FR DAVID WRITES
The Season of Lent began on Ash Wednesday, and today is the First Sunday of Lent. In faith, let us begin this time of grace together. In Lent we are invited to renew our friendship with the Lord, principally through prayer, fasting and charity. Let us also use this time to prepare spiritually for the celebration of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus in Holy Week. We look forward to welcoming back Bishop Sherrington who will join us on Good Friday to celebrate the Lord’s Passion in this centenary year. May God bless you all this week and throughout Lent.
CAFOD FAMILY FAST DAY
This Lent, your donations to CAFOD’s Family Fast Day Appeal will help families fighting the climate crisis and ensure that our Church network can quickly respond to emergencies, like the recent earthquake in Syria and Turkey. Give today using the envelope or at www.cafod.org.uk/give and please join us in praying for CAFOD’s development and emergency response work all over the world. This Friday is CAFOD Family Fast Day. The second collection will be taken at all Masses next weekend.
FUNERAL DATES
Margaret Collins RIP Tuesday 28th February at 10am
John Butterworth RIP Friday 3rd March 2.30pm at Christ Church, Waterfall Road
Angelo Crishantha Dias RIP Monday 6th March at 10am
Noreen Murphy RIP Wednesday 8th March at 10am
Laura Cannon RIP Wednesday 15th March at 10am
Luisa Gioberti RIP Thursday 16th March at 10am
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
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Stations of the Cross will be said in church every Friday in Lent after the 10am Mass. At other times, parishioners are welcome to pray the stations individually.
CONFIRMATION 2023
Parents and candidates are meeting on Tuesday 28 February at 8pm in the Parish Hall. Please bring the 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).
RCIA—JOURNEY IN FAITH
Congratulations to candidates from the parish, deanery and diocese who were enrolled at the Rite of Election on Saturday afternoon in Westminster Cathedral.
IRISH CHAPLAINCY LENT RETREAT
The Irish Chaplaincy is running a Lent Retreat via Zoom from March 6th- 10th and it’s free! There will be a daily conference at 9.30am lasting 30/40 mins, with a reflection from a range of great speakers.
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PILGRIMAGE TO SHRINES IN NORTHERN FRANCE & PARIS
St Mary’s Parish, Halifax, have asked if we would like to take some places in their pilgrimage from 10-16 September. £730 per person. Travel by coach. Including visits to Lisieux, Chartres, Rue de Bac, Sacre Coeur, and Versailles. There are about 8 places remaining. Please contact the office for information or see Fr David.
‘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.
BERNADETTE CLUB
Last month we were delighted to welcome six new members. If you are still thinking about it why not come and see for yourself at our next monthly meeting in the parish centre at 2pm on Thursday 2nd March. We will have a visit from dancers Claudia and Michael who will entertain us. Tickets will be available for our day trip to Canterbury. We look forward to seeing you on Thursday.
FAIRTRADE
The Fairtrade Stall will be open in the hall after all Masses this weekend.