Dear friends in Christ
We have begun Lent in the traditional manner: with a day of penance on Ash Wednesday and we are now on the annual pilgrimage towards Easter.
First Sunday of Lent
Liturgy:
Readings of Year C
The Apostles’ Creed
Preface of First Sunday Lent
Saturday 8
Saturday after Ash Wednesday
5.30pm Vigil Private Intention (MS)
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
Sunday 9 March
First Sunday of Lent
8am Mass Intentions of Bob Sighe (MR)
9.30am Mass The People of the Parish
11.30am Mass Joseph Swann, RIP (Anniv) (MW)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Monday 10
Monday of the First Week of Lent
9am Mass Madeleine Selvini, RIP (FrS)
Tuesday 11
Tuesday of the First Week of Lent
9am Mass Charles & Alice Whitefield, RIP (FM)
Wednesday 12
Wednesday of the First Week of Lent
9am Mass Vincent & Sheila Harrison, RIP (JC)
Thursday 13
Thursday of the First Week of Lent
9am Mass Tadeusz Warcmoł, RIP (BF)
Friday 14
Friday of the First Week of Lent—Family Fast Day
12Noon Mass Bobby Newman, RIP (AS)
7pm Way of the Cross & Benediction
Saturday 15
Saturday of the First Week of Lent
10am Mass Intentions of Dr Tony Bullock (90th Birthday) (R&GD)
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 16 March
Second Sunday of Lent—START OF PARISH MISSION
8am Mass Maria Horlock, RIP (Anniv) M-GMcC)
9.30am Mass John, Pat & Peter Moon, RIP (SM)
11.30am Mass Mervyn Calton, RIP (Anniv) (RC)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
We Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries
Fr Thomas Lawton, Fr John Gordon, Fr Edmund Meyer, Fr Maurice Roche, Mgr Canon David Michael Corley, Fr William Luby, Canon Martin Horkan, Peggy Choppin, Vincent Ingham, Christopher Tyler, Joe Swann, Tom O’Callaghan, Therese Ketterer, Joseph Collins, Lionel Clarke, Richard Young, Margaret Houston, Leo King, Edith Smith, Eileen Greaves, George Burnham, Lydia Upton, Maura Harley, Eric Wilding, Stefan Gyms, Frank Keenan (Sir), Philip Hale, Eleanor Hayes, June Hazel White, Bridget Morris, David McGowan, George Conway, James Kennedy & Kathleen Hosford.
We pray for our sick
The Sick List is available on the website main menu, under Worship.
We pray for the sick of our parish
“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.”
Sanctuary Lamp
This week the Sanctuary Lamp burns for intentions of the Kelly Family.
Please pray for the repose of the souls of
BOBBY NEWMAN, RIP who died on Thursday 20th February. Her Requiem Mass will take place on Friday, 4th April at 10.30am followed by committal at Southend Crematorium.
PAULINE SHAW, RIP who died on Monday, 10th February. Her funeral will take place on Wednesday, 26th March at 3.30pm at Southend Crematorium.
DAVID KISLINGBURY, RIP who died on Friday, 7th March.
Requiescant in pace
Lenten Talks
Gift Aid Envelopes
The Gift Aid boxes containing Offertory and Charity envelopes for the financial year 2025/2026 are available for collection at the back of the Church.
Special collection boxes are also available for donors who contribute by Standing Order. They contain only charities designated by the Diocese, including Christmas and Easter offerings.
OLOL Ladies Group
Our next meeting is on Thursday, 13th March at 10am in the Parish Centre when we look forward to welcoming Gina Marshall on a return visit. Gina will be speaking to us about her experiences travelling in America.
All ladies are very welcome to come and relax in good company over tea or coffee; £1 subs per meeting, plus a Raffle.
Repository
The Repository will be closed this weekend due to unforeseen circumstances.
Fairtrade—Sunday 9th March—8.30am-11.30am
The Fairtrade stall will resume this sunday—9th March. Please come and support this initiative, helping our brothers and sisters around the world who struggle to survive. Fairtrade products are sold to give the farmers, together with other projects a fair price for their work. Products are produced in a sustainable way, helping to look after our common home. The Pope is asking us to be 'Pilgrims of Hope' to others and this is a great way of demonstrating that. Thank you for all the support you have given us to date.
Dates for your Diary
Monday, 10th March—Journey in Faith (RCIA) 8pm Parish Centre
Saturday 15th—Friday 21st March 2025—Parish Mission led by the Redemptorists
Saturdays 10th & 17th May 10.30am—First Holy Communion Masses
Sunday 1st June 2025—Visitation & Confirmation
Sunday 22nd June—Corpus Christi Procession 4pm
Saturday 5th July—Flower Festival
Monday 21st—Friday 25th July—Lourdes Pilgrimage
Monday 8th September Centenary of the Opening of our Church
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Walsingham—24th May 2025
Join Bishop Alan and other parishes around the Diocese of Brentwood in Walsingham to celebrate the Jubilee Year of Hope. We will celebrate Mass at the Basilica before walking the Holy Mile to the grounds of Walsingham Abbey to celebrate Vespers and Benediction on the site of the Holy House.
If you would like transport to and from Walsingham please leave your name and contact details at the Parish office, as Sacred Heart are organising a coach.
Coach leaving Sacred Heart at 7:30am
Pick up at Our Lady of Lourdes at 7:45am
Arrival Walsingham 11am
Depart Walsingham 5pm
Arrival Our Lady of Lourdes 8:15pm
Arrival Sacred Heart 8:30pm
£24 per adult - Children under 16 go free
Mini Vinies
The next meeting for the Mini Vinies will take place in the Parish Centre on Monday, 10th March from 5.15pm to 6.30pm. Mini Vinie Committee.
Assisted Suicide Bill update
Last year, MPs narrowly voted to support Kim Leadbeater’s dangerous assisted suicide Bill at Second Reading.
There’s still time to stop it.
The Independent newspaper, shows that at least 36 MPs who supported the Bill made it clear they did so only to allow time for further debate or they have concerns that mean they won’t commit to supporting the Bill at Third Reading.
With the vote passing by a margin of 55, just 28 MPs switching their stance to oppose the Bill would ensure it is defeated at Third Reading.
With more awareness of the serious risks, arising from the committee stage, many MPs could change their position.
If enough do, we can defeat this Bill at Third Reading and stop it from becoming law.
You can make a difference right now, by contacting your MP, to say, vote NO, at Third Reading.
It only takes a couple of minutes of your time, using our easy-to-use tool, which you can access by clicking the button below.
JOURNEY OF FAITH—RCIA
This continues on Monday, 10th March 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.
Feast of St Joseph 19th March 2025
The National Novena to St. Joseph will take place from the 10th—18th March 2025 at St. Josephs Church in Maidenhead, for the intentions of all those who support their work. Masses are at 10am every day of the Novena, except Sunday when it is 11am. These Masses will be available to Zoom via the Mill Hill website.
See Poster at the back of the Church for website details and to request a Novena prayer booklet.
Thank you. Joan Caunce, Secretary.
Can you help?
We have a parishioner who has become frail and has asked if anyone could give her a lift to Mass. She lives in Leigh and attends the 11.30am Mass.
If you are able to help please contact the Parish office.
Knights of St Columba Pilgrimage to Aylesford Priory in Jubilee Year
Join us on Sunday 29th June at Aylesford Priory for an open-air Mass – Lunch (bring a pack lunch or use The Friars Restaurant) – in the afternoon join us on the Rosary Walk through The Friars beautiful grounds by the banks of The River Medway and finishing with Benediction. A coach will leave Sacred Heart Church at 8:30am and pick-up opposite Nazareth House at 8:40am, Our Lady of Lourdes at 8:50am and at Tarpots Corner at 9:10am. We depart Aylesford at approximately 4pm. The coach costs £20 per adult and children under 16 go free. Please book your place by contacting Sandy Rand 07470 820994. We look forward to welcoming you aboard.
St Vincent's Centre Southend upcoming events
By taking part in our events at St Vincent’s Southend, you will directly contribute to life-changing support for vulnerable individuals in Southend. The impact of your involvement reaches far beyond just attending, it helps us provide food, temporary accommodation, mental health support and pathways to employment for those who need it most. Your presence at these events is not just an act of generosity; it is a statement of compassion, leadership and commitment to social good. We applaud you for being part of something so meaningful and making a real difference in the lives of so many.
Why Your Support Matters
By taking part in our events, you will directly contribute to life-changing support for vulnerable individuals in Southend. The impact of your involvement reaches far beyond just attending, it helps us provide food, temporary accommodation, mental health support and pathways to employment for those who need it most. Your presence at these events is not just an act of generosity; it is a statement of compassion, leadership and commitment to social good. We applaud you for being part of something so meaningful and making a real difference in the lives of so many.
Auction Items for Our Events
We are also looking for auctionable items for our events. This could be in the form of products, services, gift vouchers, experiences, or exclusive packages. These items will be auctioned on the night and the funds raised will directly support the life-changing work we do at St Vincent’s Centre Southend. Your donation, big or small, will have an incredible impact and in return, we will ensure your generosity is recognized.