The first reading tells us that, although man irrevocably broke the original covenant God made with Adam and Eve, the merciful God selected Noah and his family to renew that covenant. In the second reading, St Peter shows us how Noah’s episode prefigured Baptism. He reminds us that, as Noah and his family were saved from the waters of the deluge, so we are saved through the waters of Baptism. In the Gospel, we are told that Jesus faced and defeated the tempter at the end of his forty days of prayer, penance, and communion with the Father in the desert immediately following his baptism. It also tells us how Jesus started preaching his Messianic mission: “The time is fulfilled. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent. Believe in the Gospel.”
Every day of our lives is a preparation for our participation in the Kingdom of God and “the Kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 14:17). It is the Spirit of God that leads us through this preparation! As the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness for forty days, may we also be led by Him throughout this Season of Lent and in our daily preparation for the Kingdom of God, Amen.
Father Peter
Pope’s intention for the month of February. For the terminally ill. We pray that those with a terminal illness, and their families, receive the necessary physical and spiritual care and accompaniment.
Lenten Alms this year will go to Aid to the Church in Need.
This Friday is CAFOD Family Fast Day.
Stations of the Cross will take place in each of our churches during Lent. For further information see Mass Times.
CAFOD Lenten Family Fast Day – Friday 23rd February. We unite ourselves with the hungry of the world by fasting on Friday. CAFOD envelopes should be returned next weekend in the 2nd collection. Donations may also be made at the Sacred Heart and St John’s by card, or online at www.cafod.org.uk
Please remember: the parish hall is still officially out of bounds.
World Day of Prayer is on Friday 1st March: there is a service at St Helen’s 10.30am. also at Emmanuel Church, Cawston Road, Aylsham, to these services everyone is most welcome.
Sunday 3rd March there will be a 2nd collection to raise funds for the HCPT, a national charity, rooted in the Catholic faith, offering disabled & disadvantaged people pilgrimage to Lourdes. Our local group is fundraising in order to take 3 children for a fun and safe week this Easter.
A PPC Meeting will take place at 7.15 for 7.30pm on Tuesday 5th March at St John of the Cross, Aylsham.
Lenten Retreat Day – Saturday 9th March – Sacred Heart Parish Hall. Entitled Encounter with Christ, it is offered by diocesan team serving Charis, with speaker Fr Luke Goymour (St Mark’s Ipswich). From 10am until 4.30pm; (to bring a packed lunch) tea & coffee will be provided. For further information pl contact Maggie on 07886 249254 or mmbdullaghan@gmail.com
Part-time Catholic Chaplaincy vacancy at HMP Bure. To apply please contact Father Peter.
Churches Together North Walsham Lent Lunches: see the poster for dates, venues and speakers.
We pray for our sick parishioners: Matt Butler, Frances Palman, Mary Bell, Mary Carr, Paul Watson, Cyril Shenton, Patricia Newton, Celia Cooper, Marie Barton, Robert Buhagiar, Margaret Larkins, Daphne Necchi, Bert Pooler, Maria Halsey, Joan Macnamara, Richard Skelton, Teresa Fitzmaurice, Joan Gale, Debbie Caruana and Margaret Francis.
We pray for Gilbert Losasso who died on Thursday and for those whose anniversaries occur this week: Marjory Lawrence, Iris McGee, Denis Walker, Betty Allain, Gerald Hearne, Roy Copperwheat, Robert (Bob) Cockrill, Michael McCann, Edith (Rusty) Collins and Michael Fogarty.
May they rest in peace.
