Dear Parishioners,
All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.
The Fourth Sunday of Lent is known as “Laetare (Rejoice) Sunday”, expressing the Church’s joy in anticipation of the Resurrection of our Lord. Today’s readings remind us that it is God who both gives us proper vision in body as well as in soul and instructs us that we should be constantly on our guard against spiritual blindness.
For our reflection:
1. Do I really see, and am aware of, my true self?
2. What prevents me here and now from having a deeper faith in Jesus?
Fr Peter
Stations of the Cross are taking place in each of our churches during Lent. Aylsham on Fridays, (for this week only) is at 9.00am prior to the 9.30am Mass; Hoveton – Wednesdays at 10.15am following the 9.30am Mass. North Walsham – on Saturdays at 12.30pm following the 12.00-12.30pm Exposition and Confessions.
Deanery Lenten Station Mass on 21st March at St John’s Cathedral is at 6pm for Exposition/Confession; 7pm Mass; 8pm Light buffet/soup.
Fr Peter would be grateful if parishioners who have Foundation Masses, arranged annually in our parish, could please contact the parish office (email or by phone) or inform him directly of the details.
On Easter Sunday, 9th April, at the Sacred Heart Church, the Mass will be a Family Mass. It will be at the normal time of 11am and there will be an Easter Egg hunt afterwards. Please note, there will be no Faithful Flames on that morning.
St Helen’s 4th Wednesday Club will next meet on 22nd March. Coffee is served from 11.30am: there is a simple hot lunch at 12.30pm, followed by the opportunity to chat and catch up with each other. We finish at 2.00pm.
On Friday 24th March Michael Hawley’s ashes will be interred at St John of the Cross after the 9.30am Mass. All are welcome. Reminder – for that day only, Stations of the Cross will take place BEFORE Mass, ie. 9am.
Vacancy for Chief Executive Officer for St John the Baptist Catholic Multi Academy Trust. For details please go to https://www.rcdea.org.uk/schools/school-vacancies
Inviting young adults to “Transform for Holy Week”: 31st March – 2nd April. A special weekend for young people aged 16+ to go deeper in their faith and help prepare for Holy Week & Easter.
The weekend will be a time to retreat from the busyness of life and include talks, music and prayer. Come for a day or the whole weekend. Held at Clare Priory in Suffolk. For more information, please see www.transform4.co.uk
On Saturday 22nd April at 7.30pm a concert will be held at St John of the Cross given by “Singers Unlimited” in memory of the late Michael Hawley. Tickets on sale now £10 cash (£12 on the door) from Katie Maidment – 01263 577784 or katbob@live.co.uk All proceeds will go to the Alzheimer’s Society. Please see poster in church for details.
We pray for our sick parishioners: Matt Butler, Frances Palman, Mary Bell, Mary Carr, Paul Watson, Cyril Shenton, Patricia Newton, Pat Durrant, Celia Cooper, Michael Haughton, Marie Barton, Gerry Francis, Robert Buhagiar and Alf and Margaret Larkins.
We pray for those whose anniversaries occur this week: Leo Davis, Kathleen (Kay) Pearce, Henry (Dukie) Leeland, Peter Carapata, Denis Condon, James (Jim) McCartan, Ivy Cafferky, Lawrence Carroll and Herbert Coates. May they rest in peace.
