Jesus uses two images in today’s Gospel to help us see how to live as his disciples. Christians are to be the salt of the earth and light to enlighten all peoples.
Salt preserves food and adds flavour. Before refrigeration salt was essential in helping to preserve food, and Christians are to act as salt in this world; preserving all that is good, working against all that is destructive and evil.
Light enables us to see and it guides us. The lamp on the lampstand spreads its light to the whole house and Christians are to spread the light of Christ to all people.
In Jesus Christ we see the generosity of his heavenly Father made visible to us here on earth. Jesus is the example all Christians follow; he is our salt and the source of all light. He is the light that has come into this world to enlighten all people.
Fr. James
Farewell to Father Peter
As you already know, Father Peter will be leaving us and moving to his new parish in Huntingdon next month. It is customary to make a farewell gift from the parish to show our appreciation for his pastoral care while he has been with us. Your ‘Farewell’ gift for Father Peter: TODAY, SUNDAY 8th Feb. is the last day for handing in envelopes. You can still hand in envelopes, clearly marked ’Father’s Farewell Gift’.
Parking on the evening of the ‘Farewell’ Party (13.02.26) will be restricted; there will be many more cars than parking spaces in our church carpark. So we would ask as many as possible to please park elsewhere, (there is a nearby carpark off Grammar School Road [opposite the church] – free after 6pm, plus possible parking in Paston Surgery’s parking area) This is so that those with walking difficulties plus those carrying items to the hall, can park near the church.
Our ‘Farewell’ Parish gathering for Father Peter will be on the Friday, 13th February, in both the hall and the church, from 7pm until 10pm, enabling our three communities to come together, to thank Fr Peter for his ministry to us and, sadly, to say goodbye and wish him God’s many blessings for the future. He will celebrate the three weekend Masses at Hoveton, Aylsham & North Walsham.
“Walk with Me” booklet of readings for Lent, available in church porches £1.50 with ‘introduction’ from our own bishop, Bishop Peter Collins.
This Sunday, 8th February, we pray for the VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING & SLAVERY and for their rescue. We celebrate the Feast of St Josephine Bakhita, a Sudanese woman who was canonised by Pope St John Paul ll in 2000. She was sold into slavery, rescued and then became a nun in Italy. The number of enslaved souls currently estimated to be living all around East Anglia is 5,000. Pope Francis wanted us to “find” enslaved people. All that means is learning (simply) to spot the signs & safely report any concerns to the Modern Slavery Helpline 08000 121 700. The group of Diocesan Freedom Watchers is looking for your help in a number of ways. Contact john-simon@hotmail.com. Search RCDEA slavery to learn more & how you can help. All you need is a desire to end slavery.
Coffee Morning at St Helen’s. There will be no Coffee Morning in February. The next one will be on Wednesday 4th March.
We welcome into the family of the Church Taisia Ward, daughter of Henry Ward and Oleksandra Sokolova who was baptised at the Sacred Heart Church on 7th February.
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, Tony & Amy Heywood & Peter, Cathie Dickson, Carolyn Rayner & her mother Mary Rayner, Alan Ganney.
We pray for those whose anniversaries occur this week: Agnes Clark, June Trafford, Audrey Greensword, Louise Woodroff, Roy Wassell and Marion Yapp.
May they rest in peace.
