Parish of Our Lady of La Salette, Rainham

Novena to Our Lady of La Salette. The Novena will continue this week at 8:30am Mass.

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Forthcoming Meetings: Parish Finance: 7:00pm Monday 15th September / Parish Council: 7:30pm Monday 15th September

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Confirmation 2026. If you are in Year 10 or above and want to be confirmed in our parish, please book an appointment with Fr. Kris for an interview. Candidates are required to belong to our parish, practise their faith regularly, and have knowledge of the following prayers before being accepted into the Confirmation Programme: The Sign of the Cross, Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, the Nicene Creed, and the Ten Commandments (you will be asked to say all of these). You will also be asked to explain why you want to be confirmed. For the interview, you must bring a copy of your Baptism certificate (including the postal address of the parish where you were baptised) and a copy of your Holy Communion certificate. Available dates: Wednesday, 1st October (5pm-6pm) or Thursday, 2nd October (6pm-7.30pm). You must attend the meeting with your parent/guardian.

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Secondary Schools Applications – Certificate of Practice. If you intend to apply for a Catholic secondary school for your child, it is imperative that you are registered as a parishioner. Please be aware of the following guidelines: Fr Kris must be familiar with families who have been actively practising their faith by regularly attending Sunday Mass. These families will be issued a Certificate of Catholic Practice. / If you have not been practising your faith, please refrain from requesting a Certificate of Catholic Practice, as Fr Kris will be unable to provide this document. In such cases, you should apply directly to the Catholic school of your choice. / For those applying to a non-Catholic school that requires evidence of religious practice, and you have been practising your faith, please arrange to see Fr Kris. However, if you have not been practising your faith, please apply directly to the non-Catholic school of your choice. Please be aware that Fr Kris will not provide additional references or documentation for parents who may appeal for a place at a non-Catholic school. Parents are requested to attend with their child on one of the following dates: Monday, 6th October, between 7:00pm and 8:00pm or Wednesday, 8th October, between 5:00pm and 6:00pm Fr Kris will be issuing Certificates of Catholic Practice at these sessions. Please be sure to bring your child’s Baptismal Certificate and First Holy Communion Certificate.

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New Altar Servers – Applications. Application/Consent forms - which need to be completed – are available in the Sacristy.

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Lourdes Pilgrimage 2025: 21st – 25th October. Cost £399 inclusive of return flights from Stansted, half board accommodation and transfer to/from Lourdes. Led by Fr. Stephen Boyle, parish priest of St. Anselm’s Dartford. Places are limited at this price to 20 persons, £70 single supplement. Children under 16 go for £199. To book a place please contact Fr. Stephen: Email:dartford@rcaos.org.uk or Tel: 01322220075

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Mary’s Meals. Back from holiday? Don’t forget that you can support Mary’s Meals by donating any left-over foreign currency! Mary’s Meals reaches three million hungry children. As we celebrate the Feast of The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on 8th September, we are delighted to share the news that Mary’s Meals is now reaching more than three million hungry children with nutritious meals every school day! Thank you for your support and prayers which have made this possible. Visit the Mary’s Meals website to find out more: www.marysmeals.org.uk / 

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Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. For anyone who may be interested in the RCIA Programme, possibly with the ambition of being received into full communion with the Roman Catholic Church. The RCIA Programme covers many aspects of Catholicism, including scripture, sacramental life, Catholic practice and traditions. Please see Fr Kris for more information.

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Volunteers Needed! We are looking for parishioners to volunteer as stewards at weekends. You would need to arrive 20 minutes before Mass and stay for a short time afterwards. We are hoping that sufficient numbers will step forward such that we can begin a rota, rather than a weekly commitment. Please speak to any of the existing stewards. Your help in this important role is much appreciated.

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Mass Intentions. There are a number of opportunities to request a Mass Intention on weekdays and Sundays in the coming weeks. We often want to have a Mass said for remembrance of a loved one, a special intention or perhaps the speedy recovery of a family member or friend, but rarely do we think of having a Mass offered for a celebration or in thanksgiving for prayers answered! Is there a better way to show our gratitude to God? Please speak to any of the Priests to arrange for a Mass intention. If you have arranged for a Mass intention at weekends, and would like to take the offertory gifts to the altar, please make yourself known to the stewards in the porch before Mass.

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Second Collection – Evangelii Gaudium Sunday. There will be a retiring collection next weekend. Formerly known as Home Mission Sunday, Evangelii Gaudium Sunday is celebrated each year on the Third Sunday of September. The work of encounter and evangelisation is promoted through the Directorate for Mission. Through this directorate, the vision of the Holy Father is embraced in a fuller way and promotes the whole ideal of proclamation, evangelisation, dialogue and catechesis.

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Side Chapel. We are very fortunate to have a Chapel so close to the Sanctuary, which provides a unique view of the liturgy. If your young child becomes restless during Mass, you are encouraged to avail of the Side Chapel where you may find it easier to calm them.

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Support our parish youth online. Visit our ‘shop’ to donate. We don’t sell or ship anything. After choosing the amount, click “personal collection” in the basket. Then pay to transfer your donation to our youth fund. Visit <THIS LINK>. Thanks for investing in our parish’s future.

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Join Our Chess Classes! Elite Chess Academy invites children aged 4-16 and adults to join our chess classes. It’s a great opportunity to learn chess, develop logical thinking, and have fun! Classes are held on Mondays and Saturdays. If you’re interested, please contact us: contact@elitechessacademy.co.uk 🖥️ www.elitechessacademy.co.uk 📞 07858975335

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Offertory Collection. Please help us to minimise cash handling by setting up a standing order. Forms are available in the porch. Please also consider Gift Aiding your offering if you are a taxpayer. Non-Gift Aid donations can also be made using your contactless card on the machine in the porch.

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REGISTERING AT THE PARISH: It’s always important to have details of all of our parishioners. There are Parish Registration Forms in the Porch of the Church. Please complete and return to the Presbytery.

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Sacrament of Reconciliation. As part of our Parish activities within this special Jubilee Year, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is made available 15 minutes before Sunday Mass, in addition to the usual times on Saturdays. All Parishioners are encouraged to avail of this opportunity.

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Please pray for the Sick members of our Parish, at home or in hospital: Derek Capon,David Kowalski, Sheila Miller, Mary Ponting, Jean Shaw. May they feel the presence of the Lord with them at all times.

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Visiting the Sick. Visits take place on the first Friday of each month. If you, or a member of your family, would like a visit, we are happy to arrange this. Please let one of our priests know.

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