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FR DAVID WRITES
I hope that everyone is having a pleasant summer and possibly the opportunity for some time away or other relaxation. It is was lovely to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption with you all last weekend. August is the month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and our devotions to the holy Mother of God continue as ever.

Thank you to the members of both our choirs who are putting plans in place to begin church music at Sunday Masses on 12th September. We are also working on the new Mass times (thank you to everyone who wrote to me), and the corresponding rota for readers. I am keen for other rotas to be recommenced where necessary. If you are interested in serving tea and coffee on a Sunday after the two sung Masses, please speak to me this weekend. If you are responsible for other rotas or activities that haven’t taken place since the pandemic, and would like to recommence, please also speak to me.

During Mass on Wednesday we said thank you and goodbye to Brian Moran who is moving to Frinton-on-Sea. Brian has been a wonderful and cheerful volunteer, helping with the sacristy and serving at Mass for many years, including all my four years here. We will miss him but send him off with many good wishes for his new life by the seaside!

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THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
This weekend we celebrate the joyful solemnity of Our Lady’s Assumption into heaven. Today the preface to the Eucharistic Prayer wonderfully reflects the meaning of this feast. At the end of her earthly life, Mary was assumed body and soul into heaven to enjoy the first fruits of her Son’s victory over sin and death. At the same time, she shines forth upon the earth as a sign of hope and comfort to God’s pilgrim people on their own journey towards the fullness of life in heaven. Thus, in the Assumption of Mary we see a beautiful sign of our own future becoming clear. Happy feast day to you all!

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ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Next Sunday, 15th August, is the Feast Day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

COMMUNION 2021/22 REGISTRATION
If you wish your child to make his/her First Communion next year, please sign the sheet in the church porch.  You have until Sunday 5th September to sign up.  Please make a note of the date of the first session on 30th November.  Please clearly provide your email address.

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TEST AND TRACE EMAIL:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.—every time you come to Mass.

COMMUNION 2021/22 REGISTRATION
If you wish your child to make his/her First Communion next year, please sign the sheet in the church porch.  You have until Sunday 5th September to sign up.  Please make a note of the date of the first session on 30th November.  Please clearly provide your email address.

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TEST AND TRACE EMAIL:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.—every time you come to Mass.

COMMUNION 2021/22 REGISTRATION
If you wish your child to make his/her First Communion next year, please sign the sheet in the church porch.  You have until Sunday 5th September to sign up.  Please make a note of the date of the first session on 30th November.  Please clearly provide your email address.

APOSTLESHIP OF THE SEA
Thank you all very much for your kind donations last weekend, which amounted to £338.87.  Envelopes are available at the back of the church if you would still like to make a donation, and you can look at the work of the AotS online at www.stellamaris.org.uk/SeaSunday

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FR DAVID WRITES
Welcome to Fr Samuel Homiah who is helping us during the month of July. As I will be away this week and next, Fr Johnson and Fr Samuel will be responsible for the day to day running of the parish, together with the parish office. We had a lovely school Mass on Thursday for children, staff and parents of Year 6. We wish them all well in their new schools in September. However, wherever we might go to school, we are all part of the parish family of Our Lady of Lourdes. I look forward to seeing lots of children, parents and families back in September. Have a lovely summer and I will see you all again at the start of August.

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FR DAVID WRITES
We now know that many restrictions are coming to an end on July 19th. We are awaiting some further guidance from the diocese about what this will mean for life in the parish. As it is almost the start of the summer holidays, and to avoid confusion when many people will be coming and going, it seems sensible to hold off beginning the new schedule here until September. In terms of the liturgy, we will also wait for September for the return of church music at Masses, when we will also create new rotas for readers, Eucharistic Ministers, counters etc. We will let you know what other restrictions and procedures can be lifted at church as soon as we hear. Thank for your patience and cooperation throughout this time.

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FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
The whole parish joins in sending prayerful best wishes and congratulations to the children who celebrated their First Holy Communion here on Saturday. We also send thanks to their families who have supported them in their journey. In any parish, the grace of First Holy Communion day reminds the whole community of the beauty and spiritual significance of receiving the Holy Eucharist for the first time and throughout our lives. Jesus is the Living Bread who sustains and guides us through life. May we never lose our sense of amazement at the wonder of this gift that Christ brings to us as a pledge of future glory. Many thanks also to the team of catechists who have helped lead the children and their families, and to all who helped prepare for and celebrate these special Masses.

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FR DAVID WRITES
Congratulations and well done again to the children who made their First Confessions last Saturday. Next Saturday will be the celebration of the First Holy Communions. Please pray for the children and their families. Please also pray for those who are to be ordained to the priesthood this weekend at the cathedral: Timothy Mangatal, William Johnstone, Jakub Joszko, and Marco Salvagnini. Best wishes to you all.

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FR DAVID WRITES
Congratulations and best wishes to the children who celebrated their First Confessions here on Saturday morning. As you know, their programme of preparation for First Confession and First Holy Communion was very delayed by the restrictions and lockdowns. Their formal time of preparation has also been slightly condensed. However, they have done so well and we are all very proud of them. We also send best wishes and thanks to their parents and families who have supported them with so much love and prayers on their special journey. Many thanks to the catechists who have helped to prepare and support them. I am also grateful for the understanding of our parishioners who have stepped aside from 11am Mass to make room for our young candidates. This will only last for one more week now (see below)! On a personal note, I will have the great pleasure today (Sunday) of baptising my little nephew Leo James Phillips. Please pray for him on his special day, and for his parents Katy and Ben. Thank you for all your prayers.

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FR DAVID WRITES
Recently, as always after Easter, we have had a run of beautiful feasts: Pentecost, the Holy Trinity, Corpus Christi. Friday was Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, in the middle of June which is the month dedicated to the Sacred Heart. Let us renew our devotion to the wounded heart of Christ, which is broken on the cross out of love for all humanity. Christ our Lord loves us with a love which goes right to the very end, and which ultimately triumphs over sin and death. Today is the Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, the first Sunday 'in green' since February. These weeks of Ordinary Time will carry us through the summer. They are a time of spiritual growth for the followers of Christ our Saviour.