33rd Week in Ordinary Time 2020.
15th –21st November.
In today’s Gospel Matthew narrates the parable of the talents. The servant who buries his talent is described as wicked and lazy. It may be that Matthew is directing this parable to a Christian community that had become complacent. He is urging the faithful to embrace the life of the Gospel with energy and enthusiasm. The master is described as ‘a hard man’. Yet there is nothing of the hard and demanding master in Jesus. He calls on our generosity so that he can, in turn, give us everything. The wealth entrusted to us is his word – the message of the Gospel. Do we keep it buried in the ground or do we spread it as the good news that it is?
Young people can access the diocesan youth service at igniteteam@rcdea.org.uk The team is planning events over the coming months including First Fridays, a new monthly chat show on You Tube.
While our churches are closed and no public Masses are permitted they will be open for limited periods each week. Sacred Heart church will be open for private prayer every Thursday morning from 9.30 am to 10.30 am. St Helen’s will be open on Wednesday mornings from 9.00 am to 10.15 am.
Our bishops have suggested that we set aside a time of prayer at 6 pm each day in our homes to combat the spread of the virus. We should also remember those who have suffered directly from the virus as well as its effects on families, the elderly and those who live alone.
We all hope that the present lockdown will come to an end at the beginning of December. Until the situation becomes clearer we cannot take any bookings for Masses at Christmas.
In these times the work of Foodbank is more needed than ever. To see the Cromer & District Foodbank’s Christmas list, go to our Foodbank page.
Please pray for our sick parishioners: Maria Wilby, Matt Butler, John Gowing, Derek and Frances Palman, Kevin Fitzmaurice and Mary Carr.
We pray for those whose anniversaries occur this week: Carmel White, Arthur Beardshaw, Colin Griffiths, Teresa McKillop, Charles Pinder, Barbara Cornish, Frederick Walker, Roy Townsend, Michael Foran and Angela Wood.
Standing orders: £533.00.
Father James
