Dear Friends,
Today’s Gospel is about money – a tricky subject! Jesus speaks of money as ‘that tainted thing’ and his comments suggest that while it may have become a necessary evil it is still not a necessary good! A key word in the gospel is trust – what do we trust and what can we be trusted with.
Today we welcome Fr Gavin Small, an Australian priest who will be staying in the parish until 26th September. Father will be living in the presbytery and celebrating the usual weekday and weekend Masses while he is here. This is an opportunity for me to spend a few days with my family in Liverpool.
Bishop Alan Hopes will be making a canonical visitation of our parish on the weekend of the 22/23rd October. Each parish in the diocese has such a visitation every three years. I expect you all to be on your very best behaviour!
Father James
Today is Home Mission Day and there will be a retiring collection which supports non church-going (lapsed) Catholics, developing new ways to reach out to those who are currently distant from the Church.
Today (Sunday) is St Helen’s 6th National Pilgrimage for Our Lady of Penafrancia. The Fluvial Procession down the River Bure from the Norfolk Broads Direct yard by Wroxham Bridge will be at 9.00am, followed by the Pilgrimage through the village with the Statue of Our Lady at 1pm and the Festival Mass at St Helen’s at 2 pm. This year we are joined by Bishop Alan, and expect around 500 pilgrims from Filipino communities around the country. Everyone is welcome to join the Procession and Mass, but please be advised that all three large passenger boats are fully booked: anyone still wanting to join the flotilla is encouraged to hire a launch.
Stalham Area House Masses. The Mass that was to be held at St Mary’s Church (16th Sept) will now take place, same venue, on Friday 14th October at 7.00pm.
Senior Citizens’ Group (NW) meets on Monday 19th September. AM Computer Workshop for some and crafts, coffee and chat for others. After lunch Becky Thomson from Wilds Glass will be visiting with a Sew & Tell Chat Newcomers are always welcome to meet our friendly group and see some of their activities. Please contact Teresa on 01692 405007.
A big thank you to all who helped make the Safari Supper such an enjoyable event, either in selling tickets, supporting by attending the evening or, (and especially), helping set up, arrange tables, preparing and serving food. A special thanks also to those who stayed on afterwards to help with the clearing up.
Cambodia-Style Mass to celebrate the Feast of Ancestors (Holy Souls) at the Sacred Heart Parish Hall on Friday 30th September at 7pm. Details on Cambodia boards in all three churches and on a flier to be distributed at this weekend’s Masses.
Support Cambodia Race Night is on Saturday 15th October at 7pm in the Sacred Heart Parish Hall. Tickets (£1), horses and jockeys will be on sale after Mass from next weekend. Details at www.supportcambodia.org.uk
Collection for Welcome Centre for Refugees: Rob and Clare thank everyone for their amazing generosity following Rob’s appeal on behalf of Fr John Luke Gregory’s Refugee Welcome Centre on Kos and Rhodes. The magnificent sum of £985 and 161 euros was collected, (and more is still coming in). The money will be handed over to Fr John Luke either on Kos or Rhodes on 1st October.
We pray for those whose anniversaries occur during this week including: Margaret Griffith, Kevin John Barry, Godfrey Fahey, William Blewett and Michael Page.
May they rest in peace.
.
