FR DAVID WRITES
Today is the Third Sunday of Lent, and so we are heading quickly into the heart of the Lenten season and the coming celebration of Holy Week and Easter. Next Sunday, the Fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday) is also Mothering Sunday. I hope that the Lenten journey is going well for you all. Thank you for your generosity towards the CAFOD Lenten appeal last weekend. Let us continue to pray for peace in the distressing conflict in Ukraine and for those who have had to leave their families and homeland as a result. Please pray for our children who are preparing to celebrate their First Holy Communion. Next Saturday they will celebrate reconciliation for the first time in their First Confession.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2022
The next parents’ meeting is on Tuesday 22nd March 8pm. Children’s session Saturday 26th March 10am–12.30pm (including Reconciliation) and 11.15am Mass 27th March.
FR JOHNSON
Fr Johnson is presently in India. 8am Masses here will continue, but there will be no adoration. Please note the church will open in the mornings at 7.30am.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Friday morning after the 10am Mass.
ADVANCE NOTICE OF TIMES FOR HOLY WEEK
The full schedule for Holy Week will be published in two weeks’ time. However, the times of the main celebrations are given here in advance:
Palm Sunday 9th/10th April: all weekend Masses as usual
Holy (Maundy) Thursday 14th April: Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper 7.30pm
Good Friday 15th April: Celebration of the Lord’s Passion 3pm
Holy Saturday 16th April: Easter Vigil 7.30pm
Easter Sunday 17th April: Easter Sunday Masses 8.45am, 10am, 11.15am, 12.30pm
FINANCES 2021
You can see a summary of the accounts for 2021 on the notice board in the church porch.
PLANNED GIVING ENVELOPES
Please collect your planned giving envelopes from the back of the Church. Envelopes are in alphabetical order—thank you.
SUPPORTING UKRAINE
Aid to the Church in Need is despatching €1m in emergency help for Church communities responding to the desperate crisis unfolding in Ukraine. To support the ACN Ukraine emergency appeal, visit www.acnuk.org (Alternatively, you can give through Caritas by visiting https://rg.gy/dcqgcc )
ANNUAL MASS OF THANKSGIVING FOR THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY
Westminster Cathedral, Saturday 14th May 2022 at 3pm. 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).
BAPTISM COURSES
The next session for parents wanting to sign up for baptism for their baby will be this Wednesday, 20th April at 5pm in the Parish Centre. Please see the poster in the porch for further dates.
FOOD BANK NEWS
We are running low on the following items: pasta, rice and tinned tomatoes, chickpeas, kidney beans, lentils, toilet rolls, toiletries. breakfast cereals, coffee, sugar and tea. You are reminded that we cannot accept fresh food here at Our Lady of Lourdes, e.g. vegetables, meat/fish or dairy products as we are unable to store them correctly.
PAPER SHOP
The shop can now be found to the right as you enter the Parish Hall. There are a lot of items, including cards for various religious events and Easter cards now in stock. The shop is open on Sunday mornings between 9.30am and 12.30am. We have a rota of volunteers. However, if there is no one there when you call in, please leave your offering on the counter. Please note that the shop is NOT OPEN on Saturday afternoons. Please pop by on a Sunday morning. Also, smaller change is appreciated—thank you in advance for your cooperation.
FRANCES JEYARAJAH RIP
The Requiem will take place at 10 am on Wednesday 13th April. May he rest in peace.
VOLUNTEERS SUNDAY MORNING REFRESHMENTS
Volunteers are needed to help run the Sunday morning refreshments after the 10am & 11.15am Mass. Please leave your details with the Parish Office if you able to help—Thank you.