Dear Friends,
During Holy Week the Church speaks to us with great power and beauty of the redemptive work of Christ. In these days the whole parish comes together for the three days that make up the Triduum: – Thursday evening, Friday afternoon and Saturday evening. In the uncertain days in which we live we need to be reminded of the great themes of sacrifice, loving service and the new life and hope that Easter brings. I encourage you to come and celebrate these liturgies as one community.
Holy Week begins today with the blessing of palms and St Luke’s account of the Passion. His emphasis is on reconciliation and healing.
Father James
The Chrism Mass takes place at the Cathedral on Tuesday, 12th April at 12 noon. The coach from the parish will leave the bus stop near the church at North Walsham at 10.45 am.
With Holy Week and the Triduum just ahead the Services for the coming week, at the Sacred Heart church are: Holy Thursday at 7.30 pm;
Good Friday at 3pm and on Saturday the Easter Vigil & first Mass of Easter at 8.30pm – which is the high point of the whole week.
Young people in Year 8 upwards are invited to the Ignite Festival organised by the diocesan youth service. It will take place at Swafham over the weekend 30th April – 1st May with a pilgrimage walk on 2nd May to Walsingham.
Every Sunday from 10.30am Faithful Flames Children’s Group meets in the parish hall at the Sacred Heart – for all children up to the age of 16. Would be great to see you! Kerry – 0750 4048352.
On Holy Thursday at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7pm there will be the Mandatum (Washing of feet). May we please have names, (if possible 4 from each community), of those who will have their feet washed. Please make sure Father James has your name today.
On Good Friday there will be a collection for the Holy Land Shrines.
On Good Friday Processions of Witness will be taking place in Aylsham arranged by Churches Together. Please meet at Bure Valley Railway opp.Tesco at 9.20am. They finish at the Parish Church. All are welcome. At North Walsham there will also be a Walk of Witness starting at 9am from Market Cross and at Hoveton the walk starts at 11am from St John’s Church.
Also on Good Friday:
At St John of the Cross there are Stations of the Cross at 10.30am.
At St Helen’s there are Stations of the Cross on Good Friday evening at 7pm.
Thank you for giving to CAFOD’s Lent Appeal. Your generous gifts will ensure that CAFOD’s local experts can support families with training in growing food items, helping to make their children strong and healthy. You can still donate on the CAFOD website – cafod.org.uk/lent or join CAFOD’s Walk Against Hunger to raise vital funds to tackle extreme hunger and its causes.
We pray for our sick parishioners: Matt Butler, Frances Palman, Mary Bell, Monica Hawley, Mary Carr, Paul Watson, Cyril Shenton and Patricia Newton.
We pray for Catherine Baker who died recently and for those whose anniversaries occur this week: Franciszek (Frank) Dominikowski, Monica Furlong, Eileen Codd, Bernard Shearing, Catherine Whitwell, Betty Paul, Joseph Clark and Peter Lloyd.
May they rest in peace. .
