Dear Friends,
For many in our society Christmas ends on 26th December. But for Christians Christmas celebrations continue up to today’s feast – the Epiphany. This is a very ancient feast; in fact it was the original celebration of Christmas which began in the eastern Church. The present date of Christmas in the western Church came about only in the 6th century. The Epiphany celebrates ‘the mystery that has now been revealed’ – the saviour and redeemer of the world who is now in our midst. In today’s Gospel Matthew gives an undramatic account: ‘some wise men came to Jerusalem from the east’. No mention of kings or their names. These are later traditions that came to be associated with this feast. Whoever the Magi were we join them in paying homage to the Christ-child and bring him the gifts of ourselves.
God bless,
Father James
The next session of Journey in Faith will be on Sunday, 12 January at 5 pm in the presbytery.
St Helen’s will be having a forum meeting after Saturday’s Mass on 11th January. The meeting will last no more than 30 minutes.
Next weekend (11th/12th January) there will be a retiring collection which will go to the White Flower Appeal – the protection of unborn children. Giving our support to SPUC is particularly relevant and urgent at this time as the government last October agreed to a new abortion regime in Northern Ireland. We can try to help the situation getting worse by signing one of the cards available at the back of our churches: these will go to the Prime Minister who will be urged not to allow pro-abortion legislation to pass through Parliament.
There will be no Coffee Drop-In at St Helen’s in January. The next time will be on Wednesday, 5th February.
Epiphany Candlelight Mass – Sunday 5th January 5pm. For all young people and their families from across the diocese. Followed by hot dogs, a bonfire and fireworks. There will be a collection of presents for children who are refugees (please bring wrapped presents indicating whether suitable for a boy or girl or either, and approximate age). Held at The White House, 21 Upgate, Poringland, Norwich. Organised by the Diocesan Youth Service.
There is a PPC meeting on Tuesday 14th January (at Aylsham) and on the previous Sunday (12th), following the 11.00am Mass at the Sacred Heart, a Forum will be held in the parish hall. We would ask parishioners to come along to the Forum meeting and take part in the discussions: there are a number of important things to discuss. The meeting will not take longer than half an hour.
Cromer & District Foodbank have sent their December 2019 Newsletter and list of appropriate and needed items. Copies of these are available in the porches at Aylsham and North Walsham.
We pray for our sick parishioners: Joe Seely, Maria Wilby, Matt Butler, John Gowing, Teresa Farrow, Tom Ender, Derek Palman, Kevin Fitzmaurice and Mary Carr.
We remember all those whose anniversaries occur at this time including: Arthur Hodgson, Essie Rimmer, Freda Hodgson, Kate (Kit) Denton, Adele Green, Mahalla Waller, Lilian Pycroft, Mary Betts, Wladyslaw Przybyla, Bridget Power, Marie Heath, Michael Dalton, Jeremiah (Jerry) Griffin and Constance Keeble.
May they rest in peace.
Next Family Mass: Sunday 2nd February
(11.00 am Mass at the Sacred Heart)
