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FR DAVID WRITES
Last Wednesday was the Feast of the Lord’s Presentation 40 days after Christmas. This marks the end of the post-Christmas phase in Ordinary Time and the beginning of the pre-Lent phase. As an advance notice, Ash Wednesday will take place on Wednesday 2 March. More details about Lent in due course. Please remember that Bishop Sherrington will join us this coming Friday at 7pm for a special Mass to celebrate our parish feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, followed by a reception in the hall. Fr. Tom will also join us. Please do come for the patronal feast—it promises to be a lovely Mass and a great celebration! Finally, I am going to take a short break and then I have Church events up north from 14th February—2nd March. Please look after Frs. Jerome and Johnson whilst I’m away. They will look after you too!

FEAST OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES—FRIDAY 11th FEBRUARY
8am     Mass
10am     Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School: full school Mass for the feast day
7pm     Solemn Mass for the feast presided by Bishop John Sherrington & reception

DEANERY
This week on Tuesday we will host a special deanery meeting with Safeguarding staff and visitors who from deanery parishes. On Thursday, we also have the  North London Deans’ Meeting here with the Bishop. Please keep us in your prayers.

ACCESSION DAY PLATINUM JUBILEE
Today, 6th February, is 70th anniversary of the Queen’s Accession to the throne in 1952. Please keep her in your prayers. The Jubilee will be celebrated nationally in the summer.

CHANGE IN COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS
It is important that you should not come to church if you test positive or have any symptoms. You may use face coverings and hand sanitiser if you would like to.

DIOCESAN MASS FOR THE SICK
The Diocesan Mass associated with the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes is at Westminster Cathedral on Saturday 12th February at 2pm.

EDWARD WALSH RIP
The Requiem Mass is on Wednesday, 9th February,  at 10 am.  May he rest in peace.

BAPTISM COURSES
If you would like your child baptised there is now a short introductory meeting for parents, which will consist of a short course on Baptism, a form to complete and the opportunity to choose your date.  We will also answer any questions you may have.  The next meeting is on Wednesday, 9th February at 5 pm in the Parish Centre. If you can’t make this one, the next one is Wednesday, 16th March.

CONFIRMATION 2022
If you are currently in year 9 or above and would like to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation please sign the list in the church porch. The list will be available for the next week. There is a meeting for parents and candidates on Tuesday 8th March at 8pm.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2022
This month’s sessions are: children’s meeting on Saturday 12th February at 10 am, and Mass for the whole family at 11.15 am on Sunday 13th.

PLANNED GIVING BOXES
Any box that hasn’t been collected for the last two years will be cancelled in the next order—if anyone would like to receive their box for the year 2022/23 please let the Parish Office know as soon as possible. If you would like to offer Gift Aid on your donation, forms are available at the parish office. Thank you very much.

FOOD BANK NEWS
Thank you for all your donations, particularly washing powder, toilet paper, toiletries and tinned food.  Please note that the drop off at Our Lady of Lourdes cannot accept fresh food as they quickly go out of date, and we are not able to store them correctly.

FAIR TRADE
Our parish Fair Trade stall is open next Sunday after all four morning Masses featuring some new 2022 products.