FR DAVID WRITES
Today is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord—also known as ‘Candlemas’. This is the fortieth day since Christmas and marks the day when Mary and Joseph brought the baby Jesus to be presented in the Temple. They met the prophets Simeon and Anna who had wisdom to recognise the light of God which had entered into the night time of human history. Today at the 9.45am Mass we will hold the traditional blessing of candles associated with this feast. Candlemas is also the World Day for Consecrated Life. Let us keep all consecrated men and women in our prayers, and we pray especially for the religious in our own parish, deanery and diocese.

FEAST OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES
We will celebrate our patronal feast on Tuesday 11th February. We are holding a special Mass in the church at 7.30pm, followed by a parish party in the hall afterwards. I do hope as many of you as possible can be there to celebrate our parish feast. (There will be no 10am Mass because we are holding a deanery conference in the morning).

DIOCESAN LOURDES PILRGIMAGE
The Westminster Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes, led by the Cardinal Nichols, will be 25th-31st July. This marks the 30th anniversary since the first Diocesan Pilgrimage led by Cardinal Hume. Fr David and Fr Andrew will be taking part and invite parishioners to join them. It is not a 'parish pilgrimage' as such but our parish group is joining in the wider diocesan pilgrimage, which has a full programme of daily events. Return travel is by air from Stansted to Lourdes-Tarbes. Full board accommodation in Hotel Mediterranee and full pilgrimage programme: £863 (single room supplement extra). Please contact the Parish Office to register and collect a copy of the booking form.

WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE CATHOLIC FAITH?
Please note there will be no talk this week: the next one will be on Tuesday, 18th February at 7.45 pm in the Small Hall.

FAIR TRADE
February's Fair Trade stall is open next weekend until after the 11:15 Mass. For 1st March only, it will open after every Mass so that you can order Fair Trade Real Easter Eggs.

LOURDES MASS FOR THE SICK AT WESTMINSTER CATHEDRAL
The Annual Mass in honour of Our Lady of Lourdes takes place at Westminster Cathedral on Saturday 8th February at 2 pm.  All welcome, especially those who are sick, and those who work in healthcare.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2020
Parents are reminded of their meeting on Tuesday, 4th February, at 8pm in the Parish Hall.  Children meet on Saturday at 10am and the family Mass will be on Sunday at 11.15am.

UNWANTED COMMUNION DRESSES
If anyone has an unwanted Communion dress in good condition and would like to pass it on to another child please contact the Parish office or speak to one of the catechists—thank you .

CONFIRMATION COURSE 2020
Our Confirmation course continues in the Parish Hall on Saturday, 8th February at 4.50pm.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

JANUARY SALE 2020—THANKS FOR YOUR HELP & GENEROSITY!
A big thank you for all the support we had for the January Sale. It was a huge success and we raised £1,718—a wonderful result.  Fr David would like us to purchase a defibrillator for the Parish with this money.  This important equipment could be life saving should we ever need it.  Raffle prizes can be claimed from the Parish Office during opening times or the Paper Shop after weekend Masses.  A list of prizes winners is on the notice board. Many thanks to you all -  Janet Butterworth.

AFTERNOON TEA GROUP DATES
Please note there is a change of dates for the next three months for the afternoon tea group, which will move to the third Sunday of the month, rather than the second.  The next Afternoon Tea will be on Sunday. 16th February. at 3 pm in the Small Hall.

ANNUAL MASS OF THANKSGIVING FOR THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY
Westminster Cathedral, Saturday 30th May at 3 pm.  
The Cardinal will be inviting to this Mass all couples in the Diocese who are celebrating their 5th, 10th, 25th, 30th, 50th & 60th (and every year over 60) wedding anniversary of Catholic marriage in 2020.  If you are celebrating an anniversary, please give the Parish Office the following details: names, wedding date, full postal address and email (or telephone number, if no email).

FEBRUARY BAPTISM COURSE
The first part of the course takes place on Monday, 3rd February, between 7—8 pm.  Please come to the Parish Hall lobby where you will be invited to complete your application form.  The second part of the course is the following Monday, 10th February.