Dear Friends,
Today’s Gospel seems uncompromising. Yet Jesus was speaking to the people of his time. A man had complete control over his wife: he could divorce her for any reason and expel her from his home. Jesus’ defence of the permanence of marriage was also a defence of the rights and dignity of women.
The forthcoming Synod in Rome will address the difficult and delicate issues of marital breakdown and in particular whether to admit to the sacraments those who have been divorced.
Today we welcome Sister Natalia Gomes, a Comboni Missionary Sister who will make the annual Mission Appeal.
Father James
The Senior Citizens Group meets Monday 5th: there will be the usual Computer Workshop and chair exercises, followed by lunch. Barry the Bee will give a talk in the afternoon.
Counters. Throughout the month of October we keep a record of the numbers who attend the weekend Masses. Each of our three communities will need to appoint a ‘counter’.
It’s that time of year when Red Boxes (APF or Mission Collection boxes), are to be handed in please. For Aylsham: please hand to Peter Adamson; N Walsham – Sue Perrott and Hoveton – Maureen Keane over the next two or three weeks. Thank you.
Cambodia-style Mass to celebrate the Cambodian Festival of Ancestors (Holy Souls) will take place at 7pm on Friday 9th October at the Parish Hall in North Walsham. Fr Mark Hackeson will be the chief celebrant. Details were on the insert in last week’s newsletter, also Cambodia boards in our three churches and on the parish website under Our Parish Twinning>Events. This is a wonderful opportunity for our whole parish community to join in friendship and in spirit with our twin parish of St Francis Xavier, Svay Sisophon. Please do offer and ask for lifts. Further information: Katie on 01263 577784.
CAFOD Harvest Fast Day will now take place next Friday 9th October. Your support and donations this Harvest Fast Day will enable our partners to work with people across the world to have access to tools and training, also empower them to become self-sufficient despite living in the most difficult of conditions. Additionally, your donations this Fast Day will be used to fund our partners work in Europe and the Middle East to support those affected by the refugee crisis. Envelopes will be distributed this weekend of as you leave Mass for returning as second collection the following weekend.
Harvest Thanksgiving will be next weekend: Aylsham and North Walsham parishioners are invited to bring harvest items, either before the Mass or in the Offertory Procession. A reminder: No plastic bags, please. Perishable items will be sold after Mass for CAFOD, store cupboard items will go to the Food Bank.
The Minutes of the PPC are now on the parish website and in church.
Mary Bell wishes to thank you all for your prayers, cards and gestures of kindness during what has been an extended time of great sadness in her life.
We pray for those whose anniversaries occur at this time including: Gwendoline Faupel, Thomas Rawlinson, Eileen Winson, Sylvia Butcher, Joyce Bailey, Emanuel Galea, Deanna Maria Gawlina and Mary Merrill. May they rest in peace.
Loving Father,
we pray for those baptised who no longer
or rarely attend Church:
that they will understand and experience in their hearts
that Christ is the source of unconditional
love and reconciliation.
We pray for everyone
who worships in our parish community,
that they may find the right words and means
to invite our absent brothers and sisters
to return to the practice of their faith.
