“Life is a circle of happiness, sadness, hard times and good times. If you are going through hard times, have faith that the good times are on the way.”
The readings for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B cause us to reflect on Jesus’ power to heal us, both physically and spiritually. In the first reading, Job laments that he is experiencing so much misery and despair. But the psalm reminds us to “Praise the Lord, who heals the broken-hearted.” The Gospel tells us how Jesus cured Peter’s mother-in-law, freed those possessed by demons, and preached in the area. Today’s readings also challenge us to avoid Job’s pessimistic and desperate view of life as a chain of pain and sufferings and to accept life with hope and optimism as a precious gift from God, using it to do good for others and spending our time, talents, treasures and lives for others as Jesus did and as St Paul did.
Father Peter
Pope’s intention for the month of February.
For the terminally ill.
We pray that those with a terminal illness, and their families, receive the necessary physical and spiritual care and accompaniment.
Thursday – Day of prayer for Victims of Trafficking.
Next Sunday is World Day of Prayer for the Sick, Diocesan Day of Prayer for Engaged Couples, also Day for the Unemployed.
For St Helen’s: there is a Forum after Mass this evening (Saturday 3rd February).
There will be no Coffee Morning at Hoveton in February. The next one will be on Wednesday 6th March at 10.30am to which you are all most welcome.
Please remember: the parish hall is still officially out of bounds.
Fr Anthony Chantry, Missio National Director, has written to thank the parish for our gift of £597 in response to World Mission Sunday 2023.
Lectio Divina Group, starting 1st Monday of the month at St John of the Cross, 7-8pm. Lectio Divina is divine reading: “praying the scripture”. The group will read, meditate, pray & contemplate the following Sunday’s gospel with the aim of being led to personal encounter with God & increase in faith. Meeting at St John of the Cross, Monday 5th February. Pl contact Mary Wallace if you would like to attend – 077255 72142 or go to mary.wallace79@gmail.com
What are Icons and how are they painted? St John of the Cross parishioner, Judith James will bring icons and give a talk on Friday 9th February (after the 9.30am Mass) about iconography and how they are painted. Tea & refreshments will be available before her talk.
Inviting young people, aged 16 – 30 to Transform For Lent. The Ignite Team are hosting a weekend retreat for young people at Clare Priory the weekend before Lent (10th – 11th February). For further information/ book a place see www.rcdea.org.uk/youth. Hamish.
The Funeral Service for Shirley Teague, who died on Saturday 20th January, will be held at St John of the Cross on Tuesday 20th February at 2.30pm.
“A Journey of Prayer for Lent 2024” – the Walk with Me booklet with daily reflections throughout Lent, this year with a forward by our own Bishop Peter; is available from the back of the church at just £1.
We pray for our sick parishioners: Matt Butler, Frances Palman, Mary Bell, Mary Carr, Paul Watson, Cyril Shenton, Patricia Newton, Celia Cooper, Marie Barton, Robert Buhagiar, Margaret Larkins, Daphne Necchi, Bert Pooler, Maria Halsey, Joan Macnamara, Richard Skelton, Teresa Fitzmaurice, Joan Gale and Debbie Caruana.
We pray for those whose anniversaries occur at this week: Wasil Mychajlyszyn, André Boucher and Anna Simpson.
May they rest in peace.
