HOLY WEEK 2020
Today is Palm Sunday - the first day of Holy Week. Through our liturgical celebrations in this special week, we enter into the mystery of the Lord's passion, death and resurrection. Please join us in prayer and online if you can as we celebrate these important days in the life of the Church. Obviously, this year our experience of Holy Week will be very different to how we normally pray and celebrate. Nevertheless, these days of Christ's saving work are at the heart of our faith. DR.
HOLY WEEK AT HOME
All parishioners are invited to mark the days of Holy Week at home by prayers, and other customs and activities. You might like to place a palm from last year or a branch from your garden in your window at home as a witness. Please remember that Good Friday is a day of fasting and abstinence. Parents please use the opportunities of this week to help your children through the events and meaning of the last days of Jesus' earthly life.
LET US PRAY
Let us keep each other in our prayers during this difficult time: those who are ill at home or in hospital; those who are isolated or lonely, or separated from their loved ones; those who suffer anxiety or depression; those who care for the sick and elderly; those who serve others either by their jobs or ministries; for those who lead our country and the Church; for everyone in our parish; and, finally, for those who are approaching the end of their lives. May Mary, the Mother of mercy, be near us and assist us with her powerful prayers.
EASTER DUTIES
Please note carefully that the obligation on Easter duties (Holy Communion and Sacramental Confession) has been removed this year. Let us resolve to celebrate Confession at the first possible opportunity when the sacrament is available once again. Please see www.rcdow.org.uk for further details.
CHURCH SERVICES TV AT EASTER
Church Services TV is the platform we use for our live stream. As you can imagine, their traffic has increased greatly in recent weeks and days. They are working to increase capacity. It is likely there will be very heavy use of this service in Holy Week. Please be patient - if the live feed is difficult, please continue to join us in prayer. Please God, everyone will be able to follow us without too much interruption.
VIRGIN MONEY GIVING
It is difficult to talk about money at this time. However, our parish continues to have significant overheads and responsibilities that we need to meet. We are working to set up a Virgin Money Giving page where parishioners might like to contribute to the mission of the parish, the Easter collection and other funds, from the safety of your home. It's not as straightforward as setting one up for an individual - we need to work with the diocese and VMG. Hopefully it will be set up by next week. Please check out the website where a link should appear soon. As always, we are really grateful for your generosity towards our work and mission here in New Southgate.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION, CONFIRMATION & ORDINATION
We regret to say that we have postponed the First Holy Communion and Confirmation Masses, including the celebration of First Confession. It is likely these sacraments will be celebrated later in the year for those who have already been part of our programmes of preparation. Once we have an idea from the diocese about how our schedules might work, we will let you know about dates and arrangements. Thank you for your patience and understanding. Please remember Deacon David and the other candidates for ordination. The Ordinations to the Priesthood have also been postponed till the autumn - possibly September. We will bring you further details as they are agreed and announced.
OUR LADY OF LOURDES PRIMARY SCHOOL
We would like to thank and salute the head, staff and governors of our primary school for their work during this time, especially in keeping school open for children of key workers, and for their attention for all those at home. Many thanks also to the parents and children of our school for all their efforts and prayers!
CHRISM MASS
The Diocesan Chrism Mass is an annual event at which the bishops and priests bless the new holy oils to be used in the coming year. As a rule, this Mass is attached either to Holy Thursday or to one of the other days of Holy Week. Given the exceptional circumstances, and with the consent of the Holy See, it has been postponed till later in the year. Fr David and Fr Andrew will renew their priestly commitment here in the parish on Holy Thursday.
FR JOHNSON ALEXANDER
As some of you know, last month Fr Johnson travelled to India for the funeral of his brother-in-law. Once it became clear we were heading into lockdown, I asked Fr Johnson to remain there for the time being. He is well and with his family where they can support each other at this difficult time. Please keep them all in your prayers. We look forward to seeing him again. DR.
FOUR SEASONS DRAW
Unfortunately, the Draw for the first quarter has been postponed, and will now take place, events allowing, with the Summer Draw in June. Many thanks to all of you who have paid your subscriptions for this quarter. If you have decided to leave the Draw, please let us know by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.