A WARM WELCOME to all our VISITORS: we hope you have a very enjoyable time here in beautiful North Norfolk. Do feel free to stay for coffee after Mass and meet some of our parishioners. “One off” gift envelopes for your collection are available at the back of the church for those who would like to use them. Thanks.
We warmly welcome Fr Henry Whisenant to our parish again where he will be celebrating our Masses this weekend – it’s great to have him back with us as the newest priest of the diocese. In the early autumn he will be taking up his appointment as assistant priest at the Church of Our Lady and the English Martyrs, Cambridge.
TODAY is Day for Life – the day in the Church’s year dedicated to celebrating the dignity of life from conception to natural death. This year’s message begins with the words of Pope Francis taken from a homily in 2005 on the Feast of the Patron Saint of Expectant Mothers and Midwives, when His Holiness spoke simply and beautifully about what promoting a culture of life really means: “Jesus teaches us to care for life because it is the image of God; who is absolute life. We cannot announce anything else but life, and from the beginning to the end. All of us must care for life, cherish life, with tenderness, warmth…. To give life is to open (our) heart, and to care for life is to (give oneself) in tenderness and warmth for others….. Caring for life from the beginning to the end. What a simple thing, what a beautiful thing…So, go forth and don’t be discouraged. Care for life. It’s worth it!”
Do read the enclosed leaflet for more background information. There is a second collection today to support the Anscombe Bioethics Centre and other life-related activities supported by the Catholic Church..
“Doorway to Faith” (Part 4) – only a few copies left at a cost of £1.00.
ST BENET’S ANNUAL ECUMENICAL SERVICE is next Sunday 4th August. It takes place in the open air on the Broads at 3.30pm. All are welcome to this rather beautiful service set on the historic site where once the Benedictine Abbey of St Benet’s stood. To get there, taking the Ludham road from Wroxham, turn right just after “The Dog” public house at Johnson Street and follow the signs.
DISABLED PARKING We now have 2 Disabled Parking spaces, labelled, in all 3 church car parks. Please do try to leave these spaces for our Blue Badge Holders. In the Sacred Heart car park there are also “No Parking” signs each side of the ramp to the side entrance to enable people to “stop and drop-off” passengers who find walking through the car park difficult; please do not leave cars parked in these “drop-off” areas as it makes access to the car park difficult for other users. Thank you.
PARISH “COUNTERS” – A 10 minute meeting next Sunday following the Mass at North Walsham – a chance to solve any problems with the new banking entries.
PARISH FETE REVIEW MEETING Copies of notes of the meeting held on 18th July are available in the porch for those not online.
WORLD YOUTH DAY ONLINE UPDATES Do follow what our WYD pilgrims are doing in Brazil from 15th – 31st July by going to:
www.catholiceastanglia.org/youth and clicking on the WYD updates link.
We have Sarah Shippey attending from our parish.
FOODBANK A letter of appreciation and thanks to our three communities for the support we have shown together with a list of food items most needed is on church notice boards. Do keep the donations coming.
PLEASE DON’T FORGET the ‘Gifts Make a Difference’ {GMD} donation scheme, run by AylshamWorldWide and introduced to the parish at the end of June – (orange leaflets still available in church). This “year-round” collection scheme benefits local charities working in Peru, Kenya and the Gambia as well as our own twin parish in Cambodia and replaces the annual ‘Gift for Svay’ Appeal. Boxes in all three churches. Further details at www.aylshamworldwide.org or Katie on 01263 577784.
SPONSORED BIKE RIDE & WALK (Norfolk Churches Trust) will take place on Saturday 14th September 9.00am-5.00pm. Sponsorship forms are available in church porches also on line at norfolkchurchestrust.org.uk/sponsored-bike ride It is hoped that a number of you will feel able to rise to the challenge of this very worthy and healthy event.
THE STARSHIP DISCOVERY HOLIDAY CLUB! (for 5-11 year olds) – organised by Churches Together in Hoveton and Wroxham at Broadland Youth & Community Centre, Stalham Rd, Hoveton Tuesday 30th July – Thursday 1st August – cost £5 per child. Enrolment forms in the porch of St Helen’s Church.
OTHER FORTHCOMING EVENTS
AUGUST DIOCESAN CAMPS at Eccles Hall, Norfolk: Junior Camp 8-14yrs
Friday 23rd August – Monday 26th. Pl contact Fr David for an application form.
MEMORIAL GARDEN MASS (North Walsham) Wed 21st August at 6.00pm.
A REMINDER to all who organise parish events. In order to avoid clashes, please make sure your date are on the Parish Website Calendar. This should be done via either Clare Hardie (01603 890609) or Antonia at the Parish Office on sacredheart@computer-assist.net
Fr David thanks the mystery gift bearers for the “bubbly” left at the presbytery following the installation of our new bishop!
We pray all those who anniversaries are at this time including: Edmond O’Flaherty, Mary Elizabeth Mildred Bianco, Derek George Rayfield, Michael Joseph Conroy, Elizabeth Hebden, Richard Mark Furlong, Kathleen Harkin, and Norah Nyland.
May they rest in peace. Amen.
