Kevin Hale
Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear friends in Christ

We are between the two beautiful Marian feasts of the Assumption of Mary last Friday, and her Queenship next Friday.

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Kevin Hale
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear friends in Christ

The liturgy is a lesson in vigilance this Sunday: because the enemy never rests, and love never sleeps.

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Kevin Hale
Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear friends in Christ

The message of the liturgy of this Sunday is stark: our life on earth is brief!

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Kevin Hale
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear friends in Christ

We have just completed, and returned from, our Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Kevin Hale
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today’s Gospel recounts the arrival of Jesus to visit his friends Martha, Mary and Lazarus at Bethany. Jesus would often stop at their house to rest and eat with them. He felt at home there, surrounded by their warmth and affection.

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Celebrate our Faith Together

Celebrate your faith

This year our parish mission enlivened our faith and in September we will be celebrating a hundred years of our parish’s worship & witness in Leigh. So what better time to go deeper into our faith, growing in understanding & knowledge?

From September until Easter 2026 there will be an opportunity to watch & discuss a series of video talks by Brant Pitre, author of books like Jesus the Bridegroom & Jesus & the Last Supper. He is a very lively & engaging speaker who can open our hearts & minds to the depths & treasures of our faith.

We will be holding regular meetings in the parish centre but for those who want to join in from home it’s possible to buy audio & video versions of the talks from www.brantpitre.com.

Normally meetings will run from 7 to 9.30 pm to give ample time for a break, questions & discussion. It would be helpful to bring with you whatever you use for making notes. No need to book – just come!

Ist October   The Case for Jesus - “Who do you say I am?”
This talk has something for everyone - if you want to deepen your understanding of Jesus; if you are sometimes not sure how you would answer this question; if you are hesitant about explaining your belief in Jesus to someone who challenges it. 

It looks at questions such as
Are the Gospels history or fiction?
Did Jesus claim to be God?
Is Jesus divine in all four Gospels? Or only in John?
What is the evidence for the Resurrection?  

22nd October A Biblical Explanation of the Mass
Pope Benedict XVI said that in order for Christians to actively and fruitfully participate in the Mass we must understand “the meaning of the signs contained in the rites” . In this talk Brant Pitre helps us towards this understanding by explaining the biblical meanings of the most significant moments of the Mass.

12th & 26th November, 10 December
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

Artificial Intelligence and Catholic Social Teaching

AI is a new, exciting, and fast developing tool that is being used in most aspects of society. But are there drawbacks of this new technology that contradict the moral teachings of the Church? Join us on Thursday 9th October 2025 in Sacred Heart Church hall as we discuss AI through the perspective of Catholic Social Teaching - the positives, the negatives, and what it could mean for the future of humanity. Please contact southend@brcdt.org if you have any questions.

 

Canonisation of Blessed Carlo Acutis and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati

On Sunday 7th September 2025 two young men will be canonised as Saints by Pope Leo XIV. Both of these men were exceptionally faithful and dedicated their lives to our Lord during times where faith was difficult to uphold. Please join us on Wednesday 3rd September 2025 at 7PM in Sacred Heart Church Hall as we discuss what it means to be named a Saint and what lead both these men to their canonisation. Please contactsouthend@brcdt.org if you have any questions.

Journey of Faith—RCIA

This begins on Monday, 22nd September 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.

Please pray for the repose of the souls of

PATRICIA MANSFIELD who died on Wednesday, 30th July. Her funeral will be held at 10am on Thursday, 28th August at Southend Crematorium.

PAUL SUTTON who died on Friday, 8th August. Funeral details to follow.

JOSEPHINE ALANI who died on Saturday, 9th August. Funeral details to follow.

KATHLEEN HORWOOD who died on Tuesday, 12th August. Funeral details to follow.

Requiescant in pace

CENTENARY OF THE PARISH CHURCH

This year we are celebrating the one hundredth anniversary of the opening and dedication of our beautiful Parish Church. The Centenary of the Parish was celebrated in 2012 when Bishop McMahon came to join with us in marking that important milestone. A very informative Parish History was published on that occasion and is available again at the back of church (priced five pounds). Before the present church was built, Mass was celebrated in homes and then in the army drill hall (which later became the Parish Hall) before the construction of the present building by Canon Francis Gilbert. It was opened and blessed by him on 8th September 1925 and consecrated later that year by the Bishop. The site was further enhanced in 2013 with the opening of the new Parish Centre, which architecturally mirrors the church itself. It is fitting that the feast of the Birthday of Our Blessed Lady signalled the opening of our church, dedicated to the Blessed Mother and St Joseph. Therefore on Monday, 8th September, we shall celebrated Holy Mass in Thanksgiving for all the graces that God has seen fit to bestow on countless souls in our beautiful church, these past hundred years.

The Church is the People of God and each individual Parish is a family of souls who gather for the worship of God in the Sacred Liturgy. Our churches are more than just bricks and mortar, since they represent God’s Faithful People who gather there to worship Him. St Peter says that you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. That is why the church building is also sacred and important, since the stones of the church and the Altar, have been consecrated (with sacred Chrism) and thus dedicated to God’s service. We shall remember all those who gave of their time and resources to make our church a place fitting for the praise of the Almighty. Do keep 8th September free for the Solemn Mass at 7pm.

On the following Sunday, 14th September—feast of The Triumph of the Cross—there will be an hour of musical celebration in the church from 3–4pm with contributions from Our Lady of Lourdes Primary, St Bernard’s & St Thomas More High Schools, and the Parish Sea of Voices Choir. Both of these occasions will be followed by a reception in the Parish Centre. With these celebrations we will mark another joyful milestone in the life of our Parish Family. 

Lourdes Pilgrimage - Thank You from the Parish Youth

We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who supported our pilgrimage to Lourdes this year! It was such an incredible week, full of opportunities to help others, strengthen our faith, and spend time together as a group. We met so many inspiring people and had experiences that we’ll never forget. The quiz night was fun and we’re so grateful for all the generous donations people made, both on the night and directly. Knowing that the Parish was behind us meant so much, and we made sure to keep everyone in our prayers throughout the trip, especially at the Grotto. We’ve come home with so many good memories, a deeper sense of what Lourdes is all about, and a real appreciation for the support of our Parish community. We really hope even more people can join us next year – it’s an experience like no other!

Thanks again,
Joseph, Luke, Mary & Roisin

Journey of Faith—RCIA

This begins on Monday, 22nd September 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.