Dear Friends,
Today’s Gospel reading does not make easy reading, especially for those who have known the reality of marriage breakdown in their families. However we must remember the context of Jesus’s words about marriage and divorce. At that time Jewish law allowed a man to divorce his wife for quite trivial reasons. By contrast a woman was not able to divorce her husband even when he was unfaithful.
Father Gavin enjoyed his time in our parish and hopes to come back next year. While I was away I was able to attend the Eucharistic Congress and have time with my family in Liverpool as well as taking part in a weekend theology conference in Scotland. However its good to be back!
Father James
Starting this Sunday there will be a Mass count taken at each Mass.
Next Sunday is the start of Prisons’ Week, during which we are asked to pray for prisoners and their families.
The Rosary will be said during October. Those who would like to lead in saying the Rosary, please sign the list in the porch (North Walsham). There are similar arrangements for Aylsham at 8.30am, NW at 10.30am & Hoveton at 5.00pm. Volunteers are needed to lead at North Walsham. Leaflets on how to pray the Rosary are available.
Senior Citizens’ Group (NW) – Mon. 8th October at 11.30am. Chair exercises will be from midday. PM members will be preparing for the Craft Fare on Monday 29th October.
The following Monday 15th October the annual Healing Mass will be celebrated in the Sacred Heart Church at 12noon, to which everyone is welcome to attend. A shared lunch will follow, for all.
Two vacancies on the PPC, (Parish Pastoral Council) at North Walsham & at Aylsham. We need your nominations for new members, please. Nomination forms are available in the two church porches.
On Monday 8th at 2.30pm in the parish hall, North Walsham, come and share a cup of tea and watch a film entitled ‘Global Healing’ – How our faith helps us care for our common home. This film has been made by CaFE and sponsored by the Bishop’s Conference. It shows examples of how we can continue to respond to ‘Laudato Si’ and LivingSimply together as a Parish. All are most welcome.
Today we celebrate our Harvest Celebrations throughout the parish. At the Sacred Heart the Family Mass at 11am will be followed by a Parish Harvest Lunch for all three communities in the hall at 12.30pm. St John of the Cross will provide the main course and St Helen’s will provide the desserts. Harvest donations may be brought to the altar during the Offertory. Please, no plastic bags please.
The annual Mass to celebrate the Cambodian Feast of Pchum Ben (Holy Souls) is on Friday 12th October at 7pm in the Parish Hall. Every one is encouraged to attend and welcome our friends from across the diocese. Further details are on the flyer.
Important Meeting – for all Eucharistic Ministers and Readers. On Saturday 13th October at the Sacred Heart Church would Eucharistic Ministers please attend at 10.00am until 11.30am. There will be a break for coffee until the Readers’ meeting at 11.40am until 1.00pm. Please try to come along to your relevant meeting.
A Forum meeting will be held at St Helen’s on Saturday 20th October, after the 5.30pm Mass.
Grateful thanks to all who contributed in any way to the success of the Support Cambodia Race Night.
We pray for Frances Ablitt who died recently and for all our sick parishioners, including Mary Johnson, Joe Seely, Sheila Hall and Maria Wilby.
We pray for all those whose anniversaries occur at this time including: Sylvia Butcher, Joyce Bailey, Emanuel (Manny) Galea, Deanna Gawlina, Mary Merrill and Wladislaw (Val) Tanistra.
May they rest in peace.
