The next Baptism Course will be held on Tuesdays 6th and 13th March at 8pm in Parish centre. Please telephone Diane Watts on 01702 478396.
Mass Intentions
When a Mass is requested, we will allocate a date if you specifically request one (e.g. an anniversary or similar), otherwise the intention will be written in the Mass Intention Book, and it will be offered when it comes round in the order in which they are booked. Please indicate if you would be happy if the Mass is celebrated outside the Parish (especially in cases where there are many requests for the same person; the Mass can often be offered by another priest sooner).
Hopefully this will prevent the diary from becoming full weeks ahead, especially when someone requires a date urgently for someone.
Gift Aid Envelopes
New boxes of envelopes for those in the Gift Aid Scheme will be available for collection on 10th/11th and 17th/18th March. If you wish to gift aid your weekly offering by using envelopes, please complete a Gift Aid Form, available at the back of Church, and either hand it in to the Parish office or place it in the offertory collection. You will then receive a box of envelopes for your weekly collection.
Rotas
The March Eucharistic Ministers & Readers Rotas and tea/coffee Rotas for the Parish Centre are now available for collection at the back of Church.
Counters & Folders
Counters: Mary Cook & Jacky Hoggett
Folders: Bob Hall & Pauline Jordan
Thank you from ‘Serving the Homeless’
The ‘Serving the Homeless Committee would like to extend their thanks to all the parishioners who contributed to the collection for Homelessness Sunday on 27th and 28th January, or who have made subsequent donations. You raised the magnificent sum of £1839.70. Your generosity means that we can continue to finance projects which not only help meet local people’s immediate needs but also help people out of homelessness.
We have our Annual General meeting on 12th March at 7.30 at St. Margaret’s Church Hall, Lime Ave Leigh. We would welcome anyone who would like to find out more about what we do. (But don’t worry you won’t be forced to join!)
Our next event is a meal at East on 22nd March at 7.30. Tickets are £15 and are available from Linda, 558217, Theresa, 335122 or from Jo 474062.
HARP
Our very sincere thanks to all the parishioners who have donated to HARP, both financially and with food, scarves and gloves, over the past few months. These donations been greatly appreciated. This month's wish list is: bottles of squash, UH.T milk, deodorants and shower gel
Lourdes Jumbulance Trip 2018
The Southend Across group has 2 spaces on the JUMBULANCE for any male pilgrim who, through I'll health or disability requires care and support. We leave for Lourdes on June 14th and return on June 23rd. For more information on costs etc., please contact Sheila Hussey on 07929241469.
Parish/Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes Monday 23rd - Saturday 28th July 2018
Five nights (full board) travelling with British Airways via Toulouse and staying at the Grand Moderne Hotel will cost £665 per pilgrim. Please indicate your interest by putting your name on the list in the Parish Office.
Lenten Lunches
These popular lunches started again on Friday 16th February, 12.30pm to 2pmin the Parish Centre and continue throughout Lent. For £5 come and enjoy homemade soup, bread and fruit. All proceeds to charity.
PARISH FUNDRAISING
Thank you to everyone who supports the 200 Club. The results of the January draw are as follows:
1st prize £150 1 Mr J Peoples
2nd Prize £100 121 Mrs A Craig
3rd Prize £75 114 Mr N Warwick-Brown
4th Prize £50 154 Mr N Strauss
5th Prize £25 134 Mr D Little
The 200 Club continues to provide funds to support the running of the Parish Centre. Forms are available from the back of the church or ring Linda Wall on 01702 558217.
Journey of Faith (RCIA)
A series of informal talks, designed to give an insight into the teachings and traditions of the Catholic church, continues on Monday 26th February at 8pm in the Parish Centre with Penance and Anointing the Sick. You are welcome to attend some or all of these talks; if you would like more information please speak to Fr Kevin.
Dates for your Diary
12th & 19th May First Holy Communions
20th May Confirmation
EVANGELISATION & DISCIPLESHIP PROJECT
Last Tuesday we began our Forming Intentional Disciples initiative with a meeting in the Gilbert Room. Thank you so much for your support for this initiative which we hope will produce confidence and growth in our Parish community. If you couldn't make the first meeting, DON'T LET THAT STOP YOU! You will still be welcome at our next meeting on Tuesday 27th February at 7:30pm in the Gilbert Room when we will begin studying Sherry Weddell's book Forming Intentional Disciples together. This programme has transformed and deepened the faith of many people. For those who already intend to come to the next meeting, why not start your evangelisation training now by inviting two other people from the parish to join you at the next meeting? Please remember to pray for this ongoing initiative.
Please pray for the repose of the soul of
Pamina Edgeley, RIP who died on Tuesday 20th February. Her body will be received into the Church at 5pm on Wednesday 7th March and her Requiem Mass will be celebrated on Thursday 8th March at 9.30am.
Sanctuary Lamp
The lamp burns for the deceased members of the Caunce Family.
Please Pray for the Dead on their anniversaries
Mgr Canon Jules van Meenen, Fr Clifford Beecroft, Fr David Chapman, Fr John Wall, Fr Gerard Murphy, Anne Florece, Marie Bartley, Violet Nottle, Mary Sobota, Beau Winter-Myers, Maddalena Forte, Ronald Kitto, Janet Hurley, Michael Nils Irons, John Holland, Violet Smith, Adolphus Miller, Claire Sharpe, Sarah Bent, Emily Norwood, May Cooper, Mabel Smith, Michael Kiernan, Rose Brookes, Christopher Kolwitz, Joe North, Joshua Peace, Cecil Ford, Harvey Martin, Gertrude Ettershank, Stephen Fontana, George Holding, Paul Vermeulen, Patricia Hopper, Ada Chapp, Jim Acaster, Michael Sheaf, Miss A Till, Amy Wood, Margaret Blissett, Catherine Byrne, Ruby Ravinet, Giovanni Puglisi, Patricia McBreaty, Michael Flynn & Aoife O’Sullivan.
May their Souls & the Souls of all the Faithful Departed rest in peace.
First Sunday of Lent
Dear Friends in christ
Lent begins each year with the account of the temptations of Jesus in the wilderness. We enter these Forty Days spiritually with Him, seeking inner purification and conversion. Each of us has need of this process as does the whole Church at this time. However, holiness begins with each of us individually and resolutely turning again toward The Lord. The way we do this is personal, but because we are members of Christ’s Body, the Church, it is also achieved as a family. May each of us live these days of grace with the realisation that we are children of God, Who calls us into deeper relationship with Him here and now, by prayer, fasting and works of mercy.
First Sunday of Lent
FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT - Sunday 18th February
Saturday 5.30pm Vigil Mrs Bridie Conneely, RIP (MM)
6.30pm–7.30pm Exposition & Confession
8.00am Mass Guy Bragard, RIP (GB)
9.30am Mass Neil O’Keefe, RIP (Anniv) (UO)
11.30am Mass The People of the Parish
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
6.15pm Body in Church Barbara Sheaf, RIP
Monday 19 Feria
11.00am Requiem Mass Barbara Sheaf, RIP
Tuesday 20 Feria
9.00am Mass Margaret Martin & Patrick Nolan, RIP (AM)
Wednesday 21 Feria
9.00am Mass Fr Anthony McKentey, RIP (UO’K)
Thursday 22 THE CHAIR OF ST PETER
9.00am Mass Intentions of Teresa O’Brien (Rosary Group)
Friday 23 Feria
6.30am Mass Adrian Dann, RIP (MI)
12Noon Mass Intentions of Juan Ayerbe (CB)
8.00pm Stations of the Cross & Benediction
Saturday 24 Feria
10.00am Mass John Mansfield, RIP (Anniv)(PM)
NO Exposition & Confession
SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT - Sunday 25th February
Saturday 5.30pm Vigil The People of the Parish
6.30pm–7.30pm Exposition & Confession
8.00am Mass John Holland, RIP (Anniv)(MH)
9.30am Mass Jim & Teena Rockell, Fred & Doreen Wall, RIP (K&LW)
11.30am Mass Intentions of the Rubbert Family (R&TO’C)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
The Southend Deanery in the Diocese of Brentwood
Presents a series of Four Lent Talks at Nazareth House-
Thursday Evenings in Lent, beginning at 7.30pm - ending with devotions and Benediction -
Priests available to hear Confessions.
‘The Ministries to which we are called’ Thursday February 22nd
Fr. Gerry Drummond, Parish Priest of Rochford and Hockley and Catholic Chaplain to Southend Hospital.
The Pastoral Care of the Sick and the Dying Thursday March 1st
Brian Holt-President of the Comitium for the Legion of Mary
‘Be it done unto me…’ Thursday March 8th
Fr. Graham Smith, Parish Priest of Southend and Prittlewell, Diocesan Director of Vocations
‘Here I am Lord’ Thursday March 15th
Speaker to be confirmed: The Pastoral Formation of our Young People
Abbotswick and Beyond…