A Bible Study with Dr Brant Pitre
"Why We Believe – A Bible Study with Dr Brant Pitre
Join us this autumn for Why We Believe, a fascinating Bible study exploring the big questions people ask about the Catholic faith — from "Does God exist?" to the Eucharist, Confession, Mary, and Purgatory. Reasonable, biblical and beautiful, this series is for everyone: cradle Catholics, those returning to the Church, or simply the curious. No theology background needed — come as you are, questions welcome!
Two ways to join:
Mondays, 10.30am, starting 7 September
Wednesdays, 7.30pm, starting 16 September
Both sessions run at the Parish Centre. All are welcome!"
Further info from Heather Ward 07885737393, heatherward55@gmail.com
Journey in Faith—RCIA
This begins on Monday 12th October at 7.30pm 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 are held in the Parish Centre and last for one hour. Names may be given in advance to Father Kevin or to the Parish Office.
Those interested in reading or learning more before the course begins may wish to purchase a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church from the Catholic Truth Society, or listen to The Catechism in a Year podcast with Fr Mike Schmitz.
OLOL Ladies Group
Our first Meeting for the new Term is on Thursday 10th September at 10am in the Parish Centre. New members are welcome to attend any of our meetings. Subs remain at £1 per session plus a fun Raffle.
For this Meeting we are having a light hearted Beatle Drive so do come and join in the fun or just enjoy a relaxing time meeting friends old and new.
NB it would be very much appreciated if any ladies could donate Raffle prizes.
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.
Seniors Exercise & Balance Class
The Exercise class for seniors will resume after the summer break on Tuesday 1st September.
The class runs from 10.00am-11.00 am in the Parish Centre and can be done seated or standing.
Please feel free to join us even if you have not been before.
It is £6 per session and you are encouraged to bring a bottle of water.
Jo Ronan
Repository News
We are happy to say we will be back on 5th/6th September with some new stock, including a larger collection of greetings cards for almost every occasion.
Please feel free to browse or ask one of the volunteers for help if you can't find what you are looking for.
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
Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear friends in Christ
The Gospel for this Sunday brings us to one of the most important moments in the life of the Apostles..
Dear friends in Christ
The Gospel for this Sunday brings us to one of the most important moments in the life of the Apostles. At Cæsarea Philippi, Our Lord asks a question which is addressed not only to Peter and the Twelve, but to every Christian in every generation: “Who do you say that I am?”
There were many opinions about Jesus. Some thought that He was John the Baptist, others Elijah, or one of the prophets. But Peter gives the answer which lies at the heart of our Christian faith: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” This is more than an expression of admiration for Jesus. Peter is proclaiming who Jesus truly is. He is the Messiah, the Son of God, the Saviour of the world. And Our Lord tells Peter that this faith has not come from human wisdom alone: “flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.”
Then comes that extraordinary promise: “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church.” From that moment, Peter receives a unique ministry of service within the Church. The keys of the Kingdom are entrusted to him, and the Church is given the assurance that, despite the weakness of her human members, the powers of death will never overcome her.
In his first Mass with the Cardinals after his election, our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV reflected precisely upon this Gospel and upon the mystery of succeeding the Apostle Peter. He spoke of receiving the treasure of the Faith so that he might be its “faithful administrator” for the good of the whole Church. The Pope's ministry reminds us that the Church does not belong to any particular Pope, priest, generation or culture. The Church belongs to Christ. The Pope is called to serve the faith which Peter confessed: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Pope Leo has also reminded us that the Petrine ministry is fundamentally a ministry of service and charity. At the beginning of his Petrine ministry, he spoke of the Church's authority as being rooted not in worldly power but in the self-giving love of Christ.
There is great encouragement here for all of us. We do not have to be perfect before Christ can use us. Peter was impulsive, fearful and at times deeply mistaken. Yet the Lord did not abandon him. He purified his faith, strengthened him through grace, and made him the shepherd of His Church. May we have the grace of Peter to make that profession of faith with conviction. And may we pray especially for Pope Leo, that the Lord will strengthen him in his Petrine ministry, preserve him in the faith, and grant him wisdom, courage and holiness as he leads the Church.
And may Our Lady, Mother of the Church, obtain for us the grace to remain faithful to her Son and united in the one faith handed down from the Apostles. “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” That is the confession upon which the Church stands, and it is the confession which leads us, ultimately, to eternal life. God bless you!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings of Year A
The Nicene Creed
Preface of Sunday 1
Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time
Saturday 22nd August
Our Lady, Mother and Queen
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
Monday 24th
St Bartholomew, Ap
9am Mass Intentions of Biju Cherian & Cissy Biju (Wedding Anniv)
Tuesday 25th
St Louis, K
9am Mass Intentions of the McDonagh Family (TR)
Wednesday 26th
Bl Dominic of the Mother of God, Pr
9am Mass Basil Emmerson, RIP (Anniv) (AE)
4.30pm Body in Church Thomas Haden
Thursday 27th
St Monica
9am Mass Marian Payne, RIP (Anniv) (VP)
1.30pm Requiem Mass Thomas Haden
Friday 28th
St Augustine, Bp, D
12Noon Mass Valerie Griggs, RIP & Dec'd Members of the Moon Family (SM)
Saturday 29th August
The Passion of St John the Baptist
10am Mass James McDonagh, RIP (LMcC)
10.30am—11.30 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
5.30pm Vigil Mass Private Intention (SD)
6.30pm—7.30 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
Sunday 30th August
Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
8am Mass The People of the Parish
9.30am Mass Ellen Theresa Corcoran, RIP & Margaret McDonagh, RIP (LMcC)
11.30am Mass Jennifer McDonough, RIP (MR)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
We Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries
Canon Vincent Cameron, Fr Bernard Collings, Fr Brian McWilliams, Fr Colin Watling, Eileen Shears, Christopher Poulain, Sadie Marlow, John Ryan, Valerie Griggs, Marian Hart, Dorothy Scott, Stephen McGough, Stephen Cornell, Margaret Acaster, Col Ernest G Petter, Bernard Squires, John Lowndes, Louise Newman, Veronica Maguire, Margaret Owens, Alan Tate, Mary Francis (Molly) Horn, Basil Emmerson, Stella Stanley, William Pearson, Peter James Scott, Kathleen Shanahan, Charles Capon, Nellie Aynsley, Marjorie Clarke, Sheila King, Marian Payne, Vivien Payne, Martin Payne, Joseph Sicheri, Vera Goldman, Margaret Knight, Antoni Byczynski & Campbell Coe.
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.
ROGER TISI, RIP who died on Saturday, 15th August. His Requiem Mass will take place on Thursday, 10th September at St Joseph’s Church, Upminster.
Requiescant in pace
Journey in Faith—RCIA
This begins on Monday 12th October at 7.30pm 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 are held in the Parish Centre and last for one hour. Names may be given in advance to Father Kevin or to the Parish Office.
Those interested in reading or learning more before the course begins may wish to purchase a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church from the Catholic Truth Society, or listen to The Catechism in a Year podcast with Fr Mike Schmitz.
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 on 6th September after the 11.30am Mass. Tickets are limited, and we will be selling these after all Sunday Masses for the next two weekends. There will be a raffle on the day.
Tickets cost £10 per person and will include a ploughman’s lunch, followed by home-made cake, tea, coffee or a soft drink.
If you are unable to attend the lunch and would like to make a donation, you can do so via my fundraiser at https://gofund.me/ac2eeabd0
Any support is gratefully appreciated and you are all in my prayers. Elliot.
Parish Fundraising—200 Club
The winners of the July draw are:
1st Prize £150 121 Mrs A Craig
2nd Prize £100 198 Miss l Hall
3rd Prize £75 1 Mr J Peoples
4th Prize £25 78 Mr Martin O’Brien
The funds raised from the 200 Club now contributes 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 and are part of Aid to the Church in Need.
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.
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.