Dear Friends,
Today we recall the Baptism of Jesus which is recorded in all three Synoptic Gospels. Only Matthew includes the exchange between John and Jesus before his baptism. Jesus insists on receiving John’s baptism, not because he needs to show repentance but rather to identify himself with the human race. The baptism is followed by the visible descent of the Holy Spirit and a voice that announces that Jesus is God’s Son. We too received the Holy Spirit when we were baptised and we were made children of God.
God bless,
Father James
The next session of Journey in Faith will be this Sunday, 12th January, at 5pm in the presbytery.
St Helen’s will be having a forum meeting after Saturday’s Mass on 11th January. The meeting will last no more than 30 minutes.
This weekend (11th/12th January) there will be a retiring collection which will go to the White Flower Appeal – the protection of unborn children. Giving our support to SPUC is particularly relevant and urgent at this time as the government last October agreed to a new abortion regime in Northern Ireland. We can try to help the situation from getting worse by signing one of the cards available at the back of our churches: these will go to the Prime Minister who will be urged not to allow pro-abortion legislation to pass through Parliament.
There will be no Coffee Drop-In at St Helen’s in January. The next time will be on Wednesday, 5th February.
Prior to the PPC meeting on Tuesday (14th) at Aylsham there is a Forum at the Sacred Heart and this be held in the parish hall today (Sunday). This is an ‘Open’ meeting of our parish for all to attend: we would ask parishioners to come along to this meeting and take part in the discussions: there are a number of important things to discuss. The meeting will not take longer than half an hour.
There will be a Eucharistic Service at St Helen’s on Monday 20th January at 7.00pm. All are welcome.
As the Catholic community’s contribution to the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, there will be Sung Evening Prayer at St John of the Cross on Tuesday 21st January at 7.00pm to which all the Aylsham churches have been invited. Everyone is welcome to this short service of prayer, readings and music followed by refreshments. For details please ring 01263 577784.
Margaret and Alf Larkin would like to thank sincerely everyone who sent them cards and best wishes over the Christmas Season.
We pray for our sick parishioners: Joe Seely, Maria Wilby, Matt Butler, John Gowing, Teresa Farrow, Tom Ender, Derek Palman, Kevin Fitzmaurice and Mary Carr.
We remember Pamela Corbould who died recently and pray for her family and friends. We pray also for all those whose anniversaries occur at this time including: Ben Bianco, Kathleen Holdstock, Romano Pagani, Dorothy Henderson, Rosemary Semple and Joana Auckland.
May they rest in peace.
Next Family Mass: Sunday 2nd February
(11.00 am Mass at the Sacred Heart)
