Dear Friends,
After the six weeks of Lent we enjoy six weeks of Eastertide. In this time we hear the stories of the appearances of the Risen Christ and reflect on the mystery of the Resurrection and how it affects our lives.
Today’s Gospel reading tells of the experience of the two disciples who met with Jesus on the road to Emmaus. As they travel he gives them a homily on ‘the scriptures that were about himself’. (That’s a homily I would have loved to have heard!) No wonder their hearts burned within them as he talked to them on the road. They stop for a meal and Luke deliberately gives it Eucharistic overtones. Jesus is recognised when he brakes bread and says a blessing. After Jesus disappears they hurry back to Jerusalem to tell the Eleven about their amazing experience, to find that Peter has also seen the Risen Lord. It is one of the most vivid stories of the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus and we catch some of the wonder and excitement of the two disciples.
Father James
Next Sunday is “World Day of Prayer for Vocations”: there will be a retiring collection for the “Priests’ Training Fund” for which there are ‘gift aid’ envelopes in church porches.
The Rosary (NW): those who would like to lead the Rosary during May, please sign the list in the porch. There are similar arrangements for Aylsham & Hoveton. Leaflets on how to pray the Rosary are available.
The Senior Citizens’ Group’s (NW) meets again on Monday 8th May.
The Diocesan Pilgrimage to Walsingham is tomorrow. Please bring a packed lunch. Coach picks up from Hoveton at 9.30 am; North Walsham at 9.50 am and Aylsham at 10.25 am.
Minutes of the PPC Meeting of 2nd April are now on church notice boards and on the Parish website.
The Annual Parish Meeting will be held on Monday 22nd May at 7pm in the Parish Hall at North Walsham. The meeting will start with a delicious first course provided by parishioners from the Sacred Heart and will be followed with equally delicious deserts provided by parishioners from St Helen’s. Please sign up on the lists in your church if you wish to attend.
An urgent appeal for volunteers to clean the church at the Sacred Heart. Owing to illness we are short of people. It only takes about an hour, once a month, on a Thursday or Friday, perhaps a Saturday if between 10am and 12noon, or during the afternoon. If you could help, even if on a temporary basis (or just the once!) please could you ring Antonia on 01692 406452.
At St John’s Cathedral on Tuesday 2nd May 7.30-9.00pm there is a Diocesan Marriage Tribunal “Roadshow”. These sessions are designed to make people aware of what the church is doing to help those who have experienced broken marriages and heal the wounds they have suffered.
2017 Newman Lectures, – Church, State & Culture. Monday 8th May: speaker Archbishop Eamon Martin, Primate of All Ireland, on “The Church in the Public Sphere in Ireland”. This will be held at the Julian Study Centre lecture theatre UEA at 6.30pm. Free admis
Our thanks go to Michael Hawley & Group who entertained us to a “professional pitch” and raised £628 towards the new organ fund at Aylsham. Please see his response on poster in the porch.
We pray for those whose anniversaries occur this week including: David Bullen, Bernard Williams, Emily Gray, John Russell and Margery Huxtable. May they rest in peace.
Living Simply
This month’s project: Awareness of our neighbour
This week’s suggestion: The best way to find yourself is
to lose yourself in the service of others.
.
o
