A WARM WELCOME TO ALL OUR VISITORS – And a very Happy New Year!
Thank you for joining us for our Mass, we hope you are enjoying your stay in Norfolk. Do join us for coffee after Mass and meet some of our parishioners. You may like to use a gift-aid envelope for your collection, available at the back of the church. Thank you.
TODAY we are celebrating the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord (a Holyday of Obligation transferred from 6th January to the nearest Sunday).
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE who has worked so hard to get our three churches decorated for Christmas. Thanks also go to those who were involved in the planning and organisation of our Advent and Carol Services, for the music and singing over the Christmas Festival. Thank you to the many people who contribute to the life of the parish by doing various things behind the scenes “week in and week out”.
AN INVITATION TO ALL YOUNG PEOPLE: this evening (Sunday 4th January) there is the annual New Year Epiphany Candlelight Mass for young people from across the diocese. It is held at 6pm, at The White House, Poringland, Norwich, NR14 7SH. Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Alan, followed by refreshments, a bonfire and fireworks. More information is on church noticeboards or just go to www.catholiceastanglia.org/youth
THE CRIB, (beautifully knitted by Sheila Hall), will be on display again this year in the porch at the Sacred Heart. It will be in the church entrance porch until today (Sunday). Donations this year will go to MacMillan Nurses.
CAFOD do please continue to give generously to CAFOD; the money collected during Advent will enable the parish to buy some World Gifts for those living in the Developing World. However, the Appeal although starting in Advent doesn’t end at Christmas, it continues on as far as Summer 2015. For individual donations take home one of the CAFOD World Gifts catalogues for practical ideas.
PARISH DIRECTORY Please take home a copy per family of the updated Parish Directory, to be found at the back of each church.
ROTAS for Readers (NW) are ready for collection, plus a few rotas for Eucharistic Ministers. Please pick up your named copy.
The PARISH DIARIES will be arriving soon!
STALHAM AREA HOUSE MASS The next house Mass will take place on Friday 16th January at the home of Celia Cooper: Barnside, Stubb Road, Hickling. NR12 OY5. Tel No. 01692 580712.
JOB VACANCY – DIOCESAN SAFEGUARDING ADMINISTRATOR The Diocese is seeking to appoint a Safeguarding Administrator to assist in supporting the Safeguarding Coordinator in processing Disclosure and Barring Service applications for volunteers working in the Diocese and its Parishes. The post will require around 15 hours work per week and the appointment will be made as a self-employed contractor. Full details and application forms can be obtained from the Diocesan Offices either by telephone (01508 492202) or by e-mail from finance@east-angliadiocese.org.uk Closing date for applications is 17th January 2015
CAMBODIA VISIT 2015: Carol & David Shippey and Bob & Katie Maidment will visit Cambodia from 19th January – 6th February. On Friday 16th January the group will receive a blessing from Fr James at the regular 9.30am Mass at St John of the Cross which will be ‘simple Cambodia-style’, followed by tea and cake. All are welcome at this Mass to wish the group ‘God speed’ and to send greetings and prayers to our twin parish.
We pray for Kate Mary Bates who died on Christmas Day and for her family and friends at this time. We pray also for those whose anniversaries occur during this week including: Philip (Charles) Byrne, Arthur Hodgson, Essie Rimmer, Freda Hodgson, Kate (Kit) Denton, Adele Margaret Green, Mahalla Waller, Lilian Pycroft, Eileen Barrett, Mary Bridgett Betts, Wladyslaw Przybyla, Marie Patricia Heath, Michael Dalton, Jeremiah (Jerry) Griffin and Constance Keeble.
May they rest in peace.
Christmas is a family celebration People travel, sometimes considerable distances, just to be with their loved ones. The feast is also a special time for our parish family. The weeks of Advent helped to prepare us for the birthday of our Saviour and we too come together to celebrate this wonderful event over this Christmas season which includes the Epiphany. For me this Christmas has been different from the grand liturgies of a cathedral. But it has been no less enjoyable. I have been impressed by the quiet efficiency of all who helped with the preparations and how well people have worked together. Thank you for your generous gifts and Christmas cards – they are greatly appreciated.
Deacon Ron joins me in wishing you every blessing for the New Year.
Father James
