Dear Friends,
In this Sunday’s Gospel, Our Blessed Lord reminds us that the way we live our lives, really does affect the lives of those around us, for better or for worse.
We can all be “obstacles”, as our Lord calls them, or “stumbling blocks”, in each other’s paths, or we can be “stepping stones” to happier, more well-balanced lives, for ourselves and others, on the road to salvation. If we see a tree being vandalised, we are angry because of what that tree could have become. Our Blessed Lord sees a wonder-ful potential, great or small, in each one of us, and our Lord is hurt, and we are hurt, when he sees that potential vandalised by others through gossip, inuendo and thoughtlessness. May we always try to be a “light” to others, on our journey through life, a helping hand and a stepping stone on the road to salvation ……………..
Father Gavin.
Next Friday, 5th October is Harvest Fast Day; an appeal will be read at our Sunday Masses and there will be a retiring collection for CAFOD. In response to the need of people in remote villages in Uganda CAFOD will ensure that they have a reliable supply of clean safe water by providing the villages with water pumps. Please take home a CAFOD envelope today for your donation on Family Fast Day, bringing it back to church next weekend.
Senior Citizens’ Group (NW) – Mon. 1st October, meets at 11.30am for coffee and usual morning activities. After lunch Pete Butler will display and talk on some of his extensive collection of Victorian & post-war bottles.
St Helen’s Coffee Morning takes place from 10.30 to 11.30am on the first Wednesday of the month. The next one is on Wednesday 3rd October and the cost is £1.50 for refreshments and a chat. The proceeds go to local charities. All are most welcome.
A Stalham Area House Mass will be held at Celia Cooper’s home, 7pm at Barnside, Stubb Rd, Hickling. NR12 0YS. Tel. 01692598667
Next Sunday (7th) we celebrate our Harvest Celebrations as a Parish at the Sacred Heart with a Family Mass at 11am. followed by a Parish Harvest Lunch in the hall at 12.30pm. St John of the Cross church will provide the main course and St Helen’s will provide the desserts. Michael Mc Mahon, President of the North Norfolk SVP, will speak to us during the lunch about the work of the SVP. This is the final weekend to sign the lists at the back of each church, please, to let the cooks have some idea of the numbers.
The annual Mass to celebrate the Cambodian Feast of Pchum Ben (Holy Souls) will be on Friday 12th October at 7pm in the Parish Hall. Please pick up a flier for further information.
Important Meeting – for all Eucharistic Ministers and Readers. On Saturday 13th October at the Sacred Heart Church would Eucharistic Ministers please attend at 10.00am until 11.30am. There will be a break for coffee until the Readers’ meeting at 11.40am until 1.00pm. Please try to come along to your relevant meeting.
Thank you to everyone who supported the Safari Supper .(Churches Together – NW). We are most grateful for your time, donations and delicious home-cooking. It was a lovely evening and the feedback has been excellent. The money raised will go to “Sing Your Heart Out” – a North Norfolk ‘singing-for-wellbeing Charity. From Adrian Rudman & Chris White, Churches Together reps for the Sacred Heart.
A Concert at St John of the Cross will be given by music students of David Shippey & Linda Roy on Sunday 7th October, 3.00-4.00pm; tea & cake to follow. Proceeds to go in aid of Support Cambodia.
A Day of Charismatic Renewal: Sat 13th October at St Mary’s Cath. Church, Woodbridge Rd. Ipswich IP4 4BD. Details 07910 157584.
We pray for all our sick parishioners, including Mary Johnson, Joe Seely, Sheila Hall and Maria Wilby.
We pray for all those whose anniversaries occur at this time including: Jack Roberts, John (Jack) Barrett, Gwedoline Faupel, Thomas Rawlinson and Eileen Winson.
May they rest in peace.
