Dear Friends,
Today we celebrate the feast of All Saints, the holy men and women of every age who have been graced with the gift of holiness. ‘Do you know who these people are?’ the 1st reading asks. From the martyrs of the early Church to those in our own time they are the ones who have lived and reflected the love of God in their lives. They are not super-beings, they are people like ourselves. Their faults of character were not always overcome, their passions remained although harnessed in the service of their holiness. There are saints in our communities as well as those who are in the process of becoming saintly. God’s work of grace is often surprising and always amazing!
Sacramental Preparation. We have now reached the stage when we can begin classes for children to prepare them for their First Holy Communion and young people for Confirmation. Enrolment forms are now available in church porches; to be returned a.s.a.p. please.
Next Sunday the Journey in Faith group meets in the presbytery at 6pm.
Father James
At the Sacred Heart, North Walsham, all Masses both on Sundays and on weekdays (Tuesdays and Thursdays) are accessible from your computer or tablet. Simply go to the parish website and click on ‘Live Streaming’.
Next weekend there will be a retiring collection for the St Edmund’s Fund/Caritas East Anglia.
Last minute Invitation to all Parents, Grandparents & anyone who looks after children. Places available on the fantastic ‘Parenting for Faith’ online course starting Tuesday 2nd November. The course will help you show children the reality of a life with God and to empower them to have their own vibrant two-way relationship with Him. Run by Celebrate with the support of the Diocesan Youth Service. Registration closes THIS Sunday evening 31st October. See www.celebratetrust.org/parentingforfaith for more information.
A PRAYER for the COP26 Climate talks:
Loving God, we praise your name with all you have created. You are present in the whole universe, and in the smallest of creatures. We acknowledge the responsibilities you have placed upon us as stewards of your creation. May the Holy Spirit inspire all political leaders at COPO26 as they seek to embrace the changes needed to foster a more sustainable society. Instil in them the courage and gentleness to implement fairer solutions for the poorest and most vulnerable, and commit their nation to the care of our Common Home. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ your Son. Amen
Please pray that the leaders meeting in Glasgow (Pope Francis plans to attend in person) work together for positive outcomes for people and the planet. Prayer cards at the back of our churches.
Advent Collections for the North Norfolk and Norwich Food Banks. Having been unable to make our Advent Collections for the Food Banks for the last couple of years owing to the Covid pandemic, both the North Norfolk and the Norwich Food Bank would be very grateful if we could donate some Advent boxes this year. There are lists of the items that the Food Banks particularly need at the back of each of our churches. Please fill your boxes and ensure that they are brought in to either North Walsham or Aylsham for the North Norfolk Food Bank or to Hoveton for the Norwich Food Bank by the beginning of December so that the donated items can be distributed in time for Christmas.
Holy Hour & Eucharistic Adoration at St Helen’s Hoveton on Thurs. 4th November at 3pm. Starting with the Three O’clock Prayer & The Chaplet of Divine Mercy (Jesus said to St Faustina, “You will recite this Chaplet on the beads of the Rosary”. A time for quiet reflection, meditation and contemplation. We shall pray the Luminous Mysteries of the Holy Rosary after 3.30 pm.
St Helen’s Coffee Morning continues on the first Wednesday of the month from 10.20-11.30am, the next being on 3rd November. For £1.50 we can enjoy a chat over tea/coffee, refreshments including home-made cakes/scones. Proceeds go to local charities.
Election of PPC representatives. Thank you for your nominations so far for new representatives; we still need more.
We pray for our sick parishioners: Matt Butler, Derek and Frances Palman, Mary Bell, Monica Hawley, Mary Carr and John Bradley.
We pray for Michael Doyle who died last week and for those whose anniversaries occurred recently and this week: Henry Honey, Joan Weston, Anthony (Tony) Crouch, Sheila Hall, Roger Northway, Charles Thacker, Barbara Stringer, Lena Williams, Gordon Summerhill, Anthony (Tony) Starmer, Cecil (Harry) Carr, Reginald Wood, Czeslaw Pelik, Helena Oakley, Mary Flynn, Bernard Robb, Olive Fuller and Hester Armstrong.
May they rest in peace.
