WEEKDAY TIMES 19th OCTOBER- 23rd OCTOBER 2026
19th October Monday 9:00am Mass
20th October Tuesday No Morning Mass
21st October Wednesday 9:30am Mass
22nd October Thursday 9:30am Mass- Group Church Clean following morning mass
23rd October Friday 9:30am Mass
There will be a 2nd collection this weekend after all the masses for World Mission Sunday-MISSIO.
A New Bishop for Brentwood
Last Weekend, our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, appointed Bishop Timothy Menezes, Auxiliary Bishop of Birmingham, as the eighth Bishop of Brentwood. Bishop Menezes was born in 1970, trained for the Priesthood at St Mary’s College, Oscott, and the English College, Rome. Ordained Priest in 1995, he has held various pastoral roles within the Archdiocese of Birmingham, including Parish Priest, Archbishop’s Secretary, Dean of the Cathedral and Vicar General. He was ordained Bishop in July 2024. His Installation will take place on 3rd December in Brentwood Cathedral. We assure him of our prayers as he assumes this tremendous task of being Shepherd of the flock of Brentwood!
At the same time, we give thanks to God for twelve years during which Bishop Alan Williams has been our Shepherd; may The Lord reward him for his generous service to our Diocese as we wish him a long and happy retirement!
A short video message from Bishop Timothy can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcZaFT19hnM
Children’s Liturgy Volunteers Needed
We are looking for volunteers to join the children’s Liturgy group.
We are groups of mums, who take it in turns to lead the children’s sessions at 11am mass on Sundays. Several pairs have had to step down, as our children are older and now have other commitments.
We work in pairs, and any volunteers will be added to an existing pair while they learn the ropes.
If you are interested, or have any questions please get in touch with either Sam 07946 138307 r Danielle 07725646861
The Call to Be Human
What does it mean to be a free moral agent? A talk to be given by Fr Martin Boland.
Wednesday 21st October 7.00 – 8.00 p.m. in the parish centre of Our Lady of Lourdes, Wanstead.
All welcome. www.ourladyoflourdes.com
Contemporary Music Group
We will next be playing and singing at the 11:00am Mass on Sunday, 1st November.
There will be a practice on Monday 26th October from 7-8pm in the choir loft.
We welcome new singers or musicians who may consider joining our group -simply come along!
First Holy Communion Preparation – Important Dates
Preparing for First Holy Communion is a very special part of a child’s journey of faith. As the children get ready to receive Jesus in the Eucharist, we trust that the Lord will help them grow in their love for him and discover more deeply the joy of having him as their friend.
We look forward to sharing this journey with the children and their families.
Please keep the following dates in your diary
- Wednesday 18 November, 7.30 pm – Parents’ Evening
- Sunday 22 November, 10.00 am – Who Do You Say I Am?
- Sunday 13 December, 10.00 am – I Am the Good Shepherd
- Sunday 17 January, 10.00 am – I Am the Light of the World
- Sunday 7 February, 10.00 am – I Am the Vine
- Sunday 14 March, 10.00 am – I Am the Resurrection and the Life
- Saturday 17 April, 10.00 am – Mass in the Woods
- Sunday 25 April, 10.00 am – I Am the Bread of Life
- Saturday 15 May, 11.00 am – Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession)
First Holy Communion Masses
- Saturday 22 May, 12 noon
- Sunday 23 May, 1.00 pm
- Sunday 30 May, 11.00am Thanksgiving and Going Forth Mass
A gentle note for parents: We kindly ask parents to attend the Parents’ Evening on 18 November, as this is an essential part of the preparation programme. We also ask that children attend all the preparation classes, as each session helps them to grow in their faith and deepen their friendship with Jesus.
We encourage all parents to bring their children to Sunday Mass every week from now on. Coming to Mass together is a wonderful way to help children grow in their faith and feel part of our parish family as they prepare to receive Jesus in Holy Communion.
Thank you for your support and for walking alongside your child on this important journey of faith.
If you would like your child to make their First Holy Communion at a different parish Sunday Mass from the dates listed above, please speak with Fr Adrian.
Please keep all the children and their families in your prayers as they prepare for this very special moment in their lives.
A Celtic Christmas – A Performance of Music and Wonder
Join soprano Caitlin Downie on 6 December at Redbridge Drama Centre for a beautiful celebration of Celtic Christmas music. Through cherished carols, traditional instruments and exquisite harmonies, let yourself be drawn into the wonder and mystery of Christ’s birth. Staged by candlelight, this uplifting concert evokes the peace, hope and joy of the Nativity, inviting us to pause amid the hectic pace of December and reflect on the true meaning of Christmas.
A heartwarming musical experience for the whole family, celebrating the timeless beauty of Christmas and the light of Christ shining in our world.
Performances are at 2:30pm and 6pm on 6 December 2026.
Bookings can be made here: https://caitlindownie.com/a-celtic-christmas#upcoming
School Forms
Many Catholic schools require the Parish Priest’s signature for confirmation of a family’s attendance on a school form. Please bring your form with you to the Sunday Mass you normally attend and speak with Fr. Adrian after the service. Please ensure that the form is fully completed before bringing it to him.
For parents whose children are applying to Davenant School, please note that they write directly to the parish requesting information about a family’s Mass attendance over the previous five years.
If your child is applying to Davenant, please see Fr. Adrian after a Sunday Mass to discuss the application and the information required. Regrettably, Fr. Adrian cannot complete or sign the relevant form unless a conversation has taken place with the parent(s) in person.
Fr. Adrian is asked to complete each form truthfully and to the best of his knowledge, based on the information available to him. We therefore kindly ask parents to understand that he must provide an honest response and not to put him in the difficult position of being asked to state anything other than the truth. We are grateful for everyone’s understanding and cooperation in this.
We encourage parents to speak with Fr. Adrian as early as possible during the application process.
Thank you for your understanding, and for helping us to handle this matter with honesty, care and kindness.