It’s Lent! We are journeying towards the most important Christian Festival of the Year – HOLY WEEK AND EASTER.
Lent is not just about giving things up; it is also about doing something extra – being prepared to “die a little more to self”. It is a season of prayer, and prayer acquires strength when accompanied by fasting and almsgiving. During Lent we have our eyes firmly fixed on Jesus and his journey to Jerusalem and we journey with him. Lent is about growing in love for God, for one another and for those most in need.
How is this LENT going to be special for YOU? Take these few days leading up to Ash Wednesday to plan well.
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| ASH WEDNESDAY 17th February
Today is kept as a day of Fasting and Abstinence. It is a day we should make every effort to join with our Parish Community at Mass and so get Lent off to a good start. We will be signed with the ashes, reminding us that this is a time of Repentance and Renewal. We are called to “turn away from sin and be faithful to the gospel”.
MASS TIMES:
9.00am St John of the Cross, Aylsham
10.30am Sacred Heart, North Walsham
6.00pm St Helens, Hoveton.
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| OUR PARISH RECONCILIATION SERVICE
This will be similar to our Service in Advent with the opportunity for Individual Confession. It will be held at North Walsham on Saturday 20th March at 2.30pm. Do book the date in your diary NOW.
There will be a similar Service at the church of Our Lady of Refuge, Overstrand Road, Cromer on Saturday 27th March at 3.00pm.
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STATION MASSES AROUND THE PARISH
Lenten Station Masses (they have nothing to do with Stations of the Cross) have long been celebrated in Rome and in recent years have become increasingly popular in other places. The idea is that people “make pilgrimage” to a number of churches for the celebration of Mass. We plan to have three such Masses in the parish during Lent (one in each of our community churches) and it is hoped that as well as a good attendance from the local community, parishioners will also travel from the other two worshipping communities of the parish. Mass will be followed by coffee and biscuits and so provide an opportunity for getting to know each other better.
Thursday 4th March at 7.30pm: Sacred Heart, North Walsham.
Thursday 18th March at 7.30pm: St John of the Cross, Aylsham
Thursday 25th March at 7.30pm: St Helens, Hoveton
N.B. On these dates there will be no morning Mass at North Walsham. Please do offer a lift to others and don’t be shy to ask for a lift if you require one.
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| ST JOHN OF THE CROSS - AYLSHAM
Inter-church Lent House Groups entitled “When I survey……Christ’s cross and ours” (York Course) are taking place in the Aylsham area. See Pauline Andrews or Fr David for more details.
Stations of the Cross will take place each Friday following the 9.30am Mass (beginning on 19th February). All are welcome. We will try to vary the reflections and prayers used.
ST HELEN’S - HOVETON
An Inter-church Lent Study Group will meet on the Wednesdays of Lent (24th February to 24th March) in the new extension at St Helen’s at 7.00pm. The sessions will conclude with Compline (Night Prayer) to finish by 9pm. All are welcome. The sessions will be led by the different Church Leaders of the area and are entitled “When I survey…..Christ’s cross and ours” (York Course).
Stations of the Cross will take place on Wednesday mornings following the 9.30am Mass (commencing on 24h February). All welcome.
SACRED HEART, NORTH WALSHAM
Stations of the Cross will take place on Fridays of Lent at 12noon commencing 19th February.
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“I offer my Life to God”
OUR DIOCESAN THEME FOR 2010
Taking this theme Fr David will lead a Day of Reflection
On
Saturday 27th February 11.00-3.00pm
(St Helens, Hoveton)
(repeated)
Monday 22nd March 10.30-3.00pm
(Parish Hall, North Walsham)
These days are open to all. Please bring food for a shared lunch.
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| REFLECTIONS ON THE SUNDAY READINGS OF LENT
Prayerful study of the Lenten Sunday Mass readings with Tony & Betty Dady at their home address (Available from Church) on Wednesday afternoons at 2.30-3.30pm on 17th, 24th, February, 3rd, 10th & 17th March. All Welcome.
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| LENT LUNCHES – North Walsham
Will take place on the Thursdays of Lent from 12.30-1.30pm in the St Nicholas Room (behind St Nicholas Church, North Walsham) starting on 25th February and ending on 25th March. The lunch is a simple one of homemade soup and bread with fresh fruit. The cost is £3.50. Profits to Christian Aid. Each week there will be a short reflection from one of the Church Leaders of the town based around the theme: “A Song for the Journey”. These lunches are a good way for the Christians of North Walsham to get to know each other better.
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| WHEN I SURVEY……Christ’s Cross and ours
A shared Lent Course with the other Churches of North Walsham on Tuesday evenings at The Methodist Church, Grammar School Road at 7.15 for 7.30pm, beginning 23rd February and running until 23rd March. All Welcome.
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| CAFOD FAMILY FAST DAY – Friday 26th February
This Lent marks the 50th Anniversary of the Lent Fast Day. Your normal CAFOD envelope and newsletter will be distributed on the weekend 20/21st February for returning the following weekend, but to mark this special year we are asked to raise money under the theme of give it up! We are invited to donate the money we save by giving something up during Lent to CAFOD. There are extra envelopes and boxes available at the back of the church for this purpose.
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| EVENTS IN THE SURROUNDING AREA
St George’s Lenten Lectures (Sprowston Road, Norwich) are taking place again this year on Thursdays 25th February; 4th, 11th 18th March, 8-9pm and will given by Rt. Hon John Gummer MP; General Sir Richard Dannatt GCB; Rt. Rev Abbot Laurence O’Keefe and The Venerable Jan McFarlane.
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| OTHER IDEAS FOR LENT
Attend Mass during the week (see weekly newsletter for times)
Come to Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on a Thursday morning. This is a time of prayer and Adoration following on from the 9.30am Mass at North Walsham (18th, 25th February and 11th March).
Read a passage from the Bible each day.
Read a Spiritual Book over the weeks of Lent – e.g.Walk with me.
Make the “Stations of the Cross” privately, or with a few others.
Spend a Quiet Day at Walsingham.
Think of something you could give up for Lent and the money you save give to a good cause, e.g. CAFOD (see above under Family Fast Day); or The Society of St Peter the Apostle which supports the formation of Seminarians and Religious in mission territories. Money placed in Lenten Alms will go to this particular fund. There is a designated Wall-slot at North Walsham; or hand in at the end of Lent.
Think of some good thing to do for someone else on each of the days of Lent.
There are many other ideas once you start thinking about it!
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