Newsletters
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FR DAVID WRITES
Today is Gaudete Sunday - a day of rejoicing for the coming of the Lord and the midpoint in our Advent journey. We've had a busy week again in the parish and I thank everyone for their efforts and generosity. I especially mention those of you who came to support our Advent soup lunch on Thursday in aid of CAFOD and all those who kindly helped with it. Life in our schools is busy at the moment too but the end of term is in sight! This coming Wednesday at 5pm we have Our Lady of Lourdes juniors' Carol Service in church. I send my best wishes to all our children, young people and parents throughout the parish as we head into the Christmas holidays, and every blessing to all our parishioners for this joyful Gaudete Sunday.
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FR DAVID WRITES
Please take a Christmas card from the back of church which details the times of Masses and celebrations over the Christmas and New Year period. Thank you to everyone who came to our parish party on Friday evening—it was a special opportunity for us to say thank you for the generosity shown by our volunteers and parishioners. Thanks also go to everyone who came to or helped with the Bernadette Club Christmas dinner on Thursday afternoon, and the refreshments served after our Sacrament of the Sick Mass yesterday (Saturday). This weekend you are invited to sign our CAFOD Climate Change Petition—see the note opposite. I hope that you can continue to savour the Advent season in all its richness as we prepare to celebrate the feast of the Lord’s nativity.
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FR DAVID WRITES
Welcome, everyone, to the new liturgical year and welcome to the season of Advent! Today (Sunday) we have Vespers and Benediction in church at 5pm to mark the start of Advent. Today we also begin our journey through Matthew's Gospel and the start of this special 'Year of the Word'. Matthew's Gospel is a remarkable text from the first century and is the first book in our New Testament. It was written for Greek speaking Jewish-Christians. This Gospel has many themes but in a special way focuses on the mystery of the Church, the New Israel, of which we are all called to be part. Let us travel through Advent and 2020 with Matthew as our guide, as he introduces us once again to the Saviour of the world. Finally, please see our special sheet which outlines dates and activities in the parish this Advent. May God bless you all!
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FR DAVID WRITES
Today, the Feast of Christ the King, is the final Sunday of the Church's year. Next week, a new year begins with the Advent. Next weekend will also see the beginning of a special 'Year of God’s Word' - a year dedicated to 'The God Who Speaks' and a time to renew our devotion to the scriptures. We will also mark the beginning of Advent here and the Year of the Word with a special celebration of Evening Prayer and Benediction in the church next Sunday at 5.00pm. All are welcome! Finally, our parish party on Friday 6th December at 7pm. This is for everyone who kindly does any role in the parish whatsoever and is our opportunity to say ‘thank you’ at Christmas—please join us!
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'THE SUMMIT' YOUTH EVENT
This Friday, 22nd November, we have a special event for young people (teenagers) of our Deanery at St Monica's Parish, Palmers Green, 7—9pm. Some have already approached Fr David to say they will be coming along. Please do speak to Fr David or Fr Andrew this weekend if you would like to join us. The event begins in the large hall at St Monica's and includes input, social time, food and other refreshments. There will also be some praise and worship in the church and a time of prayer and adoration. Young people are asked to either make their own way there and back, or else be dropped off/picked up by their parents. More information from the priests.
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FR DAVID WRITES: MONTH OF THE HOLY SOULS
November is the month of the Holy Souls. It began in splendid style with the feast of All Saints on Friday. All Souls’ Day was yesterday (Saturday) when the church prays for all the faithful departed. Throughout this month we continue to pray for those who have died, especially our loved ones and those we have known. Significant dates are as follows, in date order:
Thursday 7 November at 5.30pm in Westminster Cathedral—the Diocesan Mass for the Deceased Clergy, celebrated by Cardinal Nichols with the bishops and priests.
Friday 8 November at 7.30pm our own special Requiem Mass here at Our Lady of Lourdes for the deceased members of our parish, families and friends.
Sunday 10 November, 9.45am here—our Remembrance Sunday Mass for those who died in war, including the Church Parade of our uniformed groups.
Tuesday 12 November, 12.30pm—Deanery Mass for Deceased Members of the Enfield Deanery, celebrated in Our Lady of Mount Carmel & St George Church, Enfield Town by Fr David, Fr Andrew and the deanery priests. Everyone is welcome at all of these special celebrations.
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ALL SAINTS DAY
Friday, 1st November, is All Saints Day and is a Holy Day of Obligation. There will be Mass at 8 am, 10 am and 7.30 pm. Saturday, 2nd November is All Souls Day. There will be Mass at 10 am. Our special Mass for the Deceased Members of the Parish will be on Friday, 8th November at 7.30 pm.
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FR DAVID WRITES
On Friday evening, Fr Andrew and I attended ‘The Summit’ event at Westminster Cathedral, along with several young members of our parish. It was a great celebration. ‘The Summit’ is an event organised jointly between Westminster Youth Ministry and local parishes. On Friday 22 November at 7pm our own Deanery of Enfield is organising and hosting a special Enfield ‘Summit’. It will take place at St Monica’s Church, Palmers Green, for young parishioners aged between 13 and 18. Please speak to one of the priests for more details. This weekend, we welcome members of the Bethlehem Nativity Group supporting the Christian community there. Finally, thank you to everyone who attended our lovely Mass on Saturday morning in thanksgiving to God for the canonisation of St John Henry Newman. I remembered you all during my pilgrimage in Rome last weekend at the canonisation event in St Peter’s Square. May John Henry Newman pray for us, and may God bless you all.
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FR DAVID WRITES
Well done and congratulations to all the children and their families who were officially enrolled in the First Holy Communion programme last Sunday at the 11.15 am Mass. Let us please keep them in our prayers during this important journey of formation. Today (Sunday) I am in Rome for the canonisation of Cardinal John Henry Newman. Please do look out for reports on the TV, radio and social media. I promise to pray for the whole parish at the tomb of the apostle Peter. This weekend we welcome back Fr Johnson who has been on retreat in Ars, France. We also welcome Fr Tom Thomas who is helping with celebrating Masses while I am away.
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Prayer by Pope Francis for October—Month of Mission
Heavenly Father, when your only begotten Son Jesus Christ rose from the dead, he commissioned his followers to ‘go and make disciples of all nations’ and you remind us that through baptism we are made sharers in the mission of the Church. Empower us by the gifts of the Holy Spirit to be courageous and zealous in bearing witness to the Gospel, so that the mission entrusted to the Church, which is still very far from completion, may find new and efficacious expressions that bring life and light to the world. Help us make it possible for all peoples to experience the saving love and mercy of Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, One God, for ever and ever.
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FR DAVID WRITES
We are very much back into the full swing of autumn term. Today is your last chance to sign up for an appointment for secondary school transfer. Please bring the self-assessment with you to the meeting (if there were no forms left last time, please collect one this weekend from the shop or from the parish office during the week). Today there is a pastoral letter from the Cardinal on a number of events coming our way soon - not least the imminent canonisation. Today we will also hear the autumn talk from our CAFOD reps at Mass, as this coming Friday is Harvest Family Fast Day.