Dear All,
Last week, someone very kindly invited me to accompany them to the bluebell woods at the rear of the Blickling Hall estate. What a beautiful morning it was with the abundance of colours, the dappled sunshine, the remarkable palette of colour and the endless sight of the bluebells amongst the trees.
I came away from the trip with quite a few questions: Why? Why, when God was passing through that particular part of his creation, did he decide to use so many varieties and nuances of colour? Why such abundance and why so peaceful? I am sure the botanists and scientists would explain to me all about pollination and survival and germination and the importance of bees and so on. However, I like to think that God made it so, because he COULD. He wanted to show his abundance and his love for creation (but only for those who seek and take the time to explore). He wanted to show the sheer splendour of creation in this corner of Norfolk where there are no ugly buildings, housing developments or roads and industry. But, perhaps he did it all so that it would encourage a person simply to take an hour out of their day, to go and admire and to come back with a head full of questions and some beautiful memories to enjoy.
Father Alan
A reminder that we pray The Rosary half an hour before Mass during May. This will be before each Mass at Sacred Heart, on Saturday at Hoveton, and on Friday at Aylsham. Please enter the church and sit quietly at this time, to participate in the powerful prayer that is taking place.
Walsingham Pilgrimage 4th May The final details for the coach journey are as follows: Pick ups will be: Hoveton 9.05, Sacred Heart (Park Lane) 9.25, Aylsham (Top of Gashouse Hill) 9.45, Sheringham (Opp. Tesco)10.15. We hope to arrive at the Shrine 10.30-11.00. Please make sure you are there at the correct time as we have quite a tight schedule!
The coach will park at the Shrine for the day until it is time to go back to the village car park, taking those who do not wish to walk to the Abbey in the afternoon, and to be ready to take everyone home at the end of the day.
We ask for a £5 contribution to the coach travel, collected on entry, and will expect to give an extra amount to show our appreciation for our driver. This will be collected on the return journey.
St Helen’s Coffee Morning– This will take place on Wednesday 6th may at 10.30, so please come along with your friends!
Beetle Drive -The first of our parish social events in the hall after Easter is a Beetle Drive to be held this Saturday from 2pm-4pm. This has been a huge success in the past and it is a great event for all the family to enjoy. Bring them along for fun and refreshments!
Local Council Elections – These will be taking place for our area in the Parish Hall on Thursday May 8th. This means there will be quite a lot of activity and coming and going around the church hall and car park area on the day. Please be aware if you are attending Mass on Thursday that car park spaces may be limited, and cars will be entering the area regularly.
The Catholic Post– free copies are available at the back of the church. If you are interested in being a regular subscriber, details are available within the publication.
Office Telephone – We apologise to anyone who has tried to contact the church office by phone in the last week. It is not working properly and is due to be replaced shortly. If you have urgent need of the parish office please try the mobile number given on the newsletter for The Hall, and your query will be redirected as soon as possible.
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, Amy Heywood & Peter, Cathie Dickson, Carolyn Rayner & her mother Mary Rayner and Alan Ganney.
We pray for those whose anniversaries occur this week: Josef Gawlina, Emily Gray, John Russell, James and Nan Byrne, Margery Huxtable, Charles Cornish, Anne Kelly, Marjorie Reynolds, Christopher Smith.
May they rest in peace.
