Dear Friends,

Welcome to this Easter Mass which celebrates the central mystery of our faith – the Resurrection of the Lord.

The readings today are full of the confident and joyful faith of the early Church. We read about Mary Magdalen who finds the tomb empty. She runs to Peter and John who race to the tomb. Peter enters first so that he could later bear witness to the empty tomb and the grave-cloths, neatly folded.

John is first to understand what has happened. Their testimonies are important because they were at the heart of the faith proclaimed by the early Church – as they are to us today. In his address to Cornelius and his household Peter puts strong emphasis on the fact that he and those with him were witnesses to the risen Lord.

A big thank you to all who helped to make Holy Week such a special time for our parish community.

Father James

 

The Collection at Masses this weekend is personal to Fr James. Please keep all general contributions for the parish until the following week.

The new Gift Aid envelopes are now available.

The Annual Diocesan Mass, to celebrate Cambodian New Year, will   this year be hosted by Ely Parish of St Ethelreda and is on Friday 20th April at 7.00pm. A long way to travel but transport could be arranged. Further details from Pauline Andrews at St John of the Cross: e-mail andrews336@btinternet.com

The Senior Citizens Group (NW) will re-convene after Easter on Monday 9th April when there will be “in house activity”!

Inviting all young people in Year 8 upwards to the Ignite Festival on May 5-6th. Come and experience your faith in a new and dynamic way. The weekend will include powerful talks, passionate prayer, live music, and lots of fun stuff including sumo suit wrestling. We are particularly pleased to welcome Gabby and Paige from the TV show Bad Habits, Holy Orders. See www.ignitefestival.co.uk

The 7th Annual Support Cambodia Plant Sale is on Saturday 19th May. If you can help by providing good quality, labelled plants please contact Katie or Bob (01263 577784) or email info@supportcambodia.org.uk   for contributions to the Bake/Produce stall please contact Ginny Keane (07733430270). Advertising posters will be available after Easter.

The Newman Lectures for 2018 will be taking place at the Julian study Centre, UEA on the following dates. On 16th April – lecture is given by Stephen Bullivant: on 23rd April – by Rowan Williams and 30th April by Sr Ann Swailes. All lectures begin at 6.30pm and the admission is FREE. Please see poster and fliers at the back of the church.

We pray for our sick parishioners, including Margaret Wynes, Peter Walmesly, Mary Carr and Linda Dawson.

We pray for those whose anniversaries occur this week including: Augustus Heralty, Eric Moll, Paul Humphrys and Maurice Allain. May they rest in peace.

Live Simply Assessment. As you know, we are shortly due to be assessed by CAFOD to gain our Live Simply Award, so in addition to the recent questionnaire you have completed we will shortly be giving out a further, slightly more in-depth questionnaire some time this month. Thank you for your ongoing support trying to Live Simply. We are nearly there!

Living Simply

Theme for Easter Day: The Lord is Risen, He is Risen Indeed!