Dear all,
I am slowly settling into life in rural Norfolk and learning my way around and between the three churches.The beautiful counryside still captures my spirit , and depending on the time of day and the light, it catches my breath as well. As our days become sunnier (hopefully) and the evenings longer, it will be a treat and a delight to spend my first spring and summer in such beautiful surroundings.
In this Sunday’s Gospel we read of the Transfiguration of Christ and this powerful moment which he shared with Peter, James and John. One wonders why he chose these three men to accompany him on this very personal mission where he would meet Moses and Elijah. I prefer the Greek word for Transfiguration which is metemorphothe which translates into changing form, figure or appearance. Of course, we are subject to our bodies changing throughout our lives as we grow taller, mature and grow older – but this is a gradual change over our whole lifetime. Christ’s Transfiguration (or metamorphosis) was instant and happened right before the eyes of the three Apostles. How shocked and surprised they must have been to experience their friend, Jesus, change and transform right before their very eyes.
We use the term matamorphosis for when a pupa changes into a butterfly – that too is a dramatic change from a small grub into a creature of great beauty and colour – so fragile that it is subject to all the winds and forces of nature that befall it. Let us use this time of Lent to truly change internally and spiritually as we turn to fact Christ in his Passion and Resurrection. Through being more charitable, kind to each other and deepening our relationship with Chrtist, we too can abe transformed and move closer to being the creatures of beauty that God created.
Father Alan
This wekend a Second Collection will be taken at all Masses for the work of CAFOD.
This Friday is the World Day of Prayer.
Technical assistance needed: as you may know we have had recently some issues with live streaming of Mass and we would appreciate a small amount of technical help. We would like to measure and check the bandwidth of the broadband in the church and the hall. If there is anyone with a decent laptop with a wired network connection please could they get in touch with John Bolger (email j.bolger88@icloud.com ). This should only take an hour or two, and over the phone guidance can be provided by the one who installed the camera.
Coffee morning at St Helen’s has returned so do come along with your friends this Wednesday 4 March at 10.30 after Mass.
‘One-off’ event insurance. Bookings for the Parish Hall are welcomed, whatever the occasion may be. Please note, when planning your party, that an insurance certificate to cover the event is required and you are advised to look into the cost before making your booking. This applies to all private events, although celebrations after a church service e.g. Baptism ceremonies, are covered by the parish insurance.
Norfolk Foodbank has expressed its gratitude to St Helen’s for their donation which is enough to provide 161 days of food.
North Norfolk Foodbank has also thanked the Sacred Heart (NW) for the donation of 11.8 kg sent to them IN Daecember: they are extremely grateful.
We pray for our sick parishioners: Matt Butler, Frances Palman, Mary Bell, Celia Cooper, Margaret Larkins, Maria Halsey, Joan Macnamara, Richard Skelton, Teresa Fitzmaurice, Bernadette Saunders, Doreen Rockey & daughter Sandra, Pam Thornton, Mary Long, Malcolm Akers, Frances Mack, Peter, Cathie Dickson, Carolyn Rayner & her mother Mary Rayner, Alan Ganney.
We pray for those whose anniversaries occur this week: Gerald Hearne, Roy Copperwheat, Robert (Bob) Cockrill, Michael McCann, Edith (Rusty) Collins, Michael Fogarty, Mary (Eileen) Clarke, Monica Hardingham, Mary Mae Toiwnsend, Josephine (Jo) Ringer, Suzanne James, Margaret Francis, and, last week, Sergio Rando.
