FR DAVID WRITES
We have entered the inner and final part of Advent which is our ‘way’ towards the Lord’s Nativity at Christmas. We look forward to seeing many celebrate Christmas here at church. Please note the times of Masses over Christmas and New Year. There are no Masses on Christmas Eve morning, and no Vigil Masses for Sunday on Christmas Day and New Years’ Day. The Christmas Vigil Mass begins at 6pm and the ’Midnight’ Mass at 11pm. In the week between Christmas and New Year there are only 10am Masses. This week, there are confessions after Mass on Wednesday (Thursday is now a funeral, so the confessions are not possible that day after all). New Year’s Day Mass is at 12 noon.
IMPORTANT PRECAUTIONS: PLEASE NOTE CAREFULLY
Please don’t come to church if you have any symptoms or have a positive test result. Please wear a face covering in church. Because of the current situation please note: there will be no overflow gathering in the hall during the Christmas 6pm Vigil Mass. Please bear in mind that the church is likely to be very busy at this Mass. If it is full when you arrive, it will be better either to come back to another Mass or to watch the livestream at home rather than gather in the hall. There will be no party in the hall on New Years’ Day after Mass.
PARISH OFFICE
The Parish Office will be closed between Christmas and Tuesday 4 January.
CRIB—CATHOLIC CHILDREN’S SOCIETY
Please consider making a donation at the Crib this Christmas. You will help the CCS provide mental health services, family support and emergency grants to families in need. Please take a Gift aid envelope if you can use it (there are only a few), or you could donate online at www.cathchild.org.uk/crib. Thank you.
ROSE KELLY RIP
The Requiem Mass is on Thursday 23rd December at 10 am. May she rest in peace.
PRIMARY SCHOOL FORMS
Fr David will be available on Saturday 8th January for any further paperwork to be signed, 5pm-6pm. There is no need to sign up for an appointment.
CHRISTMAS AT OUR PRIMARY SCHOOL
Well done and thanks to the children and staff who have worked so hard on the Infants’ Nativity in school last week and the Juniors’ Carol Service here in church this week. These have really helped us to prepare for the celebration of Jesus’s birth at Christmas. Parents please note: if you are coming to the Juniors’ Carol Service on Tuesday you must wear the face covering in church. Thank you.
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
GIFT AID
If anyone would like to offer Gift Aid (the tax you have paid on the amount you give the parish can be reclaimed from the tax office) please enquire at the Parish Office for a standing order form or a planned giving box. We are currently in the process of making the claim for 2020/21, but we need to know if anyone has either moved house, and/or stopped paying income tax during that year. Please send an email to the Parish Office if this applies to you. Thank you.
CHRISTMAS PAPER SHOP
We have some more religious Christmas cards and a new supply of Church Art calendars for 2022. Last chance to buy!
JOINT CAROL SERVICE
Thank you to everyone who was either involved in or supported the beautiful Carol Service at St Paul’s last Sunday. It was lovely to celebrate this event together once again.
NEW SOUTHGATE PARISH FOOD BANK
We took a huge consignment to the Food Bank this week. Many thank to everyone who has continued to be so generous. The food bank is now operating from St Paul’s CoE Church Hall on Wednesday 2.30pm-4pm. No vouchers or referral needed. Fr Matt would also like to thank you all for your support throughout this past year.
CHRISTMAS POSTERS
Are now available at the back of the church. Please take one home today to display in your window.
CHRISTMAS OFFERING ENVELOPES
Envelopes are available from the back of the Church for your Christmas offering—thank you.
Fr David, Fr Andrew, Fr Johnson, Deacon Ian,
and the whole parish team send our best wishes and blessings
to everyone for a blessed Christmas