A WARM WELCOME TO ANY VISITORS with us this Bank Holiday weekend. We hope you have an enjoyable stay here in beautiful North Norfolk. You are welcome to stay for coffee after Mass and meet some of our parishioners.
Next Sunday is World Communications Day: there will be a 2nd Collection for Catholic Communications Network. It is also the day on which we keep the Solemnity of the Ascension (transferred from Thursday 9th) – Readers please note.
NB There is No Mass in the Parish this Monday as it is the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Walsingham, nor on Saturday morning as Fr David is leading the Eucharistic Ministers training day in Ipswich. (also no confessions that Saturday – sorry).
THE ROSARY (North Walsham). The Rosary will be said at 10.30am prior to Mass during the Sundays of May. Those who would like to lead the Rosary please sign the list in the porch. There are similar arrangements for Aylsham & Hoveton. Leaflets on how to pray the Rosary are available – 30p each; proceeds to Cambodia.
DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO WALSINGHAM – Bank Holiday Monday. Just a reminder – the Coach picks up from Hoveton at 9.30am; North Walsham at 9.50am and Aylsham at 10.15am – arriving in Walsingham at 11.15am. Please be punctual as the coach cannot wait for late-comers. There are a few spare seats – If you do not wish to walk the holy mile then the coach will drop you at the Shrine where you can get coffee etc and relax. Programme for the day: 12.30pm. Welcome and Crowning of the Statue and Procession to the Shrine (assemble in Friday market place in the village); The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available in the afternoon prior to the Mass which begins at 3pm. You are obviously welcome to make your own way to Walsingham – free parking will be at the Slipper Chapel end. The weather forecast seems good at the moment!
WALK TO WALSINGHAM FOR YOUNG PEOPLE – Year of Faith Pilgrimage. On this Bank Holiday Monday, starting in the morning on Holkham Beach and joining the Diocesan Pilgrimage in time for Mass. All young people Year 7 upwards welcome. Please see www.catholiceastanglia.org/youth for more details.
SENIOR CITIZENS’ GROUP No meeting May 6th as it is the Bank Holiday.
LITURGY COMMITTEE (NW) – meets Friday 17th May in the Presbytery at 5pm.
PARISH ANNUAL MEETING to be held Monday 20th May in the parish hall at North Walsham. Meeting commences at 7pm with the usual delicious supper, provided by St Helen’s parishioners, the dessert by Sacred Heart parishioners. Guest speaker is Dr Dilys Wadman, Acting Diocesan Communications Officer. Please sign the lists in the porch to let us know you will be attending. All are welcome.
SUPPORT CAMBODIA PLANT SALE – a reminder that the sale will be held on Saturday 18th May from 10.30am onwards. Please read enclosed insert.
CHILDREN’S PILGRIMAGE to Walsingham is on Tuesday 28th May (during half-term). Procession from the village starts at 10.45am: Mass at 12noon in the Chapel of Reconciliation followed by a picnic in the meadows. Hopefully the day ends on the beach at nearby Wells-Next-The Sea. Children provide the music for Mass, serve and read. Any musicians or servers from the parish should speak with Fr David. There’s no coach as many wish to travel by car.
OUR DIOCESAN FAMILY NEWSPAPER is available in the church porch, FREE. Do pick up a copy to catch up on all that is going on in the diocese.
ORGANIST/KEYBOARD PLAYER The choir at North Walsham are looking for an organist or keyboard player to join their Sunday rota; this would mean playing roughly once every three to four weeks – or even only occasionally! If able to help, please speak to John Bolger or, after 9th May, Anne Griffiths.
LOOKING AHEAD Diocesan Celebration of Marriage & Family Life: is on Saturday 22nd June at 11am at St John’s Cathedral, Norwich. Pl see poster.
Mass for the Walsingham Association. on Saturday 11th May at Northampton Cathedral at 12noon – celebrated by Bishop Peter Doyle. Please see poster.
World Youth Day ‘At Home’ – 26th-29th July: national event for young people aged 16+. For information go to www.catholiceastanglia.org/youth
AUGUST DIOCESAN CAMPS at Eccles Hall, Norfolk: Junior Camp
8-14yrs. From Friday 23rd August till Monday 26th. Please see poster for details and contact Fr David for an application form.
TEACHING POSITIONS ON DIOCESAN WEBSITE: www.catholiceastanglia.org links you to the Schools Section. Currently being advertised are two Full-time Teaching Posts at St Laurence’s Primary School, Cambridge: a teaching post at the Sacred Heart School, Swaffham and Head of School/Deputy Head at St Edmund’s Primary School, Bury St Edmunds.
CHRISTIAN AID – North Walsham. Collection day will be Thursday 16th May from 9am until 1pm around the Market Place/Post Office area, in hourly slots though anybody willing to do longer is most welcome. If willing to collect ring the Presbytery (possibly leave a message) or put a note through the door.
We welcome into God’s family through the waters of Baptism: Margaret Angela Collison.
We pray for all those whose anniversaries occur at this time, including Emily Joan Gray, Margery Winifred Ruth Huxtable, Anne Elizabeth Kelly, Marjorie Reynolds, Christopher Ralph Smith and Florence Grace Dady.
May they rest in peace. Amen.
