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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Jesus Christ,

You need no words from me to state the grave seriousness of the crisis of the spread of the coronavirus around the world and throughout this country. We know the steps and the sacrifices we must take in order to play our part in slowing its spread, saving lives and enabling the NHS to continue its vital work. These things are our duty before God.

There are other vitally important aspects of this moment in our history that are less prominent in our media and conversations.

At this moment we stand before God. That is never to be forgotten. Together we turn to God in prayer, at this moment as never before.

FR DAVID WRITES
Today is the Fourth Sunday of Lent, also known as 'Laetare Sunday'. Today is one of two days when we use rose coloured vestments - a lighter shade of the darker purple which signifies our joy and hope. Right now, there is much to hope for and much to pray for. This has been the saddest Lent I have ever known, but even now we see much goodness and kindness all around us, it can really lift our spirits. Today is also Mothering Sunday. Although the people cannot come to church today, we still want to extend our greetings and love to all the mums of the parish, as we know you all do the same. Please try to say some prayers at home, follow our Masses on the website at 10am if you can. We miss you all - we send you our prayers and love.

Dear Parishioners,

I write to you with important information for the parish regarding the suspension of normal activities due to the Covid-19 coronavirus disease. We are following the advice and instructions from the Cardinal, the Diocese of Westminster and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales (CBCEW). These are available to view at the Bishops’ Conference website www.cbcew.org.uk

If you are able to, please use our website www.ourladynewsouthgate.org.uk to follow news, updates and Masses. Please also see churchservices.tv/newsouthgate

From today the public celebration of Masses here at Our Lady of Lourdes will be suspended. Please note carefully that this does not mean there will be no Masses. The Eucharist is always the centre of our lives and of the saving work of Christ in his Church. The Bishops are very clear that the obligation to attend Sunday Mass is removed during this time. Father Andrew and I will continue to celebrate Mass every day for your intentions and for the spiritual good of all. You will be able to join in these Masses by watching online through the parish website. If you participate in the Mass by the internet or phone at home, you can unite yourself spiritually to the celebration and to all other members of the parish in prayer. We will say the 10am Mass every day (and on Saturdays also at 6.30pm) for the intentions that have already been allocated. The intentions for the 8am Masses and other Masses will either be transferred to later dates, or sent to be celebrated by other priests who do not have intentions. So here, from tomorrow (Thursday 19th March), Holy Mass will be celebrated and streamed live every day, 7 days a week, at 10am, plus also a Mass at 6.30pm on Saturday evening. All other usual times are now suspended. Let us all, please, continue to pray for each other. Confessions may be heard here by pre-arranged appointment only.

FR DAVID WRITES
Today, on the Third Sunday of Lent, we hear the magnificent Gospel passage about the encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. In her encounter with Christ, the woman comes to faith. She then spreads the message about Jesus to everyone she knows. Ultimately, they all come to believe in Christ whom they declare, 'the Saviour of the world.' May our faith also spread among others so that they too might come to believe and be saved.

Steve Coleman was a parishioner at Our Lady of Lourdes from even before the church was built. With permission from his son, Peter Coleman, here are his memoirs of the founding of the parish and local life in the first half of the 20th century.

Steve Coleman (right, holding the book) at the blessing for the building of the new church, watching his shoes disappear into the mud!

FR DAVID WRITES
Many thanks to everyone who came to celebrate our parish feast day last Tuesday - it was a truly memorable evening. I would also like to thank everyone who supported it and contributed towards our celebration in any way. It was also lovely to award the Benemerenti medal, on behalf of Pope Francis, to Dorothy Landi in recognition of her seventy years of service to the parish and particularly our choir. As I mentioned in my homily, we are looking towards the centenary of the parish in 2023 and there will be much to think and pray about as we approach that important anniversary.

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Prayer Intentions

Those who are unwell, including:  
Lourdes Coutinho, Michael Kalou, Albert Coutinho, Theodore Welling, Bernadette Dillon, Richard Rayney, Kathleen Ferns, Larry Andrews, Teresa Murray,  Stephen Giffin and Elizabeth Hosford.

Those who have died recently:
Libby Biberian, Protasio Pinagli, Christina Phelan, Seamus Keane and Doris D’Souza.