Dear all,
As we approach our third week of Lent, it is a good time to take stock of how we are doing so far on our Lenten promises. The readings through the week help us to look at ourselves and do ‘mini-examens of our conscience’ – how is my prayer life?, am I a good witness to my colleagues and neighbours? Do I help those less fortunate than I am? (do I even acknowledge them?). Even if you are unable to attend Mass on a daily basis, it is good practice to read the readings of the day and to get a more wholesome view of the Church and our life within the Church. We can always take a new look at Lent in week three, do a reset and progress onwards with greater zeal and charity.
Our readings at this week’s Sunday Mass all talk about water and people thirsting for water – either in the desert or, as in Jesus’ case, after a long dusty journey. The well became a place of engagement for Jesus and the woman from Samaria – like her, we should be open to Christ’s teachings and allow them to become transformational for us on a daily basis. We can only do this by spending time with the Lord and listening to him. Like the woman from Samaria, the Lord knows intimately what is going on in our hearts and in our lives and is waiting for us to lead us and accept his brotherly embrace.
Father Alan.
Faithful Flames – a reminder to parents that there is a children’s liturgy group, held in the hall on Sundays. It runs between 10.30 and 11.30am when the group joins the congregation in church for the Eucharistic. For more information please speak to Kerry Barrett at Faithful.flames2025@gmail.com
Technical assistance needed: as you may know we have had recently some issues with live streaming of the Mass and we would appreciate a small amount of technical help. We would like to measure and check the bandwidth of the broadband in the church and the hall. If there is anyone with a decent laptop with a wired network connection, please could they get in touch with John Bolger. Email: j.bolger88@icloud.com This should only take an hour or two, and over the phone guidance can be provided by the one who installed the camera. Thank you.
Norfolk Foodbank has expressed its gratitude to St Helen’s for their 482 kilos of food which is enough to provide 161 days of food.
North Norfolk Foodbank has also thanked the Sacred Heart (NW) for the donation of 11.8 kg, sent to them in December: they are extremely grateful.
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, Alan Ganney.
We pray for those whose anniversaries occur this week: Agatha Semak, Margaret Maud Battigan, Muriel Nellie Portallion, John Edward Barry, Sara Louise Wills, John Richard Price, William Lee, Cynthia Shearing, Mary Halliday and, last week, Margaret Francis..
May they rest in peace
