Dear Friends,
The feast of Corpus Christi – the Body and Blood of Christ – shows us how central the Mass is in our Catholic tradition. The Mass makes present the total self-giving of Christ who nourishes his people when they gather. In the Gospel reading the multiplication of the loaves and fishes already has a eucharistic character when Jesus took, blest, broke and gave in abundance. In the Mass we receive the risen body of Jesus under the signs of bread and wine. It is very appropriate that today we celebrate the First Holy Communion of five of our children at the Sacred Heart Church.
Last Tuesday I informed the parish pastoral council of my decision to retire from parish ministry in September. I hope to stay in Norfolk when I leave the parish. The Bishop has already appointed my successor. He is Father Peter Raj, currently parish priest of St Mary’s in Ipswich. I met with him on Thursday and I am very happy at the bishop’s choice of your new parish priest. He will take over the parish in mid-September.
We will celebrate our patronal feast next Friday at the Sacred Heart Church. Mass on Thursday will be at Aylsham.
God bless
Father James
Today there is a 2nd collection for the work of Life Charities: next Sunday there will be a 2nd collection for Peter’ Pence.
Advanced notice – Parish Hall. Work on the hall continues. The Parish hall will be closed for a week from Tuesday 5th July. It will be open as normal on Monday 4th July and from Sunday 10th July it will be open every day.
Every Sunday from 10.30am Faithful Flames Children’s Group meets in the parish hall at the Sacred Heart: this is for all children up to the age of 16. It would be great to see you! Kerry – 0750 4048352
Homes for Ukrainians. Is there anyone in Aylsham prepared to offer a temporary home to a Ukrainian mother in her 40s and her 17 year old son? They already have a refugee friend placed in the town. If so, please contact Naomi (naomiperowne@icloud.com) for further information.
Catholic Listening and Prayer Ministry. The diocese has just set up a new way of helping parishioners who need to talk over issues in their lives. If you have problems including anxiety, stress, faith, depression, family, then help is at hand. Business cards are now available in our churches with an initial contact number.
St Helen’s 4th Wednesday Club for senior citizens next takes place on 22nd June. Tea/coffee/biscuits served from 11.00am, a simple hot lunch at around 12.30pm followed by social activities. We finish at 2.00pm, new members welcome; please leave a message 01692 582418 by Tuesday 21st if coming for the first time.
Katie Maidment’s garden at Ivy Cottage, Wickmere, NR11 7ND is open daily 10am – 5pm for anyone who would like to walk round or just enjoy a beautiful place. There are plenty of seats so bring your picnic if you wish. Well behaved dogs welcome but only on a lead! Plants for sale. Free entry but donation to Support Cambodia appreciated. Contact 01263 577784 // 07759982011.
Come on Pilgrimage! The Diocesan Youth Service have two fantastic opportunities for young people to go on pilgrimage this summer: these are Holywell ’The Lourdes of Wales’ (age 16 – 30) and ’England’s Way’, a walking & camping pilgrimage from Bury St Edmunds to Walsingham (18-35yrs). For more information see http://www.rcdea.org.uk/youth
We pray for our sick parishioners: Matt Butler, Frances Palman, Mary Bell, Monica Hawley, Mary Carr, Paul Watson, Cyril Shenton, Patricia Newton, Pat Durrant, Michael Hawley and Celia Cooper.
We pray for Brendan Smyth who died recently and for those whose anniversaries occur this week: Vera Phipps, Margaret Price, Elizabeth (Betty) Broom, Anne Sibley, Kathleen Elsdon, Mary Guerny, Leonard Winfield, Nellie Howell and Mary Gowing.
May they rest in peace.
