Dear Friends,
Today’s feast of the Presentation of the Lord is also called Candlemass. Forty days after Christmas Jesus meets with the Father in the Temple and makes the traditional offerings. He also meets people of faith – Simeon and Anna. In the person of Simeon the Old Testament gives way to the New. But the shadow of the Cross already looms because the darkness will refuse the light. Mary brings to the Temple the lamb of sacrifice.
God bless,
Father James
This coming Saturday (8th) is a Day of Prayer for Victims of Human Trafficking and those who work to combat it.
Next Sunday is Racial Justice Day
The next session of Journey in Faith will be today, 2nd February, at 5pm in the presbytery.
The next Coffee Morning Drop-In at St Helen’s will be on Wednesday, 5th February. These coffee mornings are held in the church porch in conjunction with Churches Together, once a month from 10.30-11.30am on the first Wednesday. Do come and join us on Wednesday for a chat and refreshments including home-made cakes and scones at a cost of just £1.50. You are all most welcome and we look forward to seeing you.
The next Sacred Heart Bible Study will be on Friday 14th February at 2.30pm in the parish hall. Please note the change of date.
In preparation for Lent a Diocesan Retreat Day is going to be held in Our Lady of the Annunciation Church, Poringland, beginning in the Thirkettle Room on Saturday 15th February, 10am – 4pm. For more details please go to mmmcfadyen@gmail.com
At the Sacred Heart – help is urgently needed
Your church needs YOU! Please take a look at the list of jobs where help is urgently needed to keep our church running. Please help by putting your name down for the Sacred Heart’s Taskforce. Box for complete forms in the church porch. Please give whatever time you can to help your church. Thank you.
Items discussed at the Sacred Heart’s Forum (open meeting) on Sunday 12th January in the parish hall are still available.
Katie Maidment and David Pattrick, (both Aylsham parishioners), leave next Tuesday for the annual Trustee Visit on behalf of Support Cambodia. During their 3-week trip they will be visiting our twin parish of St Francis Xavier, Svay Sisophon, presenting on behalf of our parish some beautifully illustrated books on bible stories. Follow their progress at supportcambodia.org.uk or join the charity’s WhatsApp group.
Last year we had an appeal for the Association for a Better World. We joined with 6 other parishes in our deanery and together we raised £5,370. This has gone to provide a new classroom block in Sitma, complete with benches and chairs as well as ramps for wheelchairs. This could not have happened without your generous response.
We pray for our sick parishioners: Joe Seely, Maria Wilby, Matt Butler, John Gowing, Tom Ender, Derek Palman, Kevin Fitzmaurice and Mary Carr.
We pray for all those whose anniversaries occur at this time including: Wasil Mychajlyszyn, John Connolly, André Boucher and Anna Simpson. May they rest in peace.
Next Family Mass: Sunday 1st March – St David’s Day
(11.00 am Mass at the Sacred Heart)
