Dear Friends,
Today is sometimes called Low Sunday in contrast to the ‘high’ Sunday that is Easter day. During Eastertide we will hear how the disciples reacted to the Easter event, gradually coming to realise its meaning. The reading from Revelation shows that with the Resurrection everything has changed and the way has been opened to the infinite and unimaginable. It challenges us to reflect on the words ’I was dead and now I am to live for ever…and I hold the keys of death and of the underworld’. The early Christian community was built on the faith of the apostles and today we hear how Thomas struggled with accepting that Jesus really was alive.
Holy Week and the Triduum was a wonderful time of grace for our assembled parish community. Liturgy has a unique power to speak to our hearts and communicate realities that go beyond simple words alone.
Thank you for your generous Easter offerings.
God bless
Father James
Congratulations to James Endall who was received into the Church at the Easter Vigil.
The Senior Citizens Group (NW) re-convene after Easter on Monday 29th April when Teresa will give a talk on the history of traditional ‘farmers’ smocking.
The Annual Diocesan Pilgrimage to Walsingham takes place Bank Holiday Monday 6th May. Lists will be out this weekend; please put your names on these lists ASAP PLEASE. The cost is £5 which will be collected on the coach. Please bring a packed lunch. The coach will pick up from Hoveton at 9.30am; North Walsham at 9.50am and Aylsham at 10.25am – to arrive in Walsingham at 11.15am: the return journey departs approx. 5.15pm. The Programme of the Day will shortly be on display in church porches. Please make a special effort to join the pilgrimage.
Fr David Ward and the parishioners of Our Lady and St Walstans Church, Costessey, warmly invite you to join them for a Cambodian New Year Mass to celebrate our Diocesan Twinning on Wednesday 15th May at 7pm. Lifts are available. Details from Katie or Bob Maidment on 01263 5777884 (as Pauline Andrews is away).
Churches Together (North Walsham) – The next Ecumenical Prayer Group will be at St Nicholas’ Hall on Wednesday 8th May at 7pm.
Rucksacks for the Asylum Seekers. Many thanks to everyone for so generously responding with items for the rucksacks. We have received the following letter of thanks from Carol Chilton who fills and distributes the rucksacks from St John’s Cathedral Justice & Peace Group. “Thank you so much for the wonderful response to the Lent Appeal for items for the ’Welcome Rucksack project’. I was quite overwhelmed to be presented with five large boxes filled with items. We know from the asylum seekers who have come to Norwich how pleased they are to be given the filled rucksacks as they come with very little or nothing and the rucksacks are a genuine welcome.” We will take down another 3 filled boxes after Easter so there is still time if you want to donate any further items.
The theme and subject of this year’s Newman Lectures 2019 is “Mary”. Held at the Cathedral of St John the Baptist the first lecture is on Thursday 23rd May, at 6.30pm given by Fr John Hemer, entitled “Mary in Sacred Scripture”. Pl see poster/flier for future lectures.
Places available (Reception Intake 2019) at St Francis of Assisi Primary School, Norwich. See poster for details.
We pray for all our sick parishioners: Mary Johnson, Joe Seely, Maria Wilby, Frances Palman, Thomasina Hopkins, Matt Butler, John Gowing, Teresa Farrow and Jean Wood.
We pray for Peter Lloyd who died Tuesday week ago; we remember his family and friends at this time. We pray also for all those whose anniversaries occur at this time including: Livia Caffarelli, John Browne, Betty Empson, David Bullen, Bernard Williams, Doris Beaumont and John Gibbs.
May they rest in peace.
