Dear Friends,
Today we begin the season of Advent, the time of preparation before we celebrate Christmas and the Incarnation. During this time the Church ‘re-reads and re-lives the great events of salvation history in the ‘today’ of her liturgy’ (Catechism 1095). The readings also speak about the coming of the Lord as judge at the end of time. This can seem to be scary! In fact it is the time when God will fulfil the ancient promises made to his people. Those promises were above all about salvation and peace. Even when Jesus gives a warning in the Gospel he ends it with an invitation for people to prepare themselves so that they may ‘stand with confidence before the Son of Man’. We must remember that the one who comes to judge has already come among us.
Father James
This afternoon at St John of the Cross, Aylsham, at 4pm there is the beautiful Advent Service “Come Lord Jesus”- words, music and prayers to mark the start of the season of Advent. All are warmly invited. There will be a retiring collection for Aid to the Church in Need.
Fr James will be giving A Day of Advent Reflection in the parish hall, North Walsham on Monday 3rd December starting at 11.00am. At 12noon Mass will be celebrated in the church and this will be followed by a shared lunch. The afternoon session will start at 2.00pm. Do try to come along to what will be a meaningful preparation for Christmas.
NB Please note, Mass tomorrow (Monday) will be at 12noon.
3rd December – Feast of St Francis Xavier. Please remember our twinned parish and all who are missionaries, like Fr Greg in Cambodia. Send a Christmas card: address labels are available. Please see the board.
The booklet “My Day by Day” – Advent 2018 with daily readings, thoughts and prayers and is now in our church porches. Do pick up a copy. It costs only £1.
The annual Christmas Carol Service at the Sacred Heart will take place on Sunday 16th December at 3pm.
The Children’s Christmas Party is also on Sunday 16th, in the parish hall from 4.00 – 6.00pm. This is for children whose names were entered on the lists, so please sign up today!
A Christmas Celebration at St John’s Cathedral An evening of Christmas Carols and music from the Cathedral choir & Brass ensemble is on Wednesday 19th December at 7.30pm . Tickets £10, under 16s free – this includes a glass of mulled wine. Tickets are available from the Cathedral shop and website -www.sjbcathedral.org.uk
St Helen’s Coffee Morning will take place from 10.30 to 11.30am on Wednesday 5th December and the cost is just £1.50 for refreshments and a chat. You are all most welcome. We look forward to seeing you.
CAFOD – “World Gifts 2018” catalogue is now available enabling us to give in a way that will help people break free from poverty. Please pick up one of these booklets for, maybe, some Christmas Gift ideas. Please order by 14th December.
Charity Christmas Cards – available until 15th December at the Original Norwich Charity Christmas Card shop, St Stephens St. Norwich (next to Sainsbury’s) Monday – Saturday 10am – 5pm.
We pray for all our sick parishioners, including Deacon Ron O’Toole, Mary Johnson, Joe Seely, Tony Seaborne and Maria Wilby.
We pray for all those whose anniversaries occur at this time including: Philip Madden, David Southwood, Geoffrey Gooch, Anna Taylor, George Pearson, Timothy Barry, Priscilla Jarrad and Pearl Byrne.
May they rest in peace.
