Dear Friends
In today’s first reading Jeremiah tells his hearers that the Lord himself will be their shepherd. This is the background to the Gospel reading when Jesus took pity on the people ‘because they were like sheep without a shepherd’. Sheep are incapable of looking after themselves – they need to be led to green pastures and guided along the right path as the Psalm tells us. Humanity, like sheep, is also inclined to stray and lose its way. It needs the help of God’s grace in some form.
Today we welcome Father George Matthew who is visiting our parish to speak of the missionary work of his congregation. There will be a retiring collection to support it.
Fran Ludden and Gerry Mildinhall will be the new parish safeguarding representatives and are currently completing their training.
God bless
Father James
.
After the 11 am Mass next Sunday Michael Fogarty’s ashes will be buried in the Memorial Garden at North Walsham.
The Senior Citizens Group (NW) will be breaking up for the summer recess; no more meetings until September. However, the postponed Mystery Tour will now take place on Monday 13th August.
St Helen’s 4th Wednesday Club There will be no meeting of the club in July. Our next meeting will be on 22nd August.
Items for the newsletter. If you have details on any forthcoming events taking place in our three communities that could be publicised in the newsletter, please send these items to the office email address sacredheart@computer-assist.net
Bible Group meets Friday 27th at 2.30pm in the Parish Hall. New members always welcome.
A PPC Meeting will be held at St John of the Cross, Aylsham on Tuesday 24th July at 7.30pm. Please put any points you wish to be raised to your PPC representative.
There is a vacancy on the Parish Pastoral Council for a representative from the St Helen’s community. If you are interested or would like more information about what is involved, please speak to Elaine Haughton or Peter Rylands who are your St Helen’s PPC representatives.
On Saturday 28th July, Father James’ Garden Party – lunch ‘alfresco’ will be served in the grounds of the Sacred Heart beginning at 12.30pm. Please note: the donations we have requested are monetary, not items of food. Donations of £5 (and over!) would be gratefully received as substantial meals will be provided by the Cockerel, North Walsham. Donations from those attending will be collected on the day, not this weekend as previously indicated.
Calais Refugee Sock and Pants Collection – Rob says thanks to all those who have sponsored him to regrow his beard by donating either cash or socks and pants. He had a collection of 75 pairs of pants and 164 pairs of socks which he took over to CamCRAG in Cambridge last weekend in time for the Convoy to Calais on the 21st July. Rob and Clare are planning to join the Convoy on the 12-14th October and will have 2 spare seats in their car if anyone else would like to join them.
We pray for all our sick parishioners, including Mary Johnson and Joe Seely.
We also pray for Veronica Williams who died Saturday fortnight ago; we remember her family and friends at this time. Her Requiem Mass will be at 11.30 am on Wednesday 1st August at St John of the Cross, Aylsham. .
We pray for all those whose anniversaries occur at this time including: Irene Harrison,Terence Green, Anthony Randall, Florence Cullingford and Victor Azzaro.
May they rest in peace.
