Dear friends in Christ
Shortly after the Annunciation Mary went to visit her cousin Elizabeth.
Dear friends in Christ
The title of this Third Sunday of Advent takes its name from the Entrance Antiphon—or Introit—of the Mass: Gaudete in Domino semper: iterum dico, gaudete. Dominus enim prope est…Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say rejoice.
Dear friends in Christ
Throughout Advent the Church uses the voice of the Old Testament prophets to assist us in the task of preparing a way for the Messiah.
Dear friends in Christ
I would like to begin Advent by sharing with you some helpful lines from a sermon on Advent by Monsignor Ronald Knox, preached in 1947:
Everybody knows, even those of us who have lived most unadventurously, what it is to plod on for miles, it seems, eagerly straining your eyes towards the lights that, somehow, mean home.
Would you be able to spare a couple of hours from 8.30am on a Monday morning to assist with the counting?
You would be part of a team counting the cash taken in the various collections.
Ideally you should have a liking for figures and be able to input into basic spreadsheets. There's a fortnightly rota but you may need to cover absences.
If you can help, please contact the Parish office on 01702 478078 or email office@lourdesleigh.org
May we remind you to please only park in a designated parking space in the church courtyard. This is for health and safety reasons. If there are no spaces available, then the courtyard is full!
The Holy Father invites all Catholics to support his charity for World Missions through a special collection. To donate use the Mission envelopes (at the back of the Church) and please take a Missio Prayer card. The ways to donate are on the envelope. See also the poster at the back of the Church.
Thank you Joan Caunce Secretary 01268 757505
Our next meeting is on Thursday 24th October at 10am in the Parish Centre. New members are always welcome, subs remain at just £1 per session plus a fun Raffle.
Next week we have a return visit from Jacky Sullens who will be continuing her tale of life in the Civil Service. Many of you will remember Jacky’s previous talk about her career and this time we have part 2 which will include the highs and lows of Elections. …….
We are pleased to announce that our Annual Parish Bazaar is back once again and we need your help and generosity. If you have any unwanted gifts, toiletries, bottles, raffle prizes or bric-a-brac that you would like to donate, please leave them in the Old Baptistry.
If you would like to help on the Saturday to help set up, or on the Sunday, please contact us.
Sue Lawford—07816 141492
Angela Clements—07940 183452—email angelaclements47@gmail.com.
The Repository is open after Masses at the weekend and Parishioners are welcome to come and browse. We have a large selection of cards for various occasions, plus some beautiful statues and Rosaries.
We will shortly have a small stock of the new CTS Sunday Missal and you are welcome to place your order in advance to avoid disappointment.
This continues on Monday, 21st October 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.
Join a group for faithful young adults for faith based discussions. Presentations on relevant theological or ethical issues, evening prayer, exposition and benediction.
If you are interested then contact Max on 07783506474 for more information or to confirm your place. Food and drink will be provided.
The first session: Monday 28th October at 18:30pm in Sacred Heart Church Hall (SS1 2QB) featuring a presentation by Fr. Graham Smith titled: Gender Ideology: A Catholic Perspective.
Are you interested in finding out more about us? If so, why not come along to an informal gathering, have a talk to one of our group, pick up a leaflet and have a cup of tea.
One lady has joined after contacting Aylesford Priory. She had no idea there was a group meeting once a month at Our Lady of Lourdes.
We are meeting on Saturday, 26th October from 3pm to 4pm in the Parish Centre. All welcome—or contact Julie on 01702 330096.
This will be held at The Mill Hall Arts & Events Centre, Bellingham Lane, Rayleigh SS6 7ED on Sunday 3rd November from 10.30am - 4pm. There is free parking at the venue and admission is only £1.50 for adults and free for children under 14. There will be over 40 stalls selling many unique crafts, gifts and handmade fare so come along and pick up some early Christmas presents. BCCS will have its own stall selling donated gifts and crafts and there will be a fundraising raffle during the event. If you have any crafts, unopened gifts or homemade jams and chutneys you would like to donate to us and are able to drop off to our premises in Billericay, we would be delighted to receive them
SCHOOL CHAPLAIN
Part-time, three days a week, term time only, 8.30am – 4.30pm
Salary Scale 9 to 19 - £25,119 - £29,777 (actual salary £13,095 - £15,523)
Are you a practising Catholic with a passion for working with children?
We are looking to appoint a School Chaplain to support the Catholic Life and Collective Worship of our school community. You will need to be proactive and be able to work independently, with excellent time management and organisational skills, arranging events such as whole school masses, form masses, charity fundraisers, retreats. Experience in education or youth ministry would be an advantage.
The Chaplain must be a practising Roman Catholic and should have relevant experience or qualification (e.g.Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies). You will be someone who is skilled in dealing with a wide range of people, and be compassionate, personable and discreet.
Learning Support Assistant - Early Years/Key Stage 1
31.25hrs per week term time only 8:30am - 3:15pm with an unpaid 30 min lunch break
Scale 3 Point 5 £23,500 f.t.e. - Actual salary £16,749
We are looking for a dedicated, talented and experienced practitioner to work as a Learning Support Assistant in our school and with our fabulous team.
Are you motivated to bring out the best in every child?
Is building strong and nurturing relationships central to your practice?
Are you motivated to bring out the best in every child?
Can you work within our distinctly Catholic ethos?
You must be flexible, with an ability to think on your feet and use your initiative.
You must have patience, empathy and a positive, can-do attitude. Holistic development is embraced across the school, therefore we are looking for an individual who is able to promote the physical, spiritual, emotional, intellectual and social development of every child.
The successful candidate will have wide experience of working within Early Years and/or Key Stage 1 and be able to apply their knowledge and expertise to support the class teacher in creating an engaging environment which stimulates pupils' curiosity and interests, progress and development. Early Years qualifications, NVQs and/LSA qualifications or HLTA status is desirable.
A good standard of English and maths is essential. Also desirable is a First Aid qualification.
We are building a Trauma Perceptive Practice approach and place the highest value on inclusion and celebrating diversity.
The Governing Body is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
The appointment is subject to satisfactory references, medical and enhanced DBS checks. Following safer recruitment procedures an appointment will be subject to satisfactory references, medical checks and enhanced DBS clearance.
Visits to the school are welcomed and encouraged. For more details please contact Mr. Parascandolo (Head Teacher) via the school office (01268 785741)
For an application form please visit the school website www.olorcps.net
Closing date: 4pm on Monday 11th November 2024
Interviews: w/c 18th November 2024
We reserve the right to call for interview and appoint prior to the closing date
Liturgy:
Readings of Year B
The Nicene Creed
Preface of Sunday 3
Saturday 12
Ss Ethelburga, Hildelithe and Cuthburga, Rel
5.30pm Vigil Thomas Patrick Costello, RIP (Anniv) (KC)
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
Sunday 13 October
Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
8am Mass Stephen Hymas, RIP (Anniv) (GM)
9.30am Mass The People of the Parish
11.30am Mass Intentions of Bridget Scholastica Helen D'Cruz (AJ)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Monday 14
St Callistus 1, P, M
9am Mass Christopher Adams, RIP (HR)
Tuesday 15
St Teresa of Jesus (Avila), V D
9am Mass Anne & John Young, RIP (Anniv) (LY)
Wednesday 16
St Margaret Mary Alacoque, Rel
9am Mass Intentions of Rosaleen Sherwell (RO’C)
Thursday 17
St Ignatius Antioch, Bp, M
9am Mass Intentions of Zena Rokan (KR)
Friday 18
St Luke, Ev
12Noon Mass Intentions of Evelyn Mackay (SD)
Saturday 19
St John de Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues, Pp and Comps, M
10am Mass David Thomas, RIP (Anniv) (PT)
10.30-11.30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
5.30pm Vigil The People of the Parish
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
Sunday 20 October
Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
8am Mass Michael Mapson, RIP (JC)
9.30am Mass Intentions of Anita Lupton (K&LW)
11.30am Mass Intentions of Toolya Such (AJ)
5pm Body in Church Sheila Murphy, RIP
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Mgr Matthias Kearney, Mgr Canon Michael McKenna, Canon Roderick Grant, Mgr Canon Christopher Creede, Winifred Archer, Adele Cumbo, Caroline Cussen, Annie Dunne, George Masi, Kathleen Lionnett, Eva Riley, Christopher Adams, Francis Jones, Martha Tanner, Phyllis Koch, Olga Ballard, Mary Aitken, Mary Smith, Kathleen Chambers, Florence Cody, Ada Redington, Patricia Kendal, Charles Edwards, William Brooks, Johanna Gromnicka Margaret Kenney, Josephine Platt, Annie Barton, Anthony Isaacs, Joan Erwood, George Gatward, David Thomas & Kevin Hopley.
“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.”
This week the Sanctuary Lamp burns for the deceased members of the Hippard Family.
PAUL WATTS, RIP who died on Friday, 11th October. Funeral details to follow.
SHEILA MURPHY, RIP who died on Tuesday, 1st October. Her body will be received into the church at 5pm on Sunday, 20th October and her Requiem Mass will take place at 9.30am on Monday, 20th October.
MICHAEL MAPSON, RIP who died on Tuesday, 10th September. His Memorial Mass will take place on Friday 15th November 9.30am.
Requiescant in pace
My brothers and sisters,
This Wednesday, 16 October 2024, a bill will be introduced to Parliament proposing a change in the law to permit assisted suicide. The debate will continue for a number of months, in society and in Parliament, before a definitive vote is held there. This puts in the spotlight crucial questions about the dignity of human life and the care and protection afforded by our society to every human being.
As this debate unfolds there are three points I would like to put before you. I hope that you will take part in the debate, whenever and wherever you can, and that you will write to your Member of Parliament.
The first point is this: Be careful what you wish for.
No doubt the bill put before Parliament will be carefully framed, providing clear and very limited circumstances in which it would become lawful to assist, directly and deliberately, in the ending of a person’s life. But please remember, the evidence from every single country in which such a law has been passed is clear: that the circumstances in which the taking of a life is permitted are widened and widened, making assisted suicide and medical killing, or euthanasia, more and more available and accepted. In this country, assurances will be given that the proposed safeguards are firm and reliable. Rarely has this been the case. This proposed change in the law may be a source of relief to some. But it will bring great fear and trepidation to many, especially those who have vulnerabilities and those living with disabilities. What is now proposed will not be the end of the story. It is a story better not begun.
The second point is this: a right to die can become a duty to die.
A law which prohibits an action is a clear deterrent. A law which permits an action changes attitudes: that which is permitted is often and easily encouraged. Once assisted suicide is approved by the law, a key protection of human life falls away. Pressure mounts on those who are nearing death, from others or even from themselves, to end their life in order to take away a perceived burden of care from their family, for the avoidance of pain, or for the sake of an inheritance.
I know that, for many people, there is profound fear at the prospect of prolonged suffering and loss of dignity. Yet such suffering itself can be eased. Part of this debate, then, must be the need and duty to enhance palliative care and hospice provision, so that there can genuinely be, for all of us, the prospect of living our last days in the company of loved ones and caring medical professionals. This is truly dying with dignity. Indeed, the radical change in the law now being proposed risks bringing about for all medical professionals a slow change from a duty to care to a duty to kill.
The third point is this: being forgetful of God belittles our humanity.
The questions raised by this bill go to the very heart of how we understand ourselves, our lives, our humanity. For people of faith in God - the vast majority of the population of the world - the first truth is that life, ultimately, is a gift of the Creator. Our life flows from God and will find its fulfilment in God. ‘The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.’ (Job 1:21) To ignore or deny this truth is to separate our humanity from its origins and purpose. We are left, floating free, detached, in a sphere that lacks firm anchors or destiny, thinking that we can create these for ourselves according to the mood of the age, or even of the day.
The clearest expression of this faith is that every human being is made in the image and likeness of God. That is the source of our dignity and it is unique to the human person. The suffering of a human being is not meaningless. It does not destroy that dignity. It is an intrinsic part of our human journey, a journey embraced by the Eternal Word of God, Christ Jesus himself. He brings our humanity to its full glory precisely through the gateway of suffering and death.
We know, only too well, that suffering can bring people to a most dreadful state of mind, even driving them to take their own lives, in circumstances most often when they lack true freedom of mind and will, and so bear no culpability. But this proposed legislation is quite different. It seeks to give a person of sound will and mind the right to act in a way that is clearly contrary to a fundamental truth: our life is not our own possession, to dispose of as we feel fit. This is not a freedom of choice we can take for ourselves without undermining the foundations of trust and shared dignity on which a stable society rests.
As this debate unfolds, then, I ask you to play your part in it. Write to your MP. Have discussions with family, friends and colleagues. And pray. Please remember: be careful what you wish for; the right to die can become a duty to die; being forgetful of God belittles our humanity.
May God bless us all at this critical time.
Cardinal Vincent Nichols
Archbishop of Westminster
