Dear Friends,
Next Sunday we will celebrate the feast of the Ascension. In today’s readings Jesus prepares his disciples for his imminent departure. He promises that another Advocate – the Holy Spirit – will come to them. It is the Holy Spirit who enables us to love Jesus with a love that is ‘real and active’.
The following weekend we will celebrate Pentecost. Lets make this feast a ‘Welcome Home Day’ for Catholics who have drifted away from the Church. Many would like to come back but don’t quite know how. Tell your lapsed friends, family members, colleagues at work…
Father James
Next Sunday is ‘World Communications Day’: there will be a retiring collection for the Catholic Communications Network.
The Rosary will be said about half an hour prior to Mass.
The Senior Citizens’ Group’s (NW) meets on Monday 22nd May for the usual activities in the morning, Computer Workshop etc. PM For the afternoon Grazyna will be entertaining the group. Please note there will be no meeting on 29th May as it is the Bank Holiday.
Children’s Pilgrimage to Walsingham is on Tuesday 30th May. Please see poster for details.
St Helen’s 4th Wednesday Club for senior citizens next meets 24th May. Coffee is served at 11.30am, a simple hot lunch at 12.30pm followed by a free raffle, social activities and games. We finish with tea and cake at 4pm. The cost is £2.50 and new members are always welcome. Please call 01692 582418 for further information.
A plea for help! N Walsham desperately needs people to clean the church, even if just a one-off offer. It is not a difficult task, only an hour is required. Please, ring Antonia on 01692 406452 if you feel you could help in any way. Thank you.
The Annual Parish Meeting is tomorrow Monday 22nd May at 7pm in the Parish Hall at North Walsham. Please sign up on the lists in your church if you wish to attend.
Another date for your diary – Father James’ Tea Party on Friday, 26th May beginning at 3 pm. This will be (weather permitting) in the parish garden at North Walsham. Everyone is welcome – bring a friend – and entrance is free. We will be joined by some French guests who will be here as part of the Aylsham Twinning. Offers of scones and sponge cakes gratefully accepted!
Young adults Pilgrimage to Santiago – ”walking the Camino” The Diocesan Youth service is organising a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in the last week of July. For those aged 18 – 35 years. For more information see www.rcdea.org.uk/youth
Diocesan Summer Camp 2017 for ages 8 – 14 years from Fri 25th – Monday 28th August at New Eccles Hall School, Norfolk. See posters in our church porches for details. There has finally been progress on the planned re-decoration of the church at North Walsham. When the final approval has been given by the diocese work should begin in July.
We pray for Veronica White who died on Monday and we remember her family and friends at this time. We pray for those whose anniversaries occur this week including: Winifred (Win) Armes, Elizabeth (Rosemary) Walmsley, Teresa Gray, Carmell Larter, Frances Murphy and Mary Lamb. May they rest in peace.
Living Simply
This month’s project: Caring for Creation
This week’s suggestion: Split open used tea bags
and mix the tea leaves with your compost.
NB: the bags don’t decompose.
o
