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HALF TERM
This coming week is half-term. We wish everyone a happy half-term break and look forward to seeing everyone back at school after the holiday.

SICK AND RETIRED PRIESTS COLLECTION
This important collection be taken at all Masses on 5/6 November.  Gift Aid envelopes will be available next weekend.

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FR DAVID WRITES
Last Tuesday, 11 October, the Feast of St John XXIII, marked the 60th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), often known as Vatican II. Vatican II was the twenty-first ecumenical council in the history of the Church. Pope John said its aim was to promote renewal in the Church, to make progress towards Christian unity, and to make a contribution to addressing world issues such as the development of peoples and evangelisation. During the Great Jubilee at the start of the new century, John Paul II said: ‘With the passing of the years, the documents of the Council have lost nothing of their value or brilliance. I feel more than ever in duty bound to point to the Council as the great grace bestowed on the Church in the twentieth century: there we find a sure compass by which to take our bearings in the century now beginning.’ Now, the Church looks to the next Jubilee or ‘Holy Year’ which will be celebrated universally in 2025.

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FR DAVID WRITES
The autumn term is pressing on at what seems like an alarming rate! This month of October is the month of the Holy Rosary. Please don’t forget that this week on Wednesday and Saturday we have the secondary school transfer sessions for form signing (please see information below). Well done and thank you to all who participated in CAFOD’s Harvest Fast Day. The collection will be taken up at all Masses this weekend—thank you in advance for your generosity. Sending you all every blessing for the week ahead.

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FR DAVID WRITES
Last Sunday was a day of prayer in thanksgiving for the harvest. Next Friday, 7 October, is CAFOD Harvest Fast Day. Please see the notice opposite about the collection for CAFOD next weekend. Congratulations and prayers go to Fr Mark Walker, until recently Diocesan Youth Chaplain, who has been appointed Parish Priest of St Aidan’s Parish, East Acton. Many of you will remember Fr Mark who helped our parish a lot during 2018. He and his parents also came with us on our pilgrimage to the Holy Land. We wish him well in his new ministry. I hope you all have a great week ahead and I send you every blessing.

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FR DAVID WRITES
It was a pleasure for us to celebrate the ‘Welcome Mass’ with children and staff from Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School on Friday as they marked the start of the new academic year. We also hope that everyone was able to spend some time, in whatever way was most appropriate, to mark the funeral of the Queen and the end of the time of mourning and reflection, as the King’s reign begins. Wherever we find ourselves in life, there is always richness in giving thanks to God for what has been, and in praying to God for the new blessings and opportunities that lie ahead of us. Have a great week and God bless you all.

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FR DAVID WRITES
This weekend, as throughout the week, the country is preparing for the Funeral of the Queen. At the Mass in Westminster Cathedral, Cardinal Nichols said that during this time our role is to pray. The Catholic people have an innate instinct to pray for the dead, and we are also called to pray for one another and the whole country. Perhaps during this weekend and especially on Monday we can give ourselves—and each other—the time and space to pray and reflect. The diocese have sent prayer cards which are available in the church porch. The Cardinal will be present at the State Funeral, and the Pope will be represented by Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States. The Parish Office will be closed on Monday, and also Tuesday and Wednesday. I will be with the Catholic Children’s Society on Tuesday and then back working here on Wednesday. Please bear this in mind, and save any parish business till Thursday and Friday. Thank you and God bless you all.

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FR DAVID WRITES
On Thursday we all received the sad news of the death of Queen Elizabeth II. In these coming days we will join  spiritually with people throughout the country, the commonwealth and the whole world as we pray for the happy repose of Her Late Majesty’s noble soul. We also pray for the King, the Queen and the all the members of the late Queen’s family who mourn her. The 10am Mass today (Sunday) will be a Requiem Mass, in accordance with the communications we have received from the diocese.

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FR DAVID WRITES
Welcome back to everyone after the summer holidays. This week is the start of term for many of our children, young people and parishioners who study or work in schools and colleges. We send you all our best wishes and prayers for the new term and the new academic year.  We also welcome back, this morning, our choirs and musicians after their summer break.

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FR DAVID WRITES
Welcome back to parishioners who have been away—I hope everyone has enjoyed a good summer whether at home or away. Congratulations to our young people who have received their exam results over the last few weeks. We have been praying for you all. We send best wishes to everyone for the end of the summer break and the day ahead.

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CONGRATULATIONS FR JOHNSON
2022 has been a big year for Fr Johnson. Earlier this year, he marked 30 years since his ordination to the priesthood, and last Wednesday was also his sixtieth birthday. The whole parish joins in wishing Fr Johnson many happy returns on his birthday and we send him good wishes and prayers. The auxiliary bishop of Fr Johnson’s home diocese will visit him next week, and a Mass for the parish to celebrate with Father Johnson will be arranged in due course.

FR DAVID WRITES
I have returned from my much–needed break! It is lovely to be back among you. I spent some time with my parents and family, including my little nephew. Everyone at home is doing well and send their love and best wishes to you all. It was especially nice to celebrate Mass in my home parish. Thank you to Fathers Jerome, Johnson and Michael for looking after everything during my break. I hope everyone has been enjoying a pleasant and relaxing summer, even in this heat! X

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THE RELICS OF ST BERNADETTE—WESTMINSTER CATHEDRAL
For the first time in history the relics of St Bernadette will be touring England.

This very special once in a lifetime event will provide an opportunity for people of all ages and backgrounds to experience the gifts and charisms of Lourdes, in a church or cathedral near you. I would like to invite you and your parish to visit Westminster Cathedral for this special event on the weekend of 3-5 September.

The veneration of the relics will start on Saturday 3 September at 1 pm and will last all through the two days and nights until Monday 5 September at 6 am.  There is no need for advance booking. The visitors are invited to come at a time suitable for them and join the queue on the Piazza for entry via the West Doors. Be advised that at peak times, especially before or after liturgies, we expect long queues. Wheelchair access will be available at all times without the need for queuing.  Please see the poster on the notice board or take a flyer from the back of the Church for the timetable of the visit—and check out the website www.stbernadette.org.uk for details of the rest of the tour.

ANNOINTING OF THE SICK MASS AT WESTMINSTER CATHEDRAL
During the Visit, there will be Mass for Anointing of the Sick at 2.30 pm on Saturday 3rd September.  This is the only event that will be admission by ticket only.  Please email the Office if you would like to attend.  All places are limited—if you need to bring a wheelchair please state that on your email.