3rd Sunday of Advent 2020: Gaudete Sunday.
13th –19th December.
It might seem ironic that the name of this Sunday is Gaudete – Rejoice when we are in the middle of a pandemic. Yet the liturgy has the power to lift us out of our immediate concerns to prepare for the wonder of the Incarnation that we will soon be celebrating. Today’s Gospel focuses on John the Baptist. ‘Who is this man?’ people ask. He first tells them who he is not. He is not the Christ or Elijah returned from the dead. He is not the Prophet that Israel is waiting for. Instead, he is the Precursor, a lamp lit by God to shine out for the Christ. He is a voice to prepare the way for the Lord.
Now that we have resumed public Masses in our churches, if you wish to attend a Sunday Mass you need to book a place with the co-ordinator for each church:
John Bolger at Sacred Heart – 01692 581516 (bolger@waitrose.com);
Fran Ludden at Aylsham – 07849 602227 (fran.ludden@btinternet.com);
Richard McGreevy, Hoveton – 07730 817580 (richardmcgreevy@supanet.com)
Weekday Masses: Wednesday: 9.30 at St Helen’s, Thursday: 9.30 at Sacred Heart, Friday: 9.30 at St John of the Cross. This week there will be Communion services on Wednesday and Thursday.
Christmas Timetable:
Christmas Eve.
12 noon at Sacred Heart: Vigil Mass of Christmas.
6 pm at Sacred Heart: Christmas Family Mass (fully booked).
9 pm at St John of the Cross: Midnight Mass (fully booked).
Christmas Day.
9 am at St Helen’s: Dawn Mass.
11 am at Sacred Heart: Mass of the Day.
You will need to book places at the Christmas Masses with the co-ordinator of each church.
For full details, see Mass Times.
The response to the Support Cambodia Emergency Flood Appeal was a phenomenal £7,867.88 – far, far greater than expected. We have already been able to send money to 6 centres, helping over 100 families. The remaining money will be allocated to replant crops and rebuild homes damaged by the water – supporting people in remote villages where no other help is available.
There is a retiring collection for the Clergy Dependant Fund this weekend.
Please pray for our sick parishioners: Matt Butler, John Gowing, Derek and Frances Palman, Kevin Fitzmaurice and Mary Carr.
We pray for those whose anniversaries occur this week: Mildred Parker, Ivan Fisher, Peter Higgs, Mary Smith, Teresa Semple, Irene Brown, Brian Barby and Molly Harland.
Father James Walsh
Collection Total: £808.70 Standing orders: £533.00
