Dear Friends,
Today’s Gospel shows Jesus speaking and acting with authority. This is what drew people to him. He was able to free them from the destructive forces that enslaved them: whether it was shrieking demons, a woman with a fever or simply whatever diseases people suffered from, Jesus dealt with them all, with the same gentle but deeply effective authority. His miracles were signs that he had joined battle with forces of evil and destruction, a battle that would culminate in his arrest and would be won by his death and resurrection.
Lent will soon be with us. This year I shall be giving a short Lent course which will be for all three of our communities. More details nearer the time. The first session will be at North Walsham on Friday, 16th February at 7 pm.
The parish office is not receiving emails at present so please send them to me at sjb58383@gmail.com
Father James
Today is Racial Justice Day and there will be a retiring collection following the Sunday Masses. Next Sunday, 4th February, at 11am there is a Family Mass at North Walsham.
The Senior Citizens Group at North Walsham meets Monday 29th January at 11.00am. Following the usual morning activities and lunch there will be a talk given by Clare Rushen, (of the Cockerel Restaurant) entitled ’An Introduction to understanding autism’.
Items for the newsletter. Could we have all items relating to forthcoming events taking place in our three communities etc that are required for the newsletter, to be sent in to the office email address asap. sacredheart@computer-assist.net Thank you.
A Celebration of Our Lady of Lourdes – there will be Solemn Mass with Anointing of the Sick at the Cathedral of St John the Baptist, Norwich on Saturday 17th February at 11.30am. A reminder about parking difficulties at the Cathedral.
Looking to events ahead:
During Lent there will be a series of Lent Station Masses celebrated by Bishop Alan at a number of different churches in the Diocese. The nearest to us will be on Thursday, 1st March at St George’s, Norwich. At 6.00pm there will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and the Sacrament of Reconciliation; at 7.00pm Mass will be celebrated by the bishop and priests of the Deanery. This will be followed by soup and cheese.
Women’s World Day of Prayer is on Friday 2nd March. There will be a service at St Helen’s at 9.30am to 12noon and a rehearsal in the church on the previous Friday, 23rd February at 9.00 to 11.30am. There will also be a service in North Walsham; as yet we have no details.
Pauline Andrews is presently visiting Cambodia on behalf of the parish, travelling with the Support Cambodia team. To follow the journey please go to www.supportcambodia.org.uk and click on the blue Facebook button. No need to join Facebook.
We pray for and our sick parishioners, including Barbara Appleton, Margaret Wynes, Peter Walmesly, Mary Carr and Linda Dawson. We pray for those whose anniversaries occur this week including: Mary Barry, Mary Phillips, Minnie Nichols, John Halsey, Zladislaw (Jan) Kurowski and Bridget Dalton. May they rest in peace.
Lots of warm clothes for refugees in northern France have been coming in to all three of our communities. Well done!
