Dear Friends,
Our world is one of contrasts – extreme poverty and excessive wealth. The gilded life-style of the rich few is offset by the penury of the many. Today’s readings speak of the plight of widows. Both symbolically and in reality they were on the edge of survival. Jesus recognises this: ’she from the little she had has put in everything she possessed’. He could appreciate this level of generosity because he too gave everything he had – himself – in sacrifice to take away the sin of the world.
We are planning to begin classes for First Communion preparation on Saturday, 17th November at 2 pm in the parish hall. Please let us know if you have a child of First Communion age.
Father James
Today is Remembrance Sunday. As this year we commemorate the Hundredth Year of the ending of the 1914/18 war, in keeping with the whole nation, we will observe the two minutes’ silence at 11.00 am at the beginning of the Sunday Mass at the Sacred Heart. Try to be in the church in time to observe this silence out of respect for those who gave their lives for the nation.
In Remembrance You will find in each church a Memorial Book or paper slips on which to write the names of your deceased loved ones; these will be placed on the altar during Masses throughout November.
At St Nicholas Parish Church in North Walsham there is a Remembrance Day Service at 3pm to which we are warmly welcome to attend. Together with other local churches and local groups, we will be laying our poppy wreath as an act of remembrance.
This Sunday in North Walsham, we welcome Chamrom, a young member of our twin parish in Cambodia; she is studying medicine in Phnom Penh and just starting her final year.
Senior Citizens’ Group (NW) meets on Monday, 12th November when there will be the annual Remembrance Service in the hall following Sheila Hall’s Requiem Mass at 11am.
NB. Monday’s Mass (NW) is at 11.am – a Requiem Mass for Sheila.
For a place for your child in Reception Class at St Francis of Assisi School next year, an information evening Thursday, 15th Nov. at 7 pm.
A Stalham Area House Mass will be held at the home of Hilary and John Bolger on Friday 16th November: 3 St John’s Road, Stalham. NR12 9BD. Tel. no. 01692 581516.
A CAFOD Memorial Mass: St John’s Cathedral at 12.30pm on Saturday 17th November. Refreshments in the narthex after the Mass.
The next Eucharistic Service at St Helen’s, Hoveton, will be at 7pm on Monday 19th November.
Everyone, but especially our children and young people, are invited to a Celebration Mass in honour of Christ the King (Youth Sunday) at St John of the Cross, Aylsham on 25th November at 9am.
On Sunday 2nd December at 4pm, the whole parish are warmly invited to join the Aylsham community for “Come Lord Jesus” – words, music and prayer to mark the start of the beautiful season of Advent. All are welcome, irrespective of faith or none, so please come…and bring your neighbours and friends along too. Details: Katie on 01263 577784.
Reverse Advent Calendar for the Norwich and Cromer District Foodbanks. Simply donate one item every day for 25 days in November from the list in each church, either filling a box from home or placing them in boxes at the church. Please return by 1/2 December weekend.
If you still have a Red Mission box, please could you hand it in to your respective church rep. Sue Perrott, Maureen Keene or Peter Adamson.
Brief reminder: the Parish, apart from Aylsham, will NOT be taking part in the Samaritan’s Purse Shoe Box appeal this year.
We pray for all our sick parishioners, including Mary Johnson, Joe Seely, and Maria Wilby.
We pray for Sheila Hall who died recently; we remember her family and friends at this time. We pray also for all those whose anniversaries occur at this time including: Roger Kerrison, Paul McGee and Teresa Chapman. May they rest in peace.
