“Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit” Acts 8:17
Acts 8:17
“The gift of the Spirit is communicated through the laying on of hands and anointing with sacred chrism. Saint Paul sheds lights on the meaning of these sacramental signs when he says that “God… has anointed us, by putting his seal on us and giving us his Spirit in our hearts” (2 Cor 1:21-22). Sealed with the Holy Spirit, we are configured more closely to Christ and strengthened to bear witness to him in our world.”
Pope Francis, General Audience, May 2018
The three pillars of the formation
Sunday Mass: https://youtu.be/tM96Aym7lYs?si=AteTaSDvuGms2I9M
Daily Prayer: https://youtu.be/BO3YJHZVdxs?si=PiHeKjuZ3Uqpde2y
Confession during Lent and before receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wz5-vu6A58E
and then
2025
Sunday 23rd November Blessing of those beginning the Formation for Confirmation at the 9.30 a.m. Mass on the Feast of Christ the King or Youth Sunday.
Sunday December 14th 3.30 – 4.45 p.m. Getting to Know You followed by 5.00 p.m. Sunday Mass
2026
Saturday 24th January Go Ape at Alexandra Palace 12 noon – 4.00 p.m. More information to follow. www. goape.co.uk/locations/alexandra-palace
Sunday 8th February 3.30 – 4.45 p.m. in the parish centre What is happiness? followed by 5.00 p.m. Sunday Mass
March Monday 23rd helping at the Soup Kitchen, St James’s, Spanish Place. At St. James’s, the Companions of the Order of Malta, composed of a large team of volunteers, use the Social Centre to provide a safe space, support, food and advice to the homeless.
Meet at Wanstead Station at 5.00 p.m. to travel to Spanish Place. Please make sure you are there in good time.
April Sunday 19th 3.30 – 4.45 p.m. in the parish centre Who is Jesus? followed by 5.00 p.m. Sunday Mass
May Saturday 23rd Diocese of Brentwood Pilgrimage to Walsingham
More practical information to follow
Sunday 24th Pentecost Sunday 11.30 a.m. Mass with blessing of those young men and women who desire to continue deepening their relationship with Jesus.
June Sunday 28th 3.30 – 4.45 p.m. in the parish centre How to Pray followed by 5.00 p.m. Sunday Mass
July Saturday 11th 9.00 – 12 noon Epping Forest Mass
More practical information to follow
Sunday 13th September 3.30 – 4.45 p.m. in the parish centre Who is the Holy Spirit followed by 5.00 p.m. Sunday Mass
Thursday 1st October Brentwood Cathedral Youth Mass meet at Wanstead Station at 5.00 p.m. Please make sure you arrive on time.
For those who have been invited to receive the sacrament and strengthen their faith with the gifts of the Holy Spirit:
Sacrament of Reconciliation and Confirmation Rehearsal Wednesday 18th November 7.00 p.m. in the church
Sunday 22nd November 2026 at the 11.30 a.m. Mass with the Sacrament of Confirmation.
There is an introductory meeting for these young men and women on Sunday 21st September meeting at 4.00 p.m. in the parish centre. Just come along.
The Holy Spirit is God’s great gift to us. It is Christ who fills us with his Spirit and makes us sharers of his own life and mission, in accordance to God’s saving plan. Christian witness is doing what the Spirit asks of us
We receive the message of faith in a deeper and more intensive manner with great emphasis given to the person of Jesus Christ, who asked the Father to give the Holy Spirit to the Church for building up the community in loving service. In the Sacrament of Confirmation, the baptized person is “sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit” and is strengthened for service to the Body of Christ.
Each year we have the great joy of celebrating the commitment of our young people as they receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Our Confirmation preparation is for young men and women who will be entering school Year 12 in September 2025. It allows them to reflect on their own relationship with God and to explore with other young people some of the questions they may have about their faith.
Blessing of those beginning the Formation for Confirmation at the 9.30 a.m. Mass on Sunday 23rd November, the Feast of Christ the King or Youth Sunday. This will mark the beginning of your formation and provide an opportunity for the parish family to pray for you and the other young men and women who now begin this journey of faith.
Benches will be reserved for you and the others at the front of the church. Please make a note of the date and arrive in good time.
If you would be willing to read, join the music group or help with the ushering, please let me know.
These coming weeks and months are an opportunity for you to deepen your relationship with God through the life of His Church. With all our relationships we need to commit and work on them if they are to grow strong and flourish. This is also true of our relationship with God.
This video will help you to reflect on the ways that you might need to deepen your relationship:
Https://youtu.be/Ani8havog_U?si=tV4WnNivCgmxMz7A
Once you have watched the video and reflected upon it, then, you may have to put those things into practice in order to deepen your relationship with God.
For those who have shown by their participation in this formation that they are open to this relationship with Jesus, they will be invited to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit on Sunday 22nd November 2026 at the 11.30 a.m. Mass through the sacrament of Confirmation.
In December 1917, at the invitation of Fr O’Grady, the Sisters of Mercy, opened their convent in Cambridge Park, the stables being converted into a temporary Church.
Later, the foundation stone of Our Lady of Lourdes Wanstead was blessed by Arthur Doubleday, the then Bishop of Brentwood, in July 1927.
The Church has been sustained by the people of God here in Wanstead for 100 years. Long may the faith continue to grow and thrive here.
Photos used are copyright and property of Our Lady of Lourdes Wanstead and Greg Gumbrell
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