Dear Friends,
Today, the Feast of the Epiphany, we add the Magi to the Christmas crib. All three readings take us out of the cosy and local to a truly universal dimension. Isaiah sees all nations coming to receive the light of Jerusalem. St Paul speaks of ’the Mystery that has now been revealed’ which means that all peoples can now share the promise made by God. St Matthew shows that what is happening in Bethlehem is not simply a local event but something on a much bigger scale. Even the guiding star is significant: it reminds us that this birth has a cosmic significance. This is what today’s feast is about – the Word made flesh that lives among us is for all nations and peoples.
Father James
Epiphany Candlelight Mass at Poringland today Sunday 8th January at 5pm – for all young people and their families across the diocese. Held at The White House, 21 Upgate, Poringland, Norwich: organised by the Diocesan Youth Service.
There will be a White Flower Appeal for SPUC as a retiring collection today, 8th January.
Since 1967 SPUC (Society for the Protection of Unborn children) has been working tirelessly to uphold the sanctity of human life from conception until natural death. Please help make 2017 a landmark year in SPUC’s historic campaign to win legal protection for unborn children. Please be as generous as you can to help SPUC and help save mothers and babies from abortion.
Next Sunday is ‘Peace Day’. There will also be a Retiring Collection for ‘Building Bridges’.
Rotas for Readers at North Walsham: named copies are in the porch ready to be collected.
The PPC Minutes of 6th December meeting are now on the parish website and on the church notice boards.
Journey in Faith. The next meeting for those who wish to learn about the Catholic faith will be this afternoon, Sunday 8th January, at 5 pm in the presbytery.
The Senior Citizens’ Group (NW) will resume meetings on Monday 16th January for an AGM/Planning Meeting. Anyone wishing to come along to future Monday meetings will be most welcome. Please contact Teresa on 01692 405007.
The next Stalham Area House Mass will be on Friday 13th January at the home of Celia Cooper; at Barnside, Stubb Road, Hickling. NR12 OYS. Tel. 01692 598667
Introducing ‘Ignite Lite’. Whereas the Ignite Team is full-time, Ignite Lite is an exciting opportunity for people aged 16-30 to be involved in evangelisation in youth ministry as part-time volunteers as and when they are available. There is a training weekend, 20th – 22nd January. For more information, please email:
igniteteam@east-angliadiocese.org.uk or www.rcdea.org.uk/youth
Please pray for John Gowing who is in hospital in a serious condition.
We pray for Lilian Darby, mother of Tracy Clarke, who died a few days ago, remembering her family at this time. We pray for those whose anniversaries occur this week: including Eileen Barrett, Mary Betts, Wladyslaw Przybyla, Bridget Power, Marie Heath, Michael Dalton, Jeremiah (Jerry) Griffin, Constance Keeble, Ben Bianco, Kathleen Holdstock, Romano Pagani and Dorothy Henderson.
May they rest in peace.
Live Simply
Project of the week: Recycling
Suggestion of the week: recycle Christmas cards and wrapping paper.
