We Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries
Fr John Dempsey, Fr Patrick Malin, Mgr Matthias Kearney, Mgr Canon Michael McKenna, Canon Roderick Grant, Mgr Canon Christopher Creede, Mary J Clark, Moira O’Riordan, Francis Gurney, Charles Cutter, Arthur Cooper, Chloe Watts, Valerie Martin, Thomas Patrick Costello, Paul Watts, Joan Lucey, Eric Phillips, Irene Earl, Stanley Greaves, Teresa Morton, Winifred Archer, Adele Cumbo, Caroline Cussen, Annie Dunne, George Masi, Kathleen Lionnett, Eva Riley, Christopher Adams, Francis Jones, Martha Tanner, Phyllis Koch, John Young, John Murray, Anne Young, Olga Ballard, Mary Aitken, Mary Smith, Kathleen Chambers, Marie Kharas, Florence Cody, Ada Redington & Patrica Kendall.
We pray for our sick
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.”
Please pray for the repose of the souls of
JOHN SCAIFE, RIP who died on Sunday, 6th September. His body will be received into the church on Wednesday, 14th October at 4.15pm and his Requiem Mass will take place on Thursday, 15th October at 2pm, followed by committal at Southend Crematorium.
NICHOLAS HUTCHINS, RIP who died on Saturday, 5th September. His body will be received into the church on Wednesday, 21st October at 4.15pm and his Requiem Mass will take place on Thursday, 22nd October at 2pm, followed by committal at Southend Crematorium.
DOREEN HARLEY, RIP who died on Monday, 28th September. Her body will be received into the church on Tuesday, 27th October at 4.15pm and her Requiem Mass will take place on Wednesday, 28th October at 11am, followed by committal at Sutton Road Cemetery.
Requiescant in pace
Sanctuary Lamp
The Sanctuary Lamp burns for the deceased members of the Dawson & Parisio Family.
Dates for your Diary
Thursday, 12th November—Annual Parish Requiem—7pm
Sunday, 22nd November—Christmas Bazaar 8.30am—1pm
Thursday 26th-Saturday 28th November—Forty Hours’ prayer
Friday, 18th December—Annual Carol Service—7pm
Saturday, 8th May—First Holy Communion Mass—10.30am
Sunday, 16th May—Confirmation Mass—11.30am
Sunday 30th May—Corpus Christi Procession—4pm
Music at 11.30am Mass
Prelude: Largo and Allegro in G—John James c.1745
Postlude: Toccata in C—J. Speth—1664-1719
Prayer for Prisons Week—13th—19th October
Lord, you offer freedom to all people. We pray for those in prison. Break the bonds of fear and isolation that exist. Support with your love prisoners and their families and friends, prison staff and all who care. Heal those who have been wounded by the actions of others, especially the victims of crime. Help us to forgive one another, to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly together with Christ in his strength and his Spirit, now and every day. Amen
Journey in Faith—RCIA
This begins on Monday 12th October at 7.30pm 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 are held in the Parish Centre and last for one hour. Names may be given in advance to Father Kevin or to the Parish Office.
Those interested in reading or learning more before the course begins may wish to purchase a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church from the Catholic Truth Society, or listen to The Catechism in a Year podcast with Fr Mike Schmitz.
World Mission Sunday—the 18th October
Next Sunday, the Holy Father invites all Catholics to support Missio—his charity for world mission—through a special collection. This day of prayer, solidarity and giving unites Catholics worldwide to share the Good News of God's love which has the power to transform lives and heal our world.
To donate use the Missio envelopes, call 020 7821 9755 (office hours) or visit missio.org.uk.
Please see poster at the back of the Church. Thank you. Joan Caunce, Secretary.
Parish Christmas Bazaar - Sunday 22nd November, 8.30am - 1.00pm
We’re getting ready for our Parish Christmas Bazaar, and we need your help to make it a wonderful success! This year the Bazaar will be on Sunday 22nd November, running all morning from 8.30am until 1pm. Put the date in your diary and come along for breakfast and a little shopping too!
If you are free to offer an hour or two on the day, please call or message Sue on 07816 141492.
Donations Needed for Our Parish Christmas Bazaar
Alll donations are most welcome but we’re especially looking for donations of:
Unwanted bottles of alcohol – perfect for our bottle tombola and raffle prizes.
Unwanted jewellery – costume or fine, to add sparkle to our jewellery stall.
Unwanted toiletries – always popular on our “Smellies” stall!
If you have any of these items tucked away at home, please consider donating them to support the Parish.
Donations can be left in the old Baptistry. If you need us to collect, (locally), just give us a call
Sue 07816 141492 Angela 07940 183452
Every contribution helps – and together, we can make this year’s Bazaar the best yet!
Thank you for your generosity and continued support.
Brant Pitre's talk on Peter & the Papacy
Wednesday 14th October 7.30pm in the Parish Centre - Have you ever had people say to you things like "The Church is just man-made, we don't need it." or "We don't need a Pope telling us what to do!" & been stuck for a satisfying answer? Brant Pitre's talk on Peter & the Papacy answers objections like these & feeds our faith in the Church as a divine institution.
Certificates of Catholic Practice
Please note Fr Kevin will be issuing Certificates of Catholic Practise in September/October, Tuesday—Friday 9.00—13.00. Please call into the office to complete the form.
Flower & Craft Festival
For the last 9 years my sister Theresa and I have organised and presented a Flower & Craft Festival in Our Lady of Lourdes Church to reach out to and introduce our Church to our local community. Each year we chose a different theme which would show different aspects of our faith. These included, Saints, Parables & Miracles, Sacraments, Hymns & Psalms etc. Each year we have invited St Clements and more recently St James’s to take part as an expression of Christian unity. Our local Homelessness Charity, HARP, have also taken part each year with contributions from their clients.
However, sadly, we have decided that that we are not able to continue doing this anymore.
Over the years we have been helped by many people who have agreed to create a piece of art or craft or decorate a window sill. We have also had many helpers to put up the displays the day before the Festival. A special mention must go to Jan who has organised the provision of refreshments for the last 9 years, and Marion who has provided our music. We have also had many people who would be in the church to greet visitors and answer any questions.
We thank you all.
If anyone would like to have a go at arranging something similar…… or indeed something completely different, (it does not have to be on such a large scale,) please contact Fr Kevin with your ideas. It is a good idea to have a small group involved as the organisation of any event is time consuming!
Once again thank you to everyone who has helped make the Flower & Craft Festival so prayerful and rewarding over these last 9 years.
Jo Ronan
Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School
✨ Come along to our Open Evening! ✨
We’d love to see you there! Come and experience it for yourself, meet the staff, explore what we have to offer, and see what makes us special. 💛
Seniors Exercise & Balance Class
10am Tuesdays
Parish Centre
£6
You are invited to join the Exercise & Balance Class for Seniors which is held every Tuesday morning in the Parish Centre. The class starts at 10am and lasts one hour. Exercises are done to music and each session costs £6.
Young Vincentians
Our next meeting is on Monday 12th October from 5.15pm. Young Vincentians Committee.
Repository News
We have some new stock, including Statues, plus a few items from Lourdes, in addition to books and a large selection of cards. Please feel free to browse and ask our volunteers for assistance if you can't find what you are looking for.
St Helen’s Parish Westcliff, Job Vacancy
Person required for paid position of Finance Co-ordinator to cover maternity leave 15 hours per week. If you or any of your family/friends are interested, please first contact the Parish office for a job description and person specification, next send in your CV, with a covering letter demonstrating how your experience and skills and attributes match the essential requirements of the role.
Closing dates for CVs /applications Tuesday 27th October. Interview Date Tuesday 3rd November
Contact 01702 342324 Email westcliff@brcdt.org
Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear friends in Christ
In this Sunday’s Gospel, Our Lord presents us with the parable of the tenants in the vineyard.
Dear friends in Christ
In this Sunday’s Gospel, Our Lord presents us with the parable of the tenants in the vineyard. A landowner plants a vineyard, tends it with care, and entrusts it to others. Yet when he sends his servants to collect the harvest, they are rejected and mistreated. Finally, he sends his own son, but even he is not spared. The parable is a powerful reminder of God’s patience and love for His people. The vineyard is an image of God’s Kingdom, and the son points us towards Christ Himself, the beloved Son sent by the Father for our salvation. How often, through sin and indifference, we fail to recognise the love that God has shown us!
As we have begun the month of October, traditionally dedicated to the Holy Rosary, we are given a beautiful opportunity to reflect upon that love through the eyes of Our Blessed Lady. Mary, who welcomed the Son of God with perfect faith, teaches us how to receive Christ not with rejection or indifference, but with humility and love. The Rosary is not simply a repetition of prayers. It is an invitation to contemplate the mysteries of Our Lord’s life alongside His Blessed Mother. As we pray, may our hearts become more receptive to the grace God wishes to give us, and may we never forget that the vineyard of our lives is entrusted to us so that it may bear fruit for His glory. May Our Lady of the Rosary lead us ever closer to her Divine Son, and help us to offer Him the fruits of a life lived in faith, love, and gratitude.
Msgr Kevin Hale
Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings of Year A
The Nicene Creed
Preface of Sunday 7