FR ANDREW WRITES
This Thursday we will celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  
The Assumption of Mary teaches us something very important about our lives as Christians.  Throughout her life, Mary united herself with the mission of Jesus her Son, including and especially in his suffering and death in which she shared with all the compassion of a mother. Because of this, at the end of her life, God ensured that she remained closely joined with her Son in heaven.  From heaven she continues to cooperate with her Son’s saving mission by praying for us.
We must imitate Mary, we must unite ourselves to Jesus, including and especially in pain and suffering.  We can make an offering of any suffering we experience, joining it with that of Jesus for the salvation of souls.  And because it is union with Christ in his saving death that brings about union with him in his resurrection, this is how we will follow where Mary has gone before us, to the eternal bliss of heaven.

THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRIGN MARY
Thursday, 15th August, is the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and is a Holy Day of Obligation.  There will be Mass at 8 am, 10 am and 7.30 pm on that day.

22nd SOUTHGATE SCOUT GROUP
Thank you to everyone who supported The 22nd Southgate Scout Group, through the Tesco Bags for Help scheme.  The group has been awarded £2,000, to help buy camping equipment.

ST IGNATIUS COLLEGE 125th ANNIVERSARY DINNER
St Ignatius College celebrates 125 years of Jesuit education with a celebration dinner on Friday 20th September.  Tickets are £75 and are available on Eventbrite.  This includes a welcome drink, a three course meal and half a bottle of wine.  For more information, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

CLARE DONLON RIP
Clare’s Requiem Mass will take place on Monday 19th August at 10 am.  We send our sympathy to her family and friends. May she rest in peace.

WHITE FATHERS, DIOCESAN MISSIONARY APPEAL
Fr John Gerrard from The  White Fathers, Missionaries of Africa, will be here on the weekend of 24th/25th August at all Masses to make this year’s annual Diocesan Missionary appeal.  The Missionaries of Africa lay special stress on the family spirit, having a life of prayer and work in common.  The White Fathers aim to work in partnership with the Church of Africa and, above all else, to help build up the leadership of the Churches in the area where they work.

JOIN OUR BROWNIE PACK
Here at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish we are lucky to have a vibrant, thriving Brownie Pack meeting every Thursday (term-time only) in the Parish Hall , 6—7.30 pm, run by Leader Karen Landi, Assistant Leader Frances Kantorowicz and Unit Helper Sarah Hunt. Brownies is about trying new things that teach girls aged seven to ten about themselves, their community and their world. Brownies introduces girls to a world of new opportunities, challenges and fun. Girls go along to camps, holidays, day trips and sleepovers. They get together with their friends at regular meetings where they learn new hobbies, get creative, explore other cultures and have outdoor adventures.  As well as trying activities in their meetings, girls choose from interest badges related to things they want to know more about. We have spaces to invite new girls to join the pack.  If you would like to register for girls to join please follow the link below.
https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/what-we-do/brownies-7-10

DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO WALSINGHAM—YOUNG PEOPLE
Westminster Youth Ministry (WYM) invites young people aged 16 and above to join us on the diocesan pilgrimage to Walsingham on Saturday 21st September.  The pilgrimage will be led by Cardinal Nichols and will include Mass, a Marian procession, rosary and exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, as well as being an opportunity to express our love and devotion for our Blessed Mother as a diocese and a group of young people. WYM is laying on a coach departing outside St Aloysius, Euston, NW1 1TA, at 7am, returning to St Aloysius early evening. Cost is £20 per person. Bring a picnic lunch. Booking form at dowym.com

CANONIZATION OF JOHN HENRY NEWMAN
Join Westminster Youth Ministry for a once-in-a-lifetime trip to witness the first canonization of an English saint for almost fifty years. Travelling 11th to 14th October,  highlights will include the canonization Mass with Pope Francis, the opportunity to visit historic sites and churches in Rome, and Mass in the Venerable English College with Bishop Nicholas Hudson. Cost is £480, which includes flights, accommodation, breakfast and public transport around Rome and to and from the airport.  To register visit dowym.com