FR DAVID WRITES
Today is the First Sunday of Advent and the beginning of the Church’s new year. This year follows the readings in the liturgical cycle ‘Year C’. These Sunday Gospels are drawn mainly from the Gospel according to St Luke. In Advent, we remember especially that Christ our Saviour is coming! At this new beginning, let us pray that the Holy Spirit will guide us through the coming season towards Christmas. Many thanks to all involved in last Sunday’s wonderful Christmas Market. Thank you also to everyone who supported it with such generosity. Finally, I celebrated the 13th anniversary of my priestly ordination last Monday. Thank you to the whole parish—by your presence, prayers and friendship you bring me so much joy and satisfaction in my way of life. May God bless all of you!
AID TO THE CHURCH IN NEED—RED WEDNESDAY
Thank you to everyone who supported Red Wednesday last week. Today there will be a second collection for the work of Aid to the Church in Need which supports the suffering Church and persecuted Christians. Thank you in advance.
SCHOOL ADVENT MASS
This Friday at the 10am Mass the children and staff from the primary school will join for their special Advent Mass. The school confessions will be on Tuesday 7th December.
NEW SOUTHGATE JOINT CAROL SERVICE
The joint Carol Service for Our Lady of Lourdes Parish and St Paul’s CoE Parish will take place on Sunday 12th December at 6.30pm in St Paul’s Church, Woodland Road, New Southgate. Please do go if you can, especially as this event could not take place last year.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2022
There will be a meeting for parents who have already signed up for the programme on Tuesday 30th November at 8pm. Application forms will be completed at this meeting and the offering of £40 can be made.
HEALTH & SAFETY
You are encouraged to wear a face covering but this is not mandatory. Please be respectful of those who may want to keep a distance. Thank you.
FAIR TRADE GOODIES
This Sunday morning's Fair Trade stall features the 21/22 season's Fair Trade: quality food and goods grown on family farms or workshops by skilled farmers in developing countries who have been paid a fair price, during a challenging pandemic year, thanks to your purchases.
CHRISTMAS MARKET
A very big thank you to everyone who helped set up and run, and to those who supported the Christmas market last Sunday. A fantastic £1,019 was raised towards the Church funds. Raffle prizes are available to collect from the Parish office during the week or from the sacristy at the weekend. Numbers of prize winners are on the boards in the church porch and the church hall.
CHRISTMAS TREES
The Scout Group are selling Christmas Trees again this year! They are all non-drop Nordman Pine. 5-6 ft are just £40, whilst 6-7 ft are £50. Please pre-order by phoning Joe on 07773 808156, or by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Please collect from the church car park on 4/5th or 11/12th December—or delivery is available for £5.
WESTMINSTER YEAR BOOKS 2022
The new Year Books have arrived, and are on sale in the paper shop priced £4.50, or £5 for the ring bound ones. The Year Books also contain the new liturgical calendar 2021/22.
OUR LADY OF LOURDES CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL
The school currently has spaces in Reception. If you are interested please contact the school by telephone on: 020 8361 0767 or by email to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. For more information please visit the website: www.ololschool.enfield.sch.uk
VIRGIN MONEY GIVING (VMG) & OFFERTORIES
VMG is closing down so this means of giving will not operate any longer. If you are able to Gift Aid your Offertory it helps the parish immensely as we can claim back the tax you have already paid on it. However, to do this we need to record your name and address, which we can only do via planned giving envelopes, or a standing order. Please contact the Parish Office if you would like to know more.
NEW SOUTHGATE PARISH FOOD BANK
The food bank is now operating from St Paul’s CoE Church Hall on Wednesdays 2.30pm-4pm. No vouchers or referral needed. Tea/coffee at the same time at the ‘World Café’.
HEATING
The heating in the office and presbytery is finally fixed. But as many of you know (and can feel!) we are continuing to have problems with the church heating. The boilers are now working fine. At the time of writing, we are hoping that the pump will be repaired today, but if this is not possible, a new pump will need to be ordered and then fitted. Pray that it will be fixed soon!
St Vincent Ferrer, Patron Saint of Plumbers, PRAY FOR US