Dear friends in Christ
Once again this Sunday The Lord reminds us of the importance of sincere and constant prayer and also the difference between true and false piety.
Dear friends in Christ
The texts of the Mass this weekend remind us of the power of trusting and persevering prayer.
The terrible disease of leprosy is presented in the First Reading and Gospel of the Mass this Sunday, but as means to a greater good.
Dear friends in Christ
The liturgy of this Sunday speak to us of the virtue of Faith. Jesus assures us that if our faith was only the size of a mustard seed, it will nevertheless grow into something deep and sustaining.
PATRICIA MANSFIELD who died on Wednesday, 30th July. Her funeral will be held at 10am on Thursday, 28th August at Southend Crematorium.
JOSEPHINE ALANI who died on Saturday, 9th August. Her Requiem Mass will take place at 12.45pm on Wednesday, 3rd September followed by burial at Woodside Cemetery.
Requiescant in pace
Monday 8th September Centenary of the Opening of our Church. Mass 7.00pm
Sunday 14th September Parish Centenary Celebration 3pm
Monday 22nd September Journey in Faith (RCIA) 8pm Parish Centre
This week the Sanctuary Lamp burns for Gilberte Cook, RIP.
Prelude: Chorale Prelude—Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767)
Postlude: Fantasia—Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706)
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.
Copies of the Parish History are available at the back of church (priced five pounds). Please put all monies in the box on the wall, labelled books.
If your child is going into Year 3 or above and you wish for them to make their First Holy Communion in May 2026, please submit the application by Friday 5th September.
This should be done via the parish website, under Sacraments - Communion
(https://lourdesleigh.org/sacraments)
The first meeting for parents will be held on Thursday, 25th September at 8pm in the Parish Centre.
Your donations to Gaza since the start of the conflict have been a vital lifeline. Right now, CAFOD's partner, Caritas Jerusalem, is delivering essential medical treatment to displaced people and providing medicines to treat chronic illnesses. We have helped 1,400 households with cash to buy supplies in the last month and we are currently feeding 2,000 people with new stocks of flour and rice. Despite the restrictions on aid coming into Gaza, CAFOD's local partners are working tirelessly to help people. And with your ongoing support, they will do all in their power to keep doing so. You can find out more about how you can make a difference in Gaza at cafod.org.uk. Thank you for backing our work through holding collections for our Family Fast Day appeals and for continuing to pray for peace in the Middle East.
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.
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.
The winners of the draw this month are:
1st Prize £150 199 Mrs F McEvoy
2nd Prize £100 84 Mrs E Hall
3rd Prize £75 43 Mr C Luft
4th Prize £25 60 Mrs S West
The funds raised from the 200 Club will now contribute to the overall costs of the tuition and expenses of trainee priests who, on completion of their formation, will be available for mission appointments strengthening the Church within Nigeria and elsewhere in the world. These missionary priests are known as Spiritans.
Please support this fundraising. There are some places available in the 200 Club, and if you wish to join, there is a monthly regular donation of £5. Forms are available at the back of the church. Alternatively, you can telephone Linda Wall on 01702 558217.
Children's liturgy will begin on 13th September. We are looking for more people to join our team. This will involve volunteering once a half -term to assist with the teaching of children about the liturgy and gospel of the day at 9.30am Mass. Why not come along for a look first or contact Sam on 07879676341.
Radio Maria England is a Catholic radio station sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ through prayer, teaching, music, and inspiring testimonies. Tune in for daily Mass, the Rosary, uplifting music, and thought-provoking programmes that strengthen faith and build community.
How to Listen:
DAB+ Radio: Search for “Radio Maria England”
Online: www.RadioMariaEngland.uk
Mobile App: Free on Google Play & App Store
Smart Speaker: Say “Play Radio Maria England”
Wherever you are, let Radio Maria England accompany you on your journey of faith.
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
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.
The Repository is now closed until the first weekend in September. Mass cards are available from the Parish Office on weekday mornings only.
Liturgy:
Readings Year C
Preface of Sunday 8
The Nicene Creed
Saturday 23
St Rose of Lima, V
5.30pm Mass Valerie Quinn, RIP (TQ)
6.30-7.30pm Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time
24th August
8am Mass The People of the Parish
9.30am Mass Margaret Owens, RIP (Anniv) (SO)
11.30am Mass John Butler, RIP(RB)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Monday 25
St Louis
10am Mass Eugene & James Renehan, RIP (MH)
Tuesday 26
Bl Dominic of the Mother of God, Pr
9am Mass Basil Emmerson, RIP (Anniv) (AE)
Wednesday 27
St Monica
9am Mass Intentions of Richard Poole (sick) (AC)
Thursday 28
St Augustine, Bp, D
9am Mass Marian Payne, RIP (Anniv) (VP)
Friday 29
The Passion of St John the Baptist
12.00 Noon John, Agnes & Susan Watkins, RIP (Anniv) (JW)
Saturday 30
Ss Margaret Clitherow, Anne Line & Margaret Ward, Mm
10am Mass Thanksgiving for Ian Spacie, RIP (VS)
10.30—11.30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
5.30pm Mass John Jarvis, RIP (Anniv) (VJ)
6.30-7.30pm Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
31st August
8am Mass Paul Sutton, RIP
9.30am Mass The People of the Parish
11.30am Mass Dec'd Members of the Siani & Butler Families (RB)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Liturgy:
Readings Year C
Preface of Sunday 7
The Nicene Creed
Saturday 16
St Stephen of Hungary
5.30pm Mass The People of the Parish
6.30-7.30pm Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
17th August
8am Mass Raymond de Chantilly, RIP (Anniv) (LC)
9.30am Mass Fred & Doreen Wall, RIP (Anniv) (L&KW)
11.30am Mass Bernadette Perry, RIP (KH)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Monday 18
St Helen, Widow
9am Mass Pamela Uglietti, RIP (RO’C)
Tuesday 19
St John Eudes, Pr
9am Mass Seamus Collins, RIP (RO’C)
Wednesday 20
St Bernard, Ab, D
9am Mass Intentions of Paul & Mark Craig (AC)
Thursday 21
St Pius X, P
9am Mass Thomas Walsh, RIP (Anniv) (MC)
Friday 22
The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary
12.00 Noon Ian Spacie, RIP (VS)
Saturday 23
St Rose of Lima, V
10am Mass Alex & Margaret McFarlane, RIP (Anniv) (MW)
10.30—11.30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
12Noon Wedding George Maloney & Milly Cano-Lopez
5.30pm Mass Valerie Quinn, RIP (TQ)
6.30-7.30pm Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession
Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time
24th August
8am Mass The People of the Parish
9.30am Mass Margaret Owens, RIP (Anniv) (SO)
11.30am Mass John Butler, RIP(RB)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
