A WARM WELCOME TO ALL OUR VISITORS – And a very Happy New Year!
Thank you for joining us for our Mass, we hope you are enjoying your stay in Norfolk. Do join us for coffee after Mass and meet some of our parishioners. You may like to use a gift-aid envelope for your collection, available at the back of the church. Thank you.
We welcome and thank Fr Peter Brown who is celebrating our Masses today at Aylsham and North Walsham.
Please note: on Thursday (New Year’s Day) also the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, the Service of the Word & Holy Communion at North Walsham is at 10.00 am
AN INVITATION TO ALL YOUNG PEOPLE The New Year Epiphany Candlelight Mass for young people across the diocese is on Sunday 4th January, 6pm, at The White House, Poringland, Norwich, NR14 7SH. Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Alan, followed by refreshments, a bonfire and fireworks. More information in the church porch or go to www.catholiceastanglia.org/youth
CAFOD do please continue to give generously to CAFOD; the money collected during Advent will enable the parish to buy some World Gifts for those living in the Developing World. However, the Appeal although starting in Advent doesn’t end at Christmas, it continues on as far as Summer 2015. For individual donations take home one of the CAFOD World Gifts catalogues for practical ideas.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE who has worked so hard to get our three churches decorated for Christmas. Thanks also go to those involved in the planning and organisation of our Advent and Carol Services, 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 various things behind the scenes “week in and week out”.
THE CRIB, (beautifully knitted by Sheila Hall), will be on display again this year in the porch at the Sacred Heart. It will be in the hall for the children’s Christmas party and then in the church entrance porch until the Epiphany. Donations this year will go to MacMillan Nurses.
PARISH DIRECTORY Please take home a copy per family of the updated Parish Directory, to be found at the back of each church.
ROTAS for Readers (NW) are ready for collection. Please pick up your named copy.
The PARISH DIARIES will be arriving soon!
JOB VACANCY – DIOCESAN SAFEGUARDING ADMINISTRATOR The Diocese is seeking to appoint a Safeguarding Administrator to assist in supporting the Safeguarding Coordinator in processing Disclosure and Barring Service applications for volunteers working in the Diocese and its Parishes. The post will require around 15 hours work per week and the appointment will be made as a self-employed contractor. Full details and application forms can be obtained from the Diocesan Offices either by telephone (01508 492202) or by e-mail from finance@east-angliadiocese.org.uk Closing date for applications is 17th January 2015
Tony and Maria Kelly wish to say “Happy Christmas to all the parishioners and a healthy 2015; also to thank you very much for all your prayers and rosaries”.
A message from Marianne: “I would like to wish everyone a very happy and peaceful Christmas and every blessing in the year to come. I’m sure you will understand that I am unable to send any individual cards this year.
Thank you for your continued prayers and for the many cards and get well messages, all greatly appreciated. A special thank you to the wonderful team of drivers who took me to the hospital daily during the four weeks radiotherapy treatment, to those who have brought me Holy Communion at home and to Teresa Butler who has taken on the Senior Citizens Group and many other things as well. Love to you all.
We pray for those whose anniversaries occur during this week including: Raymond Miller, Cecilia Monica Booth-Skinner, John Charles Egan, Ernest Brown, Doreen Ann Burton and Philip (Charles) Byrne. May they rest in peace.
Christmas is a family celebration People travel, sometimes considerable distances, just to be with their loved ones. The feast is also a special time for our parish family. The weeks of Advent helped to prepare us for the birthday of our Saviour and we too come together to celebrate this wonderful event over this Christmas season which includes the Epiphany. For me this Christmas has been different from the grand liturgies of a cathedral. But it has been no less enjoyable. I have been impressed by the quiet efficiency of all who helped with the preparations and how well people have worked together. Thank you for your generous gifts and Christmas cards – they are greatly appreciated.
Deacon Ron joins me in wishing you every blessing for the New Year.
Father James
