ASH WEDNESDAY
Lent begins this Wednesday, 2nd March. There will be Mass with Ashes at 8 am, 10 am and 7.30 pm. Ash Wednesday is a day of Fasting and Abstinence.
This year it has been designated a special day of prayer for peace in Ukraine.
MARIA DEL PILAR O’HALPIN RIP
The Requiem takes place at 10 am on Monday, March 7th. May she rest in peace.
CONFIRMATION 2022
If you signed up for our Confirmation Course, please note that there is a meeting for all candidates and parents on Tuesday 8th March at 8 pm in the Parish Hall.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2022
The children will meet on Saturday, 5th March, at 10 am in the Parish Hall, and the whole family will attend the 11.15 am Mass on Sunday, 6th.
ANNUAL MASS OF THANKSGIVING FOR THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY
Westminster Cathedral—Saturday 14th May at 3 pm
The Cardinal is inviting to this Mass all couples in the Diocese, who are celebrating their 5th 10th, 25th, 30th, 40th, 50th and 60th (and every year over 60) wedding anniversary of Catholic marriage in 2022. If you are celebrating an anniversary, please give your parish clergy the following details: husband and wife’s names, wedding date, full postal address and email (or telephone number, if no email).
FOOD BANK NEWS
We are running low on the following items: pasta (especially spaghetti), rice and tinned tomatoes, chickpeas, kidney beans and lentils. We are also running short of breakfast cereals, coffee, sugar and tea. If anyone is able to take the items from this church to St Paul’s, please enquire at the Parish Office.
You are reminded that we cannot accept fresh food here at Our Lady of Lourdes, eg vegetables, meat/fish or dairy products as we are unable to store them correctly.
PASTORAL LETTER FROM THE CARDINAL
There are copies of the letter at the back of the church. You can also hear, or read, the letter on the Diocesan website: https://rcdow.org.uk/cardinal/homilies/pastoral-letter-for-the-eighth-sunday-in-ordinary-time/
AID TO THE CHURCH IN NEED
There will be a second collection next weekend after all Masses for Aid to the Church in Need. There will be gift aid envelopes at the back of the church which anyone who is eligible is welcome to use - it adds an extra 25% to your donation for the charity. You are also welcome to collect a prayer card/literature at the back of the church. Thank you very much for your support for ACN.
CAFOD WALK AGAINST HUNGER LENT CHALLENGE
There are 200 million children in the world whose lives are at risk from malnutrition. This Lent, challenge yourself to walk 200km, and help give hunger its marching orders. Do 5k a day, your way, for 40 days, get sponsored and you’ll conquer your 200km target in time for Easter – and help people around the world to live free from hunger. To find out more or take part, go to cafod.org.uk/walk.
BAPTISM COURSES
If you would like your child baptised there is now a short introductory meeting for
Parents, a form to complete and the opportunity to choose your date. We will also answer any questions you may have. The next meeting will be on Wednesday, 16th March at 5 pm in the Parish Centre. Please see the poster in the porch for further dates.
HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE: 21st—29th November 2022
The Diocesan Pilgrimage to the Holy Land will be led by Cardinal Vincent Nichols and Fr John Farrell OP. The price is £1,825 per person, based on two people sharing a room (single room supplement £529 per person). Travelling BA from Heathrow, the pilgrimage includes full board, scheduled expenses, tips and gratuities. Travel insurance is essential and is not included in the price. For booking forms and further information, please contact Gill Didino at Tangney Tours on 01732 886666.
BERNADETTE CLUB
The Bernadette Club is now up and running again and we would like to invite new members to join us. We are a monthly gathering of parishioners and friends - mainly seniors but very much young at heart - who get together in the Parish Centre, 2 to 4pm on the first Thursday of the month. We enjoy tea and chat, raffles, bingo and quizzes plus occasional parties and outings. You are welcome to come and see at the next meeting , which takes place at 2pm on Thursday, 3rd March.
COVID RESTRICTIONS
As all restrictions were lifted on Thursday, 24th February it is no longer necessary for you to use Track and Trace. Please do not come to church if you are unwell. Masks and sanitiser can be used if you wish.