This week the Sanctuary Lamp burns for the deceased members of the Fegan & Beech Families.
Please pray for the repose of the souls of
JOHN COLIN REYNOLDS who died on Monday, 17th March. His body will be received into the church on Wednesday, 30th April at 5pm and his Funeral Service will take place on Thursday, 1st May at 3pm.
MARJORIE JAY who died on 10th April. Her funeral will be held at Southend Crematorium on Wednesday, 14th May at 1.30 pm.
JOHN LAVERY who died on Friday, 4th April. His Requiem Mass will be held in his home church of St. Mary’s & St. Paul’s, Hamilton on 29th April at 10am and will be live streamed on YouTube through Sancta Familia Media.
Requiescant in pace
Dates for your Diary
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
Thank You
FR SELVINI would like to thank all those parishioners who kindly sent him Easter cards and gave him "Easter eggs" in various shapes and forms! As always your generosity is much appreciated!
Mini Vinies
The next meeting for the Mini Vinies will take place in the Parish Centre on Monday, 28th April from 5.15pm to 6.45pm. Mini Vinie Committee.
Help with First Holy Communion breakfasts—Saturday 10th & 17th May.
If any parents from last year's Communion group are able to help with the breakfasts this year, please contact the Parish office. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!
Young Adult Catholic Group
Are you aged between 18-30? Looking for a group of similar aged and likeminded Catholics? Look no further and join us on 01/05/2025 at Sacred Heart church hall from 6.30pm.
We are a group of young adult Catholics from across our Deanery who meet monthly for faith based discussions, prayer, and to socialise with each other. Food is provided.
Please contact Max on 07783506474 to confirm your attendance - and to ensure that quantity and allergies are taken into account when food and drink is organised. We hope to see you there.
Parish Fundraising
Thank you to everyone who currently supports the 200 Club. Over the past few years, the money raised from this account has been used to help pay for the redecoration of the reredos, also the bells, as well as other maintenance work. It has now become apparent that the boiler in the Presbytery will need to be renewed so future funds will be allocated to this.
During the last twelve months we have lost a number of members. Would you consider joining the 200 Club? If so, forms are available at the back of the church. Alternatively, you can telephone Linda Wall on 01702 558217.
The winners of the draw this month are:
1st Prize £150 125 Miss A Emmerson
2nd Prize £100 166 Mr A Rourke
3rd Prize £75 100 Mrs J Caunce
4th Prize £25 19 Mr & Mrs I Bellis
Our Lady of Ransom Catholic School Rayleigh Vacancies
Class Teacher
MPR/UPR ~ Full time ~ Required September 2025
Our Lady of Ransom Catholic School is looking to appoint an enthusiastic and highly-motivated class teacher to join our friendly and dedicated team. Our Lady of Ransom was judged to be an an OUTSTANDING Catholic school (S48 Inspection, May 2022) and a GOOD school by Ofsted in January 2023. Our school provides a happy, calm atmosphere with delightful children, a wonderful learning environment and supportive colleagues, governors and parents.
The successful candidate will need to be a strong practitioner committed to achieving high standards of pupils' learning and capable of teaching imaginatively. They will be willing to be involved in all aspects of school life. The post would suit an experienced teacher who is either a practising Catholic or willing to support the strong Catholic ethos of our school. 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.
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: Thursday 8th May 2025 (4pm)
Interview date: w/c 12th May 2025
We reserve the right to call for interview and appoint prior to the closing date
Learning Support Assistant - Early Years
34.75hrs per week, term time only, 8:15am-4pm (Mon-Thurs) and 8:15-3:45pm (Fri) with an unpaid 30 min lunch break Scale 3 Point 6 £25,183 f.t.e. - Actual salary £19,959
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.
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.
The Governing Body is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. 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 further details, please visit the vacancies section of our school website: https://www.olorcps.net/school-info/vacancies
Closing date: 4pm on Thursday 8th May 2025. Interviews: w/c 12th May 2025.
We reserve the right to call for interview and appoint prior to the closing date
St Vincent's Centre
Vacancy at St Bernard's High School
PREMISES MANAGER
Full-time - 37 hours per week, 52 weeks a year (including additional hours at the weekend when required)
Scale 21 - 28 (£32,115 - £37,938)
June start
Closing date: Thursday 8 May 2025
Calling all team leaders – we are looking to recruit a Premises Manager to manage our Premises Team and Cleaning staff.
The role will be challenging at times so you will need to be organised and adaptable to issues that might arise. You will manage our Premises Team and Cleaning staff across the school, resolving issues quickly and effectively to maintain a safe, clean, secure and pleasant learning environment for students, staff and visitors.
As part of the Premises team, you will take responsibility for the maintenance and security of the site, ensuring a safe environment, be responsible for site security, Health & Safety maintenance and lettings alongside the Senior Caretaker and Premises Team.
The successful candidate must have a proven track record in a maintenance role ideally working within a school or similar environment.
If you would like to apply, please complete the Support Staff Application Form found on the Vacancies page on our website and email it to recruitment@stbernards.southend.sch.uk.
Missio Red Boxes
On behalf of Missio I wish to thank you all who contributed either via the Red Boxes or Direct giving - Direct Debits or online donations. Our Parish of Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Joseph donated £4875.34 (£2035.25 via the Red Boxes and £2840.09 via Direct giving) in 2024. Please see the Thank you Poster at the back of Church. Joan Caunce, Secretary.
Recruitment notice
The Secular Clergy Common Fund (‘Big M’) is looking to appoint a new CEO. It makes grants to our sick and retired priests and looks after two Catholic cemeteries in London.
The role is 0.6FTE and offers flexible working and a salary of £50k-£60k pro rata.
For further details contact Angela Rowe secretary@secularclergy.org.uk
Closing date 28th April 2025.
Easter Sunday
Dear friends in Christ
A blessed and happy Easter to you all!
As we arrive at the summit of our Lenten pilgrimage, we give thanks to God for the graces of this holy season that has prepared us to celebrate the Paschal Mystery. Throughout the forty days of Lent we have accompanied Our Lord in His journey towards Jerusalem where the events of our salvation have been accomplished. We can reflect with gratitude on the graces from our Parish Mission last month, and go forward now in the joy and light of the Resurrection as faithful disciples of the Lord.
I thank all those who have helped to make Lent and Holy Week a time of spiritual encounter with Christ, and all of you who, by your prayers and good works, make the experience of our Faith fulfilling. So many of you contribute to the life of the Parish Family in a quiet but consistent way. I thank you all for the collaboration you give for the service of the Church. Together we are working for the building of God’s Kingdom on earth.
Our heartfelt prayers and good wishes go to those who are Received into the Church and Confirmed this Easter: Lia Aquilina, Paul Baker and Thomas Haden; may God give them holy perseverance in His Catholic Church.
May God grant you all the joy and optimism His Resurrection brings!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Easter Sunday
Liturgy:
Readings of Year C
Renewal of Baptismal Promises
Preface of Easter 1
Holy Saturday
9:00am Office of Reading and Lauds
Confessions 11:00am-12noon
8:30pm Easter Vigil and First Mass of Easter The People of the Parish
Easter Sunday 20th April
8:00am Mass Thomas Cook, RIP (Anniv) (SD)
9:30am Mass Flora Ignatius, RIP (Anniv) (RP)
11:30am Mass Grace Earles, RIP & Dec’d Relatives & Holy Souls (FM)
5:30pm Vespers and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament
Monday 21
Monday within the Octave of Easter
10:00am Mass Ian Irwin, RIP (MI)
Tuesday 22
Tuesday within the Octave of Easter
9:00am Mass Bobby Newman, RIP (RO’C)
Wednesday 23
Wednesday within the Octave of Easter
9:00am Mass Intentions of Joe Hurley, (K&LW)
Thursday 24
Thursday within the Octave of Easter
9:00am Mass Intentions of the Eagle Family (JS)
Friday 25
Friday within the Octave of Easter
12Noon Mass Intentions of Cynthia Bush (MR)
Saturday 26
Saturday within the Octave of Easter
10:00am Mass Susan Tisi, RIP (MT)
10.30-11.30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
5:30pm Mass Rosemary Braggart, RIP (RM)
6.30-7.30pm Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
Second Sunday of Easter—Divine Mercy
27th April
8:00am Mass William Denis Hale, RIP (SW)
9:30am Mass Christine Keenan, RIP (Anniv) (FK)
11:30am Mass The People of the Parish
2.30pm Devotions for the Divine Mercy
No Vespers & Benediction
We Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries
Fr Arthur Ryan, Fr Michael Enright, Canon Thomas Smith, Fr Derek Powney, Fr Augustine Davidson, Mgr Canon John Howell, Fr John Boyle, Fr Stanley Joynes, Fr James (Jim) McCormack, Fr John William Hayes, Fr Paul Dynan, Fr Simon Sullivan, Fr Myles O’Reilly, Violet Darnell, Louisa Hucks, Harold Horam, Ellaline Stenfalt, Magdalena Schenbel, George Robertson, Capt France Lionnet, Peggy Ayres, Lucy Richardson, Joan Fairchild, George Conridge, Albert Middleton, Clifford Mawer, Gladys Watts, Arnold Kyrke-Smith, Thelma Chambers, Michael Abbott, Dorothy (Dolly) Thorp, Mary Johnson, Mary Bartley, Tony Pycraft, Brigid Alexander, Grahame Addecott, Joseph Heaphy, Minnie Smith, Elizabeth White, Vincent Hurley, Audrey Lewis, Phyllis Eileen Tate, Mary Butt, Eric Pearson & Vera de Souza.
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 the deceased members of the Martin Family.
Please pray for the repose of the souls of
PAULINE SHAW, RIP who died on Monday, 10th February. Her funeral will take place on Wednesday, 23rd April at 3.30pm at Southend Crematorium.
JOHN COLIN REYNOLDS who died on Monday, 17th March. His body will be received into the church on Wednesday, 30th April at 5pm and his Requiem Mass will take place on Thursday, 1st May at 3pm.
MARJORIE JAY who died on 10th April. Her funeral will be held at Southend Crematorium on Wednesday, 14th May at 1.30 pm.
Requiescant in pace
Dates for your Diary
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