Today the Church celebrates the Epiphany of the Lord or the “manifestation” of Jesus as the Son of God and Messiah, Saviour of the world. This feast gives us the opportunity to renew our love and fidelity to our Saviour at the beginning of the new year. In the wise men (Magi), all people of every nation, language and race who set out, called by God, to adore Jesus, moved by their innate desire in search of the Truth, are represented. It is also popularly known as the Feast of the Three Kings, referring to the three Wise Men/Magi who searched and found Baby Jesus, brought about by the prophecies they have heard.
The adoration of the Magi fulfils the oracle of Isaiah (first reading), prophesying that the nations of the world would travel to the Holy city following a brilliant light and would bring gold and incense to contribute to the worship of God. Paul’s letter to the Church of Ephesus (today’s second reading), expresses God’s secret plan in clear terms: “the Gentiles are …co-partners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel.” Today’s Gospel reminds us that if God permitted the Magi – foreigners and pagans – to recognize and give Jesus proper respect as the King of Jews, we should know that there is nothing in our sinful lives that will keep God from bringing us to Jesus. Like the Magi, we too, can come, recognize, adore and worship God only with humility and faith.
Father Peter
The Pope’s Intention for the Month of January. For the Gift of Diversity in the Church: we pray that the Holy Spirit may help us to recognise the gift of different charisms within the Christian community and to discover the richness of different traditions and rituals in the Catholic Church.
Next Sunday is Peace Day.
Thursday 11th – North Walsham: no Mass at 9.30am. The Requiem Mass for Michael Madden takes place at the Sacred Heart at 11.30am.
Crib offerings – in support of the urgent need in the Holy Land.
Minutes of the PPC (Parish Pastoral Council) Meeting held on 5th December are now available to read here on-line and also in hard copy to pick up from the back of the church.
Scam Emails. Anyone receiving emails asking for money or gift cards using Fr. Peter’s name, pl do not reply or make any contact.
The First Aid Training Course takes place at St John of the Cross tomorrow, Monday, 8th January at 2pm. The session lasts approx. 75 minutes. Defibrillator training will be included. Those who volunteered to be ‘First Aiders’, pl arrive in time for a prompt start.
The newly-formed Parish Social Committee will next meet in the presbytery on Monday 22nd January at 7.30pm, principally to discuss the Parish Fete, which it is hoped will be held in the summer. We would like to see representatives from each of the churches.
It’s Quiz Night at St John of the Cross, Aylsham, on Saturday 27th January at 7pm. Tickets are £5 each, maximum of 6 per table. All monies from ticket sales and a raffle will be donated to the Cromer Foodbank. Bring your own drinks and nibbles – teas & coffees available. Pl contact Fran Ludden (text 07849 692227/email Fran.ludden@btinternet.com) to reserve your place.
Don’t forget to use the Website Calendar for announcements. Email details to j.bolger8@icloud.com.
Please remember, the parish hall is still a building site and, for health and safety reasons, is officially out of bounds
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, Shirley Teague, Joan Macnamara, Richard Skelton, Teresa Fitzmaurice and Joan Gale.
We pray for those whose anniversaries occur at this week: Adele Green, Mahalla Waller, Lilian Pycroft, Mary Betts, Wladyslaw Przybyla, Bridget Power, Marie Heath, Jayne Youngman, Michael Dalton, Jeremiah (Jerry) Griffin, Constance Keeble, Kathleen Holdstock, Romano Pagani and Anne Holmes.
May they rest in peace.
