A WARM WELCOME TO ALL OUR VISITORS 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.
Continuing our Advent journey, preparing for the coming of our Lord. If you haven’t already done so, pick up a leaflet of Bishop Alan’s suggestions for Advent, given out last weekend. Also, don’t forget to keep handy the Advent/Christmas Parish Programme 2014, giving details of events taking place in our communities in the weeks leading up to Christmas and come along to whatever you can.
CAFOD do please give generously to CAFOD; we put money in during Advent so that the parish is able 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. Deadline for ordering 17.12.14.
FLOWERS/DECORATIONS (North Walsham) there will be a retiring collection on the 4th Sunday of Advent to enable flower arrangers to decorate the church for Christmas.
SENIOR CITIZENS’ GROUP celebrating the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on Monday 8th December. The Senior Citizens will be having a Eucharistic Service in the hall at 12noon. This will be followed by a shared lunch and ‘Time of Reflection’. The day will be led by Deacon Ron. Any members of the parish who would like to attend are welcome. Please bring some food for sharing.
EVENTS THAT OCCUR TODAY (SUNDAY)
“Cloth for the Cradle”– a candlelit service of music, stillness, readings and reflection for Advent, is on Sunday 7th December at 4pm at St Nicholas Church, North Walsham, supported by the St Benet Singers. All are welcome. See flier.
Churches Together on the Broads The Annual Carol Service will be held on Sunday 7th December at 7.00pm at St Mary’s Church, South Walsham, followed by mince pies and mulled wine. Everyone is welcome.
PARISH CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PARTY (Following the Carol Service at North Walsham) at4-6pm in the parish hall on Sunday 21st December. Parents are asked to please sign the lists at the back of the church, as soon as possible for your child to attend. Children will need to have an adult in attendance but all parents will be welcome at the party – only children’s food will be provided. Any children who would like to take part in the Nativity Story (at 3.00pm on 21st and 6.00pm on 24th, please attend the Children’s Liturgy on Sundays for rehearsals.
PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL Minutes of the PPC Meeting of 23rd September are now on the website and on each church noticeboard.
MISSIO COLLECTION BOXES Please could you hand in your Red Boxes, the APF or Mission collection boxes: to Peter Adamson at Aylsham; Sue Perrott at the Sacred Heart and Maureen Keane at St Helen’s.
SUPPORT CAMBODIA The Appeal remains open until 14th December. There is a tin for donations at all three churches or alternatively you can place your donation in an envelope marked ‘FAO Bob Maidment’. If you wish to Gift Aid your donation, please call 01263 577784 for details. Grateful thanks to all who have contributed so far.
The Catholic Grandparents Association is looking to appoint an Administration Coordinator in their office at Fakenham. Standard office hours or possible flexible hours for the right candidate. For details ring 01328 560333 or email Phil Butcher: phil@catholicgrandparentsassociation.org
RELIGIOUS POEM COMPETION – the winner’s chosen church will receive £250 and ten free books. Anyone can submit up to three poems; no age limit, no entry fee. Send poems, of no more that 25 lines (including blank lines) of 160 words each by February 28th 2015 to: Religious Poem Comp., United Press, Admail 3735, London EC1B 1JB. More information – Tel 0844 800 9177 or email info@unitedpress.co.uk.
The poem can be a prayer, words for a hymn, describing an uplifting moment, a religious experience, about a person or your church. It can be rhyming or free verse; historic, romantic, factual or personal as long as there’s a religious theme. You cannot use Religious Poem as your title.
St Helen’s are still in need of volunteers to take over the First Wednesday coffee club as the existing team will not be continuing after December.Please see Cyril, Lesley, Dave or Mary for more information.
CHRISTMAS CARDS supporting Christian Aid and Traidcraft cards plus 19 other charities are on sale at “The Original Norwich Charity Christmas Card Shop” (new venue) All Saints Church, Westlegate, Norwich until 19th December, Monday – Saturday 9.30am until 5.00pm.
ALSO – on sale in the Parish Christmas cards in aid of Support Cambodia will be available for sale in the Sacred Heart Church hall after Mass on the Sundays leading up to Christmas. Cards from Fairtrade are displayed on a table in the church porch at North Walsham.
We pray for all those whose anniversaries occur at this time including: Priscilla Mary Jarrad, Pearl Irene Byrne, Joseph (Joe) Rose, Jean Mary Gawthorpe, Mary Monica Fogarty, Effie Kathleen Krzyszton and Angela Gabrielle Holmes.
May they rest in peace.
