Dear Friends,
As we listen to today’s second reading we realise that each person in our communities has a unique and important place. The first reading and the Gospel show how the Word of God can touch people’s hearts and lives: ‘the people were all in tears as they listened to the words of the Law’. Jesus too had a receptive audience – ‘all eyes in the synagogue were on him’. He spoke with divine authority but was also able to relate to the lives of ordinary people.
Each of our communities marked the week of prayer for Christian Unity. At Aylsham there was a simple prayer service on Friday, the 18th, at Hoveton a talk on Our Lady after the Wednesday morning Mass given by Bruno Baldrini, a minister of the Congregational church. At North Walsham we hosted the Covenant service which brought together 9 churches in and around the town. Photos of this historic and memorable occasion are on the parish website.
God bless
Father James
Safeguarding
Gerry Mildinhall, the safeguarding officer for the Sacred Heart church will be making contact with parishioners who are due for a DBS re-check.
Looking ahead, Fr James will be leading a Lenten Reflection on Monday 11th March in the parish hall
The Senior Citizens Group (NW) will meet on Monday 28th for their usual weekly activities. In the afternoon there will be Bingo.
On Monday 18th March Wright’s Coaches will be taking the group at North Walsham on a Mystery History Tour with the well-known local historian Neil Storey as their tour guide. Seats are available for friends and parishioners at a cost of £10. To book your place or for more information about the day please contact Teresa Butler on 01692 405007 or 07901 830327.
Thanks to all who supported our two young people, Lauren and Biddy. They join other youngsters, clergy and adults from the diocese for the World Youth Days in Panama. We look forward to hearing all about their experiences when they return.
A Celebration of Our Lady of Lourdes with Bishop Alan. Solemn Mass and the Anointing of the sick will take place at St John’s Cathedral at 11.30 am on 9th February. Prayers will be said for all who work with or care for the sick. Before and following the Mass there will be refreshments in the Narthex
The next meeting of the Parish Pastoral Committee is on Tuesday 29th January at St Helen’s, Hoveton at 7.15 for 7.30pm. If parishioners have certain issues they would like discussed at the meeting, please speak to the representative for your church; a reminder can be found on church notice boards where there are both names and photographs of your reps.
Our diocesan newspaper the ‘Catholic East Anglia’ for February is available in our churches. Do pick up a copy. It’s FREE!
Just a reminder. Any items for the newsletter on forthcoming events taking place in our three communities or news from around the diocese that could be publicised in this weekly bulletin, please do post these items to the office email address or hand in on paper. Email address:
sacredheart@computer-assist.net
We pray for all our sick parishioners, including Deacon Ron O’Toole, Mary Johnson, Joe Seely, Maria Wilby, Nicholas Elphinstone and Frances Palman.
We pray for all those whose anniversaries occur at this time including: Mary Phillips, Minnie Nicholls, John Halsey, Zladislaw (Jan) Kurowski and Bridget Dalton. Gregory Noble and Jacqueline Beardshaw.
May they rest in peace.
