FOOD FOR THOUGHT A woman at a bank asked the cashier to cash a cheque for her. Citing company policy the cashier asked for her identification. The woman gasped. Finally she managed to say “But Jonathan I am your mother!” If you think this is funny, now how can you yourself fail to recognise the Messiah?

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2012 If you would like your child/children to be prepared to receive their First Holy Communion, please speak to Father Chacko.

HAVE YOU THOUGHT about becoming a Catholic, or would you like to know more about the Catholic Church? An RICA programme will begin soon. If you would like more information or would like to have an informal chat, then please contact Father Chacko.

MISSALS Two pre-ordered Sunday Missals have not been collected nor have the persons contacted Ruth to arrange delivery and payment. This is the last opportunity to collect them as next weekend they will be offered for sale.
If you ordered a Daily Missal, there is further delay: CTS have now advised us that they will not be available until first week of March 2012.

SVP Father Chacko would like parishioners who are in need of any practical help (for example, lifts to church, shopping, etc) or perhaps would enjoy some company, to speak with members of the SVP. Similarly, if you are aware of friends who might need help, or you would like to join the SVP, please speak to one of the members of the group. They are Roger Palmer (880974), Marlene Izzo (453945), Josie Seath (451984), Joan Hawkins (451199) and David Watts (01202-914869).

PATRONAL FEAST DAY Our Lady of Lourdes Feast Day (11th) is on Saturday this year so at our Saturday evening Mass we will celebrate this feast thanking Our Lady for looking after us and asking for her continued prayers for our parish.

FLOWER ARRANGING We are blessed to have a good team of flower-arrangers. However we would appreciate the help of one more person to share with another. This would be about four times a year and would involve arranging and looking after the flowers for two weeks together at a time. If you are interested and would like to know more please speak to Ann Matthews 453415.

CHURCH CLEANING Thank you to everyone who helps to keep our lovely church looking so clean and tidy. We have a good team of helpers who work in pairs on a rota and a turn comes around about every six weeks. However we are one short at the moment – do you think you might be able to help? If so please speak to Jackie Murray or ring her on 453224.

SOCIAL EVENTS - DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:
Saturday 24th March - Quiz Evening - Blandford Parish Rooms
Saturday 19th May - Bingo Evening - Blandford Parish Rooms
Sunday 15th July - Parish BBQ - Parish Garden
Saturday 13th October - Quiz Evening - Blandford Parish Rooms
Saturday 15th December - Parish Christmas Lunch - Durweston Village Hall

WHITE FLOWER APPEAL Thank you to everyone who contributed to the appeal – the sum raised was £269.

DID YOU KNOW ... that last Saturday over 2,000 supporters from dioceses up and down the country - from Newcastle to Southwark to Plymouth - came together for the national celebration of CAFOD’s 50th Anniversary? They joined Archbishop Vincent Nichols, the Papal Nuncio and most of the Bishop’s Conference for a special Mass in Westminster Cathedral. At the end of the Mass, Kenyan CAFOD Partner and Trustee Margaret Mwaniki voiced a ‘call for recommitment’, explaining “CAFOD stood by us during and after our darkest hours in the 2007 post-election violence. CAFOD is now supporting over half a million people affected by the East Africa food crisis. In my work, I’m heartened to see what just £1 can mean to someone and I thank you for this.” Bishop Christopher and the Diocese of Plymouth will hold our own celebration in our own Cathedral on 9 March for schools and 10 March for parishes - save the date and let’s make this celebration a chance to renew our own commitment to Just One World!

LENT MY DAY BY DAY There are adult and junior booklets at the back of the church to help our preparation for Easter to be more meaningful.

PRAYER REQUESTS If you would like prayers to be offered during Benediction for any special intentions, please put your petitions in the box at the back of church.

WE PRAY for our sick: Dora Reed, Father Richard, Michael Macdonagh and David Hyde.

OFFERINGS: Envelopes: £60.50 Plate: £223.10 Thank you and to all who contribute by Standing Order.

With a blessing for every one of our parish family. Fr Chacko