Dear Friends,
The beautiful Gospel reading today gives us an opportunity to reflect on judgement and mercy - important themes for Lent. It is a story of contrasts: the bustle and violence of those who drag the woman before Jesus demanding that she be stoned to death.; the serenity and calmness of Jesus who writes silently on the ground and utters only the briefest comment to the crowd. The woman remains silent awaiting her condemnation. Jesus invites those without sin to throw the first stone. When no one comes forward he speaks to the woman, not to condemn her but with gentleness and mercy.
God bless
Father James
Friday is a day of Prayer for survivors of Sexual Abuse.
Lenten Alms in all our three communities are for the Church in Need. (North Walsham see wall slot)
In answer to CAFOD’s Appeal for the victims of the disaster in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi our parish raised £1,129.01 .
At St Helen’s this weekend (Saturday 6th April), following the Mass, St Helen’s Community Forum takes place. The meeting will last no more than 30 minutes. All are welcome.
Stations of the Cross (NW) at 12noon Fridays, (Aylsham) after the Friday morning Mass and (Hoveton) after the Wednesday Mass.
The Bible Group will not be meeting again until after Easter.
The PPC meet on Tues 9th April at 7.15 for 7.30pm at Aylsham.
As the planned meeting last Sunday after Mass, to discuss having a forum at N Walsham, did not go ahead, this idea will be reconsidered at a later time after Easter.
A Service of Reconciliation will be held at the Sacred Heart Church on Saturday 13th April at 11.30am., giving the opportunity for individual confession.
The North Walsham Lenten Lunches are held at different venues at 12.30pm on Thursdays. This week (14th April) it will be held at the Methodist Church: the speaker is Rev’nd Sharon Willimot or Rev’nd John Fenn. A simple lunch, £4 - goes towards Christian Aid.
At Aylsham Lenten Lunches will be held in the area. Please see the list on the poster for times and venues in the coming week.
The Chrism Mass takes place on Tuesday 16th at 7.00pm. A coach will leave our churches at the following times: Aylsham at 5.15pm; North Walsham at 5.35pm and Hoveton at 5.50pm. Please be punctual as the driver will not be able to wait for late-comers. A fare of £5 will be taken on the coach and a collection for the driver’s tip will be taken on the return journey. The coach leaves the Cathedral at approx. 9.45pm. Do be there, please. The Cathedral lists are now in our church porches. Please sign and return to the office asap.
The concert at St John’s, was a great success and raised £441 for the Aylsham Development Fund.
.Please sign CAFOD’s online Petition to the Prime Minister for urgent climate change action to limit global temperature rise to 1.5C. Go to cafod.org.uk and choose climate under the heading of Campaign or sign on CAFOD Petition form of collective signatures.
We pray for all our sick parishioners: Mary Johnson, Joe Seely, Maria Wilby, Frances Palman, Thomasina Hopkins, Matt Butler, Peter Lloyd, John Gowing and Teresa Farrow.
We pray for all those whose anniversaries occur at this time including: Davyd Randell, Maurice Allain, Franciszek (Frank) Dominikowski, Monica Rose and Eileen Codd.
May they rest in peace.
Suggestions for Lent. Pray for refugees and asylum seekers in all parts of the world.
