Kevin Hale
Second Sunday after the Nativity

Dear friends in Christ

On this Second Sunday of Christmas, as at the Mass of Christmas Day itself, we listen to the Prologue of Saint John’s Gospel.

Second Sunday after the Nativity
Kevin Hale
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

Dear friends in Christ

As we continue the celebration of Christmas throughout this week, our minds turn towards the family life of Jesus, Mary and Jospeh; we celebrate their feast this weekend.

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
Kevin Hale
Christmas Message
Kevin Hale
Christmas Message
Kevin Hale
Fourth Sunday of Advent

Dear friends in Christ

As we enter the final days of Advent, our thoughts inevitably turn towards the events which led to the birth of Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Second Sunday after the Nativity

Liturgy:
Readings of Year A
The Nicene Creed
Preface of the Nativity 3

Saturday 3rd January
Feria of Christmas Time
5.30pm Vigil The People of the Parish
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession

Sunday 4th January
Second Sunday after the Nativity
8am Mass Intentions of Baby Girl in hospital (GS)
9.3am Mass Intentions of Anne & Terry Peckham (JB)
11.30am Mass William & Amy, Jude & Patrick (newborn) & Mum & Dad (PL)
4pm Mass Lucille Tarrobal, RIP
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction

Monday 5th
Weekday of Christmas Time
9am Mass Colin Cheeseman, RIP (IS)

Tuesday 6th
THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD—Holyday of Obligation
9.30am Mass Mr & Mrs Renehan & their sons, RIP (MH)
12Noon Mass Tommy Gill, RIP (PL)
7pm Mass The People of the Parish

Wednesday 7th
Weekday of Christmas Time
9am Mass Fr Jim Lynch (Nottingham) (PM)

Thursday 8th
Weekday of Christmas Time
9am Mass Intentions of Gerry & Rosemary Dillon (RO'C)

Friday 9th
Weekday of Christmas Time
12Noon Mass Agnes Watkins, RIP (JW)

Saturday 10th January
Saturday of Christmas Time
10am Mass Fely Navara, RIP
10.30-11.30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession

5.30pm Vigil Intentions of Maureen Freestone (AC)
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession

Sunday 11th January
The Baptism of the Lord
8am Mass Intentions of Maria Cook( SD)
9.30am Mass The People of the Parish
11.30am Mass Brian O'Keefe, RIP (Anniv) (PL)
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction

We Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries

Fr Francis Heenan, Fr Michael Butler, Canon John Bloomfield, Canon Patrick McKenna, Len Plummer, Anthony Ryan, Hilda Edwards, Walter Biden, Ricky (Lola) Clarke, Marie Fitzakerly, Lena Austin, Lucien Staw, Eric Tarrant, Niall Cooney, Essie Glauda, Mary Josephine Herbert, Arthur Jackson, Ivy Whiting, Phyllis Sullivan, Patrick Dear, Sibyl Hardy, Gerald Vickers, Claire Mellish, Duncan Boyle, John Harley, Minnie Fogarty, Brian McInerney, Blodweh Oweh, Louise Alexandra Marsden, Hester Masi, Walter McGlone, Melissa Overton, John O’Leary, Elizabeth Hancock, Marie Thompson, Doreen Clements, Firmina Rose Bailey, Frances Sims, Bill Shanahan, Terence Foley, Gertrude Culley, Doreen Newcombe, Winifred Hughes, Madeleine Moroney, Clive Allen, Stephana Gallacher, Evelyn Roots & June Dillon.

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.”
— Roman Missal: For relatives and friends
Link to: The sick of our parish

Lourdes Pilgrimage 2026

The proposed Pilgrimage to Lourdes next year, flying with BA, will depart Heathrow on Sunday 19th July 17.05pm—Arrive Toulouse 20.05pm, returning on Friday 24th July 19.05pm—arriving at 19.50pm.

The 5-night package price is £910 per pilgrim sharing, single supplement is £245, staying at the 4 star Grand Hotel Moderne Soubirous (closest to Sanctuary).

This includes 5 nights full-board and return luxury coach transfer from Lourdes airport to the hotel.

Please leave your name and contact details with the Parish Office soon, as places are limited.

Parish Fundraising

200 Club

The winners of the draw last month are:

1st Prize £150 58 Mrs P Jordan
2nd Prize £100 132 Mrs V Ashcroft
3rd Prize £75 63 Mr B Devine
4th Prize £25 186 Mrs S Hookway

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.

YMCA

Southend YMCA would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who made the recent Carol Service in support of Southend YMCA such a memorable and successful event.

A huge thank you to the Sea of Voices Choir for filling the evening with beautiful music, warmth, and festive spirit. We are also deeply grateful to the church for kindly allowing us to hold the service in such a welcoming and inspiring space. Your support made it possible for the community to come together in celebration.

Finally, thank you to the local community for attending, sharing in the joy of the evening, and generously donating. Thanks to your contributions, an incredible £1,102 was raised, which will make a real difference in supporting the young people at Southend YMCA.

Your support, whether through song, hosting, or attendance, embodies the spirit of community and kindness that makes our work possible. We are truly grateful for everyone who played a part in making the Carol Service a meaningful and memorable occasion.

With heartfelt thanks and appreciation,

The Southend YMCA Team
Southend YMCA


Journey of Faith—RCIA

This continues on Monday, 5th January 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.

Repository

Just to remind you all that we will be back on weekend of 10th?11th January after all Masses. We have a few new Calanders left, plus the 3 year Sunday Missal and our usual collection of beautiful statues and Rosaries.  Meanwhile, Mass cards can be purchased from the Parish Office on weekdays.

St John Bosco Children's Camp

An amazing volunteer opportunity for this summer!

If you are in school year 12 or student age (or any age over 17!) you are very welcome to apply at www.boscocamp.co.uk. The application process includes references and a DBS check, which we can help with, as well as training and support before and during Camp. The Camp provides over 100 children a week with a summer holiday—for many their only holiday. As a volunteer you use your skills in assisting with different sporting and fun activities, as well as the practical aspects of camp life.

Volunteer for 25th July—1st August or 1st—8th August. The Camp is a special work of Caritas Diocese of Brentwood, and also seeks financial donations—all information on the website.

OLOL Ladies Group

We meet again for a good start to the new year on Thursday 15th January as usual in the Parish Centre. We hope to get the new season off to a good start with the very welcome return of our favourite Magician, Paul Clancy, who will be entertaining us with some of his amazing magic tricks, so do come along and join in the fun.

As usual all ladies are welcome for a prompt 10am start, subs are still only £1 including refreshments. 

Last, but not least, we wish all our ladies a very happy New Year

From: Cynthia, Jan, Jo, Jane, Anne. 

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School & Nursery

We have a vacancy for a Nursery Learning support assistant, working 8:30am - 3:30pm with a 30-minute unpaid lunch break. Pay scale 3-4, £18,379 - £18,668 (FTE £24,796-£25,185) 38 weeks of the year. The role is to start early to mid January with applications to be submitted by 7th January and interviews to be held on 9th January. Applications can be found on the school website or by contacting the school office –office@ourladyoflourdes.southend.sch.uk

We also have a vacancy for a Breakfast club assistant, 7 hours and 30 minutes per week - 7:15am - 8:45am (Monday, - Friday) Payscale 4 - £4,308 38 weeks of the year - term time only Start Date: 5th January 2026 We are looking to appoint a hardworking and enthusiastic member of staff to support our expanding wrap-around care breakfast club at Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School and Nursery, which is a member of the Assisi Catholic Trust.

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

Liturgy:
Readings of Year C
The Nicene Creed
Preface of Christmas 1

Saturday 27
St John, Ap, Ev
5.30pm Vigil Peggy Ingham, RIP (Anniv) (FM)
6.30-7.30pm: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession

Sunday 28 December
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph
8am Mass Madeleine & Roland Selvini, RIP (J-CS)
9.30am Mass Assunta Cotgrove, RIP (AMcC)
11.30am Mass The People of the Parish
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction

Monday 29th
St Thomas of Canterbury, Bp, M
9am Mass Adrian Dann, RIP (Anniv) (SD)

Tuesday 30th
Sixth Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord
9am Mass Steve & Agnes McManus, RIP (Anniv) (SW)

Wednesday 31st
Seventh day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord
9am Mass Intentions of Margaret Huish (MR)
6-7pm Holy Hour with Te Deum and Benediction for the end of year

Thursday 1st January
Mary, The Holy Mother of God
12Noon Mass Charles D'Souza, RIP (MF)

Friday 2nd—First Friday
Ss Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bpp Dd
12Noon Mass Maureen Regan, RIP (Anniv) (CR)
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament after Mass until Holy Hour 7—8pm

Saturday 3rd January
Feria of Christmas Time
10am Mass Anita Lupton, RIP (PL)
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 4th January
Second Sunday after the Nativity
8am Mass Intentions of Baby Girl in hospital (GS)
9.3am Mass Intentions of Anne & Terry Peckham (JB)
11.30am Mass William & Amy, Jude & Patrick (newborn) & Mum & Dad (PL)
4pm Mass Lucille Tarrobal, RIP
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction

We Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries

Canon John Byrne, Fr Brian Reeves, Pope Benedict XVI, Fr James Duffy, Fr Jim Wilkinson, Fr Denis Cantwell, Doris Swinney, Joseph Dologhan, Audrey O’Connell, Catherine Rabkilor, Doreen Foley, Nora Phillips, Adrian Dann, Francis Cook, Peter Whale, Frederick Thomas Ross, Stephen McManus, Anna Siani, David Scott-Frame, Sylvia Sippitt, Louis Mooney, Olive Yems, George Lane, Leslie Dawson, Mary Reilly, Michael McGaughey, Thomas Woolcott, Francis Hayes, John Sinclair, Mrs Joan Gubbins, Kate Lessons, Kathleen Lewin, Gregory Power, Maureen Guihen, Emily Swann, Mary O’Toole, Annie French, Jules O Deuss, Ethel Milo, Simon Burgoyne, Violet Jackson, Millicent Ransom, Joseph Hazell, Eileen Murray, Maureen Regan, Helen Cotton, Peter Quinn, Charles D’Souza, Len Gardner, Hannah Flintoff, Eileen Bull, Frances Ryan & Brita Irons.