FR DAVID WRITES
Today is the beginning of the Advent season. During Advent, the liturgy invites us to prepare for Christ’s coming at the end of time, and also to prepare to celebrate the feast of his holy birth at Christmas. Let us ask the Lord to renew within us his gifts of faith, hope, joy and love. Please take an Advent sheet from the church porch.
CATHOLIC CHILDREN’S SOCIETY (WESTMINSTER)
Fr David, Chair of the CCS, is inviting parishioners to bring a Christmas toy or gift for a child in need. The gifts should be new and unwrapped. The deadline to bring gifts to the parish office will be Tuesday 10 December. Many thanks in anticipation. On Sunday Fr David will celebrate the CCS Benefactors’ Mass at Ely Place, and on Wednesday he is at the Carol Services for school children at the cathedral.
PARISH SOUP LUNCH: HELPING CAFOD IN ADVENT
We will hold an Advent Soup Lunch in aid of CAFOD here in the hall on Wednesday 4th December at 12.30pm. Please make a note of the date and do come along. There will also be a CAFOD Fun Run at Clapham Common on 7 December. Please see cafod.org.uk for details, and for information about CAFOD World Gifts.
PRIMARY SCHOOL ADVENT MASS
Children and staff from Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School will join us for the 10am Mass on Friday morning to celebrate the beginning of Advent. All welcome.
FESTIVAL OF NINE LESSONS AND CAROLS
Our annual carol service will take place on Sunday 15 December at 6.30pm, at St Paul’s Church of England Church, Woodland Road. Please do join us if you can.
BAPTISM APPLICATIONS
The next Baptism applications is on Monday 2nd December at 6.30pm.
JUNIOR CHOIR
Well done to our Junior Choir who sang on Saturday evening for the first time! Please keep going, and speak to the priests if you would like to join (8-14).
RELAUNCH OF SATURDAY CLUB
There will be a Christmas Party here for over 16s with learning disabilities and their families and friends on Saturday 7th December 3.30pm - 5.30pm, in the hall.
CHRISTMAS MARKET
A big thank you to everyone who organised, helped or supported our wonderful Christmas Market event last weekend. We raised a fantastic total of £2,219. A very big thank you to all those who made the wonderful cakes. The winning raffle ticket numbers are on display in the church porch.
DEANERY YOUNG ADULTS
We will be hosting the ‘Deanery Young Adults’ (18-35 years) Christmas gathering here on Friday 13th December from 7.30pm. There will be adoration, spiritual input, live music, and confessions, followed by food and a time of socialising.
FAIR TRADE
The last Fair Trade stall before Christmas will take place next week in the hall on 7th-8th December.
FORTHCOMING FUNERALS
The Funeral Mass for Stella Bulaitis is on Wednesday 4th December at 10am. The Funeral Mass for Mary O’Connell, the mother of Fr Andrew O’Connell, will take place on Thursday 5th December 10.30am at St Anne’s Home (Little Sisters of the Poor) in Stoke Newington. The Funeral Mass for John Hackett will take place here on Wednesday 11th December at 10 am. May they rest in peace. Amen.
PRIMARY SCHOOL APPLICATIONS & FORM SIGNING SESSION
Fr David will be available on Saturday 14th December at 5pm in the Parish Centre to sign all forms for admission to primary schools. The Governors of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School are now inviting applications for their reception class from families whose child reaches his/her 4th birthday between 1st Sep 2024 and 31st August 2025. For visits, please call the school to arrange - 020 8361 0767.
ALERT: SCAM EMAILS GOING TO PARISHIONERS
Parishioners should be aware that a scam email has been going to Catholics from someone pretending to be the Parish Priest, asking for gifts. Please delete the email, do not reply or press on any links. Please inform the Parish Office.