Dear Friends,
Jesus is led into the desert and confronted by the devil. This is the first
encounter with the evil one in a drama that will reach its climax ‘at the appointed time’ on Good Friday. We too know the reality of temptation which takes many different forms. Perhaps one of the greatest triumphs of the devil is to persuade many people that he does not exist!
Father James
The Journey in Faith group will meet next Sunday. Meanwhile some members of the group will be at the Cathedral for the Rite of Election – an important stage on their spiritual journey towards Easter.
This Friday is Lent Fast Day and next weekend there is a Second Collection for the work of CAFOD.
CAFOD FAMILY FAST DAY – LENT APPEAL Every child should grow big and strong. Family Fast Day is Friday 11th March, a day when we eat simply and give generously to support mum’s around the world, like Amie in Sierra Leone, with expert training in growing and making healthy food. Your small act of love this Lent will make a big difference to many communities affected by extreme hunger and children suffering from malnutrition. You can donate in church using a CAFOD envelope, by card using our new CAFOD contactless device, or by visiting the CAFOD website (cafod.org.uk/lent)
Just a reminder that every Sunday from 10.30 am Faithful Flames Children’s Group will be running in the parish hall at the Sacred Heart for all children up to the age of 16. Would be great to see you! Kerry – 0750 4048352.
‘Day by Day’, a Lenten Journey of Prayer for 2022, is available, (£1); a helpful book of daily reflections throughout Lent.
Holy Hour & Eucharistic Adoration is on Thursdays at St Helen’s, at 3pm – a time for quiet reflection, meditation and contemplation.
The diocesan youth service is starting to plan for the next World Youth Day in Lisbon in 2023. Young people who will then be 16+ are invited to join millions of other young people from around the world. There is a meeting at Newmarket Parish Centre, 14 Exeter Road, CB8 8LT on 13th March, starting at 1.00pm, finishing by 4.30pm after Mass celebrated by Bishop Alan. Please bring a packed lunch. All details are on the poster in church porches.
The Parish Pastoral Council next meet on Tuesday 15th March at 7.30pm, at the Presbytery, North Walsham. Any matters you would like to have included on the agenda, please let Fr James or one of your church representatives know. The previous meeting’s minutes are available on the website or on printed copies available in church porches.
Churches Together North Walsham Lenten Lunches are back! Served at different churches at 12.30pm on Thursdays beginning 10th March at the Methodist Church Hall: speaker, Major Richard Durrant. Proceeds for Christian Aid. See poster for dates, venues and speakers. All welcome.
At St Helen’s each Wednesday during Lent there will be Stations of the Cross immediately after Mass. Morning Prayer (integrated into the weekday Mass) will start again from this coming Wednesday.
We pray for our sick parishioners: Matt Butler, Frances Palman, Mary Bell, Monica Hawley, Mary Carr, Paul Watson, Cyril Shenton and Patricia Newton.
We pray for those whose anniversaries occur this week: Joan Elsmore, James Brown, Shaun Tusting, Tony Shiell, Agatha Semak, Margaret Battigan and John Barry. May they rest in peace. . With With the lifting of all mandatory Covid restrictions we can move forward in our churches. The NHS QR phone scanning posters have now been removed. We no longer need to keep a record of those who attend Mass on Sundays as well as weekdays. Face coverings in church are optional as is hand sanitising.
