Anyone who has been in a situation where they felt insecure and vulnerable – out of their comfort zone, to use the current phrase – feeling threatened or looking for answers or solutions, then the people in today’s readings are relevant. Noah survived when everything around him was destroyed and he was given a sign that God would be faithful to the Covenant that He has made with him. In the Gospel Jesus is driven into the desert: He is with the wild beasts and is tempted – a frightening place to be. We only have to follow the news on TV to see how many people in our own day are at best marginalised and at worst threatened and even murdered. We live in a frightening world and we can easily feel dismayed by what seems to be a flood of evil. Noah shows what it is to have complete trust in God.
Did you know that there is a Parish Support Group? It provides support for the sick and housebound and can help with transport, for example. Ring Hilary Bolger on 07909319646 or Teresa Butler on 07901830327.
Next Friday is Lent Fast Day. Please take an envelope today and bring it back next week with your donation to CAFOD.
Father David Ward will be here next Saturday from 1.30 – 3.30 for a refresher course for parish readers from all three of our communities. It will take place in the church at North Walsham. Please prepare the reading for your allotted Sunday.
God bless you all.
Father James
PS. From a genuine report from a hospital in Glasgow:
‘ She is numb from her toes down’.
Lent Courses (Ecumenical) taking place in the wider parish:
A Lent Course will begin on Wednesday, 25th February in Aylsham Parish Church from 7.30 – 8.30 pm ending with Compline.
Also: at St Mary’s Church Wroxham (the first three weeks of Lent) and at Neatishead Baptist Church for the final week.
St Patrick’s Supper & Dance is on the night of Saturday 14th March. More details are on the flier that will be given out this weekend.
Eucharistic Ministers’ Rota (NW): a revised roster has been compiled and is now ready for collection in the church porch. Please pick up your named copy.
Further Events at Aylsham. St John of the Cross will be hosting the first of the Churches Together Lenten Lunches on Friday, 27th February from 12 – 1.30. We need helpers to prepare and serve the food. If you can help with either event please contact Pauline Andrews on 01263 732780.
There will also be Lenten Lunches in North Walsham on Thursdays from 12 .30 in St Nicholas’ parish hall.
Women’s World Day of Prayer – Friday 6th March, will be taking place at the following venues: for North Walsham, at the Salvation Army Hall, Hall Road, at 2.00 pm., prepared by the Christian women of the Bahamas. For the Aylsham area, at St John of the Cross at 2.30 and 7.30 pm. and for the Wroxham/Hoveton area, at St John’s Church at 10.30 am.
Come to Flame 2 – 7th March 2015. Flame 2 is the Natioonal catholic Youth event at Wembley arena for those in Year 10 and above. 10,000 young people will gather to receive faith-filled inspiration from world class speakers interspersed with music and drama. The day ends with a time of Adoration led by Cardinal Vincent Nichols. The Diocese is taking a group and thanks to the generosity of the Catenians, we have a limited number of free tickets available (first come first served). Please see www.catholiceastanglia.org/youth for more details.
St Helen’s 4th Wednesday Club. We are unable to use the facilities at the church on 25th February; we have therefore had to cancel our 4th Wednesday Club for our senior citizens this month. Our next meeting will be held on 25th March and we look forward to seeing you all then.
We pray for those whose anniversaries occur during this week including: Daphne Evelyn de Soissons, Roy Douglas Copperwheat, Robert (Bob) Horace Cockrill, Michael Paul McCann, Edith Gladys (Rusty) Collins, Mary (Eileen) Clarke, Monica Hardingham and Josephine (Jo) Ringer.
May they rest in peace.
If you have any items for the newsletter please let us have them by Tuesday.
