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FR DAVID WRITES
Today is the feast of the holy apostles Peter and Paul, patron saints of the city and church of Rome.  Known as the 'columns of the Church', they have been venerated since the earliest times as the greatest of the Lord's apostles.  An apostle is someone who is sent out.  Both these individuals, Simon and Saul, overcame their own pasts and experienced the grace of conversion in their lives - symbolised by their new names - and allowed themselves to be sent by the Holy Spirit to announce the Gospel to the  ends of the earth.  Today we wear red vestments as a reminder that they stained the ground of Rome with the witness of their own blood.  Peter died by crucifixion and Paul was beheaded.

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FR DAVID WRITES
We are in a season of great feasts. Today is the feast of Corpus Christi, and Friday is the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Please keep the priests of the diocese in your prayers that day as they will gather for a special celebration for diocesan priests at Westminster Cathedral. Unfortunately I will not be able to join them as I am involved in the annual retreat for the Education Service staff.  There was a wonderful celebration for school children from all over the diocese last Tuesday at the cathedral as we celebrated our ‘Eucharistic Journey’—a fitting theme for Corpus Christi. Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School were represented, as were many of our local Catholic primary and secondary schools.

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FR DAVID WRITES:
At the Saturday Vigil Mass we will celebrate the Going Forth Mass for our teenagers who were recently confirmed. Thank you to everyone who joined in the wonderful celebration for the First Holy Communion Going Forth Mass last weekend. We would also like to thank our wonderful team of catechists for helping to prepare the young people and the great celebrations. May God bless you all.

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PENTECOST SUNDAY:
Today is the solemnity of Pentecost, the final day of the Easter season. Today we recall the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the first disciples and the beginning of the age of the Church.  At the 11.15 am Mass we will celebrate 'Going Forth' with the children and their families who recently celebrated First Holy Communion - may the Holy Spirit give them the same wonderful gifts that he bestowed on the original friends of Jesus. May God bless you all on this special feast day. Fr David.

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FR DAVID WRITES:
The days between Ascension and Pentecost are marked by an intense prayer to the Holy Spirit to renew the life-giving gifts he brings to the Church and our lives. We are united in a spiritual sense with the first Christians who were in the Upper Room waiting for the promised gift of the Holy Spirit, and with Christians around the world who invoke the Spirit’s power. Next weekend, we will celebrate the great day itself - Pentecost Sunday - which is also the final and the crowning day of the Easter Season. May God bless you all as we celebrate these great days of faith.

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ASCENSION - FR DAVID WRITES:
This Thursday we will celebrate the Feast of the Lord's Ascension into heaven. The New Testament tells us that the Risen Christ appeared to his disciples for 40 days after Easter before his Ascension. On the fiftieth day, the promised gift of the Holy Spirit was given at Pentecost. The time between Ascension and Pentecost is a period of intense prayer for a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit. These feasts mark the culmination of the Paschal Mystery. As Ascension Thursday is a holy day of obligation there will be Masses here at 8 am, 10 am and 7.30 pm. The car park will be available for all Masses that day.

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FR DAVID WRITES:
Easter is a season of fifty days of joy which flows towards the great feasts of the Ascension and Pentecost. The new life which Easter brings to the Church has been witnessed recently in our parish as we welcomed new adults into the Church, we celebrated 63 First Holy Communions and 41 Confirmations. May is the month of Mary, the Mother of the Risen Jesus. Please join us this afternoon (Sunday) at 5 pm in church for Rosary, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction as we mark this special time.  God bless you all.

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CONFIRMATION 2019:
We welcome Bishop John Sherrington to our parish to preside over our Confirmation celebration, which takes place on Friday, 17th May at 7.30 pm. Candidates are reminded of their rehearsal, which begins at 7 pm sharp on Wednesday 15th in the Hall.  Please bring your sponsor with you if possible, if not an adult should accompany you.
CANDIDATES - Please arrive at 7 pm on Friday and meet in the Hall.

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FR DAVID WRITES:
First Holy Communion Day is an important and beautiful day in the life of the Parish.  Congratulations and prayerful best wishes to all our children who made their First Holy Communion here yesterday, and to their families, friends and fellow parishioners.  Many thanks to our team of catechists who helped to prepare them, and to everyone who contributed to the wonderful celebrations yesterday.  
May God bless you all.

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FR DAVID WRITES:
Many thanks to everyone who sent Easter wishes, cards and gifts last weekend.  Your kindness is greatly appreciated!  Many thanks again to everyone who worked to make the Holy Week celebrations so prayerful and special.  Today is the Octave Day of Easter – also known as ‘Dominica in Albis’ (Sunday in White), Quasimodo Sunday and the Feast of Divine Mercy.  We renew again our Easter wishes – the Lord is risen: Alleluia!

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FR DAVID WRITES:
Today is Easter Sunday - the day of the Lord's resurrection from the dead. Having concluded our Lenten observances and celebrated together the great liturgies of Holy Week, we now enter into the Season of Easter joy which overflows for fifty days until Pentecost. We have kept the fast, now we are called to celebrate the feast!  A very happy and holy Easter to you all and your loved ones.

A special mention must go to our seven candidates who were received into full communion with the Church at our Easter Vigil - congratulations!  
We also send our thanks and best wishes to everyone in the parish who has helped us celebrate these days in such a beautiful way. May God bless you all. The Lord is truly risen from the dead: Alleluia!