Dear Parishioners,
“One of the most distressing signs of contemporary times is the denial of guilt”.
Today’s readings teach us that we are always tempted by the devil, by the world, and by our own selfish interests. So, we need to cooperate actively with God’s grace to conquer our temptations and practise prayer, self-control, and charity.
Lent is primarily the time of intense spiritual preparation for conquering our temptations, using the means Jesus used during his forty days of preparation in the desert for his public life.
It is also the time for repenting of our sins and renewing our lives for the celebration of Easter with our Risen Lord who conquered sin and death by his suffering, death and Resurrection.
Fr Peter
This Friday is Lent Fast Day.
Next weekend a Second Collection will be taken for the work of CAFOD.
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.
Rite of Election in the Cathedral is today, Sunday, at 3.30pm Please pray for our Catechumens.
Stations of the Cross will take place in each of our churches during Lent.
At Aylsham having started on Friday 24th February, Stations of the Cross will follow the Friday 9.30am Mass. Volunteers to lead, please sign on the list in the church. Tea/coffee after Stations.
At Hoveton – on Wednesdays at 10.15am following the 9.30am Mass.
At North Walsham – on Saturdays at 12.30pm following the 12.00-12.30pm Exposition and Confessions.
A meeting of the PPC (Parish Pastoral Council) will be held on Tuesday 28th February at St John of the Cross, to start at 7.30pm. Any points that parishioners would like raised please speak to one of your representatives – names on notice boards in each church.
A House Mass will be held at the home of Janet & Terry McIlwee at 11 Hartwell Road, Wroxham, NR12 8TL, Thurs. 2nd March at 3pm.
CAFOD Family Fast Day – Lent Appeal (Friday 3rd March). This Lent, your donations to CAFOD’s Family Fast Day Appeal will help families fighting the climate crisis and ensure that our Church network can quickly respond to emergencies, like the recent earthquake in Syria and Turkey. Give next Sunday (5th) using the envelope or at Cafod.org.uk/give and please join us in praying for CAFOD’s development and emergency response all over the world.
Retreat for Young Women (19-30yrs). Led by Secular Franciscans at the Julian Visitor Centre 21st – 23rd April 2023. Pl see poster in church porches. Further details paulapofs@gmail.com
‘Walk with Me’ – a Lenten Journey of Prayer. Available from the back of the church at just £1.
World Day of Prayer is on Friday 3rd March. This year it has been planned by the women of Taiwan. At Aylsham the service is at 2pm, on the Friday, hosted by the Methodists, White Hart Street, Aylsham. At Hoveton it will be hosted at St Helen’s at 10.30am, on that Friday. At North Walsham at 2.00pm., also on the Friday, a service will be held in the Methodist Church followed by a time of refreshment and fellowship.
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: Mary (Mae) Townsend, Josephine (Jo) Ringer, Suzanne James, Colin Johnson, Agnes Daniels, Victoria Wright, Henry (Harry) Trainor, John Broom, Ann Carty and Anne (Nancy) Powles.
May they rest in peace.
