TEST AND TRACE EMAIL: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.—every time you come to Mass.
GOOD SHEPHERD SUNDAY—DAY OF PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS
Today is Good Shepherd Sunday, the day we pray for priests and for vocations to the priesthood, and when the annual collection for the Priest Training Fund takes place. This fund pays for the priestly formation of men for the Catholic priesthood. There are currently 42 men studying at Allen Hall seminary, 18 of whom are for our own Diocese, and two men are studying in Rome, also for our Diocese. Last year two men who studied at Allen Hall and one who studied in Rome were ordained to the priesthood to serve as our future priests.
This fund also supports the ongoing enrichment and formation of our ordained priests. Your generous donation helps ensure we can support these men who are called to be like Christ the Good Shepherd.
Donation leaflets are available in the back of the church. Please take one home, read the information, and bring it back next weekend with your donation. Please continue to pray for vocations and for our priests. You can donate online anytime at www.rcdow.org.uk/donations
SUNDAY 11AM MASS—FOR FIRST HOLY COMMUNION FAMILIES
From next weekend and for the next six weeks, the 11am Mass on Sundays will be given over to the children and families preparing to celebrate First Confession and First Holy Communion. We do apologise if this means some parishioners will need to change Masses. However, given how delayed the First Holy Communion course has been, I am sure everyone will understand and be generous and patient in making way for the spiritual preparation of these families. If you do turn up to the 11am Mass it is likely you will be turned away by the volunteers. The 12pm Mass is also fairly full each week, so I suggest choosing another Mass—especially one of the Saturday evening Masses instead. Fr D.
FAIR TRADE
Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for a list of our recently updated Stock. Fair Trade at Our Lady of Lourdes is still socially distancing, delivering to your home. Or call Michael on 07723 376616.
BAPTISMS
Baptisms become possible again from 17th May (restriction 30 people). From 21st June (no restriction other than the church limit). Please note that this Government guidance may change. At the moment, we are asking for applications for baptisms to be made to the parish office either by phone or email. Baptisms are by arrangement only.
CONFESSIONS
Confessions resumed a while ago and are still available every Saturday afternoon at 2pm in church. Outside of this time, Confessions are by pre-arranged appointment. Thank you for your cooperation.
FOOD BANK
Thank you for the many generous contributions to the Food Bank during Lent. We are now in a new enterprise working with St Paul’s CoE Church, our own Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School, and St Paul’s CoE Primary School. If you are able to, you can still bring contributions for the Food Bank and leave them at the back of church. We take the food to St Paul’s each Thursday morning for distribution. Please don’t bring anything perishable. Thank you for your kindness and generosity!
FOUR SEASONS DRAW
Many thanks to all of you who had a ticket (or more) in the Draw on Sunday. The winners were:
First Prize of £73.80 was won by Kathy Wurr
Second Prize of £30.75 and Third Prize, £18.45 went to Damian and Karen Landi.
If anyone would like to enter the remaining three draws for 2021, please email the Parish Office for an application form. Payment of £3 per ticket should be made by the end of each quarter, ie June, September and December. Payment must be made before the Draw takes place under Small Lottery Regulations.
MASS FOR MIGRANTS
This year’s Mass will take place at St William of York Catholic Church, Lewisham on Saturday 1st May at 11.30 am with Bishop Paul McAleenan as Celebrant. Only invited guests will be able to attend, but you can watch the service streamed at
https://actionnetwork.org/events/migrants-mass The Mass is an annual celebration of the contribution made in the UK by all our migrant communities, held jointly by the Dioceses of Brentwood, Southwark and Westminster, with support from London Citizens. Details can also be found on the Diocesan and Justice & Peace websites: https://westminsterjusticeandpeace.org/2021/04/19/annual-mass-for-migrants-saturday-1st-may-2021-11-20am-for-11-30am/