Dear Parishioners,
“All human wisdom is summed up in two words – wait and hope.”
Today’s readings speak about waiting patiently. Waiting is hard enough; doing it patiently, harder still. Waiting presupposes an expectation, as we must be waiting for something. Patience requires us to accept that we are not in control, but instead we must rely on others to bring about the expected event. Patience does not necessarily entail resignation, as we may have had a role in preparation. But at some point, we cannot do anything more. We must wait in hope.
Fr Peter
Today is Gaudete Sunday (3rd Sunday of Advent). There is a Second Collection for the Dependent Priests’ Fund; for those who “gift aid” there are envelopes especially for that fund at the back of the church.
MASSES FOR CHRISTMAS
Christmas Eve: Family Mass -The Sacred Heart Church at 6.00pm.
Midnight Mass – St John of the Cross, Aylsham at 9.00pm
Christmas Day: St Helen, Hoveton at 9.00am
The Sacred Heart at 11.00am
The Collection taken at these Christmas Masses is the traditional Christmas gift to your priest. Any regular Sunday collection envelopes for Parish Funds should be held until the following weekend.
St Helen’s Advent Carol Service will be held on Tuesday 13th December at 7.00pm.
The Parish Reconciliation Service takes place at North Walsham on Saturday 17th December at 11.30am –12.30pm. There will be a number of visiting priests available for confessions. It is an excellent way of preparing for Christmas.
The Sacred Heart is having a traditional Carol Service of Christmas readings and carols on Sunday 18th December at 3.00pm.
CAFOD have written to thank the parish for our generous donation of £1,134.15 in response to the World Food Appeal (Family Fast Day) on 7th October. World Gifts brochures are available in church porches. Free delivery for orders online sent by 15th December.
First Holy Communion. We will be starting our New First Holy Communion classes during this month of December. Parents and children from the age of 7yrs, wishing to register, please complete registration forms at the back of the church and give to Fr Peter.
RCIA (the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) meetings for those adults seeking to become members of the Catholic Church or wishing to know more about the faith, will be starting this month.
From our twinned parish, St Francis Xavier, Cambodia: Fr Greg Priyadi has sent a request for prayers: 1) For the victims of the earthquake in Indonesia. 2) For the 9 students preparing for final exams. 3) For 4 students who will be baptised at Christmas.
Please remember to send a Christmas card to our twinned parish. Last posting date was 7th December, but later will still get there before Epiphany! Address: Catholic Church, Road 4, #53 Krom 12, Phum Sophy, Khum Kompong Svay, Srei Sisophon, Banteay Meanchey Province, CAMBODIA.
There will be no meeting of the 4th Wednesday Club at St Helen’s in December; our next meeting will be on 25th January 2023.
Church Flower arrangers would be very grateful for your contributions towards flowers and decorations for our churches over Christmas. Thank you.
We pray for our sick parishioners: Matt Butler, Frances Palman, Mary Bell, Monica Hawley, Mary Carr, Paul Watson, Cyril Shenton, Patricia Newton, Pat Durrant, Celia Cooper, Barbara Laws, Michael Haughton, Marie Barton and Helga Wright.
We pray for those whose anniversaries occur this week: Jean Gawthorpe, Mary Fogarty, Mildred Parker, Ivan Fisher, Peter Higgs, Mary (Lily) Smith and Teresa (Tess) Semple.
May they rest in peace.
