Dear Friends,
‘Gaudete’ is a call to rejoice which Paul emphasizes in today’s second reading. God tells his captive and broken people that there is no need to fear – he will come bringing justice and salvation.
There will be a Journey in Faith session next Sunday at 6 pm in the presbytery.
We are beginning our parish preparations for the Synod which will take place in 2023. Pope Francis wishes every parish to have a voice in it. You will find more details on the parish website or on hard copies that are available in each of our churches.
Father James
There will be a retiring collection this weekend for the Clergy Dependent Fund. This supports the retired clergy of our diocese.
Christmas Masses:
Christmas Eve – 6 pm at North Walsham. 9 pm at Aylsham
Christmas Day – 9 am at Hoveton. 11 am at North Walsham
Sunday, 26th December – 9 am at Hoveton (celebrated by Fr Denys Lloyd), 9 am at Aylsham and 11 am at North Walsham
Christmas Eve Mass at Aylsham (9.00pm) As numbers will be limited to 60 St John’s have put out a booking list which is now full.
A Parish Service of Reconciliation will be held on Saturday 18th December at 11.30am at the Sacred Heart Church.
‘Back With A Bang!’ – Sunday 2nd January at 4pm A special Christmastide Mass for all young people and their families from across the diocese. Followed by hot dogs, a bonfire and fireworks. There will be a collection of presents for children who are refugees – (please bring presents unwrapped). It will be held at The White House, 21 Upgate, Poringland, NR14 7SH. Organised by the Diocesan Youth Service.
Regrettably, the children’s Christmas Party (Sunday 19th Dec) has had to be cancelled owing to problems with the plumbing in the hall.
Bible Study at the Sacred Heart will be on Friday 17th December in the Committee Room at 2.30pm.
Holy Hour & Eucharistic Adoration is on Thursdays at St Helen’s, at 3pm – a time for quiet reflection, meditation and contemplation. We pray the Rosary after 3.30pm.
The 2022 Yearbook & Liturgical Calendar is now available in our church porches, costing £2. Also, our free Diocesan Newspaper, ‘Catholic East Anglia’ for December/January.
Flowers at Christmas. At North Walsham we would be very grateful for any donations you might care to make towards the cost of flower decorations.
Advent Collections for North Norfolk Food Bank – Many thanks to all those who have donated Advent Boxes for the Food Bank; we have now delivered 24 boxes to Cromer. Please remember to keep donating to the Food Bank after Advent and Christmas as the need is great at the moment and will continue to be so. There are lists in our churches and on the parish website every month with the particular needs at that time.
We pray for our sick parishioners: Matt Butler, Derek and Frances Palman, Mary Bell, Monica Hawley, Mary Carr, John Bradley, Paul Watson and Patricia Newton.
We pray for Kathleen Hartree who died recently and for those whose anniversaries occur this week: Effie Krzyszton, Angela Holmes, Mildred Parker, Ivan Fisher, Peter Higgs, Mary (Lily) Smith, Teresa (Tess) Semple, Irene Brown and Brian Barby.
May they rest in peace
