Catholic Parish of the Sacred Heart

Sacred Heart North Walsham, St John of the Cross Aylsham, St Helen Hoveton

Sacred Heart North Walsham, St John of the Cross Aylsham, St Helen Hoveton

NEWSLETTER 15.11.26

by


FROM THE PARISH  PRIEST  
Attending a Good Mass:  Virtually not a single Mass goes by in the parish where there is not a late-comer who tries to slip into the Mass quietly and discreetly – that seldom works as it disturbs people no matter how quiet you are.  Often, it is the same person/s over and over again who seem to have adopted this practice and are habitually late.  Good Catholic practice encourages us to be seated early enough for the Mass to prepare ourselves spiritually, mentally and physically for the Mass.   It should be the highlight of our day – so tardiness is really not acceptable.  Of course, we all have off-days or unexpected road closures and delays.  However, we should be familiar with the route to church and make allowances for such events. I fear that, as winter approaches, people will be wearing layers of clothes and protective wear, and the non-existent ‘silent entrance’ will be even less obtainable.   As a rule of thumb, if you are SO late that you miss the Gospel, then you should not receive Communion.   The other increasing habit is the noise of mobile phones either ringing or receiving messages – seldom a week goes by where, at one of the Masses, somebody’s phone interrupts the Mass.  This really does interfere with everybody’s concentration and throws me off my stride as well.  Often, the same person’s phone goes off more than once and, even worse, is when the person runs out of the church (with a great deal of noise) to actually answer the ‘phone!     Surely, nothing can possibly be more important than the Mass?   Although the above sounds like a whinge from my part (it is) I ask you to turn the tables for a moment – imagine if I was consistently late, if my phone buzzed and beeped throughout the Mass or I simply left the building mid-sentence to answer a call. I am sure it would not take 9 months before this was raised by annoyed parishioners – and rightly so.   
Filipino Mass next week: This will be at 3pm on Sunday 22nd at Hoveton. Everyone is very welcome to attend.  
Coming up soon!!!  Save all your Christmas shopping for our Parish Christmas Fayre Saturday 28th  November from 9am-2pm:  There will be lots of stalls selling cards and festive items as well as raffles, tombola and lucky dips. We will be grateful for donations of wines and soft drinks, toiletries, chocolate/sweets, jewellery, plants, toys and raffle prizes generally. There is  a box at the back of the church for you to put these things in.  
PPC Meeting 7pm on 3rd December. This is when matters that affect all of us can be discussed. Your Parish representatives work on your behalf, and if  you have anything that you wish to mention, please see them.  
Diary date: Ecumenical Service of Lessons & Carols for Late-Advent at 7pm on Tuesday 15th December at St John of the Cross , Aylsham, followed by refreshments. This short, reflective service was very well attended last year so please put the date in your diary and bring friends and family.     		 Cuppa, Cake & Chat: This will be on 19th November, 2.00 – 4.00 pm in the parish hall.  This was very well attended last month, and we look forward to seeing even more next time! 
Advance notice: December get together will be an earlier fish & chips version on 17th December at 1.00 pm.   
Faithful Flames Christmas Party:  This will be held on Saturday 19th December, 2pm-5pm in the Parish Hall.  This is such a lovely event for the children and Father Christmas will be paying a  visit too!   Please see the letter at the back of the church for the QR Code to connect you to the form to sign by 22nd November.  Please do sign up as insufficient numbers will mean it cannot go ahead.   
SVP Meeting: This will be on Tuesday 17th November at 7.00 pm in the Sacred Heart Hall meeting room.  If you would be interested in joining the SVP, please come along to the meeting. Email on front of newsletter.  
Important note: The office email has been changed: Please see front of newsletter.    
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 and her mother Mary Rayner, Alan Ganney, Roma Brooder.  We pray for those whose anniversaries occur this week: Carmel White, Arthur Beardshaw, Colin Griffiths, Teresa McKillop, Barbara Cornish, Frederick Walker, Roy Townsend, Angela Wood.   May they rest in peace