The Parish Directory is a useful reference booklet that is provided to every household in our parish. It covers all three communities that together make up our parish: St. John of the Cross at Aylsham, the Church of St. Helen at Hoveton and Sacred Heart at North Walsham. Like many others in our Diocese of East Anglia ours is rural parish that includes a large area of northeast Norfolk with over 40 villages. In this context it is important to have information about the wide range of activities that take place in our communities and who to approach if you wish for more information or to become actively involved. To contact any individual mentioned below, in the first instance please email the parish office. Many people give generously of their time and gifts; without them our parish would struggle to function and debt to them is great.
The information within is correct as from October 2022 and is arranged in alphabetical order.
If you have any further queries you can contact me by phone:
01692 403258 or by email: parishpriestfrpeter@gmail.com
Father Peter Raj
Parish Priest
ALTAR SERVERS
Anyone who has made their first Holy Communion will be invited to join the altar servers’ group. Training sessions are organised as the need arises.
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
An annual meeting to which all are invited is held to discuss all matters pertaining to Parish activities including finances. The meeting normally incorporates a meal. A review of the Parish over the previous 12 months takes place and other items for discussion should be signalled in advance.
ANOINTING
There is an annual Mass in the Parish for the sick. Other arrangements may be made by contacting Fr. Peter.
BENEDICTINE OBLATES
The Norfolk Oblates of Douai Abbey meet at the Julian Chapter at 11 a.m. every second Thursday at the Church of Our Lady and St. Walstan, Costessey. Contact – Tony Howes.
CAFOD
The Catholic Fund for Overseas Development is the official Catholic aid agency. It responds to emergencies worldwide and also sponsors self help development activities in a number of countries.
The St John of the Cross representatives are Maria & James Endall. Our Community Participation Coordinator is Jane Crone.
CAMBODIA PARISH TWINNING
Through the Diocesan link with the Diocese of Battambang in North West Cambodia, our Parish is twinned with the Parish of St. Francis Xavier, Svay Sisophon. Based on friendship and prayer, the link with our twinned community is maintained through emails, pictures and regular ‘Cambodia-style’ Masses, in the spring for Cambodian New Year in one of the other twinned Parishes and in the autumn for the Feast of Ancestors in our own Parish. Updates and news are posted on the Cambodia notice boards and on the Parish website under ‘Our Parish Twinning’.
CATENIANS ASSOCIATION
Meets every second Thursday monthly for fellowship, family support and charitable works. Details from Francis Harmer.
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS IN THE DIOCESE
The following schools provide education in the Norwich Area:
St. Francis of Assisi. For pupils aged 4 -11 years,
Jessopp Rd., Norwich, NR2 3QB.
Norwich (01603) 441484
www.stfrancisofassisi.co.uk
St Augustine’s Primary School. For infant and junior pupils aged 3-11.
West End, Costessey, NR8 5AG.
Norwich (01603) 743317
www.st-augustines.norfolk.sch.uk
Notre Dame Preparatory School – (Independent School). For pupils aged 4-11.
Dereham Rd. Norwich, NR2 3TA
Norwich (01603) 625593
www.notredameprepschool.co.uk
Notre Dame High School A secondary comprehensive school for pupils aged 11-18.
Surrey St. Norwich, NR1 3PB
Norwich (01603) 611431
www.ndhs.org.uk
CHILDREN’S LITURGY
Faithful Flames Children’s Group meets every Sunday in the Sacred Heart Parish Hall, from 10.30am unless otherwise indicated. Parents are welcome to be involved and to join the rota to help. Youngsters from school age up to 16 years of age are welcome to join the celebrations. Contact Kerry for more details.
CHOIRS
There are active choirs at both Aylsham and North Walsham. They will welcome all who would like to contribute to this area of the weekly liturgy, just bring along your enthusiasm and commitment. All voices welcome.
St. John of the Cross – Tuesdays 7-8 pm, contact Katie Maidment.
Sacred Heart – Wednesdays 6.15 p.m., contact Anne Griffiths.
St. Helen has no separate choir but the whole congregation takes part with gusto, contact Nick Walmsley
CHURCH CLEANING
Teams work in rotas to keep the churches in the Parish clean and beautiful. Volunteers to join these teams are always welcome.
St John of the Cross
Sacred Heart Pauline Young
St Helen Jeannie Mardon
COLLECTORS AND COUNTERS
These roles are allocated in each community.
DBS SAFEGUARDING
The Diocese and the Parish takes the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults very seriously. There are representatives in each of our communities who ensure that the appropriate checks are undertaken on those who are involved with such groups.
St John of the Cross: Fran Ludden
Sacred Heart: Gerry Mildinhall
St. Helen: Gerry Mildinhall
DIOCESAN WEB SITE
If you wish to catch up with diocesan matters the web site address is www.catholiceastanglia.org
ECUMENICAL CHURCHES TOGETHER GROUPS
These are a means of bringing local Christians together spiritually and socially. Everyone is welcome to the events, which occur throughout the year.
St John of the Cross: Pauline Andrews
Sacred Heart: Chris White, Adrian Rudman,
FINANCE COMMITTEE
The Parish Finance Committee meets regularly to review our ability to meet our commitments and to plan for the future. It reports each year at the annual parish meeting.
FLOWER ARRANGERS
These groups operate in each of our churches and arrange displays for our Liturgical Celebrations. New volunteers are always welcome.
St. John of the Cross: Pauline Andrews
Sacred Heart: Kate Henderson
St Helen: Sheila Blaskett
If you have a special occasion, why not sponsor the flower arrangements for that week in your own community. See one of the arrangers if you would like to do so.
FOOD BANKS
There are collection boxes in each of the churches for donations of food for the local Food Banks. See posters on the notice boards for further information and suggestions of suitable food items to donate. For the Sacred Heart contact Adrian Rudman; for St John of the Cross the contacts are Ginny & Mike Keane and for the church of St Helen, contact Mary Rando.
GIFT AID, COVENANTS AND STANDING ORDERS
All parishioners are invited to contribute their weekly offering via envelopes, the planned giving scheme. You are welcome to contribute your weekly offering via Standing Order so that you can automatically donate even when you are away. Forms are available at the back of each church.
If you pay Income Tax and sign a Gift Aid Form, the Parish is able to recover the tax that you have paid on your weekly offertory contributions. For one-off donations we can claim a refund of tax if you complete one of the envelopes, which can be found at the back of each of our churches.
Further information about Gift Aid can be found on the Parish Website under ‘Parish Life’. Gift Aid Administrator – James Farrell
HALL BOOKINGS
The Sacred Heart Parish Hall may be booked for private events.
Contact Chris White.
See here for further details.
St. Helen’s Small Meeting Room
Contact Nick Walmsley
HOLY COMMUNION FOR THE SICK AND HOUSEBOUND
Lay Ministers of Holy Communion help distribute the Eucharist at Mass and bring Holy Communion to the sick and housebound in the Parish, in hospitals, and in Residential and Nursing Homes. If you yourself or someone you know wishes to receive Holy Communion at home please let Fr. Peter know.
HOSPITAL VISITS
The Cathedral Clergy are the Hospital Chaplains at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital and can be contacted on 01603 624615.
If you are about to go into hospital and would like to be visited by the priest or chaplain, it is important that you are registered as a Roman Catholic in the hospital and ask them to inform the relevant clergy. Hospitals no longer automatically inform their chaplains about their patients due to the data protection legislation.
HOUSE BLESSINGS
If you would like to have your house blessed, please speak to Fr. Peter.
HOUSE MASSES
Those living in the outlying areas have a house Mass about once a month (except during Lent and in August). Details are published in the Parish Newsletter. All are welcome.
INFANT BAPTISM
Parents are invited to make arrangements with Fr. Peter.
FIRST CONFESSION & FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
Preparation for this begins in November with regular meetings for parents, gatherings for children and church celebrations.
CONFIRMATION
This sacrament is celebrated periodically, as required. Diocesan policy is that confirmation will be administered to those who are in year 10 of secondary school or above. Contact Fr. Peter.
LITURGY GROUPS
Liturgy groups meet at St. John of the Cross and at the Sacred Heart from time to time.
St John of the Cross: contact Katie Maidment
Sacred Heart: contact Fr. Peter
MARRIAGE
Preparation courses take place with Fr. Peter when required and incorporate the Marriage Care courses in Norwich.
MEMORIAL GARDENS
Each of our churches has a Garden of Remembrance where the ashes of loved ones may be interred. An annual Memorial Service is held in the garden of the Sacred Heart, usually in August. For any query about the St. Helen Garden of Remembrance contact Nick Walmsley; about the St John of the Cross and Sacred Heart gardens, please contact Fr Peter.
MINISTERS OF THE WORD: READERS AT HOLY MASS
Anyone who has been confirmed and is interested in joining the team in each of our communities please contact Fr. Peter.
PARISH LIBRARY
We have a range of books for general spiritual reading, theology and bible reading in our churches. Our parishioners can borrow items. We also have other media for you to utilise.
St John of the Cross: Delia Rawlinson
St. Helen: Celia Cooper
The Duckett Library at the Cathedral has an online catalogue, which can be accessed at: www.sjbcathedral.org.uk
Parishioners who are members of the library may borrow books.
PARISH NEWSLETTER
This is available at Mass each week and outlines the various activities that are taking place in the Parish and the wider community. If you are away from the Parish at any time you can access the newsletter via the Parish Website – www.sacredheartnorthwalsham.com.
If you wish to have an announcement printed in the Parish Newsletter please ring or email Antonia Martinez in the Parish Office: 01692 403258 (rcnwalsham@gmail.com) with the details before Wednesday of the week you want the item to be included.
PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL
This meets regularly with Fr. Peter and plays an important part in the running of the parish and facilitates communication with all parishioners. It is a committee composed of three elected members of each church community and works with the Parish Priest to further the direction and activities of the Parish. The names and photographs of the current members of the Pastoral Council for each community can be found at the back of each church. The minutes of meetings are also published on the website. Pastoral Council members are usually available to speak to Parishioners each Sunday after Mass and St. John of the Cross and St. Helen communities hold a quarterly forum meeting to discuss matters relevant to their specific community and to the Parish as a whole. Relevant matters are then passed on to the Pastoral Council.
PARISH PROPERTIES AND SAFETY
The following people deal with matters of the security, health and safety and the fabric of our parish properties.
St John of the Cross: Neil Boyle, Mike Ludden
Sacred Heart: Becky Walker, Peter Brander
St. Helen’s: Francis Harmer, Richard McGreevy
Parish Hall: Ben & Christine White
PARISH WEBSITE
John Bolger updates our website regularly and any information needing updating should be emailed to him at bolgerj88@gmail.com
Any parishioners who are arranging events in the Parish are asked to contact Antonia Martinez in the Parish Office with the details and date to ensure the event is entered in the Parish Diary and on the website.
RCIA
This consists of a series of talks and discussions, which are particularly designed for those who are thinking of becoming a Catholic. These talks are also open to those who are already Catholics but may have been away from the church for a time or those who would like to deepen their understanding of the Church and its beliefs. A chance to ask, in a friendly environment, those questions that you have always wanted to ask about the Catholic Church.
For further details contact Fr. Peter
REPOSITORY
The repository offers a range of religious goods and cards for sale at the back of each of our churches.
St John of the Cross: Daphne Necchi
Sacred Heart: Fr. Peter/Becky Walker
St. Helen: Mary Edmonds, Janet McIlwee
REFRESHMENTS AFTER MASS
Please do not feel left out. One way to meet other parishioners is to join them for a cup of coffee or tea after Mass. There you can make yourself known and find out how you can fully enter into the vibrant lives of our communities. Volunteers to help in various ways are always needed by our groups.
SACRISTANS
St. John of the Cross: Roma Brooder, Andrew Clark
Sacred Heart: Becky Walker
St. Helen: Francis Harmer, Jeannie Mardon
SERVICE AND MASS TIMES
This is the normal weekly programme but always check the weekly newsletter or website for any changes.
Sacred Heart
Sunday 11 a.m.
Tuesday & Thursday 9.30 a.m.
Holydays 10.30 a.m.
St Helen
Saturday 5.30 p.m.(First Mass of Sunday)
Wednesday 9.30 a.m.
Holydays 6.00 p.m.
St John of the Cross
Sunday 9.00 a.m.
Friday 9.30 a.m.
Holydays 9.00 a.m.
EUCHARISTIC DEVOTION
Sacred Heart
Saturday 12-12.30pm
St Helen
Thursday 3.00pm
MORNING PRAYER
St Helen: Morning Prayer is incorporated into the Wednesday morning Mass.
THE ROSARY
The Rosary is normally recited before Mass at all three Churches in May and in October.
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
Sacred Heart: Saturday 12.00 – 12.30 p.m.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
These are said during Lent in our communities. The actual times will be listed in the Parish Newsletter.
ST. HELEN’S 4th WEDNESDAY CLUB
This meets on the 4th Wednesday of each month, providing a friendship venue for senior citizens with lots of chat and social interaction. It has now been running for nearly 14 years and offers tea, coffee and biscuits from 11.30 am, a simple hot lunch around 12.30, finishing around 2.00 pm.
For further details contact Mary Rando.
SUMMER GARDEN PARTY
A committee of interested people is formed and tasks divided between the participants and those that they can co-opt.
SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL (SVP)
We are part of the North Norfolk Conference, which meets every Thursday morning at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Refuge, Cromer.
Contact: Michael McMahon – mjmcm25@gmail.com
TRANSPORT
Transport to and from Mass is often needed, as the Parish covers a wide area. If you require transport at any time or can offer a lift please make yourself known either to one of your Parish Pastoral Council members or to Fr. Peter.
WELCOMERS
It is important that there are people available to welcome those attending Mass, especially visitors and newcomers to the Parish, to give out hymn books, the parish newsletter and other seasonal documents. Volunteers are always needed to help in this role in each community. If you are prepared to assist in this area contact one of the existing team or one of your Parish Pastoral Council members.
