FR ANDREW WRITES
In our Gospel this weekend, Our Lord is asked, “will there only be few saved?” Jesus doesn’t get into the numbers game but instead says simply, “Try your best to enter by the narrow door.” The point about the door to heaven being narrow is not that it reduces the number who may enter but rather that it changes the way in which we may enter. To get through a narrow door we have to slow down, there’s no charging the gates of heaven, we must slow down and proceed with care, there’s a certain humility needed to enter through a narrow door. And we may have to shed some baggage, shed attachments to the things of this life. And to get through a narrow door we need to be slim, not physically slim, but spiritually slim. In other words we need those disciplines of prayer and penance and charity that keep us in spiritual shape. And then we may enter humbly through the narrow door and take our places at the feast in the kingdom of God.
BAPTISM APPLICATIONS
The next Baptism applications will be on Monday 2nd September from 7pm –8pm .
PARISH OFFICE
Please note the Parish Office will be closed Monday—Wednesday this week.
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..
BLESSED CYPRIAN TANSI ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE 2019
This will take place on Saturday, 31st August 2019, at Mount St Bernard Abbey. To book a place on the coach, please contact Bernadette on 07813 367787
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 this 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.
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