‘I have come to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were blazing already!’
FR ANDREW WRITES
Sometimes Jesus can surprise us, even shock us in what he says. In the Gospel this Sunday he does just that. He says that he has come to bring fire to the earth, division and not peace. So what happened to gentle Jesus, meek and mild? Here’s the point, the fire that Jesus comes to bring to the earth, to our lives, is the fire of love for us which burns in his Sacred Heart. Jesus is on fire with love for us and he wants us to burn with love for him. To really love involves making a choice. To really love Jesus means rejecting anything that gets in the way of that love and choosing him above everything. This is the division that Jesus brings. The Sacred Heart of Jesus on fire with love for us invites us to make a radical choice of love.
PARISH OFFIC
Please note the Parish Office will be closed from Wednesday 21st —Wednesday 28th August.
22nd SOUTHGATE SCOUT GROUP
Thank you to everyone who supported The 22nd Southgate Scout Group, through the Tesco Bags for Help scheme. The group has been awarded £2,000, to help buy camping equipment.
ST IGNATIUS COLLEGE 125th ANNIVERSARY DINNER
St Ignatius College celebrates 125 years of Jesuit education with a celebration dinner on Friday 20th September. Tickets are £75 and are available on Eventbrite. This includes a welcome drink, a three course meal and half a bottle of wine. For more information, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
CLARE DONLON RIP
Clare’s Requiem Mass will take place on Monday 19th August at 10 am. We send our sympathy to her family and friends. May she rest in peace.
VINCENZO ORLANDO RIP
Vincenzo’s Requiem Mass will take place on Thursday 22nd August at 10am. We send our sympathy to his family and friends. May he rest in peace.
MONDAY BANK HOLIDAY:
Monday 26th August there will be one Mass only at 10am after which the Church will be closed.
WHITE FATHERS, DIOCESAN MISSIONARY APPEAL
Fr John Gerrard from The White Fathers, Missionaries of Africa, will be here on the weekend of 24th/25th August at all Masses to make this year’s annual Diocesan Missionary appeal. The Missionaries of Africa lay special stress on the family spirit, having a life of prayer and work in common. The White Fathers aim to work in partnership with the Church of Africa and, above all else, to help build up the leadership of the Churches in the area where they work. There will be a second collection after all Masses on this weekend.
JOIN OUR BROWNIE PACK
Here at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish we are lucky to have a vibrant, thriving Brownie Pack meeting every Thursday (term-time only) in the Parish Hall , 6—7.30 pm, run by Leader Karen Landi, Assistant Leader Frances Kantorowicz and Unit Helper Sarah Hunt.
Brownies is about trying new things that teach girls aged seven to ten about themselves, their community and their world. Brownies introduces girls to a world of new opportunities, challenges and fun. Girls go along to camps, holidays, day trips and sleepovers. They get together with their friends at regular meetings where they learn new hobbies, get creative, explore other cultures and have outdoor adventures. As well as trying activities in their meetings, girls choose from interest badges related to things they want to know more about. We have spaces to invite new girls to join the pack. If you would like to register for girls to join please follow the link below.
https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/what-we-do/brownies-7-10
DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO WALSINGHAM—YOUNG PEOPLE
Westminster Youth Ministry (WYM) invites young people aged 16 and above to join us on the diocesan pilgrimage to Walsingham on Saturday 21st September. The pilgrimage will be led by Cardinal Nichols and will include Mass, a Marian procession, rosary and exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, as well as being an opportunity to express our love and devotion for our Blessed Mother as a diocese and a group of young people. WYM is laying on a coach departing outside St Aloysius, Euston, NW1 1TA, at 7am, returning to St Aloysius early evening. Cost is £20 per person. Bring a picnic lunch. Booking form at dowym.com