'Callaghan & Family, (LC)
Friday 21st
St Pius X, P
12Noon Mass John, Agnes & Susan Watkins, RIP (JW)
Saturday 22nd August
Our Lady, Mother and Queen
10am Mass Intentions of Ashly Anna Biju (AB)
10.30am—11.30 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
5.30pm Vigil Mass Intentions of Ita Sweeney—90th Birthday (AT)
6.30pm—7.30 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
Sunday 23rd August
Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time
8am Mass Morch McDonagh, RIP (TR)
9.30am Mass Margaret Owens, RIP (Anniv) (SO)
11.30am Mass The People of the Parish
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
We Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries
Canon Peter Prendergast, Canon Vincent Hurley, Fr Andrew Hurley, Fr George Gresley, Fr Sean Sheils, Fr John Cairns, Fr Arthur Ryan, Hugh Palmer, Helen Louise Enright, Dr Anna (Reggie) Kemmerling, Carmen Georges, Bridie Corrigan, Francis Bartley, Mary Attersley, Bernadette Perry, Andre Lince, Raymond Vaulbert de Chantilly, Annie Gallacher, John Walmsley, Margaret McFarlane, John Power, Marjorie Hook, Edwin Martin, Catherine Mcgowan, Noreen Seles, Edward shaver, Charles Roots, Mary Theresa Johnson, Denise Gianelli, Valerie Huntley, Rocco Forgione, Agnes Harding, Diane Seebold, Edith Seymour, Mary Saegar, Rhoda Addecott, Doreen Spaul, teresa Griffiths, Anna McCarthy, Ronald Abnett & Agnes Una Young.
We pray for our sick
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
THOMAS HADEN, RIP who died on Sunday, 19th July. His body will be received into the church on Wednesday, 26th August at 4.30pm and his Requiem Mass will take place on Thursday, 27th August at 1.30pm followed by committal at Southend Crematorium.
MICHELE FRANZOLIN, RIP who died recently.
Requiescant in pace
Elliot Dobie
Greetings!
My name is Elliot Dobie and I need your help. Most of you will know me from my time serving on the altar during Holy Mass, but maybe you didn’t know that I am currently discerning the priesthood, and part of this process is a year of discernment before fully entering seminary life.
I have chosen to do this with the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest and this candidacy year is a key period of time in forming and preparing men for seminary, but it costs, and therefore I am asking for financial help from the good parishioners of Our Lady of Lourdes and St Joseph.
To fundraise effectively and to allow people to get to know me, I am hosting (with the help of fellow parishioners) a lunch with a raffle on 6th September after the 11.30am Mass. We will be selling tickets in person after all Sunday Masses leading up to this date.
Any support is gratefully appreciated and you are all in my prayers. Elliot.
First Holy Communion 2027
If your child is going into Year 3 or above and you wish for them to make their First Holy Communion in May 2027, please submit the application by Friday 4th September.
This should be done via the parish website, under Sacraments - Communion
(https://lourdesleigh.org/sacraments)
We will be in touch after this date to confirm preparatory sessions for the children. Please note that these take place on a Saturday (once a month) at 4pm-5:15pm.
Certificates of Catholic Practice
Please note Fr Kevin will be issuing Certificates of Catholic Practice in September/October.
The Priests return to the Brentwood Diocese!
Fr. Eugene O'Hagan and Fr. Martin O'Hagan - formerly of the celebrated singing trio 'The Priests' - invite you to join them at a one-off charity weekend, hosted by and in support of the Brentwood Catholic Children's Society.
Choose from an elegant Gala Dinner or sophisticated Charity Luncheon, both being held at a stunning Grade II listed manor house. Enjoy fine dining and seize a rare opportunity to see Fr. Eugene and Fr. Martin perform in an intimate and exclusive setting - this is an occasion not to be missed!
9th-10th October at The Lawn, Rochford - for full details and to purchase tickets, please visit www.bccs.org.uk/get-involved/events-campaigns/ or contact Julie Abbott 07912 277413
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear friends in Christ
There is a moment in the Gospel that never loses its power.
Dear friends in Christ
There is a moment in the Gospel that never loses its power. The disciples are battling against the wind and the waves in the darkness of the night when they see Our Lord coming towards them, walking upon the sea. At first they are terrified, but then comes the reassuring voice: Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid. Peter, ever generous and impetuous, replies: Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water. At Christ's invitation, he steps out of the boat and, astonishingly, begins to walk upon the waves. Yet, as soon as his gaze shifts from Christ to the strength of the wind, fear enters his heart. He begins to sink and cries out those simple words which have become the prayer of every Christian: Lord, save me! Immediately Jesus stretches out His hand and takes hold of him.
The episode is far more than a miracle; it is a picture of the Christian life. The sea represents all those forces that threaten to overwhelm us: anxiety, disappointment, illness, uncertainty, the pressures of daily life, and even our own sins. The boat is the Church, sometimes tossed by storms, yet never abandoned by her Divine Master. Peter represents each one of us.
There are moments when faith seems effortless. Prayer comes easily, hope is strong, and the Lord feels close. There are other times when the winds rise, confidence falters, and we begin to look more at the difficulties than at Jesus. It is then that we discover an important truth: faith is not confidence in ourselves; it is confidence in Christ.
As we continue our journey through the summer months, perhaps with opportunities for rest and reflection, we might ask ourselves a simple question: where is my gaze fixed? If it is fixed only on the world's uncertainties, discouragement is inevitable. If it is fixed on Christ, then even amid the storms we shall know His peace.
The Lord still comes to us in the midst of life's troubled waters. He comes in the Holy Eucharist, in the quiet of prayer, in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and in the fellowship of His Church. His words have not changed: Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid. May we have the courage of Peter to step out in faith, the humility of Peter to cry for help when we fail, and the confidence of Peter to allow Christ to take us firmly by the hand.
God bless you all!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Saturday 8th August
St Dominic, Pr
5.30pm Vigil Mass The People of the Parish
6.30pm—7.30 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
Sunday 9th August
NINETEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
8am Mass Jim Monoghan, RIP (Anniv) (JA)
9.30am Mass Fred & Doreen Wall, RIP (Anniv) (LW)
11.30am Mass Bryan & Mary Sills (Golden Wedding Anniv) (MS)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Monday 10th
St Lawrence, Dc, M
9am Mass Deceased members of the Maguire Family (FM)
Tuesday 11th
St Clare, V
9am Mass Antonio Ciullo, RIP (CC)
Wednesday 12th
Feria of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
9am Mass Liam Armstrong, RIP (Anniv) (JA)
Thursday 13th
Feria of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
9am Mass Intentions of Joseph Lawrence Conlu
Friday 14th
St Maximillian Kolbe, Pr, M
12Noon Mass Ian Spacie, RIP (VS)
Saturday 15th August
Saturday Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary
10am Mass Frank Mann, RIP (Anniv) (RM)
10.30am—11.30 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
5.30pm Vigil Mass Peter James ("Jim") Scott, RIP (Anniv) (NW)
6.30pm—7.30 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
Sunday 16th August
ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
8am Mass Thomas Patrick Costello, RIP (Anniv) (KC)
9.30am Mass The People of the Parish
11.30am Mass Bernardette Perry, RIP (Anniv)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
We Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries
Fr Henry Tilley, Fr David Coghlan, Fr Hugh Verity, Fr David Papweorth, Fr Stephen Keane, Ethel Morgan, Patrick Blissett, DaranPersaud, Josephine Alani, Lily de Lobel, Maria Robinson, Vincent Glauda, Teresa Booty, Doris Lowe, Leonard Stevenson, Christopher Barrago, William Smith, Joseph Herinckx, Ronald Hall, Les Smith, Len Murray, James Jones, Dawn Pursey, John Dillon, Kathleen Horwood, Gerard Rogers, Magdalaine Rubeck, Philippa Soggre, Jean Kerr, Philomena Stone, Arthur John Watkins & Frank Mann.
We pray for our sick
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
THOMAS HADEN, RIP who died on Sunday, 19th July. His body will be received into the church on Wednesday, 26th August at 4.30pm and his Requiem Mass will take place on Thursday, 27th August at 1.30pm followed by committal at Southend Crematorium.
MICHELE FRANZOLIN, RIP who died recently.