FR DAVID WRITES:
The Governing Body of Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School is very pleased to announce that Gillian Hood has been appointed as the new headteacher from September 2019.  Mrs Hood has been a primary school teacher for 20 years and in that time has held various roles, including deputy and headship positions in Haringey schools.  Mrs Hood was educated in the Diocese of Westminster, attending St Monica’s and St Michael’s Grammar School.  She says ‘I am a married mother of two. I have a 12 year old daughter, who currently attends St Anne’s, and a 2 year old son.  I am really looking forward to continuing the next chapter in the journey of Our Lady of Lourdes.  My commitment is to excellence and helping each and every child be the best that they can be.  I will be working with parents, children, staff, governors and the whole community to achieve this goal,’  We welcome Mrs Hood most warmly to our Parish, and we express our immense thanks and best wishes to Mr Meehan for his leadership in our school over these recent years.  More to follow.

HOLY WEEK & EASTER:
Holy Week begins two weeks from today on Palm Sunday. The celebration of the central mysteries of our faith – the death and resurrection of Jesus – are at the heart of the life of every parish.  Please take a card today with the dates and times of the great celebrations of this most special time.

By Rangan Datta Wiki - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=25008848

STATIONS OF THE CROSS:
Stations will take place each Friday during Lent after the 10 am Mass and will be led by a priest.  The faithful are always welcome to pray the Way of the Cross individually or privately in the church at other times.

FR THOMAS PARAYADYIL:
At the end of March Fr Thomas will return to India. and a special Mass to say thank you and goodbye will take place on Friday 22nd March at 10 am followed by the presentation with refreshments in the Parish Hall.  Fr David.

CONFIRMATION COURSE:
The next session of this year’s course is on Saturday, 16th March at 4.50 pm in the Parish Hall.

ASH WEDNESDAY:
This Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent.  Masses, with the blessing and giving of ashes, will be celebrated here at 8 am, 10 am and 7.30 pm. Ash Wednesday is a day of fasting and abstinence.

CARDINAL’S MASS OF THANKSGIVING FOR  SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY:
Saturday 8th June, Westminster Cathedral
The Cardinal will be inviting to this Mass all couples in the Diocese who are celebrating their 5th 10th, 25th, 30th, 40th, 50th and 60th (and every year over 60) wedding anniversary of Catholic marriage in 2019.  If you would like to attend, please let us have: husband and wife’s names, wedding date, full postal address and email (or telephone number, if no email).

THANK YOU:
Thank you to everyone who contributed towards, helped or participated in the celebration of our parish feast day last Monday - a very special occasion for all who came to celebrate. Thanks also go to everyone who helped us host the deanery meeting and lunch last Tuesday. Your efforts and generosity are greatly appreciated.

FEAST OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES:
Monday is the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes and the anniversary of the first apparition of Our Lady to St Bernadette. It is the patronal feast of our parish. There will be a special Mass here at 10 am when parishioners will also be joined by children from Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School. There will be tea and coffee and other refreshments in the parish centre after Mass for parishioners. Fr David will be at a day for school teachers and chaplains with the diocese but will be praying with you in spirit!

CARDINAL’S MASS OF THANKSGIVING FOR  SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY Saturday 8th June, Westminster Cathedral:
The Cardinal will be inviting to this Mass all couples in the Diocese who are celebrating their 5th 10th, 25th, 30th, 40th, 50th and 60th (and every year over 60) wedding anniversary of Catholic marriage in 2019.  If you would like to attend, please let us have: husband and wife’s names, wedding date, full postal address and email (or telephone number, if no email).

COUNTERS ROTA:
New rotas are available for collection from the Paper Shop today.

SUNDAY MORNING REFRESHMENT ROTAS:
Volunteers please collect your new rota from the Paper Shop today.