Here’s why I believe our lady of Lourdes catholic church in New Milton truly is.
It is only natural that we feel a deep affection for our own parish.
It is only natural that we feel a deep affection for our own parish.
It is, after all, our spiritual home – the place where many of us were baptised, where we received our first Confession and our First Holy Communion, where we return again and again to the altar to be nourished by the Eucharist, and where some of our most important life moments have been marked, from weddings to funerals.
Over time, every parish becomes something much more than a building. It becomes a family. That is why you will often hear people say, with genuine warmth and conviction, “Our church is the best!”
And yet, while every Catholic parish matters deeply and Christ is fully present in every tabernacle across the world, I would still like to share why, from my own perspective, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church here in New Milton truly is something very special.
It is not only about the building, or even the location, though both are beautiful. It is about the life of faith that pulses through this parish, the people who worship here, the sense of belonging, and the unique mission we live out together in this corner of Hampshire – on the edge of the New Forest and only a short walk from the sea.
Over time, every parish becomes something much more than a building. It becomes a family. That is why you will often hear people say, with genuine warmth and conviction, “Our church is the best!”
And yet, while every Catholic parish matters deeply and Christ is fully present in every tabernacle across the world, I would still like to share why, from my own perspective, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church here in New Milton truly is something very special.
It is not only about the building, or even the location, though both are beautiful. It is about the life of faith that pulses through this parish, the people who worship here, the sense of belonging, and the unique mission we live out together in this corner of Hampshire – on the edge of the New Forest and only a short walk from the sea.
A Church Set in the Beauty of Creation
One of the first things that strikes anyone who comes to New Milton is the setting. We are blessed to live between two extraordinary gifts of God – the ancient New Forest and the wide, ever – changing sea.
On one side, there are woodlands that seem to breathe history – ponies wandering freely, streams winding quietly through shaded glades, and towering trees that have stood for centuries. On the other side, there is the coastline – cliffs, shingle beaches, and open skies that stretch endlessly toward the Isle of Wight.
Our Lady of Lourdes Church stands right in the midst of this natural beauty. For many parishioners, every walk to Mass feels like a pilgrimage through God’s creation itself. The world outside gently prepares the heart for what awaits inside.
As the psalmist proclaims:
“The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.” (Psalm 19:1, RSV – CE)
When we come to Mass here, we are reminded that the same Creator who shaped forest and sea is the One who comes to us, hidden yet fully present, in the Eucharist. That awareness deepens our reverence, our gratitude, and our sense of awe.
A Parish Anchored in Prayer
But no matter how beautiful a location may be, the true heart of a church is not found in its surroundings – it is found in its prayer.
Our Lady of Lourdes is a parish where prayer is not an afterthought but a foundation. The Rosary is prayed faithfully, not only in private homes but as a community. The Mass is celebrated with reverence, attentiveness, and care. There is a tangible stillness before and after liturgy, a quiet understanding that something holy is taking place.
Jesus Himself gave us this promise:
“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20, RSV – CE)
That promise is lived out week after week in this parish. Whether at a quiet weekday Mass or during the fuller gatherings of Sunday, we come not simply as individuals but as a family of faith. And with the Blessed Sacrament reserved among us, Christ truly dwells at the heart of our parish, making it a place of peace, refuge, and encounter.
The Gift of a Priest Who Brings the Faith to Life
One of the greatest blessings of Our Lady of Lourdes in New Milton is the gift of our priest. We are privileged to have a shepherd who does far more than simply preside over the liturgy – he brings the faith to life in a way that nourishes both heart and mind.
The readings at Mass never feel distant or abstract. Through his careful preparation and deep understanding, Scripture becomes something living and immediate. The Gospel is not merely proclaimed – it is illuminated, explained, made relevant to daily struggles, hopes, joys, and fears.
And then there are the homilies. Time and again, they leave us inspired, challenged, comforted, and strengthened – and almost always feeling as though they ended far too soon. That, perhaps, is the surest sign of a truly good homily: one that feeds the soul so well that we long for more.
Beyond the sanctuary, our priest has also worked tirelessly to build a genuine sense of community within the parish. Through parish events, gatherings, shared celebrations, and pastoral care, he has helped transform a collection of individuals into something that truly feels like a spiritual family.
He has also ensured that the many communities within our parish feel seen and welcomed. By arranging Masses in various languages and supporting prayer gatherings for different groups, he reflects the universal heart of the Catholic Church – where faith is shared across cultures, nations, and generations.
Through his ministry, the parish is not only well – taught and well – shepherded, but also deeply connected.
Our Patroness – Our Lady of Lourdes
It is no small gift that our parish is dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes. The apparitions at Lourdes in 1858 continue to speak powerfully to the heart of the Church. God chose not a queen or a noblewoman but a poor, uneducated girl – Saint Bernadette – to reveal His grace in a place that would become a global centre of healing.
Lourdes is a living reminder that God delights in working through humility. Physical healing is witnessed there, yes – but even more powerful is the inner healing that countless pilgrims experience.
To have Our Lady of Lourdes as our patroness is to be reminded constantly that our parish, too, is called to be a place of welcome, mercy, compassion, and hope.
Mary’s words at Cana guide us still:
“Do whatever he tells you.” (John 2:5, RSV – CE)
In her quiet way, she continues to draw us toward her Son and toward a life shaped by obedience, trust, and love.
A Parish That Truly Welcomes
One of the most beautiful virtues lived out at Our Lady of Lourdes in New Milton is hospitality. Many visitors comment on how welcome they feel from the moment they enter the church.
This does not happen by accident. It is the fruit of many small acts of kindness – smiles at the door, quiet conversations after Mass, tea and coffee shared, parish events that draw people together, and a general atmosphere of warmth.
Saint Paul exhorts us:
“Contribute to the needs of the saints; practise hospitality.” (Romans 12:13, RSV – CE)
A church can be architecturally stunning, but if its people are distant, it will never truly feel like home. In this parish, there is a tangible sense that people are known, valued, and cared for. Long – standing parishioners and newcomers alike find a place to belong.
A Parish That Lives Its Faith
Faith at Our Lady of Lourdes is not confined to the sanctuary. It flows outward into the town and into daily life. Parishioners give generously to charity, visit the sick, pray for the departed, and support those in need.
This is faith in action – the Gospel lived quietly and faithfully in ordinary circumstances.
As Saint James reminds us:
“So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.” (James 2:17, RSV – CE)
A parish becomes truly alive when worship at the altar is matched by love in the streets, homes, hospitals, and workplaces of the community.
A Church for All Ages and All Nations
Another great gift of Our Lady of Lourdes is its diversity. Children preparing for their First Communion, young families, single people, the elderly, and those living in care homes all belong to one parish family.
We are also richly blessed by the presence of parishioners from many different nations and cultures. Prayer groups and Rosary sessions in Malayalam and other languages remind us that the Church is truly universal.
Saint Paul’s words ring true here:
“Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” (1 Corinthians 12:27, RSV – CE)
Different voices, different languages, different backgrounds – yet one Body, one faith, one Lord.
A Quiet Beauty in Worship
Our Lady of Lourdes in New Milton is not a cathedral, but it possesses a gentle, reverent beauty. The simplicity of the church, the glow of candles, the presence of statues, and above all the altar where Christ becomes present in the Eucharist – all speak of holiness.
Music supports and lifts the liturgy rather than overpowering it. Each Sunday feels like a true encounter with mystery – not entertainment, but worship.
A Church with a Living Mission
This parish is not content merely to exist. It is a living mission. Through outreach, prayer, and a willingness to engage with the world around us, Our Lady of Lourdes continues the work of the early Church.
As we read in the Acts of the Apostles:
“And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they partook of food with glad and generous hearts.” (Acts 2:46 – 47, RSV – CE)
That same rhythm of prayer, fellowship, and service continues here today.
Why I Believe It Truly Is the Best
So why do I believe that Our Lady of Lourdes in New Milton is the best parish?
- Because it is centred on prayer and the sacraments.
- Because it is guided by a priest who teaches, inspires, and unites.
- Because it stands within the beauty of God’s creation.
- Because it welcomes with warmth.
- Because it lives the Catholic faith in daily life.
- Because it gathers people of every age and many nations into one family of God.
A Call to Gratitude
If you belong to another parish, be grateful for it. Every parish is a gift. Every Catholic community is part of the great living tapestry of the universal Church.
But for those of us in New Milton, Our Lady of Lourdes is where heaven quietly touches earth – week by week, Mass by Mass, prayer by prayer.
As Saint Paul wrote:
“We give thanks to God always for you all… remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labour of love.” (1 Thessalonians 1:2 – 3, RSV – CE)
That same spirit of thanksgiving fills our hearts for this parish.
A Prayer For All Who Read This Blog Post and All Who Never Will
Loving Father,
I thank You for the gift of the Church and for every parish where Your people gather. I thank You especially for Our Lady of Lourdes in New Milton – for its beauty, its prayer, its people, its communities, and its mission. I thank You for our priest, for his faithful service, his inspiring preaching, his care for his people, and for the unity he helps to build among us.
Bless all who worship here, all who serve here, all who visit, and all who quietly suffer in this town. May every soul who enters these doors encounter Christ. And may Your light continue to shine through this parish for generations to come.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
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