FR DAVID WRITES
We had a lovely celebration on Friday evening in honour of Our Lady of Lourdes. Many thanks to everyone who came or who helped our celebration in any way. Thank you to Mgr Paul McGinn for joining us as the celebrant at Mass. I wish you all every blessing in this our centenary year, as the whole Church celebrates the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes and keeps the World Day of Prayer for the Sick. This coming week is also half-term. We send you good wishes if you are on holiday from school, college or work. This coming Tuesday we will hold the meeting of the Enfield Deanery conference here at Our Lady of Lourdes in honour of her recent feast day. Please keep us in your prayers. God bless you all.
ADVANCE NOTICE: ASH WEDNESDAY
This year, Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent, will be on Wednesday 22 February. Masses will be at 8am, 10am, and 7.30pm. Ash Wednesday is day of fasting and abstinence. Please make a note of the date.
FR JOHNSON’S TRIP
Fr Johnson will be in India from 15 February to 15 March. There will be no early morning exposition during this time. The church will open on weekdays at 7.30am.
OLIVE NORMAN RIP
Olive Norman was an active parishioner of our Lady of Lourdes for over 60 years and when she moved to Stebbing, Essex she was able to take part in the mass on line and mostly this was at Our Lady of Lourdes. Her funeral mass is on 13 February at 10.30 at our Lady Queen of Peace in Braintree. The family would ask that you remember Olive in your prayers.
KATHLEEN FLYNN RIP
The funeral for Kathleen Flynn will take place on Friday 24th February at 10am. May she rest in peace.
FUNDRAISING FOR THE CENTENARY DURING 2023
Many thanks to those who have already responded to our fundraising call for the centenary works. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. We have already had a number of kind and anonymous donations, but we have further to go. Can you help the parish by making a donation, either now or during this year? If so, please mark any donation clearly, either online or in written form, for the ‘Building Fund’. (Please make cheques payable to Our Lady of Lourdes RC Church). As ever, if we are also able to collect the tax refund on donations from UK taxpayers (Gift Aid), this is always very valuable and comes at no extra expense to you.
SUNDAY MORNING TEA AND COFFEE
Teas and coffees are served in the Parish Hall after the first three Masses on Sunday mornings. All are welcome to come in and chat with your fellow parishioners.
PLANNED GIVING BOXES
It is now time for us to renew our order for Planned Giving boxes. If anyone no longer requires their box, could you please let us know at the Parish Office. If you would like to move to online banking please request a form from the Office. Many thanks for all your donations in support of the Parish!
PENNIES FOR PEACE
For some years now we have been collecting your pennies for the charity, Pax Christi—the Peace of Christ. Their work is based on the gospel and inspired by faith. “Our vision is of a world where people can live in peace, without fear of violence in any form. Pax Christi is rooted in Catholic Christianity but is open to all who share its values and work.” If you would like to know more, please visit their website at www.paxchristi.org.uk. A recent collection amounted to £51.00. If you would like to save your pennies, please take a jar from the back of the church.
CAFOD SYRIA-TURKEY EMERGENCY APPEAL
CAFOD is responding with support of provision of food, water, shelter, medical assistance and winter kits for survivors. Your donations in recent months have made that quick response possible. Let us join CAFOD in praying for our sisters and brothers affected. Your support for CAFOD throughout the year allows our Catholic agency to act quickly. Please visit CAFOD’s Syria Turkey Emergency Appeal online at https://cafod.org.uk/give
WALKER CRICKET GROUND TRUST
Walker Cricket Ground are holding a fundraiser ceilidh night on Saturday 11 March. If you are interested or want to book a ticket please visit this site:
https://www.trybooking.com/uk/events/landing/37634