The Governing Body of St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Canvey Island, is looking for new Foundation Governors in this exciting time of improvement and change in the life of their school. If you are interested, please contact the Chair of Governors, JoAnna, on: jfleming@stjosephscanvey.net.”
Sanctuary Lamp
This week the Sanctuary Lamp burns for all the souls in purgatory..
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
Dates for your Diary
Monday 1st December Journey in Faith (RCIA) 8pm Parish Centre
12th December—Jesus and the Jewish Roots of Advent 7pm Parish Centre
Thursday 27th-Saturday 29th November—Forty Hours’ Prayer
Sunday 30th November—Sea of Voices Christmas Charity Concert 3pm
Sunday 7th December—Christmas Bazaar 8am to 1pm
Friday 19th December—Annual Carol Service
Saturday 16th May 10.30am—First Holy Communion Mass
Sunday 7th June—Corpus Christi Procession 4pm
Sunday 19th to Friday 24th July—Lourdes Pilgrimage
Music at 11.30am Mass
Prelude:
Postlude:
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.
Sea of Voices Choir Annual Christmas Event
Our annual Christmas charity concert (‘Carols & Cakes’) will be held on Sunday 30th November at the Parish Centre from 3pm. Tickets are now available from the Parish office or from choir members. The proceeds will be donated to Hearing Help Essex Charity.
Once again, we welcome any kind donations of raffle prizes, homemade/shop bought cakes and help with teas and coffees etc. Please contact Darrell on 07825686249 email seaofvoiceschoir@outlook.com.
Parish Centre
Please note that the Parish Centre will be closed at 1.30pm on Sundays.
Parish Christmas Bazaar - Sunday 7th December, 8.30am - 1.00pm
We’re getting ready for our Parish Christmas Bazaar, and we need your help to make it a wonderful success! This year the Bazaar will be on Sunday 7th December, running all morning from 8.30am until 1pm. Put the date in your diary and come along for breakfast and a little shopping too! Draw tickets are now available from the church office or the back of church after all masses!
If you are free to offer an hour or two on the day, please call or message Sue on 07816 141492.
Donations Needed for Our Parish Christmas Bazaar
Alll donations are most welcome but we’re especially looking for donations of:
Unwanted bottles of alcohol – perfect for our bottle tombola and raffle prizes.
Unwanted jewellery – costume or fine, to add sparkle to our jewellery stall.
Unwanted toiletries – always popular on our “Smellies” stall!
If you have any of these items tucked away at home, please consider donating them to support the Parish.
Donations can be left in the old Baptistry. If you need us to collect, (locally), just give us a call
Please bring cake donations to the Parish Centre during the day on Friday, Saturday or early Sunday morning.
Sue 07816 141492 Angela 07940 183452
Every contribution helps – and together, we can make this year’s Bazaar the best yet!
Thank you for your generosity and continued support.
Repository
We now have a selection of Advent Calendars for children and for Adults a selection of New Year Calendars, plus Christmas cards. We have a few Mantillas for sale and a few copies of the 3 year Sunday Missal available, plus our usual stock of beautiful Rosaries and Statues.
Please come and browse, if you have any queries the Volunteers will be happy to assist you.
Please note that next weekend 6th-7th December we will be having a Repository stall at the Christmas Bazaar so please come and visit us for your cards and gifts.
Journey of Faith—RCIA
This continues on Monday, 1st 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.
Celebrate our Faith Together
10 December - 7pm in the Parish Hall
Jesus and the Jewish Roots of Advent
If sometimes Advent gets lost in all the preparation for Christmas these talks, which focus on the Sunday Mass readings for Advent, will enable us to understand its deeper meaning & so lead us to a fuller, joyful celebration of Christmas.
If you’d like to know more please contact Heather Ward, 07885 737393, heatherward55@gmail.com
New Balance and Strength Training Class for Seniors
The class has finished early for Christmas due to Val's heavy workload commitments in December.
We will start the classes again on Tuesday, 6th January at 10.00am. If you have not been yet, but would like to give it a try, join us on 6th January. Each session is £6.00 and all equipment is provided.
Young Vincentians
The next meeting for the Young Vincentians will take place in the Parish Centre this Monday, 1st December from 5.15pm. Young Vincentian Committee.
St Bernard's Sixth Form Open Evening
THURSDAY 4TH DECEMBER 2025—FROM 6.30PM TO 8.30PM—Headteacher's Talk at 6:45PM
View our facilities and speak with teachers and staff about our courses and the opportunities we offer. We offer a large range of subjects achieving excellent results including GEOGRAPHY, HISTORY, MATHS, MEDIA
STUDIES, PSYCHOLOGY, SOCIOLOGY, BIOLOGY, HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE, CHEMISTRY, AND PHYSICS.
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.
Parish Fundraising
200 CLUB
The winners of the draw this month are:
1st Prize £150 73 Mrs M C N T Clark
2nd Prize £100 144 Mrs N Bridgeman
3rd Prize £75 13 Mrs C Harris
4th Prize £25 111 Mr P Whines
The funds raised from the 200 Club will now contribute 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.
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.
Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine & County Mayo
Led by Bishop Alan Williams. Monday 15th June 2026. £799pps. Price includes flight from London Stansted, 10kg hold luggage, 4 nights’ in Knock House Hotel with Dinner, Bed & Breakfast. All entertainment, excursions and transport included. Visit Knock Shrine, Ballintubber Abbey, Fr. Peyton Centre & Kylemore Abbey. Single supplement on Enquiry.
Contact 01268 762 278 or 07740 175557 or email knockpilgrimages@gmail.com.
Bishop Thomas McMahon, RIP
Bishop Thomas McMahon RIP 1936—2025
Here is a link to his Obituary:
http://www.dioceseofbrentwood.net/news/diocese-mourns-bishop-thomas-mcmahon-rip/
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/