Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, Harpenden

Music and liturgy

Other services take place throughout the year as part of, or in preparation for, special celebrations in the liturgical year, with details published in the newsletter, News section and on social media. Music group members have suggested ability levels: piano/organ Grade 6+, orchestral instruments Grade 3+, guitar intermediate. Altar servers renew their pledge on St Stephen's Day (26th December) each year, when cords and medals are awarded in recognition of their length of service. Ministers of the Word (the Readers) deliver the Word of God at all Masses.

Ministers of Holy Communion help the Priest distribute Holy Communion at Mass and may take Holy Communion to the sick at home and others who cannot make it to the church. Ministers of Holy Communion are invited to reaffirm their commitment to the Ministry on an annual basis. The RCIA team facilitate a course of instruction in the most important truths of the Catholic Faith and a means of joining the Catholic Church for those who wish to be fully in communion. RCIA welcomes men and women who have asked to learn more about the Faith, including some already Catholics, some baptised into other Christian communities and some with no previous religious affiliation.

Oasis is a small group which meets once a month to read, discuss, reflect and pray about the scripture for the coming weekend. The Operations Team are responsible for the live-streaming of Masses, as well as other occasions such as funerals and weddings, and other events via Zoom and on the Parish YouTube channel.

At Christmas and Easter children in Years 3 to 6 are invited to take an active part in the parish Nativity Service on Christmas Eve and Children's Stations of the Cross on Good Friday. The church is part of Churches Together in Harpenden, and congregations come together for special events such as Palm Sunday Services, Good Friday Walk of Witness and Remembrance Sunday Service.

The Flower Group provide flower arrangements for the many special days in the church's calendar and, on request, for private celebrations such as weddings, baptisms and funerals. Volunteers look after the cleaning and maintenance of vestments and the altar linens.

Parish life

The parish was awarded LiveSimply status in 2019 by CAFOD and the National Justice and Peace Network. The Homelessness Action Group was set up in late 2021 to support NOAH Enterprise and Keystage Housing, two Luton-based charities. The Parish Pastoral Council is responsible for developing the parish mission and strategy, and consulting with and making recommendations to the Parish Priest. The Finance Committee assists the Parish Priest in the administration and control of the funds and other assets of the Parish.

The church is cleaned every week by a group of volunteers working on a 4-weekly rota system. The Church Repository is located at the back of the church and is open after each weekend Mass. The Adult Choir (SATB) and Choristers group (ages 8-18) sing at the Sunday late morning Mass, as well as at services such as Advent and Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight, weddings, funerals and concerts.

The parish LiveSimply group organises monthly collections for the local foodbank and the CAFOD Family Fast collection, and through their work the parish has been named a Fairtrade parish. The LiveSimply group organises monthly collections of UHT milk and juice for St Albans and District Foodbank. The parish St Vincent de Paul Society provides support to parishioners in need, including visiting sick or lonely parishioners, arranging transport for those who cannot get to Mass, and providing financial assistance to needy children.

The parish supports NOAH Enterprise and Keystage Housing in their endeavours to end homelessness. Life Ascending is a Christian movement for retired parishioners, particularly those living alone, meeting twice a month and offering spirituality through prayer and discussion as well as friendship. The Catholic Ladies Group organises parish events to bring parishioners together as a community and to raise funds for good causes, including the Christmas Bazaar and Summer Strawberry Social. The Wednesday Walk is a monthly gentle stroll through Rothamsted Park followed by coffee in a local cafe.

Sacraments and pastoral care

A mandatory marriage preparation course is conducted by married couples from the parish early in the year. A team of catechists prepares children of the parish, typically in Year 3, for First Holy Communion. The entrance to the Sacrament of Reconciliation room is located on the right as you enter the church.

Visiting

The Repository sells cards and gifts for Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Weddings, and Mass cards. A Lost Property Box is located at the back of the church near the Repository. Lourdes Hall, the parish hall, is a 10-minute walk from the church on Southdown Road, next to St Dominic School, and is available for private hire. A toilet is available via the door to the sacristy, located on the left-hand side of the altar.

Disabled toilet facilities are located in the Undercroft, accessible via the lift in the church entrance area. Screens are installed in the side aisles giving those seated at the side a clear view of the altar. A quiet room (Cry Chapel) is available during Mass, with its door on the right of the church entrance area next to the lift. A holy water refill jar is located next to the Repository. The undercroft, located below the church, is used for church meetings and events only and is not available for private hire.