“ENVY KEEPS US FROM SEEING THE GIFTS GOD HAS GIVEN.”
Today, the twenty-sixth Sunday of ordinary time, we thank God whofreely gives his Spirit to all men. Through God’s free gift, people of all nations can resist evil and manifest His true Spirit in their lives and actions. Today’s Scripture readings give us a strong warning against jealousy, intolerance, and giving scandal.
Fr Peter
Pope’s intention for October. For a shared mission. We pray that the Church continues to sustain in all ways a Synodal life style, as a sign of co-responsibility, promoting the participation, the communion and the mission shared among priests, religious, and lay people.
Rosary devotions will take place at the Sacred Heart every Tuesday and Thursday before Mass at 9.00-9.30. October being the month of the Holy Rosary it will start this Tuesday 1 October and continue throughout the month.
CAFOD Family Fast Day is on Friday 4 October. What we save by going without on that Friday we are invited to put in the CAFOD envelope for the Sunday collection. HARVEST THANKSGIVING appropriately falls on that same weekend 5/6 October and will be celebrated in all our Masses in all three churches. Parishioners are invited to bring uop their harvest items in the Offertory Procession. NO plastic bags please, so that we adorn the church with God’s bounty – and not that of local supermarkets!! Perishable items will be sold after Mass for CAFOD; store cupboard items will go the the Food Bank.
St Helen’s Coffee Morning is on Wednesday 2 October at 10.30. We have to say a huge thank you to Sue Cobb who has worked so hard for a number of years to keep the coffee morning going. We wish her a long and happy retirement. Do please drop in to say hello, enjoy refreshments and have a chat.
PPC Minutes of 3 September are available to read both on the Parish website and in hard copy in our church porches.
First Communion Programme 2024/25. If your child is in Year 3 or above and you wish him/her to be enrolled in the Parish Preparation for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist please speak to Fr Peter.
Confirmation 2025. Those interested in attending Confirmation classes should speak with Fr Peter. Candidates should be 14 plus years old.
Next Lectio Divina meets on Monday 7 October at ST John of the Cross at 7pm.
United in spirit with our twin parish of St Francis Saviour in Svay Sisophon, Cambodia, the 9.30 Mass at Aylsham on Friday 4 October will celebrate the Cambodian Feast of Ancestors (Pchum Ben) in which the souls of the faithful departed of both parishes are remembered in prayer. You are warmly invited to jopin the St John of the Cross community for this Mass and afterwards for coffee.
Diocesan Retreat for Women takes place on Saturday 12 October. The theme for this year’s retreat is : Called to More. Finding God in the hidden things of daily life, from 11.00 – 16.00 optional Mass at 10.30. Location: Our Lady Immaculate and St Etheldreda, Newmarket, CBN8 8LT in the Hall, led by the Community of Our Lady of Walsingham. Please bring a packed lunch although soup and bread will be provided. Suggested donation between £5 and £10 payable on the day, cash or card.
We pray for our sick parishioners: Matt Butler, Frances Palman, Mary Bell, Paul Watson, Patricia Newton, Celia Cooper, Marie Barton, Margaret Larkins, Daphne Necchi, Maria Halsey, Joan Macnamara, Richard Skelton, Teresa Fitzmaurice, Joan Gale, Bernadette Saunders, Doreen Rockey & daughter Sandra, Pam Thornton, Inge O’Toole, Mary Long, Mary Cockburn, Malcolm Akers and Frances Mack; also to include others who are sick.
We pray for all those whose anniversaries occur this week: Jack Roberts, Olga Kerr, John (Jack) Barrett, Gwendoline Faupel, Thomas Rawlinson and Eileen Winson.
May they rest in peace.
