Clergy Appointments

PARISH PRIESTS

Fr Britto Belevendran—From Wickford to Upton Park

Fr Rick Fernandez—From Lexden to Becontree

Fr Matthias Baidoo—From South Woodham Ferrers/Danbury to Lexden

Fr Angelus Houle—From Upton Park to South Woodham Ferrers/Danbury

Fr Philip Okoli—Colchester from Assistant to Parish Priest

Fr Damien Wade—From Assistant, Chelmsford, Our Lady Immaculate to Wickford.

PAROCHIAL ADMINISTRATORS

Fr Frank Westcott—To Ongar

Fr Gary Dench—Appointed as Parochial Administrator of Ingatestone and will remain as Parish Priest of Hutton

 ASSISTANT PRIESTS

Fr Michael Barwick—From Walthamstow Our Lady & St George to Chelmsford, Our Lady Immaculate

Fr Jude Kurumeh CSSp—New to Diocese  from Spiritans, Rome to Hornchurch St Mary

Fr Cherian John-Syro Malankara—New to Diocese  from Syro-Malankara, Kerala to Hornchurch English Martyrs

Fr Ebeneezer Annobil—New to Diocese from Cape Coast, Ghana to Colchester

Fr Shajin Jose Anthony—New to Diocese from Trivandrum to Walthamstow

Fr Alfonso Heredia RCJ—New to Diocese from Rogationists, Italy to Westcliff/Rochford.

RETIREMENTS

Monsignor Christopher Brooks will retire as Parish Priest of Colchester.

Canon Peter Connor will retire as Parish Priest of Ingatestone.

Fr Gerry Drummond will retire as Parish Priest of Rochford.

These appointments take effect from the first weekend in September.

Weekday Readers

Reading at weekday Mass - Volunteers welcome

Readers participating in the Liturgy of the Word play an essential role in the Mass, and the parish is looking for more volunteers to read.

On average people read about once every 2 weeks, and the rota is flexible to fit in with holiday and other commitments. You don't have to have read before and training can be provided. If you want to experience what reading would be like before deciding whether to read regularly, a one-off reading opportunity can be arranged too.

So if you would like to find out more and give reading a try, please go to the volunteering page on the website and send us your details Volunteer (lourdesleigh.org) and Jackie Sullens will be in touch. Thank you.

Baptisms

We congratulate the parents of Joey Petra and Luke Segovia O’Sullivan who were Baptised recently at Our Lady of Lourdes.  May God bless them and their families as they grow in His knowledge and love.

OLOL Ladies Group

Our next Meeting is on Thursday 3rd July from 9.30am, all ladies in the Parish are welcome and subs are £1   per meeting.

Jo Ronan will be hosting one of her popular Art & Craft mornings, so there will be plenty of opportunity to bring out that ‘inner artist’, and perhaps also make something for the forthcoming Flower and Craft Festival in the Church.

As usual, refreshments are available plus a fun Raffle. (Donations for the Raffle will be very welcome).     

Advance Notice:  Our end of term Buffet lunch party is on 17th July. Entrance is by ticket only, cost £6.  There are only very few tickets left as numbers for the lunch are limited so please book as soon as possible.   

Faith, Friends and Food

Bringing together men within our Parish bonded by their common faith in our One Triune God and His One Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. What is this?

Men only group, 18+

Learning more about your faith and prayer life

Being more active within your Parish

Contributing ideas, volunteering

Socialising, food, drinks

Once a month

Widening your social circle to include other Catholics.

We are forming a new Parish men’s group for those who are wanting to form new friendships within our Parish and to generally learn more about their faith and to contribute ideas and to help. Whether you are fresh out from leaving college, taking care of your family, new to the Parish, retired and everything in between you are welcome to come along.

There’s no commitment, just a want to bring together men within our parish bonded by their common faith inner One Triune God and his One Holy, Catholic and Apostolic church.

For any questions about the group, or if interested and would like to attend our once monthly meet-ups, or would like to find out more, then please contact Martin on 07515931567.

Mini Vinnies

The next meeting for the Mini Vinnies will take place in the Parish Centre on Monday, 30th June from 5.15pm to 6.45pm. Mini Vinnie Committee.

Quiz Night Saturday, 5th July in the Parish Centre

Hello everyone! If you are a fan of quiz nights, today is your lucky day! The young people from OLOL Parish going to Lourdes this year with BCYS (Brentwood Catholic Youth Service) are fundraising for their pilgrimage.

They go as volunteers to support the sick and elderly of the Parish/Diocese. They provide practical support pushing wheelchairs and spend time enjoying their company. The young people learn a great deal about serving others, as well as spending time deepening their own faith.

As the young people need to pay for their own transportation and accommodation, there will be a fundraising quiz on Saturday 5th July at our Lady of Lourdes Parish Centre, starting at 7.15pm. Tickets are £5 per person (bring your own drink and nibbles), with a maximum of 8 people per table. Tickets will be available at the back of church after all Masses and also from the Parish Office, Monday to Friday 9am—1pm.

Raffle donations will be gratefully accepted on the evening, or may be left at the back of church beforehand if you cannot attend.

Hope to see you there!
OLOL Brentwood Youth Team

Sea of Voices Summer Concert

Early notice that the Sea of Voices will be holding its Summer Concert in the Gilbert Room of the Parish Centre on Sunday 20th July at 3pm. Tickets at £5 will be made available in the next few weeks and proceeds will go to a Charity (to be advised).  Offers of help and donations of raffle prizes please to Darrell Binding 07825686249. Thank you! 

Annual Flower & Craft Show 5th July—11am to 4pm

Please bring family, friends and neighbours to visit our beautiful church on Saturday 5th July for our Flower and Craft display, and to show support for all those who are taking part. This is a chance to open ourselves up to our wider community, some of whom have never been into a church before.

The theme this year is God’s creation, from the hymn,

‘O Lord my God when I in awesome wonder consider all the worlds Thy hand has made.’

We are also celebrating the opening of our church building 100 years ago this year.

Refreshments will be available from 11.00am in the parish centre.

Donations of flowers can be made on Thursday or Friday morning  and left in the old baptistry.

Help on the day would also be appreciated to ensure that there are always people in the church to welcome visitors and to answer questions.

Jo Ronan

Summer Fete Helpers Wanted at OLOL School—Saturday 5th July, 12-3.30pm

We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help make our summer fete a fantastic event! Whether you can lend a hand with setup, run a stall, or help throughout the day we’d love to have you on board.

We’re also welcoming outside stall holders who would like to join and have a stall.

If you’re interested in supporting or taking part, please get in touch—we’d love to hear from you! Please email pta@ourladyoflourdes.southend.sch.uk

ERCOL Table & Chairs

One of our parishioners has an Ercol table and four chairs which they no longer need. If you are interested, please contact Mrs Isaacs on 01702 713195.

MISSIO Red Boxes

I have received the Summer Issue of Mission Today. If you have not received one from me personally please take one from the back of the Church ( on the ledge in the usual place). If you have a box that needs emptying please give it to me personally or leave in the office and I will collect it. Thank you.
Joan Caunce Secretary 01268 757505

Paul Bakers Charity Row

Parishioner Paul Baker is rowing from Grimsby to Ramsgate in July this year to raise money for Children in Need and the SVP Centre in Southend. If you would like to donate please go to the donation page:
https://givewheel.com/fundraising/7721/conquer-the-coast-f0r-children-in-need-row/

St Thomas More Open Evening

St. Thomas More High school - open evening, Thursday, 10th July 4.00p.m. to 7.00p.m. - for families who have a son due to transfer to secondary school in September 2026  -  come and see the school, meet the staff and pupils. 

The Headteachers talk will begin at 5.30pm.

Parents of boys who wish to apply to St. Thomas More School for a place in September 2026 should complete the local education authority single application form (saf) and fill in the supplementary information form (sif) that can be collected at the open evening.

If you are unable to come to the open evening, please contact the school in order to get the supplementary information form. The form can also be downloaded from the school web site:-

                                                   WWW.ST-THOMASMORE.SOUTHEND.SCH.UK

St John Bosco Children’s Camp 2025

For children aged 9-12 years old (school years 5-7), a week of great fun, activities including climbing wall and zip wire, fishing, football, archery and much more, all in a beautiful setting. The Camp has a Catholic ethos, and exists to give children a magnificent holiday. 26th July – 2nd August. For more details, and application information: www.boscocamp.co.uk. The Camp is a special work of Caritas Diocese of Brentwood.

If you are supporting a family to apply from within your parish or school, please do apply very soon to be sure of a place. The direct link for a child’s application is:https://Johnbsoco.formstack.com/forms/bosco_child_application_form_2025

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School & Nursery

Our family friendly nursery welcomes children from 2-4 years old. Our experienced team provide opportunities for all children to learn through play, inside and outside the classroom. We are pleased to offer spaces from September. Please contact the school office on 01702 475689 to book your visit.

The Most Holy Body & Blood of Christ

Liturgy:
Readings of Year C
Preface of The Blessed Eucharist
The Nicene Creed

Saturday 21
St Aloysius Gonzaga, Rel
5.30pm Mass The People of the Parish
6.30-7.30pm Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession

The Most Holy Body & Blood of Christ
22nd June
8am Mass Tom & Benita Skelton, RIP (RM)
9.30am Mass William Armstrong, RIP (Anniv) (JA)
11.30am Mass Thomas Haden, RIP (LL)
4pm Corpus Christi Procession
NO Vespers & Benediction

Monday 23
St Etheldreda, Ab
9am Mass Betty Gray RIP, (Anniv) (JH)

Tuesday 24
Nativity of St John the Baptist
9am Mass Charles & Alice Whitefield, RIP (FM)

Wednesday 25
Feria (St Josemaría Escrivá)
9am Mass Intentions of Edward Potts (HU)

Thursday 26
Feria
9am Mass Rocky Menezes, RIP (Anniv) (MM)

Friday 27
The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
12Noon Mass Msgr Kieron Kennedy, RIP
Holy Hour and Benediction in honour of the feast— 7–8pm

Saturday 28
St Ireanaeus, B D M
10am Mass Annie Laura Levan, RIP (FM)
10.30—11.30am Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession

5.30pm Mass Intentions of Teresa (MrsW)
6.30-7.30pm Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confession

SS Peter & Paul, App
29th June
8am Mass Gareth Lewis, RIP (Anniv) JL)
9.30am Mass Patrick Clarke, RIP (Anniv) (IR)
11.30am Mass The People of the Parish
5.30pm Vespers & Benediction

We Pray for the Dead on their Anniversaries

Fr Edward Thomas, Canon James Dacey, Mary Wright, Doreen Faux, Patricia Larman, Francis Woodward, Sidney Baldwin, Anthony Gwatkin, Francesco Ciccone, Peter Liddell, Rosemary Conway, Frank Cope, Marie Patricia Kidd, Margaret Smith, Stella Migdalski, Mildred Turner, Henry Adamson, Rory MacNaughton, Julie Emerson, Dr Pat collins, Joseph Whomes, Rosemary Montgomery, Esther Wilkins, Teresa Parascandolo, Mary Ellen Sutcliffe, Elizabeth Anne Gandee, Derek Cousins, Marion Lane & Brenda Pearson.

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