Dear Friends,
On this last Sunday of Advent we hear the story of the Visitation and the wonder of Elizabeth: ‘Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord?’ As we prepare to celebrate the Feast of the Incarnation we ask a similar question: ‘Why should we be honoured with a visit from the Lord himself?’
Father James
Quote: Faith is salted and peppered through everything at Christmas. And I love at least one night by the Christmas tree to sing and feel the quiet holiness of that time that’s set apart to celebrate love, friendship, and God’s gift of the Christ child. (Amy Grant)
The two most joyous times of the year are Christmas morning and the end of school. (Alice Cooper)
The Christmas Timetable.
Sunday, 20th December at 3pm the Carol Service at North Walsham
Christmas Eve: 6 pm Children’s Mass at the Sacred Heart Church
9 pm ‘Midnight’ Mass at St John of the Cross, Alysham
Christmas Day: 9 am Mass at St Helen’s, Hoveton
11 am Mass at the Sacred Heart Church
The Parish Carol Service will be held in the Sacred Heart Church this afternoon at 3.00pm. Incorporated into the service will be a Nativity tableau by the children of the Children’s Liturgy. Their Christmas party follows at 4.00pm in the parish hall. Numbers are limited to those children whose names were on the list. After the service light refreshments will be served in the church.
The Christmas Crib Collection will be for Aid to the Church in Need
Collections taken at our Christmas Masses are the traditional Christmas gift to your priest. Any regular Sunday collection envelopes which are for Parish Funds should be held until the weekend following Christmas Day. Visitors may like to use the “one off” gift aid envelopes for your collection, available at the back of the church. Many thanks.
The Senior Citizens (NW) resume their meetings on January 4th. The Crib is made by Sheila Hall (on display in the porch of the Sacred Heart): donations will go to The Stroke Association.
Letters of thanks, from the organizers of the Cromer Foodbank, together with a list of products currently needed and importantly giving the items with which they are overstocked are displayed on the notice board in the church.
On New Year’s Day Mass will be at N.Walsham at 12 noon followed by a ‘bring and share’ lunch. All the parish is invited!
New Year Epiphany Candlelight Mass – January 3rd at 5pm. For all young people and their families across the diocese; followed by hot dogs, a bonfire and fireworks. Please bring wrapped presents and indicate whether suitable for a boy or girl or either, and approximate age. It will be held at The White House, 21 Upgate, Poringland, Norwich. Organised by the Diocesan Youth Service.
A vacancy for Headteacher:
St Mary’s Roman Catholic Primary School, Lowestoft, Suffolk.
For an application pack, please contact Headteacher Recruitment at headships@suffolk.gov.uk or phone 01473 263943. Closing date: 4th January 2016. Interview dates: 25/26 January 2016.
For further details please see Diocesan Website www.rcdea.oreg.uk
Christmas Flowers. Today at North Walsham you can make a donation to help with funds for the floral arrangements in the church over Christmas.
Diocesan Year Book & Liturgical Calendar now available in our churches – £4.00
We pray for those whose anniversaries occur during this week including: Bridget Bennett, Bertha (Teddy) Palmer, Alice Taylor, Richard Barrett, Doreen Clark, Juliette (Nan) Davies, Nora Slater, Francesco Carlucci, Agnes Webster, John Hall and Patricia Coles, Thomas Proud and June Cole.
May they rest in peace.
