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FR DAVID WRITES
Last Thursday we celebrated the Feast of the Ascension, forty days after Easter. We are now in the time of prayer between Ascension and Pentecost, when we are invited to join the first disciples spiritually who looked for the outpouring of the promised Holy Spirit. We too want to ask God the Holy Spirit to renew his gifts among us and empower us to really live our Christian witness. We will celebrate the great Feast of Pentecost next Sunday – the fiftieth and final day of Easter time. That date, sadly, reminds us that we have almost celebrated an entire season, Easter time, without the physical presence of the faithful at church. However, we are really strengthened and consoled by your prayers and spiritual presence, especially by those who are praying for the parish at home, and those who are able to join our celebrations and Holy Hours online or by telephone. Let us really ask the Holy Spirit to help us through this trial and to strengthen the gifts of faith and love that he brings to our lives.

VIGIL OF PENTECOST
There will be a short time of prayer immediately after the Saturday Vigil Mass next weekend (online), in which we are invited to pray to the Holy Spirit in preparation for the Sunday of Pentecost.

THANK YOU ALL
Thank you to everyone who has continued to pray at home, especially at Mass times, and to those who have prayed the Rosary during this month of May. Let us keep our prayers going strong. We also want to thank you all for being so generous in continuing to support the work of the parish financially – this really makes a big difference in testing times and will certainly help us in the longer term. Thank you also for the many kind messages, emails and cards. God bless you all.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales (CBCEW) is engaged with the Government and other faith groups in working towards the re-opening of places of worship. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has established a task-force to work on this, and the Catholic Church is represented. It is likely that our church will re-open for limited hours for private visits and prayers before public Masses can begin again. However, there is much to put in place before even this can happen and we are still in the initial stages. Here at Our Lady of Lourdes we are following the guidelines and instructions we receive in order to be ready when the time comes, but we will not be able to re-open until (a) it is agreed and announced by the Secretary of State and our church leaders, and (b) we have successfully completed a rigorous risk assessment here. We will also need to rely on the patience and common sense of our people. As well as the church itself, there is also work being done regarding our other facilities. Groups and group leaders who are either part of our parish or use our hall should wait until they hear from the parish regarding their own arrangements and safety measures. So for now, I do ask for your continued patience and good will. Let’s continue to pray for and support each other as best we can.

CARDINAL VINCENT NICHOLS
This week we celebrated the eleventh anniversary of the installation of Archbishop Vincent Nichols as the eleventh Archbishop of Westminster on 21st May 2009. He had previously served as Archbishop of Birmingham (2000-2009) and Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster (1991-2000). He was subsequently made a cardinal by Pope Francis in 2014. Please keep the Cardinal in your prayers as we mark this anniversary. The Cardinal has made a video message concerning this time of prayer between Ascension and Pentecost in our current circumstances. You can view the video here:
https://rcdow.org.uk/cardinal/news/cardinal-pray-fervently-for-the-coming-of-the-holy-spirit/

SAFEGUARDING & DOMESTIC ABUSE
Safeguarding, as well as domestic abuse, have continued to be causes for particular concern throughout the current crisis. While we stay at home, we are conscious that for some home is not always a safe place. Please remember that there are people and agencies available to help those in need. Please see the links below for further information on the Church’s ministry in safeguarding and domestic abuse.
https://www.cbcew.org.uk/home/our-work/safeguarding/
https://www.cbcew.org.uk/support-those-who-suffer-domestic-abuse-during-pandemic/
Parish Safeguarding Rep is Maggie Nagle This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CAFOD EMERGENCY APPEAL
CAFOD launched its coronavirus emergency appeal on 30 April. The effects of coronavirus on developing countries where CAFOD works are likely to be devastating. Families without enough to eat and without access to clean water and healthcare are particularly vulnerable to coronavirus. The poorest and most marginalised communities will be pushed further into poverty. Your prayers and gifts are needed now more than ever to help protect the lives of those in poor communities. While we are not able to hold physical collections in our church, you can donate as individuals at:
www.cafod.org.uk/coronavirusappeal

ST ANNE’S HOME EMERGENCY APPEAL
The Little Sisters of the Poor, who run St Anne’s Care Home in Stoke Newington, are making an appeal to offset losses that they are sustaining due to the lockdown.  They need to purchase various item of PPE and they are very dependent on agency staff at the moment.  If anyone would like to help them, or to find out more about them, please visit www.littlesistersofthepoor.co.uk/donate-here/ or cheques, payable to ‘Little Sisters of the Poor’ can be sent to; St Anne’s Home, 77 Manor Road, Stoke Newington, London, N16 5BL.  Thank you.

ST IGNATIUS COLLEGE
Currently recruiting for
•    NQT – Teacher of English
•    Learning Support Assistants
•    Part Time Music Teacher
Please visit the school website on http://www.st-ignatius.enfield.sch.uk/291/careers-at-st-ignatius-college for details of the roles and an application pack.