Dear Friends,
There is a common theme in today’s readings: the sense of unworthiness on the part of those who encounter God’s holiness – Isaiah in the 1st reading, Paul in the 2nd and Peter in the Gospel. Like Isaiah and Peter Paul is aware that his ministry is not his own, that God has not called him for his worthiness, nor is it his own strength that enables him to preach; it is entirely through God’s grace. We too can say the same. God calls us, not because of our worth or our gifts. We are called and made holy through his gracious love.
I have been out of action this week with a streaming cold. I hope to be active again for this weekend.
God bless
Father James
Tomorrow, Monday is World Day of Prayer for the Sick.
Next Sunday is Racial Justice Day
Today there is Journey in Faith at 5pm in the presbytery.
Looking ahead, during Lent Fr James is going to lead a series of Lenten Reflections, which will include showing DVDs. These will be held on Saturday mornings in the parish hall at the Sacred Heart following the 9.30am Mass.
The Senior Citizens Group (NW) will meet on Monday 11th for their usual weekly activities.
The Crib Festival at St Helen’s was a great success. A big thank you to Liz Smith for all her hard work arranging and setting up all the cribs. We were featured on Radio Norfolk’s Treasure Quest with one of the clues in the care of the kings. A very special thank you to Carol & David Shippey for their very beautiful crib which they have kindly donated to St Helen’s. We raised almost £356.00. Many thanks to all.
On Sunday 10th March from 2 pm till 4 pm Kerry and Lauren would like to invite all 8-14 year olds and their parents to join them in the Sacred Heart church’s parish hall for a Summer Camp “Taster” Day! This will be an afternoon in which the youngsters get to know more about what the Annual Diocesan Summer Camp is all about, play a few games and show them that camp is lots of fun! Refreshments will be available. If you have any questions, please contact Kerry on 07504 048352.
Rededication of England as the Dowry of Mary: the Slipper Chapel statue of Our Lady of Walsingham, with the Dowry Tour Exhibition, will visit every English Catholic Diocese & Cathedral between 2018-2020. It will visit our Cathedral of St John the Baptist on Thursday 28th February and remain until Saturday 2nd March 2019. The timetable of events can be seen on our church notice boards.
This year the Sacred Heart Church will be hosting the World Day of Prayer (click here for details), (for NW) on Friday 1st March 2019 at 2.00 pm. This is a women-led ecumenical movement and it is hoped that as many as possible, men included, will come along to support, especially as it is taking place at our church. All the other denominations in North Walsham have been invited to attend.
It will also be held in Aylsham at 2.30pm and again at 7.30pm in the Baptist Church on Cawstone Road, also at St Helen’s, Hoveton Friday 1st March at 10.30am.
Day of Prayer & Renewal. Theme is “Inspirational Lives” led by Fr Stefan Park OSA. Sat 9th March at 10am: Bowthorpe Church Centre.
The Huddersfield Boys Choir are singing at Our Lady of Refuge Catholic church in Cromer on Saturday 16th February at 7.15pm. Free entry but there will be a retiring collection in aid of the North Norfolk SVP’s ‘temporarily homeless’ project in Sheringham.
We pray for all our sick parishioners; Mary Johnson, Joe Seely, Maria Wilby, Frances Palman, Thomasina Hopkins and Carolyn Raynor.
We pray for all those whose anniversaries occur at this time including: June Trafford, Audrey Greensword, Robert Watson, Mary McKoen, Marion Yapp, Beatrice Devitt and Edward Brown.
May they rest in peace.
