Dear Friends,
“The shortest life is the best if it leads us to the eternal life.”
This Sunday’s readings bring the usual warnings about preparation for the end of our own world, the end of our own time, and our passage to another world. They tell us that a searching, watching, and growing heart is essential for a lively, dynamic Faith in God. They ask us whether we are ready for these events and how we are preparing for them. We need to be wise enough to remain ever prepared. Let us be sure that our Lamps are ready for the end of our lives.
Father Peter
Remembrance Day Civic Service this afternoon at 3pm at St Nicholas Church, North Walsham at 3pm to which we are warmly invited.
The Confirmation programme. Anyone wishing to join the programme, please contact either Ginny Keane (Aylsham) or Fr Peter.
UKRAINE – anyone willing to host families for 6 months please visit https://sjog-homesforukraine.uk/ for information. See prayer cards.
A note for young men who may have considered a vocation to the priesthood. There will be a gathering of those who feel that God may be calling them to be a priest, even if this desire is in its very early stages. Come to St John’s Cathedral in Norwich for the 11.00am Mass on Sunday 19th November and afterwards in Cathedral House (attached to the Cathedral) to meet Bishop Peter Collins and others for lunch and an informal meeting about vocations. If you intend coming, please email our Vocations Director, Canon Patrick Cleary – vocations@rcdea.org.uk by Monday 13th November so that we know how many will be present for lunch.
St Helen’s annual service of Carols & Readings for Advent will be on Sunday 10th December at 3pm in the church followed by refreshments. We will be delighted to see you there and hope you can bring family and friends.
Saturday 18th November: 10am – 12 noon St John of the Cross Social Committee are hosting a Coffee Morning at Aylsham Catholic Church with bric-a-brac, books, Christmas crafts and more, plus delicious homemade cakes, tea and coffee. As this is part of the Support Cambodia Coffee Week (13th – 18th November), all the proceeds will go to the Bob Maidment Educational Support Fund. Everyone is welcome, both inside and outside the parish so please, spread the word and come along, even if it’s only for a short time. If you can’t make that date, there is another, smaller event at Ivy Cottage, Wickmere on Wednesday 15th November: details from Katie on 01263 577784.
We now have confirmation from our First Aid trainer about her availability to run our course. She can be very flexible regarding timing. So could all those who have put their names forward to be trained as First Aiders please confirm their preference as follows: Evening / Afternoon / Either. Pl notify Richard McGreevy on 07730 817580 or rmcgreevy977@gmail.com
Salvation Army Christmas Presents Appeal Each year the Salvation Army helps local families with Christmas presents for children. Last year almost 100 local families and over 150 children received gifts. This year the Sacred Heart Church is one of the designated collection points for donations. There is a box in the church porch and a poster giving details. New unwrapped gifts are needed for children from babies to 17 yr. olds (toys for the babies & younger children, Argos gift vouchers for the teenagers). Donations by 10th December if possible please. Thank you.
We pray for our sick parishioners: Matt Butler, Frances Palman, Mary Bell, Mary Carr, Paul Watson, Cyril Shenton, Patricia Newton, Celia Cooper, Michael Haughton, Marie Barton, Robert Buhagiar, Margaret Larkins, Daphne Necchi, Bert Pooler, Maria Halsey, Shirley Teague, Joan Macnamara and Richard Skelton.
We pray for those whose anniversaries occur at this time and this week: Roger Northway, Charles (Tod) Holdstock, Paul McGee, Teresa Chapman, Carmel White, Arthur Beardshaw, Colin Griffiths and Teresa McKillop. May they rest in peace.
