Dear Friends,
This Sunday is the last in the Church’s year. In the gospel Luke gives a stark contrast between the powerful who jeer and mock Jesus and the powerless, his closest friends, who stay with him. Even the two criminals are powerless, and yet one of them recognises authority in Jesus and confesses it in faith and receives the ultimate promise. It is a subtle, understated account of the different kinds of power – worldly and spiritual. The power of Christ is very different from that of the civil authorities. His death on the cross makes possible the final and total reconciliation between God and humanity.
The Journey in Faith course continues this Sunday at 5 pm in the presbytery.
We are also taking names of children for First Holy Communion preparation classes. Please take a form, bring it back or send it to me.
Father James
Today is the Solemnity of Christ the King, celebrated as Youth Day: there will be a retiring collection for the Diocesan Youth Service.
To help in our Advent preparation for the Birth of our Lord the “My Day by Day” booklet, guiding the reader through the daily readings, is available for £1.
St Helen’s 4th Wednesday Club next meets on 27th November. Do come in for coffee at 11.30am, for a simple hot lunch at 12.30pm followed by a free raffle, social activities and games. We finish at 4.00pm with tea and cake. New members welcome; why not come along for a “taster” session to see if you would like to join us on a regular basis.
There is no meeting in December. Our next meeting after Christmas is on 22nd January.
NB If anyone has any old coats, sleeping bags or blankets they can spare please let Rob Hardie know; he will take and distribute them to the rough sleepers in Norwich. Tel: 01603 897609
The ‘Reverse Advent Calendar’: please fill your own box or bag at home or bring items to church putting them in the Food Bank boxes. Boxes to be returned to your church, by weekend of 1st December.
Next Sunday 1st December at 4pm, the whole parish are warmly invited to join the Aylsham community for “Come, Lord Jesus” – words, music and prayer to mark the start of the beautiful season of Advent. All are welcome. For details please ask Father James.
On Tuesday 3rd December, Feast of St Francis Xavier, Mass will be offered for our twinned parish (St Francis Xavier) at the 9.30am Mass at the Sacred Heart.
Please send a Christmas card to Fr. Greg and the students/community at Svay Sisophon by 10th December. Address on labels are in the pocket on the Twinning board.
Donations to Support Cambodia’s Annual Appeal (for Rice Soup & Women’s Health Programmes) in Svay Sisophon may be made in cash, by cheque, online or bank transfer. Details are at www.supportcambodia.org.uk>DONATE or from Bob Maidment on 01263 577784. Further information, including Gift Aid, on the flier distributed at all Masses this weekend.
Concert: Mozart Mass in C Major & Selected Works at the Sacred Heart Church on Saturday 30th November at 7.30pm performed by Norfolk Camerata. Free entry with retiring collection.
We pray for our sick parishioners: Joe Seely, Maria Wilby, Matt Butler, John Gowing, Teresa Farrow, Tom Ender, Derek Palman, and Mary Carr.
We remember all those whose anniversaries occur at this time including: Malcolm Craven, Francesco Carlucci, Patricia Honey, Maureen Hardingham, Frieda Summerhill, Fr Edward Watkis, Linda Ward and Lucy Segovia. May they rest in peace.
Next Family Mass: Tuesday 24th December
(Christmas Eve at 6.00 pm.)
