Rejoice in the Lord! This fourth Sunday of Lent is always about rejoicing. We rejoice because we have made it halfway through Lent! We rejoice because the Lord continues to call us his people and to draw us to Himself. We rejoice because we know that Jesus came in the flesh for us, died for us and is raised from the dead for us. The Church invites us to hope and rejoice as we reflect on God’s self-sacrificing love for us. John’\s beautiful description of eternal life reminds us that we need to choose the light and reject the darkness. We can make the choice to know and to love the light because we have seen the light, Jesus Christ.
The central theme of today’s readings is that our salvation is the free gift of a merciful God, given to us sinners through Jesus, His Son. The readings stress God’s mercy and compassion and remind us of the great love, kindness, and grace extended to us in Christ.
Father Peter
Lenten Alms – Aid to the Church in Need. At the Sacred Heart there is a box in the porch for donations; at both St Helen and St John collection baskets are already available.
Churches Together North Walsham Lent Lunches – please see poster in porch for dates, venues and speakers.
Part-time Catholic Chaplaincy vacancy at HMP Bure. To apply please contact Fr Peter.
Chrism Mass. Those wishing to travel on the coach on Tuesday 26th March must please sign the lists and the details be returned to the parish office by end of this weekend. The pick up times can then be arranged and announced. Regrettably, the coach will not pass through Hoveton so parishioners from there will need to join those going from either Aylsham or North Walsham.
A Deanery Lenten Station Mass will be celebrated at the Cathedral on Tuesday 12th March with Adoration & Confessions from 6pm followed by Mass at 7pm. Priests available for Confession – an excellent opportunity for a Lent Confession, especially if you prefer to have it heard anonymously!
Walking the Camino led by Bishop Peter. For our young adults (age 18 – 30yrs) an opportunity to make a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain, from 21st to 29th July 2024. For information go to www.rcdea.org.uk/youth
The SVP wish to recruit a Membership Support Officer for the diocese to support member recruitment/development, providing general support and be the link between groups and the National Office. The job is part-time, home-based, 15 hours per week: suitable for someone comfortable addressing audiences plus working with individuals. Will need to travel around the diocese, (expenses paid) attend meetings. Information and how to apply contact Lance Philpott at lancep@svp.org.uk Application closing date 24th March 2024.
We pray for our sick parishioners: Matt Butler, Frances Palman, Mary Bell, Paul Watson, Cyril Shenton, Patricia Newton, Celia Cooper, Marie Barton, Robert Buhagiar, Margaret Larkins, Daphne Necchi, Bert Pooler, Maria Halsey, Joan Macnamara, Richard Skelton, Teresa Fitzmaurice, Joan Gale and Debbie Caruana.
We pray for those whose anniversaries occur this week: Agatha Semak, Margaret Battigan, John Barry, John Price, William Lee, Cynthia Shearing, Mary Halliday, Michael Sherry, Reginald Broad, Robert Watson, David Randall and George Threadwell.
May they rest in peace.
