FR DAVID WRITES
Today there is a pastoral letter from Cardinal Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, in preparation for the coming season of Lent which begins on Wednesday. The main part of the message will be read out at Masses this weekend. The pastoral letter may be viewed on the diocesan website www.rcdow.org.uk. We look forward to seeing you all this week on Ash Wednesday, and again next weekend for the First Sunday of Lent. If you have been on half-term holiday we hope you had a lovely week and are ready to return to school and college. May God bless you all.
LENT - ASH WEDNESDAY
This Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, a day of fasting and abstinence. Masses with ashes will be here in church at 8am, 10am and 7.30pm. The car park will be open on Wednesday at 7.30am. Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School will receive their ashes during a special assembly in the school hall later that morning.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Stations of the Cross will be said in church every Friday in Lent after the 10am Mass - with the exception of this coming Friday when we have the Funeral Mass for Kathleen Flynn. At other times, parishioners are welcome and encouraged to pray the stations individually in the church.
LENTEN ALMS: COLLECTIONS
Friday 3 March: CAFOD Lent Fast Day
Saturday 4/Sunday 5 March: Collection for CAFOD Lent Fast Day
Saturday 11/Sunday 12 March: The Cardinal’s Appeal
Saturday 25/Sunday 26 March: Aid to the Church in Need
KATHLEEN FLYNN RIP
The funeral for Kathleen Flynn will take place on Friday 24th February at 10am.
May she rest in peace.
RCIA
Please pray for our RCIA candidates from the parish and deanery who will be enrolled at the Rite of Election this coming Saturday at Westminster Cathedral. We are asked to especially pray during Lent for candidates who are preparing either for baptism or for reception into the Church. Thank you to Father Jerome for his work with the RCIA group.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2023
Children meet on Saturday 25 February at 10am. Family celebration at the 11.15am Mass on Sunday 26 February.
CONFIRMATION 2023
Parents and candidates who have signed up are reminded of their meeting on Tuesday 28 February at 8pm in the Parish Hall. Please bring the course offering of £50 and, if you were not baptised here at Our Lady of Lourdes, a copy of your Baptism Certificate (this is very important; please don’t forget the certificate).
FR JOHNSON
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.
FUNDRAISING FOR THE CENTENARY DURING 2023
Many thanks to those who have already responded to our fundraising call for the centenary works. 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.
JOHN BUTTERWORTH RIP
John’s funeral takes place on Friday 3rd March at 2.30 pm at Christ Church on Waterfall Road, Southgate.
PLANNED GIVING ENVELOPES
Please let the office know if you no longer want your envelope. Thanks.
‘FAITHFUL COMPANIONS’ - A SPECIAL PLAY AT ST MONICA’S PARISH
An original play by Rise Theatre celebrating the remarkable life of the foundress of the FCJ sisters, Marie Madeleine, will be performed on Saturday 11 March 2.30pm at St Monica’s Church Hall, Palmers Green. Tickets (£10 each) are available from our Parish office during opening times.