Dear Friends,
Today is the feast of the Holy Family. Our images of this family can be cosy and domestic. The reality was very different. For this family violence and death were a threat from the very beginning: flight and insecurity were all too real. It helps us to appreciate the situation for many families today and throughout history. The Gospel puts the origins of Jesus in a contemporary context. It gives us an image of marginalisation, of refugees, of insecurity and fear. Bishop Alan reminds us of this in his Pastoral Letter which is read at all the Masses this weekend.
Thank you for all your Christmas cards, gifts and good wishes. They are greatly appreciated.
A big Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to have our three churches so beautifully decorated for Christmas. Thanks also to all those involved in the planning and organisation of our Advent Services and for the music and singing over the Christmas Festival. Thank you to the many people who contribute to the life of the parish by doing many and various things behind the scenes “week in and week out”.
A special thanks go to the children and their organisers for their contribution at the Christmas Family Mass.
I shall be away for a few days next week: please check the diary on the back page. Meanwhile my best wishes for the New Year to you all.
God bless,
Father James
The next session of Journey in Faith will be on Sunday, 12 January at 5 pm in the presbytery.
There will be no Coffee Drop-In at St Helen’s in January. The next will be on Wednesday, 5th February.
Epiphany Candlelight Mass – Sunday 5th January 5pm. For all young people and their families from across the diocese. Followed by hot dogs, a bonfire and fireworks. There will be a collection of presents for children who are refugees (please bring wrapped presents indicating whether suitable for a boy or girl or either, and approximate age). Held at The White House, 21 Upgate, Poringland, Norwich. Organised by the Diocesan Youth Service.
On the weekend of 11th/12th January there will be a retiring collection which will go to the White Flower Appeal – the protection of unborn children. Giving our support to SPUC is particularly relevant and urgent at this time as the government last October agreed to a new abortion regime in Northern Ireland. We can try to help the situation getting worse by signing one of the cards at the back of the church: these will go to the Prime Minister who will be urged not to allow pro-abortion legislation to pass through Parliament.
PPC meeting is on Tuesday 14th January (Aylsham) and on the previous Sunday (12th), following the 11.00am Mass at the Sacred Heart, a Forum will be held in the parish hall. We would ask parishioners to come along to the Forum meeting and take part in the discussions.
Cromer & District Foodbank have sent their December 2019 Newsletter and list of appropriate and needed items. Copies of these are available in the porches at Aylsham and North Walsham.
We pray for our sick parishioners: Joe Seely, Maria Wilby, Matt Butler, John Gowing, Teresa Farrow, Tom Ender, Derek Palman, Kevin Fitzmaurice and Mary Carr.
We remember all those whose anniversaries occur at this time including: Raymond Miller, Cecilia Booth-Skinner, John Egan, Ernest Brown, Doreen Burton and Philip (Charles) Byrne.
May they rest in peace.
Next Family Mass: Sunday 2nd February
(11.00 am Mass at the Sacred Heart)
