Our Lady of Lourdes

Introduction

Before the church was built, in 1908 the Franciscans from Chilworth Friary celebrated Mass at Oaklands Hotel in a hired room, which became a chapel under the patronage of St Gilbert of Sempringham. The church was consecrated by Bishop Peter Amigo of Southwark on 28th September 1932 after being free of debt.

Music and liturgy

The main window and those in the Lady Chapel were designed by Geoffrey Fuller Webb and date from 1935 and 1937. In each of the three parish churches, school-age children may participate in their own liturgy during Sunday Mass. During school term time, children aged 4 to 8 leave the Mass to explore the day's readings in a small group session. At Christmas, children at all three churches take part in short Nativity celebrations before the Christmas masses. First Communion masses take place at all three churches of the parish in early May.

Parish life

The parish comprises three churches: Our Lady of Lourdes in Haslemere, Saint Anselm in Hindhead, and Saint Teresa of Avila in Chiddingfold, with masses also celebrated at the Holy Cross Hospital Chapel in Haslemere. The Ecumenical Group leads the Parish in sharing Christian life with other Christians in the community. An annual Taizé Service is held in Haslemere. The parish participates in Chiddingfold's 'Joint Churches' initiative with an annual Lent lunch and other activities.

The parish is represented at and periodically hosts the ecumenical 'Men's Breakfast' group. Coffee is served at all the mass locations in the parish after Sunday Mass. Parish lunches take place in the parish hall on a Sunday approximately every two months. The Senior's tea party takes place once a month, open to all but especially appreciated by senior parish members.

The All Parish Quiz Night is typically held once a year. A team of welcomers works on a rota basis to welcome parishioners and visitors to mass. The Sacristan prepares the church for each Mass and clears away after it has finished. Readers proclaim the word of God and are required for all masses, with training provided.

The churches are kept clean by a dedicated team of volunteer cleaners on a rota basis. A team of flower arrangers across the parish creates and maintains church flower arrangements, coordinated through a rota. The parish holds an annual Anointing of the Sick Mass.

Sacraments and pastoral care

Baptism preparation is delivered in small sessions, usually one Saturday afternoon and one Thursday evening, held several times a year. Baptisms are celebrated on a Sunday at Our Lady of Lourdes, St Anselm or St Teresa's church, occasionally during Mass.

Preparation for Reconciliation and First Communion spans nine months and includes desk-based learning, activities, services and sessions for parents. Marriage preparation includes meetings with the Parish Priest to discuss the service, preparation course, paperwork, fees and date, and further meetings to agree readings and hymns.

The parish arranges visits by the Catholic chaplain or parish priest for those in hospital, and arranges regular Holy Communion for those unable to get to Mass. The parish provides bereavement support by trained individuals.