Dear Friends,
The image of Jesus as the Vine is a vivid one. It tells us that by being part of the Vine we draw life from it so that we can bear fruit. The fruit that Jesus speaks of is the works and actions of those who are his disciples. That fruit is only possible when the disciples are ‘in’ Christ. Otherwise they are branches that are dead and produce nothing: they can only be removed and burnt.
The fruit is the fruit of love and comes from the love of Christ, and so needs to be shown and lived: as St John tells us in the 2nd reading – our love is not to be just words or mere talk – but something real and active.
Today we take part on the Rosary on the Coast campaign. Some parishioners will be gathering at Cart Gap Road, Happisburgh; others in Sacred Heart to say prayers which will include the rosary. Both at 3.00 pm.
God bless
Father James
Next Sunday, 6th May, at the Sacred Heart Church there will be a Family Mass with the children taking major roles in the liturgy. .
The Senior Citizens Group (NW) meets on Monday 29th April for their usual morning activities, starting at 11.00am. In the afternoon Brian Hedge will be presenting a slide show entitled “Memories of North Walsham” including the building of the Sacred Heart Church. All are invited to come along. Fr James will be giving a Day of Recollection for the whole parish on Monday, 14th May
The Bible Group meets on Friday 4th May at 2.30pm.
A Forum will be held at St Helen’s on 5th May following the 5.30pm Mass.
Marriage and Family Life Coordinator: An opportunity has arisen within the diocese for the role of MFL coordinator. Duties include managing programmes of support such as marriage preparation and marriage enrichment, organisation of the Annual Marriage Celebration Mass and involves working with parishes and other diocesan departments. Average of 20 hours per week to include occasional Saturdays, at £13 per hour, based at home. For more information contact Kerry Urdzik on mflc@rcdea.org.uk or 01473 251301
The last of the Newman Lectures, on Holiness, for 2018 will be taking place at the Julian Study Centre, UEA on 30th April given by Sr Ann Swailes OP a Dominican Sister & Catholic Chaplin to Cambridge University. The Lecture begins at 6.30pm and the admission is FREE.
Interested in joining the Ignite Team? Are you leaving school or university this summer, in between jobs or would like to do something ‘different’? The Diocesan Youth Service is looking for people aged 18-30 to join the Ignite Team from Sept ‘18 – Aug ‘19 full time. The team share the Gospel Message with young people in a way they can relate to, including using music, drama and tech. Accommodation, food and a monthly allowance are provided. Email: igniteteam@rcdea.org.uk
We pray for our sick parishioners, including Margaret Wynes, Mary Johnson, Veronica Williams and Linda Dawson.
Peter Walmsley’s Requiem Mass: Wednesday 2nd at 11.30am at St Helen’s.
We pray for those whose anniversaries occur this week including: John Browne, Betty Empson, David Bullen, Bernard Williams, Doris Beaumont, John Gibbs, Emily Gray and John Russell. May they rest in peace.
Living Simply: Theme – Recycling:
Suggestion: CAN be recycled – bottle tops on milk bottles, wine bottles and jars Can NOT be recycled – shiny foil wrapping paper
Living Simply Theme for Lent: Fast, Pray and Give This week’s suggestion: Pray for ALL mothers all around the world on this Mothering Sunday
