Please pray for the repose of the souls of

ANGELA SANGSTER who died on Wednesday, 4th June. Her Requiem Mass will be held on Friday, 18th July at 10.30am followed by committal at Southend Crematorium.

KATHLEEN WILSON who died on Wednesday, 11th June. Her Requiem Mass will take place on Tuesday, 8th July at 10.30am followed by committal at Southend Crematorium.

JOHN CAFFERTY who died on Monday, 16th June. His Funeral will take place on Friday, 18th July at 1.30pm followed by committal at Southend Crematorium.

PAMELA UGLIETTI who died on Thursday, 19th June. Her Requiem Mass will take place on Wednesday, 30th July at 11am followed by committal at Southend Crematorium.

Requiescant in pace

Dates for your Diary

Friday 11th July—feast of St Benedict, Patron of Europe. The Schola of The Campion High School will sing at the midday Mass

Sunday, 20th July—Sea of Voices Summer Concert 3pm

Monday 21st—Friday 25th July—Lourdes Pilgrimage

Monday 8th September Centenary of the Opening of our Church

Sunday 14th September Parish Centenary Celebration 3pm

200 Club—A new focus on Vocations in Nigeria

For many years, our 200 Club has been an important way for our Parish to raise funds for various worthwhile causes (and a fun opportunity for participants to be the lucky winner of monthly cash prizes!)

The Parish Finance Committee has, after due research and consideration, decided to focus our 200 Club funds on a new project—Aid to the Church in Need’s project in Nigeria to provide support for vocations to the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, whose missionary priests are known as Spiritans. Nigeria is an important front line of the Church’s struggle in the face of violent ideology and persecution. Our fundraising will 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. Furthermore, we have our own experience of the Spiritans in our Diocese so it would be a good way of showing our gratitude and support to them.

There are some spare places available in the 200 Club. If you wish to join with a monthly regular donation of £5, forms are available at the back of the church. Alternatively, you can telephone Linda Wall on 01702 558217.

Sea of Voices Summer Concert

Tickets for £5 are now available for our Summer charity concert at the Lourdes Parish Centre on Sunday 20th July, 3pm, from the Parish office (Monday to Friday mornings) or from Darrell (contact below). Proceeds will go to Age Concern Southend. 

Offers of help with refreshments and donations of raffle prizes are very welcome; please contact Darrell Binding 07825686249.

Mini Vinnies

The next meeting for the Mini Vinnies will take place in the Parish Centre on Monday, 14th July from 5.15pm to 6.45pm. Mini Vinnie Committee.

Weekday Readers

Reading at weekday Mass - Volunteers welcome

Readers participating in the Liturgy of the Word play an essential role in the Mass, and the parish is looking for more volunteers to read.

On average people read about once every 2 weeks, and the rota is flexible to fit in with holiday and other commitments. You don't have to have read before and training can be provided. If you want to experience what reading would be like before deciding whether to read regularly, a one-off reading opportunity can be arranged too.

So if you would like to find out more and give reading a try, please go to the volunteering page on the website and send us your details Volunteer (lourdesleigh.org) and Jackie Sullens will be in touch. Thank you.

Faith, Friends and Food

Bringing together men within our Parish bonded by their common faith in our One Triune God and His One Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. What is this?

Men only group, 18+

Learning more about your faith and prayer life

Being more active within your Parish

Contributing ideas, volunteering

Socialising, food, drinks

Once a month

Widening your social circle to include other Catholics.

We are forming a new Parish men’s group for those who are wanting to form new friendships within our Parish and to generally learn more about their faith and to contribute ideas and to help. Whether you are fresh out from leaving college, taking care of your family, new to the Parish, retired and everything in between you are welcome to come along.

There’s no commitment, just a want to bring together men within our parish bonded by their common faith inner One Triune God and his One Holy, Catholic and Apostolic church.

For any questions about the group, or if interested and would like to attend our once monthly meet-ups, or would like to find out more, then please contact Martin on 07515931567.

MISSIO Red Boxes

I have received the Summer Issue of Mission Today. If you have not received one from me personally please take one from the back of the Church ( on the ledge in the usual place). If you have a box that needs emptying please give it to me personally or leave in the office and I will collect it. Thank you.
Joan Caunce Secretary 01268 757505

St Thomas More Open Evening

St. Thomas More High school - open evening, Thursday, 10th July 4.00p.m. to 7.00p.m. - for families who have a son due to transfer to secondary school in September 2026  -  come and see the school, meet the staff and pupils. 

The Headteachers talk will begin at 5.30pm.

Parents of boys who wish to apply to St. Thomas More School for a place in September 2026 should complete the local education authority single application form (saf) and fill in the supplementary information form (sif) that can be collected at the open evening.

If you are unable to come to the open evening, please contact the school in order to get the supplementary information form. The form can also be downloaded from the school web site:-

                                                   WWW.ST-THOMASMORE.SOUTHEND.SCH.UK

St John Bosco Children’s Camp 2025

For children aged 9-12 years old (school years 5-7), a week of great fun, activities including climbing wall and zip wire, fishing, football, archery and much more, all in a beautiful setting. The Camp has a Catholic ethos, and exists to give children a magnificent holiday. 26th July – 2nd August. For more details, and application information: www.boscocamp.co.uk. The Camp is a special work of Caritas Diocese of Brentwood.

If you are supporting a family to apply from within your parish or school, please do apply very soon to be sure of a place. The direct link for a child’s application is:https://Johnbsoco.formstack.com/forms/bosco_child_application_form_2025

ERCOL Table & Chairs

One of our parishioners has an Ercol table and four chairs which they no longer need. If you are interested, please contact Mrs Isaacs on 01702 713195.

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School & Nursery

Our family friendly nursery welcomes children from 2-4 years old. Our experienced team provide opportunities for all children to learn through play, inside and outside the classroom. We are pleased to offer spaces from September. Please contact the school office on 01702 475689 to book your visit.

Sanctuary Lamp

This week the Sanctuary Lamp burns for the intentions of the Davison Family and friends.

Please pray for the repose of the souls of

ANGELA SANGSTER who died on Wednesday, 4th June. Her Requiem Mass will be held on Friday, 18th July at 10.30am followed by committal at Southend Crematorium.

KATHLEEN WILSON who died on Wednesday, 11th June. Her Requiem Mass will take place on Tuesday, 8th July at 10.30am followed by committal at Southend Crematorium.

JOHN CAFFERTY who died on Monday, 16th June. His Funeral will take place on Friday, 18th July at 1.30pm followed by committal at Southend Crematorium.

PAMELA UGLIETTI who died on Thursday, 19th June. Her Requiem Mass will take place on Wednesday, 30th July at 11am followed by committal at Southend Crematorium.

Requiescant in pace

Dates for your Diary

Saturday 5th July—Flower Festival

Friday 11th July—feast of St Benedict, Patron of Europe. The Schola of The Campion High School will sing at the midday Mass

Sunday, 20th July—Sea of Voices Summer Concert 3pm

Monday 21st—Friday 25th July—Lourdes Pilgrimage

Monday 8th September Centenary of the Opening of our Church

Sunday 14th September Parish Centenary Celebration 3pm

Music at 11.30am Mass

Prelude: Aria—Domenico Zipoli (1688—1726)

Postlude:  Marche Pontificale—Charles Gounod (1818—1893)

Clergy Appointments

PARISH PRIESTS

Fr Britto Belevendran—From Wickford to Upton Park

Fr Rick Fernandez—From Lexden to Becontree

Fr Matthias Baidoo—From South Woodham Ferrers/Danbury to Lexden

Fr Angelus Houle—From Upton Park to South Woodham Ferrers/Danbury

Fr Philip Okoli—Colchester from Assistant to Parish Priest

Fr Damien Wade—From Assistant, Chelmsford, Our Lady Immaculate to Wickford.

PAROCHIAL ADMINISTRATORS

Fr Frank Westcott—To Ongar

Fr Gary Dench—Appointed as Parochial Administrator of Ingatestone and will remain as Parish Priest of Hutton

 ASSISTANT PRIESTS

Fr Michael Barwick—From Walthamstow Our Lady & St George to Chelmsford, Our Lady Immaculate

Fr Jude Kurumeh CSSp—New to Diocese  from Spiritans, Rome to Hornchurch St Mary

Fr Cherian John-Syro Malankara—New to Diocese  from Syro-Malankara, Kerala to Hornchurch English Martyrs

Fr Ebeneezer Annobil—New to Diocese from Cape Coast, Ghana to Colchester

Fr Shajin Jose Anthony—New to Diocese from Trivandrum to Walthamstow

Fr Alfonso Heredia RCJ—New to Diocese from Rogationists, Italy to Westcliff/Rochford.

RETIREMENTS

Monsignor Christopher Brooks will retire as Parish Priest of Colchester.

Canon Peter Connor will retire as Parish Priest of Ingatestone.

Fr Gerry Drummond will retire as Parish Priest of Rochford.

These appointments take effect from the first weekend in September.

Weekday Readers

Reading at weekday Mass - Volunteers welcome

Readers participating in the Liturgy of the Word play an essential role in the Mass, and the parish is looking for more volunteers to read.

On average people read about once every 2 weeks, and the rota is flexible to fit in with holiday and other commitments. You don't have to have read before and training can be provided. If you want to experience what reading would be like before deciding whether to read regularly, a one-off reading opportunity can be arranged too.

So if you would like to find out more and give reading a try, please go to the volunteering page on the website and send us your details Volunteer (lourdesleigh.org) and Jackie Sullens will be in touch. Thank you.

Baptisms

We congratulate the parents of Joey Petra and Luke Segovia O’Sullivan who were Baptised recently at Our Lady of Lourdes.  May God bless them and their families as they grow in His knowledge and love.

OLOL Ladies Group

Our next Meeting is on Thursday 3rd July from 9.30am, all ladies in the Parish are welcome and subs are £1   per meeting.

Jo Ronan will be hosting one of her popular Art & Craft mornings, so there will be plenty of opportunity to bring out that ‘inner artist’, and perhaps also make something for the forthcoming Flower and Craft Festival in the Church.

As usual, refreshments are available plus a fun Raffle. (Donations for the Raffle will be very welcome).     

Advance Notice:  Our end of term Buffet lunch party is on 17th July. Entrance is by ticket only, cost £6.  There are only very few tickets left as numbers for the lunch are limited so please book as soon as possible.