Today’s readings have a common theme: to be a follower of Christ is not always easy. There is no promise of success, no guarantee that the message of the gospel will be welcomed. What is needed is simply fidelity to the Lord’s call.
Ezekiel is told to speak God’s word to the Israelites ‘whether they listen or not’. Paul knows that he has been entrusted with a great mission but his preaching is not always well received, as was the case in Athens. He also struggles with his own inner demons which the Lord will not take away from him: ‘my grace is enough for you’. Jesus is rejected by the people in his own town — the people he grew up with. The person they had known had become someone too great for them to accept.
The call to follow Christ is simply to be faithful and to trust in the strength of the Lord. God does not abandon us in times of defeat and weakness; he simply asks us to have faith and to trust in him.
God bless
Fr James
At the Sacred Heart all Masses are accessible from your computer and other devices. Click here or go the LIve Stream page.
If you wish to attend Sunday Mass you need to book a place with the coordinator for each church. Should you find you are unable to attend please contact your coordinator to cancel that booking and ‘free up’ a pl;ace for someone else.
Coordinators:
North Walsham: John Bolger on 01692 581516 (bolger@waitrose.com)
Aylsham: Fran Ludden on 07849 602227 (Fran.ludden@btinternet.com)
Richard Mc Greevy on 01703 738255 (richardmcgreevy@supanet.com)
Spiritual Direction.
Do you find prayer difficult? Are you plagued with distractions? Do you need help in finding the best way to pray? Books can help but many people find that they need the advice and encouragement of someone who will guide them gently on their spiritual journey. Fr Paul Maddison is a priest of this diocese whom I have known for many years. Health issues mean that he is now semi-retired. He is offering a course of spiritual direction which you can follow online. Go to: www.divinethread.com.
Readers of the Word. When restrictions are lifted and we return to the regular features in the Mass, we are going to need more readers, certainly at the Sacred Heart and possibly at ST Helen’s and ST John of the Cross. Please let us know if you would like to read in church — it is a very rewarding experience for the reader. Nearer the time there will be commissioning and training if needed.
PPC Minutes are now available on the parish website: click here. Copies are available on request.
The afternoon in the garden at North Walsham will now be held on Saturday 24 July from 2 to 5 pm. This is a great opportunity for all three of our communities to come together socially. Also to meet my family who will be over that weekend. It would be helpful if you could please let Antonia know (names and contact numbers) if you can help with basic teatime refreshments. We would also be very grateful for any cakes.
Lists will be in church porches from this weekend to give us some idea of numbers. Please add your name to the list if you wish to attend.
For those who appreciate organ music St Nicholas Church in North Walsham is holding lunchtime recitals every Thursday in July at 12.30. Admission is free and you are welcome to bring your own lunch. Please see poster for details.
We pray for our sick parishioners: Matt Butler, Derek and Frances Palman, Mary Bell and Mary Carr.
We pray for thos whose anniversaries occur at this time including: Pauline Watson, Doris McGee, Amelia Pinder, Veronica Williams, Stephen Rothon and Audrey Walker. Many they rest in peace.
