Dear Friends,
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany. While it is part of the celebration of Christmas it brings a new perspective to the mystery of the Incarnation. The birth of the Saviour was simple and humble in its surroundings. Now it is opened to the world. The Magi represent people from all nations who will learn of the coming of the Messiah and will ‘fall prostrate’ before him. Salvation is now for all – the Kingdom of God is universal in its appeal.
Father James
The next session of Journey in Faith will be on Sunday, 13th January at 5 pm in the presbytery.
On Sunday afternoon, 20th January, we shall host an important ecumenical event in North Walsham. All the churches in the town will formally sign a covenant promising to work together and support each other. It is some years since this last took place and it sends out a positive message about the good relations between the churches in the town.
The Senior Citizens Group (NW) would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy New Year and to thank everyone who supported them in so many different ways during 2018.
The group will resume their weekly meetings on Monday 7th January. In the afternoon they will be watching “The Greatest Showman” on DVD.
It may be that some of you have been considering attending weekly meetings in 2019. We are a friendly bunch of currently around 16 people and would extend a warm welcome to anyone who would like to come along. If you would like more information about the group and what we get up to, please don’t hesitate to contact Teresa Butler on 01692 405007 or 07901 830327
The Bible Group resume their fortnightly meetings on this coming Friday, 11th January at 2.30pm in the parish hall. Any newcomers will be very welcome.
There will be a St Helen’s Community Forum meeting following the Mass on Saturday 12th January. The duration will be no more than 30 minutes. Please contact Elaine Houghton, Peter Rylands or Richard McGreevy if you have any items you wish to raise at the meeting.
There will be NO Coffee Drop-in at St Helen’s in January. The next one will be on Wednesday 6th February.
The Reverse Advent Calendar Many thanks to all those who contributed boxes of food for the Norwich and Cromer Foodbanks this Advent. 38 boxes went to the Cromer Foodbank from Sacred Heart and St John’s and 32 to the Norwich Foodbank from St Helen’s. Please continue to donate food every week throughout the year. There is a list on the notice boards each month of what the Foodbanks particularly need that month together with their letter of thanks.
An Epiphany Crib Festival, displaying Nativity scenes from around the world, takes place at St Helen’s, Hoveton, on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th January, from 10.00am until 4.00pm. Please let Liz Smith know if you have a crib you would like to include, preferably one from another country.
Crib donations at the Sacred Heart will be going to Aid to the Church in Need. Pl give generously to this very worthy, much needed, cause.
We pray for all our sick parishioners, including Deacon Ron O’Toole, Mary Johnson, Joe Seely, Maria Wilby and Nicholas Elphinstone.
We pray for Tony Seeborne who died last week; we remember his family and friends at this time. We pray for all those whose anniversaries occur at this time including: Frieda Hodgson, Kate (Kit) Denton, Adele Green, Mahalla Waller, Lilian Pycroft, Eileen Barrett, Mary Betts, Wladyslaw Przybyla, Bridget Power, Marie Heath, Michael Dalton, Jeremia (Jerry) Griffin and Constance Keeble.
May they rest in peace.
