Dear Friends,
Today is the final Sunday in Eastertide. We hear the end of the Book of the Apocalypse with its promise that the Lord will protect and save all those who trust in him. It is that promise that enables Stephen to face his persecutors and undergo martyrdom with such calm dignity. In the Gospel we hear the prayer of Jesus for his disciples. He prays for unity among them (and us) so that they (and us) can give a united witness to the presence of the Risen Christ.
Today is the final Sunday of the diocesan programme ‘Faithful Stewards of God’s Gifts’. Last Sunday we invited you to take a more active part in the life of the parish. Today we ask you to reflect on your financial contribution to the parish. If you are a taxpayer you may wish to Gift Aid your weekly offering.
Click here for a message from Bishop Alan and Pastoral Statement about the Sunday Obligation from the Bishops of England and Wales.
Father James
Today is World Communications Day– there will be a retiring collection for the Catholic Communications Network.
Copies of the diocesan newspaper are now available – free!
Please note: this coming Tuesday, day of the Walsingham Pilgrimage there will be a 9.30am Mass at the Sacred Heart. After the Mass Derek Palman’s ashes will be buried in the Memorial Garden.
A final reminder. The Diocesan Pilgrimage to Walsingham is this Tuesday 31st May 2022 – and the Children’s Pilgrimage takes place at the same time with separate events. There are one or two seats on the coach still available (£5); please add name to the lists. The coach picks up from North Walsham at 9.50am and Aylsham at 10.15am arriving in Walsingham at 11.15am. See the Day’s Programme on the notice board. Coaches will leave the Priory for home at 4.30pm.
The Parish Pastoral Council will meet on Tuesday 14th June, at St John of the Cross, Aylsham. Parishioners having matters which they wish to raise should approach one of their representatives whose details are on the noticeboards in the church lobbies.
St Helen’s Coffee Morning will take place after Mass on Wednesday 1st June from 10.20-11.30am. Please come and join us for refreshments including home-made bakes for just £1.50. You are all most welcome. We would love to see you.
We are still looking for a volunteer at St Helen’s to offer tea, coffee and biscuits after the Saturday Mass to our visitors and regular Mass goers. This takes place from the beginning of May to the end of September and takes up half an hour or so. Would you be able to help? Please let one of the stewards know if you can.
A letter of thanks from Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) for our donation of £732.83 toward the Ukraine appeal, informs us that since the invasion of Ukraine, ACN has provided more than £2 million in essential aid to help the Church minister to those affected by the war.
Holy Hour & Eucharistic Adoration is on Thursdays at St Helen’s at 3pm – a time for quiet reflection, meditation and contemplation.
We pray for our sick parishioners: Matt Butler, Frances Palman, Mary Bell, Monica Hawley, Mary Carr, Paul Watson, Cyril Shenton and Patricia Newton.
We pray for Elena Lucas and Paddy Clynch who died recently and for those whose anniversaries occur this week: Valerie (Val) O’Hara, Joan Williamson, Nuala Wilders, Thomas Hopkins, McGinty, Matthew (Mat) Johnson, Peter Cameron, Grace Butler and Alice Buttle.
May they rest in peace. .
