FR DAVID WRITES
This week the season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. Please see the attached sheet for the details of events and opportunities this Lent. Please bear in mind, however, that Lent is not all about ‘extra activities’ or doing more religious things—it is about interior conversion. This can come about in the simplest and most unexpected ways. The key is to listen. One suggestion for the Year of the Word: read Mark’s Gospel in one or two sittings. It is short, snappy and completely transforming. Jesus’s words there will speak to you. The tools for Lent are prayer, fasting and giving alms. Let us make a good beginning together!
ASH WEDNESDAY
This week it will be Ash Wednesday on 26th February. There will be Masses with distribution of ashes here at 8am, 10am and 7.30pm. There will also be a liturgy for children and staff of Our Lady of Lourdes in the primary school at 9.05am.
DATES FOR THE 'DOWRY OF MARY’ EVENT
Last week in the pastoral letter the following dates were highlighted. First, the statue of Our Lady of Walsingham has been touring all Catholic cathedrals in England. It will visit Westminster Cathedral 19th-22nd March (please see the small flyer on the porch notice board for full details). The rededication of England as the Dowry of Mary will take place here at all Masses on 28th/29th March. Please also see www.dowrytour.org.uk
CHURCH DOORS
Apologies for the inconvenience with the church door which is not working correctly. We need a special part which, hopefully, will arrive on Friday. Please continue to use the central doors and take care with the church porch door.
WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE CATHOLIC FAITH?
The next talk will be on Tuesday, 25th February at 7.45 pm in the Small Hall. This will be the second in a series on the Mass.
CONFIRMATION
Candidates are reminded of their meeting on Saturday, 29th February, at 4.50pm
followed by Mass.
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.
JANUARY SALE RAFFLE
The 1st Prize, a large hamper has not yet been claimed. If anyone has the ticket Orange 431 Please contact the Parish Office. If the prize is not claimed by next weekend then we will auction the Prize. Many thanks to you all - Janet Butterworth.
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).
ST ANNE’S GOSPEL CHOIR CONCERT
Friday 13th March, 7.30 pm at the Upper Site School, 6, Oakthorpe Road. Tickets are £10 for Adults, £5 for Students & Children (Under 5s free), £22 for a Family Ticket (2 adults & 2 children). Tickets can be purchased online via our E-Shop: https://goo.gl/KdNVwy or by calling the school on 020 8886 2165.
80’S DISCO NIGHT—OUR LADY OF LOURDES SCHOOL
Join us on the 29th February from 7pm for a disco night to raise money for new IT equipment. Fancy dress optional. Tickets £20 which includes a three course meal. Tickets available from Kamilla 07701 076590 or Steph 07737 275783.
SUNDAY MORNING REFRESHMENT ROTAS
New rotas available from the Paper shop today—thank you.
BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT
If you have been bereaved and would like to speak to one of our volunteers please complete a form (from the Church Porch) and post through the blue door.
GIFT AID
We will be giving out the new Planned Giving boxes soon. If you have offered Gift Aid on your donation, we are obliged to ask if you have moved recently or if you no longer pay income tax. If this applies to you, please let the Parish Office know as soon as you can, preferably by email. Many thanks.