Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear friends in Christ
October is traditionally known as the month of the Holy Rosary.
Dear friends in Christ
October is traditionally known as the month of the Holy Rosary. It is a beautiful devotion, simple enough for a child and yet profound enough to sustain a lifetime of prayer. With the Rosary in our hands, we place ourselves beside Mary and allow her to lead us once again to her Son. How fitting, then, that Pope Leo XIV has recently been at Lourdes, where the Rosary is so deeply woven into the life of the shrine. During his pilgrimage, the Holy Father joined thousands of pilgrims in the candlelit Rosary procession. With the light of candles shining in the darkness, the Hail Marys rose from the crowd in many languages, reminding us that the Church is truly a family gathered around Mary, the Mother of Jesus.
At Lourdes, Pope Leo invited us to persevere in our journey of faith. He spoke of the light of hope which accompanies us even through the trials of life, and urged us to bring our most important and urgent intentions to Our Lady. At the conclusion of his Mass in Lourdes, the Holy Father made a particular appeal for this month of October. He asked Christians to pray the Rosary especially “with the particular intention that wars may cease and that peace may be established among peoples in conflict.” He also reminded us that our prayer should be accompanied by “concrete acts of penance and mercy”, and by a commitment to dialogue and reconciliation.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church, in paragraph 2682, expresses this devotion beautifully: ‘Because of Mary’s singular cooperation with the action of the Holy Spirit, the Church loves to pray in communion with the Virgin Mary, to magnify with her the great things the Lord has done for her, and to entrust supplications and praises to her.’ That is really what happens when we pray the Rosary. We are not simply repeating prayers to Mary; we are praying with Mary, allowing her to lead us through the great mysteries of the life of her Son. Bead by bead, decade by decade, we contemplate Christ. As we move through the mysteries of Christ's life, we can place before Our Lady the needs of our families, our parish, those who are sick or lonely, those who have died, and those whose lives are marked by war, poverty or uncertainty.
Pope Leo has reminded us that prayer and good works belong together. Earlier this year, praying the Rosary for peace at the Lourdes Grotto in the Vatican Gardens, he said that peace becomes possible when we listen to the cry of those who suffer. The Rosary teaches us precisely this attentiveness. We listen to the mysteries of the life of Jesus. We look at the world through the eyes of Mary. And then, having prayed, we are sent back into ordinary life to love a little more generously, forgive a little more readily, speak a little more gently, and serve those whom God places before us.
October is therefore an invitation. Perhaps some of us could return to a daily Rosary. Perhaps families could pray even one decade together. Perhaps we could come to the parish Rosary when it is offered, or simply take the beads from our pocket during a quiet moment in the day. The Rosary does not require perfect circumstances. Mary meets us where we are. As we pray, let us especially remember Pope Leo's intention for peace. Let us entrust to Our Lady those who live amid violence and war, and ask that the peace of Christ may take root in human hearts and communities. May Our Lady of Lourdes pray for us. May she lead us ever more deeply into the life of her Son. And may the light of hope which shines from Christ never be extinguished in our hearts.
Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us. Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. And may God bless you all!
Msgr Kevin Hale
Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings of Year A
The Nicene Creed
Preface of Sunday 8
Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time—Month of the Holy Rosary
Saturday 10th October
St John Leonardi, Pr
5.30pm Vigil Mass Joseph & Elizabeth Pallis, RIP (DL)
6.30pm—7.30 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
Sunday 11th October
Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
8am Mass Thomas Patrick Costello, RIP (Anniv) (KC)
9.30am Mass Holy Souls
11.30am Mass The People of the Parish
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
Monday 12th
St Wilfred, Bp Missionary
9am Mass Susan Griffin, RIP (JC)
Tuesday 13th
St Edward the Confessor
9am Mass Peace of the World (IS)
Wednesday 14th
St Callistus I, P, M
9am Mass Anita Lupton, RIP (Anniv) (LW)
4.15pm Body in church John Scaife, RIP
Thursday 15th
St Teresa of Jesus, V, D (Ávila)
9am Mass John & Anne Young, RIP (LY)
2pm Requiem Mass John Scaife, RIP
Friday 16th
St Margaret Mary Alacoque, V
12Noon Mass Ian Spacie, RIP (VS)
Saturday 17th October
St Ignatius of Antioch, Bp, M
10am Mass Intentions of Clare Finnett (NG)
10.30am—11.30 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
5.30pm Vigil Mass The People of the Parish
6.30pm—7.30 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions
Sunday 18th October
Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
8am Mass Intentions of Evelyn Mackay (SD)
9.30am Mass Intentions of Charles (sick) (Slawek)
11.30am Mass Bill & Moya Campbell, RIP (Anniv) (LL)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction
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.